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Karampatakis T, Kandilioti E, Katsifa H, Nikopoulou A, Harmanus C, Tsergouli K, Kuijper E, Kachrimanidou M. Clostridioides difficile infection epidemiology during the COVID-19 pandemic in Greece. Future Microbiol 2024:1-9. [PMID: 38913938 DOI: 10.1080/17460913.2024.2358653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim: The aim was to highlight the incidence and epidemiology of C. difficile infections (CDI) in a tertiary Greek hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A single-center prospective observational cohort study was conducted (October 2021 until April 2022). 125 C. difficile isolates were cultured from hospitalized patients stool samples and screened by PCR for toxin A (tcdA), toxin B (tcdB), binary toxin (cdtA and cdtB) genes and the regulating gene of tcdC. Results: The incidence of CDI increased to 13.1 infections per 10,000 bed days. The most common PCR ribotypes identified included hypervirulent RT027-related RT181 (73.6%), presumably hypervirulent RT126 (8.0%) and toxin A negative RT017 (7.2%). Conclusion: Although the incidence of CDI increased significantly, the CDI epidemiology remained stable.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eleni Kandilioti
- Microbiology Department, Papanikolaou General Hospital, 570 10, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Helen Katsifa
- Microbiology Department, Papanikolaou General Hospital, 570 10, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anna Nikopoulou
- Infectious Disease Unit, Papanikolaou General Hospital, 570 10, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Celine Harmanus
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Center of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, European Study Group of C. difficile (ESGCD), 2333ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Katerina Tsergouli
- Microbiology Department, Agios Pavlos General Hospital, 551 34, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ed Kuijper
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Center of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, European Study Group of C. difficile (ESGCD), 2333ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Melina Kachrimanidou
- Department of Microbiology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Medical School, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Stoian M, Andone A, Boeriu A, Bândilă SR, Dobru D, Laszlo SȘ, Corău D, Arbănași EM, Russu E, Stoian A. COVID-19 and Clostridioides difficile Coinfection Analysis in the Intensive Care Unit. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:367. [PMID: 38667043 PMCID: PMC11047694 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13040367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in late 2019, the global mortality attributable to COVID-19 has reached 6,972,152 deaths according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The association between coinfection with Clostridioides difficile (CDI) and SARS-CoV-2 has limited data in the literature. This retrospective study, conducted at Mureș County Clinical Hospital in Romania, involved 3002 ICU patients. Following stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria, 63 patients were enrolled, with a division into two subgroups-SARS-CoV-2 + CDI patients and CDI patients. Throughout their hospitalization, the patients were closely monitored. Analysis revealed no significant correlation between comorbidities and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) or non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV). However, statistically significant associations were noted between renal and hepatic comorbidties (p = 0.009), death and CDI-SARS-CoV-2 coinfection (p = 0.09), flourochinolone treatment and CDI-SARS-CoV-2 infection (p = 0.03), and an association between diabetes mellitus and SARS-CoV-2-CDI infection (p = 0.04), as well as the need for invasive mechanical ventilation (p = 0.04). The patients with CDI treatment were significantly younger and received immuno-modulator or corticotherapy treatment, which was a risk factor for opportunistic agents. Antibiotic and PPI (proton pump inhibitor) treatment were significant risk factors for CDI coinfection, as well as for death, with PPI treatment in combination with antibiotic treatment being a more significant risk factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mircea Stoian
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Targu Mures, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania;
| | - Adina Andone
- Gastroenterology Department, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania; (A.B.); (D.D.)
| | - Alina Boeriu
- Gastroenterology Department, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania; (A.B.); (D.D.)
| | - Sergio Rareș Bândilă
- Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology Service, Marina Baixa Hospital, Av. Alcade En Jaume Botella Mayor, 03570 Villajoyosa, Spain;
| | - Daniela Dobru
- Gastroenterology Department, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania; (A.B.); (D.D.)
| | - Sergiu Ștefan Laszlo
- Intensive Care Unit, Mures, County Hospital, Street Gheorghe Marinescu No 1, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania; (S.Ș.L.); (D.C.)
| | - Dragoș Corău
- Intensive Care Unit, Mures, County Hospital, Street Gheorghe Marinescu No 1, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania; (S.Ș.L.); (D.C.)
| | - Emil Marian Arbănași
- Department of Vascular Surgery, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania;
- Clinic of Vascular Surgery, Mures County Emergency Hospital, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania;
- Doctoral School of Medicine and Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Eliza Russu
- Clinic of Vascular Surgery, Mures County Emergency Hospital, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania;
- Doctoral School of Medicine and Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Adina Stoian
- Department of Pathophysiology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Targu Mures, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania;
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Cut TG, Mavrea A, Cumpanas AA, Novacescu D, Oancea CI, Bratosin F, Marinescu AR, Laza R, Mocanu A, Pescariu AS, Manolescu D, Dumache R, Enache A, Hogea E, Lazureanu VE. A Retrospective Assessment of Sputum Samples and Antimicrobial Resistance in COVID-19 Patients. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12040620. [PMID: 37111506 PMCID: PMC10143659 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12040620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Data on bacterial or fungal pathogens and their impact on the mortality rates of Western Romanian COVID-19 patients are scarce. As a result, the purpose of this research was to determine the prevalence of bacterial and fungal co- and superinfections in Western Romanian adults with COVID-19, hospitalized in in-ward settings during the second half of the pandemic, and its distribution according to sociodemographic and clinical conditions. The unicentric retrospective observational study was conducted on 407 eligible patients. Expectorate sputum was selected as the sampling technique followed by routine microbiological investigations. A total of 31.5% of samples tested positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, followed by 26.2% having co-infections with Klebsiella pneumoniae among patients admitted with COVID-19. The third most common Pathogenic bacteria identified in the sputum samples was Escherichia coli, followed by Acinetobacter baumannii in 9.3% of samples. Commensal human pathogens caused respiratory infections in 67 patients, the most prevalent being Streptococcus penumoniae, followed by methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. A total of 53.4% of sputum samples tested positive for Candida spp., followed by 41.1% of samples with Aspergillus spp. growth. The three groups with positive microbial growth on sputum cultures had an equally proportional distribution of patients admitted to the ICU, with an average of 30%, compared with only 17.3% among hospitalized COVID-19 patients with negative sputum cultures (p = 0.003). More than 80% of all positive samples showed multidrug resistance. The high prevalence of bacterial and fungal co-infections and superinfections in COVID-19 patients mandates for strict and effective antimicrobial stewardship and infection control policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talida Georgiana Cut
- Department XIII, Discipline of Infectious Diseases, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, Nr. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Doctoral School, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, Nr. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Center for Ethics in Human Genetic Identifications, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, Nr. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Splaiul Independentei, Nr. 54, 50085 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Adelina Mavrea
- Department VII, Internal Medicine II, Discipline of Cardiology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, Nr. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Alin Adrian Cumpanas
- Department XV, Discipline of Urology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, Nr. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Dorin Novacescu
- Doctoral School, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, Nr. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Splaiul Independentei, Nr. 54, 50085 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cristian Iulian Oancea
- Department XIII, Discipline of Pneumology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, Nr. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Center for Research and Innovation in Precision Medicine of Respiratory Diseases (CRIPMRD), Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, Nr. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Felix Bratosin
- Department XIII, Discipline of Infectious Diseases, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, Nr. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Doctoral School, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, Nr. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Adelina Raluca Marinescu
- Department XIII, Discipline of Infectious Diseases, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, Nr. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Ruxandra Laza
- Department XIII, Discipline of Infectious Diseases, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, Nr. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Alexandra Mocanu
- Department XIII, Discipline of Infectious Diseases, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, Nr. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Doctoral School, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, Nr. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Alexandru Silvius Pescariu
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Splaiul Independentei, Nr. 54, 50085 Bucharest, Romania
- Department VII, Internal Medicine II, Discipline of Cardiology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, Nr. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Diana Manolescu
- Department XV, Discipline of Radiology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, Nr. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Raluca Dumache
- Center for Ethics in Human Genetic Identifications, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, Nr. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Department VIII, Discipline of Forensic Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, Nr. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Alexandra Enache
- Center for Ethics in Human Genetic Identifications, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, Nr. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Department VIII, Discipline of Forensic Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, Nr. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Elena Hogea
- Department XIV, Discipline of Microbiology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, Nr. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Voichita Elena Lazureanu
- Department XIII, Discipline of Infectious Diseases, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, Nr. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
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Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Patients Co-Infected with SARS-CoV2 and Clostridioides difficile. Biomedicines 2022; 11:biomedicines11010007. [PMID: 36672518 PMCID: PMC9855959 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the treatment of Clostridioides Difficile (CD)-infected patients given the increasing number of co-infections with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In this context, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) shows promise in modulating the immune system’s function and alleviating the burdens associated with this condition. Methods: To achieve this goal, we performed a comparative, retrospective, single-center study on 86 patients (admitted between January 2020 and March 2022). We based our approach on specific inclusion criteria: 1. The study group included 46 co-infected patients (COVID-19 and CD) receiving antibiotics and FMT; 2. In the control group, 40 co-infected patients received antibiotics only. Our results showed no significant group differences in terms of gender, age, risk factors such as cardiovascular and neurological diseases, type 2 diabetes, and obesity (p > 0.05), or in pre-treatment inflammatory status, evaluated by white blood cell (WBC) count and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. We report a significant decrease in inflammatory syndrome (CRP, WBC) in coinfected patients receiving FMT in addition to antibiotics (p < 0.05), with a lower relapse rate and mitigation of cramping and abdominal pain (91.3%). In addition, a higher level of fibrinogen, persistent moderate abdominal pain (82.5%), and a significantly higher CD infection relapse rate (42.5%) were recorded in co-infected patients treated only with antibiotics (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our study provides new data to support the multiple benefits of FMT in the case of COVID-19 and CD co-infection by improving patients’ quality of life and inflammatory syndrome.
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Boeriu A, Roman A, Dobru D, Stoian M, Voidăzan S, Fofiu C. The Impact of Clostridioides Difficile Infection in Hospitalized Patients: What Changed during the Pandemic? Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12123196. [PMID: 36553203 PMCID: PMC9778033 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12123196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) and SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus represent significant health threats. Our study focused on the impact of concurrent infections on patient outcomes against the backdrop of changes imposed by the pandemic. (2) Materials and methods. We performed a retrospective analysis and included patients diagnosed with CDI who were admitted in our hospital before and during the pandemic. We compared patient exposure to risk factors for CDI in both groups and patient negative outcomes: need for ICU care, prolonged hospitalization, organ failure, toxic megacolon, and death. (3) Results. Overall, 188 patients were included, of which 100 had CDI (the pre-pandemic group), and 88 patients presented both CDI and COVID-19 (the pandemic group). Patients in the pandemic group were significantly older, with a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and a greater exposure to antibiotics and corticosteroids, and were more likely to develop organ dysfunction, to require ICU care and have prolonged hospitalization. The severity of COVID-19, leukocytosis and increased D-dimer levels were indicators of poor prognosis in the pandemic group. Higher CCI scores and leukocytosis increased the risk for negative outcomes in CDI alone patients. (4) Conclusions. The study highlights the negative impact of associated infections on patient outcome. The severity of COVID-19 directly influences the prognosis of patients with concurrent infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Boeriu
- Gastroenterology Department, University of Medicine Pharmacy, Sciences, and Technology “George Emil Palade” Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
- Gastroenterology Department, Mureș County Clinical Hospital, 540103 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Adina Roman
- Gastroenterology Department, University of Medicine Pharmacy, Sciences, and Technology “George Emil Palade” Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
- Gastroenterology Department, Mureș County Clinical Hospital, 540103 Targu Mures, Romania
- Correspondence: (A.R.); (D.D.); Tel.: +40-(75)-2934465 (A.R.)
| | - Daniela Dobru
- Gastroenterology Department, University of Medicine Pharmacy, Sciences, and Technology “George Emil Palade” Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
- Gastroenterology Department, Mureș County Clinical Hospital, 540103 Targu Mures, Romania
- Correspondence: (A.R.); (D.D.); Tel.: +40-(75)-2934465 (A.R.)
| | - Mircea Stoian
- Intensive Care Unit Department, University of Medicine Pharmacy, Sciences, and Technology “George Emil Palade” Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
- Intensive Care Unit Department, Mureș County Clinical Hospital, 540103 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Septimiu Voidăzan
- Epidemiology Department, University of Medicine Pharmacy, Sciences, and Technology “George Emil Palade” Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Crina Fofiu
- Gastroenterology Department, University of Medicine Pharmacy, Sciences, and Technology “George Emil Palade” Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
- Internal Medicine Department, Bistrița County Hospital, 420094 Bistrița, Romania
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Novacescu AN, Buzzi B, Bedreag O, Papurica M, Rogobete AF, Sandesc D, Sorescu T, Baditoiu L, Musuroi C, Vlad D, Licker M. Bacterial and Fungal Superinfections in COVID-19 Patients Hospitalized in an Intensive Care Unit from Timișoara, Romania. Infect Drug Resist 2022; 15:7001-7014. [PMID: 36478964 PMCID: PMC9721122 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s390681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Critically ill patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) have an increased infection risk. The aim of this study was to determine the bacterial and fungal superinfections rate in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients stationed in the ICU, identify risk factors associated with their development and to determine whether superinfection plays a role in patients' outcome in this population. PATIENTS AND METHODS In this retrospective, non-interventional, single centre, cohort study, medical records of 302 consecutive patients with SARS-COV-2 pneumonia admitted into the COVID-19 ICU of the largest university hospital from Western Romania between October 2020 and May 2021, were reviewed, of whom 236 patients met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS One hundred and nineteen patients developed a superinfection ≥48 h after being admitted to the hospital. Superinfection rate in the ICU was 50.42%. Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) and Enterococcus spp. were predominantly isolated from blood cultures, while Acinetobacter baumannii, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida spp. from tracheobronchial aspirates. Significant independent risk factors regarding bacterial/fungal superinfection in COVID-19 patients were obtained for the following variables: number of days of central venous catheter (HR = 1.13 [1.07-1.20], p < 0.001) and prior administration of corticosteroids (HR = 2.80 [1.33-5.93], p = 0.007). Four independent predictive risk factors were associated with unfavorable outcome: age (HR = 1.07 [95% CI 1.03-1.12], p = 0.001); Carmeli Score (HR = 6.09 [1.18-31.50], p = 0.031); body mass index (HR = 1.11 [1.02-1.21], p = 0.011) and the presence of a central venous catheter (HR = 6.49 [1.93-21.89], p = 0.003). CONCLUSION The superinfection rate in COVID-19 patients was high in this study group. Exogenous risk factors were associated with superinfection more than endogenous factors. Only a small percentage of uninfected COVID-19 patients were not prescribed antibiotics during their hospitalization, raising serious concerns regarding the judicious prescribing of antibiotics in viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandru Noris Novacescu
- Doctoral School, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
- Compartment of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, ‘Dr. Victor Babes’ Infectious Diseases and Pulmonology Clinical Hospital, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Bettina Buzzi
- Clinic of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, ‘Pius Brînzeu’ Emergency Clinical County Hospital, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Ovidiu Bedreag
- Clinic of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, ‘Pius Brînzeu’ Emergency Clinical County Hospital, Timisoara, Romania
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Marius Papurica
- Clinic of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, ‘Pius Brînzeu’ Emergency Clinical County Hospital, Timisoara, Romania
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Alexandru Florin Rogobete
- Clinic of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, ‘Pius Brînzeu’ Emergency Clinical County Hospital, Timisoara, Romania
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Dorel Sandesc
- Clinic of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, ‘Pius Brînzeu’ Emergency Clinical County Hospital, Timisoara, Romania
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Teodora Sorescu
- Department of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
- Clinic of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, ‘Pius Brînzeu’ Emergency Clinical County Hospital, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Luminita Baditoiu
- Department of Epidemiology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
- Multidisciplinary Research Center on Antimicrobial Resistance, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Corina Musuroi
- Department of Microbiology, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
- Clinical Laboratory, ‘Pius Brînzeu’ Emergency Clinical County Hospital, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Daliborca Vlad
- Clinical Laboratory, ‘Pius Brînzeu’ Emergency Clinical County Hospital, Timisoara, Romania
- Department of Pharmacology, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Monica Licker
- Multidisciplinary Research Center on Antimicrobial Resistance, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
- Department of Microbiology, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
- Clinical Laboratory, ‘Pius Brînzeu’ Emergency Clinical County Hospital, Timisoara, Romania
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Kovačević N, Petrić V, Pete M, Popović M, Plećaš-Đurić A, Pejaković S, Tomić S, Damjanov D, Kosijer D, Lekin M. Clostridioides Difficile Infection before and during Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic-Similarities and Differences. Microorganisms 2022; 10:2284. [PMID: 36422354 PMCID: PMC9693082 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10112284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the differences of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-COVID-19 era. CDI patients treated at the Clinic for Infectious Diseases, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Serbia during 2017-2019 (n = 304) were compared with COVID-19/CDI patients treated in period September 2021-September 2022 (n = 387). Groups were compared by age, gender, comorbidities, previous medications, laboratory findings, and outcome within 30 days. In the CDI/COVID-19 group, we found: greater percentage of males 59.8% vs. 42.6% (p ≤ 0.001), older age 72.8 ± 9.4 vs. 65.6 ± 11.7 (p ≤ 0.001), higher Charlson comorbidity score (CCS) (3.06 ± 1.54 vs. 2.33 ± 1.34 (p ≤ 0.001), greater percentage of chronic renal failure (33.9% vs. 23.4% (p = 0.003), malignances (24.3% vs. 13.5% (p ≤ 0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (22.7% vs. 15.5% (p = 0.017), higher usage of macrolide (38.5% vs. 8.6% (p ≤ 0.001), greater percentage of patients with hypoalbuminemia ≤25 g/L (19.6% vs. 12.2% (p ≤ 0.001), lower percentage of patients with elevated creatinine (≥200 mmol/L) (31.5% vs. 43.8%) (p = 0.002), and greater percentage of lethal outcome 29.5% vs. 6.6% (p ≤ 0.001). In the prediction of lethal outcome multivariate regression analysis extracted as an independent predictor, only higher CRP values in the non-COVID-19 group and in the COVID-19 group: older age (p ≤ 0.001), CCS (p = 0.019) and CRP (p = 0.015). COVID-19 changes the disease course of CDI and should be taken into consideration when managing those patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadica Kovačević
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Clinic for Infectious Disease, University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Vedrana Petrić
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Clinic for Infectious Disease, University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Maria Pete
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Clinic for Infectious Disease, University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Milica Popović
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Clinic for Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Plećaš-Đurić
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Clinic for Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Therapy, University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Slađana Pejaković
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders, University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Slavica Tomić
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Clinic for Infectious Disease, University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Dimitrije Damjanov
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Clinic for Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Dijana Kosijer
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Clinic for Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Milica Lekin
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders, University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
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Kovačević N, Lendak D, Popović M, Plećaš Đuric A, Pete M, Petrić V, Sević S, Tomić S, Alargić J, Damjanov D, Kosjer D, Lekin M. Clinical Presentations, Predictive Factors, and Outcomes of Clostridioides difficile Infection among COVID-19 Hospitalized Patients—A Single Center Experience from the COVID Hospital of the University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Serbia. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2022; 58:medicina58091262. [PMID: 36143939 PMCID: PMC9504333 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58091262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to investigate the clinical form, risk factors, and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 and Clostridioides difficile co-infections. Methods: This retrospective study (2 September 2021-1 April 2022) included all patients with Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) and COVID-19 infection who were admitted to the Covid Hospital of the University Clinical Center of Vojvodina. Results: A total of 5124 COVID-19 patients were admitted to the Covid Hospital, and 326 of them (6.36%) developed hospital-onset CDI. Of those, 326 of the CDI patients (88.65%) were older than 65 years. The median time of CDI onset was 12.88 days. Previous hospitalizations showed 69.93% of CDI patients compared to 38.81% in the non-CDI group (p = 0.029). The concomitant antibiotics exposure was higher among the CDI group versus the non-CDI group (88.65% vs. 68.42%, p = 0.037). Albumin levels were ≤ 25 g/L among 39.57% of the CDI patients and 21.71% in the non-CDI patients (p = 0.021). The clinical manifestations of CDI ranged from mild diarrhea (26.9%) to severe diarrhea (63.49%) and a complicated form of colitis (9.81%). Regarding outcomes, 79.14% of the CDI patients recovered and 20.86% had fatal outcomes in-hospital. Although a minority of the patients were in the non-CDI group, the difference in mortality rate between the CDI and non-CDI group was not statistically significant (20.86% vs. 15.13%, p = 0.097). Conclusions: Elderly patients on concomitant antibiotic treatments with hypoalbuminemia and with previous healthcare exposures were the most affected by COVID-19 and CD co-infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadica Kovačević
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Clinic for Infectious Disease, University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Dajana Lendak
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Clinic for Infectious Disease, University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +381-648059383
| | - Milica Popović
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Clinic for Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Plećaš Đuric
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Clinic for Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Therapy, University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Maria Pete
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Clinic for Infectious Disease, University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Vedrana Petrić
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Clinic for Infectious Disease, University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Siniša Sević
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Clinic for Infectious Disease, University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Slavica Tomić
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Clinic for Infectious Disease, University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Jelica Alargić
- Emergency Department, University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Dimitrije Damjanov
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Clinic for Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Dijana Kosjer
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Clinic for Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Milica Lekin
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders, University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21137 Novi Sad, Serbia
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Marinescu AR, Lazureanu VE, Musta VF, Nicolescu ND, Mocanu A, Cut TG, Muresan CO, Tudoran C, Licker M, Laza R. Severe Thrombocytopenic Purpura Associated with COVID-19 in a Pediatric Patient. Infect Drug Resist 2022; 15:3405-3415. [PMID: 35794926 PMCID: PMC9252296 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s363716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is known to cause a diverse spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from mild, flu-like symptoms to severe progressive pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome with or without other extrapulmonary impairment. Hematological changes such as lymphopenia, neutrophilia, and anemia as the disease progresses, are frequently found in COVID-19. Thrombocytopenia may be drug-induced or can occur secondary to sepsis, disseminated intravascular coagulation or bone marrow suppression. Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is frequently observed in children aged 2-5 years and in 60% of cases may proceed an upper respiratory tract infection. The present paper aimed to raise awareness of ITP as a possible pediatric presentation of coronavirus disease. Patients and Methods We present the case of previously healthy, eight-year-old female patient, who developed an immune thrombocytopenia flare, also known as immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), in the context of COVID-19, with diffuse petechiae and ecchymosis on her body, face and oral mucosa, and a nadir platelet count of 0×103/μL. Results Platelet count recovery was observed after seven days of combined treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and corticosteroids. Conclusion The growing body of literature regarding the clinical and laboratory manifestations of COVID-19 infection in children, has reported thrombocytopenia in relation to unfavorable disease progression or multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). Clinicians must be aware that ITP may appear both in mild and severe COVID-19, at any time during its course, and can be associated with a higher bleeding risk, thus its diagnostic may be critical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adelina Raluca Marinescu
- Discipline of Infectious Diseases, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania.,Victor Babes Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases and Pneumophtisiology, Timisoara, Romania.,Doctoral School, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Voichita Elena Lazureanu
- Discipline of Infectious Diseases, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania.,Victor Babes Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases and Pneumophtisiology, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Virgil Filaret Musta
- Discipline of Infectious Diseases, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania.,Victor Babes Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases and Pneumophtisiology, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Narcisa Daniela Nicolescu
- Discipline of Infectious Diseases, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania.,Victor Babes Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases and Pneumophtisiology, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Alexandra Mocanu
- Discipline of Infectious Diseases, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania.,Victor Babes Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases and Pneumophtisiology, Timisoara, Romania.,Doctoral School, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Talida Georgiana Cut
- Discipline of Infectious Diseases, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania.,Victor Babes Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases and Pneumophtisiology, Timisoara, Romania.,Doctoral School, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania.,Center for Ethics in Human Genetic Identifications, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Camelia Oana Muresan
- Center for Ethics in Human Genetic Identifications, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania.,Discipline of Forensic Medicine, Bioethics, Deontology and Medical Law, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Cristina Tudoran
- Discipline of Internal Medicine II, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania.,Center of Molecular Research in Nephrology and Vascular Disease, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Monica Licker
- Discipline of Microbiology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania.,Multidisciplinary Research Centre on Antimicrobial Resistance, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Ruxandra Laza
- Discipline of Infectious Diseases, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania.,Victor Babes Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases and Pneumophtisiology, Timisoara, Romania
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10
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Wang M, Deng Z, Li Y, Ma Y, Wang J. Design and characterization of a novel lytic protein against Clostridium difficile. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 106:4511-4521. [PMID: 35699735 PMCID: PMC9194777 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-12010-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a Gram-positive, spore-forming, toxin-producing anaerobe that can cause nosocomial antibiotic-associated intestinal disease. Autolysin is a lytic enzyme that hydrolyzes peptidoglycans of the bacterial cell wall, with a catalytic domain and cell wall–binding domains, proven to be involved in bacterial cell wall remodeling and cell division. Although autolysins in C. difficile have been reported, the autolysins have failed to yield impressive results when used as exogenous lytic agents. In this study, we expressed and characterized the binding domains (Cwp19-BD and Acd-BD) and catalytic domains (Cwp19-CD, Acd-CD, and Cwl-CD) of C. difficile autolysins, and the domains with the best binding specificity and lytic activity were selected towards C. difficile to design a novel lytic protein Cwl-CWB2. Cwl-CWB2 showed good biosafety with significantly low hemolysis and without cytotoxicity. The results of fluorescence analysis and lytic assay demonstrated that Cwl-CWB2 has higher binding specificity and stronger lytic activity with a minimum inhibitory concentration at 13.39 ± 5.80 μg/mL against living C. difficile cells, which is significantly stronger than commercial lysozyme (3333.33 ± 1443.37 μg/mL) and other reported C. difficile autolysins. Besides, Cwl-CWB2 exhibited good stability as about 75% of the lytic activity was still retained when incubated at 37 °C for 96 h, which is considered to be a potential antimicrobial agent to combat C. difficile. Key points • Several binding domains and catalytic domains, deriving from several Clostridium difficile autolysins, were expressed, purified, and functionally characterized. • A novel C. difficile lytic protein Cwl-CWB2 was designed from C. difficile autolysins. • The binding specificity and lytic activity of Cwl-CWB2 against C. difficile showed advantages compared with other reported C. difficile autolysins. • Cwl-CWB2 exhibited significantly low hemolysis and cytotoxicity against normal-derived colon mucosa 460 cell. Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00253-022-12010-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Wang
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Zifeng Deng
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yanmei Li
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yi Ma
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jufang Wang
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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11
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Laza R, Lazureanu VE, Musta VF, Nicolescu ND, Vernic C, Tudor A, Critu R, Vilceanu L, Paczeyka R, Bica Profir V, Marinescu AR, Mocanu A, Cut TG, Lighezan DF, Baditoiu LM. COVID-19 Independent Risk Factors for Unfavorable Disease Progression: A Cross-Sectional Study from Romania. Int J Gen Med 2022. [DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s350920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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