1
|
Farmakis D, Richter D, Chronopoulou G, Goumas G, Kountouras D, Mastorakou A, Papingiotis G, Hahalis G, Tsioufis K. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin I for cardiovascular risk stratification in apparently healthy individuals. Hellenic J Cardiol 2024; 75:74-81. [PMID: 37743017 DOI: 10.1016/j.hjc.2023.09.011] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Troponin I and T as cardiac-specific biomarkers are highly useful tools not only in the diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes but also as independent predictors of several other clinical conditions. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) assays allow the detection of considerably low concentrations of cardiac troponin in apparently healthy and asymptomatic individuals, being a candidate tool for cardiovascular risk stratification in the general population. A group of Greek experts summarized the bulk of evidence regarding the use of hs-cTnI as a predictor of cardiovascular events and mortality in apparently healthy individuals and its additive value on top of existing risk stratification methods. This document could serve as a guide for the incorporation of hs-cTnI as an additional risk stratification tool in cardiovascular prevention strategies in apparently healthy individuals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Farmakis
- Department of Cardiology, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece.
| | | | | | | | - Dimitrios Kountouras
- Center for Preventive Medicine & Longevity, Bioiatriki Healthcare Group, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | | | - Konstantinos Tsioufis
- First Department of Cardiology, Hippokration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University Medical School, Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Siafakas N, Anastassopoulou C, Lafazani M, Chronopoulou G, Rizos E, Pournaras S, Tsakris A. Predominance of Recombinant Norovirus Strains in Greece, 2016-2018. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2885. [PMID: 38138029 PMCID: PMC10745620 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11122885] [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: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
GII.4 noroviruses have caused the overwhelming majority of norovirus-related gastroenteritis cases during the past two decades. However, a trend towards the emergence of new genotypes and novel GII.4 variants provided the impetus to explore further the changing patterns in norovirus epidemiology during the present study. Genotyping of 60 norovirus strains detected during a period of 33 months (January 2016-October 2018) was performed on the basis of the capsid VP1-coding ORF2 gene sequence. All norovirus strains detected were classified into seven genotypes, six of which belonged to genogroup GII. GII.2 was the dominant genotype till February 2017, whereas GII.4 prevailed thereafter. Most of the GII.4 strains were of the Sydney_2012 variant, whereas five strains could not be classified. Further recombination analysis at the ORF1/ORF2 gene junction revealed that 23 out of 24 strains were recombinant, thereby showcasing the significant role of genetic recombination in norovirus evolution and epidemiology. Continuous genomic surveillance and molecular characterization are essential for tracking norovirus evolution, which could contribute to the elucidation of new aspects of virus-host interactions that potentially affect host morbidity and epidemiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Siafakas
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, ATTIKON University Hospital, 12462 Athens, Greece; (M.L.); (S.P.)
| | - Cleo Anastassopoulou
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (C.A.); (A.T.)
| | - Maria Lafazani
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, ATTIKON University Hospital, 12462 Athens, Greece; (M.L.); (S.P.)
| | - Genovefa Chronopoulou
- Biopathology Department, Athens Medical Center, 5-7 Distomou Str., 15125 Marousi, Greece;
| | - Emmanouil Rizos
- 2nd Department of Psychiatry, ATTIKON University Hospital, 12462 Athens, Greece;
| | - Spyridon Pournaras
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, ATTIKON University Hospital, 12462 Athens, Greece; (M.L.); (S.P.)
| | - Athanasios Tsakris
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (C.A.); (A.T.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Papanikolopoulou A, Gargalianos-Kakolyris P, Stoupis A, Moussas N, Pangalis A, Theodoridou K, Chronopoulou G, Pantazis N, Kantzanou M, Maltezou HC, Tsakris A. Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Bacteremia, through a Six-Year Infection Control Program in a Hospital. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1315. [PMID: 37317288 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11051315] [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: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) is a life-threatening healthcare-associated infection affecting especially patients with immunosuppression and comorbidities. We investigated the association between the incidence of CRPA bacteremia, antibiotic consumption, and infection control measures in a hospital during 2013-2018. METHODS We prospectively recorded the incidence of CRPA bacteremia, antibiotic consumption, use of hand-hygiene solutions, and isolation rates of multidrug-resistant (MDR) carrier patients. FINDINGS The consumption of colistin, aminoglycosides, and third-generation cephalosporins decreased significantly in the total hospital and its divisions (p-value < 0.001 for all comparisons) while the consumption of carbapenems decreased significantly in the adults ICU (p-value = 0.025). In addition, the incidence of CRPA significantly decreased in the total hospital clinics and departments (p-values = 0.027 and 0.042, respectively) and in adults clinics and departments (p-values = 0.031 and 0.051, respectively), while in the adults ICU, the incidence remained unchanged. Increased isolation rates of MDR carrier patients, even two months before, significantly correlated with decreased incidence of CRPA bacteremia (IRR: 0.20, 95% CI: 0.05-0.73, p-value = 0.015) in the adults ICU. Interestingly, when the use of hand-hygiene solutions (alcohol and/or scrub) increased, the consumption of advanced, nonadvanced, and all antibiotics decreased significantly. CONCLUSION In our hospital, multimodal infection control interventions resulted in a significant reduction of CRPA bacteremia, mostly due to the reduction of all classes of antibiotics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amalia Papanikolopoulou
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Athens Medical Center, 5-7 Distomou Str., 15125 Marousi, Greece
| | | | - Athina Stoupis
- Clinical Infectious Diseases Department, Athens Medical Center, 1 Delfon Str., 15125 Marousi, Greece
| | - Nikos Moussas
- Clinical Infectious Diseases Department, Athens Medical Center, 1 Delfon Str., 15125 Marousi, Greece
| | - Anastasia Pangalis
- Biopathology Department, Athens Medical Center, 5-7 Distomou Str., 15125 Marousi, Greece
| | - Kalliopi Theodoridou
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Str., 11527 Athens, Greece
- Department of Microbiology, Andreas Syggros Hospital for Skin and Venereal Diseases, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Genovefa Chronopoulou
- Biopathology Department, Athens Medical Center, 5-7 Distomou Str., 15125 Marousi, Greece
| | - Nikos Pantazis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Str., 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Kantzanou
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Str., 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Helena C Maltezou
- Directorate of Research, Studies and Documentation, National Public Health Organization, 3-5 Agrafon Str., 15123 Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasios Tsakris
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Str., 11527 Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Papanikolopoulou A, Maltezou HC, Stoupis A, Pangalis A, Kouroumpetsis C, Chronopoulou G, Kalofissoudis Y, Kostares E, Boufidou F, Karalexi M, Koumaki V, Pantazis N, Tsakris A, Kantzanou M. Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia, Multidrug-Resistant Bacteremia and Infection Control Interventions in an Intensive Care Unit: Analysis of Six-Year Time-Series Data. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11081128. [PMID: 36009998 PMCID: PMC9405435 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11081128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) occurs more than 48h after mechanical ventilation and is associated with a high mortality rate. The current hospital-based study aims to investigate the association between VAP rate, incidence of bacteremia from multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens, and infection control interventions in a single case mix ICU from 2013 to 2018. Methods: The following monthly indices were analyzed: (1) VAP rate; (2) use of hand hygiene disinfectants; (3) isolation rate of patients with MDR bacteria; and (4) incidence of bacteremia/1000 patient-days (total cases, total carbapenem-resistant cases, and carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae cases separately). Results: Time trends of infection control interventions showed increased rates in isolation of patients with MDR pathogens (p <0.001) and consumption of hand disinfectant solutions (p =0.001). The last four years of the study an annual decrease of VAP rate by 35.12% (95% CI: −53.52 to −9.41; p =0.01) was recorded, which significantly correlated not only with reduced trauma and cardiothoracic surgery patients (IRR:2.49; 95% CI: 2.09−2.96; p <0.001), but also with increased isolation rate of patients with MDR pathogens (IRR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.27−0.99; p = 0.048), and hand disinfectants use (IRR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.18−0.89; p =0.024). Conclusions: Infection control interventions significantly contributed to the decrease of VAP rate. Constant infection control stewardship has a stable time-effect and guides evidence-based decisions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Helena C. Maltezou
- Directorate of Research, Studies and Documentation, National Public Health Organization, 15123 Athens, Greece
| | - Athina Stoupis
- Clinical Infectious Diseases Department, Athens Medical Center, 15125 Athens, Greece
| | - Anastasia Pangalis
- Biopathology Department Athens Medical Center, Marousi, 15125 Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Yannis Kalofissoudis
- Quality Assurance Department, Athens Medical Center, Marousi, 15125 Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelos Kostares
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Fotini Boufidou
- Neurochemistry and Biological Markers Unit, 1st Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Karalexi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Koumaki
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Nikos Pantazis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasios Tsakris
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-210-7462011
| | - Maria Kantzanou
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Papanikolopoulou A, Maltezou HC, Kritikou H, Papadopoulos T, Kandalepas G, Pentzouris A, Kartsonakis I, Chronopoulou G, Gargalianos-Kakolyris P, Pantazis N, Tsakris A, Kantzanou M. Six-Year Time-Series Data on Multidrug-Resistant Bacteremia, Antibiotic Consumption, and Infection Control Interventions in a Hospital. Microb Drug Resist 2022; 28:806-818. [PMID: 35834622 DOI: 10.1089/mdr.2022.0074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteremia is a serious health care-associated infection with significant morbidity and excess hospitalization costs. Our aim is to study the association between incidences of MDR bacteremia, antibiotic consumption, and infection control measures in a hospital from 2013 to 2018. Methods: We analyzed the following indices: (1) incidence of bacteremia (carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumanii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococci); (2) use of antibiotics; (3) consumption of disinfectant solutions for hand hygiene; and (4) isolation rates of MDR carrier patients. Findings: The use of advanced antibiotics (p = 0.001) and carbapenems (p = 0.008) decreased significantly in all hospital departments but the incidence of total MDR bacteremia did not change significantly. Increased use of hand disinfectant solutions was statistically associated with decreased incidence of total MDR bacteremia (incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 0.94, confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.90-0.99, p: 0.020) in all hospital. Also, increased isolation rates of MDR carrier patients 2 months before correlated with decreased incidence of bacteremia due to carbapenem-resistant gram-negative pathogens (IRR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.18-0.66, p: 0.001) in adults intensive care unit. Conclusion: In our hospital, hand hygiene and isolation of MDR carrier patients controlled MDR bacteremia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Helena C Maltezou
- Directorate of Research, Studies and Documentation, National Public Health Organization, Athens, Greece
| | - Helen Kritikou
- Department of Pharmacy, Alexandra General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Thomas Papadopoulos
- Department of Pharmacy, European Interbalkan Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Nikos Pantazis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasios Tsakris
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Kantzanou
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Schulpis KH, Karakonstantakis T, Gavrili S, Chronopoulou G, Karikas GA, Vlachos G, Papassotiriou I. Maternal--neonatal serum selenium and copper levels in Greeks and Albanians. Eur J Clin Nutr 2005; 58:1314-8. [PMID: 15054408 DOI: 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
AIM To evaluate selenium (Se) and copper (Cu) concentrations in Greek and Albanian immigrant mothers and in the cord blood of their newborns. SUBJECTS AND METHODS From 1118 Greek and 820 Albanian mothers and from the cord blood of their neonates blood was obtained for Se and Cu measurement. Se and Cu concentrations were determined in sera with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAAS) and atomic absorption spectrometry, respectively. In all, 30 days' nutrient intakes were evaluated in both groups. RESULTS Animal protein, Se and Cu intakes were poor in the Albanians vs the Greeks (P < 0.001). Se concentrations in the Greek mothers (68.3 +/- 8.5 microg/l) and in their newborns (37.02 +/- 8.9 microg/l) were found higher as compared with those in Albanian mothers (37.4 +/- 9.9 microg/l) and in their newborns (34.3 +/- 9.1 microg/l) (P < 0.001). Cu levels were also found higher (P < 0.001) in the Greek mothers (1687 +/- 353 microg/l) and in their neonates (449 +/- 87 microg/l) compared with those in the Albanian mothers (959 +/- 318 microg/l) and in their newborns (229 +/- 67 microg/l). Additionally, 31.5% of neonates born to Albanian women with Se concentrations less than 28 microg/l had higher Se levels (P < 0.01) than their mothers. CONCLUSIONS The low Se and Cu levels evaluated in the Albanian mothers and their newborns could be related to their poor animal protein intake which could be the consequence of their low socioeconomic status. As an effective preventive measure, accurate dietetic strategies to assess the requirements of pregnant immigrant women for trace elements may be planned in Greece.
Collapse
|
7
|
Ioannidou S, Tassios PT, Zachariadou L, Salem Z, Kanelopoulou M, Kanavaki S, Chronopoulou G, Petropoulou N, Foustoukou M, Pangalis A, Trikka-Graphakos E, Papafraggas E, Vatopoulos AC. In vitro activity of telithromycin (HMR 3647) against Greek Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus pneumoniae clinical isolates with different macrolide susceptibilities. Clin Microbiol Infect 2003; 9:704-7. [PMID: 12925112 DOI: 10.1046/j.1469-0691.2003.00572.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The susceptibilities to macrolides and telithromycin of 161 Streptococcus pyogenes and 145 Streptococcus pyogenes strains, consecutively isolated from five Greek hospitals, were determined by Etest. Moreover, mechanisms of resistance to macrolides were phenotypically and genetically determined by double disk induction test and PCR, respectively. Of the S. pneumoniae and S. pyogenes isolates, 42.8% and 30.8%, respectively, were found to be resistant to erythromycin. Of the erythromycin-resistant S. pneumoniae and S. pyogenes isolates, 57.5% and 59.5%, respectively, displayed the M phenotype and harbored the mefA/E gene. Telithromycin was found to be more active than both erythromycin and clarithromycin against both species, with considerably lower MIC50 and MIC90 values.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Ioannidou
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical School, Athens University, 115 27 Athens (Goudi), Greece
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|