Different immunogens and prime-boost vaccination strategies affect the efficacy of recombinant candidate vaccines against pathogenic orthopoxviruses.

Although not as lethal as variola virus (VARV), the cause of smallpox, monkeypox virus (MPXV) represents a threat to public health, with important infection rates and mortality in several African countries and signs of spreading worldwide. MPXV may establish new reservoirs in non-endemic countries and can be considered a possible biological weapon. Human-to-human MPXV transmission is increasing with a growing susceptibility, coincident with the declining herd immunity against smallpox.

The scientific chaos phase of the great pandemic: A longitudinal analysis and systematic review of the first surge of clinical research concerning COVID-19.

Background: Early stages of catastrophes like COVID-19 are often led by chaos and panic. To characterize the initial chaos phase of clinical research in such situations, we analyzed the first surge of more than 1000 clinical trials about the new disease at baseline and after two years follow-up. Our 3 main objectives were: (1) Assessment of spatial and temporal evolution of clinical research of COVID-19 across the globe, (2) Assessment of transparency and quality-trial registration, (3) Assessment of research waste and redundancies.

Clinical evaluation of the oral probiotic Streptococcus salivarius K12 in the prevention of recurrent pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes in adults.

Background: Streptococcus salivarius K12 has been shown to inhibit the growth of Streptococcus pyogenes due to bacteriocins release. Because of its ability to colonize the oral cavity, we have tested the strain K12 for its efficacy in preventing streptococcal pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis in adults.

Methods: Forty adults with a diagnosis of recurrent oral streptococcal pharyngitis were enrolled in the study.

Preliminary pediatric clinical evaluation of the oral probiotic Streptococcus salivarius K12 in preventing recurrent pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes and recurrent acute otitis media.

Background: The oral probiotic Streptococcus salivarius K12 has been shown clearly to antagonize the growth of Streptococcus pyogenes, the most important bacterial cause of pharyngeal infections in humans, by releasing two bacteriocins named salivaricin A2 and salivaricin B. Unpublished observations indicate that it can also antagonize the growth of other bacteria involved in acute otitis media. Because of its ability to colonize the oral cavity and its safety profile, we have tested its efficacy in reducing the incidence of streptococcal pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis and episodes of acute otitis media.

Risk of reactivation of tuberculosis in the course of human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Objectives: To establish, in a longitudinal study, whether reactivation of latent tuberculous infection takes place below an identifiable immunological threshold in subjects with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

Methods: We followed up for 2 years 44 subjects with HIV infection who had a positive intradermal reaction to tuberculin. All subjects were asymptomatic at enrollment.

Transmission of HIV-associated tuberculosis to healthcare workers.

Objective: A retrospective investigation was made to compare the occupational risk of tuberculosis in personnel assisting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected and uninfected subjects with active tuberculosis.

Design: We retrospectively reviewed 6 years of hospital activity in 3 units where HIV-infected patients with tuberculosis are hospitalized and in 2 units where non-HIV-infected tuberculosis patients are hospitalized. The risk of occupational tuberculosis in healthcare workers who assisted HIV-infected and non-HIV-infected patients with tuberculosis was investigated.