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Politi L, Vrioni G, Hatzianastasiou S, Lada M, Martsoukou M, Sipsas NV, Chini M, Baka V, Kafkoula E, Masgala A, Pirounaki M, Michailidis C, Chrysos G, Zarkotou O, Mamali V, Papastamopoulos V, Saroglou G, Pournaras S, Meletiadis J, Karakasiliotis I, Karachalios S, Smilakou S, Skandami V, Orfanidou M, Argyropoulou A, Tsakris A, Kontopidou F. Candida auris in Greek healthcare facilities: Active surveillance results on first cases and outbreaks from eleven hospitals within Attica region. J Mycol Med 2024; 34:101477. [PMID: 38574412 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2024.101477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Candida auris was sporadically detected in Greece until 2019. Thereupon, there has been an increase in isolations among inpatients of healthcare facilities. AIM We aim to report active surveillance data on MALDI-TOF confirmed Candida auris cases and outbreaks, from November 2019 to September 2021. METHODS A retrospective study on hospital-based Candida auris data, over a 23-month period was conducted, involving 11 hospitals within Attica region. Antifungal susceptibility testing and genotyping were conducted. Case mortality and fatality rates were calculated and p-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Infection control measures were enforced and enhanced. RESULTS Twenty cases with invasive infection and 25 colonized were identified (median age: 72 years), all admitted to hospitals for reasons other than fungal infections. Median hospitalisation time until diagnosis was 26 days. Common risk factors among cases were the presence of indwelling devices (91.1 %), concurrent bacterial infections during hospitalisation (60.0 %), multiple antimicrobial drug treatment courses prior to hospitalisation (57.8 %), and admission in the ICU (44.4 %). Overall mortality rate was 53 %, after a median of 41.5 hospitalisation days. Resistance to fluconazole and amphotericin B was identified in 100 % and 3 % of tested clinical isolates, respectively. All isolates belonged to South Asian clade I. Outbreaks were identified in six hospitals, while remaining hospitals detected sporadic C. auris cases. CONCLUSION Candida auris has proven its ability to rapidly spread and persist among inpatients and environment of healthcare facilities. Surveillance focused on the presence of risk factors and local epidemiology, and implementation of strict infection control measures remain the most useful interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lida Politi
- ECDC Fellowship Programme, Field Epidemiology Path (EPIET), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Department of Microbial Resistance and Infections in Health Care Settings, Directorate of Surveillance and Prevention of Infectious Diseases, National Public Health Organization, Athens, Greece.
| | - Georgia Vrioni
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
| | - Sofia Hatzianastasiou
- Department of Microbial Resistance and Infections in Health Care Settings, Directorate of Surveillance and Prevention of Infectious Diseases, National Public Health Organization, Athens, Greece
| | - Malvina Lada
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, "Sismanogleio" General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Martsoukou
- Department of Microbiology, "Sismanogleio" General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos V Sipsas
- Infectious Diseases Unit, "Laikon" General Hospital, and Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Chini
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases Unit, "Korgialeneion-Benakeion" General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Baka
- Microbiology Department, "Korgialeneion-Benakeion" General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Kafkoula
- Microbiology Department, "Korgialeneion-Benakeion" General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Aikaterini Masgala
- 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, "Konstantopouleio" General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Pirounaki
- Department of Medicine and Laboratory, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, "Hippokration" General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Christos Michailidis
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, "Georgios Gennimatas" General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Chrysos
- 2nd Department of Medicine and Infectious Diseases Unit, Tzaneio Hospital, Piraeus, Greece
| | | | - Vasiliki Mamali
- Department of Microbiology, Tzaneio Hospital, Piraeus, Greece
| | - Vasileios Papastamopoulos
- 5th Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases Unit, "Evaggelismos" General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Saroglou
- Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Spyros Pournaras
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, ATTIKON University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Joseph Meletiadis
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, ATTIKON University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Karakasiliotis
- Laboratory of Biology, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Stefanos Karachalios
- Department of Microbiology, "Agioi Anargyroi" General Oncology Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Vasiliki Skandami
- Department of Microbiology, "Hippokration" Athens General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Orfanidou
- Microbiology Department, "Georgios Gennimatas" General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Athina Argyropoulou
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, "Evaggelismos" General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Athanassios Tsakris
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
| | - Flora Kontopidou
- Directorate of Surveillance and Prevention of Infectious Diseases, National Public Health Organization, Athens, Greece
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Paraskevis D, Gkova M, Mellou K, Gerolymatos G, Psalida N, Gkolfinopoulou K, Kostaki EG, Loukides S, Kotanidou A, Skoutelis A, Thiraios E, Saroglou G, Zografopoulos D, Filippou D, Mossialos E, Zaoutis T, Gaga M, Tsiodras S, Antoniadou A. Real-world Effectiveness of Molnupiravir and Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir as Treatments for COVID-19 in Patients at High Risk. J Infect Dis 2023; 228:1667-1674. [PMID: 37565522 PMCID: PMC10733724 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Using a retrospective cohort study design, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir in patients with SARS-CoV-2 who were highly vulnerable. METHODS The impact of each drug was determined via comparisons with age-matched control groups of patients positive for SARS-CoV-2 who did not receive oral antiviral therapy. RESULTS Administration of molnupiravir significantly reduced the risk of hospitalization (odds ratio [OR], 0.40; P < .001) and death (OR, 0.31; P < .001) among these patients based on data adjusted for age, previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, vaccination status, and time elapsed since the most recent vaccination. The reductions in risk were most profound among elderly patients (≥75 years old) and among those with high levels of drug adherence. Administration of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir also resulted in significant reductions in the risk of hospitalization (OR, 0.31; P < .001) and death (OR, 0.28; P < .001). Similar to molnupiravir, the impact of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir was more substantial among elderly patients and in those with high levels of drug adherence. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, these real-world findings suggest that although the risks of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19 have been reduced, antivirals can provide additional benefits to members of highly vulnerable patient populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Paraskevis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology, and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
- National Public Health Organization
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Evangelia-Georgia Kostaki
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology, and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
| | - Stylianos Loukides
- Second Respiratory Medicine Department, “Attikon” University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
| | - Anastasia Kotanidou
- First Department of Critical Care Medicine and Pulmonary Services, Evaggelismos Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
| | | | | | | | | | - Dimitrios Filippou
- Department of Anatomy and Surgical Anatomy, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
- National Organization for Medicines, Athens, Greece
| | - Elias Mossialos
- Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science
- Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Theoklis Zaoutis
- National Public Health Organization
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Second Department of Pediatrics, “P. and A. Kyriakou” Children's Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
| | - Mina Gaga
- Seventh Respiratory Medicine Department, General Hospital for Chest Diseases of Athens “SOTIRIA,”
| | - Sotirios Tsiodras
- National Public Health Organization
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Anastasia Antoniadou
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, Athens, Greece
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3
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Deftereos SG, Siasos G, Giannopoulos G, Vrachatis DA, Angelidis C, Giotaki SG, Gargalianos P, Giamarellou H, Gogos C, Daikos G, Lazanas M, Lagiou P, Saroglou G, Sipsas N, Tsiodras S, Chatzigeorgiou D, Moussas N, Kotanidou A, Koulouris N, Oikonomou E, Kaoukis A, Kossyvakis C, Raisakis K, Fountoulaki K, Comis M, Tsiachris D, Sarri E, Theodorakis A, Martinez-Dolz L, Sanz-Sánchez J, Reimers B, Stefanini GG, Cleman M, Filippou D, Olympios CD, Pyrgakis VN, Goudevenos J, Hahalis G, Kolettis TM, Iliodromitis E, Tousoulis D, Stefanadis C. The Greek study in the effects of colchicine in COvid-19 complications prevention (GRECCO-19 study): Rationale and study design. Hellenic J Cardiol 2020; 61:42-45. [PMID: 32251729 PMCID: PMC7194546 DOI: 10.1016/j.hjc.2020.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Colchicine has been utilized safely in a variety of cardiovascular clinical conditions. Among its potential mechanisms of action is the non-selective inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome which is thought to be a major pathophysiologic component in the clinical course of patients with COVID-19. GRECCO-19 will be a prospective, randomized, open-labeled, controlled study to assess the effects of colchicine in COVID-19 complications prevention. METHODS Patients with laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (under RT PCR) and clinical picture that involves temperature >37.5 oC and at least two out of the: i. sustained coughing, ii. sustained throat pain, iii. Anosmia and/or ageusia, iv. fatigue/tiredness, v. PaO2<95 mmHg will be included. Patients will be randomised (1:1) in colchicine or control group. RESULTS Trial results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. CONCLUSION GRECCO-19 trial aims to identify whether colchicine may positively intervene in the clinical course of COVID-19. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04326790).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gerasimos Siasos
- Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Dimitrios A Vrachatis
- Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece; Humanitas Clinical and Research Institute, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Christos Angelidis
- Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Sotiria G Giotaki
- Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Helen Giamarellou
- Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece; Therapeutirion Hygeia, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Georgios Daikos
- Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece; Mitera Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Pagona Lagiou
- Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Saroglou
- Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece; Metropolitan Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Sipsas
- Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Sotirios Tsiodras
- Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Anastasia Kotanidou
- Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Koulouris
- Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelos Oikonomou
- Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Andreas Kaoukis
- General Hospital of Athens "G.Gennimatas" Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | | | - Mihalis Comis
- General Hospital of Elefsina "Thriasio", Elefsina, Greece
| | | | - Eleni Sarri
- Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Jorge Sanz-Sánchez
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Institute, Rozzano, Milan, Italy; Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Bernhard Reimers
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Institute, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Dimitrios Filippou
- Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Dimitrios Tousoulis
- Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Christodoulos Stefanadis
- Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece; Athens Medical Center, Athens, Greece
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Maltezou H, Dedoukou X, Vernardaki A, Katerelos P, Kostea E, Tsiodras S, Mentis A, Saroglou G, Theodoridou M, Georgakopoulou T. Measles in healthcare workers during the ongoing epidemic in Greece, 2017–2018. J Hosp Infect 2018; 100:e261-e263. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2018.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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5
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Gkouziouta A, Farmakis D, Manginas A, Sfyrakis P, Saroglou G, Adamopoulos S, Iliodromitis EK. Double organ transplantation in cardiac amyloidosis. J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) 2016; 17:126-9. [DOI: 10.2459/jcm.0000000000000216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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6
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Tsiodras S, Baka A, Mentis A, Iliopoulos D, Dedoukou X, Papamavrou G, Karadima S, Emmanouil M, Kossyvakis A, Spanakis N, Pavli A, Maltezou H, Karageorgou A, Spala G, Pitiriga V, Kosmas E, Tsiagklis S, Gkatzias S, Koulouris N, Koutsoukou A, Bakakos P, Markozanhs E, Dionellis G, Pontikis K, Rovina N, Kyriakopoulou M, Efstathiou P, Papadimitriou T, Kremastinou J, Tsakris A, Saroglou G. A case of imported Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus infection and public health response, Greece, April 2014. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 19:20782. [PMID: 24786258 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es2014.19.16.20782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
On 18 April 2014, a case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection was laboratory confirmed in Athens, Greece in a patient returning from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Main symptoms upon initial presentation were protracted fever and diarrhoea, during hospitalisation he developed bilateral pneumonia and his condition worsened. During 14 days prior to onset of illness, he had extensive contact with the healthcare environment in Jeddah. Contact tracing revealed 73 contacts, no secondary cases had occurred by 22 April.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Tsiodras
- Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
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Tsiara CG, Nikolopoulos GK, Dimou NL, Bagos PG, Saroglou G, Velonakis E, Hatzakis A. Effect of hepatitis C virus on immunological and virological responses in HIV-infected patients initiating highly active antiretroviral therapy: a meta-analysis. J Viral Hepat 2013; 20:715-24. [PMID: 24010646 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2012] [Accepted: 02/27/2013] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Co-infection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is rather common. In the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), viral hepatitis could result in adverse outcomes in HIV+ patients. The current meta-analysis aims to evaluate the impact of HCV on immunological and virological responses after HAART initiation in HIV/HCV co-infected individuals by synthesizing the existing scientific evidence. A comprehensive search of electronic databases was performed. Eligible studies were analysed using univariate and multivariate meta-analytic methods. Totally, 21 studies involving 22533 individuals were eligible. The estimated summary difference in CD4 cell counts increase between HIV and HIV/HCV co-infected subjects after 3-12 months on HAART was 34.86 cells/mm(3) [95% confidence interval (CI): 16.82-52.89]. The difference was more prominent in patients with baseline CD4 counts below 350 cells/mm(3) (38.97, 95% CI: 20.00-57.93) and attenuated 2 years later (13.43, 95% CI: 0.83-26.04). The analysis of ratio measures yielded similar findings. The virological control remained unaffected by the presence of HCV (adjusted Hazard Ratio for co-infected patients vs those with HIV alone: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.91-1.07). The bivariate meta-analytic method confirmed the results of the univariate approaches. This meta-analysis supports the adverse effect of HCV on immune recovery of HIV+ patients initiating HAART, especially of those with initially impaired immunologic status. Although this effect diminishes over time, early administration of HAART in the setting of co-infection seems to be justified.
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Affiliation(s)
- C G Tsiara
- Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
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8
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Gkouziouta A, Karavolias G, Kourkoveli P, Fekos J, Katsianis A, Cokkinos PH, Xatzianastasiou S, Saroglou G, Adamopoulos S. Incidence and characteristics of tachyarrhythmias in patients with acute myocarditis. Eur Heart J 2013. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/eht309.p3871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Gkouziouta A, Karavolias G, Xatzianastasiou S, Cokkinos PH, Katsianis A, Fekos J, Kourkoveli P, Degiannis J, Saroglou G, Adamopoulos S. Persistence of viral activity associated with inflammation in endomyocardial biopsy specimens of patients with left ventricular dysfunction predicts better unfavourable outcomes. Eur Heart J 2013. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/eht309.p3009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Gkouziouta A, Karavolias G, Fekos J, Katsianis A, Kourkoveli P, Cokkinos PH, Xatzianastasiou S, Saroglou G, Degiannis D, Adamopoulos S. High prevalence of viral genomes and multiple viral infections in the myocardium of adults with "idiopathic" left ventricular dysfunction. Eur Heart J 2013. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/eht309.p3861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Gkouziouta A, Xatzianastasiou S, Zarkalis D, Manginas A, Karavolias G, Saroglou G, Adamopoulos S. 302 Heart Transplantation as Atherapeutic Intervention in Multi Drug Resistant Ventricular Assist Related Infections. J Heart Lung Transplant 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2012.01.310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
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Spyrou A, Triklis J, Aggelpopoulou Z, Tsiodras S, Saroglou G. Tracheobroncial colonization in coronary care unit intubated patients. BMC Proc 2011. [PMCID: PMC3239802 DOI: 10.1186/1753-6561-5-s6-p67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Mellou K, Saroglou G, Velonakis E. SP3-24 Socioeconomic determinants of sporadic campylobacter jejuni infections among children in Greece. Br J Soc Med 2011. [DOI: 10.1136/jech.2011.142976o.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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14
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Papa A, Danis K, Baka A, Bakas A, Dougas G, Lytras T, Theocharopoulos G, Chrysagis D, Vassiliadou E, Kamaria F, Liona A, Mellou K, Saroglou G, Panagiotopoulos T. Ongoing outbreak of West Nile virus infections in humans in Greece, July-August 2010. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 15. [PMID: 20807489 DOI: 10.2807/ese.15.34.19644-en] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A Papa
- Reference Laboratory for Arboviruses, First Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Dimitroulopoulos D, Elefsiniotis I, Pavlidis C, Xinopoulos D, Tsamakidis K, Patsavela S, Kypreos D, Ferderigou A, Korkolis D, Koutsounas S, Saroglou G, Paraskevas E. European vs. Egyptian HCV-4 patients with elevated baseline HCV RNA, treated with PEG-IFN-α2a and ribavirin: the role of rapid and early virologic response. Hepat Mon 2010; 10:193-8. [PMID: 22308139 PMCID: PMC3269084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2009] [Revised: 06/03/2010] [Accepted: 06/07/2010] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Despite the recent spread of hepatitis C virus genotype 4 (HCV-4) into European countries, very little is known about the influence of ethnicity on treatment outcomes in patients with HCV-4. The aim of this study was to compare the virologic response (VR) rates of: rapid virologic response (RVR), early virologic response (EVR), VR at 24 weeks of treatment, at end of treatment (EoT), and sustained virologic response (SVR) of European and Egyptian HCV-4 patients. METHODS Sixty (30 Europeans - Group A; and 30 Egyptians - Group B) chronic HCV-4 subtype A adult patients with elevated baseline viral load (>800 000 IU/m L) were treated for a fixed period of 48 weeks with pegylated interferon α2a (PEG-IFN- α2a) and ribavirin. During the study, HCV-RNA levels were measured at weeks 4,12,24,48 and 72. RESULTS Baseline characteristics, including liver histology, were similar in the two groups. RVR, EVR and HCV-RNA at week 24 in Groups A and B were (RVR 26.7% vs. 30.0%) (EVR 23.3% vs. 16.7%) (in week 24 13.3% vs. 16.7%). Overall SVR rates were 36.7% (11/30) for Group A and 26.7% (8/30) for Group B (P = 0.59). For group B, RVR was the weakest indicator for SVR as compared with RVR of group A, where RVR was the best SVR indicator CONCLUSIONS The overall response to treatment was similar, but ethnic origin or previous history and treatment of schistosomiasis may influence intermediate response rates of chronic HCV-4a infected patients with elevated baseline HCV-RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Dimitroulopoulos
- Department of Gastroenterology, Agios Savvas Hospital, Athens, Greece,Corresponding author at: Dimitrios Dimitroulopoulos, M.D. Department of Gastroenterology, Agios Savvas Hospital, Athens, Greece. Tel.: +306944477837, E-mail:
| | - Ioannis Elefsiniotis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Helena Venizelou Hospital – University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | | | | | - Dimitrios Kypreos
- Department of Gastroenterology, Agios Savvas Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | | | - Georgios Saroglou
- Department of Internal Medicine, Helena Venizelou Hospital – University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Tasouli A, Papadopoulos K, Stravopodis G, Panagiotou C, Kriaras J, Geroulanos S, Saroglou G. Incidence, identification of multidrug-resistant pathogens and impact on the outcome after cardiac surgery. Crit Care 2010. [PMCID: PMC2934559 DOI: 10.1186/cc8296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Chaidaroglou A, Manoli E, Gouziouta A, Gourzi P, Pantou M, Saroglou G, Alivizatos P, Sfyrakis P, Degiannis D. Clinical impact of a multiplex real-time PCR assay (SeptiFast®) for the rapid detection of pathogens in patients with end-stage heart failure bridged to heart transplantation with ventricular assist devices. Crit Care 2010. [PMCID: PMC3254948 DOI: 10.1186/cc9133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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18
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Gkouziouta A, Adamopoulos S, Manginas A, Karavolias G, Leontiadis E, Tsourelis L, Zarkalis D, Loukas L, Stavridis G, Antoniou T, Degiannis D, Melissari E, Kaklamanis L, Saroglou G, Sfirakis P, Alivizatos P. Heart Transplantation in a Low-Organ-Donation Environment: A Single Center Experience. Transplant Proc 2009; 41:4289-93. [DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2009.09.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2009] [Accepted: 09/29/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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19
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Elefsiniotis IS, Pavlidis C, Dimitroulopoulos D, Vezali E, Mihas C, Mariolis-Sapsakos T, Koutsounas S, Paraskevas E, Saroglou G. Differential viral kinetics in treated genotype 4 chronic hepatitis C patients according to ethnicity. J Viral Hepat 2009; 16:738-42. [PMID: 19413697 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2009.01134.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Data concerning the efficacy of PEG-IFN alpha 2a plus ribavirin treatment in treatment-naive, genotype 4-infected chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients from Europe are limited. Hence the aim of this study was to investigate the viral kinetics as well as the sustained virological response (SVR) rates and their predictors, in these patients. One hundred and twenty-three patients were retrospectively analysed. Early (EVR) and late virological response (LVR) was confirmed by undetectable (<50 IU/mL) serum HCV-RNA at week 12 and week 24 of treatment, respectively. SVR was confirmed by undetectable serum HCV-RNA at the end of treatment as well as 6 months later. Overall, 43.5% of patients exhibited SVR, 42.6% were nonresponders and 13.9% were relapsers. EVR was observed in 40.74% and LVR in 59.25% of them. The positive predictive values of EVR and LVR were 72.97% and 86.27% whereas their negative predictive values were 64.29% and 92.85%, respectively. EVR independently predicted SVR in Caucasian patients (P < 0.001) but not in Egyptian patients (P = 0.613), in whom the only independent predictor of SVR was the absence of cirrhosis (P = 0.004). LVR seems to be a better predictor of SVR than EVR in the vast majority of genotype 4-infected CHC patients, irrespective of ethnicity and all the other baseline parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- I S Elefsiniotis
- University Department of Internal Medicine, Hepatology Unit, Elena Venizelou Hospital, Athens, Greece.
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20
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Giakoupi P, Maltezou H, Polemis M, Pappa O, Saroglou G, Vatopoulos A. KPC-2-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae infections in Greek hospitals are mainly due to a hyperepidemic clone. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 14. [PMID: 19480809 DOI: 10.2807/ese.14.21.19218-en] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
To verify the presence of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing (KPC-producing) Klebsiella pneumoniae in Greece, we asked 40 Greek hospitals participating in the Greek System for the Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance (GSSAR) to apply a combination of the modified Hodge test plus EDTA synergy test on all K. pneumoniae clinical isolates obtained from February 2008 which displayed reduced susceptibility to carbapenems (MIC of imipenem > or = 1 mg/L). The presence of the blaKPC gene was confirmed by PCR and sequencing. This procedure revealed the presence of KPC-2 in isolates from 173 patients in 18 hospitals during a period of 11 months. Of these, 166 isolates belonged to a single pulsotype a fact consistent with possible epidemic spread, whereas the remaining seven isolates were further classified into four different pulsotypes. BlaKPC-2 gene was found to be transferable by conjugation in the four pulsotypes other than the prevailing one. The emergence of a new carbapenemase gene in Greece, where high resistance rates to carbapenems in K. pneumoniae due to the spread of the VIM type metalloenzyme have been observed, emphasises the urgent need for the implementation of public health measures in the field of infection control and antibiotic consumption. It also underlines the need to supplement surveillance systems based on susceptibility data with the surveillance of resistance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Giakoupi
- Department of Microbiology, National School of Public Health Athens, Greece
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21
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Elefsiniotis IS, Papadakis M, Vlahos G, Daskalakis G, Saroglou G, Antsaklis A. Clinical significance of hepatitis B surface antigen in cord blood of hepatitis B e-antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B virus-infected mothers. Intervirology 2009; 52:132-4. [PMID: 19468236 DOI: 10.1159/000219852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2009] [Accepted: 03/30/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection during the perinatal period is the major cause of HBV transmission. The aim of our study was to evaluate the serological and virological profiles of HBV infection in cord blood samples obtained from HBeAg-negative chronic HBV-infected women, at delivery, and to investigate their relationship with the clinical outcome (possible transmission of HBV) in neonates receiving the currently approved passive-active immunoprophylaxis schedule. Sixteen women (32%) exhibited HBsAg positivity in the cord blood but HBV-DNA has not been detected in any of the 50 cord blood samples evaluated. We conclude that HBsAg can be transferred through the placental barrier, as with other proteins, in about one third of HBeAg-negative chronic HBV-infected pregnant women, irrespective of the maternal viral load, the mode of delivery or the placenta HBV pathology. The clinical impact of this phenomenon on the intrauterine-transplacental or perinatal transmission of HBV infection and/or passive-active immunoprophylaxis failure does not seem to be important.
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Affiliation(s)
- I S Elefsiniotis
- First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Alexandra Hospital, Athens, Greece.
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22
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Elefsiniotis IS, Glynou I, Zorou I, Magaziotou I, Brokalaki H, Apostolopoulou E, Vezali E, Kada H, Saroglou G. Surveillance for hepatitis B virus infection in pregnant women in Greece shows high rates of chronic infection among immigrants and low vaccination-induced protection rates: preliminary results of a single center study. Euro Surveill 2009; 14:5-7. [PMID: 19317974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological data on the prevalence of serological markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in pregnant women in Greece are limited. We evaluated the prevalence of HBV serological markers in a multinational population of pregnant women in Athens, Greece. The overall prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) was 4.1% with the highest rates among Albanian immigrants (12%). Relatively low vaccination-induced protection rates (32.5%) were observed, a finding suggesting that surveillance and immunisation programmes targeted at pregnant women are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- I S Elefsiniotis
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Athens, Elena Venizelou Hospital, Greece.
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23
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Elefsiniotis IS, Glynou I, Zorou I, Magaziotou I, Brokalaki H, Apostolopoulou E, Vezali E, Kada H, Saroglou G. Surveillance for hepatitis B virus infection in pregnant women in Greece shows high rates of chronic infection among immigrants and low vaccination-induced protection rates: preliminary results of a single center study. Euro Surveill 2009. [DOI: 10.2807/ese.14.09.19132-en] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological data on the prevalence of serological markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in pregnant women in Greece are limited. We evaluated the prevalence of HBV serological markers in a multinational population of pregnant women in Athens, Greece. The overall prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) was 4.1% with the highest rates among Albanian immigrants (12%). Relatively low vaccination-induced protection rates (32.5%) were observed, a finding suggesting that surveillance and immunisation programmes targeted at pregnant women are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- I S Elefsiniotis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Infectious Disease and Hepatology Unit, University of Athens, ‘Elena Venizelou’ Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - I Glynou
- Department of Microbiology, ‘Elena Venizelou’ Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - I Zorou
- Department of Internal Medicine, Infectious Disease and Hepatology Unit, University of Athens, ‘Elena Venizelou’ Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - I Magaziotou
- Department of Internal Medicine, Infectious Disease and Hepatology Unit, University of Athens, ‘Elena Venizelou’ Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - H Brokalaki
- Department of Internal Medicine, Infectious Disease and Hepatology Unit, University of Athens, ‘Elena Venizelou’ Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - E Apostolopoulou
- Department of Internal Medicine, Infectious Disease and Hepatology Unit, University of Athens, ‘Elena Venizelou’ Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - E Vezali
- Department of Internal Medicine, Infectious Disease and Hepatology Unit, University of Athens, ‘Elena Venizelou’ Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - H Kada
- Department of Microbiology, ‘Elena Venizelou’ Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - G Saroglou
- Department of Internal Medicine, Infectious Disease and Hepatology Unit, University of Athens, ‘Elena Venizelou’ Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Gkouziouta A, Sfirakis P, Manoli E, Saroglou G, Alivizatos P. 604: Heart Transplantation as an End-Stage Treatment for Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Infections Due to Multi-Drug Resistant Nosocomial Pathogens. J Heart Lung Transplant 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2008.11.611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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25
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Elefsiniotis I, Vezali E, Mihas K, Saroglou G. Predictive Value of Complete and Partial Early Virological Response on Sustained Virological Response Rates of Genotype-4 Chronic Hepatitis C Patients Treated with PEG-Interferon plus Ribavirin. Intervirology 2009; 52:247-51. [DOI: 10.1159/000228548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2009] [Accepted: 05/26/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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26
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Koukoulaki M, Grispou E, Pistolas D, Balaska K, Apostolou T, Anagnostopoulou M, Tseleni-Kotsovili A, Hadjiconstantinou V, Paniara O, Saroglou G, Legakis N, Drakopoulos S. Prospective monitoring of BK virus replication in renal transplant recipients. Transpl Infect Dis 2008; 11:1-10. [PMID: 18811631 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3062.2008.00342.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND BK virus-associated nephropathy (BKVAN) can be diagnosed only with renal graft biopsy. Definitive diagnosis of BKVAN requires demonstration of BK virus (BKV) replication in renal allograft tissues. Non-invasive analysis of urine and blood is considered essential in screening renal transplant recipients. PATIENTS AND METHODS This study evaluated prospectively the replication of BKV in plasma and urine with qualitative and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in 32 de novo (group A) and 34 chronic (group B) renal transplant recipients and the long-term impact on graft function. RESULTS In group A, 456 samples (228 plasma, 228 urine) were examined and BKV was detected in 31 (31/228, 14%) samples of plasma and 57 (57/228, 25%) samples of urine in 20 (20/32, 62.5%) and 23 (23/32, 72%) recipients, respectively. Incidence of viremia and viruria increased during the first 6 months presenting a peak the third postoperative month (viremia: 28% and viruria: 31%). Immune suppressive treatment with tacrolimus showed significant relation with viremia. Renal graft function in de novo renal transplant recipients remained stable throughout the follow-up period without influence of BKV replication. In group B, incidence of viremia and viruria were 3% (1/34) and 9% (3/34) correspondingly, indicating that after the first post-transplant year the risk of BKV re-activation is diminished. CONCLUSION The highest incidence of BK viremia and viruria is observed the third post-transplantation month, confirming previously published studies in Europe and the United States, and long-term follow up shows that BKV replication decreases significantly after the third post-transplant month and even transient viremia or viruria does not have an impact on renal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Koukoulaki
- Transplant Unit, Evangelismos General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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27
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Manginas A, Sfyrakis P, Stavridis G, Louka L, Zarkalis D, Tsourelis L, Adamopoulos S, Karavolias G, Apostolopoulou S, Antoniou T, Thanopoulos A, Rellia P, Kaklamanis L, Melissari E, Mastorakou I, Degiannis D, Manoli E, Saroglou G, Geroulanos S, Alivizatos PA. Orthotopic heart transplantation: ten years' clinical experience. Hellenic J Cardiol 2008; 49:227-237. [PMID: 18935709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Heart transplantation is the "gold standard" in the treatment of patients with end-stage heart failure who satisfy strict selection criteria. METHODS We reviewed ten years' clinical experience (1996-2006) from 53 orthotopic transplants in our centre. RESULTS Low perioperative (3.7%) and long-term (7.5%) mortality rates yielded a 95% survival rate in the first year, 92% at five years, and 70% at ten years--significantly better than the corresponding rates worldwide. In addition, excellent functional recovery was achieved in all transplant recipients. CONCLUSIONS The strict application of international criteria in the selection of both candidates and donors, together with uninterrupted, multidisciplinary follow up, have made it feasible to perform heart transplantation with excellent results, despite the curiously low number of potential recipients and the shortage of acceptable donor hearts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanassios Manginas
- First Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Transplantation Services, Onassis Cardiac Surgical Centre, Athens, Greece
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28
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Mastoraki A, Douka E, Kriaras I, Stravopodis G, Saroglou G, Geroulanos S. Preventing strategy of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumanii susceptible only to colistin in cardiac surgical intensive care units. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2008; 33:1086-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcts.2008.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2007] [Revised: 02/05/2008] [Accepted: 02/06/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
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29
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Douka E, Stravopodis G, Mpisiadis I, Markantonaki D, Geroulanos S, Saroglou G. Daptomycin therapy for Gram-positive bacterial infections: a retrospective study of 30 cardiac surgery patients. Crit Care 2008. [PMCID: PMC4088401 DOI: 10.1186/cc6251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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30
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Mastoraki A, Douka E, Kriaras I, Stravopodis G, Saroglou G, Manoli H, Geroulanos S. P1344 Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii susceptible only to colistin outbreak in a cardiac surgical intensive care unit. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/s0924-8579(07)71184-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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31
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Simou M, Lazaraki T, Liosis G, Zorou I, Saroglou G, Kada H. R2322 Chryseobacterium meningosepticum septicaemia in a N. I.C.U. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/s0924-8579(07)72161-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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32
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Gouziouta A, Tsourelis L, Zarkalis D, Antoniou T, Saroglou G, Sfirakis P, Alivizatos P. 296: Ventricular assist device related infections. The onassis cardiac surgery experience. J Heart Lung Transplant 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2006.11.315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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33
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Douka E, Mastoraki A, Stravopodis G, Saroglou G, Geroulanos S. Candida colonization and risk of candidemia in a cardiac surgical intensive care unit. Crit Care 2007. [PMCID: PMC4095166 DOI: 10.1186/cc5272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
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34
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Papadopoulos K, Tasouli A, Douka E, Manoli E, Saroglou G, Geroulanos S. Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii susceptible only to colistin outbreak in a cardiac surgical intensive care unit. Crit Care 2007. [PMCID: PMC4095153 DOI: 10.1186/cc5259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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35
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Spanakis N, Manolis EN, Tsakris A, Tsiodras S, Panagiotopoulos T, Saroglou G, Legakis NJ. Coxsackievirus B3 sequences in the myocardium of fatal cases in a cluster of acute myocarditis in Greece. J Clin Pathol 2005; 58:357-60. [PMID: 15790697 PMCID: PMC1770614 DOI: 10.1136/jcp.2004.020099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
AIM The investigation of three fatal cases during a nationwide cluster of cases of an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) associated with myocarditis and/or pericarditis in Greece in 2002. METHODS In the three women who died, necropsies were performed and tissue sections were taken for histological examination, antigen detection by immunohistochemistry and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), amplification of viral genomes by nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and sequence analysis. RESULTS All samples showed histological signs of active myocarditis. Immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of the enterovirus VP1 family of proteins and IFA revealed the presence of coxsackievirus B3 antigen. Nested RT-PCR amplified enteroviral alleles of the 5'-untranslated region which were identical to each other and to the coxsackievirus B3 sequences. CONCLUSIONS This study provides pathological evidence of enteroviral infection among fatal myocarditis cases in a nationwide URTI cluster of cases associated with myocarditis and/or pericarditis.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Spanakis
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece
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36
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Dafni UG, Tsiodras S, Panagiotakos D, Gkolfinopoulou K, Kouvatseas G, Tsourti Z, Saroglou G. Algorithm for statistical detection of peaks--syndromic surveillance system for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. MMWR Suppl 2004; 53:86-94. [PMID: 15714635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION No generally accepted procedure exists for detecting outbreaks in syndromic time series used in the surveillance of natural epidemics or biologic attacks. OBJECTIVES This report evaluates the usefulness for syndromic surveillance of the Pulsar approach, which is based on removing long-term trends from an observed series and identifying peaks in the residual series of surveillance data with cutoffs determined by using a combination of peak height and width. METHODS Simulations were performed to evaluate the Pulsar method and compare it with other approaches. The daily syndromic counts in emergency departments of four major hospitals in the Athens area during August 2002-August 2003 were analyzed for two common syndromes. A standardized residual series was generated by omitting trends and noise in the original data series; this series was examined for the presence of peaks (i.e., points having magnitude higher than at least one of three probabilistically determined cutoffs). The whole process was iterated, and the baseline was recalculated by assigning reduced weight to the identified peaks. RESULTS For the specific simulation schema used, the Pulsar method fared well when compared with other approaches in meeting the performance criteria of sensitivity, specificity, and timeliness. CONCLUSIONS Although the suggested algorithm needs further validation regarding the correspondence between detected peaks and true biologic alerts, the Pulsar technique appears effective for observing peaks in time series of syndromic events. The simplicity of the algorithm, its ability to detect peaks based not only on height but also on width, and its performance in the simulated data sets make it a promising candidate for further use in syndromic surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urania G Dafni
- Division of Public Health, Department of Nursing, University of Athens, 123 Papadiamantopoulou St., Athens 11527, Greece.
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37
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Loupa C, Mavroidi N, Boutsikakis I, Paniara O, Deligarou O, Manoli H, Saroglou G. Infective endocarditis in Greece: a changing profile. Epidemiological, microbiological and therapeutic data. Clin Microbiol Infect 2004; 10:556-61. [PMID: 15191385 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2004.00884.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The epidemiology, and clinical and microbiological spectrum, of infective endocarditis (IE) in Greece was analysed in a prospective 4-year study in a tertiary hospital and a heart surgery centre in Athens. In total, 101 cases of IE (71 men, 30 women, aged 54.4 +/- 17.1 years) were studied, with a follow-up period of 3 months. Seventy-seven cases were definite and 24 possible; 59 involved native valves (native valve endocarditis; NVE), 31 prosthetic valves (prosthetic valve endocarditis; PVE), of which nine were early and 22 late, and 11 permanent pacemakers (pacemaker endocarditis; PME). There was a predominant involvement of aortic (48/101) and mitral (40/101) valves. Seven patients had rheumatic valvular disease, two had mitral valve prolapse, and eight had a previous history of IE. Thirteen and six patients had undergone dental and endoscopic procedures, respectively. In 13 patients, intravenous catheters were used within the 3 months before diagnosis of IE. There were three intravenous drug users among the patients. Staphylococcus aureus was the most important pathogen, isolated in 22% of cases, followed by viridans streptococci (19%) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (16%). Enterococcus spp. were responsible for 3%, HACEK group for 2%, and fungi for 6% of cases. Viridans streptococci were the leading cause of NVE (29%), Staphylococcus epidermidis of PVE (16%), and S. aureus of PME (54.5%). Six of 22 S. aureus and ten of 16 S. epidermidis isolates were methicillin-resistant. Surgical intervention, including total pacemaker removal, was performed in 51.5% of patients. Overall mortality was 16%, but was 29% with PVE, and was significantly higher with medical than with combined surgical and medical therapy (24.5% vs. 8%). Compared with previous studies, there were changing trends in the epidemiology, microbiology, treatment and prognosis of IE in Greece.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Loupa
- Evangelismos General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
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38
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Abstract
Optimization of methods for ruling out Bacillus anthracis leads to increased yields, faster turnaround times, and a lighter workload. We used 72 environmental non–B. anthracis bacilli to validate methods for ruling out B. anthracis. Most effective were horse blood agar, motility testing after a 2-h incubation in trypticase soy broth, and screening with a B. anthracis–selective agar.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dimitra P. Houhoula
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Papadimitriou
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Saroglou
- Hellenic Center for Infectious Diseases Control, Ministry of Health, Athens, Greece
| | - Nicholas J. Legakis
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Loukia Zerva
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
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39
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Routsi C, Platsouka E, Willems RJL, Bonten MJM, Paniara O, Saroglou G, Roussos C. Detection of enterococcal surface protein gene (esp) and amplified fragment length polymorphism typing of glycopeptide-resistant Enterococcus faecium during its emergence in a Greek intensive care unit. J Clin Microbiol 2004; 41:5742-6. [PMID: 14662973 PMCID: PMC308986 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.41.12.5742-5746.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of glycopeptide-resistant Enterococcus faecium (GREF) in a Greek intensive care unit was studied by amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis and esp gene detection. Three GREF clones harboring the esp gene were recovered from 17 out of 21 patients, indicating the dissemination of genetically homogenous and virulent strains of GREF.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Routsi
- Department of Critical Care, Medical School of Athens University, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece.
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40
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Kapotsis GE, Daniil Z, Sardelis Z, Stavrakaki K, Saroglou G, Pappa V, Roussos C, Papiris SA. Fever, rigors and sweats in an immunocompromised male. Eur Respir J 2004; 23:176-8. [PMID: 14738250 DOI: 10.1183/09031936.03.00030703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- G E Kapotsis
- Dept of Critical Care and Pulmonary Services, National and Capodistrian University of Athens, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece
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41
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Magiorkinis E, Paraskevis D, Magiorkinis G, Chryssou S, Chini M, Lazanas M, Paparizos V, Saroglou G, Antoniadou A, Giamarellou E, Karafoulidou A, Hatzakis A. Mutations associated with genotypic resistance to antiretroviral therapy in treatment naïve HIV-1 infected patients in Greece. Virus Res 2002; 85:109-15. [PMID: 11955643 DOI: 10.1016/s0168-1702(02)00022-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The widespread use of antiviral drugs against HIV has increased the prevalence of HIV-1 resistant strains among naïve individuals due to transmission of resistant strains. The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of HIV-1 strains harboring resistance mutations in naïve patients in Greece. Blood samples were collected from 25 individuals. The DNA sequence of protease and partial reverse transcriptase regions (codons 41-223) were obtained by direct sequencing. Our results showed the absence of any primary resistance mutations in the study population. However, we were able to identify high prevalence of sequence polymorphisms at positions in reverse transcriptase region associated mainly with resistance to NNRTIs. Moreover, in protease region several secondary mutations were detected, suggesting the higher genetic variability of this region. The clinical significance of the polymorphisms associated with reduced susceptibility to NNRTIs remains to be clarified.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Magiorkinis
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, National Retrovirus Reference Center, Athens School of Medicine, University of Athens, Alexanfroupoles 25, GR-115 27, Greece
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42
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Abstract
An expert-system antibiotic information database was developed in order to help non-specialist doctors to choose the appropriate treatment for patients with infectious diseases. Fifty doctors conducted a pilot trial of the database, using modern access and the telephone network. During an eight-month study period, 1053 queries were received. The range of duration of the queries was 130-350 s. Of the queries, 473 (45%) were for particular patients with an infectious disease. The response rate to a questionnaire mailed out to the users at the end of the project was 100%. All doctors, even those who had limited experience with computers, found it easy to understand and to use the database.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Tountas
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, Athens, Greece.
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43
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Routsi C, Platsouka E, Paniara O, Dimitriadou E, Saroglou G, Roussos C, Armaganidis A. Enterococcal infections in a Greek intensive care unit: a 5-y study. Scand J Infect Dis 2000; 32:275-80. [PMID: 10879598 DOI: 10.1080/00365540050165910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
In this study we determined the incidence, resistance pattern, and mortality rate associated with infection caused by Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium among patients in a multidisciplinary intensive care unit (ICU). A total of 111 patients with E. faecalis and 60 with E. faecium infections were identified during a 5-y period (1992-96). We observed an increase in the incidence of enterococcal infections (from 5.46 to 8.46 per 1000 patients-days, p = 0.0112), due mainly to the increased incidence of E. faecium (from 0.45 to 4.06 per 1000 patients-days, p = 0.002). Blood was the most common site of enterococcus isolation. E. faecium was more resistant to antibiotics than E. faecalis, but no vancomycin resistant enterococcus was isolated. Patients with E. faecium infection had a significantly higher mortality than patients with E. faecalis infection (66% vs. 41.5%, p = 0.0035 for infection from any site and 85.7 vs. 47.7%, p = 0.012 for bacteremic patients). r 4n- D I .- .- - .. . .
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Affiliation(s)
- C Routsi
- Department of Critical Care, Medical School of Athens University, Greece
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44
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Loupa C, Voyatzoglou D, Papadaki H, Kouppari G, Saroglou G. A 32-year-old woman with fever, sore throat, jaundice and pulmonary infiltrates. Clin Microbiol Infect 2000; 6:325-6, 340. [PMID: 11168141 DOI: 10.1046/j.1469-0691.2000.00095.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C Loupa
- 2nd Internal Medicine Department, 'A. Fleming' General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
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45
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Papadakis JA, Samonis G, Maraki S, Boutsikakis J, Petrocheilou V, Saroglou G. Efficacy of amikacin, ofloxacin, pefloxacin, ciprofloxacin, enoxacin and fleroxacin in experimental left-sided Pseudomonas aeruginosa endocarditis. Chemotherapy 2000; 46:116-21. [PMID: 10671762 DOI: 10.1159/000007265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The efficacies of amikacin, ofloxacin, pefloxacin, ciprofloxacin, enoxacin and fleroxacin, each as monotherapy, were evaluated in a rabbit model of induced left-sided Pseudomonas aeruginosa endocarditis. Therapy started 48 h after infection and lasted 5 days. All agents were given intramuscularly; amikacin at 7 mg/kg/12 h, and each quinolone at 35 mg/kg/12 h. All animals survived except for 1 of the group that received amikacin, and 2 of the untreated control group. No sterile vegetations were found in the untreated group and the group of fleroxacin, while 3 animals from the amikacin, ofloxacin, and enoxacin groups, and 2 from the ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin groups had sterile vegetations. All agents used significantly reduced the number of CFU per gram of vegetation versus untreated controls. Enoxacin and ciprofloxacin were equipotent and more effective than pefloxacin, ofloxacin and amikacin. Fleroxacin had a weaker activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Papadakis
- Division of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete
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46
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Affiliation(s)
- G Stranjalis
- Department of Neurosurgery, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece
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47
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Danias PG, Chalevelakis G, Mylonakis EE, Argyropoulou A, Paniara O, Saroglou G, Raptis SA. Comparative in vitro and in vivo efficacy of roxithromycin and erythromycin against a strain of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus epidermidis. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 1998; 32:51-4. [PMID: 9791758 DOI: 10.1016/s0732-8893(98)00059-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The in vitro and in vivo efficacy of roxithromycin was compared with that of erythromycin, against a methicillin-susceptible strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis. We performed standard in vitro testing (MIC, MBC, and time-kill kinetics) for roxithromycin, erythromycin, and rifampin. Both macrolides were bacteriostatic in vitro. There was no significant difference in microbial survival between erythromycin and roxithromycin groups in the time-kill kinetics (p = 0.3). For the in vivo experiments, using the rabbit experimental endocarditis model, roxithromycin was found to be inferior to erythromycin in decreasing the microbial burden of the endocardial vegetations (p < 0.05). Rifampin was highly effective, both in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, the efficacy of roxithromycin was poor and inferior to erythromycin against a strain of methicillin-susceptible S. epidermidis.
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Affiliation(s)
- P G Danias
- University of Athens Medical School, Second Department of Internal Medicine-Propaedeutic, Greece
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48
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Tatsis G, Tsoukalas G, Boulbasakos G, Platsouka E, Anagnostopoulou M, Pirounaki M, Paniara O, Sioula E, Raptis J, Saroglou G. Efficacy and tolerance of roxithromycin versus clarithromycin in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections. J Antimicrob Chemother 1998; 41 Suppl B:69-73. [PMID: 9579716 DOI: 10.1093/jac/41.suppl_2.69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In an open, randomized, parallel group study, the efficacy and tolerance of roxithromycin 300 mg po od was compared with clarithromycin 500 mg po bd in the treatment of 60 patients with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI). The two groups were well-matched demographically. Fifty patients (25 per group) were clinically evaluable at the end of the study and a satisfactory response was found in 88% of those given roxithromycin and 80% of those given clarithromycin. All had received treatment for a minimum of 3 days. Only one (3.3%) of 30 patients in the roxithromycin group reported adverse events compared with seven (23.3%) of 30 in the clarithromycin group. Thus both roxithromycin and clarithromycin are effective in the treatment of LRTI but roxithromycin is better tolerated (P < 0.05) with the advantage of a once-daily dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Tatsis
- Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece
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49
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Nanas JN, Saroglou G, Anastasiou-Nana MI, Kostis EB, Petrochilou-Paschou VP, Kontoyannis DA, Stamatelopoulos SF, Moulopoulos SD. Itraconazole for the treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis in heart transplant recipients. Clin Transplant 1998; 12:30-4. [PMID: 9541420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of itraconazole as a first choice drug in the treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis in heart transplant recipients. Heart transplant recipients suffering from invasive pulmonary aspergillosis were included in this study. Group 1 included 4 patients treated with i.v. itraconazole (Janssen Pharmaceutica) 400 mg daily, as a first choice drug for 28 d. Itraconazole was discontinued and amphotericin-B was started before the 28th day if clinical or radiographic worsening was observed. Group 2 included 3 patients treated with amphotericin-B as a first choice drug. Itraconazole was discontinued in all patients of Group 1 after 12-26 d of treatment because of radiographic worsening (n = 3) or combined clinical and radiographic worsening (n = 1). Subsequent treatment with amphotericin-B resulted in improvement of all patients. On a 5-yr follow-up period no relapse of aspergillosis was observed in 3 of them. The fourth patient expired from cerebral hemorrhage. The 3 patients of Group 2 treated with amphotericin-B showed a gradual improvement, and all were doing well on a 2-yr follow-up. In conclusion, in our study population consisted of heart transplant recipients amphotericin-B was superior to itraconazole in the treatment of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J N Nanas
- University of Athens, School of Medicine, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital, Greece
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50
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Bassaris H, Saroglou G, Petrikkos G, Starakis J, Vassiloyiannakopoulos A, Antoniadou A, Tsagaraki C, Skeparni E, Goumas P, Boutsikakis J, Lazanas M, Paniara O, Platsouka E. Once-Daily High-Dose Netilmicin. Clin Drug Investig 1998. [DOI: 10.2165/00044011-199815030-00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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