Its all about IFN-λ4: Protective role of IFNL4 polymorphism against COVID-19-related pneumonia in females.

Despite the pivotal role of IFN-λs in the innate immune response, the data on its genetic polymorphism in relation to COVID-19 severity are scarce and contradictory. In the present study, we aimed to determine if the presence of the most frequent functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the two most important IFN-λs coding genes, namely IFNL3 and IFNL4, alters the likelihood of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients to develop more severe form of the disease. This observational cohort study involved 178 COVID-19 patients hospitalized at the University Clinical Centre Kragujevac, Serbia.

Galectin-3 as an important prognostic marker for COVID-19 severity.

Galectin-3 (Gal-3), multifunctional protein plays important roles in inflammatory response, infection and fibrosis. The goal of study was to determine the association of Gal-3, immune response, clinical, biochemical, and radiographic findings with COVID-19 severity. Study included 280 COVID-19 patients classified according to disease severity into mild, moderate, severe and critical group.

IFNL3/4 polymorphisms as a two-edged sword: An association with COVID-19 outcome.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been ranked among the most fatal infectious diseases worldwide, with host's immune response significantly affecting the prognosis. With an aim to timely predict the most likely outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection, we investigated the association of IFNL3 and IFNL4 polymorphisms, as well as other potentially relevant factors, with the COVID-19 mortality. This prospective observational case-control study involved 178 COVID-19 patients, hospitalized at Corona Center or Clinic for Infectious Diseases of University Clinical Centre Kragujevac, Serbia, followed up until hospital discharge or in-hospital death.

Galectin-1 as the new player in staging and prognosis of COVID-19.

A new virus from the group of coronaviruses was identified as the cause of atypical pneumonia and called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and disease called Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19). During the cytokine storm, the main cause of the death, proinflammatory cytokines are released which stimulate further tissue destruction. Galectin-1 (Gal-1) is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in many immune and inflammatory processes and its role in COVID-19 is still unknown.

IL 33 Correlates With COVID-19 Severity, Radiographic and Clinical Finding.

The increased level of interleukin (IL)-33 is considered as a predictor of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, but its role at different stages of the disease is still unclear. Our goal was to analyze the correlation of IL-33 and other innate immunity cytokines with disease severity. In this study, 220 patients with COVID-19 were included and divided into two groups, mild/moderate and severe/critical.

Predicting Severity and Intrahospital Mortality in COVID-19: The Place and Role of Oxidative Stress.

SARS-CoV-2 virus causes infection which led to a global pandemic in 2020 with the development of severe acute respiratory syndrome. Therefore, this study was aimed at examining its possible role in predicting severity and intrahospital mortality of COVID-19, alongside with other laboratory and biochemical procedures, clinical signs, symptoms, and comorbidity. This study, approved by the Ethical Committee of Clinical Center Kragujevac, was designed as an observational prospective cross-sectional clinical study which was conducted on 127 patients with diagnosed respiratory COVID-19 viral infection from April to August 2020.

SARS-CoV-2 infection induces mixed M1/M2 phenotype in circulating monocytes and alterations in both dendritic cell and monocyte subsets.

Clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection range from mild to critically severe. The aim of the study was to highlight the immunological events associated with the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection, with an emphasis on cells of innate immunity. Thirty COVID-19 patients with mild/moderate symptoms and 27 patients with severe/critically severe symptoms were recruited from the Clinical Center of Kragujevac during April 2020.

Increased systemic sST2 in patients with end stage renal disease contributes to milder liver damage during HCV infection.

Introduction: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease and is a serious global health problem. Hepatitis C infection is highly prevalent in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD), due to frequent exposure to blood and blood products, nosocomial transmission of HCV, and prolong hemodialysis duration. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of IL-33/ST2 signaling pathway on severity of the liver disease in ESRD HCV+ patients.

Micro-elimination of HCV as a possible therapeutic strategy: our experience and a review of literature.

Background: Serbia has an intermediate estimated prevalence of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection, approximately 1.13%, with hepatitis C remaining one of the leading causes of liver-related morbidity and mortality in Serbia with impaired quality of life and overwhelming cost of treating its complications As the availability of new treatment options and resources for screening remains limited, micro-elimination of CHC becomes a top priority.

Methods: Review of the available published data related to the clinical and epidemiological situation of the hepatitis C infection in Serbia, including the unpublished data from the databases of four major reference centres in Serbia (Clinical Center Serbia, Clinical Center Niš, Clinical Center Vojvodina and Clinical Center Kragujevac).

CD4/CD8 Ratio as a Predictor for the Occurrence of Metabolic Syndrome in HIV / AIDS Patients During 6 Months of cART Therapy.

Background: HIV infection is characterized by progressive depletion of CD4 T cells due to their reduced synthesis and increased destruction followed by marked activation and expansion of CD8 T lymphocytes. CD4/CD8 ratio was traditionally described as a marker of immune system ageing in the general population, but it increasingly appears as a marker of different outcomes in the HIV-infected population. The main objective of this study is to examine the power of CD4/CD8 ratio in predicting the occurrence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in HIV-positive patients receiving cART therapy.

Correction: Chronic Hepatitis C: Conspectus of immunological events in the course of fibrosis evolution.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Potential Hepatoprotective Role of Galectin-3 during HCV Infection in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients.

Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV), one of the greatest causes of liver disease, is a frequent complication in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on dialysis. ESRD is defined as decreased glomerular filtration and also accompanied by impaired function of the immune system. Galectin-3 is a -galactoside-binding lectin, involved in various biological processes including pathogenesis of chronic renal disease.

Cytokine profile in chronic hepatitis C: An observation.

The data addressing cytokine profile in chronically infected HCV patients are conflicting, ranging from Th1 or Th2 cytokine prevalence to the expression of both types of cytokines. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate cytokine profile in these patients. Cytokine sera levels in HCV patients and healthy controls were evaluated using 13plex FlowCytomix Multiplex.

Fever of unknown origin: Most frequent causes in adults patients.

Background/aim: The differential diagnosis of fever of unknown origin (FUO) includes more than 200 different diseases and conditions. The aim of this study was to identify the most frequent causes of FUO among adult patients according to gender and age.

Methods: The study included 74 patients examined from June 2010 to June 2013 at the Infectious Disease Clinic, Clinical Center Kragujevac in Serbia, according to the defined criteria for FUO.

Assessment of the Reliability of the Serbian Version of the Sickness Impact Profile Questionnaire in Patients with Chronic Viral Hepatitis.

Introduction: Health-related quality of life (HRQL) of chronic patients has been researched as the ultimate goal of modern treatment of chronic diseases to improve patients'quality of life.

Objective: The objective was to assess the reliability of the Serbian version of the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) questionnaire on the sample of patients with chronic viral hepatitis.

Methods: The research covered 102 patients with chronic hepatitis (47 type B and 55 type C).

Association between risk factors, basal viral load, virus genotype and the degree of liver fibrosis with the response to the therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

Background/aim: Hepatitis C is an important sociomedical problem worldwide due to frequent progression to chronic disease, occurrence of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Standard pegylated interferon alfa 2a plus ribavirin therapy results in resolution of infection only in 50% of patients. The aim of this study was to determine the association of various factors with response to the therapy in patients with chronic heptitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Boceprevir in genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C: first experiences in Serbia.

Introduction: The triple therapy which consists of one of the protease inhibitor plus pegylated interferon and ribavirin (P/R) is the standard of care for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 (G1) infection both in treatment-naïve and experienced patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the efficacy and tolerability of this regime in hospital practice in Serbia.

Methods: From July 2012 to October 2012, 20 previously treated patients with advanced fibrosis and HCV G1 infection were included in the triple antiviral regimen in six referral centers in Serbia.

[Risk factors of nosocomial infections caused by piperacillin-tazobactam resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa].

Introduction: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common cause of serious infections in hospitalized patients and is associated with high rates of hospital morbidity and mortality.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors of nosocomial infections caused by piperacillin-tazobactam-resistant P.aeruginosa (PT-RPA).

Assessment of viral genotype impact to the cost-effectiveness and overall costs of care for PEG-interferon-2α + ribavirine treated chronic hepatitis C patients.

Background: Pegylated interferon alfa plus ribavirin protocol is currently considered the most efficient hepatitis C treatment. However, no evidence of costs comparison among common viral genotypes has been published.

Objectives: We aimed to assess core drivers of hepatitis C medical care costs and compare cost effectiveness of this treatment among patients infected by hepatitis C virus with genotypes 1 or 4 (group I), and 2 or 3 (group II).

[Risk factors for acute respiratory distress syndrome development in patients with type A influenza (H1N1)].

Introduction: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a significant complication in patients with type A influenza (H1N1) due to the severity of the disease and adverse outcome.

Objective: The aim of the study was to identify risk factors for the development of ARDS in patients with type A influenza (H1N1) and outcome of ARDS.

Methods: The research was conducted as a case series study, and included patients admitted at the Clinical Center in Kragujevac during the 2009 and 2010 flu season.

Assessment of patient eligibility for kidney transplant procedure.

Kidney transplantation offers better quality of life in comparison to patient dialysis. Patients with endogenous creatinine clearance 30 mL/min/1.73m2 are introduced into the kidney transplant program.

Characteristics of radiological changes in lungs during varicella zoster viral infection.

The objective of this research was to analyse the varicella patients' data in order to determine the following: general frequency of pneumopathies and types of lung changes according to X-ray presentation and the changes on the computed tomography. It examined 101 patients with the clinical presentation of varicella and some of the X-ray entities of varicella pneumopathies. Radiological techniques included chest X-ray and CT scans.

[Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome during pregnancy: case report].

Introduction: Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFWRS) is an acute infectious disease with abrupt onset, high fever, renal failure and frequent hemorragies. HFWRS during the pregnancy has relatively low occurrence, with only few described cases mostly in the region of the former Soviet Union. Although, according to the data from the literature, the disease is less severe during the pregnancy, the eclampsy, stillbirth and fetal infection were also described.

[Risk factors and disposition in development of the nervous system infections].

Introduction: Although well protected, brain is not resistant to infection agents. Acute infections of our nervous system appear more often in children and in persons who have medical history data about previous disorders, especially disorders of the nervous system. It is difficult to list possible risk factors which can be responsible for the appearance of infections of CNS and the resulting conditions.