Respiratory Virus Prevalence Across Pre-, During-, and Post-SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic Periods.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the circulation, seasonality, and disease burden of viral respiratory infections. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the frequency of viral respiratory infections at a teaching hospital in Southern Italy by comparing data from before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic and by investigating how the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 affected the circulation and seasonality of other respiratory viruses. This retrospective and prospective study was performed on de-identified nasopharyngeal specimens classified as pre-COVID-19 (before 15 March 2020), during-COVID-19 (from 16 March 2020 to 5 May 2023), and post-COVID-19 (from 6 May 2023 to 31 December 2024).

Comparison of diagnostic performances of HDV-RNA quantification assays used in clinical practice: Results from a national quality control multicenter study.

Introduction: A reliable quantification of hepatitis D virus (HDV) RNA is of paramount importance for monitoring patients under antiviral therapy. This quality control study compares the diagnostic performances of quantitative HDV-RNA assays used in clinical practice.

Methods: Two HDV-RNA sample panels were quantified in 30 centers by RoboGene (N = 9 laboratories), EurobioPlex (N = 7), RealStar (N = 4), AltoStar (N = 1), Bosphore (N = 3), Bosphore-on-InGenius (N = 1), Dia.

RETRACTED: Branda et al. Zoonotic Paramyxoviruses: Evolution, Ecology, and Public Health Strategies in a Changing World. 2024, , 1688.

The journal retracts the article "Zoonotic Paramyxoviruses: Evolution, Ecology, and Public Health Strategies in a Changing World" [...

Molecular versus conventional assay for diagnosis of hospital-acquired pneumonia in critically ill patients: a single center experience.

Purpose: Lower respiratory tract infections are reported as one of top five causes of mortality and morbidity in the world. A bacterial etiology is often involved in HAP, most frequently from multidrug resistant gram-negative bacteria, and fast accurate diagnosis of etiologic agent(s) of LRTI is essential for an appropriate management. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the analytical performance of Biofire Filmarray Pneumonia Plus for bacteria detection in bronchoalveolar lavage samples and the concordance of bacterial loads between BFPP and cultural gold standard methods.

Human T-Lymphotropic Virus (HTLV): Epidemiology, Genetic, Pathogenesis, and Future Challenges.

Human T-lymphotropic viruses (HTLVs) are deltaretroviruses infecting millions of individuals worldwide, with HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 being the most widespread and clinically relevant types. HTLV-1 is associated with severe diseases such as adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), while HTLV-2 shows a lower pathogenic potential, with occasional links to neurological disorders. HTLV-3 and HTLV-4, identified in Central Africa, remain poorly characterized but are genetically close to their simian counterparts, indicating recent zoonotic transmission events.

Impact of Multiplex PCR on Diagnosis of Bacterial and Fungal Infections and Choice of Appropriate Antimicrobial Therapy.

Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) has significantly impacted the field of infectious disease diagnostics, offering rapid and precise identification of bacterial and fungal pathogens. Unlike traditional culture methods, which may take days to yield results, multiplex PCR provides diagnostic insights within hours, enabling faster, targeted antimicrobial therapy and reducing the delay in treating critical infections like sepsis. The technique's high sensitivity and broad pathogen coverage make it ideal for both single and polymicrobial infections, improving outcomes across respiratory, bloodstream, and bacterial/fungal infections.

Risk factors for the development of hospital-acquired pneumonia in patients with carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii respiratory colonization and the role of multisite colonization: a multicenter retrospective study.

Introduction: Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) infections are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Furthermore, the role of CRAB respiratory colonization, including multisite colonization, has not yet been adequately highlighted in critically ill patients.

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective multicenter study, conducted in 4 different Italian hospitals, patients with CRAB respiratory colonization +/- other site who developed or did not develop clinically significant pneumonia from December 2015 to December 2023 were enrolled.

Molecular characterization of autochthonous Hepatitis E virus detected from a human acute infection in the Calabria Region, Southern Italy.

Herein, we reported the molecular characterization of HEV autochthonous strain from an immunocompetent patient. The HEV was classified as subtype 3c and displayed the V1479I ribavirin resistance mutation. The phylogenetic tree analysis showed two statistically supported clusters, including viral strains from symptomatic patients, without severe disease, and meat products.

Circulation of a Unique Clone, ST147 NDM-1/OXA-48, in Two Diverse Hospitals in Calabria (Italy).

Carbapenem-resistant has become endemic in Europe, including in Italy, where its prevalence has risen dramatically, primarily due to epidemic clones harboring metallo-enzymes. This study aims to investigate the dissemination of strains co-producing OXA-48 and NDM-1 between two hospitals in southern Italy using molecular analyses. A total of 49 strains, predominantly co-producing OXA-48 and NDM-1, were collected between March and December 2023.

An Ascaris lumbricoides infection diagnosed by colonoscopy: A case report and a brief literature review.

Background: Ascaris lumbricoides is a nematode that parasitizes the human gastrointestinal tract, and it is the cause of the most common helminthic infections worldwide. It predominates in areas of poor sanitation. Early diagnosis of this intestinal infection is pivotal to avoid its severe and lethal complications such as gut obstruction, volvulus, and perforation.

The issue of climate change and the spread of tropical diseases in Europe and Italy: vector biology, disease transmission, genome-based monitoring and public health implications.

Background: Climate change significantly influences the distribution and severity of tropical diseases. Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events are transforming the habitats of vectors like mosquitoes and ticks, promoting their proliferation and geographic spread. These changes have facilitated the resurgence of diseases such as malaria, dengue, and chikungunya fever in previously unaffected areas, including parts of Europe and Italy.

Zoonotic Paramyxoviruses: Evolution, Ecology, and Public Health Strategies in a Changing World.

The family includes a number of negative RNA viruses known for their wide host range and significant zoonotic potential. In recent years, there has been a surge in the identification of emerging zoonotic paramyxoviruses, particularly those hosted by bat species, which serve as key reservoirs. Among these, the genera Henipavirus and Pararubulavirus are of particular concern.

Seroprevalence and age-related susceptibility of TORCH infections in childbearing age women: A 5-year cross-sectional retrospective study and a literature review.

Background: Serodiagnosis of TORCH infections should be performed in pre-pregnancy and reproductive-age women to prevent vertical transmission. Herein, we conducted a 5-year cross-sectional retrospective study in childbearing age women to provide prevalence data. Also, stratifying the cohort into three age groups, we identified those most susceptible to acute TORCH infections.

Integrating Digital Health Solutions with Immunization Strategies: Improving Immunization Coverage and Monitoring in the Post-COVID-19 Era.

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the critical importance of vaccination to global health security and highlighted the potential of digital health solutions to improve immunization strategies. This article explores integrating digital health technologies with immunization programs to improve coverage, monitoring, and public health outcomes. It examines the current landscape of digital tools used in immunization initiatives, such as mobile health apps, electronic health records, and data analytics platforms.

Infection: Use of Inflammatory Biomarkers and Hemogram-Derived Ratios to Predict Mortality Risk in Hospitalized Patients.

Background: infection (CDI) is a significant cause of mortality, especially in healthcare environments. Reliable biomarkers that can accurately predict mortality in CDI patients are yet to be evaluated. Our study aims to evaluate the accuracy of several inflammatory biomarkers and hemogram-derived ratios in predicting mortality in CDI patients, such as the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), the platelet-to-neutrophil ratio (PNR), the derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR), C-reactive protein (CRP), the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and procalcitonin (PCT).

Prevalence of Enteric Pathogens and Antibiotic Resistance: Results of a Six-Year Active Surveillance Study on Patients Admitted to a Teaching Hospital.

Background: Acute Infectious Diarrhea (AID) and the short- and long-term complications associated with it are major causes of hospitalization worldwide. In Italy, due to a lack of robust surveillance programs, only limited data has been collected on their prevalence and circulation. This study aims to evaluate the resistance pattern of enteric pathogens and their epidemiological trends over a six-year period.

Persistence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and viral intra- and inter-host evolution in COVID-19 hospitalized patients.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) persistence in COVID-19 patients could play a key role in the emergence of variants of concern. The rapid intra-host evolution of SARS-CoV-2 may result in an increased transmissibility, immune and therapeutic escape which could be a direct consequence of COVID-19 epidemic currents. In this context, a longitudinal retrospective study on eight consecutive COVID-19 patients with persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection, from January 2022 to March 2023, was conducted.

Gut Microbiota Profile Changes in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Metagenomic Study.

Gut microbiota imbalances have a significant role in the pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Herein, we compared gut microbial composition in patients diagnosed with either IBD or NAFLD or a combination of both. Seventy-four participants were stratified into four groups: IBD-NAFLD, IBD-only, NAFLD-only patients, and healthy controls (CTRLs).

Changing and Evolution of Influenza Virus: Is It a Trivial Flu?

Background: Influenza viruses are etiological agents which cause contagious respiratory, seasonal epidemics and, for influenza A subtypes, pandemics. The clinical picture of influenza has undergone continuous change over the years, due to intrinsic viral evolution as well as "reassortment" of its genomic segments. The history of influenza highlights its ability to adapt and to rapidly evolve, without specific circumstances.

Does the Human Gut Virome Contribute to Host Health or Disease?

The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract harbors eukaryotic and prokaryotic viruses and their genomes, metabolites, and proteins, collectively known as the "gut virome". This complex community of viruses colonizing the enteric mucosa is pivotal in regulating host immunity. The mechanisms involved in cross communication between mucosal immunity and the gut virome, as well as their relationship in health and disease, remain largely unknown.

Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 Variants in Military and Civilian Personnel of an Air Force Airport during Three Pandemic Waves in Italy.

We investigated SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating, from November 2020 to March 2022, among military and civilian personnel at an Air Force airport in Italy in order to classify viral isolates in a potential hotspot for virus spread. Positive samples were subjected to Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) of the whole viral genome and Sanger sequencing of the spike coding region. Phylogenetic analysis classified viral isolates and traced their evolutionary relationships.