Invasive group A streptococcal infections as a consequence of coexisting or previous viral infection in the post-COVID-19 pandemic period.

Background: Group A Streptococci (GAS) may cause infections of the pharynx and soft tissues and invasive infections in children (iGAS). A significant increase in severe iGAS infections has been reported in Europe since the fall of 2022.

Objectives: This retrospective study aims to analyse clinical data of children with invasive and non-invasive GAS infections in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era, searching for predisposing factors to developing invasive infections.

Evaluating the need for standardised disease manifestation categories in patients infected with the tick-borne encephalitis virus: A Delphi panel.

Categorization systems for tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) infection lack consistency in classifying disease severity. To evaluate the need for a standard, consensus-based categorisation system for TBEV infection across subtypes, we gathered an expert panel of clinicians and scientists with diverse expertise in TBEV infection. Consensus was sought using the Delphi technique, which consisted of 2 web-based survey questionnaires and a final, virtual, consensus-building exercise.

COVID-19-sensitive tumour response: 2-year assessment of the SARS-CoV-2 humoral response in cancer patients in oncology hospital in Poland.

Unlabelled: Vaccination has been considered the most crucial defence against viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2. Numerous reports have demonstrated the effectiveness of the above vaccines in oncological patients. It has also been proven that, apart from vaccinations and oncological therapy, the course of the cancer process itself influences the magnitude of the humoral response, especially in people after infection with SARS-CoV-2.

The HPV prevention and control program in Poland: progress and the way forward.

This review assesses Poland's activities in preventing and managing human papillomavirus (HPV)-related diseases, summarizing information from the 2023 HPV Prevention and Control Board meeting. Progress in primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention identifies opportunities to strengthen control of cervical cancer. Poland's national HPV vaccination program, launched in June 2023, initially achieved suboptimal coverage.

Global impact of ten-valent and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines on invasive pneumococcal disease in all ages (the PSERENADE project): a global surveillance analysis.

Background: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) that are ten-valent (PCV10) and 13-valent (PCV13) became available in 2010. We evaluated their global impact on invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) incidence in all ages.

Methods: Serotype-specific IPD cases and population denominators were obtained directly from surveillance sites using PCV10 or PCV13 in their national immunisation programmes and with a primary series uptake of at least 50%.

The ileocecal valve in transabdominal ultrasound. Part 2: Pathological lesions.

The aim of this paper is to present our experience in transabdominal ultrasonography of ileocecal valve lesions. The ileocecal valve, located in the central part of the ileocecal bowel segment, is rarely the primary site of disease processes. It is usually involved by pathologies in adjacent bowel segments.

Varicella-zoster virus hepatitis - a rare complication of primary infection in immunocompetent children?

Aim Of The Study: This research aimed to investigate the incidence and course of varicella-zoster virus hepatitis in immunocompetent children.

Material And Methods: Medical charts of children hospitalised between 2019 and 2022 (excluding the period of the COVID-19 pandemic) due to varicella were retrospectively analysed and compared.

Results: In total, 216 children were included in the analysis.

Treatment of HCV infection in patients with steatotic liver disease.

Aim Of The Study: The aim of the study was to characterize the population with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and steatotic liver disease (SLD) in comparison to the non-SLD HCV-infected patients and to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAA).

Material And Methods: The analysis included 62 patients diagnosed with SLD and 14,284 non-SLD patients from the EpiTer-2 database for the period 2015-2022.

Results: Unlike the non-SLD population, the SLD group was dominated by men (49.

Effectiveness of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients treated with bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide.

Aim Of The Study: To assess the real-life efficacy and safety of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB) in HIV/HCV- positive patients treated with bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/FTC/TAF).

Material And Methods: Patients were evaluated in terms of their baseline biochemical characteristics, which included platelet count, serum creatinine and bilirubin levels, alanine transaminase (ALT) activity, international normalized ratio (INR) and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score.The efficacy endpoint was the achievement of a sustained virologic response at posttreatment week 12 (SVR12), defined as undetectable HCV RNA 12 weeks after the scheduled end of therapy.

Method for determination of cytisine in post-mortem biological matrices and its application to two forensic cases.

Purpose: Cytisine is the active ingredient in preparations used for smoking cessation. Its popularity is attributed to its low cost, efficacy, and low incidence of adverse effects. Additionally, its easy over-the-counter availability is also significant.

Exploring microRNA signatures in pediatric non-infectious uveitis: meta-analysis and molecular profiling of patient samples.

To find a distinct non-coding RNA characteristic for idiopathic uveitis in the pediatric population. To explore the autoimmune-related miRNA expression profile in pediatric patients with idiopathic uveitis (IU) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis (JIA-AU) and find a common molecular background for idiopathic uveitis and other autoimmune diseases. The expression levels of miRNAs were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR using serum samples from patients with idiopathic uveitis (n = 8), juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis (n = 7), and healthy controls.

Acupuncture for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy in neonates.

Background: Peripartum asphyxia affects three to five per 1000 live births, with moderate or severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) occurring in 0.5 to 1 per 1000 live births, and is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Therapeutic hypothermia is an effective treatment, but alternative therapies such as acupuncture are also used.

Possible Impact of Peripheral Inflammatory Factors and Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) on Cognitive Functioning in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy-Richardson Syndrome (PSP-RS) and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy-Predominant Parkinsonism (PSP-P).

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a tauopathic atypical parkinsonian syndrome. Recent studies suggest that inflammation may play a role in PSP pathogenesis, highlighting markers like the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-6. This study aimed to assess the relationship between peripheral inflammatory markers and psychological abnormalities in PSP-RS and PSP-P patients.

The Arterial Circle of the Brain in the Bawean Deer ().

The Bawean deer () is a small deer species endemic to the island of Bawean in Indonesia. The species is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN Red List. The current population is assessed to be less than 500 adults living in the wild.

The Relevance and Potential Role of Orbital Fat in Inflammatory Orbital Diseases: Implications for Diagnosis and Treatment.

The orbit is an important structure within the skull that houses the eye, optic nerve, and extraocular muscles. It also contains adipose/fat tissue, which provides a protective cushion for these components. Inflammatory orbital disease can affect any or all components of the orbit, often arising from various underlying pathologic conditions, including autoimmune, infectious, and vascular diseases.

[The changing epidemiology of tick-borne encephalitis: epidemic surveillance and disease prevention challenges].

The increasing number of cases of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) reported in recent years in Europe and, more recently, in Poland is a consequence of factors related to climate and environmental change leading to increasing tick populations and human behavior favoring exposure. In Poland, there is considerable regional variation in the incidence of TBE, resulting, among other factors, from underreporting of all cases and limited access to laboratory diagnostics. The consequence is low public awareness of the disease and insufficient use of vaccination as optimal prevention.

Clinical Trial: Safety and Efficacy of a Novel Oesophageal Delivery System for Topical Corticosteroids Versus Placebo in the Treatment of Eosinophilic Oesophagitis.

Background: EsoCap is a thin mucoadhesive film designed to target the oesophageal mucosa. The device loaded with mometasone furoate (ESO-101) is under investigation for the treatment of eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE).

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of ESO-101 in patients with active EoE.

Perception of medical care among women living with HIV aged 40 years or older-A European-wide survey.

Objectives: Our objective was to explore how women living with HIV aged ≥40 years perceive their care in relation to their HIV infection, comorbidities, and menopausal health and to evaluate the extent to which the care they receive meets their expectations, comparatively across World Health Organization (WHO) European regions.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey (May-December 2023) among women living with HIV aged ≥40 years from the WHO European region. Five dimensions of care were assessed: content of care, information, relationship with caregiver, organization of care, and patients' rights and privacy, in addition to management of non-HIV comorbidities and menopause.

Detection of active an Schistosoma haematobium invasion in a patient, based on the microscopic examination of urine.

A parasitological examination of urine from a patient from Cameroon was performed. The eggs of Schistosoma haematobium were observed. Most of the eggs were viable and contained miracidia; these were subjected to observation.

Management of severe pyogenic spinal infections: the 2SICK study by the EANS spine section.

Background Context: Spondylodiscitis management presents significant clinical challenges, particularly in critically ill patients, where the risks and benefits of surgical intervention must be carefully balanced. The optimal timing of surgery in this context remains a subject of debate.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of early surgery versus delayed surgery or conservative management in critically ill patients with de novo pyogenic spondylodiscitis.

The Role of Chitinase 3-Like-1 (YKL-40) and Proinflammatory Biomarkers in the Pathogenesis of Pediatric Tick-Borne Encephalitis in a Polish Cohort.

Background: Chitinase 3-like-1 (CHI3L1), also known as YKL-40, is a potential biomarker for neuroinflammatory conditions. It is upregulated in Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and traumatic brain injury. However, its involvement in pediatric tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) has not been addressed yet.

Changes in macular ganglion cell and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness during recovery from infection with the B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2 in previously hospitalized patients with COVID-19 bilateral pneumonia.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with various systemic complications, including potential impacts on ocular health. Recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may lead to changes in retinal structure, particularly in the neuroretinal and retinal nerve fiber layers (RNFL). This study aimed to examine changes in neuroretinal and RNFL of the optic dics based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 bilateral pneumonia at 2 time points after discharge.