Author: Andrei Bodor

Conventional and Modern Methods in the Diagnosis of Sepsis and Septic Shock: A Narrative Review

Background/Objectives: Sepsis and septic shock are critical conditions associated with high mortality rates and substantial impacts on healthcare systems. Accurate and rapid diagnosis is essential for the management of these conditions. The objective of this study is to assess the accuracy of contemporary and traditional methods for diagnosing sepsis and to determine whether improvements have been made concerning the integration of novel diagnostic approaches, to facilitate a prompt diagnosis, taking into account the rapid progression of complications associated with this disease. For this purpose, studies published between 2014 and 2024 were examined to highlight the benefits and limitations of each approach. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted, including randomized clinical trials, observational studies, and retrospective studies assessing both conventional diagnostic methods (blood cultures and clinical scoring systems) and modern methods (rapid molecular tests, specific biomarkers, and machine learning algorithms). The studies included were selected based on strict design and methodology criteria to ensure a rigorous comparative evaluation of the interventions and technologies used in diagnosing and monitoring patients with sepsis. Results: A total of 23,822 patients were reviewed across the studies included in this systematic analysis. Modern methods, such as continuous monitoring through integrated biosensors and the use of molecular panels for pathogen detection, demonstrated high potential for the early and accurate diagnosis of sepsis. The reviewed studies suggest that these methods can significantly reduce diagnostic time and improve the ability to stratify mortality risk compared to conventional methods. Conclusions: Integrating modern diagnostic technologies, such as rapid pathogen identification tests and specific biomarkers, may complement traditional methods and bring significant benefits in the management of sepsis.

Atypical Fibroxanthoma versus Hemosiderotic Dermatofibroma: Challenges in Differential Diagnosis – Literature Review and Case Report

Atypical fibroxanthoma and hemosiderotic dermatofibroma are both dermal tumors that can raise significant challenges for differential diagnosis. The definitive diagnosis is established based on histopathological appearance and immunohistochemistry. The aim of this paper is to present the differential diagnosis challenges encountered in the case of a 67-year-old male patient who developed within a month, following trauma to the lower third of the right thigh, a large asymptomatic tumor with an irregular outline.

Therapeutic Particularities of Depression in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease in which the myelin sheath is damaged by the body itself. Because of the symptoms and progressive forms, in most cases, patients experience recurrent depressive disorder or anxious depression disorders. Depression treatment for MS patients stands in two categories, one is psychotherapy and the other is pharmacological. This article presents the research results on customized pharmacological treatment schemes applied to a group of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients with moderate, or severe, depression. All of them are included in the national treatment program for multiple sclerosis and their health state is continuously monitored. The therapeutic scheme based on four different antidepressants had encouraging results, meaning that any of the antidepressants used is efficient and with the patient's good tolerance. There were no side effects that could determine interruption of the treatment. Further research development would focus on improved therapeutic plans for patients with depression disorders in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.