Effectiveness, safety, and patient-reported outcomes of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide in routine clinical care in Italy: 12-Month results from the BICSTaR cohort.

Background: BICSTaR is a multi-national, observational cohort evaluating the effectiveness, safety, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in treatment-naïve (TN) and -experienced (TE) people with HIV-1 receiving bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) in routine clinical care. We present the 12-month (M12) outcomes of the Italian BICSTaR cohort.

Methods: Participants initiating B/F/TAF in routine care were prospectively followed.

RSV vaccination as the optimal prevention strategy for older adults.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a respiratory virus that usually causes mild upper respiratory tract symptoms. However, it can lead to a severe lower respiratory tract disease in high-risk populations, with severe complications such as pneumonia and respiratory failure. RSV poses a significant public health threat not only to children, but also to adults, particularly those over 75 years of age and individuals with comorbidities.

Managing low-level HIV viraemia in antiretroviral therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: HIV-1 management has advanced significantly with antiretroviral therapy (ART), yet challenges persist, including low-level HIV-1 viraemia (LLV). LLV presents a complex scenario, with varied definitions in the literature, reflecting uncertainties in its clinical interpretation. Questions arise regarding the underlying mechanisms of LLV, whether it signifies ongoing viral replication or stems from other factors.

Management of low-level HIV viremia during antiretroviral therapy: Delphi consensus statement and appraisal of the evidence.

Objective: While antiretroviral therapy (ART) is highly effective, detection of low levels of HIV-1 RNA in plasma is common in treated individuals. Given the uncertainties on the topic, we convened a panel of experts to consider different clinical scenarios, producing a Delphi consensus to help guide clinical practice.

Methods: A panel of 17 experts in infectious diseases, virology and immunology rated 32 statements related to four distinct scenarios: (1) low-level viremia during stable (≥6 months) first-line ART (≥2 consecutive HIV-1 RNA measurements 50-500 copies/mL); (2) a viral blip during otherwise suppressive ART (a HIV-1 RNA measurement 50-1000 copies/mL with adjacent measurements <50 copies/mL); (3) low-level viral rebound during previously suppressive ART (≥2 consecutive HIV-1 RNA measurements 50-500 copies/mL); (4) residual viremia during suppressive ART (persistent HIV-1 RNA quantification below 50 copies/mL).

Association between markers of hepatitis B virus infection and risk of virological rebound in people with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy.

Objectives: The aim of this analysis was to investigate the impact of hepatitis B virus (HBV) coinfection on the risk of HIV viral rebound (VR) after achieving suppression for the first time following initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the real-world setting.

Design: Patients living with HIV (PLWH) who were enrolled in the ICONA Foundation Study cohort and achieved viral suppression ≤50 copies/mL for the first time after starting ART were prospectively evaluated and divided in three exposure groups according to serology test results: (a) HIV-monoinfected; (b) HIV-positive/HBcAb-positive/HBsAg-negative; (c) HIV-positive/HBsAg-positive. The occurrence of VR, defined as two consecutive HIV-RNA values >50 copies/mL after achieving viral suppression for the first time (baseline), was investigated.

NSAIDs for early management of acute respiratory infections.

Purpose Of Review: To review the rationale for and the potential clinical benefits of an early approach to viral acute respiratory infections with NSAIDs to switch off the inflammatory cascade before the inflammatory process becomes complicated.

Recent Findings: It has been shown that in COVID-19 as in other viral respiratory infections proinflammatory cytokines are produced, which are responsible of respiratory and systemic symptoms. There have been concerns that NSAIDs could increase susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection or aggravate COVID-19.

Screening strategy to advance HCV elimination in Italy: a cost-consequence analysis.

Background And Aims: Italy has the greatest burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Western Europe. The screening strategy represents a crucial prevention tool to achieve HCV elimination in Italy. We evaluated the cost-consequences of different screening strategies for the diagnosis of HCV active infection in the birth cohort 1948-1968 to achieve the HCV elimination goal.

Brain abscess caused by Actinomyces turicensis in a non-immunocompromised adult patient: a case report and systematic review of the literature.

Background: Actinomyces turicensis is rarely responsible of clinically relevant infections in human. Infection is often misdiagnosed as malignancy, tuberculosis, or nocardiosis, therefore delaying the correct identification and treatment. Here we report a case of a 55-year-old immunocompetent adult with brain abscess caused by A.

Author Correction: Low testosterone levels and high estradiol to testosterone ratio are associated with hyperinflammatory state and mortality in hospitalized men with COVID-19.

Correction to: Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2021; 25 (19): 5889-5903. DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202110_26865.

Real-life Data on Cefiderocol Efficacy and Safety to Treat Multidrug-Resistant Infections.

Background: The objective of this study was to expand data on cefiderocol efficacy to treat multidrug-resistant infections.

Methods: This was a retrospective monocentric study including patients hospitalized (>24 hours) at Policlinico Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy, between May 1, 2021, and September 1, 2022, treated with cefiderocol (>48 hours). The primary objective was early clinical improvement at 48-72 hours from cefiderocol start; secondary objectives were clinical success (composite outcome of infection resolution and 14-day survival), breakthrough infection, overall 30-day mortality, and cefiderocol-related adverse events.

Daptomycin-Induced Eosinophilic Pneumonia: A Case Report and Systematic Review.

Introduction: Acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) is a rare respiratory condition caused by eosinophil accumulation in the pulmonary tissue that can be related to drug administration. Daptomycin, an antibiotic active against gram-positive bacteria, is one of the leading causes of AEP among drugs. In order to raise awareness of this rare syndrome, in our work we have described a case of an 82-year-old male with Enterococcus faecalis endocarditis treated with daptomycin, who developed a daptomycin-induced AEP.

Investigating coping and stigma in people living with HIV through narrative medicine in the Italian multicentre non-interventional study DIAMANTE.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) significantly reduced Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) morbidity and mortality; nevertheless, stigma still characterises the living with this condition. This study explored patients' coping experience by integrating narrative medicine (NM) in a non-interventional clinical trial. From June 2018 to September 2020 the study involved 18 centres across Italy; enrolled patients were both D/C/F/TAF naïve and previously ART-treated.

Parietal resting-state EEG alpha source connectivity is associated with subcortical white matter lesions in HIV-positive people.

Objective: Parietal resting-state electroencephalographic (rsEEG) alpha (8-10 Hz) source connectivity is abnormal in HIV-positive persons. Here we tested whether this abnormality may be associated with subcortical white matter vascular lesions in the cerebral hemispheres.

Methods: Clinical, rsEEG, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) datasets in 38 HIV-positive persons and clinical and rsEEG datasets in 13 healthy controls were analyzed.

The Impact of Viral and Bacterial Co-Infections and Home Antibiotic Treatment in SARS-CoV-2 Hospitalized Patients at the Policlinico Tor Vergata Hospital, Rome, Italy.

Co-infections during COVID-19 may worsen patients' outcomes. This study reports the results of a screening assessing the presence of co-infections among patients hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Infectious Diseases-Ward of the Policlinico Tor Vergata Hospital, Rome, Italy, from 1 January to 31 December 2021. Data on hepatitis B and C virus, urinary antigens for legionella pneumophila and streptococcus pneumoniae, pharyngeal swab for respiratory viruses, QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus assay (QFT-P), blood cultures and pre-hospitalization antibiotic prescription were recorded.

Optimizing Antiretroviral Therapy with Bictegravir/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide in virologically suppressed PLWH.

The pillar of treatment success, defined as viral suppression and immune restoration, should be integrated into a modern vision of therapeutic success with pharmacological attributes of ART, such as potency, forgiveness, and genetic barrier of single drugs and regimens, as well as their longterm tolerability and safety. Moreover, the longterm success of lifelong treatment cannot be separated from the opinions and preferences of PLWH. Regimen Optimization in the setting of HIV suppression may reduce pill burden, and/or dosing frequency, enhance tolerability and/or decrease toxicity, prevent or mitigate DDIs, eliminate food/fluid requirements, relieve pill fatigue, decrease stigma or concerns associated with taking oral med, allow pregnancy, reduce costs (DHHS 2023).

Forecasting the long-term impact of COVID-19 on hepatitis C elimination plans in Italy: A mathematical modelling approach.

Background: Italy has a high HCV prevalence, and despite the approval of a dedicated fund for 'Experimental screening' for 2 years, screening has not been fully implemented. We aimed to evaluate the long-term impact of the persisting delay in HCV elimination after the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Italy.

Methods: We used a mathematical, probabilistic modelling approach evaluating three hypothetical 'Inefficient', 'Efficient experimental' and 'WHO Target' screening scenarios differing by treatment rates over time.

Pillars of long-term antiretroviral therapy success.

Background: Meeting the challenge of antiretroviral therapy (ART) whose efficacy can last a lifetime requires continuous updating of the virological, pharmacological, and quality of life outcomes to be pursued and a continuous review of literature data on the efficacy and tolerability of new drugs and therapeutic strategies.

Methods: With the aim of identifying open questions and answers about the current controversies in modern ART, we adapted the Design Thinking methodology to the needs of the design phase of a scientific article, involving a team of experts in HIV care.

Results: Five main pillars of treatment success were discussed: sustained virologic suppression over time; immunological recovery; pharmacological attributes; long-term tolerability and safety of ART; and people's satisfaction and quality of life.

Multishell diffusion MRI reveals whole-brain white matter changes in HIV.

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) have been previously used to explore white matter related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. While DTI and DKI suffer from low specificity, the Combined Hindered and Restricted Model of Diffusion (CHARMED) provides additional microstructural specificity. We used these three models to evaluate microstructural differences between 35 HIV-positive patients without neurological impairment and 20 healthy controls who underwent diffusion-weighted imaging using three b-values.

Frequency of Atypical Mutations in the Spike Glycoprotein in SARS-CoV-2 Circulating from July 2020 to July 2022 in Central Italy: A Refined Analysis by Next Generation Sequencing.

In this study, we provided a retrospective overview in order to better define SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating in Italy during the first two years of the pandemic, by characterizing the spike mutational profiles and their association with viral load (expressed as ct values), N-glycosylation pattern, hospitalization and vaccination. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) data were obtained from 607 individuals (among them, 298 vaccinated and/or 199 hospitalized). Different rates of hospitalization were observed over time and among variants of concern (VOCs), both in the overall population and in vaccinated individuals (Alpha: 40.

Temporal trend of drug-resistance and APOBEC editing in PBMC genotypic resistance tests from HIV-1 infected virologically suppressed individuals.

Background: We aimed at evaluating the temporal trend of drug-resistance and APOBEC editing from HIV-DNA genotypic resistance tests (GRT) in virologically suppressed individuals.

Material And Methods: Major resistance mutations (MRM), genotypic susceptibility score (GSS) for the current regimen and APOBEC-related mutations (APO-M) were evaluated. Potential changes in trends of MRM and APO-M over-time were assessed and predictors of MRM detection or sub-optimal GSS (GSS<2) at HIV-DNA-GRT were estimated through logistic regression analyses.

Can Grasslands in Photovoltaic Parks Play a Role in Conserving Soil Arthropod Biodiversity?

Under the increasing global energy demand, the new European Union Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 encourages combinations of energy production systems compatible with biodiversity conservation; however, in photovoltaic parks, panels shadowing the effects on soil health and biodiversity are still unknown. This study (location: Northern Italy) aimed to evaluate the effect of ground-mounted photovoltaic (GMPV) systems on soil arthropod biodiversity, considering two parks with different vegetation management: site 1-grassland mowed with tractor; site 2-grassland managed with sheep and donkeys. Three conditions were identified in each park: under photovoltaic panel (row), between the panel rows (inter-row), and around the photovoltaic plant (control).

Unexpected rise in the circulation of complex HBV variants enriched of HBsAg vaccine-escape mutations in HBV genotype-D: potential impact on HBsAg detection/quantification and vaccination strategies.

Specific HBsAg mutations are known to hamper HBsAg recognition by neutralizing antibodies thus challenging HBV-vaccination efficacy. Nevertheless, information on their impact and spreading over time is limited. Here, we characterize the circulation of vaccine-escape mutations from 2005 to 2019 and their correlation with virological parameters in a large cohort of patients infected with HBV genotype-D ( = 947), dominant in Europe.