Classical fever of unknown origin in 21 countries with different economic development: an international ID-IRI study.

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) is a serious challenge for physicians. The aim of the present study was to consider epidemiology and dynamics of FUO in countries with different economic development. The data of FUO patients hospitalized/followed between 1st July 2016 and 1st July 2021 were collected retrospectively and submitted from referral centers in 21 countries through ID-IRI clinical research platform. The countries were categorized into developing (low-income (LI) and lower middle-income (LMI) economies) and developed countries (upper middle-income (UMI) and high-income (HI) economies). This research included 788 patients. FUO diagnoses were as follows: infections (51.6%; n = 407), neoplasms (11.4%, n = 90), collagen vascular disorders (9.3%, n = 73), undiagnosed (20.1%, n = 158), miscellaneous diseases (7.7%, n = 60). The most common infections were tuberculosis (n = 45, 5.7%), brucellosis (n = 39, 4.9%), rickettsiosis (n = 23, 2.9%), HIV infection (n = 20, 2.5%), and typhoid fever (n = 13, 1.6%). Cardiovascular infections (n = 56, 7.1%) were the most common infectious syndromes. Only collagen vascular disorders were reported significantly more from developed countries (RR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.19-3.38). FUO had similar characteristics in LI/LMI and UMI/HI countries including the portion of undiagnosed cases (OR, 95% CI; 0.87 (0.65-1.15)), death attributed to FUO (RR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.65-1.15, p-value = 0.3355), and the mean duration until diagnosis (p = 0.9663). Various aspects of FUO cannot be determined by the economic development solely. Other development indices can be considered in future analyses. Physicians in different countries should be equally prepared for FUO patients.

The Importance of Nutraceuticals in COVID-19: What's the Role of Resveratrol?

Since COVID-19 has affected global public health, there has been an urgency to find a solution to limit both the number of infections, and the aggressiveness of the disease once infected. The main characteristic of this infection is represented by a strong alteration of the immune system which, day by day, increases the risk of mortality, and can lead to a multiorgan dysfunction. Because nutritional profile can influence patient's immunity, we focus our interest on resveratrol, a polyphenolic compound known for its immunomodulating and anti-inflammatory properties. We reviewed all the information concerning the different roles of resveratrol in COVID-19 pathophysiology using PubMed and Scopus as the main databases. Interestingly, we find out that resveratrol may exert its role through different mechanisms. In fact, it has antiviral activity inhibiting virus entrance in cells and viral replication. Resveratrol also improves autophagy and decreases pro-inflammatory agents expression acting as an anti-inflammatory agent. It regulates immune cell response and pro-inflammatory cytokines and prevents the onset of thrombotic events that usually occur in COVID-19 patients. Since resveratrol acts through different mechanisms, the effect could be enhanced, making a totally natural agent particularly effective as an adjuvant in anti COVID-19 therapy.

Profiles of primary brain abscesses and their impact on survival: An international ID-IRI study.

OBJECTIVES: This study of 331 primary brain abscess (PBA) patients aimed to understand infecting agents, predisposing factors, and outcomes, with a focus on factors affecting mortality. METHODS: Data were collected from 39 centers across 16 countries between January 2010 and December 2022, and clinical, radiological, and microbiological findings, along with their impact on mortality, were analyzed. RESULTS: The patients had a mean ± SD age of 46.8 ± 16.3 years, with a male predominance of 71.6%. Common symptoms included headache (77.9%), fever (54.4%), and focal neurological deficits (53.5%). Gram-positive cocci were the predominant pathogens, with Viridans group streptococci identified as the most frequently isolated organisms. All patients received antimicrobial therapy and 71.6% underwent interventional therapies. The 42-day and 180-day survival rates were 91.9% and 86.1%, respectively. Significant predictors of 42-day mortality included intravenous drug addiction (HR: 6.02, 95% CI: 1.38-26.26), malignancy (HR: 3.61, 95% CI: 1.23-10.58), confusion (HR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.19-5.88), and unidentified bacteria (HR: 4.68, 95% CI: 1.76-12.43). Significant predictors of 180-day mortality included malignancy (HR: 2.70, 95% CI: 1.07-6.81), confusion (HR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.11-4.15), temporal lobe involvement (HR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.08-4.08), and unidentified bacteria (HR: 3.02, 95% CI: 1.49-6.15). CONCLUSION: The risk of death in PBA extends beyond the infection phase, with different factors influencing the 42-day and 180-day mortality rates. Intravenous drug addiction was associated with early mortality, while temporal lobe involvement was associated with late mortality.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa nosocomial meningitis following spinal anesthesia - still a significant treatment dilemma.

Background: Infections of central nervous system after spinal anesthesia nowadays are a rarity; however, their presence might be of concern. Case Description: We report the case of lateral ventricular empyema treated unsuccessfully with parenteral antibiotic therapy, with the clinical signs of a persisting meningitis. After several lumbar taps suggesting an infection, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated and a brain magnetic resonance imaging find out the collection in the left horn of the lateral ventricle. An intrathecal/intraventricular antibiotic therapy with colistin proved highly effective combined with an extra ventricular drainage to deal with the hydrocephaly. Conclusion: Clinicians should take into account even uncommon infectious agents while facing the picture of a meningitis otherwise nonresponsive to empiric or standard therapy.

Pyomyositis of piriformis muscle, as a rare cause of deep venous thrombosis.

The differential diagnosis of low back pain is long and rarities are under-diagnosed, with problems generally simplified as lumbar vertebral spondylosis or rheumatic conditions. Abscesses of piriform muscle are a particularity worth of evaluating when specific MRI changes are detected, and the condition might be underdiagnosed leading to delays in the treatment. We describe the case of an 18-year-old male with pyomyositis of left piriform muscle, complicated with iliac and femoral vein thrombosis, that responded well to combined antibiotherapy, anticoagulants and drainage.

Risk factors for poor outcome of patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Albania.

INTRODUCTION: The study aims to identify potential risk factors for the poor outcome of hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection in Albania. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective observational study on 133 consecutive hospitalized patients at "COVID 1" Hospital, University Hospital Center of Tirana. The study analyzed the correlation between potential risk factors and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: The study included 133 patients, 65.4% of the patients were male, age 60.46 ± 13.53 years. The mortality rate resulted in 22.6%. Univariate analysis revealed that early risk factors for mortality included: laboratory alterations on admission, such as lymphocytes count < 1.000/mm3 (OR = 3.30, 95% CI = 1.17-9.33), lactate dehydrogenase > 250 U/L (OR = 12.48, 95% CI = 1.62-95.78) and D dimer > 2 mg/L (OR = 4.72, 95% CI = 1.96-11.36); lung parenchymal involvement > 75% on chest computed tomography on admission (OR = 54.00, 95% CI = 11.89 - 245.11). Cox proportional hazard regression showed that independent risk factors for mortality were lung parenchymal involvement > 75% on chest computed tomography (HR = 8.31, 95%CI: 1.62-42.45) and occurrence of complications during hospital stay (OR = 10.28, 95% CI = 2.02-52.33). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of poor outcome can be predicted from the early stage of COVID 19 disease, using laboratory data and chest computed tomography. Among patients with COVID 19, lung parenchymal involvement and alterations > 75% on chest computed tomography on admission and laboratory findings, such as lymphocytopenia, and elevated lactate dehydrogenase and D dimer levels, turned out to be early risk factors for in-hospital mortality.

Primary multiple cerebral hydatid cysts in an immunocompetent, low-risk patient.

Cystic echinococcosis is a zoonotic infection that occurs worldwide. Humans are infected through ingestion of parasite eggs in contaminated food, water or through direct contact with infected dogs, which are the definite host. Humans serve accidentally as intermediate host, and occurrences are common in children and young adults. Cystic echinococcosis is endemic in Mediterranean, South American, Middle Eastern, Central Asia, East Africa countries and Australia. The liver is the most frequently involved organ, followed by lungs. Hydatid cysts have been reported only in 2% of cases in the brain. Primary cerebral hydatid disease is a rare entity, but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cerebral lesions.