Candida auris: Outbreak, surveillance and epidemiological monitoring in Northern Greece.

Candida auris is an emerging fungal pathogen associated with multi-drug resistance rates and widespread outbreaks in hospitals and healthcare units worldwide. Sequencing studies have revealed that different clonal lineages of the fungus seem to be prevalent among distinct geographical sites. The first case of C. auris in Northern Greece was reported in Thessaloniki in October 2022, almost 2 years after the first isolation in Greece (Athens 2019). The Mycology Laboratory of the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki stands as the reference laboratory for fungal diseases in Northern Greece and a meticulous search for the yeast, in plenty of suspicious samples, has been run since 2019 in the Lab as well as a retrospective analysis of all its yeasts' collection, back to 2008, with negative results for the presence of C. auris. Here, are presented the findings concerning the outbreak and surveillance of C. auris in Northern Greece, mainly the region of Thessaloniki and the broader area of Macedonia, from October 2022 until August 2023. The isolates from Northern Greece continue to fall in Clade I and present with an almost equal and stable sensitivity profile until now.

The study concerns the outbreak of Candida auris in Northern Greece since October 2022 and the effort for surveillance and epidemiological monitoring. All isolates continue to fall in Clade I and present with an almost equal and stable sensitivity profile till now.

Transitions of blood immune endotypes and improved outcome by anakinra in COVID-19 pneumonia: an analysis of the SAVE-MORE randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Endotype classification may guide immunomodulatory management of patients with bacterial and viral sepsis. We aimed to identify immune endotypes and transitions associated with response to anakinra (human interleukin 1 receptor antagonist) in participants in the SAVE-MORE trial. METHODS: Adult patients hospitalized with radiological findings of PCR-confirmed severe pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 and plasma-soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor levels of ≥ 6 ng/ml in the SAVE-MORE trial (NCT04680949) were characterized at baseline and days 4 and 7 of treatment using a previously defined 33-messenger RNA classifier to assign an immunological endotype in blood. Endpoints were changes in endotypes and progression to severe respiratory failure (SRF) associated with anakinra treatment. RESULTS: At baseline, 23.2% of 393 patients were designated as inflammopathic, 41.1% as adaptive, and 35.7% as coagulopathic. Only 23.9% were designated as the same endotype at days 4 and 7 compared to baseline, while all other patients transitioned between endotypes. Anakinra-treated patients were more likely to remain in the adaptive endotype during 7-day treatment (24.4% vs. 9.9%; p < 0.001). Anakinra also protected patients with coagulopathic endotype at day 7 against SRF compared to placebo (27.8% vs. 55.9%; p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: We identify an association between endotypes defined using blood transcriptome and anakinra therapy for COVID-19 pneumonia, with anakinra-treated patients shifting toward endotypes associated with a better outcome, mainly the adaptive endotype. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04680949, December 23, 2020.

Mapping frailty in people living with HIV: A nationwide study in Greece.

OBJECTIVES: Frailty is known to affect people living with HIV prematurely, compared to the ageing seronegative population. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to assess frailty prevalence in people living with HIV in Greece and find associations of frailty criteria with clinical data. METHODS: Demographic and clinical data were collected from 477 participants in six HIV clinics. Fried's frailty phenotype was used to assess frailty prevalence, and participants were classified as frail, pre-frail or robust. Associations of several factors with overall frailty phenotype, as well as with frailty criteria, were explored. RESULTS: The median age was 43 years old (IQR = 51.5) and 444/477 (93%) were men. Most of the participants (429/477, 93.5%) had an undetectable HIV viral load, and a CD4 cell count over 500 cells/µl (366/477, 76.7%). Frailty assessment classified 285/477 (62.1%) as robust, 155/477 (33.8%) as pre-frail and 19/477 (4.1%) as frail. Weakness in grip strength was the most prevalent criterion (128/477, 26.8%), followed by exhaustion (46/477, 9.6%). Lower CD4 cell count, history of AIDS diagnosis, CNS disorders, psychiatric diagnoses, and polypharmacy were strongly associated with frailty. CONCLUSIONS: Although the prevalence of frailty in people living with HIV in Greece is uncommon, when combined with pre-frailty over a third of people are affected, which requires attention in clinical practice. The physical and psychological aspects of frailty highlight the need for a holistic approach to prevent or counteract it. The diverse associations of frailty criteria with HIV-related and non-HIV-related factors suggest a possible variation in people's different healthcare needs.

Interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10) for the early prognosis of the risk for severe respiratory failure and death in COVID-19 pneumonia.

OBJECTIVES: Elevated concentrations of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) predict progression to severe respiratory failure (SRF) or death among patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and guide early anakinra treatment. As suPAR testing may not be routinely available in every health-care setting, alternative biomarkers are needed. We investigated the performance of C-reactive protein (CRP), interferon gamma-induced protein-10 (IP-10) and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) for predicting SRF or death in COVID-19. METHODS: Two cohorts were studied; one discovery cohort with 534 patients from the SAVE-MORE clinical trial; and one validation cohort with 364 patients from the SAVE trial including also 145 comparators. CRP, IP-10 and TRAIL were measured by the MeMed Key® platform in order to select the biomarker with the best prognostic performance for the early prediction of progression into SRF or death. RESULTS: IP-10 had the best prognostic performance: baseline concentrations 2000 pg/ml or higher predicted equally well to suPAR (sensitivity 85.0 %; negative predictive value 96.6 %). Odds ratio for poor outcome among anakinra-treated participants of the SAVE-MORE trial was 0.35 compared to placebo when IP-10 was 2,000 pg/ml or more. IP-10 could divide different strata of severity for SRF/death by day 14 in the validation cohort. Anakinra treatment decreased this risk irrespective the IP-10 concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: IP-10 concentrations of 2,000 pg/ml or higher are a valid alternative to suPAR for the early prediction of progression into SRF or death the first 14 days from hospital admission for COVID-19 and they may guide anakinra treatment. CLINICALTRIALS: gov, NCT04680949 and NCT04357366.

Estimation of the determinants for HIV late presentation using the traditional definition and molecular clock-inferred dates: Evidence that older age, heterosexual risk group and more recent diagnosis are prognostic factors.

OBJECTIVES: HIV late presentation (LP) has been increasing in recent years in Europe. Our aim was to investigate the characteristics of LP in Greece using in addition to the traditional definition for LP, the time interval between HIV infection and diagnosis. METHODS: Our nationwide sample included HIV-1 sequences generated from 6166 people living with HIV (PLWH) in Greece during the period 1999-2015. Our analysis was based on the molecularly inferred HIV-1 infection dates for PLWH infected within local molecular transmission clusters of subtypes A1 and B. RESULTS: Analysis of the determinants of LP was conducted using either CD4 counts or AIDS-defining condition at diagnosis or the time from infection to diagnosis. Older age, heterosexual transmission risk group and more recent diagnosis were associated with increased risk for LP. In contrast to previous studies, people who inject drugs (PWID) had a shorter median time to diagnosis (0.63 years) compared to men who have sex with men (MSM) (1.72 years) and heterosexuals (2.43 years). Using HIV infection dates that provide an unbiased marker for LP compared to CD4 counts at diagnosis, which are age-dependent, we estimated that the time to diagnosis increased gradually with age. Migrants infected regionally do not differ with respect to LP status compared to native Greeks. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that older people and heterosexuals are among those at higher risk for LP; and given the growing number of older people among newly diagnosed cases, tailored interventions are needed in these populations.

The Activin/Follistatin Axis Is Severely Deregulated in COVID-19 and Independently Associated With In-Hospital Mortality.

BACKGROUND: Activins are members of the transforming growth factor-ß superfamily implicated in the pathogenesis of several immunoinflammatory disorders. Based on our previous studies demonstrating that overexpression of activin-A in murine lung causes pathology sharing key features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), we hypothesized that activins and their natural inhibitor follistatin might be particularly relevant to COVID-19 pathophysiology. METHODS: Activin-A, activin-B, and follistatin were retrospectively analyzed in 574 serum samples from 263 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in 3 independent centers, and compared with demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters. Optimal scaling with ridge regression was used to screen variables and establish a prediction model. RESULT: The activin/follistatin axis was significantly deregulated during the course of COVID-19, correlated with severity and independently associated with mortality. FACT-CLINYCoD, a scoring system incorporating follistatin, activin-A, activin-B, C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, intensive care unit admission, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, age, comorbidities, and D-dimers, efficiently predicted fatal outcome (area under the curve [AUC], 0.951; 95% confidence interval, .919-.983; P <10-6). Two validation cohorts indicated similar AUC values. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a link between activin/follistatin axis and COVID-19 mortality and introduces FACT-CLINYCoD, a novel pathophysiology-based tool that allows dynamic prediction of disease outcome, supporting clinical decision making.

Integration of heparin-binding protein and interleukin-6 in the early prediction of respiratory failure and mortality in pneumonia by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).

Recent publications on the probable role of heparin-binding protein (HBP) as a biomarker in sepsis prompted us to investigate its diagnostic and prognostic performance in severe COVID-19. HBP and IL-6 were measured by immunoassays at admission and on day 7 in 178 patients with pneumonia by SARS-CoV-2. Patients were classified into non-sepsis and sepsis as per the Sepsis-3 definitions and were followed up for the development of severe respiratory failure (SRF) and for outcome. Results were confirmed by multivariate analyses. HBP was significantly higher in patients classified as having sepsis and was negatively associated with the oxygenation ratio and positively associated with creatinine and lactate. Logistic regression analysis evidenced admission HBP more than 18 ng/ml and IL-6 more than 30 pg/ml as independent risk factors for the development of SRP. Their integration prognosticated SRF with respective sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive 59.1%, 96.3%, 83.9%, and 87.8%. Cox regression analysis evidenced admission HBP more than 35 ng/ml and IL-6 more than 30 pg/ml as independent risk factors for 28-day mortality. Their integration prognosticated 28-day mortality with respective sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value 69.2%, 92.7%, 42.9%, and 97.5%. HBP remained unchanged over-time course. A prediction score of the disposition of patients with COVID-19 is proposed taking into consideration admission levels of IL-6 and HBP. Using different cut-offs, the score may predict the likelihood for SRF and for 28-day outcome.

Comparing Abbott m2000 RealTime HIV test and Roche COBAS Ampliprep/COBAS Taqman HIV test, v2.0 in treated HIV-1 B and non-B subjects with low viraemia.

Viral load testing is a valuable tool in HIV clinical care and research. Discrepancies among diverse viral load assays, especially with regard to non-B HIV-1 subtypes have been reported. Our study aimed to explore the impact of HIV subtype (B versus non-B) on the agreement between CAP/CTM, v2.0 and m2000 RealTime in treated HIV patients, focusing on low viral loads (<200 copies/ml). Our findings indicate that there is a significant difference in the performance of the compared assays in the low-viremic range and non-B subtypes, suggesting that a single assay should be used for follow-up.

Testing Hepatitis E Seroprevalence among HIV-Infected Patients in Greece: The SHIP Study.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) poses significant health concerns worldwide, particularly among people living with HIV (PLWHIV), due to an increased risk of chronic infection and progression to cirrhosis in individuals with low CD4 cell counts. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, chronicity potential, and risk factors of HEV infection among PLWHIV in Greece, where data are currently absent. A synchronic multicentric study encompassing five major Greek university hospitals was executed over 24 months, recruiting 696 PLWHIV participants. The prevalence of HEV IgG antibodies was 16.5%, with 8.6% showing evidence of acute HEV infection (HEV IgM). Active viral replication (HEV RNA) was present in 2.3% of the study population. Longitudinal analysis revealed that of the 25 initially anti-HEV IgM-positive individuals, only 3 seroconverted to IgG positivity, and among those with prior HEV RNA positivity (16), none showed evidence of active replication in subsequent tests. Comparative subgroup analysis highlighted the lack of significant differences in HIV-related parameters between HEV seropositive and seronegative individuals. Laboratory evaluations generally showed no significant disparities across most parameters; however, a higher seropositivity for Hepatitis A was observed in the HEV-positive subgroup. Our findings highlight a considerable prevalence of HEV among PLWHIV in Greece, with no observed cases of chronicity.

Prevalence of Hepatitis D in People Living with HIV: A National Cross-Sectional Pilot Study.

This study assesses the prevalence of hepatitis D virus (HDV) in people living with HIV (PLWHIV) in Greece. Given the compounding effects of HDV and hepatitis B (HBV) on liver disease progression, as well as the emergence of new therapeutic options such as bulevirtide, understanding regional disparities and the epidemiological impact of such co-infections is vital. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted utilizing 696 serum samples from PLWHIV attending five major university hospitals. The methodology included HDV antibody detection by ELISA and HDV RNA confirmation. Of the 30 HBsAg-positive samples analyzed, the study population was primarily male (93%), with a median age of 54 years. Participants had been on antiretroviral therapy for a median of 10 years, and the median CD4 count was 738 (539-1006) copies/mL. Additional serological findings revealed a 7% prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) IgG antibodies and a 55% prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) IgG antibodies. Seroreactivity for syphilis (RPR/VDRL/TPHA positive) was identified in 33% of the participants. The results indicated a low HDV prevalence, with only one individual (3%) testing positive for anti-HDV IgG antibodies and none for HDV RNA. This indicates a lower prevalence of HDV among PLWHIV with chronic HBV in Greece compared to global data.

Clinical Phenotyping for Prognosis and Immunotherapy Guidance in Bacterial Sepsis and COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES: It is suggested that sepsis may be classified into four clinical phenotypes, using an algorithm employing 29 admission parameters. We applied a simplified phenotyping algorithm among patients with bacterial sepsis and severe COVID-19 and assessed characteristics and outcomes of the derived phenotypes. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of data from prospective clinical studies. SETTING: Greek ICUs and Internal Medicine departments. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: We analyzed 1498 patients, 620 with bacterial sepsis and 878 with severe COVID-19. We implemented a six-parameter algorithm (creatinine, lactate, aspartate transaminase, bilirubin, C-reactive protein, and international normalized ratio) to classify patients with bacterial sepsis intro previously defined phenotypes. Patients with severe COVID-19, included in two open-label immunotherapy trials were subsequently classified. Heterogeneity of treatment effect of anakinra was assessed. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The algorithm validated the presence of the four phenotypes across the cohort of bacterial sepsis and the individual studies included in this cohort. Phenotype α represented younger patients with low risk of death, ß was associated with high comorbidity burden, and δ with the highest mortality. Phenotype assignment was independently associated with outcome, even after adjustment for Charlson Comorbidity Index. Phenotype distribution and outcomes in severe COVID-19 followed a similar pattern. CONCLUSIONS: A simplified algorithm successfully identified previously derived phenotypes of bacterial sepsis, which were predictive of outcome. This classification may apply to patients with severe COVID-19 with prognostic implications.

Clinical Phenotyping for Prognosis and Immunotherapy Guidance in Bacterial Sepsis and COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES: It is suggested that sepsis may be classified into four clinical phenotypes, using an algorithm employing 29 admission parameters. We applied a simplified phenotyping algorithm among patients with bacterial sepsis and severe COVID-19 and assessed characteristics and outcomes of the derived phenotypes. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of data from prospective clinical studies. SETTING: Greek ICUs and Internal Medicine departments. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: We analyzed 1498 patients, 620 with bacterial sepsis and 878 with severe COVID-19. We implemented a six-parameter algorithm (creatinine, lactate, aspartate transaminase, bilirubin, C-reactive protein, and international normalized ratio) to classify patients with bacterial sepsis intro previously defined phenotypes. Patients with severe COVID-19, included in two open-label immunotherapy trials were subsequently classified. Heterogeneity of treatment effect of anakinra was assessed. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The algorithm validated the presence of the four phenotypes across the cohort of bacterial sepsis and the individual studies included in this cohort. Phenotype α represented younger patients with low risk of death, ß was associated with high comorbidity burden, and δ with the highest mortality. Phenotype assignment was independently associated with outcome, even after adjustment for Charlson Comorbidity Index. Phenotype distribution and outcomes in severe COVID-19 followed a similar pattern. CONCLUSIONS: A simplified algorithm successfully identified previously derived phenotypes of bacterial sepsis, which were predictive of outcome. This classification may apply to patients with severe COVID-19 with prognostic implications.

Phase Angle and Handgrip Strength as Predictors of Clinical Outcomes in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients.

Phase angle (PhA) and muscle strength are predictors of clinical outcomes in critically ill patients. Malnutrition may affect body composition measurements. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the association between PhA and handgrip strength (HGS), and clinical outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The study included a total of 102 patients. Both PhA and HGS were measured twice, within 48 h of hospital admission and on the 7th day of hospitalization. The primary outcome was the clinical status on the 28th day of hospitalization. Secondary outcomes included the hospital length of stay (LOS), the concentrations of ferritin, C-reactive protein and albumin, oxygen requirements and the severity of pneumonia. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and Spearman rS correlation coefficient were used for statistical analysis. No differences were found for PhA [on day 1 (p = 0.769) and day 7 (p = 0.807)] and the primary outcome. A difference was found between HGS on day 1 and the primary outcome (p = 0.008), while no difference was found for HGS on day 7 (p = 0.476). Body mass index was found to be associated with the oxygen requirement on day 7 (p = 0.005). LOS was correlated neither with PhA (rs = -0.081, p = 0.422) nor with HGS (rs = 0.137, p = 0.177) on the first day. HGS could be a useful indicator of clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients, while PhA does not seem to have a clinical impact. However, further research is needed to validate the results of our study.

Probable Three-Species In Vivo Transfer of blaNDM-1 in a Single Patient in Greece: Occurrence of NDM-1-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, and Morganella morganii.

NDM carbapenemase-encoding genes disseminate commonly among Enterobacterales through transferable plasmids carrying additional resistance determinants. Apart from the intra-species dissemination, the inter-species exchange of plasmids seems to play an additional important role in the spread of blaNDM. We here present the genetics related to the isolation of three species (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, and Morganella morganii) harboring the blaNDM-1 gene from a single patient in Greece. Bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed using the Vitek2. Whole genome sequencing and bioinformatic tools were used to identify resistance genes and plasmids. BlaNDM-1 harboring plasmids were found in all three isolates. Moreover, the plasmid constructs of the respective incomplete or circular contigs showed that the blaNDM-1 and its neighboring genes form a cluster that was found in all isolates. Our microbiological findings, together with the patient's history, suggest the in vivo transfer of the blaNDM-1-containing cluster through three different species in a single patient.

Low pre-ART CD4 count is associated with increased risk of clinical progression or death even after reaching 500 CD4 cells/µL on ART.

INTRODUCTION: Clinical disadvantages of initiating ART at low CD4 counts have been clearly demonstrated but whether any excess risk remains even after reaching relatively high/safe CD4 levels remains unclear. We explore whether individuals starting ART with <500 CD4 cells/µL who increased their CD4 count above this level, have, from this point onwards, similar risk of clinical progression to serious AIDS/non-AIDS events or death with individuals starting ART with ≥500 CD4 cells/µL. METHODS: Data were derived from a multicenter cohort (AMACS). Adults, starting PI, NNRTI or INSTI based ART, in or after 2000 were eligible, provided they started ART with ≥500 ("High CD4") or started with CD4 <500 cells/µL but surpassed this threshold while on ART ("Low CD4"). Baseline was the date of ART initiation ("High CD4") or of first reaching 500 CD4 cells/µL ("Low CD4"). Survival analysis, allowing for competing risks, was used to explore the risk of progression to study's endpoints. RESULTS: The study included 694 persons in the "High CD4" and 3,306 in the "Low CD4" group. Median (IQR) follow-up was 66 (36, 106) months. In total, 257 events (40 AIDS related, 217 SNAEs) were observed. Rates of progression did not differ significantly between the two groups but the subgroup of those initiating ART with <200 CD4 cells/µL had significantly higher risk of progression after baseline, compared to those in the "High CD4" group. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals starting ART with <200 cells/µL remain on increased risk even after reaching 500 CD4 cells/µL. These patients should be closely followed.

Innate Immune Gene Polymorphisms and COVID-19 Prognosis.

COVID-19 is characterized by a heterogeneous clinical presentation and prognosis. Risk factors contributing to the development of severe disease include old age and the presence of comorbidities. However, the genetic background of the host has also been recognized as an important determinant of disease prognosis. Considering the pivotal role of innate immunity in the control of SARS-CoV-2 infection, we analyzed the possible contribution of several innate immune gene polymorphisms (including TLR2-rs5743708, TLR4-rs4986790, TLR4-rs4986791, CD14-rs2569190, CARD8-rs1834481, IL18-rs2043211, and CD40-rs1883832) in disease severity and prognosis. A total of 249 individuals were enrolled and further divided into five (5) groups, according to the clinical progression scale provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) (asymptomatic, mild, moderate, severe, and critical). We identified that elderly patients with obesity and/or diabetes mellitus were more susceptible to developing pneumonia and respiratory distress syndrome after SARS-CoV-2 infection, while the IL18-rs1834481 polymorphism was an independent risk factor for developing pneumonia. Moreover, individuals carrying either the TLR2-rs5743708 or the TLR4-rs4986791 polymorphisms exhibited a 3.6- and 2.5-fold increased probability for developing pneumonia and a more severe disease, respectively. Our data support the notion that the host's genetic background can significantly affect COVID-19 clinical phenotype, also suggesting that the IL18-rs1834481, TLR2-rs5743708, and TLR4-rs4986791 polymorphisms may be used as molecular predictors of COVID-19 clinical phenotype.

The impact of frailty and illness perceptions on quality of life among people living with HIV in Greece: A network analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the significant advances in healthcare, people living with HIV still face challenges that affect their quality of life (QoL), both in terms of their physical state as represented by frailty and of their illness perceptions (IP). The aim of this study was to unravel the associations between these constructs (QoL, frailty, IP). METHODS: This multicenter, cross-sectional study included 477 people living with HIV (93% male; median age = 43 years, IQR = 51.7) from six HIV clinics in Greece. Frailty phenotype, QoL and IP were assessed using Fried's criteria, EuroQoL (EQ-5D-5L) and Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), respectively. Network analysis model was utilized. RESULTS: Among frailty criteria, exhaustion had the highest expected influence, while the strongest correlation concerns exhaustion and weak grip strength (pr = 0.14). Regarding the QoL items, usual activities displayed the highest expected influence. The correlations of pain/discomfort with mobility (pr = 0.31), and usual activities with self-care (pr = 0.34) were the strongest. For the BIPQ items, the strongest correlation was found between illness concern and emotional response (pr = 0.45), whereas the latter item was the one that displayed the highest expected influence. Three communities were formed: 1) personal control, treatment control and coherence, 2) the frailty items with mobility, self-care, usual activities, and pain/discomfort, and 3) the rest BIPQ items with anxiety/depression. Identity displayed the highest bridge strength, followed by pain/discomfort, usual activities and consequences. CONCLUSIONS: The interplay between QoL, frailty, and IP in people living with HIV requires clinical attention. Self-reported exhaustion, slow walking speed, and low physical activity affect the physical QoL dimensions, while anxiety/depression is strongly associated with illness-related concern and perceived emotional effects, leading to psychological distress. Symptom management can improve QoL, and information on the disease and treatment can enhance control over the disease. Developing interventions to address QoL, frailty, and IP is crucial.

Efficacy and safety of early soluble urokinase plasminogen receptor plasma-guided anakinra treatment of COVID-19 pneumonia: A subgroup analysis of the SAVE-MORE randomised trial.

Background: The SAVE-MORE trial demonstrated that anakinra treatment in COVID-19 pneumonia with plasma soluble urokinase plasminogen activator (suPAR) levels of 6 ng/mL or more was associated with 0.36 odds for a worse outcome compared to placebo when expressed by the WHO-Clinical Progression Scale (CPS) at day 28. Herein, we report the results of subgroup analyses and long-term outcomes. Methods: This prospective, double-blind, randomised clinical trial, recruited patients with a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, in need of hospitalisation, lower respiratory tract infection and plasma suPAR ≥6 ng/mL from 37 academic and community hospitals in Greece and Italy. Patients were 1:2 randomised to subcutaneous treatment with placebo or anakinra (100 mg) once daily for 10 days. Pre-defined subgroups of Charlson's comorbidity index (CCI), sex, age, level of suPAR, and time from symptom onset were analysed for the primary endpoint (overall comparison of distribution of frequencies of the scores from the WHO-CPS between treatments on day 28), by multivariable ordinal regression analysis in the intention to treat (ITT) population. This trial is registered with the EU Clinical Trials Register (2020-005828-11) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04680949). Findings: Patients were enrolled between 23 December 2020 and 31 March 2021; 189 patients in the placebo arm and 405 patients in the anakinra arm were the ITT population. Multivariable analysis showed that anakinra treatment was accompanied by significantly lower odds for worse outcome compared to placebo at day 28 for all studied subgroups (CCI ≥ 2, OR: 0.34, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.22-0.50; CCI < 2, OR: 0.38, 95% CI 0.21-0.68; suPAR > 9 ng/mL, OR: 0.35, 95% CI 0.19-0.66; suPAR 6-9 ng/mL, OR: 0.35, 95% CI 0.24-0.52; patients ≥65 years, OR: 0.41, 95% CI 0.25-0.66; and patients <65 years, OR: 0.29, 95% CI 0.19-0.45). The benefit was uniform, irrespective of the time from start of symptoms until the start of the study drug. At days 60 and 90, anakinra treatment had odds of 0.40 (95% CI 0.28-0.57) and 0.46 (95% CI 0.32-0.67) respectively, for a worse outcome compared to placebo. The costs of general ward stay, ICU stay, and drugs were lower with anakinra treatment. Interpretation: Anakinra represents an important therapeutic tool in the management of COVID-19 that may be administered in all subgroups of patients; benefits are maintained until day 90. Funding: Hellenic Institute for the Study of Sepsis; Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB.

The Implementation of a Health Care Worker Screening Program Based on the Advanta RT-qPCR Saliva Assay in a Tertiary Care Referral Hospital in Northern Greece.

Health care workers are at increased risk of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection due to different exposures in the community and in hospital settings. Interventions implemented to avoid nosocomial outbreaks include preventive testing strategies. In this report, we present results from the mass screening program applied in our hospital to all professionals, irrespective of symptoms or risk of exposure. We processed saliva specimens with real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The total number of samples received was 43,726. Positive results were 672 and average positivity rate was 1.21%. The average positivity rate was similar to the positivity rate in the community in Greece and EU. More specifically, 80.5% of the positive participants care for patients in their daily activities, 31% experienced no symptoms before receiving the positive result, 46.1% reported a close contact with a patient or infected coworkers and 32.8% reported a close contact with infected family members. We believe that the identification of asymptomatic carriers has proved the effectiveness of the screening program by preventing the putative nosocomial spread of the virus and the depletion of workforce. In conclusion, in times of high incidence in the community, the periodic testing of health care personnel is wise and relevant for implementation costs.

SARS-CoV-2 adsorption on suspended solids along a sewerage network: mathematical model formulation, sensitivity analysis, and parametric study.

Accounting for SARS-CoV-2 adsorption on solids suspended in wastewater is a necessary step towards the reliable estimation of virus shedding rate in a sewerage system, based on measurements performed at a terminal collection station, i.e., at the entrance of a wastewater treatment plant. This concept is extended herein to include several measurement stations across a city to enable the estimation of spatial distribution of virus shedding rate. This study presents a pioneer general model describing the most relevant physicochemical phenomena with a special effort to reduce the complicated algebra. This is performed both in the topology regime, introducing a discrete-continuous approach, and in the domain of independent variables, introducing a monodisperse moment method to reduce the dimensionality of the resulting population balance equations. The resulting simplified model consists of a large system of ordinary differential equations. A sensitivity analysis is performed with respect to some key parameters for a single pipe topology. Specific numerical techniques are employed for the integration of the model. Finally, a parametric case study for an indicative-yet realistic-sewerage piping system is performed to show how the model is applied to SARS-CoV-2 adsorption on wastewater solids in the presence of other competing species. This is the first model of this kind appearing in scientific literature and a first step towards setting up an inverse problem to assess the spatial distribution of virus shedding rate based on its concentration in wastewater.