Publications by authors named "Giacomo Ponta"
Purpose: Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infections are increasingly common. Gram-positive bacteria such as coagulase negative staphylococci and Staphylococcus aureus are the most commonly involved pathogens. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics and outcome of patients with CIED infections who underwent device removal and were empirically treated with high dose (8-12 mg/kg daily) daptomycin (DAP) in combination with ceftriaxone (CRO).
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- - Rezafungin, an echinocandin, has a long elimination half-life enabling weekly dosing and is now approved for treating candidemia.
- - Limited information exists regarding its long-term use and effectiveness against deep infections such as endocarditis and osteomyelitis.
- - This report outlines its successful prolonged use in two cases of azole-resistant infections: one involving sacral osteomyelitis and another with prosthetic valve endocarditis linked to a thoracic aneurysm repair.
Background: Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) is a public health priority because of the rapid evolution of antimicrobial resistance, the emergence of antibiotic resistance, and the absence of a vaccine against Ng. The aim of this study was to investigate trends in the minimum inhibitory concentration and resistance (R) or reduced susceptibility (DS) of Ng cases to ceftriaxone (CRO), azithromycin (AZM), tetracycline (TET), benzylpenicillin (PenG), and ciprofloxacin (CIP) during a 10-year period.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis on an open cohort of Ng cases diagnosed on rectal, urethral, and pharyngeal samples at San Raffaele Scientific Institute, between September 2012 and February 2023.
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- - The study investigates how the HLA class I genotype influences the size of the HIV viral reservoir in individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART), highlighting the significant roles of HLA-B and -C genes in this process.
- - Using advanced bioinformatic tools, the researchers assessed the relationship between HLA alleles and HIV antigen presentation, finding that certain HLA types, like HLA-B*57:01 and HLA-B*58:01, may enhance immune responses against HIV.
- - The research suggests a potential interaction between specific HLA-peptide complexes and factors like the CCR5 ∆32 mutation in regulating HIV replication and controlling the size of the viral reservoir, proposing a multifaceted approach to understanding HIV management
Aim was to investigate the propensity to switch to long-acting injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with cabotegravir among oral PrEP-experienced men who have sex with men. Out of 377 PrEP users, 325 (86.2%) were interested (would like = 210) or considering (would consider = 115) switch to long-acting PrEP.
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- - The genus Nocardia includes gram-positive bacteria commonly found in the environment that can lead to severe lung and brain infections, especially in immunocompromised patients, but they can also affect those with normal immunity.
- - A case study describes a 47-year-old woman who developed meningitis after brain surgery, initially showing no clear signs of infection, but later tests finally revealed Nocardia farcinica as the culprit after multiple therapies were ineffective.
- - The patient's treatment was successfully adjusted to include specific antibiotics after the bacteria were identified, highlighting the challenges of diagnosing Nocardia infections, especially given the initial negative results for other possible pathogens.
Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a heterogeneous, multiorgan and potentially life-threatening drug-hypersensitivity reaction (DHR) that occurs several days or weeks after drug initiation or discontinuation. DHRs constitute an emerging issue for public health, due to population aging, growing multi-organ morbidity, and subsequent enhanced drug prescriptions. DRESS has more consistently been associated with anticonvulsants, allopurinol and antibiotics, such as sulphonamides and vancomycin, although new drugs are increasingly reported as culprit agents.
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