Impact of switching from EFV/F/TDF to B/F/TAF on psychiatric symptoms and neurocognition.

Objectives: The aim was to investigate whether switching from EFV/F/TDF to B/F/TAF may improve neuropsychiatrc symptoms and neurocognition.

Design: Pilot, single-arm, prospective study of persons with HIV (PWH) on the efficacy and safety of switching from EFV/F/TDF to B/F/TAF.

Methods: Participants underwent neuropsychological assessment (NPA) at switch (T0) and after 48 weeks (T1).

Rapid ART initiation with bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide in individuals presenting with advanced HIV disease (Rainbow study).

Background: A rapid ART initiation approach can be beneficial in people with advanced HIV disease, in consideration of their high morbidity and mortality. The aim of our study was to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy and safety of rapid ART start with BIC/FTC/TAF in this setting.

Methods: Pilot, single-centre, single-arm, prospective, phase IV clinical trial conducted in a tertiary Italian hospital.

Declining Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders in Recent Years and Associated Factors in a Large Cohort of Antiretroviral Therapy-Treated Individuals With HIV.

Background: HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) have been suggested as persistent even with effective antiretroviral therapy (ART). Aims were to evaluate HAND prevalence and associated factors, in a large cohort of people-with-HIV (PWH).

Methods: ART-treated PWH, underwent a neuropsychological examination through a battery of 12 tests exploring 5 different domains, between 2009 and 2020, were included in this cross-sectional analysis.

Virological and Immunological Outcomes of an Intensified Four-Drug versus a Standard Three-Drug Antiretroviral Regimen, Both Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitor-Based, in Primary HIV Infection.

The optimal therapeutic approach for primary HIV infection (PHI) is still debated. We aimed to compare the viroimmunological response to a four- versus a three-drug regimen, both INSTI-based, in patients with PHI. This was a monocentric, prospective, observational study including all patients diagnosed with PHI from December 2014 to April 2018.

Humoral and Cellular Immune Response Elicited by mRNA Vaccination Against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy Based on Current CD4 T-Lymphocyte Count.

Background: Data on SARS-CoV-2 vaccine immunogenicity in PLWH are currently limited. Aim of the study was to investigate immunogenicity according to current CD4 T-cell count.

Methods: PLWH on ART attending a SARS-CoV-2 vaccination program, were included in a prospective immunogenicity evaluation after receiving BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273.

Association of Sofosbuvir and Daclatasvir Plasma Trough Concentrations with Patient-, Treatment-, and Disease-Related Factors Among HIV/HCV-Coinfected Persons.

Background: Sofosbuvir plus daclatasvir achieves high rates of sustained virologic response (SVR), with no differences according to HIV serostatus. However, only limited information is available on the pharmacokinetic variability of sofosbuvir and daclatasvir in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify patient-, treatment-, and disease-related factors that are significantly associated with sofosbuvir and daclatasvir plasma trough concentrations (C), including liver and renal function, among HIV/HCV-coinfected persons.

Late Relapse and Reinfection in HCV Patients Treated with Direct-Acting Antiviral (DAA) Drugs.

The risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurrence after direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment is <0.5%. However, the distinction between HCV RNA late relapse and reinfection still represents a challenge in virological diagnostics.

Effectiveness and safety of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir in chronic hepatitis C patients: Results of the Italian cohort of a post-marketing observational study.

Background And Aims: The MARS post-marketing, observational study evaluates glecaprevir/pibrentasvir in a large population of Italian patients who are infected with HCV.

Patients And Methods: Achievement of SVR12 was the primary endpoint in the overall population and by subpopulations of interest (treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced patients, subjects infected with different HCV genotype/sub-genotype, cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients, patients with different severity of fibrosis, patients with an APRI score ≥1, subjects with comorbidities, HIV-coinfected patients, elderly patients and people who use drugs). Safety and quality of life (assessed by SF-36 and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment) were also evaluated.

Clinical management of imported malaria in Italy: results from a national cross-sectional survey in 2015.

In Italy, malaria continues to be one of the most common imported parasitoses; therefore, continuous surveillance of epidemiological data and clinical management is needed. In 2016, the National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' in Rome promoted a retrospective questionnaire-based survey to assess the clinical management of imported malaria cases in Italy in 2015. The questionnaire was sent to 104 Tropical and/or Infectious Diseases Units in the country, and 37 of them filled out and returned the questionnaires.

Cardiovascular risk in advanced naïve HIV-infected patients starting antiretroviral therapy: Comparison of three different regimens - PREVALEAT II cohort.

Background And Aims: PREVALEAT (PREmature VAscular LEsions and Antiretroviral Therapy) II is a multicenter, longitudinal cohort study aimed at the evaluation of cardiovascular risk among advanced HIV-positive, treatment-naïve patients starting their first therapy. We hypothesized that these patients, present a higher cardiovascular (CV) risk.

Methods: The study included all consecutive naïve patients with less than 200 CD4 cells/ml starting antiretroviral therapy.

Simplification to atazanavir/ritonavir+lamivudine in virologically suppressed HIV-infected patients: 24-weeks interim analysis from ATLAS-M trial.

Introduction: We report interim 24-weeks efficacy data of ATLAS-M trial, a phase IV, multicentre, open-label, randomized study designed to show 48-weeks, non-inferior efficacy (margin of -12%) of treatment simplification to atazanavir/ritonavir (ATV/r)+lamivudine (3TC) versus maintaining 3-drugs ATV/r-based cART.

Methods: Subjects on ATV/r+2 NRTIs, without previous treatment failure (TF), with HIV-RNA <50copies/mL for >3 months and CD4>200 cells/mm(3) for >6 months were eligible. At baseline, patients were randomized to switch to ATV/r+3TC (arm one) or to maintain the original 3-drug regimen (arm two).

Clinical experience of colistin-glycopeptide combination in critically ill patients infected with Gram-negative bacteria.

A colistin-glycopeptide combination (CGC) has been shown in vitro to be synergistic against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDR GNB), especially Acinetobacter baumannii, and to prevent further resistance. However, clinical data are lacking. We carried out a retrospective multicenter study of patients hospitalized in intensive care units (ICUs) who received colistin for GNB infection over a 1-year period, to assess the rates of nephrotoxicity and 30-day mortality after treatment onset among patients treated with and without CGC for ≥48 h.

Appropriateness of surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis in the Latium region of Italy, 2008: a multicenter study.

Background: There is still wide variability in surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis (SAP) practice by different surgical teams and specialties, with potential impact on adverse events and the emergence of antibiotic resistance.

Methods: We assessed SAP appropriateness in a regional prospective multicenter study on the basis of the agreement of the Surgical Care Improvement Project indicators (SCIP-Inf) with Italian guidelines (GL).

Results: Prophylaxis was administered in 2,664 of 2,835 procedures (94%): In 2,346 of 2,468 (95%) as indicated and in 318 of 367 (86.

Cytomegalovirus pneumonia in immunocompetent host: case report and literature review.

CMV infection is highly prevalent in general population and its clinical picture generally ranges from asymptomatic disease to mononucleosis-like syndrome. While severe life-threatening CMV disease is well documented in certain immunocompromised risk groups, severe infection with symptomatic pneumonia in immunocompetent hosts has been rarely documented. In this paper we describe a case of primary CMV infection, complicated by severe CMV pneumonia in an immunocompetent host, successfully treated with oral valganciclovir.

Daptomycin efficacy in the central nervous system of a patient with disseminated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection: a case report.

Introduction: Staphylococcus aureus has emerged as a major nosocomial pathogen in the last decades and also represents the second most common pathogen isolated from patients in outpatient settings. Although methicillin-resistant S.aureus infections were traditionally limited to hospitals, community-associated cases of methicillin-resistant S.

Continuous versus intermittent infusion of vancomycin for the treatment of Gram-positive infections: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: To summarize available evidence on the effect of continuous infusion (CoI) of vancomycin compared with intermittent infusion (InI) in adult patients with Gram-positive infections.

Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and observational studies that comparatively assessed CoI and InI of vancomycin in terms of mortality, clinical cure, toxicity rates and serum drug exposure [trough concentration (C(min)) for InI and steady-state concentration (C(ss)) for CoI; area under the curve at 24 h (AUC(24)) for both] were included.

Hemolytic anemia due to acute cytomegalovirus infection in an immunocompetent adult: a case report and review of the literature.

Introduction: Cytomegalovirus is a common virus responsible for a wide range of clinical manifestations. Hemolysis is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of cytomegalovirus infection, described mostly in immunocompromised patients, the pathogenesis of which is still unclear.We performed a review of the literature regarding cases of hemolytic anemia during acute cytomegalovirus infection in apparently immunocompetent individuals.

Acute hepatocellular and cholestatic injury during therapy with hydrochlorothiazide - clinicohistopathologic findings: a case report.

Introduction: Hydrochlorothiazide and thiazide-like diuretics are considered first-line drugs for initial therapy in uncomplicated arterial hypertension. Acute cholecystitis is a well-known complication during treatment with thiazide, and these drugs are also reported to be followed by pronounced insulin resistance.

Case Presentation: We describe a case of acute cholestatic hepatitis in a 68-year-old Caucasian man who was receiving olmesartan and hydrochlorothiazide for arterial hypertension.

Selenium deficiency and HIV infection.

Selenium is a non-metallic chemical element of great important to human health. Low selenium levels in humans are associated with several pathological conditions and are a common finding in HIV infected individuals. We conducted a review of the literature to assess if selenium deficiency or selenium supplementation could play a role in modifying the clinical course of HIV disease.

Rhodococcus equi infection in HIV-infected individuals: case reports and review of the literature.

Rhodococcus equi is a gram-positive, coryneform bacterium that causes zoonotic infection mainly in horses and foals. It sometimes affects humans presenting as cavitary pneumonia. Immunocompromised patients, including HIV-infected patients, are more susceptible to R.

Treatment and outcome of pulmonary arterial hypertension in HIV-infected patients: a review of the literature.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a life-threatening complication of HIV infection. The prevalence of HIV-associated PAH (HIV-PAH) seems not to be changed over time, regardless of the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). HIV-PAH treatment is similar to that for all PAH conditions and includes lifestyle modifications, general treatments, and disease-specific treatments.