Publications by authors named "Ambra Barco"

Article Synopsis
  • The study investigated the impact of switching to a less neurotoxic antiretroviral therapy (ARV) on neurocognitive performance in people living with HIV who have cognitive impairments.
  • Participants were randomly assigned to either continue their current treatment or switch to a less harmful ARV regimen (MARAND-X) for 24 weeks, with results measured using various cognitive tests and electroencephalography.
  • While the overall neurocognitive scores improved modestly, significant improvements were only seen in specific memory functions for those in the MARAND-X group with better CNS penetration, indicating that the effectiveness of ARVs in the central nervous system may influence cognitive health.
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The prevalence of neurocognitive impairment in people living with HIV is estimated between 30 and 50%. The pathogenesis of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders is complex and multifactorial. Aim of the study was to measure the change in CSF biomarkers, Fibroscan and IMT measurements in PLWH with HAND randomized to a less neurotoxic regimen, or continuing their treatment.

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Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is commonly and safely used as intravesical instillation to treat bladder cancer. Adverse effects are widely described in case report and series with a broad range of clinical presentations known as "BCGitis". Moreover, microbiological identification is often inconclusive leading to diagnostic uncertainty and no standardisation of definitions is available.

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Background: The treatment of drug-sensitive tuberculosis (TB) is highly effective; however, many patients have suboptimal drug exposure, which possibly explains treatment failures and selection of resistance. This study aimed to describe the prevalence and determinants of suboptimal maximal concentrations (C) for anti-TB drugs.

Methods: An observational study was conducted in patients receiving first-line anti-TB treatment.

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The COVID-19 pandemic is threatening health systems worldwide, requiring extraordinary efforts to contain the virus and prepare health care systems for unprecedented situations. In this context, the entire health care workforce must be properly trained to guarantee an effective response. Just-in-time training has been an efficient solution for rapidly equipping health care workers with new knowledge, skills, and attitudes during emergencies; thus, it could also be an effective training technique in the context of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) have been associated with neurological complications including cognitive impairment. WMHs have been often described in HIV positive subjects and they have been linked to neurocognitive impairment, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) residual viral replication and biomarkers of monocyte activation. Aim of this study was to grade WMHs in HIV-positive individuals using a simple visual scale and to explore their severity with clinical, neurocognitive and biomarker characteristics.

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Article Synopsis
  • * Recent research indicates that residual HIV in cerebrospinal fluid may lead to immune activation, though its direct impact on neuron damage is still unclear.
  • * There’s a push for targeted antiretroviral strategies to improve neurocognitive outcomes, particularly for patients with ongoing HIV replication in the central nervous system and specific risk factors like low CD4 counts or drug-resistant viruses.
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Introduction: We aimed to assess any factors associated with dysplasia regression and with HPV clearance in a cohort of HIV+ patients, with particular focus on cART and gender.

Methods: Asymptomatic HIV+ patients of the San Paolo Infectious Disease (SPID) cohort who underwent anoscopy/gynaecological evaluation were enrolled. Anal/cervical brushing were analyzed for: HPV-PCR detection/genotyping (HR-HPV), cytologic abnormalities (Bethesda System 2001: LSIL-HSIL).

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