The evolving landscape of COVID-19 and post-COVID condition in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A study by ERIC, the European research initiative on CLL.

In this retrospective international multicenter study, we describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and related disorders (small lymphocytic lymphoma and high-count monoclonal B lymphocytosis) infected by SARS-CoV-2, including the development of post-COVID condition. Data from 1540 patients with CLL infected by SARS-CoV-2 from January 2020 to May 2022 were included in the analysis and assigned to four phases based on cases disposition and SARS-CoV-2 variants emergence. Post-COVID condition was defined according to the WHO criteria.

Thrombotic and bleeding complications in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and severe COVID-19: a study of ERIC, the European Research Initiative on CLL.

Background: Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) may be more susceptible to COVID-19 related poor outcomes, including thrombosis and death, due to the advanced age, the presence of comorbidities, and the disease and treatment-related immune deficiency. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of thrombosis and bleeding in patients with CLL affected by severe COVID-19.

Methods: This is a retrospective multicenter study conducted by ERIC, the European Research Initiative on CLL, including patients from 79 centers across 22 countries.

COVID-19 severity and mortality in patients with CLL: an update of the international ERIC and Campus CLL study.

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) may be more susceptible to Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to age, disease, and treatment-related immunosuppression. We aimed to assess risk factors of outcome and elucidate the impact of CLL-directed treatments on the course of COVID-19. We conducted a retrospective, international study, collectively including 941 patients with CLL and confirmed COVID-19.

Virulence Factors, Drug Resistance and Biofilm Formation in Pseudomonas Species Isolated from Healthcare Water Systems.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a frequent causative agent of healthcare-associated diseases, but recently, other members of the Pseudomonas genus have been recognized to cause human colonization and infection. Since the aquatic environment could be an important source of contamination, we studied the drug resistance and virulence profiles in Pseudomonas species isolated from healthcare water systems. 17 Pseudomonas spp.

Phoenicians Preferred Red Pigments: Chemical Compositions of Make-Up Powders Found in Archaeological Sites from Sicily.

Little is known concerning Phoenician and Punic cosmetics, and pertinent studies and analyses on archaeological finds are particularly scanty. The present study has taken into account 22 archaeological red and pink Punic make-up samples collected in several Sicilian museums. The samples were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy, Raman microscopy, and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS).

In vitro evaluation of the amoebicidal activity of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and cloves (Syzygium aromaticum L. Merr. & Perry) essential oils against Acanthamoeba polyphaga trophozoites.

Several species of the genus Acanthamoeba cause human diseases. Treatment of infections involves various problems, emphasising the need to develop alternative antiprotozoal agents. We studied the anti-amoebic activity of Essential Oils (EOs), derived from rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.

HCV-Related Rheumatic Manifestations and Therapeutic Strategies.

A number of hepatic and extra-hepatic autoimmune disorders may complicate a percentage of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection that is both hepatotropic and lymphotropic agent; the resulting clinical phenotypes can be grouped into the so-called HCV syndrome. This latter includes various rheumatic disorders that are frequently characterized by clinical or serological overlap; thus, a correct patients' classification is necessary prior to decide the therapy. The management of these conditions is particularly difficult, given the coexistence of viral infection and immunological alterations.

Treatment of HCV-Related Mixed Cryoglobulinemia.

Mixed cryoglobulinemia syndrome (MCs) is a systemic vasculitis, involving skin, joints, peripheral nerves, and several internal organs. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is recognized as the etiologic agent for the majority of MCs patients, as well as of number of autoimmune, lymphoproliferative, and neoplastic disorders. In this context, HCV-related MCs represents an important model autoimmune/ neoplastic disease triggered by a virus in humans.

Polythiophenes and polythiophene-based composites in amperometric sensing.

This overview of polythiophene-based materials provides a critical examination of meaningful examples of applications of similar electrode materials in electroanalysis. The advantages arising from the use of polythiophene derivatives in such an applicative context is discussed by considering the organic conductive material as such, and as one of the components of hybrid materials. The rationale at the basis of the combination of two or even more individual components into a hybrid material is discussed with reference to the active electrode processes and the consequent possible improvements of the electroanalytical performance.

Detection of bacteriocin production and virulence traits in vancomycin-resistant enterococci of different sources.

Aim: Three hundred and two enterococci were isolated from food, animal and clinical samples in order to evaluate the incidence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and bacteriocin, cytolysin, haemolysin, gelatinase production.

Methods And Results: Among the isolates, 27 (8.9%) were VRE, and 17 (63%) of these showed, by the deferred antagonism method, bacteriocin production against gram-positive and some gram-negative indicators.

VanA-type vancomycin-resistant enterococci in equine and swine rectal swabs and in human clinical samples.

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in healthy people and in food-producing animals seems to be quite common in Europe. The existence of this community reservoir of VRE has been associated with the massive use of avoparcin in animal husbandry. Eight years after the avoparcin ban in Europe, we investigated the incidence of VanA enterococci, their resistance patterns, and the mobility of their glycopeptide-resistance determinants in a sampling of animal rectal swabs and clinical specimens.

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in meat and environmental samples.

We investigated the spread of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in strains from meat and environmental samples and the location of glycopeptide-resistance determinants in VanA isolates. VRE and VSE (vancomycin-sensitive enterococci) resistance patterns to six antimicrobials were also evaluated. A total of 59 meat isolates (35%) and 119 environmental isolates (26.

Antibiotic resistance and antibacterial activity in heterotrophic bacteria of mineral water origin.

Antibiotic resistance and antibacterial activity were determined on heterotrophic bacteria isolated from mineral waters. Of the 120 isolates Pseudomonas spp. (55.

Glycopeptide-resistance transferability from vancomycin-resistant enterococci of human and animal source to Listeria spp.

Aims: The glycopeptide-resistance transferability from vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) of clinical and animal origin to different species of Listeria was investigated.

Methods And Results: Of 36 matings, performed on membrane filter, the glycopeptide resistance was successfully transferred in six attempts, five with donors of animal origin and only one with donors from clinical source. The acquired glycopeptide resistance in Listeria transconjugants was confirmed by the presence of the conjugative plasmid band and by the amplification of the 732-bp fragment of vanA gene in transferred plasmids.

Legionella infection risk from domestic hot water.

We investigated Legionella and Pseudomonas contamination of hot water in a cross-sectional multicentric survey in Italy. Chemical parameters (hardness, free chlorine, and trace elements) were determined. Legionella spp.

Study of two bacteriocins produced by Enterococcus casseliflavus and Ent. faecalis.

Aims: The antimicrobial activity of two plasmid-borne bacteriocins produced by Enterococcus casseliflavus IM 416K1 and Ent. faecalis IM 388C and their mating transferability were studied.

Methods And Results: Both bacteriocins showed antibacterial activity against taxonomically related micro-organisms and Listeria monocytogenes but differ for heat sensitivity, antimicrobial titre, molecular size and class of affiliation.

Bacteriocin-producing Enterococcus casseliflavus IM 416K1, a natural antagonist for control of Listeria monocytogenes in Italian sausages ("cacciatore").

The bacteriocinogenic Enterococcus casseliflavus IM 416K1 (Bac+) isolated from Italian sausages or its bacteriocin Enterocin 416K1, with strong anti-listerial activity, were used in trials to evaluate the effect on Listeria monocytogenes NCTC 10888 in artificially inoculated Italian sausages ("cacciatore"). In trials with Enterocin 416K1 added, L. monocytogenes showed a significant reduction as compared to the control inoculated with L.

Bacteriocin-like substance (BLS) production in Aeromonas hydrophila water isolates.

30 Aeromonas hydrophila water isolates were tested for bacteriocin-like substance (BLS) production using a target panel of closely related microorganisms and other Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including food-borne pathogens. A. hydrophila showed antibacterial activity against one or more indicator microorganisms, but the activity emerged only with non-phylogenetically related genera or species.

Survival of an Aeromonas hydrophila in an artificial mineral water microcosm.

The survival capacity of an Aeromonas hydrophila strain (named SB14) isolated from mineral water was investigated in an artificial mineral water microcosm. The bacterial count of this microorganism was compared with two strains of other species from aquatic environments (Pseudomonas fluorescens SSD and Pseudomonas putida SSC) and a bacterium indicative of faecal pollution (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922). Among the strains, all added to sterile Pyrex glass flasks (1 l) to yield a final bacterial count of about 5 x 10(6) CFU/ml, A.

Enterocin 416K1, an antilisterial bacteriocin produced by Enterococcus casseliflavus IM 416K1 isolated from Italian sausages.

Enterococci (118) from Italian sausages were tested for the production of antimicrobial substances. Of these, 7.6% showed antibacterial activity against one or several closely related microorganisms used as indicators.

Detection and preliminary characterization of a bacteriocin (plantaricin 35d) produced by a Lactobacillus plantarum strain.

Lactic acid bacteria (134) from Italian sausages were tested for the production of antimicrobial substances (bacteriocins). Six percent of these showed antibacterial activity against one or several closely related microorganisms used as indicators. Lactobacillus plantarum 35d in particular produced a bacteriocin of high activity (320 AU ml(-1)) and a wide range of antimicrobial activity including S.