Eirini Louizou

Dr. Eirini Louizou

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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8 May 2025 in Biomedicines
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
AMAnastasia Mortaki
Anastasia Mortaki
Athanasios DouligerisAthanasios Douligeris
Athanasios Douligeris
ADAnastasia Maria Daskalaki
Anastasia Maria Daskalaki
EBEleni-Sivylla Bikouvaraki
Eleni-Sivylla Bikouvaraki
ELEirini Louizou
Eirini Louizou
KPKalliopi I Pappa
Kalliopi I Pappa
Background/Objectives: This study evaluates the diagnostic performance of DNA methylation testing, alone and in combination with cervical cytology, for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) detection. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 170 high-risk HPV (hr-HPV)-positive women. DNA methylation (QIAsure®) and cervical cytology were performed prior to cervical large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ). Sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) metrics were calculated, including stratified analyses for HPV16/18 and other hr-HPV genotypes. Results: DNA methylation alone achieved a sensitivity of 69.7%, specificity of 79%, and an AUC of 0.796 for HSIL detection. The combination of cervical cytology and DNA methylation improved sensitivity to 94.7%, specificity to 76.3%, and AUC to 0.860. Stratification by HPV genotype revealed that in HPV16/18-positive cases, DNA methylation alone reached an AUC of 0.790, while the combination with cytology significantly enhanced performance to 0.917. DNA methylation alone demonstrated an AUC of 0.744 for other hr-HPV types, and the combined approach achieved an AUC of 0.849. Specificity for the combined approach was notably higher in HPV16/18-positive women (88.9%) than in other hr-HPV cases (72.4%), whereas the sensitivity of the combined approach was significantly higher in both groups (94.5% vs. 95%, respectively). Conclusions: The integration of DNA methylation with cervical cytology significantly enhances diagnostic accuracy for CIN2+ lesions, especially in HPV16/18-positive cases. However, the comparatively lower AUC and specificity observed in other hrHPV types suggest the need for further optimization to enhance accuracy in non-16/18 infections. These findings support the integration of methylation-based testing with cytology as a valuable triage strategy for improving cervical cancer screening and patient management.

21 August 2026 in OBM Genetics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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MBMARIA BISBA
MARIA BISBA
ELEirini Louizou
Eirini Louizou
KTKonstantinos Tzanakis
Konstantinos Tzanakis
Thomas LiehrThomas Liehr
Thomas Liehr
Spiros VittasSpiros Vittas
Spiros Vittas
Small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMCs) are rare chromosomal abnormalities with diverse outcomes and variable effects that can be detected prenatally. The clinical significance of low-level mosaic sSMCs is often uncertain, and postnatal follow-up is essential to assess phenotypic outcomes. A fetus in whom a low-level mosaic sSMC (8%) was detected during prenatal testing is reported. The sSMC was found in 12 out of 150 metaphases examined by conventional karyotype, followed by molecular cytogenetic analyses (chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)). Detailed ultrasound examination during the whole pregnancy revealed no structural abnormalities or other fetal complications and the child was born at term. Postnatal clinical investigation was conducted to evaluate the phenotypic impact of the sSMC and demonstrated normal early growth and neurodevelopment during the first nine months of life. Prenatal testing revealed a de novo sSMC in a low-level mosaic state. Evaluation of the sSMC revealed that the origin is in the pericentromeric region of chromosome 8, consisting predominantly of heterochromatic but also of euchromatic material. Integrating prenatal detection, molecular characterization, and postnatal clinical evaluation is crucial for managing cases with low-level prenatal mosaic sSMCs. Comprehensive follow-up is essential for better prognostic counseling and management in affected children.

22 July 2026 in Genes
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MBMARIA BISBA
MARIA BISBA
ELEirini Louizou
Eirini Louizou
Spiros VittasSpiros Vittas
Spiros Vittas
Background/Objectives: 22q11.2 microduplication syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by the presence of one or two additional copies of a segment within the 22q11.2 region of chromosome 22. While much of the literature has focused on the deletion variant leading to DiGeorge syndrome, the duplication counterpart has gained increasing attention due to its clinical variability and under-recognition. This review aims to deliver new possibilities to genetic counseling that can be provided in prenatal and postnatal cases as the phenotype of 22q11.2 microduplication carriers cannot be fully predicted. Methods: In the present study, a total of 12 (5 prenatal and 7 postnatal) cases were diagnosed through array-CGH and combined with 679 (95 prenatal and 584 postnatal) cases reported in the literature. This review summarizes the published evidence available up to April 2025. Data on clinical presentations, genetic findings, diagnostic methodologies, and outcomes were extracted and analyzed. Results: The combination of our cases and the reported cases with 22q11.2 microduplication syndrome revealed a broad phenotypic spectrum. Common clinical features include neurodevelopmental disorders, and cardiac anomalies. Importantly, the syndrome exhibits variable expressivity and reduced penetrance, with more than 70% of the findings to be inherited by one of the parents. Conclusions: 22q11.2 microduplication syndrome presents a heterogeneous clinical picture with variable expressivity and incomplete penetrance, posing challenges in diagnosis and genetic counseling, particularly when predicting prenatal outcomes. Awareness of its diverse manifestations is crucial for clinicians to consider this syndrome in the differential diagnosis and to provide informed counseling.