Serological evidence of human exposure to foodborne zoonotic parasites in Romanian patients and possible association with food habits and hygiene.

Humans may become accidental dead-end hosts for a series of zoonotic foodborne parasites, of which Toxoplasma gondii, Echinococcus spp., Toxocara spp., and Trichinella spiralis are of major public health interest, due to their potential pathological implications. The aims of the study were to evaluate the exposure to these pathogens in north-western Romania, and to investigate their potential association to risk factors. From June 2022 to January 2024, 554 patients admitted to a tertiary hospital in north-western Romania were screened for the presence of IgG antibodies against T. gondii, Echinococcus spp., Toxocara canis, and T. spiralis by ELISA, and potential risks were assessed using a questionnaire. Overall, 225 samples (40.6%) were positive for at least one pathogen. The highest seroprevalence for IgG was found for T. gondii (33.9%), followed by Echinococcus spp. (9.1%), T. spiralis (2.9%), and T. canis (1.1%). For T. spiralis, raw meat consumption was associated with positivity. For T. gondii, increased age, rural environment, contact with cats, consumption of unwashed fruits/vegetables and drinking water from unverified sources were significantly associated to seropositivity. The present study provides new insights into the epidemiological status of zoonotic foodborne parasite in Romania, underlining the need to increase awareness on the importance of water, sanitation and food habits in relation with this neglected pathology.

Prevalence and Genotyping of Water- and Food-Borne Parasitic Protozoans (Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp.) in Hospitalized Patients from Northwestern Romania.

Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. are important zoonotic protozoan pathogens that infect the gastro-intestinal tract of numerous vertebrates, including humans, and both parasites are responsible for water- or food-borne outbreaks of disease worldwide. Although, globally, both parasites are highly prevalent, particularly in developing countries, epidemiological data from Romania are scarce, and genotyping has rarely been performed. The aims of the present study were to investigate the occurrence and genetic diversity of G. duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. in patients hospitalized in Northwestern Romania in relation to clinical and paraclinical presentation and to identify the relative frequency of non-specific symptoms and potential risk factors. Between June 2022 and January 2024, 426 fecal samples were screened for gastro-intestinal parasites by rapid tests and microscopical examination, further confirmed by PCR and sequencing. Giardia duodenalis was detected and characterized in 12 samples (2.82%), while Cryptosporidium parvum was confirmed in four samples (0.94%). A majority of positive patients were symptomatic and reported nausea and vomiting with a significantly higher frequency compared to negative ones. This study provides new insights into the epidemiological status and clinical implications of gastro-intestinal parasite species and genospecies in Romania that are necessary for an in-depth understanding of the potential zoonotic transmission and improvement of patient care.

Changes in Epidemiology and Antibiotic Prescription of Influenza: Before and after the Emergence of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The appearance of COVID-19 had a major impact on healthcare and the epidemiology of other diseases. Following the cessation of non-pharmacologic interventions destined to limit the spread of COVID-19, influenza reemerged. The aim of this study was to compare the pre-pandemic influenza seasons with the influenza seasons after the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to identify differences in terms of clinical characteristics, risk factors, complications, outcomes, and antiviral and antibiotic treatments. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study from the Teaching Hospital of Infectious Diseases database in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. We analyzed four pre-pandemic seasons and the seasons after the onset of COVID-19. We included adult patients hospitalized with confirmed influenza between October 2016 and August 2023. Variables such as age, sex, duration of hospitalization, severity, clinical manifestations, comorbidities, and Charlson comorbidity index were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 941 patients were included in the analysis. The percentage of severe influenza was similar in both groups, but mortality from influenza was significantly lower after 2022. Virtually all patients were prescribed antivirals; antibiotic prescriptions decreased in the post-COVID-19 influenza seasons. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that influenza seasons after 2022 had lower mortality and attenuated clinical presentation.

Evolving Clinical Manifestations and Outcomes in COVID-19 Patients: A Comparative Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Variant Waves in a Romanian Hospital Setting.

The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in the clinical manifestations and outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in a single Romanian center during four pandemic waves determined by different SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs). A retrospective study on 9049 consecutive hospitalized adult patients was performed between 27 February 2020 and 31 March 2023. The study interval was divided into waves based on national data on SARS-CoV-2 VOCs' circulation. Multivariate logistic regression models were built, predicting death and complications as functions of comorbidities, therapy, wave, severity form, and vaccination status, and adjusted for ages ≥65 years. Pulmonary (pneumothorax/pneumomediastinum, pulmonary embolism) and extrapulmonary complications (liver injury, acute kidney injury, ischemic/hemorrhagic stroke, myocardial infarction, and gastrointestinal bleeding) were present, more frequently in ICU hospitalized patients and with differences between waves. The highest in-hospital mortality was found in patients presenting pneumothorax/pneumomediastinum. All of the evaluated risk factors were significantly associated with death, except for obesity and the Omicron wave. Our study highlights the changing nature of COVID-19 and acknowledges the impacts of viral mutations on disease outcomes. For all four waves, COVID-19 was a severe disease with a high risk of poor outcomes.

Toxoplasmosis Screening during Pregnancy in a Romanian Infectious Diseases Tertiary Center: Results of a 15 Years Follow-Up Program.

Maternal infection with Toxoplasma gondii during pregnancy may have serious consequences for the fetus. In Romania, screening for toxoplasmosis is included in the first antenatal visit. A retrospective study was performed on all toxoplasmosis antenatal screening patients between May 2008 and February 2023. Twenty-seven thousand one hundred sixty-nine (27,169) pregnant women presented for prenatal screening once (22,858) or several times: during the same pregnancy (209) or during multiple pregnancies (4102). Thirty-one thousand six hundred fifty-eight (31,658) tests for IgM and IgG antibodies were performed. Nine thousand eighty-three (9083) tests (28.69%), corresponding to 7911 women (29.12%), were positive for IgG antibodies. The seroprevalence increased with patients' age, decreased in time intervals, and was more frequently associated with rural residence. At risk for acquiring the infection during the pregnancy were women with negative anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies (70.88%), but only 0.9% of them presented for rescreening during the same pregnancy. Acute Toxoplasma infection (ATI) was suspected in 44 patients (0.16%) due to IgG seroconversion and/or low or borderline IgG avidity. A questionnaire follow-up interview was performed, and no congenital toxoplasmosis was identified in children born from mothers with probable ATI. Our study demonstrates poor compliance with the screening program in the Romanian population.

Effects of COVID-19 on the Liver and Mortality in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Pneumonia Caused by Delta and Non-Delta Variants: An Analysis in a Single Centre.

The aim of this study was to ascertain patient characteristics, outcomes, and liver injuries in patients infected with different SARS-CoV-2 variants. Data from consecutive adult patients with severe/critical COVID-19 admitted to our hospital during the peak month of the Delta wave were compared to the ancestral, Alpha, and Omicron waves. The dataset of 551 hospitalized patients was similar in the Delta/non-Delta waves. At admission and discharge, the median aminotransferase levels were normal or slightly increased. During the Delta wave (172 vs. 379 non-Delta patients), more patients died (OR 1.69, 95%CI 1.09-2.56) or had liver injury at discharge (alanine aminotransferase, ALT ≥ 2 ULN) (OR 1.97, 95%CI 1.08-3.54). In-hospital mortality was associated with age, lung injury, intensive care unit admission, number of and cardiovascular comorbidities, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and all inflammatory biomarkers. Serious liver injury at admission (ALT ≥ 5 × ULN) was significantly associated with in-hospital mortality (OR = 7.9, 95%CI 2-28.9). At discharge, drug-induced liver injury (DILI) was found in patients treated with remdesivir, ALT ≥ 2 ULN (OR = 2.62, 95%CI 1.22-5.75). Treatment with dexamethasone, remdesivir, and immunomodulators showed improved survival, OR = 0.50 (95%CI 0.33-0.77). Regardless of the variant and treatment options, less than 2% of patients displayed serious liver injury, which was not found to be a death predictor in multivariable analysis.

Treatment with Tocilizumab in Adult Patients with Moderate to Critical COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess if tocilizumab (TCZ) timing is associated with improved survival. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data obtained from adult patients with moderate/severe/critical COVID-19 and treated with TCZ, who were admitted to the Teaching Hospital of Infectious Diseases, Cluj-Napoca, Romania (April 2020-April 2021), were retrospectively analyzed. The database included demographics, clinical data, computed tomography scan results, the kinetics of IL-6, laboratory variables, and the outcome until discharge. RESULTS: A total of 221 patients received dexamethasone, antivirals, anticoagulants, and 1-2 doses of TCZ, 8 mg/kg. In 2021, more patients received high-flow oxigen/non-invasive ventilation compared to those hospitalized in 2020, but demographics, in-hospital mortality, and laboratory data did not differ significantly. In-hospital mortality was associated with age, disease severity, lung damage, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, cardiovascular comorbidities, and IL-6>100 pg/mL at TCZ administration. In multivariate analysis the risk of death was significantly higher in patients with a persistent inflammatory state, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 16.6 (95% CI 3.07-108.96); lung damage>40%, aOR 11.68 (95% CI 2.05-224.98); and cardiovascular comorbidities>2, aOR 3.65 (95% CI 1.06-12.53). TCZ initiation at ≤3 days after admission showed improved survival, odds ratio (OR)=0.39 (95% CI 0.16-0.9). Severe infections were found in 11 (4.9%) patients. CONCLUSION: Early initiation of TCZ seems beneficial and safe in patients with moderate to critical COVID-19 pneumonia.

Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 Virus in the Middle Ear of Deceased COVID-19 Patients.

The presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the middle ear reveals the etiopathogenesis of otitis media in COVID-19, as well as an epidemiological risk during otologic examination and surgical procedures in COVID-19 patients. The study included 8 deceased patients with COVID-19. Tissue samples from the middle ear were subjected to virology, histopathology, scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy investigation. Ethmoidal mucosa samples were processed for virology analyses. qPCR resulted positive for 75% of nasal mucosa samples and 50% of middle ear samples. Ct values showed lower viral loads in middle ear samples. A proportion of 66.6% patients with positive results in the nasal mucosa showed positive results in the middle ear, and the subtype analysis of the complete genome sequences indicated B.1.1.7 lineage for all samples. In histopathological and SEM samples, no pathological aspects were identified. TEM revealed on the background of death critical alteration of cellular morphology, suggestive structures resembling SARS-CoV-2, goblet cells and immune cells. SARS-CoV-2 can be present in the middle ear of COVID-19 patients even if there is not clinical evidence of acute otitis media. Otolaryngologists could be particularly exposed to COVID-19 infection.

Respiratory Nasal Mucosa in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps versus COVID-19: Histopathology, Electron Microscopy Analysis and Assessing of Tissue Interleukin-33.

(1) Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is one of the most studied rhinological disorders. Modifications of the respiratory nasal mucosa in COVID-19 patients are so far unknown. This paper presents a comparative morphological characterization of the respiratory nasal mucosa in CRSwNP versus COVID-19 and tissue interleukin (IL)-33 concentration. (2) Methods: We analyzed CRSwNP and COVID-19 samples through histopathology, scanning and transmission electron microscopy and performed proteomic determination of IL-33. (3) Results: Histopathologically, stromal edema (p < 0.0001) and basal membrane thickening (p = 0.0768) were found more frequently in CRSwNP than in COVID-19. Inflammatory infiltrate was mainly eosinophil-dominant in CRSwNP and lymphocyte-dominant in COVID-19 (p = 0.3666). A viral cytopathic effect was identified in COVID-19. Scanning electron microscopy detected biofilms only in CRSwNP, while most COVID-19 samples showed microbial aggregates (p = 0.0148) and immune cells (p = 0.1452). Transmission electron microscopy of CRSwNP samples identified biofilms, mucous cell hyperplasia (p = 0.0011), eosinophils, fibrocytes, mastocytes, and collagen fibers. Extracellular suggestive structures for SARS-CoV-2 and multiple Golgi apparatus in epithelial cells were detected in COVID-19 samples. The tissue IL-33 concentration in CRSwNP (210.0 pg/7 µg total protein) was higher than in COVID-19 (52.77 pg/7 µg total protein) (p < 0.0001), also suggesting a different inflammatory pattern. (4) Conclusions: The inflammatory pattern is different in each of these disorders. Results suggested the presence of nasal dysbiosis in both conditions, which could be a determining factor in CRSwNP and a secondary factor in COVID-19.

Charlson's weighted index of comorbidities is useful in assessing the risk of death in septic patients.

PURPOSE: We investigated the efficiency of the Charlson's weighted index of comorbidities (WIC) in predicting the risk of death in septic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center, 3-year analysis of all septic patients was conducted; WIC and organ failure assessed using the Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score were calculated retrospectively. RESULTS: Of 250 septic patients, 60 patients (34%) had WIC above 2. Fifty-five patients (22%) died during the hospitalization. Increasing WIC was associated with increased mortality. Mean WIC differed significantly between survivors and nonsurvivors (P < .0001), and the univariate logistic regression revealed that risk of death depends significantly of WIC with odds ratio of 1.59 (95% confidence interval, 1.31-1.93; P < .001). The accuracy of prediction for the risk of death was 79.2%. Receiver operating characteristics curve indicated a WIC of 2 as a cutoff value, the association between WIC greater than 2, and the risk of death being described by an odds ratio of 1.87 (95% confidence interval, 1.017-3.457; P = .042); the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve in predicting mortality was 0.81 for the SOFA score and 0.68 for WIC; WIC correlated positively with SOFA (r = 0.27; P < .0001). CONCLUSION: In septic patients, WIC is predictive for hospital mortality, and the risk of death significantly depends on WIC.