[The CCM Project "Phenotypic and molecular screening methodologies for the detection of coloniza-tions due to carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE)"].

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CREs) are globally considered to be a major threat to public health. National and international guidelines emphasize the importance of routine active surveillance policies to prevent their transmission. Consequently, screening for the evaluation of the status of colonization by CREs in hospitalized patients in Italy is considered essential to contain and control the spread of these microorganisms and their evolution towards infection.

Preferences and attitudes regarding early intervention in multiple sclerosis: A systematic literature review.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the brain and spinal cord, characterized by immune-mediated myelin damage. Early intervention and detection programs have emerged as promising strategies to improve patient outcomes by identifying and treating MS in its earliest stages.

Objective: This systematic literature review aims to provide an overview of the preferences, attitudes, and opinions of both patients and healthcare professionals regarding early intervention or early detection programs for MS.

Evaluation of different molecular systems for detection and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from wastewater samples.

Wastewater-based epidemiology has proved to be a suitable approach for tracking the spread of epidemic agents including SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Different protocols have been developed for quantitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from wastewater samples, but little is known on their performance. In this study we compared three protocols based on Reverse Transcription Real Time-PCR (RT-PCR) and one based on Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection from 35 wastewater samples.

Meaningful cognitive change for the Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: There is limited information on interpretation of cognitive changes over time in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective: This study aimed to provide normative data for the assessment of statistically meaningful change in all tests of the Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in MS (MACFIMS).

Methods: We applied the reliable change methodology to a healthy Italian cohort, assessed with two alternate versions of the MACFIMS 1 year apart.

Functional features of KPC-109, a novel 270-loop KPC-3 mutant mediating resistance to avibactam-based β-lactamase inhibitor combinations and cefiderocol.

Objectives: To investigate a ceftazidime/avibactam (CZA)-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (NE368), isolated from a patient exposed to CZA, expressing a novel K. pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-3 variant (KPC-109).

Methods: Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by reference broth microdilution.

Applying multidimensional computerized adaptive testing to the MSQOL-54: a simulation study.

Background: The Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQOL-54) is one of the most commonly-used MS-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measures. It is a multidimensional, MS-specific HRQOL inventory, which includes the generic SF-36 core items, supplemented with 18 MS-targeted items. Availability of an adaptive short version providing immediate item scoring may improve instrument usability and validity.

Performance evaluation of the UMIC® Cefiderocol to determine MIC in Gram-negative bacteria.

Background: Cefiderocol is a catechol-substituted cephalosporin with potent in vitro activity against carbapenem-resistant (CR) Gram-negative bacteria (GNB). Cefiderocol susceptibility testing is complex because iron concentrations need to be taken into consideration. Here, we assessed the clinical performance of Bruker's UMIC® Cefiderocol and corresponding iron-depleted CAMHB to determine MIC by broth microdilution (BMD) for clinically relevant GNB.

Predicting sense of coherence among caregiving partners of persons with multiple sclerosis.

Purpose/objective: Within the framework of the Salutogenic Model of Health, this study aimed to investigate sense of coherence among caregiving partners of persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), and its relationship with perceived social support and illness beliefs conceived as generalized resistance resources in tension management.

Research Method/design: In this cross-sectional study, 398 caregiving partners of PwMS ( = 44.62; 34.

"CORE" a new assay for rapid identification of COlistin REsistant strains by MALDI-TOF MS in positive-ion mode.

Due to the global spread of pan resistant organisms, colistin is actually considered as one of the last resort antibiotics against MDR and XDR bacterial infections. The emergence of colistin resistant strains has been observed worldwide in Gram-negative bacteria, such as and especially in in association with increased morbidity and mortality. This landscape implies the exploration of novel assays able to target colistin resistant strains rapidly.

Nosocomial outbreak by NDM-1-producing highly resistant to cefiderocol, Florence, Italy, August 2021 to June 2022.

A nosocomial outbreak by cefiderocol (FDC)-resistant NDM-1-producing (NDM-Kp) occurred in a large tertiary care hospital from August 2021-June 2022 in Florence, Italy, an area where NDM-Kp strains have become endemic. Retrospective analysis of NDM-Kp from cases observed in January 2021-June 2022 revealed that 21/52 were FDC-resistant. The outbreak was mostly sustained by clonal expansion of a mutant with inactivated siderophore receptor gene, which exhibited high-level resistance to FDC (MIC ≥ 32 mg/L) and spread independently of FDC exposure.

Resistome and virulome accretion in an NDM-1-producing ST147 sublineage of Klebsiella pneumoniae associated with an outbreak in Tuscany, Italy: a genotypic and phenotypic characterisation.

Background: Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE), particularly those producing metallo-β-lactamases, are among the most challenging antibiotic-resistant pathogens, causing outbreaks of difficult-to-treat nosocomial infections worldwide. Since November 2018, an outbreak of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamases-positive CPE (NDM-CPE) has emerged in Tuscany, Italy. In this study, we aimed to investigate the NDM-CPE associated with the outbreak and characterise the responsible Klebsiella pneumoniae clone.

Long-term Cognitive Outcomes and Socioprofessional Attainment in People With Multiple Sclerosis With Childhood Onset.

Background And Objectives: Patients with pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (MS) can be especially vulnerable to cognitive impairment (CI) due to the onset of MS during a critical period for CNS development and maturation. The objective of this longitudinal study was to assess long-term cognitive functioning and socioprofessional attainment in the Italian pediatric MS cohort, previously assessed at baseline and 2 and 5 years.

Methods: The 48 patients evaluated at the 5-year assessment were screened for inclusion.

Effect of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism on hippocampal subfields in multiple sclerosis patients.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism was shown to strongly affect BDNF function, but its role in modulating gray matter damage in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients is still not clear. Given BDNF relevance on the hippocampus, we aimed to explore BDNF Val66Met polymorphism effect on hippocampal subfield volumes and its role in cognitive functioning in MS patients. Using a 3T scanner, we obtained dual-echo and 3DT1-weighted sequences from 50 MS patients and 15 healthy controls (HC) consecutively enrolled.

Viability of a MSQOL-54 general health-related quality of life score using bifactor model.

Background: MSQOL-54 is a multidimensional, widely-used, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) instrument specific for multiple sclerosis (MS). Findings from the validation study suggested that the two MSQOL-54 composite scores are correlated. Given this correlation, it could be assumed that a unique total score of HRQOL may be calculated, with the advantage to provide key stakeholders with a single overall HRQOL score.

Job satisfaction among physicians and nurses involved in the management of multiple sclerosis: the role of happiness and meaning at work.

Objective: Health professionals caring for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) are faced with increasingly complex working conditions that can undermine their job satisfaction and the quality of their healthcare services. The aim of this study was to delve into health professionals' job satisfaction by assessing the predictive role of happiness and meaning at work. Specifically, it was hypothesized that job meaning would moderate the relationship between job happiness and satisfaction.

Epidemiology and clinical features of intestinal protozoan infections detected by Real-time PCR in non-native children within an Italian tertiary care children's hospital: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Enteric parasite infections are underestimated due to the limited sensitivity and specificity of microscopy, which remains the diagnostic gold standard in routine clinical practice. This could be a major problem in high-income countries, where the burden of parasitic diseases is low. In recent years, Multiplex Real-Time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) based methods have been implemented.

The Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Val66Met Polymorphism Can Protect Against Cognitive Impairment in Multiple Sclerosis.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of the neurotrophin family, involved in neuronal survival and synaptic plasticity. The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism is known to reduce BDNF expression and secretion; its role in multiple sclerosis (MS) is poorly investigated. In this multicenter, retrospective study, we assessed the role of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism on cognitive and motor disability in MS patients consecutively referred to the University of Florence and the Hospital of Barletta.

Identifying the Distinct Cognitive Phenotypes in Multiple Sclerosis.

Importance: Cognitive impairment is a common and disabling feature of multiple sclerosis (MS), but a precise characterization of cognitive phenotypes in patients with MS is lacking.

Objectives: To identify cognitive phenotypes in a clinical cohort of patients with MS and to characterize their clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This multicenter cross-sectional study consecutively screened clinically stable patients with MS and healthy control individuals at 8 MS centers in Italy from January 1, 2010, to October 31, 2019.

Evaluation of the commercial AD fosfomycin test for susceptibility testing of multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Objectives: To compare fosfomycin susceptibility testing with the commercial agar dilution (AD) test, AD Fosfomycin (Liofilchem, Roseto degli Abruzzi, Italy) and the reference AD method, using a collection of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates.

Methods: The collection included 119 carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales, 53 Enterobacterales producing acquired AmpC-type and/or extended-spectrum β-lactamases and 38 carbapenemase-producing P. aeruginosa, including representatives of different high-risk clones.

A new paraplegin mutation in a patient with primary progressive multiple sclerosis.

Primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) presents with clinical signs of slowly progressive long tract dysfunction that can overlap with neurodegenerative disorders, such as hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP). Herein, we present two siblings in whom we have identified a novel mutation in the paraplegin (SPG7) gene. The proband, a 49-year-old woman, presented with a five-year history of progressive spastic paraparesis and ataxia.

Italian validation of the caregiving tasks in multiple sclerosis scale (CTiMSS).

Objectives: Informal caregivers provide fundamental help to persons with multiple sclerosis through a variety of tasks ranging from practical assistance to psychological support. Caregiving Tasks in Multiple Sclerosis Scale (CTiMSS) is a reliable and valid measure assessing the complex structure of caregiving tasks within the context of multiple sclerosis. The present study was aimed to test the validity and reliability of the Italian translation of CTiMSS in a sample of informal caregivers of persons with multiple sclerosis.

The Contribution of Illness Beliefs, Coping Strategies, and Social Support to Perceived Physical Health and Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis.

This study investigated the relationship of illness beliefs with perceived physical health and fatigue among persons with multiple sclerosis. Besides direct effects between illness beliefs and outcome measures, the mediational role of coping strategies and social support was examined. Six hundred and eighty persons with multiple sclerosis completed the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire evaluating illness beliefs; the Brief COPE measuring problem-focused, meaning-focused, and avoidant strategies; the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support assessing social support; MS Quality of Life-54 investigating perceived physical health; and the Fatigue Severity Scale assessing physical fatigue.