Integration of Hepatitis C and Addiction Treatment in People Who Inject Drugs: The San Patrignano HCV-Free and Drug-Free Experience.

Injection drug use represents an important contributor to hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission, hence therapeutic communities (TCs) are promising points of care for the identification and treatment of HCV-infected persons who inject drugs (PWIDs). We evaluated the effectiveness and efficacy of an HCV micro-elimination program targeting PWIDs in the context of a drug-free TC; we applied the cascade of care (CoC) evaluation by calculating frequencies of infection diagnosis, confirmation, treatment and achievement of a sustained virological response (SVR). We also evaluated the risk of reinfection of PWIDs achieving HCV eradication by collecting follow-up virologic information of previously recovered individuals and eventual relapse in drug use, assuming the latter as a potential source of reinfection.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection in San Patrignano, the Largest European Drug Rehabilitation Community.

Background: Studies on SARS-CoV-2 conducted in confined settings for prolonged times allow researchers to assess how the coronavirus spreads. San Patrignano (SP), Italy, is the largest European drug rehabilitation facility.

Methods: Between 15 October and 31 December 2020, all SP residents were tested for SARS-CoV-2.

A large A(H3N2) influenza outbreak with a high attack rate in a drug user community in Italy, April 2022.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, influenza remains an important issue. Especially in community settings, influenza outbreaks can be difficult to control and can result in high attack rates. In April 2022, a large A(H3N2) influenza outbreak spread in the largest Italian drug-rehabilitation community.

SARS-CoV-2 Specific Immune Response and Inflammatory Profile in Advanced HIV-Infected Persons during a COVID-19 Outbreak.

The main aim of this study was to describe the clinical and immunological outcomes, as well as the inflammatory profile, of patients with advanced HIV in an assisted-living facility in which an outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 occurred. SARS-CoV-2 humoral and specific T-cell response were analyzed in patients with HIV infection and COVID-19; as a secondary objective of the analysis, levels of the inflammatory markers (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNFα) were tested in the HIV/COVID-19 group, in HIV-positive patients without COVID-19, and in HIV-negative patients with mild/moderate COVID-19. Antibody kinetics and ability to neutralize SARS-CoV-2 were evaluated by ELISA assay, as well as the inflammatory cytokines; SARS-CoV-2 specific T-cell response was quantified by ELISpot assay.

Size-specific dose estimates for pediatric head CT protocols based on the AAPM report TG-293.

Purpose: To establish the Size Specific Dose Estimate (SSDE) typical values for pediatric head CT examinations based on the AAPM report TG-293; to provide a new stratification based on the water-equivalent diameter (D), given that SSDE is related to the head size.

Methods: 296 Head CT scans of pediatric patients collected using a dose monitoring software were retrospectively analysed. Typical values were derived stratifying data by age in three methods: the first proposed by the European Guidelines on Diagnostic Reference Levels for Pediatric Imaging (RP185), the second by the National Istisan Report 20/22 and a local one related to the clinical protocols (LStrata).