Background: Pericardial and pleural effusions are two complications recently described in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 infections. There are several mechanisms that have been proposed and refer to SARS-CoV-2’s capacity to bind to cell surfaces via various receptors and its broad tissue tropism that might cause significant complications. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the incidence of pericardial and pleural effusions during COVID-19 infection as well as to determine the risk factors associated with these complications. Methods: We conducted a retrospective single-center study that included 346 patients admitted to the National Institute of Infectious Disease “Prof. Dr. Matei Bals” (Bucharest, Romania), from 1 January to 25 May 2021, during the third wave of the pandemic. Socio-demographic and anthropometric data were collected for each patient. The patients were evaluated clinically, biologically, and radiologically within 48 h of admission. Patients were divided into 3 groups: (1) patients with pericardial effusions—18; (2) patients with pleural effusions—28; (3) patients without pericardial/pleural effusions—294. Results: After exclusion criteria were applied, 337 patients were analyzed. The median age of the participants was 58.26 ± 14.58 years. More than half of the hospitalized patients had associated respiratory failure (61.5%), of which 2.7% had a critical form of the disease and 58.8% had a severe form. The cumulative percentage for pericardial and pleural effusions for the study group was 12.8% (43 patients out of 337). The prevalence of pericardial effusion was 5.3%, twice more frequent among male respondents. Pleural effusion was identified in 8.3% patients. Most patients had unilateral effusion (17), compared to 11 patients who had bilateral involvement. Based on laboratory results, patients with pericardial and pleural effusions exhibited increased levels of C reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, NT proBNP, and a higher value of neutrophil/lymphocyte count ratio. In contrast to patients without pleural and pericardial effusions, those with these symptoms experienced a higher frequency of severe or critical illness and longer hospital stays. Conclusions: Pericardial and pleural effusions can complicate COVID-19 infections. In our study, the prevalence of pericardial and pleural effusions in hospitalized patients was low, being associated with the same comorbidities and a number of clinical and biological parameters.

Mpox has become a significant health concern since the global outbreak that began in 2022. The aim of this study is to present the epidemiological situation of Mpox in Romania during 2022–2023 and to describe a severe case of Mpox in a patient who survived despite multiple co-pathologies. Forty-seven confirmed cases were reported at the national level, all in men, in 2022. The median age was 33 years. Twenty-six cases involved men who have sex with men (MSM), and twenty-three tested positive for HIV. We also describe a severe case involving a 34-year-old bisexual male with newly diagnosed AIDS who developed severe Mpox with persistent necrotic skin lesions, respiratory involvement, and multiple opportunistic infections: tuberculosis, pneumocystis pneumonia, syphilis, and oral candidiasis. The patient presented with fever, night sweats, weight loss, and dyspnea, with a single ulcerative facial lesion that later disseminated. Mpox infection was confirmed through PCR from skin lesion, serum, saliva, urine, rectal, nasal, and pharyngeal swab samples, with high viral loads persisting despite prolonged Tecovirimat therapy. The patient developed immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome following the initiation of antiretroviral therapy. This case emphasizes the challenges of treating Mpox in immunocompromised patients.

Background/Objectives: Measles remains a significant public health concern in Romania, with recurrent ongoing nationwide outbreaks despite the availability of the measles–mumps–rubella (MMR) vaccine. This study investigates the epidemiological, clinical, and sociocultural dimensions of measles among Romanian adults, with a particular focus on a vulnerable group, the Roma population. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using clinical data from a tertiary hospital in Bucharest, Romania. The study included adult patients hospitalized with measles between July 2023 and April 2024. In a subsequent phase, we carried out a cross-sectional survey among hospitalized measles patients to assess their perception and understanding of measles and the MMR vaccine, with particular attention to responses from Roma participants. Results: A retrospective investigation of 100 hospitalized adult patients with laboratory-confirmed diagnoses of measles demonstrated frequent complications such as hepatic involvement (85/100), pneumonia (68/100), and respiratory failure (21/100). Only 6/100 of patients were fully vaccinated. Rhabdomyolysis was significantly more common in unvaccinated individuals and women. No deaths were recorded, and no ICU admissions occurred. Among the hospitalized patients, 49 adults responded to a vaccine centered questionnaire. We report a notable vaccine hesitancy, particularly among the Roma respondents. Socioeconomic factors such as low income, limited education, and lack of health insurance were significantly associated with negative perceptions of the MMR vaccine. A statistically significant association was observed between Roma ethnicity and the belief that the MMR vaccine causes autism. Conclusions: These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted public health interventions with culturally adapted education campaigns to improve vaccination coverage and thereby protect vulnerable adult populations in Romania.