Publications by authors named "Sergio Caputo"

Background: Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) may contribute to the high morbidity in people with four-class drug-resistant HIV (4DR-PWH).

Objectives: To explore the probability of MACEs in 4DR-PWH compared with non-4DR controls.

Methods: This was a retrospective, propensity score-matched cohort study on 4DR-PWH (cases) and non-4DR-PWH (controls), on ART, without previous MACEs.

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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.

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Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a Global Health challenge, with diagnostic delays contributing significantly to its spread. This study investigates the differences in diagnostic delays between native and migrant TB patients in Italy, examining patient-related diagnostic delay (PDD), health system-related diagnostic delay (HDD), and total diagnostic delay (TDD).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study of TB cases in 10 Italian hospitals from 2018 to 2023.

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The immune system's amplified response to SARS-CoV-2 may lead to the production of autoantibodies, but their specific impact on disease severity and outcome remains unclear. This study aims to assess if hospitalized COVID-19 patients face a worse prognosis based on ANA presence, even without autoimmune diseases. We performed a retrospective, single-center, observational cohort study, enrolling 638 COVID-19 patients hospitalized from April 2020 to March 2021 at Hospital "Policlinico Riuniti" of Foggia (Italy).

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Article Synopsis
  • The study evaluates ChatGPT's potential in providing accurate and inclusive information on HIV prevention through an assessment conducted by a diverse team of medical professionals and community experts.
  • Results showed that ChatGPT had high accuracy (median score of 5.5/6) and completeness (median score of 3/3), but inclusivity scores (median of 2/3) revealed some outdated terminology and underrepresentation of certain communities.
  • While ChatGPT performs well in delivering scientifically accurate information, it needs improvement in socio-political context and inclusivity to enhance health communication effectiveness.
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  • * The survey revealed a median knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) score of 14 out of 29 among 1,702 participants, with higher scores linked to attending classical High Schools, being sexually active, and having received the HPV vaccine.
  • * Notably, students who sought information from TikTok had better KAP scores, while being heterosexual was associated with lower scores, indicating a need for urgent school-based interventions to enhance sexual health education among this demographic.
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Objectives: Heavily treatment-experienced (HTE) people living with HIV (PLWH) pose unique challenges due to limited antiretroviral treatment (ART) options. Our study aimed to investigate the prevalence and features of HTE individuals followed up in the Italian Cohort Naïve Antiretrovirals (ICONA) cohort as of December 31, 2021.

Methods: HTE were defined based on meeting specific conditions concerning their current ART and their ART history up to December 31, 2021.

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Definitive data on the long-term success of the latest antiretroviral therapy (ART) strategies are still lacking. A panel of infectious diseases specialists was convened to develop a consensus on how to tailor and follow ART over time. Panelists used a Delphi technique to develop a list of statements describing preferred management approaches for ART and patient monitoring and quality of life evaluation.

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  • The study analyzed treatment failures among people with HIV (PWH) undergoing modern antiretroviral therapy (ART), identifying a group defined as 'difficult to treat' (DTT) based on multiple treatment failures over time.
  • Out of 8,061 PWH, 320 (or 4%) were categorized as DTT, with a significant higher incidence rate of being DTT (6.5%) after six years, particularly among older individuals with more advanced HIV disease.
  • The DTT group faced significantly higher risks of viral failures, treatment failures, and serious health events, indicating they are a more vulnerable population in terms of treatment response.
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Objectives: We aimed to study hepatitis D virus (HDV) prevalence and risk of progression to severe liver-related events (SLRE) in HBsAg positive people living with HIV (PLWH) in Italy; role of HDV-RNA copy levels, HCV coinfection and nadir CD4 counts were also investigated.

Methods: People living with HIV (PLWH) from Italian Foundation cohort Naïve antiretrovirals (ICONA) with available HBsAg and HDV Ab were enrolled. HBsAg, HDV Ab, HDV-RNA and HDV genotypes were tested.

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  • A study conducted in Southern Italy from February 2022 to June 2023 examined the prevalence and genetic diversity of Blastocystis sp. among hospitalized patients with gastrointestinal symptoms, finding that 3.9% tested positive.
  • The research revealed a significant link between positivity rates and patients of African origin, particularly those over 18 years old, while identifying different subtypes of the pathogen among local and immigrant patients.
  • Additionally, it was noted that 33% of the positive cases had co-infections with other pathogens such as Giardia duodenalis and Clostridioides difficile, highlighting the need for further exploration of the interactions between these infections and Blastocystis sp. in diverse patient populations.
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Background: The current prevalence and clinical burden of Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) infection in Apulia are unknown. This study aimed to define the current epidemiological scenario of delta infection and to detect difficulties in the diagnosis and clinical management of HDV patients in Apulia.

Methods: From May to September 2022, a fact-finding survey was conducted at eight Infectious Diseases Units of the Apulian region; each Unit was asked to complete a questionnaire on screening and diagnosis of HDV infection and demographic, virological, and clinical characteristics of HDV patients.

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Background: Few data are available about the efficacy, durability, and tolerability of doravirine (DOR) + integrase strand inhibitors (INI) as a switching strategy among antiretroviral therapy (ART)-experienced people living with HIV (PLWH).

Setting: Retrospective, multicenter cohort study investigating the durability, efficacy, and tolerability of 2 off-label drug associations of DOR + INI among ART-experienced PLWH.

Methods: The study included PLWH who switched to DOR combined with either raltegravir (RAL) or dolutegravir (DTG) between June 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021, with at least 1 follow-up (FU) visit.

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Background And Aims: Whether the HCV test-and-treat strategy impacted on the rate of new HCV infections among PLWH in Italy is unknown.

Methods: Prospective study of PLWH in the ICONA network. At baseline, PLWH were tested for HCV-Ab; HCV-RNA (if HCV-Ab positive) and, if positive, treated with DAA.

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Background: Meeting the challenge of antiretroviral therapy (ART) whose efficacy can last a lifetime requires continuous updating of the virological, pharmacological, and quality of life outcomes to be pursued and a continuous review of literature data on the efficacy and tolerability of new drugs and therapeutic strategies.

Methods: With the aim of identifying open questions and answers about the current controversies in modern ART, we adapted the Design Thinking methodology to the needs of the design phase of a scientific article, involving a team of experts in HIV care.

Results: Five main pillars of treatment success were discussed: sustained virologic suppression over time; immunological recovery; pharmacological attributes; long-term tolerability and safety of ART; and people's satisfaction and quality of life.

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  • This study investigates the real-life efficacy of sotrovimab, a treatment for COVID-19, particularly in light of concerns about its effectiveness against Omicron variants, by analyzing patient records from three hospitals in Italy.
  • The research evaluated 689 COVID-19 patients in 2022, finding that those treated with sotrovimab had significantly lower rates of disease progression and mortality compared to those who received no treatment, with notable results showing that vaccination also contributed to reduced risk.
  • Key risk factors for disease progression included older age, cardiovascular disease, fever, and dyspnea, while vaccination and sotrovimab treatment were linked to a decreased chance of severe illness, revealing important
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The oral mucosa is the first site of SARS-CoV-2 entry and replication, and it plays a central role in the early defense against infection. Thus, the SARS-CoV-2 viral load, miRNAs, cytokines, and neutralizing activity (NA) were assessed in saliva and plasma from mild (MD) and severe (SD) COVID-19 patients. Here we showed that of the 84 miRNAs analyzed, 8 were differently expressed in the plasma and saliva of SD patients.

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  • The GRAd-COV2 vaccine, developed from a gorilla adenovirus, aims to enhance COVID-19 immunity with a focus on a stable spike protein.
  • In a phase 2 trial with 917 participants, the vaccine demonstrated good safety and strong immune responses, especially after a second dose.
  • The vaccine effectively generated a robust T cell response, particularly CD8 T cells, suggesting its potential for future genetic vaccine development in combating variants of concern.
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Introduction: We sought to assess the impact of SarsCov-2 vaccination on admission12-lead electrocardiogram of hospitalized patients.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed and compared admission 12-lead electrocardiograms of all patients hospitalized in dedicated Internal Medicine Unit for Covid-19 both in pre-vaccination period (PV) and after vaccination (V).

Results: 667 consecutive Covid-19 in-patients were enrolled in the study: PV hospitalized patients were older (68vs57 years, p < 0.

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In our case series of monkeypox (MPX) virus infected patients, one had a single genital ulcer as the only cutaneous manifestation of the infection. Physical examination revealed a single, rounded ulcer of the shaft penis characterized by pinkish raised, infiltrated borders and a crusty yellowish bottom associated with bilateral inguinal lymphadenopathies. Serology for infection and a complete screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) resulted negative except for the detection of at the cultural examination and MPX DNA at the ulcer bottom.

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An extended haplotype on chromosome 3 is the major genetic risk factor for severe COVID-19. The risk haplotype, which was inherited from Neanderthals, decreases the expression of several cytokine receptors, including CCR5. Recently, a study based on three general population cohorts indicated that the minor allele of one of the variants in the haplotype (rs17713054) protects against HIV infection.

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Achromobacter xylosoxidans is a Gram-negative aerobic opportunistic bacterium, belonging to the order of Burkholderiales, that can cause infections of virtually all body districts in patients with underlying diseases. However, A. xylosoxidans has rarely been associated with infective endocarditis.

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  • The study investigates the effectiveness of remdesivir, the first antiviral approved for COVID-19, in reducing mortality among patients infected with SARS-CoV-2.
  • Researchers conducted a case-control study using medical records from patients in two hospitals in Italy, focusing on those admitted between July 2020 and November 2021.
  • Results showed that patients receiving remdesivir had significantly lower mortality rates, indicating its potential as an effective treatment for COVID-19, especially when combined with heparin.
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