Symptomatic (STB) and Asymptomatic (ATB) tuberculosis in Italy: Results from a multicenter retrospective study.

Objective: Asymptomatic tuberculosis (ATB) represents a significant proportion of tuberculosis (TB) cases. This study aimed to compare ATB and symptomatic TB (STB) cases in terms of demographic and clinical characteristics, adverse events, hospital length of stay, and treatment outcomes.

Methods: This multicenter retrospective study included 510 microbiologically confirmed pulmonary TB patients across ten Italian hospitals between 2018 and 2023.

Team-based, hybrid, or standard of care? Organizational models of tuberculosis care on tuberculosis outcomes in eleven Italian hospital.

Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) continues to pose challenges in high-income countries, among migrant and socioeconomically vulnerable populations. Treatment discontinuity and loss to follow-up (LTFU) remain critical barriers to TB control. This study evaluated the impact of three organizational models of TB care on clinical and programmatic outcomes in Italy.

Prevalence, Evolution and Prognostic Factors of PASC in a Cohort of Patients Discharged from a COVID Unit.

: PASC is a potentially debilitating clinical condition consisting of different general symptoms experienced by about 10% of patients with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our study analyses a cohort of patients with a history of hospitalization for COVID-19 and aims to evaluate prognostic factors for experiencing PASC and to investigate the characteristics of patients experiencing PASC symptoms. : This is an observational, monocentric retrospective study including all adult patients admitted to our COVID unit from 28 February 2020 to 30 April 2022, discharged alive, and having performed at least one follow-up visit at our post-COVID outpatient clinic after a minimum of three months from discharge.

Prevalence and outcomes of Urinary tract infections caused by Enterobacterales resistant to third-generation cephalosporins in the Emergency Department: results from UTILY cohort, a prospective multicentre study.

Introduction: In accordance with the spread of drug-resistant bacteria worldwide, an increase in the prevalence of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) among pathogens causing urinary tract infections (UTIs) has been described globally. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence and outcome of UTIs caused by third-generation cephalosporin-resistant (3GC-R) Enterobacterales in a prospective cohort of patients admitted to Emergency Department (ED).

Materials And Methods: We conducted an observational prospective multicentre study, involving 7 healthcare facilities, enrolling all consecutive adult patients admitted to ED with a microbiologically confirmed diagnosis of UTIs caused by Enterobacterales.

Hematochemical hallmarks as markers of pulmonary TB severity: A multicenter cross-sectional study.

Background: Identifying accessible and reliable biomarkers for tuberculosis (TB) severity is crucial for improving patient management. This study evaluates hematological findings as potential indicators of TB severity in a large multicenter Italian cohort.

Methods: This retrospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study analyzed hematological parameters (hemoglobin, white blood cells, inflammatory indices, hepatorenal function, albuminuria) in 577 TB patients from 10 Italian centers (2018-2023).

Prevalence and impact of multidrug resistance in a cohort of patients admitted to emergency department for urinary tract-infections: The UTILY study, a prospective multicentre study.

Background And Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence and to identify the independent predictors of multi-drug resistance among a cohort of patients admitted to emergency department for urinary tract infections (UTI), and to assess the impact of antimicrobial resistance on the clinical outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a prospective multicentre study enrolling all adult patients admitted to one of the eight emergency departments participating in the study with a microbiologically confirmed diagnosis of UTI from February 2023 to July 2024. The primary outcome evaluated was 30-day mortality; secondary outcomes included 7-day mortality and clinical response.

Piperacillin/tazobactam vs. cefepime or carbapenems for the treatment of bloodstream infections due to bacteria producing chromosomal AmpC beta-lactamase: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The best treatment for bloodstream infections (BSI) due to chromosomal AmpC (c-AmpC) producing Enterobacterales is not clearly defined.

Objectives: To describe the clinical and microbiological outcomes of patients treated with piperacillin/tazobactam, cefepime or carbapenems for bloodstream infections (BSIs) due to c-AmpC beta-lactamase-producing strains.

Data Sources: We searched MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library and EMBASE to screen original reports published up to January 2024.

Disparities in tuberculosis diagnostic delays between native and migrant populations in Italy: A multicenter study.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a Global Health challenge, with diagnostic delays contributing significantly to its spread. This study investigates the differences in diagnostic delays between native and migrant TB patients in Italy, examining patient-related diagnostic delay (PDD), health system-related diagnostic delay (HDD), and total diagnostic delay (TDD).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study of TB cases in 10 Italian hospitals from 2018 to 2023.

Impact of a persuasive antimicrobial stewardship programme on the appropriateness of surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis in a tertiary care hospital in southern Italy.

Background And Aim: The aim of our study was to evaluate the rate of compliance to institutional guidelines on surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis (SAP) among the surgical wards of our facility and to evaluate the impact of our antimicrobial stewardship programme (ASP) on the adherence rate.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study including all 14 surgical wards of our hospital. Eight of these wards participate in a non-restrictive ASP.

Effectiveness of test-and-treat model with direct-acting antiviral for hepatitis C virus infection in migrants: a prospective interventional study in Italy.

Background: Migrants, mainly undocumented and low-income refugees, are at high risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, but are a difficult-to-reach and to-treat population. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a test and treat model with direct-acting antiviral for HCV infection in these migrants coming from low-income and living in southern Italy.

Methods: A prospective, multicenter, collaborative study based on a four-phase-program (educational counseling, screening, linkage-to-care and treatment) was designed in southern Italy; the study started in June 2018, was stopped in February 2020 because of the outbreak of SARS-CoV2 infection in Italy and was resumed in February 2021 until November 2021.

Burden of Antimicrobial Resistance Among Women with Post-Partum Infections in Low-Middle Income Countries: A Systematic Review.

Background: Due to the rising incidence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens, especially in Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC), post-partum infections represent a significant treatment challenge.

Methods: We performed a systematic review of the literature from January 2005 to February 2023 to quantify the frequency of maternal post-partum infections due to MDR pathogens in LMICs, focusing on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and/or extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales.

Secondary Objectives: description of antimicrobials' prescriptions.

Systematic application of SICA-PED protocol for central venous catheterization in neonates: A prospective clinical study on 104 cases.

Background: Catheterization of central vessels can be associated with early and late, potentially fatal complications. A proactive approach is imperative to reduce the frequency and magnitude of adverse events. Recently, the GAVeCeLT has proposed a protocol called SICA-PED (i.

Efficacy of sotrovimab on omicron BA.2, BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of sars-cov-2 vs. other early therapies: a systematic review and meta-analysis of literature data.

Background: The aim of this meta-analysis was to ascertain whether sotrovimab was effective in reducing COVID-19 related hospitalization and mortality also in Omicron BA.2, BA.4 and BA.

Cefiderocol either in monotherapy or combination versus best available therapy in the treatment of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The best treatment for carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) infections is still a matter of debate.

Objectives: To describe the outcomes of patients treated with cefiderocol for CRAB infections, and to compare the efficacy of cefiderocol versus best available therapy (BAT).

Data Sources: We searched MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library and EMBASE to screen original reports published up to September 2023.

Clinical and epidemiological factors causing longer SARS-CoV 2 viral shedding: the results from the CoviCamp cohort.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate how long hospitalized patients stayed positive to the nasopharyngeal swab, and what demographic and clinical factors influence the time-to-negative swab.

Methods: We enrolled in a multicenter, observational, retrospective study involving 17 COVID-19 units in eight cities of the Campania, southern Italy all patients hospitalized from March 2020 to May 2021 diagnosed with Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection for whom time-to-negative swab was available.

Results: 963 patients were enrolled.

The impact of a non-restrictive Antimicrobial Stewardship Program in the emergency department of a secondary-level Italian hospital.

Evidence supporting the effectiveness of Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) Programs in the emergency department (ED) setting is limited. We conducted a prospective cohort study to assess the efficacy of an AMS program in an ED and a short-stay observation unit. The intervention included periodic prospective audits (twice a week), conducted by four infectious disease consultants.

Prognostic Value of Creatinine Levels at Admission on Disease Progression and Mortality in Patients with COVID-19-An Observational Retrospective Study.

Introduction: Acute kidney disease and chronic kidney disease are considered conditions that can increase the mortality and severity of COVID-19. However, few studies have investigated the impact of creatinine levels on COVID-19 progression in patients without a history of chronic kidney disease. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of creatinine levels at hospital admission on COVID-19 progression and mortality.

Prevalence and Epidemiological and Clinical Features of Bacterial Infections in a Large Cohort of Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19 in Southern Italy: A Multicenter Study.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of bacterial infections and antimicrobial prescriptions in a large cohort of COVID-19 patients and to identify the independent predictors of infection and antibiotic prescription.

Methods: All consecutive patients hospitalized for COVID-19 from March 2020 to May 2021 at 1 of the 17 centers participating in the study were included. All subjects showing a clinical presentation consistent with a bacterial infection with microbiological confirmation (documented infection), and/or a procalcitonin value >1 ng/mL (suspected infection) were considered as having a coinfection (if present at admission) or a superinfection (if acquired after at least 48 h of hospital stay).

Obesity as a Risk Factor of Severe Outcome of COVID-19: A Pair-Matched 1:2 Case-Control Study.

Background And Aim: The nature of the association between obesity and poor prognosis of COVID-19 without the evaluation of other co-pathologies associated has not yet been clearly evaluated. The aim of the present pair-matched case-control study was to investigate the outcome of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection in obese and non-obese patients matched considering gender, age, number of comorbidities, and Charlson Comorbidity Index.

Methods: All the adults hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infection and with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m were included (Cases).

Outcome of patients with carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections treated with cefiderocol: A multicenter observational study.

Background: No clear evidence supports the use of cefiderocol as first line treatment in A. baumannii infections.

Methods: We conducted an observational retrospective/prospective multicenter study including all patients> 18 years with carbapenem-resistant A.

Characterization of hepatitis virus co-infections in a cohort of immigrants living in southern Italy.

To characterize viral hepatitis co-infections in a cohort of immigrants living in southern Italy. In a prospective multicenter study, all undocumented immigrants and low-income refugees consecutively evaluated for a clinical consultation at one of the five first-level clinical centers in southern Italy from January 2012 to February 2020 were enrolled. All subjects included in the study were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) and anti-HIV; the HBsAg-positive were screened also for anti-delta.

Dynamics of Lipid Profile in Antiretroviral-Naïve HIV-Infected Patients, Treated with TAF-Based Regimens: A Multicenter Observational Study.

Background: The introduction of tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) in antiretroviral therapy has deeply modified the choice of the backbone for different treatment regimens, allowing the prevention of the bone and renal toxicity that was related to the previous formulation of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). At the same time, literature data show an onset of dyslipidemia after a switch from TDF to TAF. To better understand the possible role of TAF in dyslipidemia, antiretroviral-naïve HIV-infected patients were evaluated, comparing those treated with TAF/emtricitabine with those with abacavir/lamivudine.