Outbreak of autochthonous West Nile virus infection in Lazio region, Italy, July to August 2025: preliminary investigation.

In July-18 August 2025, 171 autochthonous cases with West Nile virus (WNV) infection were confirmed in Lazio, Italy: four asymptomatic blood donors, 110 with WNV fever, 57 with neuroinvasive syndrome and nine deaths. WNV lineage 2 was detected in two neuroinvasive cases. Infection with WNV was confirmed in 28 horses, five crows and a pool.

Attitudes and prescribing practices on doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis (DoxyPEP) among Italian infectious diseases physicians: findings from a National SIMIT Survey.

Objectives: Doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis (DoxyPEP) has emerged as a promising tool for reducing bacterial sexually transmitted infections (bSTIs), particularly among men who have sex with men. This study aims to investigate the attitudes and prescribing practices of Italian infectious disease (ID) physicians regarding DoxyPEP for the prevention of bSTIs.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey conducted between October 2024 and March 2025 among ID specialists registered with the Italian Society of Infectious and Tropical Diseases.

CT changes in a randomized trial comparing early therapies in an outpatient population at high risk of severe COVID19 disease.

Although in vitro studies suggest that neutralization by monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against SARS CoV2 Omicron sub lineages is reduced, in vivo virological response data are lacking. MONET (EudraCT: 2021-004188-28) was multi-centric phase 4 open-label parallel randomized clinical trial, conducted in Italy over 2022-2023, to assess the efficacy of sotrovimab (SOT), tixagevimab/cilgavimab (TIX/CIL) and Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (NMV/r), in outpatients at high risk for severe COVID-19. The outcome (secondary in the trial protocol) was SARS-CoV-2 variation in cycle threshold (CT) values over the first 7 days (D1-D7) of the trial.

malaria in six travellers returning from Zanzibar to Italy, December 2023 to February 2025: a case series.

Between December 2023 and February 2025, six cases of malaria were reported in travellers returning to Italy from Zanzibar, a popular tourist destination often perceived as low risk. None had taken prophylaxis, five had severe malaria and two died. Diagnostic delays revealed a lack of clinical suspicion of malaria and awareness among travellers and healthcare professionals.

Comparative Effectiveness of Antiviral Agents and Monoclonal Antibodies for Early SARS-CoV-2 Therapy in Immunocompromised Patients: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study (March 2021-March 2022).

Immunocompromised (IC) patients continue to be at risk of severe COVID-19 despite vaccination and anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapies. The comparative effectiveness of antiviral agents (AVAs) and monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) as early treatment of SARS-CoV-2 in IC patients is described in this work. This retrospective multicenter cohort study included IC outpatients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 between March 2021 and March 2022 at the National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani" and Santa Maria Goretti University Hospital, Italy.

Stage-Specific Immune Responses to AgB T-Peptides in Patients with Cystic Echinococcosis.

The identification of parasite- and stage-specific antigens is crucial for the development of new diagnostic tests for cystic echinococcosis (CE). We previously analysed the interleukin (IL)-4 response to T-specific peptides corresponding to the immunogenic regions of the five antigen B (AgB) subunits, demonstrating that AgB1 is the most immunogenic protein and that the response to all AgB peptides is associated with viable cysts. However, the response in patients with CE3a (WHO-IWGE) cystic stage was not evaluated and no other immunological factors besides IL-4 were included in the analysis.

Comparative Analysis of Early COVID-19 Treatment Efficacy in a Multicentric Regional Cohort in Italy: Emulation of a Series of Target Trials.

Studies comparing all available strategies for the early treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 during the Omicron era are lacking. We included people with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 and at high risk of progressing to severe disease attending five outpatient clinics in Italy over 2022-2023. The primary outcome was the proportion of participants who experienced Day-30 hospitalization due to COVID-19 or death.

Kinetics of the humoral and cellular immune response up to 1 year from mpox virus infection.

Objectives: The immunological signature of mpox Clade IIb was described in the early stages of infection. We aimed to characterize the kinetics of both humoral and cellular immune responses against mpox from the onset of symptoms up to one year later.

Methods: Sixty-nine patients with mpox infected with Clade IIb during the 2022 outbreak were included in a longitudinal study.

Dengue Virus Dynamic and Persistence in Body Fluids of Infected Patients in Italy, 2018-2023.

Dengue, a mosquito-borne disease caused by the dengue virus (DENV), is constantly expanding worldwide. We investigated the presence and persistence of DENV RNA in the bloodstream and other body fluids to describe the viral kinetics in the human host. We longitudinally collected serum (n = 118), plasma (n = 110), whole blood (n = 90), urine (n = 118), oral swabs (n = 68), saliva (n = 42), semen (n = 23), and vaginal fluids (n = 49) from 42 DENV patients.

Analysis of and Expression in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Dengue-Infected Patients and Healthy Donors.

Background: Although evidence exists on the potential involvement of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in the pathogenesis of several viral infections, the expression levels, and the exact role that and could play during the Dengue virus (DENV) infection are still unclear. These two circRNAs were identified as possible biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of DENV disease in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of Dengue-positive patients. This study aimed to evaluate the expression levels of and in DENV-infected patients and compare them with healthy donors (HD) to provide new insights into the biological significance of these two circRNAs' expression.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Migration: Interrelation Between Two Hot Topics in Global Health.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and migration are two interlinked issues and both pose an escalating threat to global health. With an increasing trend, there are 281 million migrants globally, while AMR is contributing to over 5 million deaths annually, with a projected rise to 10 million by 2050 if left unaddressed. Both AMR and migration are multifaceted problems that extend beyond human health, involving animals, plants, and the environment-a fact highlighted by the One Health approach.

Prevalence of neglected tropical diseases among migrants living in Europe: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Migration to Europe has intensified due to recent political conflicts, economic crises, and climate change, introducing an increased risk of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) within this population. While NTDs typically impact tropical regions, their presence among migrants in Europe presents a growing challenge, compounded by limited research in this area. This study provides the first meta-analysis on the prevalence of NTDs in migrants across European nations.

Reactogenicity and Immunogenicity Against MPXV of the Intradermal Administration of Modified Vaccinia Ankara Compared to the Standard Subcutaneous Route.

Background: The recent resurgence of mpox in central Africa has been declared a new public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) requiring coordinated international responses. Vaccination is a priority to expand protection and enhance control strategies, but the vaccine's need exceeds the currently available doses. Intradermal (ID) administration of one-fifth of the standard modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA-BN) dose was temporarily authorized during the 2022 PHEIC.

Insights into the ecological and climate crisis: Emerging infections threatening human health.

The Anthropocene era is marked by unprecedented human-induced alterations to the environment, resulting in a climate emergency and widespread ecological deterioration. A staggering number of up to one million species of plants and animals are in danger of becoming extinct, which includes over 10 % of insect species and 40 % of plant species. Unrestrained release of greenhouse gases, widespread deforestation, intense agricultural practices, excessive fishing, and alterations in land use have exceeded the ecological boundaries that were once responsible for humanity's wellbeing.

Innate and SARS-CoV-2 specific adaptive immune response kinetic in neutralizing monoclonal antibody successfully treated COVID-19 patients.

The impact of anti-Spike monoclonal antibody (mAbs) treatment on the immune response of COVID19-patients is poorly explored. In particular, a comparison of the immunological influence of different therapeutic regimens has not yet been performed. Aim of the study was to compare the kinetic of innate and adaptive immune response as well as the SARS-CoV-2 specific humoral and T cell response in two groups of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients treated with two different mAbs regimens: Bamlanivimab/Etesevimab (BAM/ETE) or Casirivimab/Imdevimab (CAS/IMD).

Safety of Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir Administration in Children With Immunodeficiency and/or Comorbidities With SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Retrospective Clinical Report.

Introduction: Despite the generally mild course of COVID-19 in children, immunocompromised patients may experience complications or severe infection. This study reports the clinical outcomes of pediatric patients treated with nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (N/R) for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods: We retrospectively reported the data of children with any immunodeficiency with COVID-19 who received N/R treatment between March 2022 and June 2023 at the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital.

Preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infections: A position paper of the International Society for Infectious Diseases, 2024 update.

Objectives: This review, conducted by a panel of experts assembled by the International Society for Infectious Diseases, seeks to consolidate the latest recommendations for preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). It offers insights into CAUTI rates and the associated extended hospital stays, costs, mortality, and risk factors across high- and low- to middle-income countries.

Methods: An in-depth review of current recommendations and evidence-based strategies for CAUTI prevention was undertaken.

Incidence and predictors of clinical failure after early treatment for mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in high-risk individuals: A multicentric cohort study.

Objectives: To estimate the risk of COVID-19-related hospitalization and death (CovH/D), among high-risk individuals early treated for COVID-19 and to identify associated factors.

Methods And Results: A multicenter cohort of 12,475 high-risk outpatients (female 50.2%, median age 70 years [IQR 57-80], fully vaccinated 79.

Immunomodulatory effects of cysteamine and its potential use as a host-directed therapy for tuberculosis.

Objective: Cysteamine, a drug approved to treat cystinosis, has been proposed as a host-directed therapy for (Mtb) and SARS-CoV-2. The impact of cysteamine on the immune responses has not been fully investigated. We aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of cysteamine on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using the purified protein derivative (PPD) as a recall antigen, and an unspecific stimulus as staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB).