Real-world Effectiveness of Molnupiravir and Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir as Treatments for COVID-19 in Patients at High Risk.

Background: Using a retrospective cohort study design, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir in patients with SARS-CoV-2 who were highly vulnerable.

Methods: The impact of each drug was determined via comparisons with age-matched control groups of patients positive for SARS-CoV-2 who did not receive oral antiviral therapy.

Results: Administration of molnupiravir significantly reduced the risk of hospitalization (odds ratio [OR], 0.

The Effect of Different Colistin Dosing Regimens on Nephrotoxicity: A Cohort Study.

(1) Background: It is not known whether different daily dosing schemes have different effects on colistin nephrotoxicity. We examined the effect of once- versus twice- or thrice-daily doses of colistin on renal function. (2) Methods: We performed a multicenter retrospective cohort study of hospitalized patients with a baseline glomerular filtration rate ≥ 50 mL/min who received intravenously the same colistin dose once (regimen A), twice (regimen B) or thrice daily (regimen C).

CD4/CD8 Ratio and the Risk of Kaposi Sarcoma or Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in the Context of Efficiently Treated Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection: A Collaborative Analysis of 20 European Cohort Studies.

Background: A persistently low CD4/CD8 ratio has been reported to inversely correlate with the risk of non-AIDS defining cancer in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; PLWH) efficiently treated by combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). We evaluated the impact of the CD4/CD8 ratio on the risk of Kaposi sarcoma (KS) or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), still among the most frequent cancers in treated PLWH.

Methods: PLWH from the Collaboration of Observational HIV Epidemiological Research Europe (COHERE) were included if they achieved virological control (viral load ≤ 500 copies/mL) within 9 months following cART and without previous KS/LNH diagnosis.

Perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis in adult patients: The first multicenter clinical practice audit with intervention in Greek surgical departments.

Objective: To audit clinical practice and implement an intervention to promote appropriate use of perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis (PAP).

Design: Prospective multicenter before-and-after study.

Setting: This study was conducted in 7 surgical departments of 3 major Greek hospitals.

Rezafungin Versus Caspofungin in a Phase 2, Randomized, Double-blind Study for the Treatment of Candidemia and Invasive Candidiasis: The STRIVE Trial.

Background: Rezafungin (RZF) is a novel echinocandin exhibiting distinctive pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics. STRIVE was a phase 2, double-blind, randomized trial designed to compare the safety and efficacy of RZF once weekly (QWk) to caspofungin (CAS) once daily for treatment of candidemia and/or invasive candidiasis (IC).

Methods: Adults with systemic signs and mycological confirmation of candidemia and/or IC were randomized to RZF 400 mg QWk (400 mg), RZF 400 mg on week 1 then 200 mg QWk (400/200 mg), or CAS 70 mg as a loading dose followed by 50 mg daily for ≤4 weeks.

Earlier treatment initiation is associated with a decreased number of HIV-1 subtype A1 transmissions in Greece.

Objectives: Subtypes A1 and B are the most prevalent HIV-1 clades in Greece. Subtype A1 epidemic is highly monophyletic and corresponds to transmissions that occurred locally. Our aim in this molecular epidemiology analysis was to investigate the role of early treatment in preventing new HIV-1 transmissions.

Identifying, linking, and treating people who inject drugs and were recently infected with HIV in the context of a network-based intervention.

Identifying and linking people to care soon after HIV infection could limit viral transmission and protect their health. This work aims at describing the continuum of care among recently HIV-infected people who inject drugs (PWID) and participated in an intervention in the context of an HIV outbreak in Athens, Greece. The Transmission Reduction Intervention Project (TRIP) conducted risk network-based contact tracing and screened people for recent HIV infection.

HIV cascade of care in Greece: Useful insights from additional stages.

Background: Aiming to eliminate HIV infection, UNAIDS has set a global "90-90-90" target by 2020. We sought to construct a 6-stages HIV Cascade of Care (CoC) in Greece, overall and by risk group, to assess risk-group and stage-specific progress in achieving the UNAIDS target.

Patients And Methods: Combining data from the HIV/AIDS surveillance system and a population-based HIV cohort study, the CoC included: i) number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) by end of 2013; ii) proportion of PLHIV ever diagnosed; iii) proportion of diagnosed linked-to-care iv) proportion of linked-to-care ever initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART); v) proportion of treated who retained-in-care vi) proportion of those retained-in-care who were virally suppressed (≤200 copies/mL) at their last visit (01/07/2012-31/12/2013).

Lymphocutaneous nocardiosis in a kidney transplant patient successfully treated with tigecycline.

Cutaneous nocardiosis is an infrequent infection which has been increasingly reported in immunocompromised patients. Although trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is considered to be the agent of choice for treatment of nocardiosis, newer antimicrobials such as tigecycline have been proven to be effective in vitro, as well. We report the first case of primary cutaneous nocardiosis in a renal transplant recipient having corresponded well to treatment with tigecycline.

The HIV patient profile in 2013 and 2003: Results from the Greek AMACS cohort.

Combined Antiretroviral therapy (cART) has improved life-expectancy of people living with HIV (PLHIV) but as they age, prevalence of chronic non-AIDS related comorbidities may increase. We study the evolution of HIV-disease markers and comorbidities' prevalence in PLHIV in Greece. Two cross-sectional analyses (2003 and 2013) on data from the AMACS cohort were performed.

Establishing nationally representative central line-associated bloodstream infection surveillance data for paediatric patients in Greece.

Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality and with excess costs. Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are the most common HCAIs in neonates and children.

Aim: To establish national benchmark data for rates of CLABSI in neonatal and paediatric intensive care units (NICUs and PICUs) and paediatric oncology units (ONCs).

Ets-2 Acts As a Transcriptional Repressor of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 through Binding to a Repressor-Activator Target Sequence of 5'-LTR.

HIV-1 is transcriptionally active in activated T helper (Th)-cells and inactive in naive or resting memory Th-cells. Ets-2 is a preinduction transcriptional repressor of the IL-2 gene in naive Th-cells and a candidate transcriptional repressor of HIV-1 in the same cells, because the -279 to -250 upstream region of HIV-1-LTR [repressor-activator target sequence (RATS)], that participates in HIV-1-LTR transcriptional silencing, encompasses the AAGGAG Ets-2 binding site. In this proof of concept study, we investigated whether Ets-2 represses the expression of HIV-1.

Which HIV-infected adults with high CD4 T-cell counts benefit most from immediate initiation of antiretroviral therapy? A post-hoc subgroup analysis of the START trial.

Background: Immediate initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in asymptomatic adults with CD4 counts higher than 500 cells per μL, as recommended, might not always be possible in resource-limited settings. We aimed to identify subgroups of individuals who would benefit most from immediate treatment.

Methods: The START trial was a randomised controlled trial in asymptomatic, HIV-positive adults previously untreated with ART.

Transmission Dynamics of HIV-1 Drug Resistance among Treatment-Naïve Individuals in Greece: The Added Value of Molecular Epidemiology to Public Health.

The presence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) drug resistance among drug-naïve patients remains stable, although the proportion of patients with virological failure to therapy is decreasing. The dynamics of transmitted resistance among drug-naïve patients remains largely unknown. The prevalence of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) resistance was 16.

Molecular Tracing of the Geographical Origin of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection and Patterns of Epidemic Spread Among Migrants Who Inject Drugs in Athens.

Background: High numbers of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infections among people who inject drugs (PWID) have been diagnosed in Athens, Greece, since 2011. We aimed to trace the geographic origin of HIV-1 infection for migrants who inject drugs and to investigate whether transmissions occur more frequently among migrants than among Greek nationals.

Methods: Multiple cross-sectional studies were pooled to assemble all persons diagnosed with HIV-1 in Greece between 1 January 2011 and 31 October 2014.

Point-prevalence survey of healthcare facility-onset healthcare-associated Clostridium difficile infection in Greek hospitals outside the intensive care unit: The C. DEFINE study.

Background: The correlation of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) with in-hospital morbidity is important in hospital settings where broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents are routinely used, such as in Greece. The C. DEFINE study aimed to assess point-prevalence of CDI in Greece during two study periods in 2013.

Prevalence of drug resistance among HIV-1 treatment-naive patients in Greece during 2003-2015: Transmitted drug resistance is due to onward transmissions.

Background: The prevalence of HIV-1 drug resistance among treatment-naïve patients ranges between 8.3% and 15% in Europe and North America. Previous studies showed that subtypes A and B were the most prevalent in the Greek HIV-1 epidemic.

Proceedings of The 8th Romanian National HIV/AIDS Congress and The 3rd Central European HIV Forum : Sibiu, Romania. 5-7 May 2016.

O1 HIV-1 diversity in Bulgaria (current molecular epidemiological picture) Ivailo Alexiev, Reneta Dimitrova, Anna Gancheva, Asya Kostadinova, Mariyana Stoycheva, Daniela Nikolova, Ivaylo Elenkov O2 Knowledge, attitudes and practices of the general population on HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C in Romania Cătălin Tilișcan, Mioara Predescu, Bogdan Păunescu, Anca Streinu-Cercel, Oana Săndulescu, Claudiu Mihai Șchiopu, Mădălina Hristache, Lăcrămioara Aurelia Brîndușe, Adrian Streinu-Cercel O3 The prevalence of human leukocyte antigen-B*57:01 allele carriers and CXCR4 tropism among newly diagnosed HIV infected patients in Serbia Marija Todorovic, Marina Siljic, Dubravka Salemovic, Valentina Nikolic, Ivana Pesic-Pavlovic, Jovan Ranin, Djordje Jevtovic, Maja Stanojevic O4 HIV transmission among stable serodiscordant couples from the former Pediatric Cohort follow up in the National Institute of Infectious Diseases Ana Maria Tudor, Delia Vlad, Mariana Mărdărescu, Sorin Petrea, Cristina Petre, Ruxandra Neagu-Drăghicenoiu, Rodica Ungurianu, Alina Cibea, Odette Chirilă, Cristian Anghelina, Ileana Coserea O5 Unemployment is associated with syringe sharing among people who inject drugs in Greece Pantelia-Amalia Krikelli, Eirini Pavlitina, Mina Psichogiou, Demetris Lamnisos, Leslie Williams, Anya Korobchuk, Britt Skaathun, Pavlo Smyrnov, John Schneider, Vana Sypsa, Dimitrios Paraskevis, Angelos Hatzakis, Samuel R. Friedman, Georgios K. Nikolopoulos O6 Correlation of adipocytokine levels in different types of lipodystrophy in HIV/AIDS patients Gordana Dragović, Danica Srdić, Al Musalhi Khawla, Ivan Soldatović, Jelena Nikolić, Djordje Jevtović, Devaki Nair O7 IP10 – a possible biomarker for the progression of HIV infection Aura Temereanca, Adelina Rosca, Luminita Ene, Benchawa Soontornniyomkij, Carmen Diaconu, Claudia Dita, Cristian Achim, Simona Ruta O8 A permanent challenge: persistent low viremia in HIV positive patients on ART Șerban Benea, Ruxandra Moroti, Raluca Jipa, Eliza Manea, Andrada Stan, Elisabeta Benea, Dan Oțelea, Adriana Hristea O9 Infections in IDUs according to their HIV status Adriana Hristea, Irina Lăpădat, Raluca Jipa, Ruxandra Moroti, Șerban Benea, Doina Antonică, Irina Panait, Roxana Petre O10 Trends in combined antiretroviral therapy used in methadone program integrated with HIV care - 20 years of experience Justyna D.

Intravascular Lymphoma as an Uncommon Cause of Anasarca.

Objectives: To report a case of intravascular lymphoma (IVL) in a Caucasian patient who presented with anasarca as his sole clinical sign.

Material And Methods: A man presented with anasarca-type oedema and fatigue. After excluding heart failure, hepatic cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome, hypothyroidism, AL-amyloidosis and adverse drug reaction which can all cause oedema, we turned our attention to capillary permeability disorders.

Validated Risk Score for Predicting 6-Month Mortality in Infective Endocarditis.

Background: Host factors and complications have been associated with higher mortality in infective endocarditis (IE). We sought to develop and validate a model of clinical characteristics to predict 6-month mortality in IE.

Methods And Results: Using a large multinational prospective registry of definite IE (International Collaboration on Endocarditis [ICE]-Prospective Cohort Study [PCS], 2000-2006, n=4049), a model to predict 6-month survival was developed by Cox proportional hazards modeling with inverse probability weighting for surgery treatment and was internally validated by the bootstrapping method.

Carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infections in neutropenic patients with haematological malignancies or aplastic anaemia: Analysis of 50 cases.

Carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (CP-Kp) are currently among the most important nosocomial pathogens in many geographic regions. A retrospective study was conducted between 2010 and 2014 in four hospitals located in a high-prevalence area (Athens, Greece) to describe the clinical features, treatment and outcomes of neutropenic patients with haematological diseases complicated with CP-Kp bloodstream infections. A total of 50 patients were identified, including 48 with haematological malignancies and 2 with aplastic anaemia.

Reasons for not starting antiretroviral therapy in HIV-1-infected individuals: a changing landscape.

Purpose: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to better understand why chronically HIV-1-infected individuals stratified by CD4 count (≤349; 350-499; ≥500 cells/μL) were not on antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Methods: Before the consultation, treatment-naive patients and their physicians independently completed a 90-item-questionnaire about barriers and their readiness to start/defer ART. The study was carried out at 34 sites in nine countries in Europe and Australia.

Transmission of HIV Drug Resistance and the Predicted Effect on Current First-line Regimens in Europe.

Background: Numerous studies have shown that baseline drug resistance patterns may influence the outcome of antiretroviral therapy. Therefore, guidelines recommend drug resistance testing to guide the choice of initial regimen. In addition to optimizing individual patient management, these baseline resistance data enable transmitted drug resistance (TDR) to be surveyed for public health purposes.

Daptomycin for Gram-positive Infections in Patients with Neutropenia: Clinical Experience from a European Outcomes Registry.

Introduction: The aim of this analysis was to describe in real-world settings the clinical outcomes and safety associated with daptomycin treatment in patients with neutropenia and Gram-positive infections.

Methods: Patients with an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≤1000 cells/mm(3) who received at least one dose of daptomycin between 2006 and 2012 were selected from a non-interventional, multicenter, retrospective registry (European Cubicin(®) Outcome Registry and Experience; EU-CORE(SM)).

Results: Of the 6075 patients enrolled in EU-CORE, 446 (7.