Urinary tract infections remain an important yet underinvestigated clinical problem among HIV infected patients. Here we analyze factors associated with its occurrence and the spectrum of bacterial pathogens identified in the group of patients followed at the HIV Out-Patient Clinic in Warsaw. Clinic database collected all medical information on patients routinely followed since 1994 to 2015. All patients with available urine culture were included into analyses, only the first culture was included. In statistical analyses logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with positive culture. In total 608 patients had urine culture performed, 176 (28.9%) were females and 432 (71,1%) were males, 378 (62.2%) registered in care before/in 2007, 258 (42.4%) infected through homosexual contact. Median baseline lymphocyte CD4+ count was 385 (IQR:204–565) cells/μl and median nadir lymphocyte CD4+ count 197 (86–306) cells/μl. One hundred and eighteen patients were actively infected with HCV, as defined by positive real-time PCR. In total 141 (23.2%) patients had positive urine culture, the most common bacterial pathogen was E.coli (58.2%) and E. faecalis (12.8%). Patients with urinary tract infection were more likely to be female (51.8% vs. 22.1%, p<0.0001), infected through other than homosexual mode (80.1% vs. 50.7%, p<0.0001), with lower nadir CD4 count (139 vs. 221 cells/μl, p<0.0001) and lower baseline HIV RNA (4.02 vs. 4.35 log copies/ml, p = 0.01) and less likely to be HCV RNA positive (26.9% vs. 49.2%, p = 0.01). In multivariate regression model being registered before/in 2007 (OR = 2.10; [95%CI: 1.24–3.56]), infected through other than homosexual mode (2.05;[1.18–3.56]) and female gender (2.14;[1.33–3.44]) were increasing and higher nadir CD4+ count decreasing (0.92;[0.85–0.99]) the odds of urinary tract infection. We have identified that almost one third of patients had urinary tract infections with non-typical bacterial pathogens. Population with increased odds of urinary tract infections are women, patients infected through other than homosexual contacts and those registered before 2007.

The emergence of a highly transmissible and a more pathogenic B.1.617.2 (delta) variant of SARS-CoV-2 has brought concern over COVID-19 vaccine efficacy and the increased risk of severe breakthrough infections. The objective of this study was to assess the frequency and the clinical characteristics of severe breakthrough COVID-19 cases recorded in 10 Polish healthcare units between 1 June and 31 December 2021, a period during which a rapid surge in the share of B.1.617.2 infections was seen, while a significant number of populations were already fully vaccinated. Overall, 723 individuals who completed the initial vaccination regime (fully vaccinated group) and an additional 18 who received a booster dose were identified—together, they represented 20.8% of all the COVID-19 patients hospitalized during the same period in the same healthcare institutions (0.5% in the case of a group that received a booster dose). Although laboratory and clinical parameters did not differ between both groups, patients who received a booster tended to have lower CRP, IL-6, PCT, and d-dimer levels and they required oxygen therapy less frequently. The most common early COVID-19 symptoms in the studied group were fatigue, cough, fever (>38 °C), and dyspnea. Individuals with no detectable anti-spike IgG antibodies constituted 13%; the odds of being a humoral non-responder to the vaccine were increased in patients aged >70 years. Fully vaccinated patients hospitalized after more than 180 days from the last vaccine dose were significantly older and they were predominantly represented by individuals over 70 years and with comorbidities, particularly cardiovascular disease. Contrary to mRNA vaccines, most patients vaccinated with adenoviral vector vaccines were infected within six months. A total of 102 fatal cases (14% of all deaths among vaccinated individuals; 0.7% in the case of a group that received a booster dose) were recorded, representing 17.6% of all the COVID-19 fatalities recorded in June–December 2021 in the considered healthcare units. The odds of death were significantly increased in men, individuals aged >70 years, patients with comorbidities, and those identified as humoral non-responders to vaccination; in fully vaccinated patients the odds were also increased when the second vaccine dose was given >180 days before the first COVID-19 symptoms. The mortality rate in immunocompromised subjects was 19%. The results indicate that compared to vaccinated individuals, severe COVID-19 and deaths in the unvaccinated group were significantly more prevalent during the B.1.617.2-dominated wave in Poland; and, it highlight the protective role of a booster dose, particularly for more vulnerable individuals.

Introduction: People living with HIV (PLWH) are at higher risk of poorer COVID‐19 outcomes. Vaccination is a safe and effective method of prevention against many infectious diseases, including COVID‐19. Here we investigate the strategies for national COVID‐19 vaccination programmes across central and eastern Europe and the inclusion of PLWH in vaccination programmes.Methods: The Euroguidelines in Central and Eastern Europe Network Group consists of experts in the field of infectious diseases from 24 countries in the region. Between 1 November 2020 and 19 March 2021 the group proceeded an on‐line survey consisting of 20 questions.Results: Twenty‐two countries (out of 24 invited) participated in the survey and 20/22 countries in the period between December 2020 and March 2021 had already started their COVID‐19 vaccination programme. In total, seven different vaccines were used by participating countries. In 17/21 countries (81%), vaccinated persons were centralized within the national registry. In 8/21 countries (38%) PLWH were prioritized for vaccination (the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Montenegro, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia) and the Czech Republic, Greece and Serbia had put in place national guidelines for vaccination of PLWH. In 14/20 countries (70%) vaccination was only provided by designated centres. Eighteen respondents (18/21; 85.7%) reported that they planned to follow up HIV patients vaccinated against COVID‐19, mainly by measuring antibody levels and checking COVID‐19 incidence (11/21; 52.3%).Conclusions: This survey‐based study suggests that there are significant differences in terms of prioritizing PLWH, the types of vaccines used, vaccination coverage, and the development and implementation of a vaccination programmes within the region. Regardless of heterogenicity and existing barriers within the region, systematic vaccination in PLWH should have the highest priority, especially in those with severe immunodeficiency, risk factors, and in the elderly, aiming for prompt and high vaccination coverage.

Clostridioides difficile (C.difficile) is a Gram-positive, spore-forming, toxin-producing anaerobic bacillus, which is one of the most common causes of health-care-associated infection developed mainly by elderly patients. The objective of this study was to assess mortality among the patients of the Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Warsaw related to C.difficile infection. Analysis was conducted of 1638 records reporting the medical histories of patients hospitalized for the first time due to Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in the Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Warsaw from 2010 to 2017. The inclusion criteria were any (principal or secondary) discharge diagnosis code for CDI according to ICD-10 and being an adult (≥ 18 years). 108 out of 1638 (7%) of the patients died. The median age in this group was 83 years. The largest number of deaths (90%) occurred in the group of patients aged 65 years or older and 81–90 years old (53% of all the deaths). In the multivariate logistic regression model relevant only to the age groups, not to sepsis—age over 80 and over 90 were independent predictors of death, increasing the risk of death by 3.4 and 1.8 times, respectively. The result of the receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis determined the age of 77 years as the threshold value, indicating the increased risk of death (AUC 0.727, standard error 0.025, 95% CI 0.678–0.776, p < 0.0001). In addition, other quantitative variables, namely CRP, creatinine and leucocytes were studied and turned out to be independent death predictors as well. The diagnosis of sepsis increased the risk of death fourfold (OR = 4.042; 95% Cl 2.4–6.7; p < 0.001). Increased inflammatory parameters, namely CRP and white blood cell count, advanced age, particularly over the age of 80, as well as a diagnosis of sepsis are independent risk factors for death and could be used as predictive markers of poor outcome in CDI.

There is currently no evidence suggesting that COVID-19 takes a different course in HIV-positive patients on antiretroviral treatment compared to the general population. However, little is known about the relation between specific HIV-related factors and the severity of the COVID-19 disease. We performed a retrospective analysis of cases collected through an on-line survey distributed by the Euroguidelines in Central and Eastern Europe Network Group. In statistical analyses characteristics of HIV-positive patients, asymptomatic/moderate and moderate/severe course were compared. In total 34 HIV-positive patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were reported by 12 countries (Estonia, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Albania, Belarus, Romania, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Poland, Russia, Hungary, Bulgaria). Asymptomatic courses of COVID-19 were reported in four (12%) cases, 11 (32%) patients presented with mild disease not requiring hospitalization, moderate disease with respiratory and/or systemic symptoms was observed in 14 (41%) cases, and severe disease with respiratory failure was found in five (15%) patients. The HIV-related characteristics of patients with an asymptomatic/mild course of COVID-19 were comparable to those with a moderate/severe course of COVID-19, except for the use of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) in cART regimen (0.0% vs. 31.6% respectively, p = 0.0239). In our analyses HIV viral suppression and immunological status were not associated with the course of COVID-19 disease. On the contrary the cART regimen could contribute to severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Large and prospective studies are necessary to further investigate this relationship.

Undiagnosed HIV infection is a prominent clinical issue throughout Europe that requires the continuous attention of all healthcare professionals and policymakers to prevent missed testing opportunities and late diagnosis. This systematic review aimed to evaluate interventions to increase HIV testing rates and case detection in European hospitals. Out of 4598 articles identified, 29 studies fulfilled the selection criteria. Most of the studies were conducted in single Western European capital cities, and only one study was from Eastern Europe. The main interventions investigated were test-all and indicator-condition-based testing strategies. Overall, the prevalence of undiagnosed HIV was well above 0.1%. The studied interventions increased the HIV testing rate and the case detection rate. The highest prevalence of undiagnosed HIV was found with the indicator-condition-driven testing strategy, whereas the test-all strategy had the most profound impact on the proportion of late diagnoses. Nevertheless, the HIV testing rates and case-finding varied considerably across studies. In conclusion, effective strategies to promote HIV testing in European hospitals are available, but relevant knowledge gaps regarding generalizability and sustainability remain. These gaps require the promotion of adherence to HIV testing guidelines, as well as additional larger studies representing all European regions.