Vesna Kušec

Prof. Dr. Vesna Kušec


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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25 March 2025 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
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Journal Article
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KJKarla Misura Jakobac
Karla Misura Jakobac
Vibor MilunovićVibor Milunović
Vibor Milunović
VKVesna Kušec
Vesna Kušec
PHPero Hrabač
Pero Hrabač
MMMarko Martinović
Marko Martinović
GPGordana Pavliša
Gordana Pavliša
Background/Objectives: In hematological patients receiving treatment for lymphomas, febrile neutropenia (FN) is a serious complication associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of the novel biomarker presepsin (PSP) in episodes of FN in this specific cohort of patients. Methods: The study enrolled 37 patients with FN and 18 patients with neutropenia without fever as a control group. Patients with FN were divided into two groups: those with confirmed infections and those without them. Various clinical and laboratory parameters were analyzed, including inflammatory and biochemical markers, focusing on implications of PSP. Results: Among patients with FN, 65% had proven infections with significantly higher PSP levels compared to those without infections and control group (p < 0.001). Positive blood cultures were found in 13.5% of all FN episodes. PSP showed greater sensitivity than traditional biomarkers like procalcitonin and C-reactive protein for differentiating septic from non-septic complications. Increased PSP levels at admission suggested a poorer survival prognosis. Each 1 ng/mL increase in PSP correlated with a 5% increase in mortality risk (HR 1.05; p < 0.001), with a one-year mortality rate of 56.7%, underscoring the necessity for better predictive markers. Other markers, including CRP, PCT, IgG, and albumin, were not significantly associated with mortality; however, platelets and qSOFA exhibited borderline significance. Conclusions: PSP is a valuable biomarker for identifying high-risk FN in lymphoma patients and predicting mortality, correlating with infection severity. Larger multi-center studies are needed to validate these findings and optimize PSP’s clinical application to improve outcomes.

1 December 2023 in Medicina Fluminensis
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Journal Article
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VKVesna Kušec
Vesna Kušec
NČNada Čikeš
Nada Čikeš
Razvijanje najviših standarda specijalističkog usavršavanja doktora medicine za područje Europe glavni je cilj Europske udruge liječnika specijalista (UEMS, fr. Union Européenne de Médicines Spécialistes), a što je i preduvjet usklađivanja izobrazbe...