Molecular investigation of HIV-1 cross-group transmissions during an outbreak among people who inject drugs (2011-2014) in Athens, Greece.

New diagnoses of HIV-1 infection among people who inject drugs (PWID) rocketed in Athens, Greece between 2011 and 2014 (HIV-1 outbreak). Our aim was to identify, during that period, potential cross-group transmissions between the within-Greece PWID and other risk or national groups using molecular methods. Sequences from 33 PWID were outside the PWID-outbreak networks in Greece (PWID-imported transmissions).

National immunization strategies targeting migrants in six European countries.

Over the last three years an unprecedented flow of migrants arrived in Europe. There is evidence that vaccine preventable diseases have caused outbreaks in migrant holding centres. These outbreaks can be favored by a combination of factors including low immunization coverage, bad conditions that migrants face during their exhausting journey and overcrowding within holding facilities.

Thromboelastometry for diagnosis of neonatal sepsis-associated coagulopathy: an observational study.

Unlabelled: Our aim was to evaluate the potential role of standard extrinsically activated thromboelastometry (EXTEM) assay in the early detection of neonatal sepsis. We studied 91 hospitalized neonates categorized in two groups: group A included 35 neonates with confirmed sepsis, while group B included 56 neonates with suspected sepsis; 274 healthy neonates served as controls. Whenever sepsis was suspected, EXTEM assay was performed, Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology Perinatal Extension (SNAPPE) and Tοllner score were calculated, and clinical findings and laboratory results were recorded.

Systematic review with network meta-analysis: comparative assessment of tofacitinib and biological therapies for moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis.

Background: Biological therapies have improved the care of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Tofacitinib, an oral small-molecule Janus kinase inhibitor, is potentially a new treatment option.

Aim: To comparatively assess efficacy and harm of tofacitinib and biologics (infliximab, adalimumab, golimumab and vedolizumab) in adult patients not previously exposed to TNF antagonists.

Prevalence, incidence burden, and clinical impact of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance: a national prevalent cohort study in acute care hospitals in Greece.

Background: Assessing the overall burden of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) is challenging, but imperative in evaluating the cost-effectiveness of infection control programs. This study aimed to estimate the point prevalence and annual incidence of HAIs in Greece and assess the excess length of stay (LOS) and mortality attributable to HAIs, overall and for main infection sites and tracer antimicrobial resistance (AMR) phenotypes and pathogens.

Patients And Methods: This prevalent cohort study used a nationally representative cross-section of 8,247 inpatients in 37 acute care hospitals to record active HAIs of all types at baseline and overall LOS and in-hospital mortality up to 90 days following hospital admission.

Comparative safety of systemic and low-bioavailability steroids in inflammatory bowel disease: Systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Aims: Oral systemic corticosteroids have been used to induce remission in patients with active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) for over 50 years; however, the wide array of adverse events (AEs) associated with these drugs prompted the development of steroid compounds with targeted delivery and low systemic bioavailability. This study assessed corticosteroids' comparative harm using network meta-analysis.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Scopus, Embase, the Cochrane Library, clinical trial registries, regulatory authorities' websites and major conference proceedings, through March 2017.

Monitoring and managing antibiotic resistance in refugee children.

The past decade the Middle East and Southeastern Europe have witnessed an enormous movement of refugees due to the Syrian war and conflicts in Asia and Africa. Although carriage of and infections with multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens in refugees have been reported, pediatric data are scarce. Areas covered: MDR bacterial carriage and infections, and MDR-tuberculosis (TB) in refugee children from 2010.

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.

Vaccinations and Malaria Chemoprophylaxis of Adolescents Traveling From Greece to International Destinations: A Nine-Year Prospective Study.

Background: There are few publications focusing on vaccination and malaria chemoprophylaxis in adolescent travelers. We assessed pretravel vaccinations and malaria chemoprophylaxis of adolescents 12-18 years old traveling from Greece to international destinations.

Methods: We prospectively studied 239 adolescents 12-18 years old during 2008-2016.

Consumption of antibiotics by children in Greece: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Greece is among the European countries with the highest consumption of antibiotics.

Objectives: To study the rates and characteristics of consumption of antibiotics in the community by children in Greece.

Methods: Questionnaire-based study of parents of hospitalized children.

Preparedness of adolescents departing from Athens International Airport to Africa or Asia: A five-year airport-based prospective study.

Background: The number of adolescents who travel has increased. We estimated the preparedness of adolescents (12-18 years) departing from Athens to Africa and Asia.

Methods: An airport-based survey was conducted from 2011 to 2015.

Antimicrobial resistance and the current refugee crisis.

In the past few years, Europe has experienced an enormous influx of refugees and migrants owing to the ongoing civil war in Syria as well as conflicts, violence and instability in other Asian and African countries. Available data suggest that refugees carry a significant burden of multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms, which is attributed to the rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) rates in their countries of origin, both in healthcare settings and in the community. Transmission of MDR pathogens among refugees is facilitated by the collapsed housing, hygiene and healthcare infrastructures in several communities as well as poor hygiene conditions during their trip to destination countries.

Self-collected cervicovaginal sampling for site-of-care primary HPV-based cervical cancer screening: a pilot study in a rural underserved Greek population.

In the present pilot study, the feasibility of a site-of-care cervicovaginal self-sampling methodology for HPV-based screening was tested in 346 women residing in underserved rural areas of Northern Greece. These women provided self-collected cervicovaginal sample along with a study questionnaire. Following molecular testing, using the cobas HPV Test, Roche, HPV positive women, were referred to colposcopy and upon abnormal findings, to biopsy and treatment.

Meningococcal disease awareness and meningoccocal vaccination among Greek students planning to travel abroad.

Objective Students living in dormitories are at increased risk for meningococcal disease. Our aim was to evaluate Greek students planning to study abroad about their level of meningococcal disease awareness and attitudes and practices towards meningococcal vaccination. Methods We studied 231 Greek ERASMUS students using a questionnaire.

Health problems of newly arrived migrants and refugees in Europe.

Background: The number of migrants and refugees in Europe in the past few years has increased dramatically due to war, violence or prosecutions in their homeland. Migration may affect physical, mental and social health. The objective of this article is to assess migrants and refugees' health problems, and to recommend appropriate interventions.

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus Continuum of Care in European Union Countries in 2013: Data and Challenges.

Background.: The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has set a "90-90-90" target to curb the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic by 2020, but methods used to assess whether countries have reached this target are not standardized, hindering comparisons.

Methods.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: use of 5-aminosalicylates and risk of colorectal neoplasia in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: The relationship of 5-aminosalicylates' use with the risk of colorectal neoplasia in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been the focus of a growing body of research.

Aim: To investigate this association through an updated meta-analysis of observational studies.

Methods: PubMed, Scopus and major conference proceedings were searched up to December 2016.

Records of Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) (Diptera; Culicidae) and Culex tritaeniorhynchus (Diptera; Culicidae) Expansion in Areas in Mainland Greece and Islands.

Annual entomological surveillance programs aiming to monitor mosquito populations and record presence and absence of mosquito species have been performed in Greece. We report, in this study, new records and expansion of Aedes albopictus in the islands of Lesvos (region of North Aegean), Crete (region of Crete), and the regional units of Rodopi in East Macedonia-Thrace. Furthermore, Culex tritaeniorhynchus was recorded for the first time in Arta (region of Epirus) in northwestern Greece.

Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates Recovered from Greek Aquatic Habitats Implementing the Double-Locus Sequence Typing Scheme.

The recently described double-locus sequence typing (DLST) scheme implemented to deeply characterize the genetic profiles of 52 resistant environmental Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates deriving from aquatic habitats of Greece. DLST scheme was able not only to assign an already known allelic profile to the majority of the isolates but also to recognize two new ones (ms217-190, ms217-191) with high discriminatory power. A third locus (oprD) was also used for the molecular typing, which has been found to be fundamental for the phylogenetic analysis of environmental isolates given the resulted increased discrimination between the isolates.

Study of Greek children and youths with cystic fibrosis identifies immunisation gaps and delays.

Aim: Data about immunisation rates in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are scarce. We estimated the rates and timeliness of immunisations in CF patients aged 0.55-22 years.

Aseptic abscess syndrome associated with traveler's diarrhea after a trip to Malaysia.

The first, to our knowledge, case of the aseptic abscesses syndrome as a complication of traveler's diarrhea after a trip to Malaysia is presented. The patient failed to respond to several antimicrobials. The diagnosis was histologically confirmed and the patient only responded to immunomodulatory therapy with corticosteroids and methotrexate.

Immunization of Health-Care Providers: Necessity and Public Health Policies.

Health-care providers (HCPs) are at increased risk for exposure to vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) in the workplace. The rationale for immunization of HCPs relies on the need to protect them and, indirectly, their patients from health-care-associated VPDs. Published evidence indicates significant immunity gaps for VPDs of HCPs globally.