Introduction of Vector-Borne Infections in Europe: Emerging and Re-Emerging Viral Pathogens with Potential Impact on One Health.

The rise and resurgence of vector-borne diseases (VBDs) in Europe pose an expanding public health challenge, exacerbated by climate change, globalization, and ecological disruptions. Both arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) transmitted by ticks such as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and arboviruses transmitted by mosquitoes like dengue, Chikungunya, Zika, and Japanese encephalitis have broadened their distribution due to rising temperatures, changes in rainfall, and increased human mobility. By emphasizing the importance of interconnected human, animal, and environmental health, integrated One Health strategies are crucial in addressing this complex issue.

Magnitude and dynamics of the T-cell response to SARS-CoV-2 infection at both individual and population levels.

Introduction: T cells are involved in the early identification and clearance of viral infections and also support the development of antibodies by B cells. This central role for T cells makes them a desirable target for assessing the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods: Here, we combined two high-throughput immune profiling methods to create a quantitative picture of the T-cell response to SARS-CoV-2.

Effectiveness, safety, and patient-reported outcomes of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide in routine clinical care in Italy: 12-Month results from the BICSTaR cohort.

Background: BICSTaR is a multi-national, observational cohort evaluating the effectiveness, safety, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in treatment-naïve (TN) and -experienced (TE) people with HIV-1 receiving bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) in routine clinical care. We present the 12-month (M12) outcomes of the Italian BICSTaR cohort.

Methods: Participants initiating B/F/TAF in routine care were prospectively followed.

Predictors for choosing doravirine-based versus INSTI-based regimen in ART-naïve and ART-experienced people with HIV in real-world setting: Data from the Icona cohort.

Rationale: Doravirine (DOR) is an attractive new option both for ART-naïve people with HIV (PWH) and those with suppressed HIV-RNA who seek treatment simplification. We used real-world data to examine the pattern of use of DOR-containing regimens in these settings.

Methods: All PWH enrolled in the Icona cohort after January 2020 who initiated a three-drug regimen (3-DR) with DOR or an integrase inhibitor (INSTI)-based regimen as first antiretroviral therapy (ART) or when switching ART, with HIV-RNA ≤50 copies/mL, were included.

Clostridioides difficile infections caused by hypervirulent strains: a single-centre real-life study.

Background And Purpose: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections worldwide, with hypervirulent strains linked to severe disease and higher mortality. This study aims to analyze the epidemiology of CDI at a tertiary-care hospital in Italy and compare clinical outcomes between patients infected with hypervirulent and non-hypervirulent strains.

Methods: A retrospective comparative study was conducted on patients diagnosed with CDI at ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Italy, from January 2015 to June 2023.

Effect of Oral Bisphosphonates on Vertebral Fractures in Males Living with HIV: A Seven Year Study.

Osteoporosis and vertebral fractures (VFs) are frequently observed in males living with HIV (MLWH). While bisphosphonates seem effective on bone mineral density (BMD) in MLWH, data on VFs are lacking. In this real-life longitudinal study performed on 118 MLWH (median age 53) who were followed-up for a median of 7 years, we aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy of oral bisphosphonates on VFs in MLWH.

Kinetics of hepatitis B virus replication in anti-HBc positive/HBsAg-negative people with HIV switching to tenofovir sparing therapy.

Objectives: To unravel the still unexplored HBV-replicative kinetics in anti-HBc-positive/HBsAg-negative people-with-HIV (PWH) suspending tenofovir disoproxil-fumarate/tenofovir-alafenamide (TDF/TAF).

Methods: A total of 101 anti-HBc-positive/HBsAg-negative PWH switching to TDF/TAF-sparing therapy were included. Serum HBV-DNA and HBV-RNA were quantified by droplet-digital-PCR at switching (T0), within 12 months (T1) and 12-24 months postswitch (T2).

A Rare Case and Literature Review of Pyelo-Hepatic Abscess in an Immunocompetent Patient: When Effective Source Control and Targeted Antimicrobial Therapy Might Not Be Enough.

Pyelo-hepatic abscess is a rare complication of upper urinary tract infections (UTIs). We describe a case of polymicrobial pyelo-hepatic abscess in an immunocompetent patient. A 71-year-old male patient with a double-J stent for right ureteral lithiasis was admitted in our Infectious Diseases Department for a pyelo-hepatic abscess.

Dolutegravir and Folic Acid Interaction during Neural System Development in Zebrafish Embryos.

Dolutegravir (DTG) is one of the most prescribed antiretroviral drugs for treating people with HIV infection, including women of child-bearing potential or pregnant. Nonetheless, neuropsychiatric symptoms are frequently reported. Early reports suggested that, probably in relation to folic acid (FA) shortage, DTG may induce neural tube defects in infants born to women taking the drug during pregnancy.

The Impact of Immune System Aging on Infectious Diseases.

Immune system aging is becoming a field of increasing public health interest because of prolonged life expectancy, which is not paralleled by an increase in health expectancy. As age progresses, innate and adaptive immune systems undergo changes, which are defined, respectively, as inflammaging and immune senescence. A wealth of available data demonstrates that these two conditions are closely linked, leading to a greater vulnerability of elderly subjects to viral, bacterial, and opportunistic infections as well as lower post-vaccination protection.

Immunogenicity and safety of live attenuated and recombinant/inactivated varicella zoster vaccines in people living with HIV: A systematic review.

Few papers focus their attention on VZV vaccination effectiveness among people living with HIV (PLWH). Flanking the live attenuated vaccine (VZL) available, a newly recombinant vaccine (RZV) was recently introduced and approved for HZ prevention among adults. PLWH represents a population on which a particular attention should be applied, in order to guarantee the vaccine efficacy and safety.

Long-term outcomes of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide as first-line therapy and as switch strategy in virologically suppressed persons with HIV: data from the ICONA cohort.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (BIC/FTC/TAF) among people poorly represented in clinical trials and potentially at higher risk of suboptimal response to ART.

Methods: Observational cohort study on persons with HIV (PWH) enrolled in ICONA who started BIC/FTC/TAF as initial therapy or as switching regimen while virologically suppressed. Primary endpoint was time to treatment failure (TF): new AIDS/death or virological failure (VF) or discontinuation for toxicity/failure.

Inflammatory Response Associated with West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease: A Systematic Review.

Background: West Nile virus (WNV) infection is a seasonal arbovirosis with the potential to cause severe neurological disease. Outcomes of the infection from WNV depend on viral factors (e.g.

Female Genital Schistosomiasis: A Neglected among the Neglected Tropical Diseases.

Schistosomiasis is a neglected parasitic disease linked to water, posing a global public health concern with a significant burden in sub-Saharan Africa. It is transmitted by spp., causing both acute and chronic effects affecting the urogenital or the hepato-intestinal system.

Finger nodules with a papulovesicular hands and feet eruption: a complicated human Orf virus infection.

Background: Orf virus (ORFV) is the pathogen responsible for Orf, a zoonotic viral infection that can be spread to humans from sheep and goats. Here, we present a case of human Orf complicated by an immune-related reaction, to raise awareness of this under-recognized disease avoiding unnecessary investigations and overtreatment.

Case Report: A 51-year-old woman with no previous medical history presented with a one-week history of three asymptomatic swelling nodules with a grey necrotic center and red outer halo on her index finger.

High frequency of type I interferon auto-antibodies in a group of middle-aged HIV-infected patients: A cross-sectional exploratory study.

Background: Auto-antibodies neutralizing the activity of type I interferons have been recently described in patients infected by SARS-CoV-2. They can be present even before the onset of the infection. Since type I interferons exert a dichotomous role in the pathogenesis of acute versus chronic HIV infection and auto-antibodies are often found in untreated and anti-retroviral treated HIV patients, we investigated whether auto-antibodies anti-type I interferons are present at high prevalence in those HIV patients with concomitant opportunistic infections (OIs).

Knowledge and Attitudes towards HIV and HCV among the Population Attending the Fast-Track Cities Mobile Unit in Brescia, Italy.

The Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department of the University of Brescia organized free rapid screening tests for HIV and HCV as part of the Fast-Track City commitment. A cross-sectional study was conducted, consisting of an anonymous multiple-choice questionnaire that was administered to individuals who underwent the screening or consultation. The study aimed to compare knowledge and attitudes towards HIV and HCV between age groups (18-40 vs.