Search Results (313)

Background: Antimicrobial resistance complicates the selection of appropriate regimens for urinary tract infections (UTIs), even when susceptibility data are available, particularly where infectious disease (ID) expertise is scarce. Machine learning clinical decision support systems (CDSS) may support prescribing, but evidence from Latin America is limited. The goal of this study was to evaluate the concordance between antimicrobial regimens selected by physicians and those recommended by a machine-learning-with-human-in-the-loop (ML-HITL) CDSS (OneChoice^®), and to assess CDSS appropriateness against an independent, blinded expert reference standard. Methods: In this cross-sectional, survey-based concordance study conducted in Lima, Peru, 194 verified physicians contributed 224 eligible evaluations across 42 real UTI case codes with complete culture and antimicrobial susceptibility data. Of the 224 evaluations, 70 were contributed by infectious disease specialists and 154 by non-ID physicians. Participants selected OneChoice^® and alternative antimicrobial regimens. Responses were compared with CDSS recommendations under three concordance definitions. Discordances were adjudicated by an external panel blinded to the source of the recommendation. Non-independence was addressed using cluster-robust methods. Results: First-choice, alternative, and general concordance were 50.9%, 40.6%, and 62.5%, respectively. ID specialists showed higher concordance than non-ID physicians (65.7% vs. 44.2%; 51.4% vs. 35.7%; 72.9% vs. 57.8%; all p ≤ 0.034). ID specialty was independently associated with concordance (adjusted OR 2.19–2.68; p ≤ 0.016). Among discordant evaluations, the external panel judged the CDSS recommendation to be preferable in 90.5–93.2% of cases. Physician–CDSS concordance was moderate and higher among ID specialists. The external adjudication findings indicate that the CDSS recommendations were frequently aligned with expert assessment when physician and CDSS recommendations differed; however, the study did not evaluate comparative clinical effectiveness or patient outcomes. Conclusions: Physician–CDSS concordance was moderate and higher among ID specialists, yet discordances overwhelmingly favored the CDSS on independent adjudication. These findings suggest the CDSS aligns with expert reasoning and may support antimicrobial selection in high-resistance settings. Full article

Background and Objectives: Laboratory parameters associated with nutritional and metabolic status may be substantially influenced by inflammatory activity, complicating their interpretation in patients with advanced neurological diseases. This study aimed to characterize within-patient changes in inflammatory biomarkers and laboratory parameters related to nutritional and metabolic status in multimorbid patients receiving long-term enteral nutrition, with particular emphasis on differences between infectious and clinically non-infectious periods. A secondary objective was to propose a conceptual framework for interpreting these laboratory parameters in the context of inflammatory activity. Materials and Methods: A prospective longitudinal observational case series was conducted in an inpatient palliative care facility. Of 23 patients who entered prospective follow-up, five completed the predefined nine-month observation period and were included in the final longitudinal analysis. Twenty-three predefined assessment time points were evaluated for each participant. Inflammatory parameters, serum proteins, micronutrient-related measurements, and vitamin concentrations were analyzed descriptively in relation to the clinical course of each patient. Results: Patients with recurrent infectious episodes demonstrated pronounced increases in inflammatory biomarkers accompanied by decreases in serum proteins, particularly albumin, transferrin, and total protein, as well as changes in serum iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn). The greatest fluctuations were observed in patients with the highest inflammatory burden, whereas patients without recurrent infections showed comparatively stable laboratory profiles. Vitamin A, vitamin D, and folate concentrations showed relatively limited fluctuations. Importantly, all five patients received continued enteral nutritional support, with daily energy intake ranging from 1450 to 1800 kcal, and body weight increased by 1.0–3.0 kg during follow-up. Based on these case-based observations and current evidence, a conceptual framework for interpreting laboratory parameters in the context of inflammatory activity was proposed. Conclusions: In patients with advanced neurological diseases, laboratory parameters associated with nutritional and metabolic status should be interpreted in the context of inflammatory activity and should not be used independently to determine nutritional status. The proposed conceptual framework is intended as an interpretative aid for laboratory findings rather than as an alternative diagnostic system for malnutrition and requires validation in larger prospective studies. Full article

Background: Upper airway tract infections (UATIs) are among the most common infectious diseases worldwide, accounting for an estimated 12.8 billion episodes annually and more than 8 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Despite their generally self-limiting nature, their cumulative clinical, socioeconomic, and public health burden remains substantial, particularly in children, older adults, and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods: We performed a structured narrative review of the peer-reviewed literature and reports from major international health organizations to summarize the current evidence on the epidemiology, etiology, clinical impact, socioeconomic burden, prevention strategies, and future challenges associated with UATIs. Particular attention was given to the influence of antimicrobial resistance, vaccination policies, and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: UATIs remain one of the leading causes of healthcare utilization worldwide. Children experience the highest incidence, averaging 6–8 episodes annually, whereas vulnerable populations are at increased risk of complications and hospitalization. Marked geographical disparities persist, with LMICs experiencing a disproportionate burden due to limited healthcare access, lower vaccination coverage, and higher complication rates. Inappropriate antibiotic prescribing continues to accelerate antimicrobial resistance, while the COVID-19 pandemic profoundly altered the epidemiology of respiratory infections and demonstrated the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions. Advances in vaccination, antimicrobial stewardship, rapid diagnostics, and novel therapeutic strategies offer promising opportunities to reduce disease burden. Conclusions: Reducing the global burden of UATIs requires integrated public health strategies combining equitable vaccine access, effective antimicrobial stewardship, strengthened healthcare systems, and sustained surveillance. Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic provide a unique opportunity to improve preparedness for future respiratory outbreaks while addressing persistent regional inequalities in prevention and care. Full article

Background: Lower limb exoprostheses often lead to stump dermatological pathologies. The mechanisms by which mechanical microtraumas progress to non-healing ulcerative defects due to dysbiosis remain poorly understood. The objective of this study was to analyze mechanical, inflammatory, and infectious stump skin complications and justify the role of bacterial and mycological dysbiosis in blocking tissue regeneration. Methods: A critical narrative review guided by SANRA principles was conducted (PubMed/Scopus, 1980–2026). Data were extracted with a structured query focusing on amputation stumps, prosthetic interfaces, and skin/microbiological complications (dysbiosis, biofilms, and inflammatory markers). Evidence was graded using predefined clinical matrices and integrated through structured evidence collations to synthesize stump–prosthesis pathogenesis. The PRISMA method was not applied due to study heterogeneity. Results: Skin damage dynamics were categorized into three stages: adaptation (up to 12 months), chronic reactive changes (12–24 months), and late proliferative-infectious destruction (>24 months). The sealed liner space creates 100% humidity and alkalization (pH > 6.5). This causes a mycological shift, where resident Malassezia spp. lose dominance to invasive Candida albicans and non-dermatophyte molds (Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp.). These pathogens form polymicrobial biofilms with Staphylococcus aureus. At the molecular level, delayed regeneration is driven by “frustrated phagocytosis”: macrophages, unable to engulf large fungal hyphae, continuously release reactive oxygen species and enzymes, trapping the wound in the inflammatory phase. Excessive matrix degradation and suppressed angiogenic factors further block epithelialization. Conclusions: The skin under a prosthesis socket forms a unique pathological biotope. Successful regeneration requires preventive mycobiota correction and targeted management of biophysical parameters (pH, humidity) within the “skin–liner” interface. Full article

Background/Objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a recognised risk factor for severe COVID-19, but comparative outcomes between conservatively managed CKD patients and those on maintenance haemodialysis (HD) remain incompletely characterised, particularly in Central Asia. This study evaluated the impact of CKD severity on clinical outcomes, inflammatory profiles, and mortality in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. Methods: This retrospective cohort study reviewed 891 patients hospitalised with COVID-19 at a tertiary infectious disease centre in Almaty, Kazakhstan, between 2020 and 2021. Patients were stratified into three groups: No CKD (n = 598), CKD without HD (n = 116), and CKD on maintenance HD (n = 177). Demographic, laboratory, treatment, and outcome data were extracted from electronic medical records. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of in-hospital mortality, acute kidney injury (AKI), and intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Model 1 served as the primary prognostic model, while Model 2 explored in-hospital complications. Results: Patients with CKD exhibited significantly higher inflammatory markers, with peak C-reactive protein reaching 168.3 mg/L in the HD group compared to 44.4 mg/L in the No CKD group. In-hospital mortality was highest in the CKD without HD group (34.8%), followed by CKD on HD (21.7%) and No CKD (13.6%). AKI occurred in 35.7% of conservatively managed CKD patients. In multivariate analysis, CKD without HD independently predicted mortality (OR 3.23; 95% CI 1.38–7.63) and AKI (OR 4.12; 95% CI 1.73–10.03). Conversely, established HD status was not a significant independent predictor of mortality after adjusting for age and comorbidities. Conclusions: CKD severity strongly influences COVID-19 prognosis. Paradoxically, conservatively managed CKD patients carry a higher mortality and AKI risk than patients already on maintenance HD, which may be associated with the absence of scheduled volume and metabolic control, although causal inferences cannot be drawn from this observational data. These findings support the need for aggressive monitoring and early nephrological intervention in non-dialysis CKD patients hospitalised with severe viral respiratory infections. Full article

Uterine fibroids, the most common tumors in reproductive-age women, remain without a defined precursor tissue state. Unlike cervical dysplasia preceding cervical cancer, or colonic polyps preceding colorectal malignancy, no equivalent “at-risk” tissue marker exists for fibroids, and diagnosis relies on radiological imaging only after tumors are already well-established and often symptomatic including excessive menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, infertility and obstetric complications. In this narrative review, we propose that a subset of women with unexplained AUB may harbor a chronic, non-infectious inflammatory condition of the myometrium, which we term Chronic Aseptic Myometritis (CAM). We synthesize mechanistic and human tissue evidence suggesting that sterile inflammation driven by damage-associated molecular patterns, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, oxidative DNA damage, and TGF-β–mediated extracellular-matrix remodeling may underlie the transition from normal myometrium (MyoN) to a pre-fibroid, inflamed and stiffened state (MyoF), and may contribute both to abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) and to fibroid initiation. We propose a preliminary framework for future CAM research, including the identification of candidate biomarker categories and imaging correlates. We also discuss whether early mechanism-based interventions, such as vitamin D and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), may offer a potential pathway toward primary prevention. Because the components of this model derive largely from experimental and cross-sectional human studies, CAM is presented as a hypothesis-generating, myometrium-centered framework rather than a validated clinical entity, and prospective validation is required. Full article

Background/Objective: Vaccination is one of the most effective and cost-effective preventive health measures for preventing infectious diseases. The literature reports that children with chronic illnesses have lower vaccination rates than healthy children and are at higher risk for preventable diseases. This study aimed to determine the immunization status of children with chronic illnesses, assess vaccination rates, and help raise awareness on this issue. Material/Method: Children aged 1 month to 18 years who presented to or were admitted to the Pediatric Clinic of Mersin City Education and Research Hospital between 1 March and 30 June 2024, and who were followed up for their chronic illness, and whose parents gave their consent, were included in the study. Sociodemographic data and information about routine and vaccines outside the national immunization schedule (Rotavirus, meningococcal, HPV, Influenza) were obtained from the parents. The status of vaccination of disease-specific recommended vaccines was also recorded. Results: A total of 256 children were included in the study (mean age 8.7 ± 4.69 years; 42.2% girls). A high rate of complete vaccination according to the routine vaccination schedule was observed. However, non-routine vaccinations were administered at low rates: rotavirus 9%, meningococcal 4.7%, and influenza 12.2%. The HPV vaccine was administered to only one patient in the study group. Recommended vaccines for the disease were administered to only 16.4% of eligible children. Conclusions: Children with chronic illnesses are at high risk for infection and complications. Increasing vaccine awareness among both healthcare professionals and parents will contribute to higher immunization rates. Comprehensive studies are needed to identify factors influencing vaccination in this population. Full article

Background: Non-missile penetrating traumatic brain injury (pTBI) is a rare but life-threatening condition. In self-inflicted cases involving the frontal sinus, a rigorous preoperative diagnostic workup is crucial to assess foreign body fragmentation, trajectory, and potential vascular compromise. The complexities of such cases demand a highly structured approach to prevent severe secondary brain injury and long-term infectious sequelae. Case Presentation: A 36-year-old male with schizophrenia presented after attempting suicide by stabbing a kitchen knife through his frontal sinus. Multimodal diagnostic imaging was immediately employed. Skull radiographs and computed tomography (CT) precisely delineated the blade traversing the frontal sinus and entering the anterior cranial fossa. Crucially, given the proximity to the skull base, digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was proactively performed, which confirmed the absence of major cerebrovascular injury and safely guided the surgical strategy. Based on these precise imaging findings, a bifrontal craniotomy was performed. During the procedure, the main blade was extracted, and a retained broken metallic tip—recognized upon close intraoperative inspection of the extracted blade—was successfully retrieved from the intracranial compartment. Postoperative wound infections (with causative pathogens isolated as Serratia odorifera and coagulase-negative Staphylococci) were effectively eradicated with targeted antibiotics. The patient achieved a favorable neurological recovery. Conclusions: Multimodal neuroimaging, particularly the combination of CT and DSA, can be highly beneficial in the diagnostic workup of complex pTBI. Precise preoperative imaging helps guide the optimal surgical approach, ensuring complete foreign body removal and minimizing severe secondary complications. Early intervention, guided by standardized imaging and followed by aggressive medical management, can yield positive outcomes even in severely morbid presentations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common infectious complications in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) and non-transplant nephrology patients. However, direct culture-based comparisons of urinary isolate distribution and antimicrobial resistance profiles between KTRs and non-transplant nephrology (NTN) patients remain limited. This study compared urinary isolates recovered from urine cultures with significant growth and their in vitro antimicrobial resistance profiles in hospitalized KTRs and NTN patients. Methods: In this retrospective culture-based study, urine culture results from patients hospitalized in the nephrology and kidney transplantation units between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2025 were reviewed. Urinary isolate distribution, in vitro antimicrobial resistance profiles, and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production were compared between the two. Results: A total of 397 patients with at least one urine culture showing significant growth were included, comprising 220 KTRs and 177 NTN patients. Enterobacterales were significantly more frequent among KTRs than among NTN patients (77.2% vs. 41.1%, p < 0.001). Escherichia coli was the predominant urinary isolate in both groups. In contrast, Candida spp. (26.8% vs. 3.2%, p < 0.001), Enterococcus spp. (15.8% vs. 7.7%, p < 0.001), and non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria (9.4% vs. 3.4%, p = 0.001) were more frequently recovered from NTN patients. Among E. coli isolates, resistance to gentamicin (p = 0.006) and ertapenem (p = 0.001) was significantly higher in the NTN group. Likewise, Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from NTN patients showed significantly higher resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, and carbapenems (p < 0.05). ESBL production was also more frequent in NTN patients than in KTRs (55.7% vs. 41.9%, p = 0.013). Conclusions: Hospitalized KTRs and NTN patients exhibited distinct urinary isolate distributions and in vitro antimicrobial resistance profiles. These findings should be interpreted as culture-based epidemiological data rather than as differences in clinically confirmed UTI burden. Stratified local surveillance may help contextualize urinary isolate and susceptibility patterns across hospitalized nephrology populations. Full article

Objective: This study aimed to assess the relationship between excess epicardial fat and the patterns of perioperative myocardial remodeling in patients undergoing surgical correction of mitral valve (MV) disease. Methods: A total of 148 patients with acquired non-infectious MV disease scheduled for surgical correction under cardiopulmonary bypass were screened in this prospective observational non-randomized study. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) of the heart was performed to assess epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume. Transthoracic echocardiography (Echo), including evaluation of left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS), right ventricular (RV) free-wall longitudinal strain, and RV systolic function (3D Echo), was conducted preoperatively, as well as postoperatively during one year after surgery. Analysis of postoperative myocardial remodeling and complications within one year after surgery was performed. Patients were divided into groups before surgical correction of MV based on the (1) EAT volume, associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) presence (EAT volume less than or > 115.1 cm³ by CT), and (2) EAT volume, associated with the presence of at least three metabolic factors (EAT volume less than or ≥100.6 cm³). Results: Prior to MV correction, Echo showed that patients with EAT volume > 115.1 cm³ exhibited larger left and right atrial (LA/RA) volumes and more pronounced RV systolic dysfunction. An EAT volume of >115.1 cm³ was associated with a 4.6-fold increase in the odds of detecting a preoperative TAPSE value < 1.7 cm (OR: 4.6 [95% CI: 1.2543; 16.7481]; p = 0.02). In the early postoperative period, patients with EAT volume > 115.1 cm³ exhibited larger RA dimensions and higher RV end-systolic volumes, as well as impaired RV–pulmonary artery coupling. At the one-year follow-up, patients with EAT volume > 115.1 cm³ exhibited larger indexed atrial volumes and basal RV dimensions. By the one-year follow-up, the group with EAT volume ≤ 115.1 cm³ was characterized by dynamic improvements, including a 10.7% increase in LV GLS (p = 0.02), a 33.6% reduction in the indexed LA volume (p = 0.004), a 28% reduction in the LV mass index (p = 0.003), and a 10.3% reduction in the LV end-diastolic dimension (p = 0.01). Furthermore, this group exhibited a 15% increase in LV stroke volume (p = 0.009), a 17.6% increase in TAPSE (p = 0.02), and a 6.5% increase in RV ejection fraction (p = 0.04) (3D Echo), none of which were observed in the group with EAT volume > 115.1 cm³. Patients with EAT volume ≥100.6 cm³ had more pronounced impairment of LV GLS before and one month after surgery compared with those with EAT < 100.6 cm³ (p = 0.046; p = 0.045). One month after surgery, worsening of RV GLS was observed specifically in the group with EAT ≥ 100.6 cm³ (p = 0.031). By the one-year follow-up, significant improvement in RV systolic function was observed only in the group with EAT volume < 100.6 cm³. Conclusions: The presence of excess epicardial fat (verified by cardiac CT) in cardiac surgery patients with acquired MV disease is associated with less favorable preoperative remodeling of both the left and right cardiac chambers and impaired reverse myocardial remodeling within one year post-surgery. Further studies in larger, independent cohorts are needed to confirm the prognostic and clinical relevance of the EAT cut-off in patients with mitral valve disease. Full article

Vaccinations are a cornerstone of primary prevention in pediatric otolaryngology and play a critical role in reducing the burden of pediatric infectious diseases, particularly acute otitis media (AOM) and HPV-related infections. The introduction and widespread use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) have been associated with substantial changes in the epidemiology of pediatric AOM, particularly through reductions in vac-cine-serotype disease and complicated forms, while contributing to changes in pathogen distribution with an increased role of non-vaccine serotypes and non-pneumococcal bac-teria, requiring continuous epidemiological surveillance. Prophylactic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in adolescents and young adults effectively prevents oral infection with vaccine-type high-risk HPV, a necessary step in the pathogenesis of HPV-related oropharyngeal carcinoma. Clinical and epidemiological studies demonstrate robust antibody responses and significant reductions in oral HPV prevalence among vaccinated individuals. Although direct evidence of a reduction in oropharyngeal cancer incidence is not yet available, vaccination may consequently reduce the future burden of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers. Long-term surveillance remains essential to confirm this potential benefit. Barriers to optimal vaccine coverage include unequal access, incomplete vaccination uptake, and limited awareness of HPV-related oral disease. In conclusion, vaccinations provide direct and clinically relevant benefits in pediatric otolaryngology by reducing recurrent AOM, severe complications and surgical interventions. HPV vaccination also reduces vaccine-type oral HPV infection and may consequently contribute to reducing the future burden of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers. Achieving high vaccination coverage, coupled with continuous epidemiological monitoring, is essential to maximize individual and public health benefits and to inform the development of vaccines with broader serotype coverage. Full article

Background and Clinical Significance: Cryptogenic multifocal ulcerating stenosing enteritis (CMUSE) is a rare idiopathic disorder of the small bowel which remains diagnostically challenging because it can closely mimic Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced enteropathy; Case Presentation: We report a 44-year-old man with Down syndrome, Hirschsprung’s disease, celiac disease, and multiple prior abdominal operations who developed recurrent small-bowel strictures of uncertain cause. Initial management involved endoscopic assessment and jejunal dilatation, but this became neither technically feasible nor durable as the disease progressed. He therefore underwent exploratory laparotomy with small-bowel resection to relieve obstruction and to obtain adequate tissue for diagnosis. On balance, the presence of multifocal ulceration, recurrent mucosa-predominant strictures, and non-transmural jejunitis supported a diagnosis of CMUSE; Conclusions: This case highlights the rarity and diagnostic difficulty of CMUSE, which may closely resemble Crohn’s disease in patients with recurrent small-bowel strictures and obstructive symptoms. Early and ongoing MDT coordination (surgery, gastroenterology, radiology, dietetics, and infectious diseases) supports anatomy definition, complication control, and coherent long-term management focused on function and quality of life. Full article

Background/Objectives: Many HIV-positive (HIV+) males receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) experience metabolic complications, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); lipodystrophy; and intestinal dysbiosis, often characterized by a Prevotella-rich enterotype. Gut microbial fermentation produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which play important roles in host metabolism. This study investigated the relationships among HAART, anthropometrics, diet, intestinal permeability, gut microbiota composition, and lipodystrophy in HIV+ males. Methods: Forty males aged 23–60 years were enrolled, including 19 HIV+ participants recruited from the East Tennessee State University (ETSU) Health Infectious Diseases Specialty Clinic and 20 HIV-negative (HIV−) controls recruited through standard methods. Participants provided a stool sample for 16S rRNA gene sequencing, SCFA analysis by gas chromatography, and proximate analysis, and completed a food frequency questionnaire. Lipodystrophy-related measures included body mass index (BMI), hip-to-waist ratio (H:W), and liver health assessment using FibroScan. Blood samples were collected by venipuncture. Serum markers of intestinal permeability, including Claudin-21, flagellin, and intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (IFABP), were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: HIV+ males exhibited significantly higher H:W ratios (p = 0.001) and hepatic steatosis (p = 0.0047) than HIV− controls (Welsh’s t-test). Concentrations of isobutyrate (p = 0.0024), isovalerate (p = 0.0008), and valerate (p = 0.0329) were elevated in HIV+ participants, whereas butyrate (p = 0.0014) and total acetate/propionate/butyrate (APB) (p = 0.0046) were higher in HIV− males (Welsh’s t-test). HIV+ participants also showed greater abundances of Prevotella and Lachnospiraceae (Analysis of Compositions of Microbiomes; ANCOM). Retrospective analysis revealed that all HIV+ participants were men who have sex with men (MSM). Conclusions: HIV+ males demonstrated distinct gut microbiome profiles, altered SCFA production, and markers of disrupted lipid metabolism. These findings provide a foundation for future investigations of microbiome-metabolism interactions in HIV+ MSM. Full article

Background/Objectives: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is an increasingly recognised nosocomial complication in patients hospitalised with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), driven by broad-spectrum antibiotic exposure, corticosteroid use, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-related intestinal dysbiosis. The contribution of underlying cardiovascular comorbidities, particularly heart failure, to CDI susceptibility in hospitalised COVID-19 patients remains insufficiently characterised. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence, risk factors, and clinical impact of CDI in hospitalised COVID-19 patients at a tertiary Romanian infectious diseases centre, with a specific focus on cardiovascular disease and modifiable antimicrobial-prescribing factors. Methods: This single-centre retrospective observational cohort study enrolled 395 consecutive adult patients hospitalised with SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at the “Victor Babeș” Clinical Hospital for Infectious Diseases and Pneumophthisiology, Timișoara, Romania, between 1 March 2020 and 31 December 2024. Patients were stratified into a CDI group (n = 24) and a non-CDI group (n = 371) on the basis of hospital-onset CDI. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, therapeutic, and outcome variables were extracted from electronic medical records. Continuous variables were compared using Student’s independent-samples t-test, categorical variables using Fisher’s exact test; odds ratios (ORs) with exact 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed for all binary comparisons, and a parsimonious multivariable logistic regression was used to adjust the antibiotic-exposure effect for age. Temporal relationships between CDI onset and sepsis documentation were also analysed. A two-sided p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: CDI was identified in 24 patients (prevalence 6.1%). The CDI and non-CDI groups were comparable in age (71.1 ± 10.2 vs. 71.7 ± 11.4 years; p = 0.817), sex distribution (50.0% vs. 45.8% female; p = 0.833), and vaccination status (p = 0.383). Heart failure prevalence did not differ between groups (29.2% vs. 26.7%; OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.46–2.81; p = 0.813). Any antibiotic therapy was strongly associated with CDI (95.8% vs. 70.6%; OR 9.57, 95% CI 1.28–71.74; p = 0.004), as was longer duration of antibiotic therapy (8.1 ± 2.2 vs. 5.2 ± 3.7 days; p < 0.001). In the multivariable model, each additional day of antibiotic therapy was independently associated with a 13.6% increase in the odds of CDI (adjusted OR 1.14 per day, 95% CI 1.03–1.26; p = 0.013) after adjustment for age. Piperacillin/tazobactam accounted for 65.2% (15/23) of the recorded pre-CDI broad-spectrum antibiotic regimens among antibiotic-exposed CDI patients. Documented sepsis was substantially more frequent in CDI patients (95.8% vs. 15.4%; p < 0.001) and length of hospitalisation was prolonged (15.6 ± 8.2 vs. 12.0 ± 8.1 days; p = 0.038). In-hospital mortality did not differ significantly (4.2% vs. 7.5%; p = 1.000). Conclusions: Hospital-onset CDI complicated 6.1% of hospitalised COVID-19 admissions and was independently associated with the cumulative duration of antibiotic therapy. Heart failure was not significantly associated with CDI in this cohort; however, given the limited number of CDI events, this should be interpreted as absence of evidence rather than evidence of absence. CDI was also associated with prolonged hospitalisation and high co-occurrence of documented sepsis, although causality cannot be inferred from the retrospective design. These findings support strengthened antibiotic stewardship and targeted CDI surveillance in COVID-19 inpatient wards. Full article

The carotid body (CB) is an interoceptive organ that transmits afferent information to the brain via the carotid sinus nerve (CSN) to maintain homeostasis, i.e., the regulation of internal equilibrium despite external changes. It functions as a complex polymodal receptor capable of sensing multiple stimuli, including blood flow, osmolarity, pO₂, pH, pCO₂, CO₂/H⁺, and temperature. In addition, the CB responds to a wide range of circulating molecules such as angiotensin II, endothelin-1, aldosterone, insulin, histamine, and leptin, and expresses receptors for interleukins (ILs) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (1). CB dysfunction has been associated with conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), in which intermittent hypoxemia induces an inflammatory response mediated, among other mechanisms, by reactive oxygen species (ROS). This process contributes to alterations in respiratory drive and enhanced sympathetic nervous system activity. Following streptococcal toxic shock syndrome due to Streptococcus Pyogenes, severe abdominal septic shock, and multiple infectious complications, our patient developed an altered respiratory pattern and a hypercatabolic state that precluded weaning from mechanical ventilation (MV) despite respiratory physiotherapy. Given treatment failure, we hypothesized underlying carotid body (CB) hyperexcitability, likely pre-existing due to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and exacerbated by cytokine storm and severe systemic inflammation related to Strept. Pyogenes toxins and subsequent abdominal sepsis from colonic perforation. This may have contributed to sustained sympathetic overactivation and immune dysregulation. Clinically, the patient exhibited increased respiratory drive (30–35 breaths/min), excessive inspiratory effort, and marked patient–ventilator asynchrony in the absence of hypoxemia. Non-targeted physiotherapy may have acted as a second inflammatory hit, perpetuating the inflammatory cycle. Full article