Analysis of the original notifications in the Tuscany region "Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed" in the seven-year period 2015-2021.

The original notifications (n=1355) managed by the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed of the Tuscany region in the seven-year period 2015-2021 were analyzed. 68.9% of them were classified as alert notifications, and they mostly originated (56.

Carriage rates and risk factors during an outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease due to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C ST-11 (cc11) in Tuscany, Italy: a cross-sectional study.

Background: During 2015-2016 an outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease due to N. meningitidis serogroup C ST-11 (cc11) occurred in Tuscany, Italy. The outbreak affected mainly the age group 20-30 years, men who have sex with men, and the area located between the cities of Firenze, Prato and Empoli, with discos and gay-venues associated-clusters.

Genome-based study of a spatio-temporal cluster of invasive meningococcal disease due to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C, clonal complex 11.

Objectives: To describe a spatio-temporal cluster of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) due to serogroup C meningococci, occurred in a restricted area of Tuscany between January and October 2015, and the results of whole genome sequencing (WGS).

Methods: Surveillance activities and public health measures were implemented in the Region. Bacterial isolates from IMD cases were characterized by the National Reference Laboratory of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), and WGS was performed on available strains.

Adolescents: which risks for their life and health?

This paper reviews emerging research findings related to the biological, behavioral, psychological and social processes that occur during adolescence. New research makes it possible to identify interactions among brain structures, hormonal production and behavioral impulses, that underpin and explain the connections with serious problems emerging during adolescence: behavioral disorders, substance abuse, risky sexual conduct, violence and other social disorders.

Investigation of an imported case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection in Florence, Italy, May to June 2013.

On 31 May 2013, the first case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection in Italy was laboratory confirmed in a previously healthy adult man, who developed pneumonia with moderate respiratory distress after returning from a holiday in Jordan. Two secondary cases were identified through contact tracing, among family members and colleagues who had not previously travelled abroad. Both secondary cases developed mild illness.

Present situation and new perspectives for vaccination against Neisseria meningitidis in Tuscany, Central Italy.

Background: In Italy one third of bacterial meningitis are caused by Neisseria meningitidis. In March 2005, the Regional Health Authority of Tuscany included the meningococcal serogroup C conjugate (MCC) vaccine in the recommended vaccination program with a schedule of three doses to all newborns at 3, 5 and 13 months of age (from 2008 amended to a single dose at 13 months) and a single catch-up dose until age 6.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the current national and regional immunization strategies against N.

Impact on disease incidence of a routine universal and catch-up vaccination strategy against Neisseria meningitidis C in Tuscany, Italy.

Background: Invasive infections due to Neisseria meningitidis are still an important public health issue worldwide. In Europe, meningococcal meningitis is differently distributed in the EU countries, but most cases of meningococcal diseases are caused by serogroups B and C. In Italy, each year about 900 cases of bacterial meningitis occur, of whom one third are caused by N.

Acute hepatitis B 14 years after the implementation of universal vaccination in Italy: areas of improvement and emerging challenges.

Background: Italy had intermediate-level endemicity for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1991, vaccination of infants and adolescents became mandatory. We report the impact of universal vaccination 14 years after its beginning.

Acute hepatitis delta virus infection in Italy: incidence and risk factors after the introduction of the universal anti-hepatitis B vaccination campaign.

Background: Updates on the incidence of and risk factors for acute hepatitis delta virus infection in Italy, as well as in other countries, are lacking, and the impact of the mandatory anti-hepatitis B vaccination has not been evaluated.

Methods: We performed a case-control study within a population-based surveillance for acute viral hepatitis.

Results: During 1993-2004, 344 cases of acute hepatitis delta virus infection were reported.

[Temporal trends in AIDS incidence and mortality in Tuscany (1987-2000)].

Objective: To describe temporal trends in AIDS incidence and mortality in an Italian region.

Design: Descriptive study based on incidence and mortality registries.

Setting: Tuscany.

Case fatality rate of acute viral hepatitis in Italy: 1995-2000. An update.

Background: Fulminant hepatic failure is the most serious complication of viral hepatitis. Although this event occurs rarely, it may be fatal.

Aims: To evaluate the case fatality rate (several deaths divided by number of cases x 100) for each viral hepatitis type in Italy from 1995 to 2000.

Risk of hepatitis A infection following travel.

Travel to endemic areas is one of the most frequently reported risk factors for infection with the hepatitis A virus (HAV). We evaluated the association between HAV infection and travel, by area of destination. We conducted a case-control study on all cases of HAV infection reported to the Italian National Surveillance System for Acute Viral Hepatitis in the period 1996-2000.

Changing epidemiology of parenterally transmitted viral hepatitis: results from the hepatitis surveillance system in Italy.

Background: In 1991, compulsory hepatitis B virus vaccination and screening for anti-hepatitis C virus of blood banks were introduced in Italy.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of preventive measures on the incidence and risk factors for parenterally transmitted viral hepatitis.

Methods: Data from the surveillance system for acute viral hepatitis for the period 1985-99 were used.

Risk of parenterally transmitted hepatitis following exposure to surgery or other invasive procedures: results from the hepatitis surveillance system in Italy.

Background/aims: To evaluate the strength of association between parenterally transmitted viral hepatitis and specific types of invasive procedures.

Methods: Data from the surveillance system for type-specific acute viral hepatitis (SEIEVA) during the period 1994-1999 were used. The association of acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with the potential risk factors (odds ratios (OR)) was estimated comparing 3120 hepatitis B and 1023 hepatitis C cases with 7158 hepatitis A cases, used as controls, by multiple logistic regression analysis.

The impact of the hepatitis B mass immunisation campaign on the incidence and risk factors of acute hepatitis B in Italy.

Background/aims: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the campaign for hepatitis B mass immunisation of children and teenagers, introduced in 1991, on the incidence of and risk factors for hepatitis B in Italy.

Methods: Hepatitis B cases reported to the surveillance system for type-specific acute viral hepatitis (SEIEVA) during the period 1987-1997 were used to estimate incidence. To assess the association between potential risk factors and hepatitis B cases, hepatitis A cases generated by the same surveillance system were used as controls.

Prevention of hepatitis C in Italy: lessons from surveillance of type-specific acute viral hepatitis. SEIEVA collaborating Group.

Using data from the surveillance system for type-specific acute viral hepatitis, the temporal incidence trend of non-A, non-B acute hepatitis and risk factors for acute hepatitis C have been evaluated in Italy. The association between hepatitis C and the potential risk factors (odds ratios, OR) was estimated using hepatitis A patients as controls. The independent roles of the different risk factors were estimated by multiple logistic regression analysis.

Heterosexual transmission of hepatitis C in Italy.

Data from a surveillance system for type-specific acute viral hepatitis in Italy has been used to evaluate the risk of heterosexual transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) associated with sexual activity with multiple partners in subjects > or = 15 years of age. Hepatitis A cases were used as controls. During the period 1991-1996, 1,359 acute hepatitis C and 4,365 hepatitis A cases were recorded among subjects > or = 15 years of age.

Incidence of and risk factors for hepatitis A in Italy: public health indications from a 10-year surveillance. SEIEVA Collaborating Group.

Background/aims: This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of and risk factors for acute viral hepatitis A (HAV) in Italy.

Methods: Data were from a surveillance system for type-specific acute viral hepatitis (SEIEVA). To estimate the association of hepatitis A cases with the potential risk factors (Odds Ratios) and the proportion of all hepatitis A cases attributable to a given risk factor (population attributable risk), hepatitis B cases were used as controls.

Case fatality rate of acute hepatitis in Italy: results from a 10 year surveillance.

Using data from the surveillance system for acute viral hepatitis we have evaluated the case fatality rate of viral hepatitis in Italy. 71 deaths (0.3%) occurred among the 21,553 reported acute viral hepatitis cases from 1985-1994.

Incidence of non-A, non-B and HCV positive hepatitis in healthcare workers in Italy.

In Italy, using figures from a surveillance system for acute viral hepatitis, the incidence rate of acute non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) hepatitis cases was evaluated in healthcare workers (HCWs) and the general population of the same age over the period 1988-1994. The NANBH incidence among the general population declined from 4.7/100,000 in 1988 to 2.

Prevalence of HIV-1 infection in 18 year old men in Tuscany. The Toscana Collaborative Group.

Background: The main route of transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is sexual contact. A high proportion of young adults is exposed to this mode of transmission. Therefore it is important to assess the level of HIV-1 prevalence among 18 year olds in Italy.

Intrafamily spread of hepatitis C virus infection.

Using the second generation ELISA test, we studied the prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) among 159 household contacts of 86 anti-HCV positive subjects (index cases). Fourteen (8.8%) relatives were found anti-HCV positive, a rate higher than the corresponding figure reported among the general population in the same area.

90K protein: a new predictor marker of disease progression in human immunodeficiency virus infection.

A 90,000-Da molecular mass tumor-associated protein has recently been identified in the sera of patients infected by HIV. In this study, we have evaluated the serum levels of 90K for its ability to predict the progression to ARC or AIDS retrospectively in 49 HIV-seropositive subjects who were initially symptom-free. 90K levels were higher in those HIV-seropositive subjects who progressed to ARC or AIDS than in those who had not progressed both at entry into the study and at the latest visit.