Prevalence of Enteric Pathogens and Antibiotic Resistance: Results of a Six-Year Active Surveillance Study on Patients Admitted to a Teaching Hospital.

Background: Acute Infectious Diarrhea (AID) and the short- and long-term complications associated with it are major causes of hospitalization worldwide. In Italy, due to a lack of robust surveillance programs, only limited data has been collected on their prevalence and circulation. This study aims to evaluate the resistance pattern of enteric pathogens and their epidemiological trends over a six-year period.

Evaluation of IL-35, as a Possible Biomarker for Follow-Up after Therapy, in Chronic Human Infection.

The host response to helminth infections is characterized by systemic and tissue-related immune responses that play a crucial role in pathological diseases. Recently, experimental studies have highlighted the role of regulatory T (Tregs) and B (Bregs) cells with secreted cytokines as important markers in anti-schistosomiasis immunity. We investigated the serical levels of five cytokines (TNFα, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-35) in pre- and post-treatment samples from chronic infected patients to identify potential serological markers during follow-up therapy.

Are SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen tests useful for the control of latest variants spreading?

Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) conducted on nasopharyngeal swabs is the gold standard in the diagnosis of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In Italy, recent guidelines indicate that rapid antigen tests (RATs) can be used for the isolation of positive patients or for the interruption of quarantine, but they are often less sensitive to detect positive subjects. Indeed, the performance of these RATs depends on the timing and the population on which they are evaluated.

Dynamics of Viral Infection and Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 Variants in the Calabria Area of Southern Italy.

In this study, we report on the results of SARS-CoV-2 surveillance performed in an area of Southern Italy for 12 months (from March 2021 to February 2022). To this study, we have sequenced RNA from 609 isolates. We have identified circulating VOCs by Sanger sequencing of the S gene and defined their genotypes by whole-genome NGS sequencing of 157 representative isolates.

Role of IgG and IgM and proinflammatory non-specific markers in the diagnosis and prognosis of COVID-19 patients stratified by number of positive SARS-CoV-2 genes.

Background: A prompt set of suitable biomarkers is needed in suspected COVID-19 patients. This study aims to assess patients positive for one or more gene associated with the C reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) as non-specific pro-inflammatory markers and IgG and IgM kinetic as specific diagnostic and prognostic tools in SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positive patients.

Methods: We enrolled 101 patients within a two month time span (March 26, 2020 to May 31, 2020).

Identification of pmrB mutations as putative mechanism for colistin resistance in A. baumannii strains isolated after in vivo colistin exposure.

Colistin resistance among extensively-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolates is a serious health-care problem. Alterations in PmrA-PmrB two-component system have been associated with resistance to colistin. We investigated three pairs of colistin-susceptible and colistin-resistant A.

Prevalence of parasitic infections in migrants: do official symptom-driven guidelines apply to the current situation?

In recent years, migration has become a significant challenge in Western countries. Migrant populations, coming from hyper-endemic areas, may present parasitic infections that remain latent and asymptomatic even for years, eventually leading to severe complications. Italian guidelines have been established to perform screening guided by the presence of symptoms and/or hypereosinophilia.

Utility of Molecular Identification and Quantitation of Species with Species-Specific Real-Time PCR for Monitoring Treatment Response: A Case Series.

Background: Bartonella species are intracellular bacteria capable of producing several diseases in humans. The three most common and wellknown diseases are cat scratch disease (CSD), caused by B. henselae, trench fever, caused by and Carrion's Disease, caused by .

Depression of lymphocyte activity during cutaneous leishmaniasis: a case report.

Skin leishmaniasis includes lesions of different appearance, shape, and severity, spanning from alarming diffuse lesions to an asymptomatic course. Moreover, aspecific presentation, as well as challenging differential diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis, may request more in-depth investigations on the intriguing and complex pathogenesis of such infection. A 7-year case of worsening cutaneous leishmaniasis in the left frontoparietal region of the scalp, achieving omolateral eyebrow, in a 68-year-old male patient prompted us to address the immunity profile of peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Increase of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Decrease of MCP-1 and Some Updated Epidemiology Aspects of Cystic Echinococcosis Human Cases in Calabria Region.

We aim to investigate some of the pathogenetic mediators of the human echinococcosis and to obtain updated epidemiological findings on cases of echinococcosis in Calabria, Southern Italy. Echinococcosis diagnosis was based on imaging, serological investigations, and molecular assay. Indeed, real-time PCR indicated the presence of G2/G3 genotypes of complex.

Six years genotype distribution of Human Papillomavirus in Calabria Region, Southern Italy: a retrospective study.

Background: Although analysis of the Human papillomavirus (HPV) genotype spread in a particular area has a crucial impact on public health and prevention programmes, there is a lack of epidemiological data regarding HPV in the Calabria region of Italy. We therefore update information on HPV age/genotype distribution by retrospectively analysing a cohort of women, with and without cervical lesions, living in Calabria, who underwent HPV DNA testing; moreover, we also evaluated HPV age/genotype distribution in a subset of patients with cervical lesions.

Methods: Cervical scrape specimens obtained from 9590 women (age range 20-75 years) from January 2010 to December 2015 were tested for HPV DNA.

Professional Acquisition of M. bovis in Calabria Region (Southern Italy): A Challenging Case of Osteomyelitis in a Migrant Patient from Bulgaria.

We report herein the first case of a coinfection with Brucella spp., M. bovis, and Enterobacter cloacae in a butcher who moved from Bulgaria to Italy.

Present, old and future strategies for anti-HCV treatment in patients infected by genotype-1: estimation of the drug costs in the Calabria Region in the era of the directly acting antivirals.

Background: In Italy, anti-HCV drugs are provided free of charge by the National Health System. Since 2011, three drug regimens including a directly acting antiviral (DAA) are considered the gold standard for HCV treatment. However, these drugs add a significant cost (roughly €26,000) to the combination of pegylated-interferon-α/ribavirin (PEG-IFN/RBV), which before DAA represented the unique treatment.

Update on epidemiology of HCV in Italy: focus on the Calabria Region.

The epidemiological profile of HCV infection is evolving in Europe, as well as in Italy. We have previously showed genotype distributions and their dynamics in 2,153 HCV RNA positive patients living in Calabria, Southern Italy, over 11 years. In this study, we extend and update this information by evaluating a hospital-based cohort of 945 HCV RNA positive patients attending five hospitals in the Calabria Region from January 2011 to August 2013.

Chronic neuroborreliosis by B. garinii: an unusual case presenting with epilepsy and multifocal brain MRI lesions.

Late/chronic Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) represents a challenging entity whose diagnosis requires a combination of clinical and laboratory findings, surrounded by much controversy. Here we describe a patient who had a peculiar form of late LNB with CNS lesions shown by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and epileptic seizures, etiologically diagnosed by conventional and molecular methods. The current case provides evidence that patients presenting with epileptic seizures and MRI-detected multifocal lesions, particularly when a facial palsy has also occurred, should raise the suspicion of LNB, as this diagnosis has important implications for treatment and prognosis.

Diagnosis and follow-up of Bartonella henselae infection in the spleen of an immunocompetent patient by real-time quantitative PCR.

Systemic Bartonella henselae infections are unusual in immunocompetent adults. However, here we report one such case of bartonellosis in a 34-year-old patient, who presented with fever and multinodular splenomegaly. We also describe a novel method of identifying Bartonella henselae by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of amplified products.

Eleven-year distribution pattern of hepatitis C virus in southern Italy.

Analysis of the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) genotype spread in a particular area has a crucial impact on public health. In this study, we update information on the distribution of HCV genotypes, by evaluating a hospital-based cohort of 2,153 chronic hepatitis C patients, collected prospectively among subjects attending University Hospital of Catanzaro, within an area of Southern Italy. We assessed the rates (%) of HCV genotypes during two consecutive periods, from 2001 to 2005 and from 2006 to 2011, according to age and gender.

Molecular identification of Bartonella quintana infection using species-specific real-time PCR targeting transcriptional regulatory protein (bqtR) gene.

We describe a SYBR Green I-based real-time PCR targeting Bartonella quintana transcriptional regulatory protein (bqtR) gene, recently found as invariant gene among different B. quintana strains. Melting curve analysis allowed us to discriminate between B.

Human papillomavirus type 16 E5 protein induces expression of beta interferon through interferon regulatory factor 1 in human keratinocytes.

Crucial steps in high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV)-related carcinogenesis are the integration of HR-HPV into the host genome and loss of viral episomes. The mechanisms that promote cervical neoplastic progression are, however, not clearly understood. During HR-HPV infection, the HPV E5 protein is expressed in precancerous stages but not after viral integration.

Phenotypic and genotypic evaluation of slime production by conventional and molecular microbiological techniques.

Twenty-nine staphylococcal isolates from different clinical samples were tested for slime production: phenotypic characterization was carried out using Christensen test (tube test) and Congo red agar plate test (CRA plate test), while the presence and expression of icaA and icaD genes were evaluated by real-time PCR. In 79.3% of studied strains there was a concordance between slime production and presence of icaA and icaD genes, and between lack of slime production and absence of both or only one of the tested genes.

Bartonella quintana-induced apoptosis inhibition of human endothelial cells is associated with p38 and SAPK/JNK modulation and with stimulation of mitosis.

Previous studies demonstrated that live Bartonella quintana often induces angioproliferative lesions in humans. It modulates endothelial cell apoptotic and inflammatory patterns, thus inducing a very early overexpression of caspase 8 and Apaf-1 and increasing mRNA production of TNF-alpha, interleukin-8, and E-selectin. However, starting at 10 hours postinfection, the bacteria provoke antiapoptotic effects that induce an increase of bcl-2 gene transcription.

Bartonella quintana lipopolysaccharide effects on leukocytes, CXC chemokines and apoptosis: a study on the human whole blood and a rat model.

Bartonella quintana, an emerging gram-negative pathogen, may cause trench fever, endocarditis, cerebral abscess and bacillary angiomatosis usually with the absence of septic shock in humans. B. quintana lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a deep rough endotoxin with strong reactivity in the limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL)-assay, was studied in human whole blood and in a rat model.