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In cases of SARS-CoV-2 hospitalization, despite low bacterial co-infection rates, antimicrobial use may be disproportionately high. Our aim was to quantify such usage in COVID-19 patients and identify factors linked to increased antibiotic use. We retrospectively studied patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection who were hospitalized at our institution during the pandemic. In the initial two waves of the pandemic, antimicrobial use was notably high (89% in the first wave and 92% in the second), but it decreased in subsequent waves. Elevated procalcitonin (>0.5 μg/mL) and C-reactive protein (>100 mg/L) levels were linked to antibiotic usage, while prior vaccination reduced antibiotic incidence. Antimicrobial use decreased in the pandemic, suggesting enhanced comprehension of SARS-CoV-2′s natural course. Additionally, it was correlated with heightened SARS-CoV-2 severity, elevated procalcitonin, and C-reactive protein levels.

Background: A link between inflammation and venous thromboembolism (VTE) in COVID-19 disease has been suggested pathophysiologically and clinically. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between inflammation and disease outcomes in adult hospitalized COVID-19 patients with VTE. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study, including quantitative and qualitative data collected from COVID-19 patients hospitalized at the Infectious Diseases Unit (IDU) of the University Hospital of Ioannina, from 1 March 2020 to 31 May 2022. Venous thromboembolism was defined as a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) and/or vascular tree-in-bud in the lungs. The burden of disease, assessed by computed tomography of the lungs (CTBoD), was quantified as the percentage (%) of the affected lung parenchyma. The study outcomes were defined as death, intubation, and length of hospital stay (LoS). A chi-squared test and univariate logistic regression analyses were performed in IBM SPSS 28.0. Results: After propensity score matching, the final study cohort included 532 patients. VTE was found in 11.2% of the total population. In patients with VTE, we found that lymphocytopenia and a high neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio were associated with an increased risk of intubation and death, respectively. Similarly, CTBoD > 50% was associated with a higher risk of intubation and death in this group of patients. The triglyceride–glucose (TyG) index was also linked to worse outcomes. Conclusions: Inflammatory indices were associated with VTE. Lymphocytopenia and an increased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio negatively impacted the disease’s prognosis and outcomes. Whether these indices unfavorably affect outcomes in COVID-19-associated VTE must be further evaluated.

Skin and soft tissue infections caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria are occurring more frequently in recent years. However, chronic skin and soft tissue lesions present a challenge for clinicians, as the diagnostic work-up and definitive diagnosis require knowledge and available laboratory resources. We present here the case of a 66-year-old male patient who presented with painful abscess-like nodules on his right hand and forearm, which worsened after treatment with an anti-TNF-a agent. The fluid specimen taken from the lesion was positive for mycobacteria according to the acid-fast stain. Mycobacterium marinum was identified, first by next-generation sequencing and finally grown on culture, after eight weeks. Acknowledging the complexity of diagnosing and managing infections by non-tuberculous mycobacteria, and especially Mycobacterium marinum, we provide a review of the current epidemiology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis and management of Mycobacterium marinum infection.

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, diabetes mellitus (DM) and obesity were associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between markers of inflammation, disease severity, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and outcomes in COVID-19 patients with and without diabetes and obesity. Materials and Methods: Epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory data were collected from the University Hospital of Ioannina COVID-19 Registry and included hospitalized patients from March 2020 to December 2022. The study cohort was divided into three subgroups based on the presence of DM, obesity, or the absence of both. Results: In diabetic patients, elevated CRP, IL-6, TRG/HDL-C ratio, and TyG index, severe pneumonia, and hyperglycemia were associated with extended hospitalization. Increased IL-6, NLR, and decreased PFR were associated with a higher risk of death. In the obese subgroup, lower levels of PFR were associated with longer hospitalization and a higher risk of death, while severe lung disease and hyperglycemia were associated with extended hospitalization. In patients without DM or obesity severe pneumonia, NLR, CRP, IL-6, insulin resistance indices, and hyperglycemia during hospitalization were associated with longer hospitalization. Conclusion: Inflammatory markers and disease severity indices were strongly associated with disease outcomes and hyperglycemia across all subgroups.

Background: Gut microbiota is well-known for its ability to maintain intestinal homeostasis. However, the disruption of this homeostasis, known as dysbiosis, leads to multiple consequences, including local and systemic inflammation. Surgery-induced inflammation is a major concern for patients, as it leads to many infectious and non-infectious complications. Objective: The purpose of this review was to explore the role of probiotics and symbiotics in surgery-induced inflammation and to determine if their use is effective in combatting inflammation and its complications Methods and Materials: A literature search was conducted, and articles published only in English, until December 2022 were included. The results are reported in the form of a narrative review. Results: The perioperative use of probiotics and/or symbiotics results in lower risk of infectious complications, including reduced rates of surgical site infections, respiratory and urinary tract infections, shorter hospital stays, and fewer days of antibiotic administration. It also contributes to reducing non-infectious complications, as it mitigates systemic and local inflammation via maintenance of the intestinal barrier, improves intestinal mobility, and is associated with lower rates of postoperative pain and anastomotic leak. Conclusions: Restoring gut microbiota after disruptions caused by surgery may accelerate local healing processes, attenuate systemic inflammation, and may thus prove beneficial to certain populations.

Introduction: Surveillance of Candida species isolates from blood cultures (BCs) in Europe is considered fragmented, unable to allow the definition of targets of antifungal stewardship recommendations especially during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Methods: We performed a multicentric retrospective study including all consecutive BC Candida isolates from six Southern European tertiary hospitals (1st January 2020 to 31st December 2021). Etiology, antifungal susceptibility patterns, and clinical setting were analyzed and compared. Results: C. albicans was the dominant species (45.1%), while C. auris was undetected. Candida species positive BC events increased significantly in COVID-19 ICUs in 2021 but decreased in other ICUs. Resistance to azole increased significantly and remained very high in C. albicans (fluconazole from 0.7% to 4.5%, p = 0.03) and C. parapsilosis complex (fluconazole up to 24.5% and voriconazole up to 8.9%), respectively. Resistance to caspofungin was remarkable in C. tropicalis (10%) and C. krusei (20%), while resistance to at least one echinocandin increased in 2021, especially in C. parapsilosis complex (from 0.8% to 5.1%, p = 0.05). Although no significant differences were observed over the study period, fluconazole and echinocandin resistance increased in COVID-19 ICUs by up to 14% and 5.8%, respectively, but remained undetected in non-intensive COVID-19 wards. Conclusions: Antifungal stewardship activities aimed at monitoring resistance to echinocandin in C. tropicalis and C. krusei, and against the spread of fluconazole resistant C. parapsilosis complex isolates are highly desirable. In COVID-19 patients, antifungal resistance was mostly present when the illness had a critical course.