Hospital distribution, seasonality, time trends and antifungal susceptibility profiles of all Aspergillus species isolated from clinical samples from 2015 to 2022 in a tertiary care hospital.

Background: Aspergillus species cause a variety of serious clinical conditions with increasing trend in antifungal resistance. The present study aimed at evaluating hospital epidemiology and antifungal susceptibility of all isolates recorded in our clinical database since its implementation.

Methods: Data on date of isolation, biological samples, patients' age and sex, clinical settings, and antifungal susceptibility tests for all Aspergillus spp.

In Vitro Susceptibility Tests in the Context of Antifungal Resistance: Beyond Minimum Inhibitory Concentration in spp.

Antimicrobial resistance is a matter of rising concern, especially in fungal diseases. Multiple reports all over the world are highlighting a worrisome increase in azole- and echinocandin-resistance among fungal pathogens, especially in species, as reported in the recently published fungal pathogens priority list made by WHO. Despite continuous efforts and advances in infection control, development of new antifungal molecules, and research on molecular mechanisms of antifungal resistance made by the scientific community, trends in invasive fungal diseases and associated antifungal resistance are on the rise, hindering therapeutic options and clinical cures.

Paradigm Shift: as the Most Prevalent Species Isolated from Bloodstream Infections with Increasing Azole-Non-Susceptibility Rates: Trends from 2015-2022 Survey.

Candidemia is the fourth most common healthcare-related bloodstream infection. In recent years, incidence rates of have been on the rise, with differences in prevalence and antifungal susceptibility between countries. The aim of the present study was to evaluate temporal changes in prevalence and antifungal susceptibility of among other species causing candidemia.

Antifungal Resistance Mechanisms and Associated Epidemiology.

Fungal diseases cause millions of deaths per year worldwide. Antifungal resistance has become a matter of great concern in public health. In recent years rates of non- species have risen dramatically.

Contribution of integrase inhibitor use, body mass index, physical activity and caloric intake to weight gain in people living with HIV.

Integrase inhibitor (INSTI) use has been associated with greater weight gain (WG) among people living with HIV (PLWH), but it is unclear how this effect compares in magnitude to traditional risk factors for WG. We assessed the population attributable fractions (PAFs) of modifiable lifestyle factors and INSTI regimens in PLWH who experienced a ≥5% WG over follow-up. In an observational cohort study from 2007 to 2019 at Modena HIV Metabolic Clinic, Italy, ART-experienced but INSTI-naive PLWH were grouped as INSTI-switchers vs non-INSTI.

Rapid and Accurate Identification of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Directly from Positive Primary MGIT Cultures by MALDI-TOF MS.

Over the last years, nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) have emerged as important human pathogens. Accurate and rapid mycobacterial species identification is needed to successfully diagnose, treat, and manage infections caused by NTM. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, MALDI-TOF MS, was demonstrated to effectively identify mycobacteria isolates subcultured from solid or liquid media rather than new positive cultures.

Synergistic Activity of the Human Lactoferricin-Derived Peptide hLF1-11 in Combination with Caspofungin against Species.

species are the main fungal opportunistic pathogens causing systemic infections that are often associated with drug resistance and biofilm production on medical devices. The pressing need for new antifungal agents led to an increased interest in the use of combination therapies. The present study was aimed at investigating potential synergistic activity of the human lactoferrin-derived hLF1-11 peptide with caspofungin against caspofungin-resistant or -susceptible C.

Comparison of different microbiological procedures for the diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia on bronchoalveolar-lavage fluid.

Background: The current diagnostic gold standard for Pneumocystis jirovecii is represented by microscopic visualization of the fungus from clinical respiratory samples, as bronchoalveolar-lavage fluid, defining "proven" P. jirovecii pneumonia, whereas qPCR allows defining "probable" diagnosis, as it is unable to discriminate infection from colonization. However, molecular methods, such as end-point PCR and qPCR, are faster, easier to perform and interpret, thus allowing the laboratory to give back the clinician useful microbiological data in a shorter time.

Ceftazidime/avibactam and ceftolozane/tazobactam for the treatment of extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa post-neurosurgical infections: three cases and a review of the literature.

Purpose: Post-neurosurgical infection caused by extensively drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (XDR-PA) are becoming a matter of great concern due to limited therapeutic options. Although not approved for these indications, the new BetaLactam-BetaLactamase Inhibitor combinations (BLBLIs) could represent a valid salvage treatment. We describe one nosocomial meningitis and two cervical osteomyelitis due to an XDR-PA who were treated with ceftazidime/avibactam (CZA) and ceftolozane/tazobactam (C/T) and review the literature.

Liver steatosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with fibrosis are predictors of frailty in people living with HIV.

Objective: The aim was to investigate the contribution of liver steatosis and significant fibrosis alone and in association [nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with fibrosis] to frailty as a measure of biological age in people living with HIV (PLWH).

Design: This was a cross-sectional study of consecutive patients attending Modena HIV Metabolic Clinic in 2018-2019.

Methods: Patients with hazardous alcohol intake and viral hepatitis coinfection were excluded.

The Lisbon patient: exceptional longevity with HIV suggests healthy aging as an ultimate goal for HIV care.

In the context of global aging, HIV infection has become a new chronic disease and requires innovative models of care. Treating isolated comorbidities represents a useless and potentially harmful practice at advanced age. Therefore, a patient-centered approach, in which the interventions are focused on the biology and function of the individual, with understanding of the importance of securing social and home environment that provides psychosocial support, better suits unmet health needs.

Thymus Imaging Detection and Size Is Inversely Associated With Metabolic Syndrome and Frailty in People With HIV.

Background: People with HIV (PWH) may experience accentuating aging in relation to immuno-activation. Little is known regarding thymus (THY) involution in this process. We sought to investigate the relationship between THY imaging detection/size and clinically relevant aging outcomes such as metabolic syndrome (MetS), multimorbidity (MM), and frailty in PWH.

Compression of frailty in adults living with HIV.

Background: Contemporary HIV care may reduce frailty in older adults living with HIV (OALWH). Objective of the study was to estimate prevalence of frailty at the age of 50 and 75 years, and build a model to quantify the burden of frailty in the year 2030.

Methods: This study included OALWH attending Modena HIV Metabolic Clinic between 2009 and 2015.

The Interplay Between Age and Frailty in People Living With HIV: Results From an 11-Year Follow-up Observational Study.

Between 2006 and 2017, frailty prevalence decreased in HIV-positive individuals aged 50 years but presented a 3-fold increase among those 75 years of age. This dynamic relationship, defined as the frailty compression ratio, represents the net result of gero-inducing and gero-protective competing forces, described in the cohort.

Pneumocystosis as a Complication of H1N1 Influenza A Infection in an HIV-Positive Patient on Effective cART.

H1N1 influenza A virus can affect the immune system, causing lymphopenia. This might be of great concern for HIV individuals undergoing effective antireroviral therapy (cART). We report the first confirmed case of H1N1-induced AIDS and pneumonia in an HIV-positive woman on effective cART since 2006.

Migration and health: A retrospective study about the prevalence of HBV, HIV, HCV, tuberculosis and syphilis infections amongst newly arrived migrants screened at the Infectious Diseases Unit of Modena, Italy.

Introduction: Aim of the study is to evaluate the prevalence of HBV, HIV, HCV, tuberculosis and syphilis infection among immigrants assigned to the immigrant centre of the province of Modena.

Methods: At the time of arrival all immigrant were tested for: HBsAg, HBsAb, HBcAb, Ag p24/HIVAb, HCVAb, RPR, TPPA, Mantoux test (>10mm diameter of induration was considered to be positive), Chest X-rays. In case of positive samples, second level tests were performed (HbeAg, HBeAb, HDVAb, and baseline management and treatment of the infection detected).

Construct validation of a Frailty Index, an HIV Index and a Protective Index from a clinical HIV database.

Background: Standard care for HIV clinical practice has started focusing on age-related problems, but despite this recent change physicians involved in HIV care do not often screen HIV patients for frailty. Our aim was to construct three indexes from an HIV clinical database (i.e.

Pre-exposure Prophylaxis for HIV Infection in the Older Patient: What can be Recommended?

Over the past 15 years, a significant increase in new HIV/AIDS diagnoses has been observed in the elderly population. This new epidemiological shift has been attributed to a longer sex life, lifestyle and changes in sexual behavior, poor sexual health education, and misconceptions about the absence of sexually transmitted disease in later life. Although many biomedical and behavioral interventions have proven useful to prevent sexually transmitted infections and HIV, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been shown to be the most successful biomedical intervention to prevent HIV in high-risk individuals.

Acute human herpes virus 7 (HHV-7) encephalitis in an immunocompetent adult patient: a case report and review of literature.

We report a case of an acute HHV-7 encephalitis involving the nucleus of the VI cranial nerve in an immunocompetent host. The patient was an adult male admitted to our Clinic with headache, diplopia, fever, nausea, vertigo, asthenia and general malaise. PCR for viral and bacterial genomes was run on both serum and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) after performing lumbar puncture, resulting positive only for HHV-7 DNA on CSF.