A transplanted stem cell homing is a directed migration from the application site to the targeted tissue. Intrathecal application of stem cells is their direct delivery to cerebrospinal fluid, which defines the homing path from the point of injection to the brain. In the case of neurodegenerative diseases, this application method has the advantage of no blood–brain barrier restriction. However, the homing efficiency still needs improvement and homing mechanisms elucidation. Analysis of current research results on homing mechanisms in the light of intrathecal administration revealed a discrepancy between in vivo and in vitro results and a gap between preclinical and clinical research. Combining the existing research with novel insights from cutting-edge biochips, nano, and other technologies and computational models may bridge this gap faster.

The aim of this study was to investigate the differences of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-COVID-19 era. CDI patients treated at the Clinic for Infectious Diseases, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Serbia during 2017–2019 (n = 304) were compared with COVID-19/CDI patients treated in period September 2021–September 2022 (n = 387). Groups were compared by age, gender, comorbidities, previous medications, laboratory findings, and outcome within 30 days. In the CDI/COVID-19 group, we found: greater percentage of males 59.8% vs. 42.6% (p ≤ 0.001), older age 72.8 ± 9.4 vs. 65.6 ± 11.7 (p ≤ 0.001), higher Charlson comorbidity score (CCS) (3.06 ± 1.54 vs. 2.33 ± 1.34 (p ≤ 0.001), greater percentage of chronic renal failure (33.9% vs. 23.4% (p = 0.003), malignances (24.3% vs. 13.5% (p ≤ 0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (22.7% vs. 15.5% (p = 0.017), higher usage of macrolide (38.5% vs. 8.6% (p ≤ 0.001), greater percentage of patients with hypoalbuminemia ≤25 g/L (19.6% vs. 12.2% (p ≤ 0.001), lower percentage of patients with elevated creatinine (≥200 mmol/L) (31.5% vs. 43.8%) (p = 0.002), and greater percentage of lethal outcome 29.5% vs. 6.6% (p ≤ 0.001). In the prediction of lethal outcome multivariate regression analysis extracted as an independent predictor, only higher CRP values in the non-COVID-19 group and in the COVID-19 group: older age (p ≤ 0.001), CCS (p = 0.019) and CRP (p = 0.015). COVID-19 changes the disease course of CDI and should be taken into consideration when managing those patients.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the clinical form, risk factors, and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 and Clostridioides difficile co-infections. Methods: This retrospective study (2 September 2021–1 April 2022) included all patients with Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) and COVID-19 infection who were admitted to the Covid Hospital of the University Clinical Center of Vojvodina. Results: A total of 5124 COVID-19 patients were admitted to the Covid Hospital, and 326 of them (6.36%) developed hospital-onset CDI. Of those, 326 of the CDI patients (88.65%) were older than 65 years. The median time of CDI onset was 12.88 days. Previous hospitalizations showed 69.93% of CDI patients compared to 38.81% in the non-CDI group (p = 0.029). The concomitant antibiotics exposure was higher among the CDI group versus the non-CDI group (88.65% vs. 68.42%, p = 0.037). Albumin levels were ≤ 25 g/L among 39.57% of the CDI patients and 21.71% in the non-CDI patients (p = 0.021). The clinical manifestations of CDI ranged from mild diarrhea (26.9%) to severe diarrhea (63.49%) and a complicated form of colitis (9.81%). Regarding outcomes, 79.14% of the CDI patients recovered and 20.86% had fatal outcomes in-hospital. Although a minority of the patients were in the non-CDI group, the difference in mortality rate between the CDI and non-CDI group was not statistically significant (20.86% vs. 15.13%, p = 0.097). Conclusions: Elderly patients on concomitant antibiotic treatments with hypoalbuminemia and with previous healthcare exposures were the most affected by COVID-19 and CD co-infections.

Background/Aim. Quantitative hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (qHBsAg) has become increasingly wide-spread in the last few years in both diagnostic and therapeutic protocols for HBV infection. Numerous studies have proposed it as a surrogate marker for covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). The aim of the study was to determine the correlation between qHBsAg and HBV DNA viremia in untreated patients. Methods. The study included 112 untreated patients diagnosed with chronic HBV infection. Demographic and other data from medical records and laboratory analyses, taken as part of routine chronic HBV infection diagnosis with the determination of qHBsAg and HBV DNA viremia, were recorded for all patients. Results. The average age of the patients included in the study was 48.27 ? 15.14 years; males (58%) were more represented. qHBsAg levels had a high-intensity positive correlation with HBV DNA viremia. The concentration of qHBsAg, HBV DNA viremia, and the concentrations of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase showed statistically significantly higher values in HBV e antigen (HBeAg)-positive than in HBeAg-negative patients. Conclusion. Our study showed that qHBsAg has a high-intensity positive correlation with HBV DNA viremia. The use of qHBsAg is essential for determining the phase of chronic HBV infection, assessment of the success and length of treatment, as well as for safe discontinuation of antiviral therapy with a lower risk of relapse.

Introduction. Molnupiravir is an orally administered antiviral agent approved for the treatment patients with mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Its antiviral effect is based on the inhibition of viral replication. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of molnupiravir in clinical practice. Material and Methods. This retrospective study included 74 non-hospitalized patients with mild to moderate clinical presentation who were treated with molnupiravir at the Covid Hospital of the University Clinical Center of Vojvodina during 2022. Treatment efficacy was assessed based on the occurrence of hospitalization or death within 28 days after therapy initiation. Results. Disease progression requiring hospitalization occurred in 4 of 74 patients (5.4%). No deaths were recorded during the 28-day follow-up. Molnupiravir treatment was not associated with a significant reduction in viral load by day 5 of therapy. Conclusion. When administered within the first three days after symptom onset, molnupiravir appears to reduce the risk of hospitalization and mortality.

Background and Objectives: Oral antiviral agents nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (NMV/r) and molnupiravir are recommended for the early treatment of non-hospitalized adults with COVID-19 who are at increased risk of disease progression. Real-world comparative data on these two agents remain limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of NMV/r and molnupiravir in non-hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective, single-center study with a sample size of 122 initially non-hospitalized adults with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection treated at the Clinic for Infectious Diseases, University Clinical Center of Vojvodina (UCCV), Novi Sad, Serbia, during 2022. Patients were treated within the first five days of symptom onset with either NMV/r (n = 48) or molnupiravir (n = 74) for five days. Demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, comorbidities, vaccination status, laboratory parameters at baseline and on day 3, chest radiography findings, hospitalization, and mortality were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 21 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results: The groups did not differ significantly in age, sex, vaccination status, or vaccine type. Between baseline and day 3, the increase in lymphocyte count (p < 0.001) was significantly greater in the molnupiravir group. Chest radiography showed no significant between-group differences. Overall, 6 patients (4.9%) were hospitalized, with no significant difference between antiviral agents (p = 1.000), and no deaths occurred. Among patient-reported symptoms effects, the incidence of dysgeusia was significantly higher in patients treated with NMV/r (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Both antivirals showed similarly low progression, hospitalization, and mortality rates.