Th e current investigation examined longitudinally the emergence of specifi c linguistic parameters in toddlers with and without late onset of expressive language. Th e central aim of this investigation was to compare the linguistic skills of typically developing and late-talking toddlers while: (a) observing patterns of linguistic development between the two groups on specifi c parameters and (b) examining the impact of early language delay on language-specifi c parameters and comparing these with cross-linguistic data. Th e subjects were 18 Cypriot-Greek speaking toddlers classifi ed as late-talkers (LTs), and 18 age-matched counterparts with normal course of language development (NLDs). Participants were assessed at 28 months, 32 months, and 36 months, using various linguistic measures such as receptive and expressive vocabulary, mean length of utterance as measured in words (MLU-W), and phonetic production. Overall, the two groups exhibited parallel developmental profi les, with a language lag favoring the LT group as compared to the NLD counterpart. Th e results of this study highlight the negative eff ect of early language delay on later language skills, even up to age three years and lend support to the current literature regarding the universal linguistic picture of early and persistent language delay. Finally, the fi ndings are discussed in view of the need for further research with a focus on more language sensitive tools in testing later language outcomes.

Design: Single case report. Objective: To report a rare case of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-associated transverse myelitis (TM) in the immunocompetent host. Settings: Collaboration between a Neurology and Radiology University Department in Greece and a Molecular Virology Department in Cyprus. Patient: A 16-year-old male student developed an acute febrile illness followed shortly by TM, that resulted in paraplegia over 24 h. Rapid clinical improvement was followed by complete recovery in 2 months. Extensive laboratory work-up excluded other possible causes of TM and showed no evidence of an immunocompromised state. Antiviral serological data, identi®cation of the viral genome by polymerase chain reaction and serial spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging ®ndings, supported the diagnosis of CMV-associated TM in a nonimmunocompromised patient. Conclusions: Our case further indicates that CMV infection should be included in the di erential diagnosis of TM of uncertain etiology, in the immunocompetent patient. Clinical, immunological and neuroimaging ®ndings indicate that post-infectious immune mediated in¯ammation, seems the most probable pathogenetic mechanism in this case.

No abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has hit its second year and continues to damage lives and livelihoods across the globe. There continues to be a global effort to present serological data on SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in different individuals. As such, this study aimed to characterize the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the Cypriot population for the first time since the pandemic started. Our results show that a majority of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 developed IgG antibodies against the virus, whether anti-NP, anti-S1RBD, or both, at least 20 days after their infection. Additionally, the percentage of people with at least one antibody against SARS-CoV-2 in the group of volunteers deemed SARS-CoV-2 negative via RT-PCR or who remain untested/undetermined (14.43%) is comparable to other reported percentages worldwide, ranging anywhere from 0.2% to 24%. We postulate that these percentages reflect the underreporting of true infections in the population, and also show the steady increase of herd immunity. Additionally, we showed a significantly marked decrease in anti-NP IgG antibodies in contrast to relatively stable levels of anti-S1RBD IgG antibodies in previously infected individuals across time.

There is an ongoing effort to report data on SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in different individuals. Ninety-seven healthcare workers were enrolled in this study (Pfizer’s BNT162b2, n = 52; and AstraZeneca’s ChAdOx1-S, n = 45) and S1RBD-specific IgG antibodies were analyzed over time. Both vaccines induced S1RBD-specific antibodies after the second dose. A significant increase in S1RBD-specific IgG median levels 3 weeks following the second dose was detected (BNT162b2, 118.0 BAU/mL to 2018.0 BAU/mL; ChAdOx1-S, 38.1 BAU/mL to 182.1 BAU/mL). At 3 months post the second dose, a significant decrease in S1RBD-specific IgG median levels was also evident (BNT162b2, 415.6 BAU/mL, ChAdOx1-S, 84.7 BAU/mL). The elimination rate of these antibodies was faster in BNT162b2- rather than ChAdOx1-S- vaccinated individuals. A booster dose induced a significant increase in the S1RBD-specific IgG median levels (BNT162b2, 1823.0 BAU/mL; ChAdOx1-S, 656.8 BAU/mL). This study is the first of its kind to characterize S1RBD-specific IgG antibody responses in vaccinated healthcare workers in Cyprus. While the positivity for S1RBD-specific antibodies was maintained 3 months after the second vaccine dose, the level of these antibodies waned over the same period, indicating the importance of a booster vaccination. The results herein could complement the public health policies regarding the immunization schedule for COVID-19.

The prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis A virus was investigated in 385 children and adolescents (52.2% males), aged 6 to 18, in the Larnaca area of Cyprus. This is the first study investigating the prevalence of hepatitis A in Cyprus for this age group. The population was stratified into two groups: 6 to 12 years old and 13 to 18 years old. None of the subjects in the first group were positive. The prevalence of hepatitis A in the age of group 13 tol8 was 1.6%. In conclusion, the low prevalence of anti-HAV demonstrates the susceptibility of young Cypriots to hepatitis A. This is a cause for concern as these unprotected young adults are frequently exposed to potentially infected individuals.