Constantinos Karamalis

Infectious diseases remain a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, underscoring the need for rapid, accurate, and comprehensive diagnostic approaches. Advances in omics technologies have evolved our ability to detect, characterize, and monitor pathogens. Together, these technologies offer a systems-level perspective that enhances diagnostic accuracy which can be applied both in clinical and public health laboratories, in order to ameliorate infectious diseases policies and strategies. Despite significant progress, challenges remain in terms of cost, data integration, standardization, and clinical translation. Future directions include the development of multi-omics platforms, real-time sequencing technologies, and robust bioinformatics pipelines to accelerate implementation in routine clinical practice. This review highlights the current landscape, key applications, and future potential of omics-based diagnostics in combating infectious diseases.

Abstract Aim Indoor air quality (IAQ) plays an important role in classroom ventilation, student comfort, and the potential transmission of airborne infections. This study aimed to evaluate IAQ conditions and identify factors influencing ventilation efficiency in school classrooms in Athens. Subject and methods A cross-sectional environmental monitoring study was conducted over a 3-month period in 114 classrooms across schools in Athens. IAQ parameters measured included carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), carbon monoxide (CO), oxygen (O 2 ), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), temperature, and relative humidity. CO 2 concentration was used as an alternative indicator of ventilation adequacy and classroom occupancy. Measurements were collected using portable environmental sensors during regular classroom activities. Results The mean CO 2 concentration was 836 ppm, with peak values reaching 3300 ppm, indicating periods of inadequate ventilation, particularly in naturally ventilated classrooms. The average indoor temperature was 18.3 °C and relative humidity (RH) was 61.1%. Concentrations of NO and NO 2 remained consistently low across classrooms. A strong positive association was observed between CO 2 levels and classroom occupancy ( p < 0.001), while no significant association was found with ventilation type or classroom floor level. Conclusion Although most IAQ parameters remained within acceptable limits, the occurrence of elevated CO 2 peaks suggests occasional ventilation deficiencies. Improving ventilation management and monitoring, particularly during periods of high occupancy and extended classroom use such as after-school activities, may help reduce airborne transmission risks and enhance indoor environmental quality.

Background/Objectives: Meningitis due to the species Streptococcus is a severe central nervous system infection caused by various microorganisms belonging to Streptococcus spp. Its accurate identification is critical for effective clinical management. This study aimed to identify Streptococcus spp. causing meningitis in Greece over a nine-year period using PCR and sequencing-based methods. Methods: A total of 189 clinical samples, collected between 2015 and 2024 from patients suffering from meningitis and/or septicemia, were analyzed by the use of a combination of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays and tuf gene sequencing for further species identification. Results: Sample analysis identified 70 samples as S. pyogenes (18.52%) (GAS) and S. agalactiae (18.52%) (GBS), while 119 (62.96%) were recorded as non-typable Streptococcus spp. Further analysis using sequencing methods revealed that the most frequent Streptococcus spp. belonged to the mitis group (42.86%) and the pyogenic group (20.17%). A higher prevalence was observed in children aged 0–14 years old and adults over 50 years old. Conclusions: This study highlights the use of molecular diagnostics in identifying other Streptococcus spp., providing insights into age-related susceptibility and epidemiological trends. Future studies are needed to explore the pathogenic role of the identified Lactococcus spp.

Background/Objectives: Neisseria meningitidis is a human-specific pathogen capable of causing life-threatening illnesses. Occasionally, it is recovered from unusual sites, other than the bloodstream or the central nervous system. Herein, we describe two rare manifestations due to N. meningitidis within a year (2024) in Greece. Methods: Atypical infection due to N. meningitidis was diagnosed in two different patients: Case-1 presented with an inflammatory swelling in the mid-line of the neck, and Case-2 presented with swelling of the left knee. Both patients had high fever and no neurological signs at admission; Case-2 progressed to meningoencephalitis. Phenotypic and genotypic identifications were carried out in both cases. Results: Case-1 and Case-2 isolates were identified as follows: MenX: 18, 25-44, F5-5, ST-823; 198cc and MenB: 7-1, 1, F3-3, ST-7460; 32cc for PorA, FetA and MLST, respectively. MenX was identified for the first time in Greece and finetyping revealed rare genotypic characteristics. Both isolates were susceptible to cefotaxime, ceftriaxone and rifampicin, while Case-2 isolate expressed reduced susceptibility to penicillin and resistance to ciprofloxacin. Both patients recovered fully. Conclusions: Although uncommon, N. meningitidis may be isolated from atypical sites and specimens. Clinicians and microbiologists should remain aware that meningococcus is a potential cause of infections beyond meningitis and septicaemia.

Infectious diseases remain a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, underscoring the need for rapid, accurate, and comprehensive diagnostic approaches. Advances in omics technologies have evolved our ability to detect, characterize, and monitor pathogens. Together, these technologies offer a systems-level perspective that enhances diagnostic accuracy which can be applied both in clinical and public health laboratories, to ameliorate infectious diseases policies and strategies. Despite significant progress, challenges remain in terms of cost, data integration, standardization, and clinical translation. Future directions include the development of multi-omics platforms, real-time sequencing technologies, and robust bioinformatics pipelines to accelerate implementation in routine clinical practice. This review highlights the current landscape, key applications, and future potential of omics-based diagnostics in combating infectious diseases.

Skin cancer remains a significant public health concern, with rising incidence rates worldwide. Our literature review examines current knowledge on skin cancer prevention, focusing on key areas such as epidemiology, risk factors, ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure, pathophysiological and genetic mechanisms, and prevention strategies. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, focusing on peer-reviewed articles published from 2013 to 2023. Non-peer-reviewed articles, non-English studies, non-human research, and studies published before 2013 were excluded. Our study highlights the significant role of UV radiation in skin cancer pathogenesis and underscores the importance of comprehensive prevention strategies. Sunscreen use and protective behaviors are effective but underutilized. Community-based interventions show promise in increasing public awareness and promoting protective measures. Screening and chemoprevention offer additional avenues for reducing skin cancer burden. The findings emphasize the need for continued public health efforts to enhance skin cancer prevention and early detection. Future research should focus on optimizing prevention strategies and exploring novel approaches to reduce the incidence of skin cancer.

Introduction: Throughout the history, infectious diseases have been the most serious cause of morbidity and mortality of the population worldwide, as over the years there have been–and with the development of human activities–many significant outbreaks of infectious diseases. The threats they pose, including their resistance to antibiotics, make the review and development of public health policies a major issue. Aim: The main purpose of this article is to present most recent policies and strategies on infectious diseases prevention via a literature review and highlight the necessity of developing a holistic approach to the formulation of infectious diseases prevention policies. Moreover, through the most recent literature on this topic it is observed that there is a need to draw up innovative policies, to defend public health and enforce the one health. Methodology: For this literature review, a research in PubMed database and official organization was conducted and thus a total number (n=28) of articles and handbooks was collected. From PubMed database n1=15 articles were extracted while from websites of official organizations n2=13 was extracted. The final number of references that have been used for this paper was n=33 and were managed by using ZOTERO software. Conclusion: It is clearly observed that collective work for prevent, and control infectious diseases is mandatory. Also, there is a need for strengthen the already existed public health systems, in order to be well-prepared. A major public health tool is communication, it is very important to communicate strategies and policies to individuals in a proper and comprehensive way.