Dragos Catalin Ghica

Dr. Dragos Catalin Ghica

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

9Years (2018-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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30 August 2022 in Children
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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ALAncuta Lupu
Ancuta Lupu
IMIngrith Miron
Ingrith Miron
APAnca Lavinia Postolache
Anca Lavinia Postolache
TCTudor Andrei Cernomaz
Tudor Andrei Cernomaz
VLVasile Valeriu Lupu
Vasile Valeriu Lupu
SFSilvia Fotea
Silvia Fotea
(1) Background: Many studies suggest that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is associated with a higher prevalence of anemia. The aim of this study is to explore this fact for a pediatric population from the northeast of Romania; (2) Methods: A correlational retrospective study between infection with H. pylori and anemia was performed on a group of 542 children in a pediatric gastroenterology regional center in Northeast Romania; (3) Results: Out of 542 children with confirmed H. pylori infection, microcytic hypochromic anemia was present in 48 children, of whom 7 (14.5%) also had iron deficiency.; (4) Conclusions: The study results demonstrate a significant association of H. pylori infection with iron-deficiency anemia and iron deficiency in children in accordance with the results established in the published literature. Although the direct relationship between them it is not clear yet, prevention represents one of the first clinical measures that need to be implemented when encountering a refractory moderate to severe iron-deficiency anemia and, especially, when associated with gastrointestinal tract symptoms.

24 July 2023 in Nutrients
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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ALAncuta Lupu
Ancuta Lupu
EJElena Jechel
Elena Jechel
CMCristina Maria Mihai
Cristina Maria Mihai
EMElena Cristina Mitrofan
Elena Cristina Mitrofan
SFSilvia Fotea
Silvia Fotea
VLVasile Valeriu Lupu
Vasile Valeriu Lupu
Considered to be of greater complexity than the human genome itself, the microbiome, the structure of the body made up of trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, has proven to play a crucial role in the context of the development of pathological processes in the body, starting from various infections, autoimmune diseases, atopies, and culminating in its involvement in the development of some forms of cancer, a diagnosis that is considered the most disabling for the patient from a psychological point of view. Therefore, being a cornerstone in the understanding and optimal treatment of a multitude of ailments, the body’s microbiome has become an intensively studied subject in the scientific literature of the last decade. This review aims to bring the microbiome–asthma correlation up to date by classifying asthmatic patterns, emphasizing the development patterns of the microbiome starting from the perinatal period and the impact of pulmonary dysbiosis on asthmatic symptoms in children. Likewise, the effects of intestinal dysbiosis reflected at the level of homeostasis of the internal environment through the intestine–lung/vital organs axis, the circumstances in which it occurs, but also the main methods of studying bacterial variability used for diagnostic purposes and in research should not be omitted. In conclusion, we draw current and future therapeutic lines worthy of consideration both in obtaining and maintaining remission, as well as in delaying the development of primary acute episodes and preventing future relapses.

29 May 2023 in Nutrients
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
VLVasile Valeriu Lupu
Vasile Valeriu Lupu
EJElena Jechel
Elena Jechel
CMCristina Maria Mihai
Cristina Maria Mihai
EMElena Cristina Mitrofan
Elena Cristina Mitrofan
ALAncuta Lupu
Ancuta Lupu
IIIleana katerina Ioniuc
Ileana katerina Ioniuc
Celiac disease (CD) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are two diseases intensively studied in all age groups, with an increasing incidence at the global level, possibly due to the increased awareness of the diseases and their accurate diagnosis and as a consequence of the new research and innovation technologies that have appeared in medicine. The first is a controllable condition found in approximately 1% of the entire population in the form of a reaction to environmental stimuli affecting individuals with genetic susceptibility, causing gluten intolerance, gastrointestinal and extradigestive symptoms, starting from subclinical stages and culminating in severe malabsorption. On the other hand, lupus is an autoimmune disease with chameleon-like symptoms and found mainly in the female sex, which leaves its clinical mark on most organs, from the skin, eyes, and kidneys to the cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, osteoarticular, and hematological systems. Current studies focus on the correlation between celiac disease and other autoimmune pathologies such as autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto and Graves–Basedow), type I diabetes, and systemic lupus erythematosus. The current review aims to present a summary of the data from the specialized literature regarding the intercurrents between celiac disease and lupus by analyzing the most recent studies published on PubMed.

1 September 2018 in Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
VLVasile Valeriu Lupu
Vasile Valeriu Lupu
MBMarin Burlea
Marin Burlea
NNNicolai Nistor
Nicolai Nistor
VSVioleta Streanga
Violeta Streanga
ISIULIANA MAGDALENA STARCEA
IULIANA MAGDALENA STARCEA
AIAncuta Ignat
Ancuta Ignat
Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is the intermittent or permanent passage of stomach content into the esophagus and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the reflux which triggers a whole set of symptoms or complications. The study compares the 24-hours esophageal pH-metry, used for diagnosis of the GERD, with the esophagitis degree observed at the upper digestive endoscopy. 72 children were included, aged over 4 years old, admitted in a pediatric gastroenterology regional center in Northeast Romania, diagnosed with GERD by 24 hours pH-metry (with a positive Boix–Ochoa score), which also underwent the upper digestive endoscopy. Out of the 72 children diagnosed with GERD, 47 (65.28%) had grade A esophagitis and 25 (34.72%) grade B esophagitis. In GERD associated with grade B esophagitis the Boix–Ochoa score is statistically significant higher, compared with the GERD associated with grade A esophagitis (F = 9.76, P = .0036, 95% CI). Upper digestive endoscopy performed in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease shows the constant presence of esophagitis at all patients. There were only grade A and B esophagitis due to the fact that they are young patients with a relative short history of the disease. The correlation tests show a perfect parallel between the pH-metry scores and the endoscopic lesion. The correlation is so accurate that the pH-metry scores can be sufficient to prove GERD and the grade of esophagitis, the upper digestive endoscopy being reserved only for the cases that does not respond to the medical treatment or have other complications.

21 August 2025 in Nutrients
Verified
Journal Article
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ALAncuta Lupu
Ancuta Lupu
ARAnca Adam Raileanu
Anca Adam Raileanu
LBLaura Iulia Bozomitu
Laura Iulia Bozomitu
NGNicoleta Gimiga
Nicoleta Gimiga
LFLorenza Forna
Lorenza Forna
VLVasile Valeriu Lupu
Vasile Valeriu Lupu
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) represents a major healthcare problem, colonizing more than half of the population worldwide. Usually acquired during childhood, it has a significant impact on human health. After forty years of extensive research, there are aspects of the complex H. pylori–human organism interplay that require further investigation. A comprehensive review was conducted after an extensive literature search in the PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases concerning H. pylori and human microbiota reports. Although the exact nature of H. pylori’s relation with the human microbiome remains elusive, its presence as well as its eradication treatment are associated with the alteration of bacterial communities’ composition not only in the gastric microenvironment but also in all digestive tract levels, with particular changes in both children and adults. Understanding microbiota composition is a step towards personalized medicine. Although the current literature on pediatric patients related to this topic is scarce, the available positive results reported in adult studies encourage pediatric research on microbiota manipulation, promising beneficial outcomes.

30 September 2022 in Children
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ALAncuta Lupu
Ancuta Lupu
IMIngrith Miron
Ingrith Miron
APAnca Lavinia Postolache
Anca Lavinia Postolache
TCTudor Andrei Cernomaz
Tudor Andrei Cernomaz
VLVasile Valeriu Lupu
Vasile Valeriu Lupu
SFSilvia Fotea
Silvia Fotea
(1) Background: The relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and liver disease has been discussed for many years, but the association between the infection and liver cytolysis in children has been insufficiently explored. In our study, we evaluate this relationship in a pediatric population from the northeast of Romania. (2) Methods: A retrospective study of children with H. pylori infection and liver cytolysis was conducted on a group of 1757 children, admitted to a pediatric gastroenterology regional center in northeast Romania over 3 years. (3) Results: Liver cytolysis syndrome was present in 112 children of both sexes. Of the 112 children, 20 children (17.9%) also had H. pylori infection. In the statistical analysis, we noted a significant association between liver cytolysis syndrome and H. pylori infection (χ2; p < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: This relationship requires further in-depth studies that also consider certain parameters that may influence the results of these correlations. In addition, we point out the need for further analyses evaluating, in terms of the histopathological changes in each liver disease, the efficacy of H. pylori eradication.