Phylodynamic evolution of HIV-1 A6 sub-subtype epidemics in Poland.

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) A6 sub-subtype is highly prevalent in Eastern Europe. Over the past decade, the dissemination of the A6 lineage has been expanding in Poland. The recent Russian invasion of Ukraine may further escalate the spread of this sub-subtype. While evolutionary studies using viral sequences have been instrumental in identifying the HIV epidemic patterns, the origins, and dynamics of the A6 sub-subtype in Poland remain to be explored. We analyzed 1185 HIV-1 A6 pol sequences from Poland, along with 8318 publicly available sequences from other countries. For analyses, phylogenetic tree construction, population dynamics inference, Bayesian analysis, and discrete phylogeographic modeling were employed. Of the introduction events to Poland, 69.94% originated from Ukraine, followed by 29.17% from Russia. Most A6 sequences in Poland (53.16%) formed four large clades, with their introductions spanning 1993-2008. Central and Southern Polish regions significantly influenced migration events. Transmissions among men who have sex with men (MSM) emerged as the dominant risk group for virus circulation, representing 72.92% of migration events. Sequences from migrants were found primarily outside the large clades. Past migration from Ukraine has fueled the spread of the A6 sub-subtype and the current influx of war-displaced people maintains the growing national epidemic.

Improved survival in intensive care unit in severe COVID-19 associated with amantadine use - retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: Possible immunomodulatory effect of amantadine in patients treated in intensive care unit (ICU), mostly among patients with brain injuries or vascular diseases was observed in several studies. The potential antiviral effect of amantadine against SARS-CoV-2 was discarded in clinical trials; however, immunomodulatory potential was not studied. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of immunomodulatory amantadine therapy on mortality in patients with respiratory insufficiency due to COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation in ICU. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 241 cases of 141 (58.5%) receiving intravenous amantadine sulfate vs 100 (41.5%) controls on standard of care only was performed. RESULTS: Overall mortality was 72.6%, being notably lower among amantadine treated patients (59.5%, n = 84) compared with controls (91%, n = 91), P-value = 0.001. In multivariate models administration of amantadine was independently associated with lower mortality rate (hazard ratio: 0.220, CI: 0.146-0.333 P-value = 0.001). Furthermore, survival was improved in patients who received amantadine; late administration of amantadine after 5th day was independently associated with lower mortality (hazard ratio: 0.560, CI: 0.313-0.999, P-value = 0.050). CONCLUSION: In patients treated in ICU with severe respiratory failure, administration of amantadine is associated with lower mortality, which may be associated with the potential anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of this agent.

Septic Shock Induced by Vibrio Vulnificus in Northern Poland, a Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Vibrio vulnificus infections are a growing problem worldwide. In recent years, infections with this bacteria have been reported in Central Europe, especially in the German Baltic coast but also in France and Italy. Climate warming causes the sea temperature to increase every year, which translates to an increased risk of infections from the Vibrio group. Most of these are mild and present as wound infections, but some patients develop life-threatening sepsis from either ingestion of infected mollusks or wound lesions that develop into generalized infections. Illness may be associated with necrotizing fasciitis and may require several weeks of therapy, often based on a surgical operation, demarcation of necrosis or limb amputation. A case such as the one described in this manuscript has not been previously described in Poland and demonstrates the need for a multidisciplinary approach to infection with Vibrio vulnificus. CASE PRESENTATION: A 68-year-old patient was pricked with an unknown object in the side of a lower limb during his stay at the Polish seaside. He developed a life-threatening infection in the form of severe sepsis with multiple organ failure. He required broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, and after obtaining results for Vibrio vulnificus targeted therapy, a surgical operation with skin lesion decompression and fasciotomy was performed. Finally, hyperbaric chamber therapy was given. The patient's general condition improved, and local changes and his vital parameters stabilized. CONCLUSION: Vibrio vulnificus infection may be confused with other causes of skin and subcutaneous tissue infection, although it requires a different approach and different targeted antibiotic therapies. This infection may take the form of a life-threatening disease requiring a multidisciplinary approach.

Hepatotropic Properties of SARS-CoV-2-Preliminary Results of Cross-Sectional Observational Study from the First Wave COVID-19 Pandemic.

Liver injury-expressed as elevated liver enzymes-is common in patients with COVID-19. Little is known about the potential mechanisms of liver damage by SARS-CoV-2. A direct cytopathic effect on hepatocytes as well as injury related to hypoxia or hepatotoxicity are being considered. The aim of the study was to compare the clinical characteristic of COVID-19 disease in patients with normal and abnormal liver enzymes activity. A group of 150 patients with COVID-19, hospitalized in our center, was analyzed. Patients with the known liver comorbidities were excluded (n = 15). Clinical features and laboratory parameters were compared between patients with normal and abnormal aminotransferase values. Liver injury expressed as any alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation was noted in 45.6% of patients hospitalized due to COVID-19. The frequencies of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) elevation were lower. It was noted that elevated ALT/AST unfavorably affected other parameters related to liver function such as albumin level; gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP); and partly, ALP activity and influenced inflammation-related parameters. The most probable cause of mild hepatitis during COVID-19 was anoxia and immune-mediated damage due to the inflammatory response following SARS-CoV-2 infection. A direct cytopathic effect of SARS-CoV-2 on hepatocytes, albeit less probable, can be considered as well. The use of potentially hepatotoxic drugs may contribute to liver damage.

Hepatitis C coinfection adversely affects the life expectancy of people living with HIV in northwestern Poland.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis C (HCV) infection adversely affects survival among people living with HIV, increasing mortality risk due to liver-related causes. In Poland HCV is found among ~30% of HIV infected individuals, with only a small percentage successfully treated for this coinfection. This study aimed to analyze the HCV-associated influence on the life expectancy among HIV/HCV coinfected patients from northwestern Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Longitudinal data of 701 (368 HIV monoinfected and 368 HIV/HCV coinfected) patients were investigated to assess the life expectancy and survival after HIV diagnosis. Kaplan-Meier and Cox analyses were used to assess the mortality risk in both unadjusted and multivariate models. Effect plots indicate the adjusted hazard ratio for HCV-associated survival. RESULTS: Overall mortality was significantly higher among HCV coinfected (22.52%) compared to HIV monoinfected (10.32%) cases (p < 0.001, OR = 2.52 (95% CI: 1.65-3.85)), with shorter life expectancy among HIV/HCV infected patients (median: 55.4 (IQR: 42.8-59.1) years) compared to HIV monoinfection (median 72.7 (IQR: 60.4-76.8) years, univariate HR = 4.15 (95% CI: 2.7-6.38), p < 0.0001, adjusted HR = 2.32 (95% CI: 1.47-3.65), p < 0.0001). After HIV diagnosis, HCV adversely influenced the survival after 15 years of follow-up, with a strengthened impact in the subsequent 5 years (univariate HR = 1.57 (95% CI: 1.05-2.34) p = 0.026 for the 20-year survival time point, adjusted HR = 2.21 (95% CI: 1.18-4.13), p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients living with HIV, HCV coinfection is associated with a median life expectancy decrease of 17.3 years and low probability of surviving until the age of 65 years. In the era of directly acting anti-HCV drugs, treatment scale-up and immediacy of treatment are advisable in this cohort.