Invasive Pneumococcal Diseases in People over 65 in Veneto Region Surveillance.

Background: Elderly individuals over 65, along with children under 5, are the most affected by invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPDs). Monitoring vaccination coverage and conducting surveillance are essential for guiding evidence-based prevention campaigns and public health measures.

Methods: Since 2007, the Veneto Region has relied on three sources for surveillance of invasive bacterial infections, contributing to an increase in reported IPD cases.

Immunogenicity and Determinants of Antibody Response to the BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccine: A Longitudinal Study in a Cohort of People Living with HIV.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges worldwide, with SARS-CoV-2 vaccines critical in reducing morbidity and mortality. This study evaluates the immunogenicity and antibody persistence of the BNT162b2 vaccine in people living with HIV (PLWH).

Methods: We monitored anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike IgG concentration in a cohort of PLWH at five time points (T0-T4) using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassays (CMIAs) at the baselined both during and after vaccination.

Pneumonia-Related Hospitalizations among the Elderly: A Retrospective Study in Northeast Italy.

: In both the elderly and children, pneumonia remains one of the leading causes of hospitalization. This study aimed to assess the impact of pneumonia-related hospitalizations in the population over 65 years of age in the Veneto Region. : This retrospective study analyzed hospital discharge records for patients aged 65 and older who resided in the Veneto Region and had a diagnosis of pneumonia from 2007 to 2023.

A population database analysis to estimate the varicella vaccine effectiveness in children < 14 years in a high vaccination coverage area from 2004 to 2022.

Introduction: In the Veneto Region of Italy, universal varicella vaccination (VV) started in 2007 with a two-dose schedule at 12-15 months and 5-6 years of age achieving 90 % coverage in 2019. The study aimed at evaluating the vaccine effectiveness (VE) in children using a primary-care database METHODS: This retrospective analysis used Pedianet, a comprehensive database of 73 family paediatricians in the Veneto Region. Incidence rates (IR) of varicella were evaluated in children aged <14 years enrolled since birth, between January 2004 to April 2022.

Tick-borne encephalitis seroprevalence in northern Italy: a cross-sectional study on a randomly selected population.

Objectives: is under-recognized in Europe. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and spatial distribution of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus (TBEV) in areas close to endemic regions in Northern Italy.

Methods: A multicenter study was conducted on a random sample of the general population afferent to hospitals in Veneto, Lombardy, and Piedmont with a pre-determined sample size of 1500 participants.

Shaping the future of healthcare: improving quality and safety through integrating simulation into Public Health education.

This perspective focuses on the role of healthcare simulation in training and implementing processes aimed at improving the quality of care and patient safety. Evidence of the effectiveness of simulation in improving clinical performance, reducing healthcare costs and raising professional education standards is presented. In light of this evidence, we propose to consider simulation-based education as an integrative training modality in the preparation of health professionals in the field of Public Health.

Assessing the performance of LumiraDx™ SARS-CoV-2 Ag test in detecting Omicron lineages: 2022-2023 study.

Background: The introduction of rapid antigen tests revolutionized the approach to SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis, offering prompt and accurate results with high sensitivity and specificity. Although it is more cost- and time-saving than the gold standard, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the efficacy in general population screening in both hospital- and community-based settings remains unknown. Moreover, rapid antigen testing is limited by qualitative results.

Mapping and ranking outcomes for the evaluation of seasonal influenza vaccine efficacy and effectiveness: a delphi study.

Background: Protection provided by seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) may be measured against numerous outcomes, and their heterogeneity may hamper decision-making. The aim of this study was to explore outcomes used for estimation of SIV efficacy/effectiveness (VE) and obtain expert consensus on their importance.

Research Design And Methods: An umbrella review was first conducted to collect and map outcomes considered in systematic reviews of SIV VE.

Weight excess and obesity are associated with binge-eating behaviours in people with HIV.

Objective: Binge eating is a mental health disorder related to weight gain, whose prevalence/correlation with weight excess in people with HIV (PWH) have been scarcely investigated.Design: A cross-sectional study of PWH who underwent the validated Binge Eating Scale (BES) questionnaire.

Methods: We included adult PWH during routine visits from October 2022 to February 2023.

The clinical and economic costs associated with regional disparities in varicella vaccine coverage in Italy over 50 years (2020-2070).

Italy implemented two-dose universal varicella vaccination (UVV) regionally from 2003 to 2013 and nationally from 2017 onwards. Our objective was to analyze regional disparities in varicella outcomes resulting from disparities in vaccine coverage rates (VCRs) projected over a 50-year time-horizon (2020-2070). A previously published dynamic transmission model was updated to quantify the potential public health impact of the UVV program in Italy at the national and regional levels.

Management of a Neisseria meningitidis case: factors that guarantee the effectiveness of supporting Public Health actions.

Among invasive bacterial diseases, meningococcal meningitis is a serious and contagious disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis. The disease has a high lethality grade and could have long-term sequelae. This paper describes a case of meningitis that occurred in the territory under the jurisdiction of Local Health Authority ULSS 1 Dolomiti and the related management methods.

The Cost of Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review.

Objectives: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, with an increasing incidence and prevalence because of progressively aging populations. Costs related to AF are both direct and indirect. This systematic review aims to identify the main cost drivers of the illness, assess the potential economic impact resulting from changes in care strategies, and propose interventions where they are most needed.

Infections in a Unit of Cardio Surgery: Study at a General Hospital in Padua, Italy.

is a slow-growing non-tuberculous mycobacterium already known for being able to colonize cardio surgery heater-cooler units (HCUs). This study aims to describe the real magnitude of the phenomenon, providing a methodological protocol and the results of a longitudinal survey. In the period 1 January 2017-23 May 2022, over 1191 samples were collected on 35 HCUs of two different manufacturers.

Changing Prevalence of AIDS and Non-AIDS-Defining Cancers in an Incident Cohort of People Living with HIV over 28 Years.

Background: The introduction and evolution of antiretrovirals has changed the panorama of comorbidities in people living with HIV (PLWH) by reducing the risk of AIDS-defining cancers (ADC). By contrast, due to ageing and persistent inflammation, the prevalence and incidence of non-AIDS-defining cancers have significantly increased. Therefore, we aimed at describing cancer epidemiology in our cohort over 28 years.

The impact of SARS-CoV-2 on healthcare workers of a large University Hospital in the Veneto Region: risk of infection and clinical presentation in relation to different pandemic phases and some relevant determinants.

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the prevalence of COVID-19-related symptoms in relation to pandemic phases and some relevant variables in a cohort of 8,029 HCWs from one of the largest Italian University Hospitals.

Methods: A single-center retrospective study was performed on data collected during SARS-CoV-2 infection surveillance of HCWs. Cox's multiple regression was performed to estimate hazard ratios of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Trends in SARS-CoV-2 clinically confirmed cases and viral load in wastewater: A critical alignment for Padua city (NE Italy).

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has been depicted as a promising environmental surveillance tool and early warning system. Predictive models for the estimate of COVID-19 cases from wastewater viral loads also earned lot of interest and are currently under development. Hereby a pilot study that compares WBE surveillance data with confirmed cases, total hospitalizations, doses of vaccine administered and predominance of coronavirus variants.

Indicators of clinical performance in monitoring soft tissue sarcoma management: a population-based perspective.

Background: Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are rare malignancies which prognosis varies significantly by primary site, histological subtype, and tumor stage. Their low incidence, and the complexity of their clinico-pathological characteristics demand standardized, cancer-tailored diagnostics and therapies managed at high-volume, multidisciplinary care centers. This study evaluates the quality of STS management in north-east Italy (Veneto Region) through a list of defined clinical indicators.

Four-Component Recombinant Protein-Based Vaccine Effectiveness Against Serogroup B Meningococcal Disease in Italy.

Importance: Population-based data on the 4-component recombinant protein-based (4CMenB) vaccine effectiveness and reduction in incidence rate ratios (IRRs) are continuously needed to assess vaccine performance in the prevention of serogroup B invasive meningococcal disease (IMD).

Objective: To assess the effectiveness and reduction in IRRs associated with the 4CMenB vaccine in the pediatric population in 6 regions in Italy.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This retrospective cohort screening study and case-control study included data from children aged younger than 6 years in 6 highly populated Italian regions from January 1, 2006, to January 1, 2020.

MAGLIO study: epideMiological Analysis on invasive meninGococcaL disease in Italy: fOcus on hospitalization from 2015 to 2019.

This study analyzed hospital admissions for invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in epidemiological and economic terms in Italy from 2015 to 2019. The volume of acute admissions for meningococcal diagnosis was analyzed in the period from 2015 to 2019. IMD admissions were identified by ICD-9-CM diagnoses.

Use of Information and Communication Technology Strategies to Increase Vaccination Coverage in Older Adults: A Systematic Review.

Background: Coverage rates of routinely recommended vaccines in older adults still fall below the targets established by international and national advisory committees. As a result, related diseases still have a high incidence, morbidity, and mortality. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) could provide useful tools to improve immunization rates by bringing information directly to the target user at a relatively low cost.

Cost-Effectiveness of Pneumococcal Vaccination in Adults in Italy: Comparing New Alternatives and Exploring the Role of GMT Ratios in Informing Vaccine Effectiveness.

In Italy, a sequential pneumococcal vaccination with conjugate vaccine (PCV) and polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) is recommended for individuals aged ≥ 65 years and those at risk for pneumococcal disease (PD) aged ≥ 6 years. The aim of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of the new vaccines, i.e.