Safety of Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir Administration in Children With Immunodeficiency and/or Comorbidities With SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Retrospective Clinical Report.

Introduction: Despite the generally mild course of COVID-19 in children, immunocompromised patients may experience complications or severe infection. This study reports the clinical outcomes of pediatric patients treated with nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (N/R) for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods: We retrospectively reported the data of children with any immunodeficiency with COVID-19 who received N/R treatment between March 2022 and June 2023 at the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital.

Viral Oncogenesis: Synergistic Role of Genome Integration and Persistence.

Persistence is a strategy used by many viruses to evade eradication by the immune system, ensuring their permanence and transmission within the host and optimizing viral fitness. During persistence, viruses can trigger various phenomena, including target organ damage, mainly due to an inflammatory state induced by infection, as well as cell proliferation and/or immortalization. In addition to immune evasion and chronic inflammation, factors contributing to viral persistence include low-level viral replication, the accumulation of viral mutants, and, most importantly, maintenance of the viral genome and reliance on viral oncoprotein production.

Effectiveness and Tolerability of DOR/3TC/TDF in Experienced People with HIV Switching from RPV/FTC/TDF: A Retrospective, Single Center Cohort Study.

With advances in antiretroviral therapy for HIV treatment, newer drug combinations provide improved efficacy, safety, and compliance. This study evaluates switching to a regimen of doravirine (DOR), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), and lamivudine (3TC) in a cohort of people living with HIV (PLWH). this Italian retrospective study included 426 PLWH who switched from rilpivirine (RPV)/TDF/emtricitabine (FTC) to DOR/3TC/TDF.

Clinical Utility of Induced Sputum and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Cultures in Diagnosing Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease.

Diagnosing non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) in patients unable to produce sputum spontaneously requires invasive procedures to obtain valid respiratory specimens. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the results of microbiological tests performed on respiratory samples of 132 patients affected by NTM-PD. In the diagnostic workout, 98 patients performed both induced sputum (IS) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and were enrolled in our study.

Clinical characterisation and outcomes of human clade IIb mpox virus disease - a European multicentre observational cohort study (MOSAIC).

Background: The global mpox outbreak which started in May 2022 was caused by a novel clade IIb variant of the mpox virus (MPXV). It differed from the traditional Western and Central Africa disease in transmission patterns and clinical presentation.

Methods: To address the need for detailed clinical and virologic data, we conducted an observational cohort study (MOSAIC) during May 2022-July 2023 in individuals with confirmed MPXV infection enrolled in six European Countries.

Weight and metabolic changes with long-acting cabotegravir and rilpivirine or bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide.

Background: Modest weight and lipid changes have been observed in cabotegravir plus rilpivirine long-acting (CAB+RPV LA) Phase 3/3b studies. The SOLAR study included standardized evaluations of weight and metabolic changes in people living with HIV switching to CAB+RPV LA dosed every 2 months (Q2M) vs. continuing bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir (BIC/FTC/TAF).

Spillover: Mechanisms, Genetic Barriers, and the Role of Reservoirs in Emerging Pathogens.

Viral spillover represents the transmission of pathogen viruses from one species to another that can give rise to an outbreak. It is a critical concept that has gained increasing attention, particularly after the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. However, the term is often used inaccurately to describe events that do not meet the true definition of spillover.

Preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infections: A position paper of the International Society for Infectious Diseases, 2024 update.

Objectives: This review, conducted by a panel of experts assembled by the International Society for Infectious Diseases, seeks to consolidate the latest recommendations for preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). It offers insights into CAUTI rates and the associated extended hospital stays, costs, mortality, and risk factors across high- and low- to middle-income countries.

Methods: An in-depth review of current recommendations and evidence-based strategies for CAUTI prevention was undertaken.

The role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in pulmonary fibrosis: lessons from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and COVID-19.

Despite the tremendous advancements in the knowledge of the pathophysiology and clinical aspects of SARS-CoV-2 infection, still many issues remain unanswered, especially in the long-term effects. Mounting evidence suggests that pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is one of the most severe complications associated with COVID-19. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms behind its development is helpful to develop successful therapeutic strategies.

Incidence and predictors of clinical failure after early treatment for mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in high-risk individuals: A multicentric cohort study.

Objectives: To estimate the risk of COVID-19-related hospitalization and death (CovH/D), among high-risk individuals early treated for COVID-19 and to identify associated factors.

Methods And Results: A multicenter cohort of 12,475 high-risk outpatients (female 50.2%, median age 70 years [IQR 57-80], fully vaccinated 79.

Immunomodulatory effects of cysteamine and its potential use as a host-directed therapy for tuberculosis.

Objective: Cysteamine, a drug approved to treat cystinosis, has been proposed as a host-directed therapy for (Mtb) and SARS-CoV-2. The impact of cysteamine on the immune responses has not been fully investigated. We aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of cysteamine on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using the purified protein derivative (PPD) as a recall antigen, and an unspecific stimulus as staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB).

MPXV infection impairs IFN response but is partially sensitive to IFN-γ antiviral effect.

The recent outbreak of monkeypox virus (MPXV) has caused global concern. How the virus evades the interferon (IFN) response is still poorly understood. We analyzed type I/II IFN (IFN-I/II) expression in clinical samples from MPXV-infected patients and measured IFN-I kinetics in MPXV-infected cells.

The Fitness of Molnupiravir-Signed SARS-CoV-2 Variants: Imputation Analysis Based on Prescription Counts and Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data Analyses by Country.

Introduction: Molnupiravir is one of the oral direct-acting antivirals against SARS-CoV-2, largely deployed during the COVID-19 pandemic since the 2022 Omicron wave. While efficacy has been questioned in post-marketing clinical trials (leading to the EMA withdrawing its authorization), growing concerns have mounted regarding its possible mutagenic effects on the virus. While it has been assumed that either all the host viral load was cleared by the drug or drug-generated variants were not fit enough to survive, several lineages with a high transition/transversion ratio (a signature of molnupiravir action) have been recently reported from GISAID.

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).

Disparities in tuberculosis diagnostic delays between native and migrant populations in Italy: A multicenter study.

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.

Cognitive outcomes and psychological symptoms in an Italian cohort with post-acute COVID-19 condition (PACC).

Background: We aim to investigate the proportion of patients (pts) with long-term cognitive outcomes (CO) of PACC and identify associated features.

Methods: We assessed participants through a neuropsychological assessment. The chi-square test was used for comparisons according with time of NPA (within or beyond 6 months since COVID19) and with previously hospitalization status (hospitalized patients, PH; not hospitalized patients, nPH).

Sanitary Waters: Is It Worth Looking for Mycobacteria?

The freshwater environment is suitable for nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTMs) growth. Their high adaptability represents a considerable risk for sanitary water systems, which are a potential vector for NTMs transmission. This study investigated the occurrence of NTMs, such as , in hospital water systems to support the surveillance and control of potentially pathogenic NTMs.

Impact of switching from EFV/F/TDF to B/F/TAF on psychiatric symptoms and neurocognition.

Objectives: The aim was to investigate whether switching from EFV/F/TDF to B/F/TAF may improve neuropsychiatrc symptoms and neurocognition.

Design: Pilot, single-arm, prospective study of persons with HIV (PWH) on the efficacy and safety of switching from EFV/F/TDF to B/F/TAF.

Methods: Participants underwent neuropsychological assessment (NPA) at switch (T0) and after 48 weeks (T1).