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E. Scicluna

Bio: E. Scicluna is an academic researcher from Mater Dei Hospital. The author has contributed to research in topics: Antibiotic resistance & Population. The author has an hindex of 18, co-authored 29 publications receiving 2510 citations. Previous affiliations of E. Scicluna include Mount Sinai St. Luke's and Mount Sinai Roosevelt.

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
06 Apr 2011-PLOS ONE
TL;DR: A high level of biodiversity among MRSA, especially among strains harbouring SCCmec IV and V elements is shown, and the data indicate a high rate of genetic recombination in MRSA involving SCC elements, bacteriophages or other mobile genetic elements and large-scale chromosomal replacements.
Abstract: In recent years, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have become a truly global challenge. In addition to the long-known healthcare-associated clones, novel strains have also emerged outside of the hospital settings, in the community as well as in livestock. The emergence and spread of virulent clones expressing Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is an additional cause for concern. In order to provide an overview of pandemic, epidemic and sporadic strains, more than 3,000 clinical and veterinary isolates of MRSA mainly from Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Malta, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Australia, Trinidad & Tobago as well as some reference strains from the United States have been genotyped by DNA microarray analysis. This technique allowed the assignment of the MRSA isolates to 34 distinct lineages which can be clearly defined based on non-mobile genes. The results were in accordance with data from multilocus sequence typing. More than 100 different strains were distinguished based on affiliation to these lineages, SCCmec type and the presence or absence of PVL. These strains are described here mainly with regard to clinically relevant antimicrobial resistance- and virulence-associated markers, but also in relation to epidemiology and geographic distribution. The findings of the study show a high level of biodiversity among MRSA, especially among strains harbouring SCCmec IV and V elements. The data also indicate a high rate of genetic recombination in MRSA involving SCC elements, bacteriophages or other mobile genetic elements and large-scale chromosomal replacements.

834 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Antimicrobial drug self-medication occurs most often in eastern and southern Europe and least often in northern and western Europe.
Abstract: We surveyed the populations of 19 European countries to compare the prevalence of antimicrobial drug self-medication in the previous 12 months and intended self-medication and storage and to identify the associated demographic characteristics. By using a multistage sampling design, 1,000-3,000 adults in each country were randomly selected. The prevalence of actual self-medication varied from 1 to 210 per 1,000 and intended self-medication from 73 to 449 per 1,000; both rates were high in eastern and southern Europe and low in northern and western Europe. The most common reasons for self-medication were throat symptoms (e.g., dry, inflamed, red, or sore throat, inflamed tonsils, tonsil pain). The main medication sources were pharmacies and medication leftover from previous prescriptions. Younger age, higher education, and presence of a chronic disease were associated with higher rates of self-medication. Attempts to reduce inappropriate self-medication should target prescribers, pharmacists, and the general public.

364 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Interventions aimed at preventing self-medication should include public education, enforcing regulations regarding the sale of antibiotics, and implementing laws for dispensing exact prescribed tablet quantities in pharmacies.
Abstract: Background: Self-medication with antibiotics occurs among the population in Europe, particularly in southern and eastern countries. We studied the impact of predisposing factors (e.g. attitudes and knowledge concerning antibiotic use and self-medication) and enabling factors (country wealth and healthcare system factors) on self-medication with antibiotics in Europe. Methods: In this follow-up of a previous European survey, we interviewed a subsample of 1101 respondents. A multilevel analysis with two levels (respondent and country) was performed. Variables that were statistically significantly different between users and non-users of self-medication were considered for inclusion into the multilevel regression analyses. Results: Predisposing factors included individual-level characteristics. High perceived appropriateness of self-medication with antibiotics for bronchitis and an attitude favouring antibiotic use for minor ailments were related to a higher likelihood of self-medication. Enabling factors included individual and country data. At the individual level, perceived availability of antibiotics without a prescription was related to increased probability of self-medication. At the country level, higher gross domestic product (wealth) and exact dispensation of prescribed tablet quantities by pharmacies were independently associated with lower likelihood of self-medication. Conclusions: Interventions aimed at preventing self-medication should include public education, enforcing regulations regarding the sale of antibiotics, and implementing laws for dispensing exact prescribed tablet quantities in pharmacies. With the included determinants, we explained almost all the variance at the country level, but not at the individual level. Future studies to increase our understanding of determinants of self-medication with antibiotics should focus on individual-level factors such as doctor-patient relationships and patient satisfaction.

209 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
Carlo Gagliotti1, Arta Balode, F. Baquero, John E. Degener2, Hajo Grundmann, D Gür3, Vincent Jarlier4, Gunnar Kahlmeter, J. Monen, Dominique L Monnet1, Gian Maria Rossolini5, Carl Suetens1, Klaus Weist1, Ole Eske Heuer1, Petra Apfalter, G. El Belazi, G. Fluch, C. Hain, H. Hrabcik, Walter Koller, S. Metz-Gercek, R. Muchl, R. Strauss, Boudewijn Catry, M. Fauville Dufaux, Herman Goossens, M. Goossens, L. Meulenbergs, S. Vaerenberg, T. Kantardjiev, B. Markova, J. Stoyanova Marteva-Proevska, P. Maikanti Charalambous, D Pieridou Bagatzouni, V. Jakubu, Pavla Urbášková, Helena Zemlickova, M. Galle, Anette M. Hammerum, S. Olsen, K. Schultz Nielsen, Robert Skov, T. Aro, I. Dontsenko, Marina Ivanova, K. Kermes, A. Lemetsar, Antti J. Hakanen, Outi Lyytikäinen, T. Möttönen, Bruno Coignard, H de Valk, S. Maugat, D. Trystram, D. Altmann, A. Gilsdorf, I. Noll, A. Tille, Wolfgang Witte, Vivi Miriagou, M. Polemis, Athanassios Tsakris, Alkiviadis Vatopoulos, K. Böröcz, M. Melles, Akos Toth, Z. Vegh, Haraldur Briem, L. Helgadottir, Karl G. Kristinsson, J. Brazil, R. Cunney, M. Fitzgerald, P. Hanrahan, S. Murchan, O. Murphy, B. O'Connell, Fortunato D'Ancona, Stefania Iannazzo, Annalisa Pantosti, R. Nikiforova, A. Berzanskyte, L. Dagyte-Sileikiene, Jolanta Miciuleviciene, D. Hansen-Koenig, Monique Perrin-Weniger, Michael Borg, E. Scicluna, R. Zammit Cassar, A J de Neeling, N. Van De Sande, K. Konsmo, Gunnar Skov Simonsen, Martin Steinbakk, K. Wathne, F. Width Gran, W. Hryniewicz, M. Sitkiewicz, M. Sulik, Dorota Zabicka, Manuela Caniça, C. Costa, Vera Manageiro, I. Codita, Roxana Ioana Serban, N. Bergant, Jana Kolman, M. Mueller-Premru, J. Campos Marques, J. Oteo Iglesias, María Pérez-Vázquez, I. Alefjord, A. Linde, Barbro Olsson-Liljequist, J. Struwe, Ruth Blackburn, K. Eastick, Giles Edwards, I. Fisher, Robert Hill6, Alan P. Johnson, F. Johnston, G. Mcilvenny, A. Mullings, N. Nirmal, L. Patterson, Jennie Wilson 
TL;DR: The observed trend suggests an increasing burden of disease caused by E. coli and a lesser increase in S. aureus infections, which may reflect the success of infection control measures at hospital level in several European countries.
Abstract: Based on data collected by the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network (EARS-Net) and the former EARSS, the present study describes the trends in antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and occurrence of invasive infections caused by Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in the period from 2002 to 2009. Antimicrobial susceptibility results from 198 laboratories in 22 European countries reporting continuously on these two microorganisms during the entire study period were included in the analysis. The number of bloodstream infections caused by E. coli increased remarkably by 71% during the study period, while bloodstream infections caused by S. aureus increased by 34%. At the same time, an alarming increase of antimicrobial resistance in E. coli was observed, whereas for S. aureus the proportion of meticillin resistant isolates decreased. The observed trend suggests an increasing burden of disease caused by E. coli. The reduction in the proportion of meticillin-resistant S. aureus and the lesser increase in S. aureus infections, compared with E. coli, may reflect the success of infection control measures at hospital level in several European countries.

186 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Prescribed use for URTIs (minor ailments such as throat symptom, influenza, etc.) increased the likelihood of self-medication with leftover antibiotics for these symptoms/diseases in all European regions.
Abstract: Background: Self-medication with antibiotics may increase the risk of inappropriate use and the selection of resistant bacteria. One of the triggers for using self-medication may be past experience with antibiotics prescribed by health professionals. We examined the association between prescribed use and self-medication with antibiotics. Methods: A population survey was conducted in 19 European countries, covering 15 548 respondents. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to study the relationship between prescribed use and self-medication for all symptoms/diseases and for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). Results: The association between prescribed use and self-medication was modified by source of self-medication, region in Europe and education. This association was consistently stronger for self-medication from leftovers than from other sources, primarily directly from a pharmacy. It was stronger also for respondents from Northern/Western Europe than respondents from Eastern Europe and Southern Europe and those with low education. Prescribed use for URTIs (minor ailments such as throat symptom, influenza, etc.) increased the likelihood of self-medication with leftover antibiotics for these symptoms/diseases in all European regions. Conclusions: Our study shows consistent associations between prescribed use and self-medication with antibiotics from leftovers, but has not been able to support the hypothesis that self-medication from other sources than leftovers is triggered by earlier prescribed use. Preventing leftovers may be one effective way of preventing self-medication. This can be achieved by ensuring that the amount dispensed corresponds to the amount prescribed, by educating patients and by making doctors aware that prescribing for minor ailments may increase the risk of self-medication for such ailments.

150 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The global situation of antibiotic resistance, its major causes and consequences, and key areas in which action is urgently needed are described and identified.
Abstract: The causes of antibiotic resistance are complex and include human behaviour at many levels of society; the consequences affect everybody in the world. Similarities with climate change are evident. Many efforts have been made to describe the many different facets of antibiotic resistance and the interventions needed to meet the challenge. However, coordinated action is largely absent, especially at the political level, both nationally and internationally. Antibiotics paved the way for unprecedented medical and societal developments, and are today indispensible in all health systems. Achievements in modern medicine, such as major surgery, organ transplantation, treatment of preterm babies, and cancer chemotherapy, which we today take for granted, would not be possible without access to effective treatment for bacterial infections. Within just a few years, we might be faced with dire setbacks, medically, socially, and economically, unless real and unprecedented global coordinated actions are immediately taken. Here, we describe the global situation of antibiotic resistance, its major causes and consequences, and identify key areas in which action is urgently needed.

3,181 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2020 is the update of similar evidence based position papers published in 2005 and 2007 and 2012 and addresses areas not extensively covered in EPOS2012 such as paediatric CRS and sinus surgery.
Abstract: The European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2020 is the update of similar evidence based position papers published in 2005 and 2007 and 2012. The core objective of the EPOS2020 guideline is to provide revised, up-to-date and clear evidence-based recommendations and integrated care pathways in ARS and CRS. EPOS2020 provides an update on the literature published and studies undertaken in the eight years since the EPOS2012 position paper was published and addresses areas not extensively covered in EPOS2012 such as paediatric CRS and sinus surgery. EPOS2020 also involves new stakeholders, including pharmacists and patients, and addresses new target users who have become more involved in the management and treatment of rhinosinusitis since the publication of the last EPOS document, including pharmacists, nurses, specialised care givers and indeed patients themselves, who employ increasing self-management of their condition using over the counter treatments. The document provides suggestions for future research in this area and offers updated guidance for definitions and outcome measurements in research in different settings. EPOS2020 contains chapters on definitions and classification where we have defined a large number of terms and indicated preferred terms. A new classification of CRS into primary and secondary CRS and further division into localized and diffuse disease, based on anatomic distribution is proposed. There are extensive chapters on epidemiology and predisposing factors, inflammatory mechanisms, (differential) diagnosis of facial pain, allergic rhinitis, genetics, cystic fibrosis, aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease, immunodeficiencies, allergic fungal rhinosinusitis and the relationship between upper and lower airways. The chapters on paediatric acute and chronic rhinosinusitis are totally rewritten. All available evidence for the management of acute rhinosinusitis and chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyps in adults and children is systematically reviewed and integrated care pathways based on the evidence are proposed. Despite considerable increases in the amount of quality publications in recent years, a large number of practical clinical questions remain. It was agreed that the best way to address these was to conduct a Delphi exercise . The results have been integrated into the respective sections. Last but not least, advice for patients and pharmacists and a new list of research needs are included. The full document can be downloaded for free on the website of this journal: http://www.rhinologyjournal.com.

2,853 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The analysis of time series: An Introduction, 4th edn. as discussed by the authors by C. Chatfield, C. Chapman and Hall, London, 1989. ISBN 0 412 31820 2.
Abstract: The Analysis of Time Series: An Introduction, 4th edn. By C. Chatfield. ISBN 0 412 31820 2. Chapman and Hall, London, 1989. 242 pp. £13.50.

1,583 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This article gives a very brief overview of the antibiotic era, beginning from the discovery of first antibiotics until the present day situation, which is marred by the emergence of hard-to-treat multiple antibiotic-resistant infections.
Abstract: This article gives a very brief overview of the antibiotic era, beginning from the discovery of first antibiotics until the present day situation, which is marred by the emergence of hard-to-treat multiple antibiotic-resistant infections. The ways of responding to the antibiotic resistance challenges such as the development of novel strategies in the search for new antimicrobials, designing more effective preventive measures and, importantly, better understanding the ecology of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance are discussed. The expansion of conceptual frameworks based on recent developments in the field of antimicrobials, antibiotic resistance, and chemotherapy is also discussed.

1,132 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Interventions to reduce overuse of antibiotics should encompass the enforcement of the policy of prohibiting the over-the-counter sale of antibiotics, the use of antimicrobial stewardship programmes, the active participation of clinicians in audits, the utilization of valid rapid point-of-care tests and the promotion of delayed antibiotic prescribing strategies.
Abstract: Antimicrobial resistance is a global public health challenge, which has accelerated by the overuse of antibiotics worldwide. Increased antimicrobial resistance is the cause of severe infections, complications, longer hospital stays and increased mortality. Overprescribing of antibiotics is associated with an increased risk of adverse effects, more frequent re-attendance and increased medicalization of self-limiting conditions. Antibiotic overprescribing is a particular problem in primary care, where viruses cause most infections. About 90% of all antibiotic prescriptions are issued by general practitioners, and respiratory tract infections are the leading reason for prescribing. Multifaceted interventions to reduce overuse of antibiotics have been found to be effective and better than single initiatives. Interventions should encompass the enforcement of the policy of prohibiting the over-the-counter sale of antibiotics, the use of antimicrobial stewardship programmes, the active participation of clinicians in audits, the utilization of valid rapid point-of-care tests, the promotion of delayed antibiotic prescribing strategies, the enhancement of communication skills with patients with the aid of information brochures and the performance of more pragmatic studies in primary care with outcomes that are of clinicians’ interest, such as complications and clinical outcomes.

977 citations