Publications by authors named "Tsantes A"
: Neonatal sepsis is a serious condition with high mortality, especially in premature and low-birth-weight neonates. This study aims to examine whether the haemostatic profile of neonates with sepsis defers depending on the type of bacteria (Gram-positive or Gram-negative), by using the method of Rotational Thromboelastometry (ROTEM). : This single-centre prospective cohort study was conducted on 128 neonates with sepsis, including 95 cases caused by Gram-negative pathogens and 33 cases caused by Gram-positive bacteria.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Systemic infection (SCI) is the third most common cause of late-onset sepsis in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU). While platelet involvement in fungal infections has been extensively studied, evaluation of the hemostatic mechanism in Candida infections, especially in neonates, has not been widely investigated. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the hemostatic profile of neonates with SCI through rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM), a laboratory method that assesses the viscoelastic properties of blood.
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- Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is increasingly affecting young adults and is linked to 10 key modifiable risk factors, which account for about 75% of cases globally.
- The study found that central obesity, gallstones, and physical inactivity are the top contributors to GBC, particularly impacting women.
- Most cases are preventable, highlighting the importance of addressing metabolic health conditions to reduce the risk of GBC.
Group A streptococcus (GAS) is the cause of both mild and invasive infections in humans with a high morbidity and mortality rate. The transmission of disease usually occurs via droplets, so the implementation of infection mitigation strategies (IMS) during the COVID-19 pandemic altered the incidence of GAS infection. This review aims to provide an overview of the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of GAS infection in children (invasive or non-invasive).
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- The review focuses on rare Gram-negative bacteria from the Burkholderiaceae family, often causing infections in immunocompromised patients, exploring their epidemiology, microbiology, and treatment options.
- Out of 29 studies analyzed, 43 infected patients had a mean age of 42, with cystic fibrosis being the most common risk factor and lower respiratory infections and bacteremia being prevalent.
- The study emphasizes high mortality rates, particularly in bloodstream infections, and highlights the need for clinicians to consider these bacteria in patients with severe comorbidities due to their unique antimicrobial resistance patterns.
: Data regarding fungal PJIs of the shoulder are scarce. The present systematic review aims to identify and evaluate all published shoulder fungal PJIs in an effort to better understand the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to these infections. : A systematic review according to the PRISMA guidelines was conducted, locating all shoulder fungal PJIs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Resurgence of Infections and Reinfections during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Greece.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
September 2024
Article Synopsis
- * A study analyzed medical records over 14 months after the pandemic began, finding that among mainly men with a median age of 43, syphilis cases nearly doubled, particularly in individuals with HIV.
- * The study concluded that the pandemic was a significant factor in rising syphilis rates, underscoring the need for improved healthcare access and prevention strategies during future health crises.
Infective endocarditis (IE) is a disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. It is more commonly caused by Gram-positive cocci, but Gram-positive bacilli may seldom cause the disease. is an aerobic Gram-positive coccobacillus and a foodborne and opportunistic pathogen most commonly causing gastrointestinal infections, even though bacteremia, sepsis, meningitis, and fetal infections may also occur.
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- Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a long-term skin condition that greatly affects patients' lives, and this study explored the link between inflammation markers in the blood and various measures of quality of life, emotional health, and loneliness.
- The research involved 37 HS patients, tracking inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate at multiple times, alongside assessments using tools like the Dermatology Life Quality Index.
- Findings showed that higher levels of inflammation (ESR and CRP) were linked to worse quality of life and greater psychological distress, highlighting the need for more investigation into these connections.
Article Synopsis
- * A total of 78 patients were analyzed, revealing that those with low-virulence PJIs exhibited significant hypercoagulability, with a noticeable increase in maximum clot firmness (MCF).
- * ROTEM's EXTEM MCF showed superior diagnostic accuracy for these infections compared to traditional lab tests, highlighting its promise for more effective PJI detection.
Article Synopsis
- COVID-19 vaccinations, particularly mRNA vaccines, have been linked to exacerbations of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases like psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa.
- Patients with hidradenitis suppurativa who received mRNA vaccines are 3.5 times more likely to experience disease flares compared to those who received non-mRNA vaccines.
- Additional studies are needed to confirm these findings across larger populations and to better understand the relationship between COVID-19 vaccines and other inflammatory conditions.
Antibiotic-loaded cement spacers (ALCSs) are essential for treating periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) by providing mechanical support and local antibiotic delivery. The purpose of this review is to comprehensively examine the various types of spacers utilised in the management of periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs), including both static and articulating variants and to analyse the fundamental principles underlying spacer use, their clinical benefits, the selection and administration of antimicrobial agents, appropriate dosages, and potential adverse effects. Articulating spacers, which allow joint mobility, often yield better outcomes than static ones.
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- Scientists wanted to see how different storage solutions affect blood platelets that are treated to kill germs.
- They tested platelets stored in plasma and Platelet Additive Solutions (PAS) from the same donors and checked their health on days 1, 3, and 5.
- Results showed that PAS kept the platelets healthier than plasma, but both types had less ability to stop bleeding over time.
Background: Perinatal hypoxia may result in coagulation dysfunction. Diminished blood flow or oxygen to the fetus/neonate during the perinatal period can cause bone marrow and liver function impairment, leading to thrombocytopenia, impaired synthesis of clotting and fibrinolytic factors, and increased destruction of platelets in the small blood vessels. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the hemostatic status of newborns with perinatal hypoxia via the non-activated thromboelastometry (NATEM) assay in cord blood samples.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInfective endocarditis (IE) is a disease that may cause significant morbidity and mortality. IE is classically caused by Gram-positive microorganisms; however, Gram-negative bacteria may seldom also be the cause. species cause zoonosis and may also infect humans, mainly causing gastrointestinal infection by or invasive disease by , such as bacteremia, sepsis, meningitis, or vascular infection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDysregulated hemostasis in cancer patients is associated with various clinical conditions, from thromboembolic complications to disseminated intravascular coagulation. Despite the well-established association between cancer and thromboembolic complications, the mechanisms involved are not completely elucidated. There are several predisposing factors in cancer for increased thrombus generation, such as immobilization and chemotherapy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExtrapulmonary infections by spp., though rare, can occur via dissemination, affecting singular or multiple sites, including the skin and musculoskeletal system. Skeletal involvement often manifests as osteomyelitis, particularly in the axial skeleton.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThere is a lack of reliable biomarkers for diagnosis of infection eradication prior to second-stage reimplantation in two-stage exchange arthroplasty for periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs). The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) for persistent infection in two-stage exchange arthroplasties. A pilot, retrospective analysis was performed including 70 patients who underwent a two-stage exchange arthroplasty for PJI.
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- Postoperative discitis (POD) is a rare infection that can happen after back surgery, and can be hard to diagnose because its symptoms are not very clear.
- It usually appears 2 to 4 weeks after surgery, causing severe back pain and muscle spasms that don't get better with resting or painkillers.
- The main way to check for POD is with an MRI, and if it’s found, doctors use antibiotics and sometimes surgery to treat it, but some people might still have problems even after treatment.
(1) In recent years, a global epidemiological shift in candidemia has been observed, marked by the emergence of resistant non-albicans Candida species. , in particular, has become a significant global concern, causing infections in both pediatric and adult populations within healthcare settings. Despite its widespread impact, there is a limited understanding of the clinical course and transmission dynamics of neonatal systemic Candida auris infections, hindering effective prevention and management.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The impact of pathogen reduction technology (PRT) such as Mirasol, and the effect of platelet additive solutions (PAS) on the activity and hemostatic profile of transfused apheresis platelets remain largely unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro hemostatic and metabolic profile of Mirasol treated platelets in PAS during a 7-day storage period.
Material And Methods: Ten split bags containing apheresis platelets stored in PAS were split into two groups; control platelets (No.
Article Synopsis
- Research has increasingly focused on how race influences clinical outcomes in ulcerative colitis (UC), particularly in the effectiveness of infliximab (IFX) treatment.
- In analyzing data from five placebo-controlled trials, no significant racial differences were found between Asian and Caucasian patients regarding the efficacy of IFX in inducing clinical response, remission, and mucosal healing.
- The study highlights the need for more diverse clinical trials to better understand possible racial variations in the treatment effectiveness of advanced therapies like IFX in UC.
Article Synopsis
- - Fungal keratitis is a serious eye infection that can lead to vision loss, making early diagnosis essential for treatment.
- - Patient history and symptoms help in creating a clinical suspicion, while a slit-lamp examination, microbiological tests, and advanced techniques like PCR and OCT are important for accurate diagnosis.
- - Each diagnostic method has its pros and cons, and the choice of technique depends on the clinical situation, available resources, and the expertise of the healthcare provider.