Healthcare-associated infections, such as ventilator-associated pneumonia and biofilm formation on intubation cannulas, impose significant burdens on hospitals, affecting staffing, finances, and patient wellbeing, while also increasing the risk of patient mortality. We propose a research study aimed at exploring various methodologies for detecting these infections, discovered in the biofilm on medical devices, particularly tracheal cannulas, and understanding the role of each method in comprehending these infections from an etiological perspective. Our investigation also involves an analysis of the types of endotracheal tubes utilized in each case, the bacteria species identified, and strategies for combating biofilm-associated infections. The potential impact of our research is the substantial improvement of patient care through enhanced diagnosis and management of these infections.

Background and Objectives: Preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) is a significant obstetric complication associated with increased maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Inflammation plays a central role in its pathophysiology, and maternal inflammatory biomarkers have gained increasing attention as potential predictors of disease onset and adverse outcomes. Materials and Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized evidence from PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases evaluating maternal inflammatory biomarkers—particularly interleukin-6 (IL-6)—in women with PPROM compared with controls. Eligible studies assessed biomarker levels in serum, plasma, or amniotic fluid and reported quantitative outcomes. Data were pooled using random-effects models, and heterogeneity was quantified using the I² statistic. Results: A total of 23 studies involving 2841 participants were included. Maternal IL-6 concentrations were significantly elevated in PPROM compared with controls in both maternal serum (pooled SMD = 1.72; 95% CI: 1.15–2.29; p < 0.001) and amniotic fluid (SMD = 2.84; 95% CI: 2.01–3.67; p < 0.001). CRP showed a moderate association (SMD = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.61–1.36; p < 0.001), whereas IL-8 and TNF-α displayed inconsistent relationships. Conclusions: Elevated maternal IL-6 concentrations, particularly in amniotic fluid, are strongly associated with PPROM and adverse perinatal outcomes. IL-6 demonstrated superior diagnostic and prognostic value compared with other inflammatory markers. These findings support IL-6 as a promising biomarker for early risk identification and individualized the management of high-risk pregnancies.

Background/Objectives: The rise in healthcare-associated infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in hospitals, particularly in intensive care units, has resulted in increased rates of morbidity and mortality, escalating costs, and has become a significant public health concern. In our Intensive Care Unit, we address healthcare-associated infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria, with a specific focus on those listed in the WHO 2024 List of Critically and Highly Prioritized Pathogens. Methods: Over the course of 1 year, from 1 January to 31 December 2024, we monitored the prevalence of healthcare-associated infections in the Intensive Care Unit of the Sibiu County Emergency Clinical Hospital, Romania, and the antibiotic susceptibility of the isolated bacteria. Results: The majority of infections were caused by pathogens in the ESKAPEE group. The most frequently isolated microorganism was Klebsiella pneumoniae (36.8%), followed by Acinetobacter baumannii (24.5%), classified as a critical priority by the WHO in 2024. Most positive samples for critical priority pathogens, including Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii, as well as all MRSA strains (high priority), were obtained from tracheal aspirates collected from intubated and mechanically ventilated patients. A significant proportion of the isolated bacteria were multidrug-resistant, including extensively drug-resistant and pan-drug-resistant strains. Conclusions: The increase in antibiotic and antimicrobial resistance among hospital strains raises serious concerns about limited treatment options.

Background/Objectives: Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is one of the most extensively investigated biomarkers for neurological prognostication after cardiac arrest. However, uncertainty remains regarding the influence of targeted temperature management (TTM) on NSE kinetics, optimal prognostic thresholds, and predictive accuracy. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the prognostic performance of NSE and assess the impact of TTM on its clinical utility in contemporary post-resuscitation care. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus was conducted to identify studies published between January 2000 and April 2026. Literature screening, data extraction, and quality assessment were performed in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 statement. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool, when applicable. Quantitative synthesis was performed for studies reporting sufficiently homogeneous area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) data. Results: Twenty-one studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis, of which seven were eligible for quantitative analysis. NSE demonstrated good overall prognostic performance for predicting neurological outcome after cardiac arrest, with a pooled AUC of 0.868 (95% CI: 0.849–0.885) and no significant between-study heterogeneity (I² = 0%). Prognostic performance was generally highest when NSE was measured between 48 and 72 h after return of spontaneous circulation. Considerable variability was observed in reported prognostic thresholds, particularly across different TTM strategies. Serial NSE measurements and multimodal neuroprognostication approaches consistently improved predictive performance. Conclusions: NSE provides good prognostic accuracy for neurological outcome prediction after cardiac arrest and remains clinically valuable in patients managed with TTM. Serial measurements obtained between 48 and 72 h after return of spontaneous circulation appear to provide the greatest prognostic value. NSE should be interpreted as part of a multimodal neuroprognostication strategy rather than as a standalone predictor.