Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii; Cytomegalovirus; Serological status; Women of reproductive age

The aim of this study is to examine the prognostic role of initial chest computed tomography severity score index (CTSS) and its association with demographic, socio-epidemiological, and clinical parameters in COVID-19 hospitalized patients. A retrospective study included patients who were hospitalized in the COVID Hospital of the Clinical Hospital Center Kosovska Mitrovica from July 2020 to March 2022. We compared patient characteristics and outcome of their hospital stay with values of CT severity score (mild, moderate, and severe form of the disease). Patients with severe disease were statistically significantly older, they treated more days, and they presented statistically significant highest mortality rate compared to mild and moderate forms. Smokers and obese were significantly more frequent among patients with higher CT, while vaccinated patients were more common among those with a mild form. Biochemical parameters at admission also showed statistical significance between the examined groups. We can conclude that by employing the initial CT severity score as the strongest predictor of mortality, it is possible to predict the outcome in hospitalized patients. A comprehensive examination of the patient upon admission, including determining the extent of inflammatory changes in the lungs using computed tomography, the levels of oxygen saturation, and other laboratory parameters, can assist doctors in making an adequate clinical evaluation and apply appropriate therapeutic protocols in the treatment of COVID-19.

Introduction: Measles is among the most contagious and vaccine-preventable respiratory diseases. The aim of this research was to describe the socio-demographic profile, clinical manifestations and laboratory parameters of measles patients hospitalized at Kosovska Mitrovica Clinical Centre during the 2017−2019 outbreak. Methodology: The prospective study included all patients that had contracted measles (107) who were hospitalized at Kosovska Mitrovica Clinical Centre during the outbreak. All complications that led to hospitalization were analyzed and the frequencies of complications with respect to patient age and vaccination status were recorded. Results: More than half (51%) of the patients were unvaccinated. Patients’ age varied statistically significantly with respect to vaccination status. Pneumonia was noted in 65% of the patients from the younger age group, compared to 32% of adults, and this difference was statistically significant. Hepatitis was a significantly more frequent complication in adults, affecting 36% of measles patients in this age group, compared to only 7% of those aged below 18 years. In the unvaccinated group, 71% pneumonia frequency was noted, compared to 11% and 35% in the vaccinated and unknown vaccination status groups, respectively. The differences in frequencies based on vaccination status were statistically significant. Conclusions: Most hospitalized patients were unvaccinated. Complications showed a significant difference with respect to the age and vaccination status of patients. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out continuous health promotion activities to raise awareness among the entire population of the importance and need for vaccination of children against measles, but also adults who have not been previously vaccinated.

The aim of this study is to determine the demographic and initial clinical characteristics of patients with COVID-19 and their importance in evaluating the severity of the disease. A retrospective study included patients suffering from COVID-19 who were hospitalized at The Department of Infectious Disease of the Clinical Hospital Center Pristina—Gracanica from the beginning of the pandemic until the end of 2020. We compared the symptoms of the disease, radiographic findings of pneumonia, laboratory parameters, duration of symptoms before admission, the difference in the need for certain therapies, and the presence of comorbidities between non-severe and severe groups of patients. Patients with a severe disease were statistically significantly older. Hypertension was significantly associated with severe clinical conditions. Radiographic findings of bilateral pneumonia on admission were much more frequent among the severe group, and these patients’ need for oxygen support was significantly higher. Lower neutrophil and higher lymphocyte counts were statistically significant in the non-severe group. Biochemical parameters at admission also showed statistical significance between the examined groups. Based on our research, we can conclude that a complete overview of the patient, including demographic and laboratory parameters as perhaps the most significant attributes, can help doctors in the timely clinical assessment of patients and, thus, in the timely application of adequate therapeutic protocols in the treatment of COVID-19.

Background/Aim. The area of lung ultrasonography is fast developing and it provides the medical community with numerous new diagnostic opportunities. The aim of this study was to examine the etiology of dyspnea on admission and to assess the stage of heart failure (HF) according to the ultrasound examination of the heart and lungs on admission. Methods. The cross-sectional study included total of 110 patients treated with the symptoms of dyspnea. The study included all patients treated for any heart or pulmonary condition, as well as patients who reported the first episode of dyspnea without any previous illness. The most important diagnostic sign in the ultrasound of the lungs in HF is the appearance of B lines or comets, which indicate the accumulation of fluid in the interstitium of the lungs. Results. The mean number of registered comets was 14.2±7.4 (minimum 2, maximum 30). The mean number of comets among patients with HF was 18.8±5.9. The mean number of comets among patients without HF was 8.0±3.7, p<0.001. Multivariate linear regression analyses showed the association between the number of comets and HF group (p<0.001). Conclusion. As the assessment of pulmonary comets is safe and non-invasive it can easily be integrated in the daily clinical practice because it has been shown that the number of ultrasound pulmonary comets is significantly higher in patients with HF compared to those with dyspnea of other etiologies.

Introduction/Aim: Pleural effusions are rarely seen on computerized tomography (CT) or radiography (X-ray) images of the chest, in coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19). When present, they usually occur late in the course of the disease; they are mostly unilateral but can also be bilateral, and are absorbed after two days. Studies have also shown that pleural effusions occur primarily in the elderly and individuals with underlying respiratory disease. The incidence of respiratory failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome, as well as the mortality rates are higher in patients with pleural effusion than in patients without it. Our aim is to report a case that is different from the most commonly described cases in available literature. Patient presentation: We present a 49-year-old, comorbidity-free COVID-19 patient, who developed pleural effusion on the 10th day of hospitalization. The pleural effusion was unilateral and did not appear on a repeat lung radiography after four days. Except an elevated platelet count, the blood count parameters were in the reference ranges, while the value of CRP was slightly elevated. The patient was discharged with a good general health status, after 16 days of hospitalization. Conclusion: This case provides insight into the course and prognosis of the COVID-19 disease that is different from what has been reported in previously published papers and shows that pleural effusions do not occur only in elderly patients with comorbidities and a severe clinical presentation of the COVID-19 infection.