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ASSIMAKOPOULOS STELIOS, Associate Professor

ASSIMAKOPOULOS STELIOS

Sector: Division of Internal Medicine Ι

Clinic/Laboratory: Department of Internal Medicine

Knowledge Subject: Internal Medicine- Infectious Diseases

Research Area: Internal Medicine-Infectious Diseases

Rion, 26504, Greece

+30-2610-999583, +30-2610-999740 +30-2610-993982 sassim@upatras.gr

Office hours

Summary of Curriculum Vitae

Stelios Assimakopoulos M.D., Ph.D. is Associate Professor of Internal Medicine – Infectious Diseases at Patras University Medical School. He is an Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases specialist, with full clinical duties at the Depts of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, and Scientific Director of the Special Infections Unit of Patras University Hospital. His teaching assignments include undergraduate, postgraduate and residency courses. His research background and interests are mainly focused on the pathophysiology of microbial translocation and intestinal barrier dysfunction in diverse pathological states (liver cirrhosis, obstructive jaundice, liver regeneration, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, abdominal surgery, sepsis, HIV infection) studied in animal models and patients. Professor Assimakopoulos has been awarded for his research contributions with the “Walter Brendel” Award from the European Society for Surgical Research, together with several national awards. His clinical interests include infections from multi-drug resistant organisms, infections in immunocompromised (transplanted) patients, antimicrobial stewardship, surgical infections and HIV. He has published over 135 scientific papers in international peer-reviewed journals with h-index:36 (Google Scholar 12/2023). In addition, he serves as a Referee for over 60 international journals and participates in the Editorial Board of 20 international scientific journals. He is member of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID), the European Committee on Infection control (EUCIC), the European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS) and the European Shock Society (ESR). He is member of the Greek National committee in EUCIC and national representative (National focal point) in ECDC’s Network for the Microbial Safety of Substances of Human Origin (human organs). He currently serves as Vice-president of the Medical Society of Western Greece and Peloponnesus (2022-2025).

Undergraduate Courses

Postgraduate Courses

Postgraduate courses:

  • Lectures in Postgraduate Residency Program of the Dept. of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Patras (2008-present)
  • Clinical practice of residents in Internal Medicine, Dept of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Patras (2008-present)
  • Instructor: Postgraduate Program in “Public Health”, School of Medicine, University of Patras.
  • Instructor: Interdepartmental Program of Postgraduate Studies in "Informatics for Life Sciences", Patras University.
  • Instructor: Postgraduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Dept of Medicine, University of Patras.
  • Instructor: Interuniversity Interdepartmental Postgraduate Master Degree Program’s “Disease of the nose, maxillofacial area and cranial base”, Department of Medicine, University of Patras and Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
  • Instructor: Postgraduate Program in "Infectious Diseases", National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Selected Publications

  1. Assimakopoulos SF, Marangos M. Orbital Hydatid Cyst. N Engl J Med 2020;382(14):1352
  2. Eleftheriotis G, Tsounis EP, Aggeletopoulou I, Dousdampanis P, Triantos C, Mouzaki A, Marangos M, Assimakopoulos SF. Alterations in gut immunological barrier in SARS-CoV-2 infection and their prognostic potential. Front Immunol. 2023;15;14:1129190.
  3. Assimakopoulos SF, Karamouzos V, Eleftheriotis G, Lagadinou M, Bartzavali C, Kolonitsiou F, Paliogianni F, Fligou F, Marangos M. Efficacy of Fosfomycin-Containing Regimens for Treatment of Bacteremia Due to Pan-Drug Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in Critically Ill Patients: A Case Series Study. Pathogens. 2023;12(2):286. 
  4. Assimakopoulos SF, Eleftheriotis G, Lagadinou M, Karamouzos V, Dousdampanis P, Siakallis G, Marangos M. SARS CoV-2-Induced Viral Sepsis: The Role of Gut Barrier Dysfunction. Microorganisms. 2022;10(5):1050.
  5. Assimakopoulos SF, Aretha D, Komninos D, Dimitropoulou D, Lagadinou M, Leonidou L, Oikonomou I, Mouzaki A, Marangos M. N-acetyl-cysteine reduces the risk for mechanical ventilation and mortality in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia: a two-center retrospective cohort study. Infect Dis (Lond). 2021;53(11):847-854.
  6. Assimakopoulos SF, Lazaris V, Papadimitriou-Olivgeris M, et al. Predictors of mortality for KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infections in adult neutropenic patients with haematological malignancies. Infect Dis (Lond) 2020;1–4.
  7. Assimakopoulos SF, Akinosoglou K, de Lastic A-L, Skintzi A, Mouzaki A, Gogos CA. The prognostic value of endotoxemia and intestinal barrier biomarker ZO-1 in bacteremic sepsis. Am J Med Sci; 2020;359(2):100-107
  8. Assimakopoulos SF, Triantos C, Thomopoulos K, Fligou F, Maroulis I, Marangos M, Gogos CA. Gut-origin sepsis in the critically ill patient: pathophysiology and treatment. Infection 2018; doi: 10.1007/s15010-018-1178-
  9. Assimakopoulos SF, Dimitropoulou D, Marangos M, Gogos C. On the search for novel treatment modalities for HIV-associated intestinal barrier dysfunction. Infection 2015;43:619-20.
  10. Assimakopoulos SF, Dimitropoulou D, Marangos M, Gogos CA. Intestinal barrier dysfunction in HIV infection: pathophysiology, clinical implications and potential therapies. Infection 2014;42(6):951-9.
  11. Assimakopoulos SF, Charonis AS. Uncovering the molecular events associated with increased intestinal permeability in liver cirrhosis: the pivotal role of enterocyte tight junctions and future perspectives. J Hepatol 2013;59:1144-1146.
  12. Assimakopoulos SF, Tsamandas AC, Tsiaoussis GI, Karatza E, Zisimopoulos D, Maroulis I, Kontogeorgou E, Georgiou CD, Scopa CD, Thomopoulos KC. Intestinal mucosal proliferation, apoptosis and oxidative stress in patients with liver cirrhosis. Ann Hepatol 2013;12(2):301-307.
  13. Assimakopoulos SF. On the role of intestinal hyperpermeability in complications of cirrhosis. Liver Int 2013; 33(3):495.
  14. Assimakopoulos SF, Tsamandas AC, Tsiaoussis G, Karatza E, Triantos C, Vagianos CE, Spiliopoulou I, Kaltezioti V, Charonis A, Nikolopoulou VN, Scopa CD, Thomopoulos K. Altered intestinal tight junctions’ expression in patients with liver cirrhosis: A pathogenetic mechanism of intestinal hyperpermeability. Eur J Clin Invest 2012;42(4):439-446
  15. Assimakopoulos SF, Tsamandas AC, Louvros E, Vagianos CE, Nikolopoulou VN, Thomopoulos KC, Charonis A, Scopa CD. Intestinal epithelial cell proliferation, apoptosis and expression of tight junction proteins in patients with obstructive jaundice. Eur J Clin Invest 2011;41(2):117-25.
  16. Assimakopoulos SF, Tsamandas AC, Georgiou C, Vagianos CE, Scopa CD. Bombesin and neurotensin exert antiproliferative effects on oval cells and augment the regenerative response of the cholestatic rat liver. Peptides 2010;31:2294-2303.
  17. Assimakopoulos SF, Mavrakis A, Grintzalis K, Papapostolou I, Zervoudakis G, Konstantinou D, Chroni E, Vagianos C, Georgiou C. Superoxide radical formation in diverse organs of rats with experimentally induced obstructive jaundice. Redox Report 2008;13(4):179-184
  18. Assimakopoulos SF, Papapostolou I, Thomopoulos KC, Grintzalis K, Georgiou CD, Gogos C, Vagianos CE. Plasma superoxide radical in jaundiced patients and role of xanthine oxidase. Am J Med Sci 2008; 336(3):230-236
  19. Assimakopoulos SF, Thomopoulos KC, Patsoukis N, Georgiou C, Scopa CD, Nikolopoulou VN, Vagianos CE. Evidence for intestinal oxidative stress in patients with obstructive jaundice. Eur J Clin Invest 2006;36:181-187
  20. Assimakopoulos SF, Scopa CD, Zervoudakis G, Mylonas P, Georgiou C, Nikolopoulou V, Vagianos CE. Bombesin and neurotensin reduce endotoxaemia, intestinal oxidative stress and apoptosis in experimental obstructive jaundice. Ann Surg 2005;241(1):159-167
  21. Assimakopoulos SF, Scopa CD, Charonis A, Spiliopoulou I, Georgiou C, Nikolopoulou V, Vagianos CE. Experimental obstructive jaundice disrupts intestinal mucosal barrier by altering occludin expression. Beneficial effect of bombesin and neurotensin. J Am Coll Surg 2004;198(5):748-757
  22. Assimakopoulos SF, Vagianos C, Zervoudakis G, Filos KS, Georgiou C, Nikolopoulou V, Scopa CD. Gut regulatory peptides bombesin and neurotensin reduce hepatic oxidative stress and histological alterations in bile duct ligated rats. Regul Peptides 2004;120(1-3):185-193
  23. Assimakopoulos SF, Vagianos CE, Patsoukis N, Georgiou C, Nikolopoulou V, Scopa CD. Evidence for intestinal oxidative stress in obstructive jaundice-induced gut barrier dysfunction in rats. Acta Physiol Scand 2004;180(2):177-185

Selected Presentations

1. Thomopoulos Κ, Katsakoulis Κ, Assimakopoulos S, Vasilopoulos A, Mimidis K, Nikolopoulou V. Is colonoscopy needed in all patients with rectosigmoid adenomas? Gut 2000;47(Suppl 3):A262

2. Assimakopoulos S, Zervoudakis D, Apostolopoulou A, Patsoukis N, Georgiou CD, Scopa CD, Vagianos C. Beneficial effects of Neurotensin (NTN) and Bombesin (BBS) in reducing oxidative stress in liver of experimentally jaundiced rats. Hepato-Gastroenterology 2001;48(Suppl 1):O-37

3. Assimakopoulos S, Patsoukis N, Tsiftsis D, Zervoudakis D, Georgiou CD, Vagianos C, Scopa CD. Bile duct ligation in the rat promotes oxidative stress in the intestine: protective effect of Neurotensine (NTN) and Bombesin (BBS). Hepato-Gastroenterology 2001;48(Suppl 1):P- 36

4. Assimakopoulos SF, Alexandris I, Patsoukis N, Scopa CD, Vagianos CE, Nikolopoulou V. Alterations of occludin expression in intestinal mucosa and oxidative stress in experimental obstructive jaundice. Annals of Gastroenterology 2002;15(Suppl):ΕΑ026

5. Scopa CD, Assimakopoulos S, Nikolopoulou V, Charonis AS, Vagianos CE. Experimental jaundice disrupts intestinal mucosal barrier by altering occludin expression. Lab Ιnvest 2002;82:559 and Mod Pathol 2002;15:599.

6. Assimakopoulos S, Vagianos C, Zervoudakis G, Kouraklis G, Nikolopoulou V, Scopa C. The enterotrophic factors Neurotensin (NTN) and Bombesin (BBS) improve intestinal injury and reduce endotoxemia in experimental obstructive jaundice. Eur Surg Res 2003;35:220(92)

7. Assimakopoulos S, Scopa C, Georgiou C, Nikolopoulou V, Charonis A, Vagianos C. Altered enterocyte occludin expression and intestinal oxidative stress in obstructive jaundice-induced gut barrier dysfunction. Eur Surg Res 2003;35:226(105)

8. Assimakopoulos SF, Scopa CD, Charonis A, Georgiou C, Nikolopoulou V, Vagianos C. Gut permeability in experimental obstructive jaundice: Cellular and biochemical alterations of the intestinal mucosa and influence of gut regulatory peptides bombesin and neurotensin. Digestive Surgery 2004;21:16(9)

9. Scopa CD, Assimakopoulos SF, Georgiou CD, Vagianos CE. Beneficial effects of bombesin and neurotensin on liver histology and oxidative status in bile duct ligated rats. Lab Invest 2004;84 (Suppl 1):312A(1312)

10. Assimakopoulos SF, Scopa CD, Alexandris I, Patsoukis N, Zervoudakis G, Nikolopoulou V, Vagianos CE. Gut Regulatory Peptides Bombesin and Neurotensin Reduce Hepatic Oxidative Stress and Histological Alterations in Bile Duct Ligated Rats. Eur Surg Res 2004;36 (Suppl 1):3

11. Melachrinou M, Assimakopoulos SF, Matsouka P, Symeonidis A, Bonikos DS. Expression Levels of Active Caspase 3 Predict Response to Treatment in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphomas. Mod Pathol 2006;19(Suppl.1):1099 and Lab Invest 2006;86(Suppl.1): 1099

12. Assimakopoulos SF, Kokkores A, Georgiou C, Scopa CD, Thomopoulos KC, Nikolopoulou V, Vagianos CE. Evidence for intestinal oxidative stress in patients with obstructive jaundice. Eur Surg Res 2006;38(suppl 1):11(19)

13. Assimakopoulos SF, Maroulis J, Siasos N, Patsoukis N, Scopa CD, Georgiou C , Vagianos CE. Effect of antioxidants on intestinal barrier function in bile duct ligated rats. Eur Surg Res 2006;38(suppl 1):138(P53)

14. Assimakopoulos SF, Thomopoulos KC, Louvros E, Theocharis G, Giannikoulis C, Katsakoulis E, Nikolopoulou VN. Changes in the prevalence of upper gastrointestinal tract diseases in patients referred for endoscopy during the last fifteen years. Gut 2007;56(suppl III):A202

15. Assimakopoulos S, Tsamandas AC, Georgiou C, Vagianos C, Scopa CD. Antiproliferative effects of bombesin and neurotensin on oval cells in experimental biliary obstruction in rats. Lab Invest 2010;90(suppl 1s):349A(1555) and Mod Pathol 2010;23(suppl 1s):349A(1555)

16. Assimakopoulos SF, Tsamandas AC, Louvros E, Vagianos CE, Nikolopoulou VN, Thomopoulos KC, Charonis A, Scopa CD. Intestinal epithelial cell proliferation, apoptosis and expression of tight junction proteins in patients with obstructive jaundice. Gut 2010;59 (Suppl III) A171

17. Triantos CK, Kalafateli M, Samonakis DN, Spadidea P, Goukos D, Papiamonis P, Thomopoulos K, Assimakopoulos SF, Gogos C, Labropoulou-Karatza C, Kouroumalis EA, Daikos GL, Mouzaki A, Nikolopoulou V. Lack of evidence for bacterial translocation in patients with cirrhosis and acute variceal bleeding but evidence for IL-6 involvement. Hepatology 2015;62(suppl1):2094

18. Triantos CK, Kalafateli M, Spadidea P, Goukos D, Koutroumpakis E, Assimakopoulos SF, Thomopoulos K, Gogos C, Labropoulou-Karatza C, Mouzaki A, Daikos GL, Nikolopoulou V. Liver cirrhosis and short-term proton pump inhibitors. A prospective study. Hepatology 2015;62(suppl1):2095

 

PhD Theses Advisor

PhD thesis of Dr. Oikonomou Ioanna (Patras University Medical School)

PhD thesis of Dr. Georgopoulou Georgia (Patras University Medical School)

PhD thesis of Dr. Emmanuil Andreas (Patras University Medical School)

PhD thesis of Dr. Benetatos Nikolaos (Patras University Medical School)

Other Activities

AWARDS & HONORS

• “Walter Brendel” award from the European Society for Surgical Research, the most prestigious award of the Society given to one researcher annually (2004).

• Award in “Internal Medicine” from the Medical Society of Western Greece and Peloponnese (2012).

• 1st e-poster award from the Hellenic Association for the Study of Liver (2018)

• “P. Kokkalis” award from the Hellenic Surgical Society, for best young investigator research published in peer reviewed journal (2004).

• Honorary Distinction from the Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology for excellent published research (2004)

• Honorary Distinction from the Hellenic Society of Digestive Surgery (2003).

• 3rd research award of the Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology (2002).

 

MEMBER OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETES

• Medical Society of Western Greece and Peloponnesus (Vice president, Secretary 2016-2019)

• Hellenic Society of Infectious Diseases

• European Committee on Infection Control (EUCIC) (2015)

• National (Greek) Committee on Infection Control (member of EUCIC) (2015)

• European Shock Society

• ECDC SoHO (safety of human organs) network (National focal point 2022-23, alternate NFP 2024)

 

SCIENTIFIC SOCIETES COMMITTEES

• Hellenic Society of Infectious Diseases (treasurer 2024-26)

• Medical Society of Western Greece and Peloponnesus (Vice president 2022-25, Secretary 2016-19)

 

 

REVIEWER IN SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS

• Reviewer in 65 International Scientific Journals: GUT, American Journal of Gastroenterology, Free Radical Biology and Medicine, Cell Death & Disease, Laboratory Investigation, Current Cancer Drug Targets, British Journal of Nutrition, PLOS ONE, Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry, European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Infection, etc

 

MEMBER OF EDITORIAL BOARDS IN PEER-REVIEWED SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS

Editorial Board member in 20 international Scientific Journals