BMC Infectious Diseases最新文献

Affecting an estimated 4.4 billion people globally, Helicobacter pylori is a major human pathogen and the leading cause of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of H. pylori and its associated factors among young adults in Palestine. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving a total of 415 university students. Data was collected from the recruited participants using a validated self-administered questionnaire and through serological testing for anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies via an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. The overall seroprevalence of H. pylori was 51.1% (95%CI: 46.2-56.0%). Although univariate analysis revealed significant associations between seropositivity and self-reported stomachache (P = 0.006) and weight loss (P = 0.030), a subsequent multivariate logistic regression model identified two independent associated factors. The analysis showed that infrequent handwashing before meals was significantly associated with a higher risk of infection (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1-3.7; P = 0.047), as was the habit of eating unpeeled fruits (AOR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1-3.4; P = 0.031). These findings indicate a high seroprevalence of H. pylori among young adult in Palestine and underscore the critical role of personal hygiene and food safety in its transmission. This study provides a foundation for developing targeted public health interventions to reduce the burden of H. pylori infection within this community and beyond.

Background: Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKP) is an emerging pathogen capable of causing lethal metastatic infections in healthy individuals. While liver abscesses are well-described, the urinary tract is increasingly recognized as a primary portal for hematogenous dissemination.

Case presentation: A 46-year-old man with previously undiagnosed diabetes mellitus presented with community-acquired urinary tract infection (CA-UTI) that rapidly progressed to bilateral sensorineural deafness and meningitis. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) identified K. pneumoniae harboring hypervirulence genes rmpA and iucA. Blood, urine, and CSF cultures yielded an ESBL-negative, pansensitive hvKP strain. Brain MRI revealed septic emboli, consistent with hematogenous dissemination.

Conclusions: This case highlights the urinary tract as an underrecognized but lethal source of hvKP dissemination, particularly in diabetic patients. The rapid neurologic decline and permanent deafness highlight the need for early recognition and aggressive management. Virulence gene profiling should complement routine susceptibility testing. mNGS enabled rapid pathogen identification and guided targeted therapy. Clinicians must remain vigilant for CNS complications in diabetic patients with CA-UTI.

Background: Solid organ transplant recipients were among the most vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chronic immunosuppression and multiple comorbidities greatly increase the risk of severe illness and death. Despite global advances in vaccination and treatment, practical tools for early risk assessment in this group are still limited. This study aims to address this gap by identifying simple, widely available laboratory markers that can be used upon hospital admission to predict short-term outcomes in COVID-19 patients with a history of organ transplantation.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of solid organ transplant recipients hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 infection at the University Clinical Center in Gdańsk, Poland, between 2020 and 2022. Patients were admitted to either a general COVID-19 ward or an intensive care unit based on disease severity. Data were collected from electronic medical records and included demographic characteristics, chest imaging, and routine laboratory tests: lymphocyte count, serum creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the association of these variables with in-hospital mortality.

Results: Our analysis identified that elevated levels of serum creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin were significantly associated with increased risk of in-hospital mortality. Conversely, a higher lymphocyte count at admission was associated with better survival. These markers are widely available, inexpensive, and can be assessed during the initial diagnostic workup.

Conclusions: This study offers a practical, evidence-based approach to early risk stratification in transplant recipients with COVID-19. The identified laboratory markers are not only simple and accessible but also clinically meaningful, providing frontline clinicians with actionable information during the early stages of care. In light of the continued presence of COVID-19 and the likelihood of future viral outbreaks, these findings have broad implications for the management of immunosuppressed patients. The study provides valuable insights into a currently underserved area of transplant medicine and has strong potential to inform clinical practice across diverse healthcare settings.

Trial registration: Not applicable.