Publications by authors named "Biagio Pinchera"

Background And Aims: Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) infection have undergone significant changes in Italy over the past few decades, but reliable and updated prevalence of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and Delta (CHD) data are lacking. The aim of the study was to describe the epidemiology of CHB and CHD in Italy in 2024, based on real-world data.

Methods: The number of patients with a healthcare expenditure exemption for CHB (016.

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Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in kidney transplant patients are a challenge.

Aim: To evaluate epidemiology, clinical status, therapeutic management, and clinical outcome of kidney transplant patients in a university hospital for UTI.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study, enrolling all kidney transplant patients hospitalized for UTI, with the objective to evaluate the epidemiology, clinical status, therapeutic management, and clinical outcome of kidney transplant patients.

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is a rare Gram-negative bacterium that has been infrequently associated with human infections. It is a non-encapsulated, facultative anaerobic organism that grows well in nonselective laboratory media and exhibits variable resistance patterns. Although has been identified as a pathogen since 2006, reports of its clinical significance remain scarce, particularly in Europe.

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HDV infection has long been, and continues to be, a significant challenge. Chronic liver disease related to HDV is one of the most aggressive forms of liver disease, carrying a high risk of progression to cirrhosis and decompensated liver disease. Although an estimated 12 to 72 million people worldwide have been exposed to HDV, the prevalence of HDV-related conditions is believed to be underreported, and further epidemiological studies are needed to better understand its scope.

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Refractory and resistant cytomegalovirus infections remain significant challenges in solid-organ transplant recipients. In this context, maribavir is a valuable therapeutic option for management of cytomegalovirus infection. Although the clinical efficacy and safety of maribavir are well established, the optimal approach for assessment of viremic response, which is defined as the clearance of viremia, still requires further clarification.

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Urinary tract infections are one of the main complications in kidney transplant patients, with a significant impact on graft function and survival. In fact, it is estimated that up to 74% of kidney transplant patients experience at least one episode of UTIs in the first year after transplantation, with an increased risk of graft loss and an increased risk of mortality. Several risk factors have been identified, such as female gender, old age, diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression, pre-transplant UTIs, urinary tract abnormalities, and prolonged dialysis.

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Objectives: Hepatitis delta virus infection poses a significant challenge in solid-organ transplant recipients due to its aggressive nature and limited therapeutic options. Bulevirtide is a novel antiviral agent approved by the European Medicines Agency in 2020 for the treatment of hepatitis delta virus infection, but limited data are available on its use in solid-organ transplant recipients.

Materials And Methods: We present a case report of a 42-year-old male kidney transplant patient with coinfection of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis delta virus who was treated with bulevirtide over a 6-month period.

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Article Synopsis
  • Pre-exposure prophylaxis with Tixagevimab/Cilgavimab has effectively reduced COVID-19 risks in immunocompromised patients, but its efficacy is limited against the Kraken variant (XBB.1.5).
  • A study involving kidney transplant patients on this treatment showed only one asymptomatic infection during a six-month follow-up, with no hospitalizations or COVID-related deaths.
  • The results suggest Tixagevimab/Cilgavimab may still be a beneficial preventive option for immunocompromised individuals, underlining the need for further clinical research on this topic.
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The emergence of COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), presented a global health challenge since its identification in December 2019. With clinical manifestations ranging from mild respiratory symptoms to severe multi-organ dysfunction, COVID-19 continues to affect populations worldwide. The complex interactions between SARS-CoV-2 variants and the human immune system are crucial for developing effective therapies, vaccines, and preventive measures.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study analyzed saliva from 63 hospitalized COVID-19 patients and 30 healthy controls using advanced techniques to identify biochemical changes and potential noninvasive diagnostic biomarkers.
  • It found significant differences in the levels of 77 proteins, with unique and varied expressions among COVID-19 patients, highlighting a complex interplay between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses.
  • The research also noted alterations in peptides and amino acids, establishing a diagnostic algorithm with high efficiency to differentiate between COVID-19 patients and healthy individuals.
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  • Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are rare tumors often linked to immune issues, like Good's syndrome (GS), which increases mortality risk from infections.
  • The study reviewed COVID-19 incidence and severity among TET patients from March 2020 to April 2023, noting that about 66% of participants contracted COVID-19, regardless of GS presence.
  • Results showed a significant correlation between GS and increased COVID-19 severity, with 45% of GS patients experiencing higher severity scores compared to just 7.7% in patients without GS.
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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a real and current scientific and societal challenge. Alzheimer's disease is characterised by a neurodegenerative neuroinflammatory process, but the etiopathogenetic mechanisms are still unclear. The possible infectious aetiology and potential involvement of Herpes viruses as triggers for the formation of extracellular deposits of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide (amyloid plaques) and intraneuronal aggregates of hyperphosphorylated and misfold could be a possible explanation.

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Introduction: The introduction of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has significantly transformed the therapeutic landscape for chronic C hepatitis virus (HCV) infection. However, there is still room for further improvement in optimizing therapy efficacy and minimizing adverse effects.

Areas Covered: This review is devoted to the rationale for adopting a personalized approach to HCV therapy.

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Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the second most frequent type of infection observed in clinical practice. Gram-negative are common pathogens in UTIs. Excessive antibiotic use in humans and animals, poor infection control, and increased global travel have accelerated the spread of multidrug-resistant strains (MDR).

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Background: Very few cases of pneumonia (PJP) have been reported in COVID-19 so far, and mostly in patients with concomitant HIV infection or in solid-organ transplant recipients. Despite COVID-19 being associated with lymphopenia and the use of steroids, there are no studies specifically aimed at investigating the risk factors for PJP in COVID-19.

Methods: A retrospective case-control study was performed.

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Article Synopsis
  • Sars-CoV-2 infections vary widely in severity, influenced by factors like age, preexisting health issues, and genetic susceptibility, particularly relating to the mannose-binding lectin (MBL) protein.
  • A study of 419 COVID-19 patients revealed that those with specific MBL2 haplotypes, especially null alleles, tend to experience more severe symptoms and inflammation.
  • The findings suggest that testing for MBL2 genotypes and serum MBL levels could guide treatment strategies, with early MBL therapy potentially benefiting patients with defective genotypes.
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  • The intestinal microbiota is crucial for maintaining overall health and can influence various diseases, including chronic liver conditions like those caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV).
  • Recent advancements in antiviral treatments, specifically direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs), have led to a high success rate in clearing HCV infections (around 95%).
  • A study involving 12 patients treated with DAAs revealed a decrease in harmful gut bacteria and an increase in microbial diversity after treatment, especially notable in patients without advanced liver cirrhosis.
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Article Synopsis
  • The study evaluates the outcomes of COVID-19 in solid organ transplant recipients post-pandemic, emphasizing how vaccinations and new antiviral treatments have improved disease management and survival rates.
  • Conducted at A.O.U. Federico II in Naples, the research included 40 patients and highlighted the positive effects of monoclonal antibodies and antiviral therapies during the early stages of infection.
  • It also raises important questions about how different immunosuppressive therapies (Mycophenolate potentially worsening outcomes and Everolimus possibly protecting against severe disease) impact COVID-19 severity, while reaffirming the critical role of vaccination, especially booster doses.
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Early treatment with antivirals against SARS-CoV-2 infection can prevent the onset of severe COVID-19 in fragile and immunocompromised patients. In this real-life, prospective, observational study, we evaluated efficacy and safety of a 3-day early treatment with remdesivir in adult and fragile patients with a diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection who referred to the COVID-19 early treatment service of Infectious Diseases Unit of University of Naples Federico from 10 January 2022 to 31 March 2022. The included patients could be treated with either remdesivir alone or with remdesivir plus a monoclonal antibody with activity against SARS-CoV-2.

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Background: HCV-related liver disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with HIV infection. It is well known that the response rates to HCV therapy are similar between HCV-monoinfected patients and HIV-HV coinfected ones. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of HCV eradication on CD4 + T cell count in a population of HIV-HCV coinfected patients.

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Since 2020, COVID-19 pandemic has spread worldwide causing a huge number of cases and casualties. Among direct anti SARS-CoV-2 agents available for the treatment of COVID-19, only remdesivir and casirivimab/imdevimab have been approved for severe disease. As they act at different levels in blocking viral replication, it is theoretically possible to combine them.

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Diabetes mellitus represents one of the most frequent comorbidities among patients with COVID-19, constituting a risk factor for a more severe prognosis than that of non-diabetic patients. However, the pathophysiological mechanism underlying this unfavorable outcome is still not completely clear. The goal of our study was to evaluate the potential role of antidiabetic therapy in the evolution of COVID-19.

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The gut microbiota plays a fundamental role in Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)-related liver disease. Indeed, HCV infection alters the gut microbiota, whereas intestinal dysbiosis induces an underlying inflammatory state. This status may lead to liver disease progression.

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The evolution and the development of the symptoms of Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) are due to different factors, where the microbiome plays a relevant role. The possible relationships between the gut, lung, nasopharyngeal, and oral microbiome with COVID-19 have been investigated. We analyzed the nasal microbiome of both positive and negative SARS-CoV-2 individuals, showing differences in terms of bacterial composition in this niche of respiratory tract.

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