Frequency Of Infections Research Articles

Results of Levofloxacin Prophylaxis Timing in Autologous and Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background Despite preventive measures and varying antibiotic recommendations, bacterial infections continue to pose a significant threat to individuals undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).Levofloxacin prophylaxis is commonly used, but the optimal timing for initiation is debated. This study aims to assess infection outcomes based on timing of levofloxacin prophylaxis (initiation at the first day of conditioning vs. after infusion of stem cells) in autologous and allogeneic HSCT patients. Methods We compared infectious episodes, responsible pathogens, and clinical outcomes based on the implementation of levofloxacin prophylaxis in patients receiving autologous or allogeneic HSCT procedures. This retrospective single-center study involved a review of the medical records of autologous and allogeneic HSCT patients treated at our adult stem cell transplantation unit between 2018 and 2020. The study included 23 patients who underwent autologous HSCT and 12 patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT. We compared the demographic data, febrile neutropenia, proven bacterial infections, and 30-day survival among the autologous and allogeneic transplant groups, including those who received oral levofloxacin 500 mg/day prophylaxis. Results Positive blood cultures (26.1% vs. 75%; p = 0.011), mean neutrophil engraftment (10.6±1.2 vs. 14.8±1.3; p<0.001), and mean platelet engraftment (11.2±1.1 vs. 15.4±3.2; p = 0.004) were all lower in autologous transplant patients versus their allogeneic counterparts. When each type of HSCT was evaluated within the same type, there were no observed differences in infection frequency, infection type, or 30-day mortality between the patient groups with different levofloxacin initiation times. Conclusion Healthcare professionals should choose the most appropriate timing for initiating levofloxacin prophylaxis based on individual patient factors and clinical circumstances while considering the cost-effectiveness implications. Further research with a larger sample size and prospective design is needed to support our findings.

LMP1 Expression of Esptein Baar Virus in Pediatric Lymphomas: A 06-Year Retrospective Series in Dakar

Persistent Epstein Baar Virus (EBV) infection may be a perfect target for the treatment of EBV-associated lymphomas and improved patient outcomes. The aim of this work was to evaluate the frequency of LMP1 (Latence membrane Protein 1) expression in pediatric lymphomas in Dakar. &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Material and Methods&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;: This was a retrospective, descriptive study from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2020. It was based on blocks and anatomopathological reports of pediatric Lymphomas in 04 ACP laboratories in Dakar. The immunohistochemical study was carried out at the IBN ROCHD Hospital in Casablanca, Morocco, using a manual method. LMP1 immunostaining was considered positive if 10% of tumour cells showed cytoplasmic staining. &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Results&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;: Positive staining for LMP1 was noted in 13 of the 42 cases of pediatric lymphomas tested, i.e. 31% of cases. These included 09 cases of Hodgkin&amp;apos;s lymphoma, i.e. 69% (9/13), and 04 cases of non-Hodgkin&amp;apos;s lymphoma, i.e. 31%. LMP1-positive classical Hodgkin&amp;apos;s lymphomas accounted for 40.09% (9/22) of Hodgkin&amp;apos;s lymphomas, and were of the mixed cellularity (6/22) and scleronodular (3/22) subtypes. The frequency of LMP1-positive samples in non-Hodgkin&amp;apos;s lymphomas was 20% (4/20). These included 3 cases of Burkitt&amp;apos;s lymphoma and 1 case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Conclusion&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;: The frequency of EBV infection in pediatric lymphomas in Senegal is lower than in endemic areas of Africa.

Nijmegen syndrome in childhood: a clinical case

Nijmegen syndrome is a rare monogenic pathology with an autosomal recessive type of inheritance. The disease is manifested by congenital developmental anomalies and microcephaly, primary immunodeficiency, frequent recurrent viral and bacterial infections, retardation in physical and neuropsychic development. In the medical literature, 150 cases of the syndrome are described; pathology occurs more often among the Slavic population. Nijmegen syndrome belongs to a group of diseases with chromosomal instability. The pathogenetic feature of the syndrome is congenital immunodeficiency of the humoral (B-lymphocytes) and cellular (T-lymphocytes) components. According to statistics, 40 % of children with Nijmegen syndrome are diagnosed with malignant neoplasms. lymphoid tissue is more often affected (non-Hodgkin’s B and T-cell lymphomas, acute lymphoblastic leukemia), and the development of solid neoplasia is also possible. To diagnose Nijmegen syndrome, in addition to assessing the patient clinical status, it is necessary to conduct an extended immunological examination with the determination of immunoglobulins A, M, G and molecular genetic studies.The article presents a clinical case of diagnosis and treatment of Nijmegen syndrome in childhood.

Do early-life allergic sensitization and respiratory infection interact to increase asthma risk?

Objective The ‘two-hit’ hypothesis theorizes that early life allergic sensitization and respiratory infection interact to increase asthma risk. Methods We sought to determine in a high allergy risk birth cohort whether interactions between early life allergic sensitization and respiratory infection were associated with increased risk for asthma at ages 6–7 years and 18 years. Allergic sensitization was assessed at 6, 12, and 24 months by skin prick testing to 3 food and 3 aeroallergens. Respiratory infection was defined as reported “cough, rattle, or wheeze” and assessed 4-weekly for 15 months, at 18 months, and age 2 years. Regression analysis was undertaken with parent-reported asthma at age 6–7 years and doctor diagnosed asthma at 18 years as distinct outcomes. Interactions between allergic sensitization and respiratory infection were explored with adjustment made for potential confounders. Results Odds of asthma were higher in sensitized compared to nonsensitized children at age 6–7 years (OR = 14.46; 95% CI 3.99–52.4), There was no evidence for interactions between allergic sensitization and early life respiratory infection, with a greater frequency of respiratory infection up to 2 years of age associated with increased odds for asthma at age 6–7 years in both sensitized (OR = 1.13; 95% CI 1.02–1.25, n = 199) and nonsensitized children (OR = 1.31; 1.11–1.53, n = 211) (p interaction = 0.089). At age 18 years, these associations were weaker. Conclusions Our findings do not support ‘two-hit’ interactions between early life allergic sensitization and respiratory infection on asthma risk. Both early life respiratory infections and allergic sensitization were risk factors and children with either should be monitored closely for development of asthma.

Prevalence of Antibiotic Use in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients: An Observational Study in Secondary Healthcare Hospitals in Kosovo

INTRODUCTION: Globally, the high use of antibiotics among hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19 has been reported despite evidence that bacterial coinfections are uncommon. This issue raised our concerns, as there was a report on high frequency of antibiotic resistant bacterial infections in COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Thus, we conducted a study to determine the prevalence of antibiotic use for hospitalized acute COVID-19 infection in secondary healthcare hospitals in Kosovo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted among patients with acute COVID-19 admitted to secondary healthcare hospitals in Kosovo. A modified Infectious Diseases International Research Initiative (ID-IRI) questionnaire was used to collect information in 460 COVID-19 PCR positive patients. RESULTS: All studied patients (100%) were treated with antibiotics. An empirical antibiotics were used to cover Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in 136 cases (29.6%), methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) infections in 86 cases (18.7%), atypical pathogen in 174 cases (37.8%), and Pseudomonas infections in 48 cases (10.4%). The most frequently used antibiotics were ceftriaxone/cefotaxime plus macrolide (149 cases; 31%), ceftriaxone/cefotaxime plus quinolone (85 cases; 17.7%), and co-amoxiclav plus fluoroquinolone (78 cases; 16.3%). Imipenem was most frequently used in the ICU (64 cases; 13.3%). CONCLUSION: Despite the antibiotic guidelines clearly stated that antibiotics should only be used in confirmed case of secondary bacterial infections including the COVID-19 patients, our study revealed that the overused of antibiotics remained unchanged. As the misused and overused of antibacterial has been shown to accelerate the emergence and spread of antibacterial resistant, the inappropriate practice should be changed.

Hospitalization and Mortality due to Infection among United States Children and Adolescents with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

We aimed to determine the frequency and types of infections in hospitalized children with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE), and to identify risk factors for intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality. We conducted a retrospective study of youth 2-21 years of age with ICD codes for SLE during admission to a hospital participating in the Pediatric Health Information System, a database of United States children's hospitals, from 2009-2021. Generalized linear mixed effect models were used to identify risk factors for ICU admission and mortality among children hospitalized with infection. We identified 8,588 children with cSLE and ≥ 1 hospitalization. Among this cohort, there were 26,269 hospitalizations, of which 13% had codes for infections, a proportion which increased over time (p = 0.036). Bacterial pneumonia was the most common hospitalized infection. In-hospital mortality occurred in 0.4% (n=103) of cSLE hospitalizations for any indication and 2% of hospitalizations for infection (n=60). The highest mortality rates occurred with pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (21%) and other fungal infections (21%). Lupus nephritis and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) were associated with increased odds of ICU admission (OR [95% CI] 1.47 [1.2- 1.8]) and 2.4 [1.7-3.4]) among children admitted for serious infection. ESRD was associated with higher mortality, OR 2.34 [1.1-4.9]. Hospitalizations with codes for for infection comprised a small proportion of cSLE admissions but accounted for the majority of mortality. The proportion of hospitalizations for infection increased over time. Lupus nephritis and ESRD were risk factors for poor outcomes.

Complicated bacterial lung infections in patients with COPD

Patients with COPD are at increased risk of lung infections. Specific pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are associated with severe exacerbations requiring hospitalisation and death. New research summarised in this review highlights the importance of inhaled corticosteroids as a risk factor for lung infections. Reduction and discontinuation of treatment should be considered in patients with frequent or persistent infections. Long-term treatment with azithromycin and inhaled antibiotics may effectively reduce severe exacerbations in COPD.

A case series of patients with ophthalmic manifestations of monkeypox in Spain

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is a zoonotic orthopox DNA virus presently causing a global outbreak. The mucosae are affected in 41% of the cases; the nasal and eye regions are the least affected (1%). The most frequent eye infection is conjunctivitis with severe cases of corneal affection leading to permanent visual sequelae. We describe two cases of patients presenting facial edema, erythema, and vesiculo-pustular lesions with confirmed positive MPXV DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Preseptal cellulitis and MPXV infection were diagnosed and treated with antibiotics and tecovirimat. A third patient was admitted to the hospital with pain and redness of the right eye and vesiculo-pustular skin lesions. On ophthalmological examination, he was diagnosed with a corneal ulcer and a creamy white infiltrate and was treated with systemic tecovirimat and ciprofloxacin eye drops. Healthcare professionals should be familiar with ocular manifestations of MPXV infection and consult ophthalmologists to reduce the risk of potentially vision-threatening complications.

PATHOMORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF CRYPTOCOCCOSIS OF THE LUNGS AND CNS IN CASE OF HIV-INFECTION/AIDS

Background. Cryptococcosis is an important opportunistic infection that most commonly presents with meningitis or meningoencephalitis, especially in HIV-infected patients. Pulmonary disease is less common but is probably underdiagnosed because of the nonspecific nature of symptoms or the increased frequency of other pulmonary opportunistic infections.&#x0D; Aim: to investigate the pathomorphological features of cryptococcal lesions of the lungs and central nervous system in case of HIV infection/AIDS.&#x0D; Materials and methods. Pathomorphological examination was carried out on the autopsy material. HIV infection was diagnosed in the patients during life with serological verification and the patients were registered at the AIDS Center. Ziehl-Neelsen staining, and PAS reaction were used to detect cryptococci in lung and brain tissue. Standard histological preparations were examined under a microscope to clarify or establish the following data: the presence of cryptococci (both encapsulated and non-encapsulated), their localization and density, the presence of an inflammatory infiltrate and its severity.&#x0D; Results. The histopathology of lung lesions in cryptococcosis is characterized by the presence of granulomas with numerous cryptococci and a lympho-macrophagic reaction with multinucleated cells of the Langhans type. The total number of cryptococci in the field of vision (x400) is moderate to significant, their dissemination is uneven, localization is in the interstitium and among the inflammatory infiltrate, cryptococci are round in shape, including encapsulated, some deformed. Cryptococcosis of the brain in case of HIV infection/AIDS was characterized by the accumulation of numerous cryptococci in the expanded perivascular space and among the inflammatory infiltrate in meninges of the brain and cerebellum.&#x0D; Conclusion. Dissemination of cryptococcosis in the form of meningitis and meningoencephalitis is a prognostically unfavorable sign of the course of the disease. Cryptococcal lung disease was characterized by a polymorphic histological picture with the presence of an interstitial infiltrate and granuloma with multinucleated cells of the Langhans type and numerous cryptococci.

Complex phenotype of Tourette syndrome in a ten-year-old boy (a clinical case)

Aim. The aim of the work is to draw attention to the symptoms associated with Tourette syndrome and to examine the association with comorbid diseases. Materials and methods. A review of the scientific literature on Tourette syndrome (TS) was conducted using the following Keywords “tics”, “Tourette syndrome”, “Tourette obsessive-compulsive disorder, TOCD”, “obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD”, “attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD” using PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE as search engines. Taking into account studies conducted in the last 10 years, the abstracts of 275 articles were analyzed. Articles were selected for the study based on the criterion of their close relevance to the topic. The study results covered in 49 articles were examined in more detail. A description of a TOCD clinical case was prepared from primary medical documentation with parental informed consent. Results. The prevalence of TS is quite variable, depends on epidemiological research methods and ranges from 0.3 % to 1.0 % worldwide. Given the methodological limitations of most studies, the actual prevalence may be 10 times higher. TS is a progressive disease and is characterized by regular stages. Tourette syndrome-plus is distinguished, including autoaggressive actions besides the basic symptoms of OCD and ADHD. The etiology of TS is still being studied. In particular, the impact of environmental factors is considered: infection or inflammation, perinatal complications and chronic psychosocial stress in childhood. In 70–80 % of cases, TS is a hereditary disorder, making it one of the most heritable childhood-onset neuropsychiatric diseases. Various approaches have been applied to assess the genetic architecture of TS, including candidate gene studies, segregation analysis, linkage analysis, cytogenetics, copy number variants (CNV), rare variation studies, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and whole exome sequencing (WES). Currently, there is no specific laboratory or genetic test for TS diagnosis. Pharmacological treatments are available but often ineffective; behavioral and surgical treatments are under development. The clinical case of TS in a 10-year-old boy is described with an onset at the age of 7 years following frequent infections, manifested as cephalocaudal motor tics and several vocal tics (coprolalia, echolalia) with a progression to obsessive-compulsive behavior (mysophobia, compulsive skin picking, self-hitting, self-biting, repetitive compulsions). The presented clinical case is of great interest from the viewpoint of somewhat belated diagnosis of TOCD syndrome, as well as indicates the need to continue the search for effective methods of diagnosis and treatment. Conclusions. The case of comorbid OCD and tic disorder is a unique endophenotype combining externalized disinhibited TS movements in parallel with internalized distress reminiscent of OCD. Clinicians should consider these features when choosing treatment methods.

Parasites (protozoa and helminths) localized to the Central Nervous System

Parasitoses that are localized to the Central Nervous System (CNS) can cause symptomatic diseases or progress asymptomatically [g1] [AR2]. Any parasites that affect humans could involve the CNS; however, the most common parasitic infection of the CNS is cerebral malaria, followed by neurocysticercosis. Other relatively frequent infections are toxoplasmosis, cystic and alveolar echinococcosis and schistosomiasis [g4] [AR5].

A Clarification of the Concept of Clean Intermittent Catheterization Adherence Using the Evolutionary Method

Background and purpose:Clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) nonadherence may lead to renal compromise, incontinence, and frequent urinary tract infections in patients with spinal cord injury and spinal dysraphism. Adherence to CIC lacks definition in the nursing literature despite implications for research and clinical practice, including patient education. The aim of this concept analysis was to analyze how CIC adherence is conceptualized and synthesize a definition for nursing.Method:Rodgers’ evolutionary concept analysis method was used to analyze the concept of CIC adherence in patients and caregivers. We searched databases to identify studies describing CIC adherence and identified common attributes, antecedents, and consequences. A definition was synthesized, and an exemplar was developed to illustrate the concept in practice.Results:Sixteen sources were analyzed. The attributes of CIC adherence were initiation, execution, including prescribed process and prescribed frequency, and persistence. Antecedents included the presence of neurogenic bladder, acceptance, and engagement. Consequences included improved health outcomes and quality of life.Implications for practice:Adherence to CIC lacks definition in the nursing literature despite implications for research and clinical practice. A unified definition of CIC adherence will facilitate nurses’ efforts to plan effective care, anticipate support barriers and opportunities, and develop strategies for improving CIC adherence.

Bacterial Infection versus Viral Infection Preference of ABO Blood Group Phenotype Patients.

Several studies have established an association between the blood group type and susceptibility to infections. This study aimed to evaluate a correlation between the blood group type and the susceptibility to infection. A total of 558 patients were enrolled in this study who attended at the Althawra Hospital, Ibb City, from March to August 2018. Blood samples were analyzed for complete blood count and blood group. We observed a high frequency of infections affecting the digestive system (26.4%), while the least affected system was the urogenital system 5.9%. Patients with A blood group exhibit an increased probability to be infected by viruses than they do for bacteria (odds ratio [OR] = 1.430; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.005 to 2.035; P = 0.05 and OR = 0.098; 95% CI = 0.064 to 0.148; P < 0.0001, respectively). It was observed that blood group A individuals were more susceptible to infection with hepatitis B virus than were the other groups (P = 0.041; OR = 1.704, 95% CI = 1.053-2.773). The liklihood of O blood group patients experiencing urogenital infections was less than that of non-O blood group patients one third (OR = 0.353, 95% CI = 0.158-0.789; P = 0.014). This study corroborates previous findings that demonstrated that certain blood groups are more prone to infection by one agent than are patients with other blood groups.

“You can feel the fresh air … ” Rural Alaska Native household perceptions of home air purifiers and health

ABSTRACT Alaska Native and American Indian children experience frequent respiratory illness. Indoor air quality is associated with the severity and frequency of respiratory infections in children. High efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers effectively improve indoor air quality and may protect respiratory health. In 2019, the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation implemented a pilot programme that provided education and HEPA purifiers to households of children with chronic lung conditions. The team evaluated HEPA purifier acceptability and use by interviewing representatives from 11 households that participated in the pilot programme. All interviewees reported improvement in their child’s health, and some believed that the health of other household members was also improved because of the HEPA purifier. Interviewees reported that the HEPA purifiers were easy to use, quiet, and not expensive to run. Five of 11 households were still using the HEPA purifier at the time of the interview, which was about three years after receipt of the unit. The most common reasons for discontinuing use were equipment failure and lack of replacement filter, suggesting that programme support could increase sustainability. Our evaluation suggests that HEPA purifiers are acceptable and feasible for use in rural Alaska Native households.

A closer look: obsessive-compulsive symptoms among intern nurses amidst COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundThe distinctive circumstances and socio-cultural context in Egypt make it crucial to explore the psychological well-being of intern nurses amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with a specific focus on obsessive-compulsive symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the influence of fear of COVID-19 on obsessive-compulsive symptoms among intern nurses.MethodsA cross-sectional survey involving 375 randomly recruited intern nurses was conducted. Data collected included the Fear of COVID-19 Scale and the Short Version of the Arabic Obsessive-Compulsive Scale.ResultsA significant relationship was found between the fear of COVID-19 and the severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms among the participants (r = 0.472, p = 0.000). A stepwise regression analysis indicated that the fear of COVID-19, living in urban regions, frequency of COVID-19 infection, and increased number of infected family members may contribute to the severity of Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms with adjusted R2 value = 27.5%.ConclusionThe findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has had significant psychological impacts on newly qualified nurses during their internship training period, including the manifestation of mental health symptoms such as Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms. It was observed that urban residents, intern nurses with recurrent COVID-19 infections, and those with more infected family members exhibited a higher severity of OCS. These findings underscore the need for further research to investigate additional factors that may influence OCS severity.

Frequency of Covid-19 Infection and The Disease Profile in Patients Followed with Multiple Sclerosis

Objective: For a long time immunomodulatory / immunosuppressive drugs have been used to slow the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). These treatments are known to suppress the immune system and create susceptibility to infections. In our study, it was aimed to review the severity and frequency of COVID-19 disease in MS patients who received immunomodulatory/immunosuppressive treatments during the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and also to evaluate whether they were adversely affected in terms of psychological outcomes. Material and Methods: Participants consisted of MS patients who acquired COVID-19 (group 1) aged 18-65, using disease-modifying treatments (DMT) with follow-up in a neurology outpatient the clinic and the other two control groups consisted of similar ages and genders. One of the other two groups is MS patients who have not had COVID-19 (group 2), the other group consisted of patients who had COVID-19 and did not have MS (group 3). MS profile, coronavirus anxiety scale (CAS), and Beck depression inventory (BDI) scales between groups 1 and 2; COVID-19 profile between groups 1 and 3 compared. Results: As a result of comparing the MS disease profile of the 1st and 2nd groups and in terms of the COVID-19 disease profile of the 1st and 3rd groups, there was no statistically a significant difference in these paired comparison groups (p&amp;gt; 0.05). Conclusions: It was concluded that DMT use does not increase the severity of COVID-19 and having COVID-19 does not cause any additional changes in the psychiatric status of MS patients, since no a statistically significant difference was observed in the 2 MS group and 2 COVID-19 group comparison.

Analysing patient factors and treatment impact on diabetic foot ulcers in South Africa

In the South African public healthcare sector, 28% of diabetic patients present to primary healthcare clinics with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), often presenting in advanced stages of ulcer severity. In this study, we aimed to categorise factors predisposing individuals to developing a DFU and to identify the potential shortcomings in existing treatment plans in the South African healthcare system. In addition, the use of preventative measures in the management of DFUs was examined as well as the influence of past treatment practices. A total minimum sample size of 50 DFUs was required for this study. Participants who were selected for this study had their past records reviewed in order to determine the likelihood of previous DFU infections, as well as to determine the occurrence of co-morbidities. The treatment protocol implemented was recorded. Twelve-month patient records were used to identify the infection frequency and past treatment protocols. A total of 48.9% of patients reported that they did not make use of any preventative measures. The most frequent concurrent medical conditions were hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and peripheral neuropathy. Polypharmacy was prevalent, with 55% of the population prescribed five or more medications. Potential medication interactions were examined and a total of 210 interactions were documented. An analysis of past and current treatment practices revealed that 52.1% of the treatment protocols did not comply with local treatment guidelines. This study highlights the urgent need for updated DFU treatment protocols in relation to the overall management of DFUs, taking into account existing international guidelines.

Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Rotavirus Infection Frequency in Children

Aims: During the COVID-19 pandemic, measures such as the wearing of masks, social distancing, enhanced hygiene practices, closures of workplaces and schools, and lockdowns influenced the spread of various infectious diseases. This study aimed to compare the frequency of rotavirus infections during the pandemic to that of the pre-pandemic period.&#x0D; Methods: This retrospective study included 2912 patients diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis who were admitted to the Pediatric Health and Diseases Department of Hisar Intercontinental Hospital between January 2018 and August 2022. For the diagnosis of rotavirus infection, the Rota-Adeno Ag Rapid Test-Cassette was applied to stool samples as an immunochromatographic method. Patients were divided into two groups based on their hospital admission dates: before the COVID-19 pandemic (1 January 2018 to 10 March 2020) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (11 March 2020 to 30 August 2022).&#x0D; Results: The prevalence of rotavirus infection in the entire population was 9.5% (n=277). The rate of cases of rotavirus infection was higher among patients during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the group of patients before the COVID-19 pandemic (10.9% vs. 8.7%, p=0.050). A sharp decline in the frequency of rotavirus infection was observed at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-COVID-19 pandemic period, followed by a sharp increase. In 2022, the frequency of rotavirus infections exceeded the pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels.&#x0D; Conclusion: The provision of the rotavirus vaccine for free by health authorities, especially for at-risk infants, together with adherence to hand washing, hygiene, and sanitation rules can significantly reduce the frequency of rotavirus infections during both pandemic and non-pandemic periods.

Clinical application of reserved gastric tube in neuroendoscopic endonasal surgery for pituitary tumor.

The neuroendoscopic approach has the advantages of a clear operative field, convenient tumor removal, and less damage, and is the development direction of modern neurosurgery. At present, transnasal surgery for sphenoidal pituitary tumor is widely used. But it has been found in clinical practice that some patients with this type of surgery may experience post-operative nausea and vomiting and other discomforts. To explore the effect of reserved gastric tube application in the neuroendoscopic endonasal resection of pituitary tumors. A total of 60 patients who underwent pituitary adenoma resection via the endoscopic endonasal approach were selected and randomly divided into the experimental and control groups, with 30 in each group. Experimental group: After anesthesia, a gastric tube was placed through the mouth under direct vision using a visual laryngoscope, and the fluid accumulated in the oropharynx was suctioned intermittently with low negative pressure throughout the whole process after nasal disinfection, during the operation, and when the patient recovered from anesthesia. Control group: Given the routine intraoperative care, no gastric tube was left. The number of cases of nausea/vomiting/aspiration within 24 h post-operation was counted and compared between the two groups; the scores of pharyngalgia after waking up, 6 h post-operation, and 24 h post-operation. The frequency of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage and intracranial infection were compared. The hospitalization days of the two groups were statistically compared. The times of postoperative nausea and vomiting in the experimental group were lower than that in the control group, and the difference in the incidence of nausea was statistically significant (P < 0.05). After the patient woke up, the scores of sore throat 6 h after the operation and 24 h after operation were lower than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The number of cases of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage and intracranial infection was higher than that of the control group, but there was no statistically significant difference from the control group (P > 0.05). The hospitalization days of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Reserving a gastric tube in the endoscopic endonasal resection of pituitary tumors, combined with intraoperative and postoperative gastrointestinal decompression, can effectively reduce the incidence of nausea, reduce the number of vomiting and aspiration in patients, and reduce the complications of sore throat The incidence rate shortened the hospitalization days of the patients.

Diversity of Trichinella species in carnivores from Bosnia and Herzegovina

BackgroundIn Bosnia and Herzegovina, domestic and wild carnivores represent a significant driver for the transmission and ecology of zoonotic pathogens, especially those of parasitic aetiology. Nevertheless, there is no systematic research of Trichinella species in animals that have been conducted in Bosnia and Herzegovina, even though trichinellosis is considered the most important parasitic zoonosis. The available results of the few studies carried out in Bosnia and Herzegovina are mainly related to the confirmation of parasitic larvae in the musculature of domestic pigs and wild boars or data related to trichinellosis in humans. The objective of our study was to present the findings of a comprehensive investigation into the species composition of Trichinella among 11 carnivorous species within the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as follows: red fox (Vulpes vulpes), grey wolf (Canis lupus), brown bear (Ursus arctos), wildcat (Felis silvestris), pine marten (Martes martes), European badger (Meles meles), weasel (Mustela nivalis), European polecat (Mustela putorius), Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), but also dog (Canis lupus familiaris) and cat (Felis catus).ResultsIn the period 2013–2023, carnivore musculature samples (n = 629), each consisting of 10 g of muscle tissue, were taken post-mortem and individually examined using the artificial digestion method. In the positive samples (n = 128), molecular genotyping and identification of parasitic larvae of Trichinella spp. were performed using a PCR-based technique up to the species/genotype level. Positive samples were used for basic PCR detection of the genus Trichinella (rrnS rt-PCR technique) and genotyping (rrnl-EVS rt-PCR technique). The Trichinella infection was documented for the first time in Bosnia and Herzegovina among red foxes, grey wolves, brown bears, dogs, badgers and Eurasian lynx, with a frequency rate of 20.3%. Additionally, the presence of T. britovi infection was newly confirmed in Bosnia and Herzegovina, marking the initial documented cases. Furthermore, both T. britovi and T. pseudospiralis infections were observed in the wildcat population, whereas T. britovi and T. spiralis infections were detected in pine martens. Consistent with previous research, our findings align particularly regarding carnivores, with data from other countries such as Germany, Finland, Romania, Poland and Spain, where T. britovi exhibits a wider distribution (62.5–100%) compared to T. spiralis (0.0–37.5%). T. britovi is more common among sylvatic carnivores (89.0%), while T. spiralis prevails in wild boars (62.0%), domestic swine (82.0%) and rodents (75.0%).ConclusionThe results of our study represent the first molecular identification of species of the genus Trichinella in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Additionally, our findings underscore the necessity for targeted epidemiological studies to thoroughly assess trichinellosis prevalence across diverse animal populations. Considering the relatively high frequency of trichinellosis infection in investigated animal species and its public health implications, there is an evident need for establishing an effective trichinellosis surveillance system in Bosnia and Herzegovina.