Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Cureus 2021 May 16;13(5):e15051. Epub 2021 May 16.

Internal Medicine Department, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, QAT.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which initially emerged in Wuhan, China, has rapidly swept around the world, causing grave morbidity and mortality. It manifests with several symptoms, on a spectrum from asymptomatic to severe illness and death. Many typical imaging features of this disease are described, such as bilateral multi-lobar ground-glass opacities (GGO) or consolidations with a predominantly peripheral distribution. Read More

Mycoses 2021 Jun 10. Epub 2021 Jun 10.

Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.

Background: Talaromyces marneffei, formerly known as Penicillium marneffei, is a significant emerging pathogenic fungus in Southeast Asia which can generate life-threatening systemic infections. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection is considered as the most underlying disease among systemic infections. However, infections due to T. Read More

Blood Purif 2021 Jun 9:1-4. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

San Carlo Borromeo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Milan, Italy.

Management of COVID-19 infection is the trend topic in the scientific community and case identification is a key step to contain the pandemic. While pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome represent the typical severe manifestations of the disease, atypical presentations pose significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for physicians, especially when diagnostic tests are repeatedly negative. Clinical picture of COVID-19 patients is often complicated by bacterial infections or thrombotic events. Read More

Int J Infect Dis 2021 Jun 1. Epub 2021 Jun 1.

Department of Microbiology, Saint-Louis-Lariboisière Hospital Group, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France; University of Paris, INSERM 1137, IAME, Paris, France. Electronic address:

Objectives: We evaluated the performance of FilmArray Pneumonia Panel Plus (FA-PP) for detecting typical bacterial pathogens in respiratory specimens from patients hospitalized in the ICU.

Methods: We implemented FA-PP for clinical use in the microbiology laboratory in March 2020. We performed a retrospective analysis on a consecutive cohort of adult patient hospitalized in ICUs between March 2020 and May 2020. Read More

Pathogens 2021 May 13;10(5). Epub 2021 May 13.

Core Support Directorate, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Frederick, MD 21702, USA.

Tularemia is a severe, zoonotic infection caused by the Gram-negative bacterium . Inhalation results in a rapid, severe bacterial pneumonia and sepsis, which can be lethal. Because the cynomolgus macaque is the accepted nonhuman primate model for tularemia, we conducted a natural history study of pneumonic tularemia by exposing macaques to target inhaled doses of 50, 500, or 5000 colony forming units (CFU) of subsp. Read More

PLoS One 2021 1;16(6):e0252507. Epub 2021 Jun 1.

Department of Molecular Biosciences, College of Natural Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America.

We recently developed 'cellular' reagents-lyophilized bacteria overexpressing proteins of interest-that can replace commercial pure enzymes in typical diagnostic and molecular biology reactions. To make cellular reagent technology widely accessible and amenable to local production with minimal instrumentation, we now report a significantly simplified method for preparing cellular reagents that requires only a common bacterial incubator to grow and subsequently dry enzyme-expressing bacteria at 37°C with the aid of inexpensive chemical desiccants. We demonstrate application of such dried cellular reagents in common molecular and synthetic biology processes, such as PCR, qPCR, reverse transcription, isothermal amplification, and Golden Gate DNA assembly, in building easy-to-use testing kits, and in rapid reagent production for meeting extraordinary diagnostic demands such as those being faced in the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Read More

BMC Pulm Med 2021 May 8;21(1):154. Epub 2021 May 8.

Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Background: Lefamulin, a first-in-class pleuromutilin antibiotic approved for intravenous and oral use in adults with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP), was noninferior to moxifloxacin in the Lefamulin Evaluation Against Pneumonia (LEAP) 1 intravenous-to-oral switch study and the LEAP 2 oral-only study. Using pooled LEAP 1/2 data, we examined lefamulin efficacy/safety overall and within subgroups of patients presenting with comorbidities typical in CABP management.

Methods: In LEAP 1, adults with CABP were randomized to receive intravenous lefamulin (150 mg every 12 h) for 5‒7 days or moxifloxacin (400 mg every 24 h) for 7 days, with optional intravenous-to-oral switch if predefined improvement criteria were met. Read More

Dtsch Med Wochenschr 2021 Apr 30;146(9):603-607. Epub 2021 Apr 30.

Bundeswehrzentralkrankenhaus Koblenz, Abteilung I - Klinik für Innere Medizin.

History And Clinical Findings:  A 68-year-old male patient with psorias and a bullous pemphigoid as an underlying disease developed bilateral groundglass opacities on chest CT under longer-term, higher-dose immunosuppressive therapy with methylprednisolone with clinical symptoms of dry cough, progressive dyspnea and fever.

Diagnosis And Therapy:  After the exclusion of COVID-19, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) was detected and a corresponding high-dose therapy with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was initiated promptly.

Course:  Nonetheless, a complicated course with bacterial superinfection and pulmonary aspergillosis as well as ARDS developed. Read More

J Int Med Res 2021 Apr;49(4):3000605211008073

Department of Liver and Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Hangzhou, China.

Hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome (HIES) is a rare immunologic disorder. Typical clinical features of HIES include recurrent bacterial pneumonia, lung cysts, characteristic facial features, and newborn dermatitis. The varied clinical presentation can lead to a delayed diagnosis. Read More

Open Forum Infect Dis 2021 Apr 18;8(4):ofab082. Epub 2021 Feb 18.

Department of Internal Medicine, Drammen Hospital, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Drammen, Norway.

Background: Iron is crucial for survival and growth of microbes. Consequently, limiting iron availability is a human antimicrobial defense mechanism. We explored iron and iron-related proteins as potential biomarkers in community-acquired pneumonia and hypothesized that infection-induced changes in these potential biomarkers differ between groups of pathogens and could predict microbial etiology. Read More

Pneumologie 2021 Apr 19. Epub 2021 Apr 19.

Vamed Klinik Hagen-Ambrock, Klinik für Pneumologie, Hagen Ambrock.

We present the case of a slightly obese 39-year-old patient with a severe course of COVID-19 pneumonia. The patient was referred from a hospital to regular care with suspected COVID-19 pneumonia. The initial clinical symptoms consisted of dysuria and fever. Read More

Lin Chung Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi 2021 Apr;35(4):324-327

Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery，Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Sun Yat-sen University，Zhongshan People's Hospital，Zhongshan，528403，China.

To summarize the clinical manifestations and treatment of patients with deep neck infection with descending mediastinal infection. The clinical data of 12 patients with deep neck infection with descending mediastinal infection were reviewed. The clinical manifestations, infection origin, bacterial culture results, related systemic diseases, surgical drainage methods and treatment results were analyzed. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2021 Mar;100(12):e25232

Department of Radiology.

Abstract: We aimed to investigate the relationship of radiological features and the corresponding pulmonary pathology of patients with Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pneumonia.In this multicenter study, serial chest CT and radiographic images from 9 patients (51-85 years old, 56% male) were reviewed and analyzed. Postmortem lungs were sampled and studied from these autopsies, with a special focus on several corresponding sites based on imaging features. Read More

Case Rep Infect Dis 2021 6;2021:6651430. Epub 2021 Mar 6.

Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Environmental Medicine, University of Missouri Hospital and Clinic, 1 Hospital Dr, Columbia, MO 65212, USA.

Pneumonia is a severe acute inflammation of the lower respiratory tract due to infectious pathogens. Pathogens responsible include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Pneumonia categorizations include community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), hospital-acquired pneumonia, and ventilator-associated pneumonia. Read More

Open Forum Infect Dis 2021 Mar 4;8(3):ofab065. Epub 2021 Feb 4.

Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

Background: Limited clinical data suggest a ~16% prevalence of bacterial superinfections among critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: We reviewed postmortem studies of patients with COVID-19 published in English through September 26, 2020, for histopathologic findings consistent with bacterial lung infections.

Results: Worldwide, 621 patients from 75 studies were included. Read More

BMJ Health Care Inform 2021 Mar;28(1)

Postgraduate School of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Gibraltar Health Authority, Gibraltar, Gibraltar

Objectives: Identifying those individuals requiring medical care is a basic tenet of the pandemic response. Here, we examine the COVID-19 community triage pathways employed by four nations, specifically comparing the safety and efficacy of national online 'symptom checkers' used within the triage pathway.

Methods: A simulation study was conducted on current, nationwide, patient-led symptom checkers from four countries (Singapore, Japan, USA and UK). Read More

Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen 2021 03 4;141(4). Epub 2021 Mar 4.

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis is a major public health issue worldwide and is frequently overlooked, particularly in our part of the world. More caution with regard to symptoms could facilitate faster diagnosis, better treatment, and decreased morbidity and mortality.

Case Presentation: We describe the disease course in a middle-aged man presenting with non-productive cough, right-sided pleural effusion and fatigue. Read More

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2021 Mar 3. Epub 2021 Mar 3.

Myanmar Oxford Clinical Research Unit, Yangon, Myanmar.

Background: Lower respiratory infections constitute a major disease burden worldwide. Treatment is usually empiric and targeted towards typical bacterial pathogens. Understanding the prevalence of pathogens not covered by empirical treatment is important to improve diagnostic and treatment algorithms. Read More

J Clin Med 2021 Feb 12;10(4). Epub 2021 Feb 12.

Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a heterogeneous syndrome with multiple underlying diseases. Particularly epithelial damage results from direct (e.g. Read More

Front Public Health 2021 16;9:559595. Epub 2021 Feb 16.

Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Mexico.

Uncontrolled diabetes results in several metabolic alterations including hyperglycemia. Indeed, several preclinical and clinical studies have suggested that this condition may induce susceptibility and the development of more aggressive infectious diseases, especially those caused by some bacteria (including , and , among others) and viruses [such as coronavirus 2 (CoV2), Influenza A virus, Hepatitis B, etc.]. Read More

Interdiscip Sci 2021 Jun 27;13(2):273-285. Epub 2021 Feb 27.

Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510530, China.

Computed tomography (CT) is one of the most efficient diagnostic methods for rapid diagnosis of the widespread COVID-19. However, reading CT films brings a lot of concentration and time for doctors. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an automatic CT image diagnosis system to assist doctors in diagnosis. Read More

Trials 2021 Feb 11;22(1):131. Epub 2021 Feb 11.

Hôpital de Hautepierre, Service d'Anesthésie-Réanimation et Médecine Péri-Opératoire, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.

Objectives: The main objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of intravenous lidocaine on gas exchange and inflammation in acute respiratory distress syndrome due or not to Covid-19 pneumonia.

Trial Design: This is a prospective monocentric, randomized, quadruple-blinded and placebo-controlled superiority trial. This phase 3 clinical study is based on two parallel groups received either intravenous lidocaine 2% or intravenous NaCl 0. Read More

J Med Case Rep 2021 Feb 8;15(1):65. Epub 2021 Feb 8.

Department of Nephrology and Internal Medicine, Shahid Mohammadi Hospital, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran.

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused irreparable damage to society, and the damage continues. Pediatricians are confronted with COVID-19 in a variety of presentations, which may lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Early diagnosis of the disease plays an important role in preventing transmission of the virus in the community. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2021 Feb 2;22(3). Epub 2021 Feb 2.

Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Akademicka St. 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland.

are Gram-stain-negative rods associated with water environments: either natural or man-made systems. The inhalation of aerosols containing bacteria leads to the development of a severe pneumonia termed Legionnaires' disease. To establish an infection, these bacteria adapt to growth in the hostile environment of the host through the unusual structures of macromolecules that build the cell surface. Read More

J Korean Med Sci 2021 Feb 1;36(5):e46. Epub 2021 Feb 1.

Division of Pulmonology and Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, Regional Center for Respiratory Diseases, Yeungnam University Medical Center, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Korea.

Background: It is difficult to distinguish subtle differences shown in computed tomography (CT) images of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and bacterial pneumonia patients, which often leads to an inaccurate diagnosis. It is desirable to design and evaluate interpretable feature extraction techniques to describe the patient's condition.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of 170 confirmed patients with COVID-19 or bacterial pneumonia acquired at Yeungnam University Hospital in Daegu, Korea. Read More

Engineering (Beijing) 2020 Oct 8;6(10):1178-1184. Epub 2020 Jun 8.

State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious infectious disease. Similar to H7N9 infection, pneumonia and cytokine storm are typical clinical manifestations of COVID-19. Our previous studies found that H7N9 patients had intestinal dysbiosis. Read More

Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 2021 Apr 13;251:119459. Epub 2021 Jan 13.

Natural Product Chemistry Group, Chemical Science and Technology Division, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat, Assam 785006, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-NEIST Campus, India. Electronic address:

An environment-friendly and economically sound method was developed to achieve a multi-functional ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using water extract of Livistona jekinsiana. The ZnO NPs absorbed maximum wavelength of light at 332 nm in UV-Visible spectroscopy (UV/Vis). X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) pattern revealed the crystallinity of the nanoparticles with the crystallite size around 22. Read More

Sci Rep 2021 01 21;11(1):1930. Epub 2021 Jan 21.

Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.

SARS-CoV-2 infection has spread uncontrollably worldwide while it remains unknown how vulnerable populations, such as Down syndrome (DS) individuals are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals with DS have more risk of infections with respiratory complications and present signs of auto-inflammation. They also present with multiple comorbidities that are associated with poorer COVID-19 prognosis in the general population. Read More

Sci Rep 2021 01 21;11(1):2051. Epub 2021 Jan 21.

Greater Boston Pandemic Fabrication Team (PanFab) c/o Harvard-MIT Center for Regulatory Science, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to widespread shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers, including of N95 masks (filtering facepiece respirators; FFRs). These masks are intended for single use but their sterilization and subsequent reuse has the potential to substantially mitigate shortages. Here we investigate PPE sterilization using ionized hydrogen peroxide (iHP), generated by SteraMist equipment (TOMI; Frederick, MD), in a sealed environment chamber. Read More

Epidemiol Mikrobiol Imunol 2020 ;69(4):164-171

Aims: To process data from the first wave of Covid-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) collected in the Infectious Diseases Clinic (IDC) of the First Faculty of Medicine and Central Military Hospital, Prague. To analyse some clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of Covid-19 in the context of the Czech Republic and to compare them with the data from the most recent literature.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective study analysed data on patients admitted to the IDC between 12 March 2020 and 5 May 2020. Read More