Enterococci cause infections with various localizations, the most common being urinary infections. The purpose of the study was to identify the profile of the antimicrobial resistance of enterococci species (AMRE) isolated from patients hospitalized in three hospitals in Romania. We evaluated AMRE retrospectively (2019–2021) in various biological samples. The microbiological diagnosis was sustained by classical methods of bacteria culture and automatic identification. The sensitivity testing was performed by the Kirby–Bauer method, and the antibiotic minimum inhibitory concentration was tested by the automated Vitek system. We analyzed 86 strains of Enterococcus spp., identifying the following species: 47.7% E. faecalis, 47.7% E. faecium, 3.55% E. gallinarum, and 1% E. hirae. Most of the bacterial strains were isolated from urocultures (38.4%) and hemocultures (32.6%). Overall, the rate of vancomycin resistance was 5.8% for E. faecalis and 15.1%. for E. faecium. The prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains was found to be 100% in E. gallinarum, 75.6% in E. faecium, and 21.9% in E. faecalis. The results confirm the high level of AMRE, which creates difficulties with adequate antibiotic prescriptions. The continuous monitoring of AMRE is essential for updating the local diagnostic and treatment protocols for enterococcal infections.

Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are high-burden healthcare-associated pathogens that increase mortality, prolong hospitalisation, and drive substantial healthcare costs worldwide. These infections are associated with high morbidity, increased mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and significant costs, particularly among immunocompromised patients or those with extended hospitalizations. This systematic review was conducted and reported in accordance with PRISMA 2020, aiming to synthesise existing data on the epidemiology, resistance mechanisms, clinical manifestations, and strategies for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of MRSA and VRE infections. Data were qualitatively synthesised. A total of 113 records published between 2020 and 2025 met the inclusion criteria and were identified through searches in multiple bibliographic databases and publisher platforms (e.g., PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science). MRSA and VRE are implicated in numerous severe infections, including ventilator-associated pneumonia, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, endocarditis, and bacteraemia. Antimicrobial resistance is driven by the mecA, vanA, and vanB genes, while biofilm formation further complicates therapeutic efforts. Biofilm formation can promote antibiotic tolerance (slower killing without an increase in MIC) and persistence (survival of ‘persister’ cells), distinct from genetic resistance, and may complicate therapy in selected infections. Effective strategies include appropriate anti-MRSA/anti-VRE agents (e.g., ceftaroline for MRSA; linezolid or daptomycin for VRE), active screening, stringent infection prevention and control measures, and antimicrobial stewardship programmes. Implementation is often hindered by institutional barriers, limited resources, and insufficient staff training. A multidisciplinary, evidence-based approach is essential for the effective management of these infections. Reducing this burden requires coordinated implementation of rapid diagnostics, stringent infection prevention and control, and antimicrobial stewardship, supported by sustained institutional and public health investment.

This article explores the correlation between salivary biomarkers, such as glutathione peroxidase (GPX), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and their association with oral health for children in competitive sports. Saliva has emerged as a valuable resource for evaluating physiological and pathological conditions due to its non-invasive collection method and easy storage. This study examines the potential of GPX, TAC, and SOD as salivary biomarkers for assessing the impact of competitive sports on children’s oral health. It discusses the potential implications of increased oxidative stress due to intense physical activity and the role of antioxidant defense mechanisms in maintaining oral health. In total, 173 children aged between 6 and 17 were divided into three groups, 58 hockey players, 55 football players, and 60 in the control group, and examined to assess their oral hygiene and dental and periodontal health. Saliva was collected, centrifuged, and the supernatant was analyzed for the relevant biomarkers. The findings seem to suggest that salivary biomarkers, like GPX, TAC, and SOD, might serve as indicators of the physiological response to competitive sports in children, as well as indicators of oral health, especially dental cavities, and periodontal disease. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between the groups, with better values for athletes, regardless of age, sex, or activity type. Understanding the relationship between salivary biomarkers and competitive sports in children can have significant implications for monitoring and optimizing the health and performance of young athletes. Further research is needed to establish the specific associations between these biomarkers and the effects of several types and intensities of sports activities on oral health in children.

Background/Objectives: Human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27) is a genetic marker strongly associated with various inflammatory rheumatic diseases, particularly those within the spondyloarthritis spectrum. Its presence influences disease onset, clinical severity, and therapeutic strategies. However, comparative data between HLA-B*27-positive and -negative patients, especially in Eastern European populations, remain limited. The study aimed to investigate the clinical, paraclinical, and psychosocial differences between HLA-B*27-positive and -negative individuals diagnosed with rheumatic diseases, in order to better understand the implications of HLA-B27 status on disease expression and patient quality of life. Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted between June 2023 and December 2024 at the Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children “Sf Ioan” in Galati, Romania, in collaboration with “Dunarea de Jos” University. Fifty adult patients with various rheumatic conditions were enrolled and stratified into HLA-B*27-positive (n = 22) and -negative (n = 28) groups. Data collection included clinical evaluations, laboratory biomarkers (CRP = C-reactive protein; ESR = erythrocyte sedimentation rate), and a structured quality-of-life questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v27. Results: HLA-B*27-positive patients were significantly younger (mean age 46.00 vs. 55.07 years, p = 0.018) and had higher CRP levels (>1 mg/dL in 53.33% vs. 0%, p = 0.001). Ankylosing spondylitis was more prevalent in this group (22.73% vs. 3.57%, p = 0.039). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was more frequently used (68.18% vs. 39.29%, p = 0.042), indicating greater suspicion of axial involvement. HLA-B27-positive patients also reported higher perceived stress (mean score 2.41 vs. 1.21, p < 0.001). Conclusions: HLA-B*27 positivity is associated with earlier disease onset, increased systemic inflammation, greater axial involvement, and higher psychological stress. These findings emphasise the need for personalised, multidisciplinary care that integrates both medical and psychological support for HLA-B*27-positive patients.

Background/Objectives: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in children presents with a heterogeneous clinical spectrum, whereas multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a distinct immunological entity characterized by a hyperinflammatory phenotype and a distinct biological architecture. Identifying routine biomarkers with early discriminatory utility is essential for rapid differentiation between MIS-C and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: We conducted a retrospective comparative study of 144 pediatric patients with COVID-19 or MIS-C admitted to a single specialized medical center. The analyses integrated classical statistical methods, Benjamini–Hochberg false discovery rate correction (FDR), penalized regression models, and machine learning algorithms to identify biomarkers with discriminative value, using only routine laboratory tests. Results: MIS-C was associated with an intense inflammatory profile, characterized by increases in C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphopenia, and selective electrolyte disturbances, highlighting a coherent biological architecture. In contrast, COVID-19 showed limited associations with traditional inflammatory markers. Predictive models identified a stable core of biomarkers with excellent performance in Random Forest analysis (area under the curve, AUC = 0.95), and reproducible thresholds (CRP ~3.7 mg/dL, NLR ~3.3, PLR ~376; potassium ~4.2 mmol/L). These findings were independently confirmed using penalized Ridge regression, where the reduced model achieved superior discrimination compared to the full 13-variable model (AUC = 0.93 vs. 0.89) and maintained stable performance under internal cross-validation, reinforcing the clinical relevance of this compact biomarker panel. Conclusions: MIS-C is clearly distinguished from COVID-19 by a specific and reproducible immunological signature. The identified biomarkers may represent a potential foundation for the development of simple clinical algorithms for pediatric triage and risk stratification, opening the prospect of a simplified scoring tool applicable in emergency settings.

Pertussis, a highly contagious disease, contributes to a great number of hospitalizations among children, with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study was to investigate the epidemiological and clinical features of B. pertussis infections among hospitalized children and to compare the clinical course according to vaccination status and the presence of co-infections. We performed a retrospective study, which included patients positive for B. pertussis detected by multiplex RT-PCR panels, from September 2022 to May 2025. Out of 2493 samples, 84 tested positive for B. pertussis (3.37%). Age-appropriate immunization was achieved in 19.1% (16/84) cases, 10.7% (9/84) were incompletely vaccinated, 9.5% (8/84) did not meet the age criteria and 60.7% (51/84) were not vaccinated. Infants ≤ 3 months were more susceptible to mixed co-infections (52%), had a more severe course, with transfers to the ICU (32%) and a prolonged average length of stay (9.2 days). Co-infections were found in 39.3% cases, rhinovirus being the most common agent (17.9%). B. pertussis and rhinovirus co-infection was associated with a decreased SpO₂ level (<92%) and increased CRP and Ferritin levels.