Inflammatory effects of atazanavir/ritonavir versus darunavir/ritonavir in treatment naïve, HIV-1-infected patients.

Background: Limited studies have compared the impact of different antiretroviral regimens on soluble markers of inflammation with discordant results.

Methods: In this prospective study, treatment naïve HIV-1-infected patients were included if they started their current regimen with atazanavir/ritonavir (ATV/r) (N = 73, Group 1) or darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r) (N = 85, Group 2) plus tenofovir/emtricitabine. The analysis of IL-6, MCP-1, sCD163, VCAM-1, ox-LDL, and adiponectine was performed on two stored plasma samples, the first prior to antiretroviral therapy initiation and the second one year after initiation.

The Mycobacterial HBHA Protein: A Promising Biomarker for Tuberculosis.

A major goal in tuberculosis (TB) research is the identification, among the subjects infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), of those with active TB, or at higher risk of developing active disease, from the latently infected subjects. The classical heterogeneity of Mtb infection and TB disease is a major obstacle toward the identification of reliable biomarkers that can stratify Mtb infected subjects based on disease risk. The heparin-binding haemagglutinin (HBHA) is a mycobacterial surface antigen that is implicated in tuberculosis (TB) pathogenesis.

Tuberculosis transmission among children and adolescents in schools and other congregate settings: a systematic review.

Children, especially those aged <5 years, and adolescents are at increased risk of progression to active TB disease when infected. Management of childhood TB outbreaks is crucial for TB elimination especially in low burden countries. We searched the electronic databases MEDLINE-CINHAL-EMBASE up to July 2017 for primary studies reporting on TB incidents which involved teacher/child-caregiver, relative or students diagnosed with TB in a school/childcare setting or in other congregate settings attended by children and adolescents.

First description of agonist and antagonist IP-10 in urine of patients with active TB.

Objectives: Biomarkers for tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and clinical management are needed to defeat TB. In chronic hepatitis, patients not responding to interferon/ribavirin treatment had high levels of an antagonist form of IP-10. Recently, antagonist IP-10 has been shown to be involved also in TB pathogenesis.

Acute phase proteins and IP-10 as triage tests for the diagnosis of tuberculosis: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: We examined the data reported in studies for diagnostic purposes and to discuss whether their intended use could be extended to triage, as rule-in or rule-out tests to select individuals who should undergo further confirmatory tests.

Methods: We searched Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science with the terms 'acute phase proteins,' 'IP-10,' 'tuberculosis,' 'screening' and 'diagnosis,' extracted the sensitivity and specificity of the biomarkers and explored methodologic differences to explain performance variations. Summary estimates were calculated using random-effects models for overall pooled accuracy.

Interplay of DDP4 and IP-10 as a Potential Mechanism for Cell Recruitment to Tuberculosis Lesions.

Introduction: is one of the world's most successful pathogens equipped to establish itself within the human host as a subclinical infection without overt disease. Unable to eradicate the bacteria, the immune system contains the infection in a granuloma structure. Th1 cells that are essential for infection control are recruited to the site of infection directed by chemokines, predominantly CXCL10.

A retrospective evaluation of bites at risk of rabies transmission across 7 years: The need to improve surveillance and reporting systems for rabies elimination.

The vast majority of rabies deaths occur in developing countries and rural areas. Due to the absence of surveillance and the lack of reliable information, many endemic countries are not able to assess their rabies burden and implement appropriate solutions. This study reports the incidence of animal bites considered at risk of rabies transmission, along with rates and determinants of the adherence to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) between 2008 and 2014 in Dodoma Region, Tanzania.

Preventive therapy for tuberculosis in rheumatological patients undergoing therapy with biological drugs.

Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) accounts for almost a quarter of the world population, and, in 5-10% of the subjects with impaired immune-response against M. tuberculosis growth, it may progress to active tuberculosis (TB). In this review, we focus on the need to propose a screening for LTBI including preventive therapy offer in rheumatic patients undergoing therapy with biological drugs.

Status, quality and specific needs of Ebola virus diagnostic capacity and capability in laboratories of the two European preparedness laboratory networks EMERGE and EVD-LabNet.

From December 2013 to March 2016, West Africa experienced the largest Ebola virus (EBOV) outbreak to date, leading to a European-wide activation of laboratory preparedness and response. At the end of the outbreak, laboratories associated with the two European preparedness networks of expert laboratories EMERGE JA and EVD-LabNet were invited to participate in an assessment of the response of European laboratories to the EBOV outbreak, to identify learning points and training needs to strengthen future outbreak responses. Response aspects assessed included diagnostics, biorisk management and quality assurance.

Impact of antiretroviral and tuberculosis therapies on CD4 and CD8 HIV/M. tuberculosis-specific T-cell in co-infected subjects.

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection is a risk factor for tuberculosis (TB). Antiretroviral therapy (ART) changed HIV clinical management but it is still unclear how pre-existing HIV/Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)-specific CD4 and CD8 T-cells are restored.

Aim: to evaluate the impact of ART and TB therapies on the functional and phenotypic profile of Mtb-specific antigen-response of CD4 and CD8 T-cells in prospectively enrolled HIV-TB co-infected patients.

Development of Potent Inhibitors of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Virulence Factor Zmp1 and Evaluation of Their Effect on Mycobacterial Survival inside Macrophages.

The enzyme Zmp1 is a zinc-containing peptidase that plays a critical role in the pathogenicity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Herein we describe the identification of a small set of Zmp1 inhibitors based on a novel 8-hydroxyquinoline-2-hydroxamate scaffold. Among the synthesized compounds, N-(benzyloxy)-8-hydroxyquinoline-2-carboxamide (1 c) was found to be the most potent Zmp1 inhibitor known to date, and its binding mode was analyzed both by kinetics studies and molecular modeling, identifying critical interactions of 1 c with the zinc ion and residues in the active site.

Impaired IFN-α-mediated signal in dendritic cells differentiates active from latent tuberculosis.

Individuals exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) may be infected and remain for the entire life in this condition defined as latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) or develop active tuberculosis (TB). Among the multiple factors governing the outcome of the infection, dendritic cells (DCs) play a major role in dictating antibacterial immunity. However, current knowledge on the role of the diverse components of human DCs in shaping specific T-cell response during Mtb infection is limited.

Clinical management of women with listeriosis risk during pregnancy: a review of national guidelines.

Listeriosis is an uncommon foodborne infection that may cause moderate maternal illness, but can be extremely serious for the fetus and the newborn. Several guidelines have been elaborated in order to help clinicians on the care of pregnant women with known or suspected exposure to Listeria monocytogenes. The aim of this review is to collect, assess and summarize them, in order to provide a comprehensive overlook and to highlight the grey areas in the guidance that could result in failure to detect some infected but asymptomatic women.

A T-cell diagnostic test for cystic echinococcosis based on Antigen B peptides.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) immunodiagnosis is still imperfect. We recently set-up a whole-blood test based on the interleukin (IL)-4 response to the native Antigen B (AgB) of Echinococcus granulosus. However, AgB is encoded by a multigene family coding for five putative subunits.

An outbreak of chickenpox in an asylum seeker centre in Italy: outbreak investigation and validity of reported chickenpox history, December 2015-May 2016.

An outbreak of chickenpox occurred between December 2015 and May 2016 among asylum seekers in a reception centre in Latium, Italy. We describe the epidemiological and laboratory investigations, control measures and validity of reported history of chickenpox infection. Serological screening of all residents and incoming asylum seekers was performed, followed by vaccine offer to all susceptible individuals without contraindication.

Acute rhabdomyolysis and delayed pericardial effusion in an Italian patient with Ebola virus disease: a case report.

Background: During the 2013-2016 West Africa Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic, some EVD patients, mostly health care workers, were evacuated to Europe and the USA.

Case Presentation: In May 2015, a 37-year old male nurse contracted Ebola virus disease in Sierra Leone. After Ebola virus detection in plasma, he was medically-evacuated to Italy.

Immune characterization of the HBHA-specific response in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected patients with or without HIV infection.

Introduction: RD1-based Interferon-γ Release Assays (IGRAs) cannot distinguish latent from active tuberculosis (TB) disease. Conversely, a positive response to heparin-binding haemagglutinin (HBHA)-based IGRAs, among TB-infected subjects, correlates with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) containment and low risk of TB progression. The aim of this study was to characterize HBHA-immune responses in HIV-infected and uninfected subjects with active TB or latent TB infection (LTBI).

Circulation of -Carrying IncX3 Plasmids among Citrobacter freundii Isolates in an Italian Hospital.

Colonizations due to carbapenem-resistant (CRE) are a source of antimicrobial resistance transmission in health care settings. Eleven strains producing KPC-3 carbapenemase were isolated from rectal swabs during a 3-year surveillance program. -carrying plasmids were found to belong to the IncX3 group in 9 of the 11 strains, and complete nucleotide sequences were obtained for 2 of them.

Second-line biologic therapy optimization in rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.

Objective: The Italian board for the TAilored BIOlogic therapy (ITABIO) reviewed the most consistent literature to indicate the best strategy for the second-line biologic choice in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthritis (SpA), and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods: Systematic review of the literature to identify English-language articles on efficacy of second-line biologic choice in RA, PsA, and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Data were extracted from available randomized, controlled trials, national biologic registries, national healthcare databases, post-marketing surveys, and open-label observational studies.

Novel HBsAg mutations correlate with hepatocellular carcinoma, hamper HBsAg secretion and promote cell proliferation in vitro.

Background: An impaired HBsAg-secretion can increase HBV oncogenic-properties. Here, we investigate genetic-determinants in HBsAg correlated with HBV-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and their impact on HBsAg-secretion and cell-proliferation.

Methods: This study included 128 chronically HBV-infected patients: 23 with HCC (73.

Modulation of interferon-gamma response to QuantiFERON-TB-plus detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in patients with active and latent tuberculosis infection.

Objective/background: Interferon (IFN)-γ-release assays (IGRAs) are designed for the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) infection. The new IGRA called QuantiFERON-TB Plus (QFT-Plus) is based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detection of IFN-γ following Myobacterium tuberculosis-antigen stimulation with TB1 and TB2 antigens. TB1 elicits a cell-mediated immune response by CD4 T cells and TB2 elicits a response from both CD4 and CD8 T cells.

Modulation of CD4 and CD8 response to QuantiFERON-TB Plus in patients with active tuberculosis and latent tuberculosis infection followed over time during treatment.

Objective/background: Interferon (IFN)-γ release assays (IGRA) are designed for diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) infection. The new IGRA, QuantiFERON-TB Plus (QFT-Plus), is based on the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay detection of IFN-γ after stimulation with Mycobacterium tuberculosis TB1 and TB2 antigens. TB1 elicits a cellular-mediated immune (CMI) response by CD4 T cells, and TB2 contains peptides recognized by both CD4 and CD8 T cells.