"HEALTH INSPECTIONS OF RESTAURANT ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE ATTICA REGION, GREECE. NON-COMPLIANCE DATA WITHIN THE FOOD HYGIENE SECTOR".

Background: Ensuring food safety is a fundamental priority for public health. The catering sector has become prominent as a convenient and cost-effective method of food supply worldwide. Adherence to proper food hygiene practices is crucial for preventing foodborne diseases.

Major Vault Protein/Lung Resistance-Related Protein: A Novel Biomarker for Inflammation and Acute Infections.

Introduction: Vault particles are large cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein particles that participate in inflammation. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic and prognostic value of major vault protein (MVP) in patients with inflammation, in order to determine whether MVP could be used as a biomarker for infection or inflammation. We also aimed to compare the diagnostic impact of MVP compared to other conventional measurements, such as CRP or white blood cell (WBC) counts.

Prevalence of HPV Genotypes among Greek Women in Association with Their Potential to Cause Precancerous Lesions.

The escalating global rates of precancerous lesions associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) types not targeted by current vaccines underscore the need to explore the prevalence of HPV types within the Greek female population and their involvement in precancerous lesion development. In the current study, we enrolled a cohort of 253 women aged 18 to 65 years, residing in Greece, who underwent routine screening in three tertiary care referral hospitals. Each participant completed a demographic questionnaire.

Differences in the Dwell Time of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters between Patients with Catheter Colonization and Those Developing Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection: A Single Centre Retrospective Cohort Study.

Substantial knowledge gaps exist concerning the varying durations of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) placements that lead to either central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) or catheter colonization. We aimed to compare PICCs dwell time between patients who developed CLABSIs due to multidrug-resistant microorganisms (MDROs) and patients with catheter colonization by MDROs. Data from 86 patients admitted consecutively to a tertiary-care hospital from 2017 to 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.

Prolonged SARS-CoV-2 T Cell Responses in a Vaccinated COVID-19-Naive Population.

Introduction: Exploring T cell response duration is pivotal for understanding immune protection evolution in natural SARS-CoV-2 infections. The objective of the present study was to analyze the T cell immune response over time in individuals who were both vaccinated and COVID-19-naive and had undetectable levels of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies at the time of testing.

Methods: We performed a retrospective descriptive analysis using data extracted from the electronic medical records of consecutive adult individuals who underwent COVID-19 immunity screening at a private healthcare center from September 2021 to September 2022.

Antimicrobial and Diagnostic Stewardship of the Novel β-Lactam/β-Lactamase Inhibitors for Infections Due to Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales Species and .

Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections are a major public health threat due to the limited therapeutic options available. The introduction of the new β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitors (BL/BLIs) has, however, altered the treatment options for such pathogens. Thus, four new BL/BLI combinations-namely, ceftazidime/avibactam, meropenem/vaborbactam, imipenem/relebactam, and ceftolozane/tazobactam-have been approved for infections attributed to carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales species and .

Central Venous Catheters versus Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters: A Comparison of Indwelling Time Resulting in Colonization by Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens.

Background: The use of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) as an alternative to central venous catheters (CVCs) has steadily risen over the last two decades. However, there is an ongoing debate regarding research evidence that supports any clear advantages or disadvantages of them compared to traditional central venous lines. The present study was conducted to compare the indwelling time of CVC and PICC placements leading to microbial colonization by multidrug-resistant microorganisms (MDROs) in critically ill patients.

Persistence of T-Cell Immunity Responses against SARS-CoV-2 for over 12 Months Post COVID-19 Infection in Unvaccinated Individuals with No Detectable IgG Antibodies.

Background: Immune response to SARS-CoV-2 is crucial for preventing reinfection or reducing disease severity. T-cells' long-term protection, elicited either by COVID-19 vaccines or natural infection, has been extensively studied thus far; however, it is still attracting considerable scientific interest. The aim of the present epidemiological study was to define the levels of T-cellular immunity response in a specific group of unvaccinated individuals from the general population with a prior confirmed COVID-19 infection and no measurable levels of IgG antibodies.

Antimicrobial resistance rates of urogenital Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma species before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from a Greek survey, 2014 to 2022.

The prevalence of antibiotic-resistant urogenital mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas has been gradually increasing over the years, leading to greater concern for accurate diagnosis and treatment. In this study, the antimicrobial resistance trends in Greece were analyzed using 2992 Ureaplasma spp. and 371 M.

Comparison of microbial colonization rates between central venous catheters and peripherally inserted central catheters.

Background: Central venous catheters (CVCs) and peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), have been widely used as intravascular devices in critically ill patients. However, they might evoke complications, such as catheter colonization that has been considered as predisposing factor for central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). Although numerous studies have compared the risk of bloodstream infections between PICCs and CVCs, comparative studies on their colonization rates are limited.

SARS-CoV-2 T Cell Immunity Responses following Natural Infection and Vaccination.

(1) Background: SARS-CoV-2 T cell immunity is rapidly activated following SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination and is crucial for controlling infection progression and severity. The aim of the present study was to compare the levels of T cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 between cohorts of subjects with hybrid immunity (convalescent and vaccinated), vaccinated naïve (non-exposed) and convalescent unvaccinated subjects. (2) Methods: We performed a retrospective descriptive analysis of data collected from the medical records of adult individuals who were consecutively examined at a large, private Medical Center of Attica from September 2021 to September 2022 in order to be examined on their own initiative for SARS-CoV-2 T cell immunity response.

Serum β-Defensin 2, A Novel Biomarker for the Diagnosis of Acute Infections.

Background: Defensins are natural antimicrobial peptides that the human body secretes to protect itself from an infection. Thus, they are ideal molecules to serve as biomarkers for infection. This study was conducted to evaluate the levels of human β-defensins in patients with inflammation.

Lower risk of bloodstream infections for peripherally inserted central catheters compared to central venous catheters in critically ill patients.

Background: Peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) serve as an alternative to short-term central venous catheters (CVCs) for providing intravenous access in hospitalized patients. Although a number of studies suggest that PICCs are associated with a lower risk of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) than CVCs, recent data concerning specific patient groups support the contrary. In this regard, we are comparing CVC- and PICC-related CLABSI rates developed in a selected group of critically ill inpatients and evaluating the CLABSI microbiological distribution.

Duration of central venous catheter placement and central line-associated bloodstream infections after the adoption of prevention bundles: a two-year retrospective study.

Background: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) remain a critical and possibly fatal outcome of hospitalization. Use of central venous catheter (CVC) bundles can considerably reduce CLABSI rates in hospitalized patients. However, despite widespread adoption of these bundles in hospitals worldwide, CLABSIs still remain prevalent.

Central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection and colonization: the impact of insertion site and distribution of multidrug-resistant pathogens.

Background: Placement of central-venous catheters (CVCs) is an essential practice in the management of hospitalized patients, however, insertion at the commonly used sites has often the potential of inducing major complications. Neverthelss, the impact of specific site central line catheter insertion on catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) has not been clarified yet in the literature.

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare CLABSIs and catheter colonization rates among the three catheter insertion sites: subclavian (SC), internal jugular (IJ) and femoral (FEM) in hospitalized patients.

Clinical relevance of in vitro synergistic activity of antibiotics for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections: A systematic review.

Objectives: The aim of this review was to investigate the outcomes of patients infected with multidrug-resistant (MDR) or extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Gram-negative bacteria following synergy-guided antibiotic combination therapy (SGACT).

Methods: A systematic review of PubMed and Scopus databases was performed. Published studies of any design reporting outcomes of patients with MDR Gram-negative bacteria treated with SGACT were included.

Soil contamination by and human seroprevalence in the Attica region, Greece.

Background: is one of the most widespread public health and economically important zoonotic parasitic infections humans share with canids, mainly dogs. Human infection occurs by the accidental ingestion of embryonated eggs or larvae from a range of wild and domestic paratenic hosts. The aim of the present study was to examine the soil contamination of public places by the parasitic ova and to estimate serologically the prevalence of human infection in the Attica region, Greece.

Antimicrobial stewardship program in a Greek hospital: implementing a mandatory prescription form and prospective audits.

Aim: Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) are urgently needed for Greek hospitals in order to improve antibiotic usage.

Patients & Methods: An ASP was implemented to a Greek hospital since February 2014. A mandatory order form was introduced for five antimicrobials; colistin, tigecycline, daptomycin, doripenem and linezolid.

The challenge of curbing aminoglycoside resistance: can antimicrobial stewardship programs play a critical role?

Aminoglycosides are useful antimicrobials, primarily for serious infections involving aerobic gram-negative pathogens. The inevitable increase in aminoglycoside resistance has led to calls for reducing levels of inappropriate aminoglycoside prescribing through the implementation of various antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs). These programs mainly include restriction policies and aminoglycoside cycling.

First Case of Lung Abscess due to Salmonella enterica Serovar Abony in an Immunocompetent Adult Patient.

In healthy individuals, nontyphoidal Salmonella species predominantly cause a self-limited form of gastroenteritis, while they infrequently invade or cause fatal disease. Extraintestinal manifestations of nontyphoidal Salmonella infections are not common and mainly occur among individuals with specific risk factors; among them, focal lung infection is a rare complication caused by nontyphoidal Salmonella strains typically occurring in immunocompromised patients with prior lung disease. We describe the first case of a localized lung abscess formation in an immunocompetent healthy female adult due to Salmonella enterica serovar Abony.

A review of neuraminidase inhibitor susceptibility in influenza strains.

Influenza human infections are considered as a persistent global public health issue. Whereas vaccination is important for prevention, given its limitations, antiviral therapy is at the forefront of treatment, while it also plays a significant role in prevention. Currently, two classes of drugs, adamantanes (M2 blockers) and neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs), are available for treatment and chemoprophylaxis of influenza infections.

Administration of a triple versus a standard double antimicrobial regimen for human brucellosis more efficiently eliminates bacterial DNA load.

The effects of doxycycline-streptomycin-rifampin versus a standard doxycycline-streptomycin regimen on residual Brucella DNA were compared in 36 acute brucellosis patients. At admission, all patients given triple (n = 22) and double (n = 14) regimens had detectable Brucella DNA with similar mean loads (P = 0.982).

Activity of Tigecycline in combination with Colistin, Meropenem, Rifampin, or Gentamicin against KPC-producing Enterobacteriaceae in a murine thigh infection model.

Limited antimicrobials remain active for treating severe infections due to KPC-producing pathogens, and optimal regimens have not been established. In murine thigh infections caused by nine KPC-producing clinical strains of Enterobacteriaceae (meropenem MICs, 1 to 4 μg/ml), we evaluated the activities of tigecycline, colistin, meropenem, rifampin, and gentamicin in single and combination regimens lasting for 24 h and 48 h. Rifampin, tigecycline, and gentamicin were the most effective monotherapies, reducing significantly the CFU counts yielded from thighs infected by 88.

Inflammatory bowel disease exacerbation associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection.

Background: Epstein-Barr virus infection is associated with inflammatory bowel disease, but its role as a pathogenetic or exacerbating factor remains unclear.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between Epstein-Barr virus infection and inflammatory bowel disease, particularly in regard to exacerbation of disease activity.

Design: This was a nonrandomized crosssectional study in subgroups of patients with inflammatory bowel disease compared with a control group with noninflammatory disease.