Standardised protocol for a prospective international multicentre clinical-based evaluation of point-of-care tests for the screening of genital and extragenital chlamydial and gonococcal infections in men who have sex with men and for the screening of genital chlamydial, gonococcal and infections in at risk women.

Introduction: In 2016, WHO estimated there were roughly 374 million new infections among adults of the following four curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs): chlamydia (caused by (CT)), gonorrhoea ( (NG)), syphilis () and trichomoniasis ( (TV)). Accurate point-of-care tests (POCTs) for screening of genital and extragenital CT, NG and TV infections are of great value and have been developed during recent decade. Several tests are commercially available and have shown encouraging performance compared with 'gold-standard' reference tests in laboratory-based studies.

Independent clinic-based evaluation of dual POCTs for screening for HIV and syphilis in men who have sex with men in Italy, Malta, Peru, and the United Kingdom.

Introduction: Globally, the incidence of HIV and syphilis can be reduced by the use of validated point of care tests (POCTs). As part of the WHO PRoSPeRo Network, we aimed to evaluate the performance, acceptability, and operational characteristics of two dual HIV/syphilis POCTs (Bioline HIV/Syphilis Duo (Abbott) and DPP® HIV-Syphilis assay (Chembio) for the screening of HIV and syphilis amongst men who have sex with men (MSM).

Method And Analyses: A cross sectional study of 2,577 MSM in Italy, Malta, Peru, and the United Kingdom (UK) presenting to seven clinic sites, were enrolled.

Long COVID Syndrome: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes various cardiovascular complications. However, it is unknown if there are cardiovascular sequelae in the medium and long-term. The aim of this study was dual.

Hybrid immunity and protection against infection during the Omicron wave in Malta.

By December 2021, administration of the third dose of COVID-19 vaccinations coincided with the spread of the Omicron variant in Europe. Questions had been raised on protection against infection conferred by previous vaccination and/or infection. Our study population included 252,433 participants from the COVID-19 vaccination registry in Malta.

Clinical outcomes at medium-term follow-up of COVID-19.

Background: The long coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) syndrome is defined as persistent physical, cognitive and/or psychological symptoms that continue for more than 12 weeks following the acute illness.

Methods: In all, 2,646 patients were randomly selected from all individuals who were diagnosed with COVID-19. They were interviewed so as to assess the persistence of symptoms and health-related quality of life.

Digitalizing and Upgrading Severe Acute Respiratory Infections Surveillance in Malta: System Development.

Background: In late 2020, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and Epiconcept started implementing a surveillance system for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) across Europe.

Objective: We sought to describe the process of digitizing and upgrading SARI surveillance in Malta, an island country with a centralized health system, during the COVID-19 pandemic from February to November 2021. We described the characteristics of people included in the surveillance system and compared different SARI case definitions, including their advantages and disadvantages.

Recognizing the Emergent and Submerged Iceberg of the Celiac Disease: ITAMA Project-Global Strategy Protocol.

Coeliac disease (CD) is frequently underdiagnosed with a consequent heavy burden in terms of morbidity and health care costs. Diagnosis of CD is based on the evaluation of symptoms and anti-transglutaminase antibodies IgA (TGA-IgA) levels, with values above a tenfold increase being the basis of the biopsy-free diagnostic approach suggested by present guidelines. This study showcased the largest screening project for CD carried out to date in school children (n=20,000) aimed at assessing the diagnostic accuracy of minimally invasive finger prick point-of-care tests (POCT) which, combined with conventional celiac serology and the aid of an artificial intelligence-based system, may eliminate the need for intestinal biopsy.

Retrospective Analysis of Six Years of Acute Flaccid Paralysis Surveillance and Polio Vaccine Coverage Reported by Italy, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia, Malta, and Greece.

Here we analyzed six years of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance, from 2015 to 2020, of 10 countries linked to the WHO Regional Reference Laboratory, at the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Italy. The analysis also comprises the polio vaccine coverage available (2015-2019) and enterovirus (EV) identification and typing data. Centralized Information System for Infectious Diseases and Laboratory Data Management System databases were used to obtain data on AFP indicators and laboratory performance and countries' vaccine coverage from 2015 to 2019.

genetic polymorphism and incidence of in-stent restenosis in patients on clopidogrel: a matched case-control study.

Objectives: The cytochrome P450 2C19 () genetic polymorphism is associated with reduced clopidogrel bioactivation, increasing the risk of atherothrombotic complications after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In-stent restenosis (ISR) is a complication that limits the long-term prognosis of PCI. The aim was to investigate the association between presence of the allele and ISR within one-year after PCI in patients prescribed dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel.

Identification of antibiotic resistance patterns in strains isolated from gastric biopsies using real-time PCR and genotypic analysis.

Background: is associated with dyspepsia, mucus-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, gastritis, and peptic ulcer disease. Treatment in Malta consists of triple therapy, which consists of a proton pump inhibitor and 2 of the antibiotics amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole and fluoroquinolones. We aimed to determine the resistance rates for clarithromycin and fluoroquinolones in patients with , and its incidence, in patients undergoing an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

WITHDRAWN: Needed: less influenza vaccine hesitancy and less presenteeism among health care workers in the COVID-19 era.

This article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at https://www.

The epidemiology of invasive meningococcal disease and the utility of vaccination in Malta.

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a vaccine-preventable devastating infection that mainly affects infants, children and adolescents. We describe the population epidemiology of IMD in Malta in order to assess the potential utility of a meningococcal vaccination programme. All cases of microbiologically confirmed IMD in the Maltese population from 2000 to 2017 were analysed to quantify the overall and capsular-specific disease burden.

The interaction of dyslipidaemia with glycaemia in an adult population study.

Purpose: Individuals with dysglycaemic are prone to dyslipidaemia. Understanding the dyslipidaemic status of dysglycaemic individuals is essential for monitoring and early prevention. The aim was to assess the control of lipidaemia by glycaemic status in a representative adult population.

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) in men who have sex with men (MSM): a re-emerging problem, Malta, 2018.

From 1 January to 30 June 2018, 11 cases of Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV; all preserved samples (n = 4) genovar L2b) were identified at the Genitourinary Clinic (GUC), Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta. All cases were diagnosed in men who have sex with men (MSM); six participated in three group-sex parties. Here, we describe the outbreak and risk factors associated with LGV diagnoses in MSM in Malta in 2018.

WASP (Write a Scientific Paper): The role of the pathology department in clinical research.

The pathology laboratory is the hub of investigatory medical care, and constitutes an invaluable asset for clinical research. A number of disciplines fall under the cap of a pathology laboratory. Researchers may gain access to such services provided ethical and laboratory administrative permissions have been granted.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure: Is it a route for infection in those with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea?

Introduction: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), with limited data about the prevalence of respiratory infections and microbial colonization in these patients.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine if CPAP use is associated with respiratory infections and to identify the organisms that colonize or infect these patients.

Method: A retrospective, case-controlled study in patients diagnosed with OSA was carried out.

Comparison of a rapid point-of-care and two laboratory-based CYP2C19*2 genotyping assays for personalisation of antiplatelet therapy.

Background: A quick CYP2C19*2 genotyping assay can be useful in personalised antiplatelet-therapy.

Objective: To apply a rapid point-of-care (POC) CYP2C19*2 genotyping assay for personalisation of antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and to compare this POC assay to two laboratory-based CYP2C19*2 genotyping assays.

Setting: Cardiac Catheterisation Suite and Molecular Diagnostics Unit in a general hospital.

Towards elimination: measles susceptibility in Australia and 17 European countries.

Objective: To evaluate age-specific measles susceptibility in Australia and 17 European countries.

Methods: As part of the European Sero-Epidemiology Network 2 (ESEN2), 18 countries collected large national serum banks between 1996 and 2004. These banks were tested for measles IgG and the results converted to a common unitage to enable valid intercountry comparisons.

Comparison of rubella seroepidemiology in 17 countries: progress towards international disease control targets.

Objective: To standardize serological surveillance to compare rubella susceptibility in Australia and 16 European countries, and measure progress towards international disease-control targets.

Methods: Between 1996 and 2004, representative serum banks were established in 17 countries by collecting residual sera or community sampling. Serum banks were tested in each country and assay results were standardized.