Host-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Blood and Tissue Human Protozoan Infections.

Blood and tissue protozoan infections are responsible for an enormous burden in tropical and subtropical regions, even though they can also affect people living in high-income countries, mainly as a consequence of migration and travel. These pathologies are responsible for heavy socio-economic issues in endemic countries, where the lack of proper therapeutic interventions and effective vaccine strategies is still hampering their control. Moreover, the pathophysiological mechanisms associated with the establishment, progression and outcome of these infectious diseases are yet to be fully described.

Prevalence of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Adult Individuals with Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis.

Background: There are no published studies on the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of NAFLD (assessed via liver ultrasonography) in adults with moderate-to-severe AD.

Methods: We performed a retrospective, cross-sectional, observational study including adult patients affected by moderate-to-severe AD, moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis, or a previous diagnosis of thin melanoma in situ (considered as the control group) who attended the Verona University Hospital between January 2022 and April 2023.

Malaria parasite prevalence among migrants: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Asymptomatic malaria infections are highly prevalent in endemic areas.

Objectives: This systematic review aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of malaria parasites in migrants screened in non-endemic areas.

Data Sources: MEDLINE-Ovid, EMBASE, Web of Science, Global Health, Lilacs, Cochrane, and MedRxiv.

Physiopathology and clinical management of blackwater fever: a scoping review.

Background: Blackwater fever (BWF) is a severe syndrome occurring in patients with malaria upon antimalarial treatment, characterized by massive intravascular haemolysis and haemoglobinuria. BWF is a neglected condition and management recommendations are unavailable.

Objectives: We performed a scoping review to appraise available data on clinical picture, treatment and physiopathology of BWF, which could guide rationally its clinical management.

Strongyloidiasis in humans and dogs in Southern Italy: an observational study.

Strongyloidiasis is a clinical issue both in humans and in dogs. Moreover, there are concerns about its zoonotic potential. We aimed to explore Strongyloides stercoralis epidemiology in Southern Italy in humans and dogs sharing the same environment in three different settings: (1) kennels (group K); (2) livestock farms (group L) and (3) agricultural farms (group A).

Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Spine Oligometastases: A Multicentre Retrospective Study From the Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO).

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for spine oligometastases.

Materials And Methods: This was a multicentre retrospective study of a series of patients who received SBRT for spine oligometastases. The efficacy of SBRT was evaluated in terms of local control as the primary endpoint.

Long-Term Retention Rate of Tofacitinib in Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Italian Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.

: Tofacitinib (TOFA) was the first Janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi) to be approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, data on the retention rate of TOFA therapy are still far from definitive. : The goal of this study is to add new real-world data on the TOFA retention rate in a cohort of RA patients followed for a long period of time.

Five Decades of HBV Infection in Italy: A Continuous Challenge.

In Italy, Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been characterized by several changes over the last five decades. In 2019, the incidence of acute HBV among subjects targeted by the vaccination campaign was 0 cases in the age group 0-14 years and 0.1/100,000 in the age group 15-24.

Hepatic steatosis with significant fibrosis is associated with an increased 10-year estimated risk of cardiovascular disease in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Background: We assessed whether hepatic steatosis with or without significant fibrosis (determined by validated non-invasive biomarkers) is associated with an increased 10-year estimated risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study involving 1,254 adults with established T1DM without pre-existing CVD. We used the hepatic steatosis index (HSI) and fibrosis (FIB)-4 index for non-invasively detecting hepatic steatosis (defined as HSI > 36), with or without coexisting significant fibrosis (defined as FIB-4 index ≥ 1.

sgRNAs: A SARS-CoV-2 emerging issue.

Like for other coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-2 gene expression strategy is based on the synthesis of a nested set of subgenomic mRNA species (sgRNAs). These sgRNA are synthesized using a "discontinuous transcription" mechanism that relies on template switching at Transcription Regulatory Sequences (TRS). Both canonical (c-sgRNA) and non-canonical (nc-sgRNA, less numerous) subgenomic RNA species can be produced.

Real-Life Experience of Continuously Infused Ceftolozane/Tazobactam in Patients with Bronchiectasis and Multidrug-Resistant Infection in the Outpatient Setting.

(1) Background: Ceftolozane/tazobactam (C/T) is a novel β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor with excellent activity against the multidrug-resistant (MDR) . Continuous infusion (CI) dosing allows the optimization of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) properties of β-lactam antibiotics and may support patients' treatment as outpatients. (2) Methods: Adult patients receiving their entire course of C/T as a CI in the outpatient setting were retrospectively included in the study.

Safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in patients on dialysis: a multicentre cohort study in Italy.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines in patients undergoing haemodialysis in Italy compared to the general population.

Methods: In this cohort study, 118 dialysis centres from 18 Italian Regions participated. Individuals older than 16 years on dialysis treatment for at least 3 months, who provided informed consent were included.

The Human Blood Fluke, Schistosoma mansoni, Harbors Bacteria Throughout the Parasite's Life Cycle.

While symbiotic relationships between invertebrates and bacteria have been extensively described, studies of microbial communities inhabiting parasitic worms remain scarce. Exploring the microbiota associated with helminths responsible for major infectious diseases will inform on parasite biology, host-pathogen interactions, and disease pathophysiology. We investigated the presence of microorganisms inhabiting tissues of the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni.

The search for better treatment strategies for mansonellosis: an expert perspective.

Introduction: Four species of the genus infect millions of people across sub-Saharan Africa and Central and South America. Most infections are asymptomatic, but mansonellosis can be associated with nonspecific clinical manifestations such as fever, headache, arthralgia, and ocular lesions (); pruritus, arthralgia, abdominal pain, angioedema, skin rash, and fatigue ( and perhaps sp. 'DEUX'); and pruritic dermatitis and chronic lymphadenitis ().

Watch-and-wait approach for inactive echinococcal cysts: scoping review update since the issue of the WHO-IWGE Expert Consensus and current perspectives.

Purpose Of Review: This work aims to provide an update of knowledge on the evolution of inactive cystic echinococcosis (CE) cysts (CE4-CE5) managed by 'watch-and-wait', by means of a scoping review of the literature published after the publication of the WHO-IWGE (Informal Working Group on Echinococcosis) Expert Consensus document in 2010.

Recent Findings: A total of 31 articles were included. Population ultrasound-based studies showed that spontaneously inactivated CE cysts represent 50.

'No cyst, no echinococcosis': a scoping review update on the diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis after the issue of the WHO-IWGE Expert Consensus and current perspectives.

Purpose Of Review: In 2010, the WHO-Informal Working Group on Echinococcosis (IWGE) published an Expert Consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of echinococcal infections. We provide an update on the diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis through a scoping review of the literature published after the release of the WHO-IWGE document.

Recent Findings: Ultrasound accurately and reliably depicts the pathognomonic signs of cystic echinococcosis (CE) stages compared with other imaging techniques.

Strongyloides stercoralis infection: an underlying cause of invasive bacterial infections of enteric origin. Results from a prospective cross-sectional study of a northern Italian tertiary hospital.

Purpose Of The Study: We assessed the prevalence of S. stercoralis in a cohort of inpatients with invasive bacterial infections of enteric origin to investigate whether the parasite may facilitate these bacterial infections even in the absence of larval hyperproliferation.

Methods: We performed a prospective cross-sectional study in a hospital in northern Italy.