Anca Fericean

Dr. Anca Fericean


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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24 January 2024 in Diagnostics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Negrut NicoletaNegrut Nicoleta
Negrut Nicoleta
GMGeorgios Menegas
Georgios Menegas
SKSofia Kampioti
Sofia Kampioti
MBMaria Bourelou
Maria Bourelou
FKFrancesca Kopanyi
Francesca Kopanyi
PMPaula Marian
Paula Marian
(1) Background: COVID-19 was responsible for the latest pandemic, shaking and reshaping healthcare systems worldwide. Its late clinical manifestations make it linger in medical memory as a debilitating illness over extended periods. (2) Methods: the recent literature was systematically analyzed to categorize and examine the symptomatology and pathophysiology of Long COVID across various bodily systems, including pulmonary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neuropsychiatric, dermatological, renal, hematological, and endocrinological aspects. (3) Results: The review outlines the diverse clinical manifestations of Long COVID across multiple systems, emphasizing its complexity and challenges in diagnosis and treatment. Factors such as pre-existing conditions, initial COVID-19 severity, vaccination status, gender, and age were identified as influential in the manifestation and persistence of Long COVID symptoms. This condition is highlighted as a debilitating disease capable of enduring over an extended period and presenting new symptoms over time. (4) Conclusions: Long COVID emerges as a condition with intricate multi-systemic involvement, complicating its diagnosis and treatment. The findings underscore the necessity for a nuanced understanding of its diverse manifestations to effectively manage and address the evolving nature of this condition over time.

20 April 2025 in Microorganisms
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Harrie Toms JohnHarrie Toms John
Harrie Toms John
TTTreesa Clare Thomas
Treesa Clare Thomas
CECollins Chukwuebuka Ezenwa
Collins Chukwuebuka Ezenwa
ABAli Ali Bacar
Ali Ali Bacar
ARAnass Reggani
Anass Reggani
PMPaula Marian
Paula Marian
Trillions of microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining health and preventing disease in humans. Their presence influences daily life, habits, energy levels, and pathologies. The present narrative review synthesized recent studies of microbial diversity across organ systems. The composition of the microbiota regulates the intestinal barrier, modulates the immune response, influences metabolism, and produces essential compounds such as short-chain fatty acids and neurotransmitters. Dysbiosis is associated with numerous pathologies, including metabolic, autoimmune, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular diseases. The microbiota is key to maintaining physiological balance and reducing disease risk. Therapeutic interventions, such as probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, and microbiome transplantation, offer promising perspectives in restoring microbial homeostasis and preventing chronic diseases.

24 April 2024 in Journal of Fungi
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
AFAndreea Fitero
Andreea Fitero
Negrut NicoletaNegrut Nicoleta
Negrut Nicoleta
Harrie Toms JohnHarrie Toms John
Harrie Toms John
AFAnca Fericean
Anca Fericean
PMPaula Marian
Paula Marian
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant increase in cases of mucormycosis was observed in COVID-19 patients, especially in India, but not exclusively. The presented cases highlight the heterogeneous nature of mucormycosis, emphasizing the importance of recognizing predisposing factors, such as immunosuppression, due to comorbidities or medication. Diagnosing mucormycosis poses a challenge due to nonspecific clinical manifestations, requiring a multidisciplinary approach for accurate diagnosis. Treatment involves a multi-pronged approach centered around the early initiation of antifungal therapy alongside surgical intervention and the management of underlying conditions, with an emphasis on controlling immunosuppression. Understanding the relationship between COVID-19 and predisposing factors for mucormycosis is fundamental for developing prevention and treatment strategies.

6 November 2024 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
AFAndreea Fitero
Andreea Fitero
Negrut NicoletaNegrut Nicoleta
Negrut Nicoleta
APAnca Popa
Anca Popa
Harrie Toms JohnHarrie Toms John
Harrie Toms John
AFAnca Fericean
Anca Fericean
PMPaula Marian
Paula Marian
Background/Objectives: COVID-19 led to a pandemic that has brought misery to millions of people but more so to those with pre-existing conditions. For this infection, several antiviral drugs were employed, including remdesivir (R) and Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (NR)). Methods: The current study compared the effectiveness of remdesivir and Paxlovid treatment for COVID-19 patients with comorbid conditions. Data from a cohort of 151 adult patients with COVID-19 who also had associated comorbidities were used in this study. These patients were treated with antivirals according to local guidelines. The subjects included 78 case-patients assigned to group R and 73 to group NR. Results: In group NR, a considerable improvement in oxygen saturation was seen in the first 24 h of treatment (p = 0.010), but the levels were significantly higher from the second day of treatment (p < 0.001) in group R of patients. At the end of the 5 days of treatment, the oxygen saturation improved statistically significantly compared to the admission day, but only in the R group (95.11 ± 1.80; 91.76 ± 1.80; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Both drugs can be considered a breakthrough in the current treatment approach to the COVID-19 disease since they provide readily available options that can alleviate the severity of the disease and, hence, the prognosis of patients. That is why their effectiveness relies on the correct administration time and choosing the patient with suitable characteristics regarding the presence of comorbidities and the likelihood of the critical further development of the process.

18 January 2025 in Gastrointestinal Disorders
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
AMAdina Ioana Mihele
Adina Ioana Mihele
Harrie Toms JohnHarrie Toms John
Harrie Toms John
Negrut NicoletaNegrut Nicoleta
Negrut Nicoleta
AFAnca Fericean
Anca Fericean
PMPaula Marian
Paula Marian
Felicia ManoleFelicia Manole
Felicia Manole
Background/Objectives: The gut–liver axis is bidirectional and influences the body’s homeostasis. Pathologies such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver (MASL) can have detrimental effects on the human microbiome, with multiple systemic effects. Furthermore, the geographical particularities of the intestinal microbiome may influence liver disease. The study’s outcome was to identify dysbiosis in a group of patients with MASL from the western region of Romania. Methods: The NGS shotgun genomic sequencing (WGS metagenomics) method was used to identify bacteria in fecal samples. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics software [version 29.0.2.0 (20)]. Results: Out of the 122 MASL patients included in the study, 43 (35.24%) exhibited low alpha diversity. In the subgroup with a normal biodiversity index, approximately half were identified with a Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio below the lower reference value, while the remaining patients presented dysbiosis based on decreased concentrations of Proteobacteria and Prevotella, considered among the most relevant species supporting dysbiosis. A higher prevalence of Prevotella species (15.99 ± 13.65%) was identified in the study cohort. Conclusions: The present study demonstrates that patients with MASL from the western region of Romania exhibit criteria for intestinal dysbiosis, namely reduced bacterial diversity, along with significant alterations in populations of Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Prevotella. Together, these findings suggest a possible influence of geo-cultural factors on the intestinal microbiome, highlighting the need for regionally adapted therapeutic interventions to support liver health.

3 January 2024 in Preprints.org
Verified
Preprint
Open access
PDF file
Negrut NicoletaNegrut Nicoleta
Negrut Nicoleta
GMGeorgios Menegas
Georgios Menegas
SKSofia Kampioti
Sofia Kampioti
MBMaria Bourelou
Maria Bourelou
FKFrancesca Kopanyi
Francesca Kopanyi
PMPaula Marian
Paula Marian
(1) Background: COVID-19 was responsible for the latest pandemic, shaking and reshaping healthcare systems worldwide. Its late clinical manifestations make it linger in medical memory as a debilitating illness over extended periods. (2) Methods: Recent literature was systematically analyzed to categorize and examine the symptomatology and pathophysiology of Long COVID across various bodily systems, including pulmonary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neuropsychiatric, dermatological, renal, hematological, and endocrinological aspects. (3) Results: The review outlines the diverse clinical manifestations of Long COVID across multiple systems, emphasizing its complexity and challenges in diagnosis and treatment. Factors such as pre-existing conditions, initial COVID-19 severity, vaccination status, gender, and age were identified as influential in the manifestation and persistence of Long COVID symptoms. This condition is highlighted as a debilitating disease capable of enduring over an extended period and presenting new symptoms over time. (4) Conclusions: Long COVID emerges as a condition with intricate multi-systemic involvement, complicating its diagnosis and treatment. The findings underscore the necessity for a nuanced understanding of its diverse manifestations to effectively manage and address the evolving nature of this condition over time.