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Petersen E, Zumla A, Hui DS, Blumberg L, Valdoleiros SR, Amao L, Ntoumi F, Asogun D, Simonsen L, Haider N, Traore T, Kapata N, Dar O, Nachega J, Abbara A, Al Balushi A, Kock R, Maeurer M, Lee SS, Lucey DR, Ippolito G, Koopmans M. Vaccination for monkeypox prevention in persons with high-risk sexual behaviours to control on-going outbreak of monkeypox virus clade 3. Int J Infect Dis 2022; 122:569-571. [PMID: 35788415 PMCID: PMC9534076 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2022.06.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- E Petersen
- Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Aarhus, Denmark; European Society for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases [ESCMID] Task Force for Emerging Infections, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - A Zumla
- Centre for Clinical Microbiology, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, UCL Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - D S Hui
- Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China
| | - L Blumberg
- Division of Public Health Surveillance and Response, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa; Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - S R Valdoleiros
- European Society for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases [ESCMID] Task Force for Emerging Infections, Basel, Switzerland; Infectious Diseases Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - L Amao
- Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - F Ntoumi
- Congolese Foundation for Medical Research, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo; Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - D Asogun
- Irrua Specialized Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Nigeria
| | - L Simonsen
- PandemiX Center, Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Denmark
| | - N Haider
- The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - T Traore
- Emergency Preparedness and Response Programme, WHO Regional Office for Africa, Dakar Hub, Dakar, Senegal
| | - N Kapata
- National Public Health Institute, Ministry of Health, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - O Dar
- Chatham House and UK Public health security agency, London, UK
| | - J Nachega
- Department of Medicine and Center for Infectious Diseases, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, USA; Departments of Epidemiology and International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - A Abbara
- UK Syria Public Health Network, and Department of Infection, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - A Al Balushi
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman
| | - R Kock
- The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - M Maeurer
- ImmunoSurgery Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal; Medizinische Klinik, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany
| | - S S Lee
- Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 206 Postgraduate Education Centre, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - D R Lucey
- Daniel R. Lucey, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA.
| | - G Ippolito
- Guiseppe Ippolito: Ministry of Health, Rome, Italy.
| | - Mpg Koopmans
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands; Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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de Leeuw den Bouter ML, Ippolito G, O’Reilly TPA, Remis RF, van Gijzen MB, Webb AG. Deep learning-based single image super-resolution for low-field MR brain images. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6362. [PMID: 35430586 PMCID: PMC9013376 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10298-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Low-field MRI scanners are significantly less expensive than their high-field counterparts, which gives them the potential to make MRI technology more accessible all around the world. In general, images acquired using low-field MRI scanners tend to be of a relatively low resolution, as signal-to-noise ratios are lower. The aim of this work is to improve the resolution of these images. To this end, we present a deep learning-based approach to transform low-resolution low-field MR images into high-resolution ones. A convolutional neural network was trained to carry out single image super-resolution reconstruction using pairs of noisy low-resolution images and their noise-free high-resolution counterparts, which were obtained from the publicly available NYU fastMRI database. This network was subsequently applied to noisy images acquired using a low-field MRI scanner. The trained convolutional network yielded sharp super-resolution images in which most of the high-frequency components were recovered. In conclusion, we showed that a deep learning-based approach has great potential when it comes to increasing the resolution of low-field MR images.
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Baldelli R, Nicastri E, Petrosillo N, Marchioni L, Gubbiotti A, Sperduti I, Di Giacinto P, Rizza L, Rota F, Franco M, Lania A, Aimaretti G, Ippolito G, Zuppi P. Thyroid dysfunction in COVID-19 patients. J Endocrinol Invest 2021; 44:2735-2739. [PMID: 34101132 PMCID: PMC8185485 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-021-01599-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE "Non thyroidal illness syndrome" (NTIS) or "euthyroid sick syndrome" (ESS) is a possible biochemical finding in euthyroid patients with severe diseases. It is characterized by a reduction of serum T3 (fT3), sometimes followed by reduction of serum T4 (fT4). The relationship between thyroid hormones levels and mortality is well known and different studies showed a direct association between NTIS and mortality. The sudden spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV 2) infection (COVID-19) and its high mortality become a world healthcare problem. Our aim in this paper was to investigate if patients affected by COVID-19 presented NTIS and the relationship between thyroid function and severity of this infection. METHODS We evaluated the thyroid function in two different groups of consecutive patients affected by COVID-19 with respect to a control group of euthyroid patients. Group A included patients hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia while patients requiring intensive care unit (ICU) for acute respiratory syndrome formed the group B. Group C identified the control group of euthyroid patients. RESULTS Patients from group A and group B showed a statistically significant reduction in fT3 and TSH compared to group C. In group B, compared to group A, a further statistically significant reduction of fT3 and TSH was found. CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 in-patients can present NTIS. FT3 and TSH serum levels are lower in patients with more severe symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Baldelli
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Oncology and Medical Specialities, A.O. San Camillo Forlanini, Rome, Italy
| | - E Nicastri
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - N Petrosillo
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - L Marchioni
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - A Gubbiotti
- Biochemical Clinical Unit, A.O. San Camillo Forlanini, Rome, Italy
| | - I Sperduti
- Biostatistical Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - P Di Giacinto
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Oncology and Medical Specialities, A.O. San Camillo Forlanini, Rome, Italy
| | - L Rizza
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Oncology and Medical Specialities, A.O. San Camillo Forlanini, Rome, Italy
| | - F Rota
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Oncology and Medical Specialities, A.O. San Camillo Forlanini, Rome, Italy
| | - M Franco
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Oncology and Medical Specialities, A.O. San Camillo Forlanini, Rome, Italy.
| | - A Lania
- Endocrinology, Diabetology and Andrology Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS, Rozzano, MI, Italy
| | - G Aimaretti
- SCDU of Endocrinology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - G Ippolito
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - P Zuppi
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Oncology and Medical Specialities, A.O. San Camillo Forlanini, Rome, Italy
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Aleksova A, Ferro F, Gagno G, Cappelletto C, Santon D, Rossi M, Ippolito G, Zumla A, Beltrami AP, Sinagra G. COVID-19 and renin-angiotensin system inhibition: role of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) - Is there any scientific evidence for controversy? J Intern Med 2020; 288:410-421. [PMID: 32459372 PMCID: PMC7283873 DOI: 10.1111/joim.13101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers are extensively used worldwide to treat many cardiovascular disorders, where they are effective in reducing both mortality and morbidity. These drugs are known to induce an increased expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). ACE2 acts as receptor for the novel SARS coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) which raising the important issue of possible detrimental effects that RAS blockers could exert on the natural history and pathogenesis of the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) and associated excessive inflammation, myocarditis and cardiac arrhythmias. We review the current knowledge on the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 infection and RAS blockers and suggest a scientific rationale for continuing RAS blockers therapy in patients with COVID-19 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Aleksova
- From the, Cardiothoracovascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI), University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - F Ferro
- From the, Cardiothoracovascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI), University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - G Gagno
- From the, Cardiothoracovascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI), University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - C Cappelletto
- From the, Cardiothoracovascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI), University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - D Santon
- From the, Cardiothoracovascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI), University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - M Rossi
- From the, Cardiothoracovascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI), University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - G Ippolito
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani - IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - A Zumla
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK.,National Institute of Health Research, Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | - G Sinagra
- From the, Cardiothoracovascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI), University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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5
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Katz A, Karvonen O, Di Caro A, Vairo F, Ippolito G, Grunow R, Jacob D, Salminen M. SHARP Joint Action – Strengthening International Health Regulations and preparedness in the EU. Eur J Public Health 2020. [PMCID: PMC7543434 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the preparedness to health emergencies of biological, chemical, environmental and unknown origin across the Europe is at high level, gaps do exist across the EU Member States and European countries. The previous coronavirus epidemic, SARS in 2002, showed that countries responded largely individually to this emerging threat. EU wide, joint responses were not taken. SARS epidemic showed that strengthening of the common EU efforts was needed. Many actions were taken, and since 2013 the European Commission Decision 1082/2013/EU on serious cross-border threats to health has provided a framework to improve preparedness and to strengthen the response capacities in Europe to health threats. SHARP Joint Action is a 3-year collaborative action of 26 countries and 61 partners, co-funded by the EC and coordinated by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Finland, and co-coordinated by Robert Koch Institute, Germany and National Institute of Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Italy. SHARP started it's actions in June 2019, and it aims to strengthen implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR) and the Decision 1082/2013/EU. SHARP consists of ten work packages covering core public health capacities, including: IHR core capacity strengthening and assessment, preparedness and response planning, training, laboratory preparedness and responsiveness, chemical safety and threats, and case management, infection prevention and control preparedness. Through this cross-sectoral approach, SHARP supports the Member States and partner countries in strengthening their capacities. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, SHARP has also supported the EC and the Member States, and especially work packages for laboratory preparedness and responsiveness (WP7) and for case management and infection prevention and control preparedness (WP10) were activated. The activities regarding laboratory preparedness and response have been coordinated with the ECDC.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Katz
- Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - O Karvonen
- Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - A Di Caro
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - F Vairo
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - G Ippolito
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - R Grunow
- Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - D Jacob
- Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - M Salminen
- Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
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Zumla A, Marais BJ, McHugh TD, Maeurer M, Zumla A, Kapata N, Ntoumi F, Chanda-Kapata P, Mfinanga S, Centis R, Cirillo DM, Petersen E, Hui DS, Ippolito G, Leung CC, Migliori GB, Tiberi S. COVID-19 and tuberculosis-threats and opportunities. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2020; 24:757-760. [PMID: 32912377 DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.20.0387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alimuddin Zumla
- Center for Clinical Microbiology, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - B J Marais
- Marie Bashir Institute for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney NSW, Australia
| | - T D McHugh
- Center for Clinical Microbiology, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - M Maeurer
- Immunotherapy Programme, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal, I Med Clinic, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Adam Zumla
- Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - N Kapata
- Zambia National Public Health Institute, Ministry of Health, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - F Ntoumi
- Foundation Congolaise pour la Recherche Médicale/University Marien Ngouabi Brazzaville, Congo, Institute for Tropical Medicine/University of Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - S Mfinanga
- National Institute of Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - R Centis
- Servizio di Epidemiologia Clinica delle Malattie Respiratorie, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Tradate, Varese
| | - D M Cirillo
- Emerging Bacterial Pathogens Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - E Petersen
- Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Aarhus, Denmark, Department of Melecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Italy
| | - D S Hui
- Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China
| | - G Ippolito
- Lazzaro Spallanzani, National Institute for Infectious Diseases IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - C C Leung
- Hong Kong Tuberculosis, Chest and Heart Diseases Association, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - S Tiberi
- Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, Division of Infection, Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK, ,
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Petrosillo N, Viceconte G, Ergonul O, Ippolito G, Petersen E. COVID-19, SARS and MERS: are they closely related? Clin Microbiol Infect 2020; 26:729-734. [PMID: 32234451 PMCID: PMC7176926 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2020.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 648] [Impact Index Per Article: 162.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is a new human coronavirus which is spreading with epidemic features in China and other Asian countries; cases have also been reported worldwide. This novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is associated with a respiratory illness that may lead to severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Although related to the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), COVID-19 shows some peculiar pathogenetic, epidemiological and clinical features which to date are not completely understood. AIMS To provide a review of the differences in pathogenesis, epidemiology and clinical features of COVID-19, SARS and MERS. SOURCES The most recent literature in the English language regarding COVID-19 has been reviewed, and extracted data have been compared with the current scientific evidence about SARS and MERS epidemics. CONTENT COVID-19 seems not to be very different from SARS regarding its clinical features. However, it has a fatality rate of 2.3%, lower than that of SARS (9.5%) and much lower than that of MERS (34.4%). The possibility cannot be excluded that because of the less severe clinical picture of COVID-19 it can spread in the community more easily than MERS and SARS. The actual basic reproductive number (R0) of COVID-19 (2.0-2.5) is still controversial. It is probably slightly higher than the R0 of SARS (1.7-1.9) and higher than that of MERS (<1). A gastrointestinal route of transmission for SARS-CoV-2, which has been assumed for SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, cannot be ruled out and needs further investigation. IMPLICATIONS There is still much more to know about COVID-19, especially as concerns mortality and its capacity to spread on a pandemic level. Nonetheless, all of the lessons we learned in the past from the SARS and MERS epidemics are the best cultural weapons with which to face this new global threat.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Petrosillo
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'L. Spallanzani', IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - G Viceconte
- University 'Federico II', Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Naples, Italy
| | - O Ergonul
- Koc University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey; ESCMID Executive Committee, Switzerland
| | - G Ippolito
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'L. Spallanzani', IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - E Petersen
- Directorate General for Disease Surveillance and Control, Min of Health, Muscat, Oman; ESCMID Emerging Infections Task Force, ESCMID, Basel, Switzerland; Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Aarhus, Denmark
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Capobianchi MR, Rueca M, Messina F, Giombini E, Carletti F, Colavita F, Castilletti C, Lalle E, Bordi L, Vairo F, Nicastri E, Ippolito G, Gruber CEM, Bartolini B. Molecular characterization of SARS-CoV-2 from the first case of COVID-19 in Italy. Clin Microbiol Infect 2020; 26:954-956. [PMID: 32229288 PMCID: PMC7118617 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2020.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M R Capobianchi
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - M Rueca
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - F Messina
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - E Giombini
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - F Carletti
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - F Colavita
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - C Castilletti
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - E Lalle
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - L Bordi
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - F Vairo
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - E Nicastri
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - G Ippolito
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - C E M Gruber
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - B Bartolini
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Di Marco V, Alberti A, Angarano G, Colombo M, Di Perri G, Gaeta GB, Ippolito G, Mangia A, Pasqualetti P, Craxì A. Optimising management of patients with hepatitis C virus in the age of direct-acting antivirals: results of a Delphi consensus. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 22:7024-7033. [PMID: 30402870 DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201810_16174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To optimize the management of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). MATERIALS AND METHODS We developed two questionnaires to determine Italian healthcare professionals' opinions on the overall management of HCV chronic liver disease and the use of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in the treatment of HCV. A Delphi consensus method using the RAND/UCLA appropriateness method was used to determine opinions of an expert panel (EP) of specialists. RESULTS Overall 443 physicians from 167 Italian centres completed the two questionnaires. The EP confirmed the importance of collaboration with general practitioners (GPs) and HCV testing in high-risk groups, but did not agree on treating patients over 80 years of age with DAAs. Over 90% agreed that it was important to quantify HCV-RNA, determine genotype, and test for anti-HIV and HBsAg before starting DAAs. Transient elastography (FibroScan®) was used by >90% to evaluate the stage of liver fibrosis while serum biomarkers were used by <20%. Adherence to therapy, drug-drug interactions and the possibility of treating advanced liver disease were decisive factors in therapy choice. Monthly monitoring during therapy was considered appropriate and 80% were in favor of HCV-RNA testing 24 weeks after the end of the therapy to confirm sustained virological response (SVR). Over 80% agreed that it was necessary to continue follow-up of patients with advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS Scientific organizations should review their guideline recommendations to facilitate access to DAAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Di Marco
- Sezione di Gastroenterologia e Epatologia, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
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10
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Ippolito G, Ferraro S, Zitiello M, Bonacci E, Garro L, Surace MF, D'angelo F, De Marinis G. Shoulder periprosthetic fracture in elderly patient: a minimally invasive osteosynthesis and "off-label" treatment with teriparatide. A case report and literature review. J BIOL REG HOMEOS AG 2019; 33:57-62. XIX Congresso Nazionale S.I.C.O.O.P. Societa' Italiana Chirurghi Ortopedici Dell'ospedalita' Privata Accreditata. [PMID: 31169004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
A case of shoulder periprosthetic fracture in elderly patient. The patient underwent a minimally invasive osteosynthesis and "off-label" treatment with teriparatide. An 80-year-old woman patient following an accidental fall reported a transverse displaced diaphyseal fracture of the right humerus, distal to the stem of the inverse prosthesis. The patient suffering from severe osteoporosis and chronic ischaemic heart disease. The patient underwent fracture osteosynthesis surgery using a Hoffmann III mono-axial external fixator. Teriparatide administered at a dosage of 20 micrograms/day, for four months. At six months from the beginning of th e hybrid treatment, a complete healing of the fracture was observed radiologically and clinically. It is possible to affirm that the use of teriparatide off-label has a positive and additive effect in promoting the healing of fractures.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Ippolito
- Istituto chirurgico ortopedico traumatologico (ICOT), Latina, Italy
| | - S Ferraro
- Ospedale di circolo, Fondazione Macchi "Università Insubria" Varese, Italy
| | - M Zitiello
- Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" Università di Roma, Roma, Italy
| | - E Bonacci
- Istituto chirurgico ortopedico traumatologico (ICOT), Latina, Italy
| | - L Garro
- Casa di cura Villa Betania, Giomi, Roma, Italy
| | - M F Surace
- Ospedale Di Circolo, Fondazione Macchi, "Università Insubria", Varese, Italy
| | - F D'angelo
- Ospedale Di Circolo, Fondazione Macchi, "Università Insubria", Varese, Italy
| | - G De Marinis
- Istituto Chirurgico Ortopedico Traumatologico (ICOT), Latina, Italy
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Merolla G, Chillemi C, Franceschini V, Cerciello S, Ippolito G, Paladini P, Porcellini G. Tendon transfer for irreparable rotator cuff tears: indications and surgical rationale. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J 2019. [DOI: 10.32098/mltj.04.2014.06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- G. Merolla
- Unit of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, D. Cervesi Hospital, Cattolica – AUSl della Romagna Ambito Territoriale di Rimini, Italy
- Biomechanics laboratory “Marco Simoncelli”, D. Cervesi Hospital, Cattolica - AUSl della Romagna Ambito Territoriale di Rimini, Cattolica, Italy
| | - C. Chillemi
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Istituto Chirurgico Ortopedico Traumatologico (ICOT), Latina, Italy
| | - V. Franceschini
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - S. Cerciello
- Unit of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, D. Cervesi Hospital, Cattolica – AUSl della Romagna Ambito Territoriale di Rimini, Italy
| | - G. Ippolito
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - P. Paladini
- Unit of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, D. Cervesi Hospital, Cattolica – AUSl della Romagna Ambito Territoriale di Rimini, Italy
| | - G. Porcellini
- Unit of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, D. Cervesi Hospital, Cattolica – AUSl della Romagna Ambito Territoriale di Rimini, Italy
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12
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Romette JL, Prat CM, Gould EA, de Lamballerie X, Charrel R, Coutard B, Fooks AR, Bardsley M, Carroll M, Drosten C, Drexler JF, Günther S, Klempa B, Pinschewer D, Klimkait T, Avsic-Zupanc T, Capobianchi MR, Dicaro A, Ippolito G, Nitsche A, Koopmans M, Reusken C, Gorbalenya A, Raoul H, Bourhy H, Mettenleiter T, Reiche S, Batten C, Sabeta C, Paweska JT, Eropkin M, Zverev V, Hu Z, Mac Cullough S, Mirazimi A, Pradel F, Lieutaud P. The European Virus Archive goes global: A growing resource for research. Antiviral Res 2018; 158:127-134. [PMID: 30059721 PMCID: PMC7127435 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 07/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The European Virus Archive (EVA) was created in 2008 with funding from the FP7-EU Infrastructure Programme, in response to the need for a coordinated and readily accessible collection of viruses that could be made available to academia, public health organisations and industry. Within three years, it developed from a consortium of nine European laboratories to encompass associated partners in Africa, Russia, China, Turkey, Germany and Italy. In 2014, the H2020 Research and Innovation Framework Programme (INFRAS projects) provided support for the transformation of the EVA from a European to a global organization (EVAg). The EVAg now operates as a non-profit consortium, with 26 partners and 20 associated partners from 21 EU and non-EU countries. In this paper, we outline the structure, management and goals of the EVAg, to bring to the attention of researchers the wealth of products it can provide and to illustrate how end-users can gain access to these resources. Organisations or individuals who would like to be considered as contributors are invited to contact the EVAg coordinator, Jean-Louis Romette, at jean-louis.romette@univmed.fr.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Romette
- Unite des Virus Emergents (UVE: Aix Marseille Univ, IRD 190, INSERM 1207, IHU Méditerranée Infection), Marseille, France.
| | - C M Prat
- Unite des Virus Emergents (UVE: Aix Marseille Univ, IRD 190, INSERM 1207, IHU Méditerranée Infection), Marseille, France
| | - E A Gould
- Unite des Virus Emergents (UVE: Aix Marseille Univ, IRD 190, INSERM 1207, IHU Méditerranée Infection), Marseille, France
| | - X de Lamballerie
- Unite des Virus Emergents (UVE: Aix Marseille Univ, IRD 190, INSERM 1207, IHU Méditerranée Infection), Marseille, France
| | - R Charrel
- Unite des Virus Emergents (UVE: Aix Marseille Univ, IRD 190, INSERM 1207, IHU Méditerranée Infection), Marseille, France
| | - B Coutard
- Architectures et Fonctions, des Macromolécules, Biologiques, Marseille, France
| | - A R Fooks
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Weybridge, United Kingdom
| | - M Bardsley
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Weybridge, United Kingdom
| | - M Carroll
- Department of Health-Special Pathogens Laboratory, Porton Down, United Kingdom
| | - C Drosten
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - J F Drexler
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - S Günther
- Department of Virology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - B Klempa
- Biomedical Research Center, Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - D Pinschewer
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Bales, Switzerland
| | - T Klimkait
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Bales, Switzerland
| | - T Avsic-Zupanc
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Lubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - A Dicaro
- UOC, Istituto Nazionale Malattie Infettive Roma, Italy
| | - G Ippolito
- UOC, Istituto Nazionale Malattie Infettive Roma, Italy
| | - A Nitsche
- Robert Koch Institut, Berlin, Germany
| | - M Koopmans
- ERASMUS Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - C Reusken
- ERASMUS Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - A Gorbalenya
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - H Raoul
- Laboratoire Merieux, INSERM, Lyon, France
| | | | - T Mettenleiter
- Friedrich Loeffler Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - S Reiche
- Friedrich Loeffler Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - C Batten
- The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, United Kingdom
| | - C Sabeta
- Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Praetoria, South Africa
| | - J T Paweska
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - M Eropkin
- Research Institute of Influenza, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - V Zverev
- Mechnikov Scientific Research Institute for Vaccines and Sera, Moscow, Russia
| | - Z Hu
- Wuhan Institute of Virology, Wuhan, China
| | - S Mac Cullough
- Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Australia Disease, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - F Pradel
- Fondation Mérieux, réseau GABRIEL, Lyon, France
| | - P Lieutaud
- Unite des Virus Emergents (UVE: Aix Marseille Univ, IRD 190, INSERM 1207, IHU Méditerranée Infection), Marseille, France
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13
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Drgona L, Gudiol C, Lanini S, Salzberger B, Ippolito G, Mikulska M. ESCMID Study Group for Infections in Compromised Hosts (ESGICH) Consensus Document on the safety of targeted and biological therapies: an infectious diseases perspective (Agents targeting lymphoid or myeloid cells surface antigens [II]: CD22, CD30, CD33, CD38, CD40, SLAMF-7 and CCR4). Clin Microbiol Infect 2018; 24 Suppl 2:S83-S94. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2018.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Revised: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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14
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Petrone L, Vanini V, Amicosante M, Corpolongo A, Gomez Morales MA, Ludovisi A, Ippolito G, Pozio E, Teggi A, Goletti D. A T-cell diagnostic test for cystic echinococcosis based on Antigen B peptides. Parasite Immunol 2018; 39. [PMID: 29171068 PMCID: PMC5846893 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
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. Therefore, the aims of this study were to analyse the IL-4 response to peptides spanning the immunodominant regions of the five AgB subunits and to evaluate the accuracy of this assay for CE diagnosis. Peptides corresponding to each subunit were combined into five pools. A pool containing all peptides was also used (total pool). IL-4 evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was significantly higher in patients with CE compared to those without (NO-CE subjects) when whole-blood was stimulated with AgB1 and with the total pool. Moreover, IL-4 levels in response to the total pool were significantly increased in patients with active cysts. Receiver Operator Curve analysis identified a cut-off point of 0.59 pg/mL predicting active cysts diagnosis with 71% sensitivity and 82% specificity in serology-positive CE patients. These data, if confirmed in a larger cohort, offer the opportunity to develop new diagnostic tools for CE based on a standardized source of AgB as the peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Petrone
- Translational Research Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Preclinical Research, "L. Spallanzani" National Institute for Infectious Diseases (INMI), Rome, Italy
| | - V Vanini
- Translational Research Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Preclinical Research, "L. Spallanzani" National Institute for Infectious Diseases (INMI), Rome, Italy
| | - M Amicosante
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.,ProxAgen Ltd, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - A Corpolongo
- Clinical Department, National Institute for Infectious Diseases (INMI), Rome, Italy
| | - M A Gomez Morales
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Rome, Italy
| | - A Ludovisi
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Rome, Italy
| | - G Ippolito
- Scientific Direction, National Institute for Infectious Diseases (INMI), Rome, Italy
| | - E Pozio
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Rome, Italy
| | - A Teggi
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Sant'Andrea Hospital University of Rome "Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - D Goletti
- Translational Research Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Preclinical Research, "L. Spallanzani" National Institute for Infectious Diseases (INMI), Rome, Italy
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15
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Puro V, Fusco FM, Castilletti C, Carletti F, Colavita F, Agrati C, Di Caro A, Capobianchi MR, Ippolito G. Occupational transmission of an Orthopoxvirus infection during an outbreak in a colony of Macaca tonkeana in Lazio Region, Italy, 2015. Zoonoses Public Health 2018; 65:578-583. [PMID: 29512303 PMCID: PMC7165952 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Orthopoxviruses spill over from animal reservoirs to accidental hosts, sometimes causing human infections. We describe the surveillance and infection control measures undertaken during an outbreak due to an Orthopoxvirus occurred in January 2015 in a colony of Macaca tonkeana in the province of Rieti, Latio, Italy, which caused a human asymptomatic infection. According to the epidemiological investigation, the human transmission occurred after an unprotected exposure. The contacts among wild, captive and domestic animals and humans, together with decreased immunity against Orthopoxviruses in the community, may put animal handlers at risk of infection, especially after the cessation of smallpox vaccination. To reduce these threats, standard precautions including respiratory hygiene and transmission‐based precautions should be carefully applied also in veterinary medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Puro
- Epidemiology and Pre-clinical Research Department, National Institute for Infectious Diseases "L. Spallanzani", Rome, Italy
| | - F M Fusco
- Epidemiology and Pre-clinical Research Department, National Institute for Infectious Diseases "L. Spallanzani", Rome, Italy
| | - C Castilletti
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases "L. Spallanzani", Rome, Italy
| | - F Carletti
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases "L. Spallanzani", Rome, Italy
| | - F Colavita
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases "L. Spallanzani", Rome, Italy
| | - C Agrati
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, National Institute for Infectious Diseases "L. Spallanzani", Rome, Italy
| | - A Di Caro
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases "L. Spallanzani", Rome, Italy
| | - M R Capobianchi
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases "L. Spallanzani", Rome, Italy
| | - G Ippolito
- Scietific Direction, National Institute for Infectious Diseases "L. Spallanzani", Rome, Italy
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16
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Caraffa E, Schepisi MS, Gualano G, Parracino MP, Rianda A, Corpolongo A, Pinnetti C, Galati V, Carballo M, Ippolito G, Palmieri F, Girardi E. The diabetes-tuberculosis co-epidemic: the role of international migration. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2018; 20:771-7. [PMID: 27155180 DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.15.0295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
SETTING A tuberculosis (TB) referral centre in Rome, Italy. OBJECTIVE To identify demographic and epidemiological characteristics associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) among patients with TB and to compare the clinical presentation of TB and TB-DM in the light of the growing worldwide burden of DM. DESIGN We performed a retrospective study of TB cases diagnosed from 2007 to 2012. RESULTS Among 971 TB patients, 723 were foreign-born and 63 (6.5%) had DM. DM prevalence was 12.7% (8/63) among those born in countries with DM prevalence ⩾8%, 4.7% (31/660) among patients from countries with DM prevalence <8% and 9.7% among Italian patients (24/248). In multivariable analysis, DM was independently associated with older age, and with being born in countries other than Italy, compared to Italians; this latter association was stronger in older patients. DM patients were also significantly more likely to be male and less likely to test positive for the human immunodeficiency virus. The presence of cavities was significantly associated with DM. CONCLUSIONS As individuals born in high TB incidence and high DM prevalence countries emerge as a vulnerable population, greater attention to bidirectional low-cost screening in people from these countries is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Caraffa
- Department of Epidemiology and Preclinical Research, National Institute for Infectious Diseases L Spallanzani 'Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico' (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - M Sañé Schepisi
- Department of Epidemiology and Preclinical Research, National Institute for Infectious Diseases L Spallanzani 'Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico' (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - G Gualano
- Clinical Department, National Institute for Infectious Diseases L Spallanzani 'Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico' (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - M P Parracino
- Department of Epidemiology and Preclinical Research, National Institute for Infectious Diseases L Spallanzani 'Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico' (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - A Rianda
- Clinical Department, National Institute for Infectious Diseases L Spallanzani 'Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico' (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - A Corpolongo
- Clinical Department, National Institute for Infectious Diseases L Spallanzani 'Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico' (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - C Pinnetti
- Clinical Department, National Institute for Infectious Diseases L Spallanzani 'Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico' (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - V Galati
- Clinical Department, National Institute for Infectious Diseases L Spallanzani 'Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico' (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - M Carballo
- International Centre for Migration, Health and Development, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - G Ippolito
- Office of the Scientific Director, National Institute for Infectious Diseases L Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - F Palmieri
- Clinical Department, National Institute for Infectious Diseases L Spallanzani 'Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico' (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - E Girardi
- Department of Epidemiology and Preclinical Research, National Institute for Infectious Diseases L Spallanzani 'Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico' (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
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17
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Colavita F, Biava M, Mertens P, Gilleman Q, Borlon C, Delli Guanti M, Petrocelli A, Cataldi G, Kamara AT, Kamara SA, Konneh K, Vincenti D, Castilletti C, Abdurahman S, Mirazimi A, Capobianchi MR, Ippolito G, Miccio R, Di Caro A. EBOLA Ag K-SeT rapid test: field evaluation in Sierra Leone. Clin Microbiol Infect 2017; 24:653-657. [PMID: 29107122 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2017.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Efficient interruption of Ebola virus disease (EVD) transmission chains critically depends on reliable and fast laboratory diagnosis. We evaluated the performance of the EBOLA Virus Antigen Detection K-SeT (EBOLA Ag K-SeT), a new rapid diagnostic antigen test in field settings. METHODS The study was conducted in a field laboratory located in Freetown (Sierra Leone) by the Italian National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'L. Spallanzani' and the EMERGENCY Onlus NGO. The EBOLA Ag K-SeT was tested on 210 residual plasma samples (EVD prevalence 50%) from patients hospitalized at the EMERGENCY Ebola treatment center in Goderich (Freetown), comparing the results with quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS Overall, the sensitivity of EBOLA Ag K-SeT was 88.6% (95% confidence interval (CI), 82.5-94.7), and the corresponding specificity was 98.1% (95% CI, 95.5-100.7). The positive and negative predictive values were 97.9% (95% CI, 95.0-100.8) and 89.6% (95% CI, 84-95.2), respectively. The sensitivity strongly increased up to 98.7% (95% CI, 96.1-101.2) for those samples with high virus load (≥6.2 log RNA copies/mL). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that EBOLA Ag K-SeT could represent a new effective diagnostic tool for EVD, meeting a need for resource-poor settings and rapid diagnosis for individuals with suspected EVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Colavita
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'L. Spallanzani' IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - M Biava
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'L. Spallanzani' IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - C Borlon
- Coris BioConcept, Gembloux, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - A T Kamara
- EMERGENCY Onlus NGO, Milan, Italy; Diagnostic Ebola Virus Diseases Laboratory, 'Princess Christian Maternity Hospital', Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - S A Kamara
- EMERGENCY Onlus NGO, Milan, Italy; Diagnostic Ebola Virus Diseases Laboratory, 'Princess Christian Maternity Hospital', Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - K Konneh
- EMERGENCY Onlus NGO, Milan, Italy; Diagnostic Ebola Virus Diseases Laboratory, 'Princess Christian Maternity Hospital', Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - D Vincenti
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'L. Spallanzani' IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - C Castilletti
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'L. Spallanzani' IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - S Abdurahman
- Public Health Agency of Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - A Mirazimi
- Public Health Agency of Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden; National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - M R Capobianchi
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'L. Spallanzani' IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - G Ippolito
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'L. Spallanzani' IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - R Miccio
- EMERGENCY Onlus NGO, Milan, Italy
| | - A Di Caro
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'L. Spallanzani' IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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18
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Petruccioli E, Vanini V, Chiacchio T, Cuzzi G, Cirillo D, Palmieri F, Ippolito G, Goletti D. Analytical evaluation of QuantiFERON- Plus and QuantiFERON- Gold In-tube assays in subjects with or without tuberculosis. Tuberculosis (Edinb) 2017; 106:38-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tube.2017.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Revised: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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19
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Abstract
The aim of autophagy is to re-establish homeostasis in response to a variety of stress conditions. By forming double-membrane vesicles, autophagy engulfs damaged or superfluous cytoplasmic material and recycles degradation products for new synthesis or energy production. Of note, the same mechanism is used to capture pathogens and has important implications in both innate and adaptive immunity. To establish a chronic infection, pathogens have therefore evolved multiple mechanisms to evade autophagy-mediated degradation. HIV infection represents one of the best characterized systems in which autophagy is disarmed by a virus using multiple strategies to prevent the sequestration and degradation of its proteins and to establish a chronic infection. HIV alters autophagy at various stages of the process in both infected and bystander cells. In particular, the HIV proteins TAT, NEF and ENV are involved in this regulation by either blocking or stimulating autophagy through direct interaction with autophagy proteins and/or modulation of the mTOR pathway. Although the roles of autophagy during HIV infection are multiple and vary amongst the different cell types, several lines of evidence point to a potential beneficial effect of stimulating autophagy-mediated lysosomal degradation to potentiate the immune response to HIV. Characterization of the molecular mechanisms regulating selective autophagy is expected to be valuable for developing new drugs able to specifically enhance the anti-HIV response.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Nardacci
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'L. Spallanzani', IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - F Ciccosanti
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'L. Spallanzani', IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - C Marsella
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'L. Spallanzani', IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - G Ippolito
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'L. Spallanzani', IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - M Piacentini
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'L. Spallanzani', IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Biology, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - G M Fimia
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'L. Spallanzani', IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
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20
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Ippolito G, Antonelli G. Emerging issues on hepatitis C virus infection after the introduction of the Directly Acting Antivirals. Clin Microbiol Infect 2017; 22:824-825. [PMID: 27863749 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2016.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2016] [Revised: 10/15/2016] [Accepted: 10/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- G Ippolito
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' Rome, Italy
| | - G Antonelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, and Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, 'Sapienza' University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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21
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Fausther-Bovendo H, Qiu X, McCorrister S, Westmacott G, Sandstrom P, Castilletti C, Di Caro A, Ippolito G, Kobinger GP. Ebola virus infection induces autoimmunity against dsDNA and HSP60. Sci Rep 2017; 7:42147. [PMID: 28181533 PMCID: PMC5299614 DOI: 10.1038/srep42147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Ebola virus (EBOV) survivors are affected by a variety of serious illnesses of unknown origin for years after viral clearance from the circulation. Identifying the causes of these persistent illnesses is paramount to develop appropriate therapeutic protocols. In this study, using mouse and non-human primates which survived EBOV challenge, ELISA, western blot, mass spectrometry and flow cytometry were used to screen for autoantibodies, identify their main targets, investigate the mechanism behind their induction and monitor autoantibodies accumulation in various tissues. In infected mice and NHP, polyclonal B cell activation and autoantigens secretion induced autoantibodies against dsDNA and heat shock protein 60 as well as antibody accumulation in tissues associated with long-term clinical manifestations in humans. Finally, the presence of these autoantibodies was confirmed in human EBOV survivors. Overall, this study supports the concept that autoimmunity is a causative parameter that contributes to the various illnesses observed in EBOV survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Fausther-Bovendo
- University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.,National Microbiology Laboratory, Public health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - X Qiu
- University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.,National Microbiology Laboratory, Public health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - S McCorrister
- JC Wilt Infectious Disease Research Centre, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - G Westmacott
- JC Wilt Infectious Disease Research Centre, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - P Sandstrom
- JC Wilt Infectious Disease Research Centre, Winnipeg, Canada.,National HIV and Retrovirology Laboratory, Ottawa, Canada
| | - C Castilletti
- Lazzaro Spallanzani, National Institute for Infectious Diseases-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - A Di Caro
- Lazzaro Spallanzani, National Institute for Infectious Diseases-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - G Ippolito
- Lazzaro Spallanzani, National Institute for Infectious Diseases-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - G P Kobinger
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School 27 of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Laval University, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Quebec, Canada
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22
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Vairo F, Schepisi MS, Perrelli F, Di Bari V, Pisapia R, Nicastri E, Lauria F, Ippolito G, Scognamiglio P, Puro V. Preparedness and response during Mass-gatherings: The ongoing experience of the Regional Plan for surveillance and response to infectious diseases emergencies during the extraordinary Jubilee 2015-16. Int J Infect Dis 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2016.11.234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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23
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Lanini S, Easterbrook PJ, Zumla A, Ippolito G. Hepatitis C: global epidemiology and strategies for control. Clin Microbiol Infect 2016; 22:833-838. [PMID: 27521803 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2016.07.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Revised: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
It is estimated that globally there are approximately 100 million persons with serological evidence of current or past HCV infection, and that HCV causes about 700 000 deaths each year. The prevalence of infection is the highest in lower and middle income countries, in which a significant number of past infections were caused by iatrogenic transmission and sub-optimal injection safety. In contrast, in developed countries, infections are caused mainly by high-risk exposures and behaviours among specific populations, such as persons who inject drugs. Recently, new direct antiviral activity (DAA) oral drugs with high rates of cure over short duration, which are well tolerated, have made chronic hepatitis C a curable condition. The extraordinary clinical performance of DAAs and recent substantial price reductions and expansion in access in resource-limited settings has provided new impetus for potential control and elimination of hepatitis C as a public health threat. We review the global epidemiology of HCV and the opportunities for preventative and treatment interventions to achieve global control of HCV infection. We also summarize the key elements of the World Health Organization's first-ever global health sector strategy for addressing the viral hepatitis pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Lanini
- 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' National Institute for Infectious Diseases-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - P J Easterbrook
- Global Hepatitis Programme, HIV Department, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - A Zumla
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK; UK National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, UCL Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - G Ippolito
- 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' National Institute for Infectious Diseases-IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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24
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De Nardo P, Gentilotti E, Nguhuni B, Vairo F, Chaula Z, Nicastri E, Nassoro MM, Bevilacqua N, Ismail A, Savoldi A, Zumla A, Ippolito G. Post-caesarean section surgical site infections at a Tanzanian tertiary hospital: a prospective observational study. J Hosp Infect 2016; 93:355-9. [PMID: 27125664 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2016.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 02/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Few data are available on the determinants and characteristics of post-caesarean section (CS) surgical site infections (SSIs) in resource-limited settings. We conducted a prospective observational cohort study to evaluate the rates, determinants, and microbiological characteristics of post-CS SSI at the Dodoma Regional Referral Hospital (DRRH) Gynaecology and Obstetrics Department in Tanzania. Spanning a three-month period, all pregnant women who underwent CS were enrolled and followed up for 30 days. SSI following CS occurred in 224 (48%) women. Only 10 (2.1%) women received pre-incision antibiotic prophylaxis. Urgent intervention is needed to prevent and control infections and contain the rising rate of post-CS SSI at the DRRH.
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Affiliation(s)
- P De Nardo
- Resource Centre for Infectious Diseases, Dodoma Regional Referral Hospital, Dodoma, Tanzania; 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' National Institute for Infectious Diseases-IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - E Gentilotti
- Resource Centre for Infectious Diseases, Dodoma Regional Referral Hospital, Dodoma, Tanzania; Department of Infectious Diseases, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - B Nguhuni
- Resource Centre for Infectious Diseases, Dodoma Regional Referral Hospital, Dodoma, Tanzania; 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' National Institute for Infectious Diseases-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - F Vairo
- 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' National Institute for Infectious Diseases-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Z Chaula
- Resource Centre for Infectious Diseases, Dodoma Regional Referral Hospital, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - E Nicastri
- 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' National Institute for Infectious Diseases-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - M M Nassoro
- Resource Centre for Infectious Diseases, Dodoma Regional Referral Hospital, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - N Bevilacqua
- 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' National Institute for Infectious Diseases-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - A Ismail
- University of Dodoma - UDOM, Department of Statistics, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - A Savoldi
- Resource Centre for Infectious Diseases, Dodoma Regional Referral Hospital, Dodoma, Tanzania; Department of Health Sciences, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, 'San Paolo' Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - A Zumla
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at UCL Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - G Ippolito
- 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' National Institute for Infectious Diseases-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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25
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Grassi G, Di Caprio G, Santangelo L, Fimia GM, Cozzolino AM, Komatsu M, Ippolito G, Tripodi M, Alonzi T. Autophagy regulates hepatocyte identity and epithelial-to-mesenchymal and mesenchymal-to-epithelial transitions promoting Snail degradation. Cell Death Dis 2015; 6:e1880. [PMID: 26355343 PMCID: PMC4650445 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2015.249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Revised: 07/24/2015] [Accepted: 07/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the reverse process mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) are events involved in development, wound healing and stem cell behaviour and contribute pathologically to cancer progression. The identification of the molecular mechanisms underlying these phenotypic conversions in hepatocytes are fundamental to design specific therapeutic strategies aimed at optimising liver repair. The role of autophagy in EMT/MET processes of hepatocytes was investigated in liver-specific autophagy-deficient mice (Alb-Cre;ATG7fl/fl) and using the nontumorigenic immortalised hepatocytes cell line MMH. Autophagy deficiency in vivo reduces epithelial markers' expression and increases the levels of mesenchymal markers. These alterations are associated with an increased protein level of the EMT master regulator Snail, without transcriptional induction. Interestingly, we found that autophagy degrades Snail in a p62/SQSTM1 (Sequestosome-1)-dependent manner. Moreover, accordingly to a pro-epithelial function, we observed that autophagy stimulation strongly affects EMT progression, whereas it is necessary for MET. Finally, we found that the EMT induced by TGFβ affects the autophagy flux, indicating that these processes regulate each other. Overall, we found that autophagy regulates the phenotype plasticity of hepatocytes promoting their epithelial identity through the inhibition of the mesenchymal programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Grassi
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - G Di Caprio
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Hematology, Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - L Santangelo
- Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Hematology, Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - G M Fimia
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - A M Cozzolino
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Hematology, Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - M Komatsu
- Department of Biochemistry, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Chuo-ku, Niigata, 951-8510, Japan
| | - G Ippolito
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - M Tripodi
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Hematology, Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - T Alonzi
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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26
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Piselli P, Busnach G, Citterio F, Frigerio M, Arbustini E, Burra P, Pinna AD, Bresadola V, Ettorre GM, Baccarani U, Buda A, Lauro A, Zanus G, Cimaglia C, Spagnoletti G, Lenardon A, Agozzino M, Gambato M, Zanfi C, Miglioresi L, Di Gioia P, Mei L, Ippolito G, Serraino D. Risk of Kaposi sarcoma after solid-organ transplantation: multicenter study in 4,767 recipients in Italy, 1970-2006. Transplant Proc 2015; 41:1227-30. [PMID: 19460525 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2009.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Given the high prevalence of infection with human herpesvirus type 8, Italy is an area of utmost interest for studying Kaposi sarcoma (KS). We investigated the risk of KS in transplant recipients compared with the general population. A longitudinal study was performed from 1970 to 2006 in 4767 kidney, heart, liver, and lung transplant recipients from 7 Italian transplantation centers. The sample included 72.3% male patients with an overall patient median age of 48 years. Patient-years (PYs) at risk for KS were computed from 30 days posttransplantation to the date of KS, death, last follow-up, or study closure (December 31, 2007). Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and 95% confidence intervals were computed to quantify the risk of KS in transplant recipients compared with the general Italian population. Incidence rate ratios were computed to identify risk factors using adjusted Poisson regression. Based on 33,621 PYs, KS was diagnosed in 73 patients (62 men): 31 in kidney recipients, 27 in heart recipients, 8 in liver recipients, and 7 in lung recipients. The overall incidence was 217 cases per 10(5) PYs, with a significantly increased SIR of 125. SIR was particularly high in women (n = 34) and lung recipients (n = 428) but decreased significantly with time posttransplantation. The primary predictors of increased risk of KS were male sex, older age, and lung transplantation. A 5-fold reduction was observed after 18 months posttransplantation. After adjustment, patients born in southern Italy compared with northern Italy demonstrated a significant 2.2-fold increased risk. Our findings confirm that in the early posttransplantation period, Italian patients who have undergone solid-organ transplantation, particularly those from southern Italy and those who are lung recipients, are at greater risk of KS compared with the general population. These findings underscore the need for appropriate models for monitoring transplant recipients for KS, especially those at greater risk and, in particular, in the early postoperative period.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Piselli
- INMI "L. Spallanzani" IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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27
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Schilling S, Maltezou HC, Fusco FM, De Iaco G, Brodt HR, Bannister B, Brouqui P, Carson G, Puro V, Gottschalk R, Ippolito G. Transportation capacity for patients with highly infectious diseases in Europe: a survey in 16 nations. Clin Microbiol Infect 2015; 21S:e1-e5. [PMID: 25636943 PMCID: PMC7128608 DOI: 10.1111/1469-0691.12290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2012] [Accepted: 07/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Highly infectious diseases (HIDs) are defined as being transmissible from person to person, causing life-threatening illnesses and presenting a serious public health hazard. In most European Union member states specialized isolation facilities are responsible for the management of such cases. Ground ambulances are often affiliated with those facilities because rapid relocation of patients is most desirable. To date, no pooled data on the accessibility, technical specifications and operational procedures for such transport capacities are available. During 2009, the ‘European Network for HIDs’ conducted a cross-sectional analysis of hospitals responsible for HID patients in Europe including an assessment of (a) legal aspects; (b) technical and infrastructure aspects; and (c) operational procedures for ground ambulances used for HID transport. Overall, 48 isolation facilities in 16 European countries were evaluated and feedback rates ranged from 78% to 100% (n = 37 to n = 48 centres). Only 46.8% (22/47) of all centres have both national and local guidelines regulating HID patient transport. If recommended, specific equipment is found in 90% of centres (9/10), but standard ambulances in only 6/13 centres (46%). Exclusive entrances (32/45; 71%) and pathways (30/44; 68.2%) for patient admission, as well as protocols for disinfection of ambulances (34/47; 72.3%) and equipment (30/43; 69.8%) exist in most centres. In conclusion, the availability and technical specifications of ambulances broadly differ, reflecting different preparedness levels within the European Union. Hence, regulations for technical specifications and operational procedures should be harmonized to promote patient and healthcare worker safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Schilling
- Department for Infectious Diseases, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - H C Maltezou
- Department for Interventions in Health-Care Facilities, Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - F M Fusco
- Department for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases "L. Spallanzani" (INMI), Rome, Italy
| | - G De Iaco
- Department for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases "L. Spallanzani" (INMI), Rome, Italy
| | - H-R Brodt
- Department for Infectious Diseases, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - B Bannister
- Department for Infectious Diseases, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
| | - P Brouqui
- Research Unit on Emerging Infectious and Tropical Diseases (URMITE), Marseilles, France
| | - G Carson
- Department for Infectious Diseases, Health Protection Agency, UK
| | - V Puro
- Department for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases "L. Spallanzani" (INMI), Rome, Italy
| | | | - G Ippolito
- Department for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases "L. Spallanzani" (INMI), Rome, Italy
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28
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Falasca L, Agrati C, Petrosillo N, Di Caro A, Capobianchi MR, Ippolito G, Piacentini M. Molecular mechanisms of Ebola virus pathogenesis: focus on cell death. Cell Death Differ 2015; 22:1250-9. [PMID: 26024394 PMCID: PMC4495366 DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2015.67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Revised: 03/31/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Ebola virus (EBOV) belongs to the Filoviridae family and is responsible for a severe disease characterized by the sudden onset of fever and malaise accompanied by other non-specific signs and symptoms; in 30–50% of cases hemorrhagic symptoms are present. Multiorgan dysfunction occurs in severe forms with a mortality up to 90%. The EBOV first attacks macrophages and dendritic immune cells. The innate immune reaction is characterized by a cytokine storm, with secretion of numerous pro-inflammatory cytokines, which induces a huge number of contradictory signals and hurts the immune cells, as well as other tissues. Other highly pathogenic viruses also trigger cytokine storms, but Filoviruses are thought to be particularly lethal because they affect a wide array of tissues. In addition to the immune system, EBOV attacks the spleen and kidneys, where it kills cells that help the body to regulate its fluid and chemical balance and that make proteins that help the blood to clot. In addition, EBOV causes liver, lungs and kidneys to shut down their functions and the blood vessels to leak fluid into surrounding tissues. In this review, we analyze the molecular mechanisms at the basis of Ebola pathogenesis with a particular focus on the cell death pathways induced by the virus. We also discuss how the treatment of the infection can benefit from the recent experience of blocking/modulating cell death in human degenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Falasca
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - C Agrati
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - N Petrosillo
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - A Di Caro
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - M R Capobianchi
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - G Ippolito
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - M Piacentini
- 1] National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy [2] Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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29
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Ippolito G, Puro V, Brouqui P, Lauria FN, Fusco FM, on behalf of the EuroNHID Consortium C. Letter to the editor: Management of patients with Ebola virus disease in Europe: high-level isolation units should have a key role. Euro Surveill 2014; 19:20993. [DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es2014.19.50.20993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- G Ippolito
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases ‘L. Spallanzani’, Rome, Italy
| | - V Puro
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases ‘L. Spallanzani’, Rome, Italy
| | - P Brouqui
- Southern France referral center for EBOLA care, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - F N Lauria
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases ‘L. Spallanzani’, Rome, Italy
| | - F M Fusco
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases ‘L. Spallanzani’, Rome, Italy
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30
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Grunow R, Ippolito G, Jacob D, Sauer U, Rohleder A, Di Caro A, Iacovino R. Benefits of a European project on diagnostics of highly pathogenic agents and assessment of potential "dual use" issues. Front Public Health 2014; 2:199. [PMID: 25426479 PMCID: PMC4227464 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2014.00199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2014] [Accepted: 10/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Quality assurance exercises and networking on the detection of highly infectious pathogens (QUANDHIP) is a joint action initiative set up in 2011 that has successfully unified the primary objectives of the European Network on Highly Pathogenic Bacteria (ENHPB) and of P4-laboratories (ENP4-Lab) both of which aimed to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and response capabilities of laboratories directed at protecting the health of European citizens against high consequence bacteria and viruses of significant public health concern. Both networks have established a common collaborative consortium of 37 nationally and internationally recognized institutions with laboratory facilities from 22 European countries. The specific objectives and achievements include the initiation and establishment of a recognized and acceptable quality assurance scheme, including practical external quality assurance exercises, comprising living agents, that aims to improve laboratory performance, accuracy, and detection capabilities in support of patient management and public health responses; recognized training schemes for diagnostics and handling of highly pathogenic agents; international repositories comprising highly pathogenic bacteria and viruses for the development of standardized reference material; a standardized and transparent Biosafety and Biosecurity strategy protecting healthcare personnel and the community in dealing with high consequence pathogens; the design and organization of response capabilities dealing with cross-border events with highly infectious pathogens including the consideration of diagnostic capabilities of individual European laboratories. The project tackled several sensitive issues regarding Biosafety, Biosecurity and "dual use" concerns. The article will give an overview of the project outcomes and discuss the assessment of potential "dual use" issues.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - G. Ippolito
- Spallanzani National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Rome, Italy
| | - D. Jacob
- Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - U. Sauer
- Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - A. Di Caro
- Spallanzani National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Rome, Italy
| | - R. Iacovino
- Spallanzani National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Rome, Italy
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31
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Ippolito G, Antonelli G, Capobianchi M, Lanini S. Hepatitis C virus treatment revolution: need for close monitoring. Clin Microbiol Infect 2014; 20:O790-1. [DOI: 10.1111/1469-0691.12693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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32
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Abbate I, Pergola C, Pisciotta M, Sciamanna R, Sias C, Orchi N, Libertone R, Ippolito G, Capobianchi MR. Evaluation in a clinical setting of the performances of a new rapid confirmatory assay for HIV1/2 serodiagnosis. J Clin Virol 2014; 61:166-9. [PMID: 25037532 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2014.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2014] [Revised: 06/12/2014] [Accepted: 06/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The performances of the new Geenius rapid confirmatory test (Bio-Rad) were evaluated with emphasis towards identifying acute infection (AHI) and discriminating HIV-1/2 in a clinical setting STUDY DESIGN Serum samples from individuals attending the L. Spallanzani Institute in Rome, Italy, for HIV diagnosis (one year retrospective collection), repeatedly reactive at 4th generation HIV-1/2 screening assays, confirmed with HIV-1 and HIV-2 Western blot (New LAV I and II Bio-Rad), were retested with Geenius. RESULTS Of 6,200 samples, 406 resulted repeatedly reactive at screening, including samples from clinically confirmed AHI. New LAV I identified 378 HIV-1-positive samples. Of these, Geenius found 377 HIV-1-positive and one unclassified HIV-positive. New LAV I classified as indeterminate 18 samples, including 14 from AHI. Among these 14, Geenius results were: 12 positive, 1 indeterminate and 1 negative. Of the remaining, 2 resulted Geenius negative (false-positive screening results) and 2 HIV-2. Ten samples were New LAV I-negative (5 AHI). Geenius results were: 1 (AHI) positive and 9 negative. Geenius detected 110 additional positive samples with no p31 reactivity with respect to New LAV I, with an almost similar prevalence of low avidity samples. Geenius confirmed 3 out of 4 HIV-2 infections identified by New LAV II (one coinfected with HIV-1), while rated as HIV-1 the remaining sample, classified as coinfection by New LAV I and II. CONCLUSIONS Geenius allows fast, sensitive and accurate confirmation of HIV serodiagnosis, including AHI and HIV-2 infections. The high sensitivity, in particular towards AHI, could avoid additional sampling and molecular tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Abbate
- Laboratory of Virology, INMI, L. Spallanzani, Rome, Italy.
| | - C Pergola
- Laboratory of Virology, INMI, L. Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - M Pisciotta
- Laboratory of Virology, INMI, L. Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - R Sciamanna
- Laboratory of Virology, INMI, L. Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - C Sias
- Laboratory of Virology, INMI, L. Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - N Orchi
- CRAIDS and Clinical Department, INMI, L. Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - R Libertone
- Clinical Department, INMI, L. Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - G Ippolito
- Scientific Direction, INMI, L. Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
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33
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Lanini S, Capobianchi MR, Puro V, Filia A, Del Manso M, Karki T, Nicoletti L, Magurano F, Derrough T, Severi E, Bonfigli S, Lauria F, Ippolito G, Vellucci L, Pompa MG. Measles outbreak on a cruise ship in the western Mediterranean, February 2014, preliminary report. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 19. [PMID: 24650863 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es2014.19.10.20735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A measles outbreak occurred in February 2014 on a ship cruising the western Mediterranean Sea. Overall 27 cases were reported: 21 crew members, four passengers.For two cases the status crew or passenger was unknown. Genotype B3 was identified. Because of different nationalities of cases and persons on board,the event qualified as a cross-border health threat. The Italian Ministry of Health coordinated rapid response.Alerts were posted through the Early Warning and Response System.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Lanini
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases (INMI) Lazzaro Spallanzani Rome, Italy
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34
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Angeletti C, Pezzotti P, Antinori A, Mammone A, Navarra A, Orchi N, Lorenzini P, Mecozzi A, Ammassari A, Murachelli S, Ippolito G, Girardi E. Antiretroviral treatment-based cost saving interventions may offset expenses for new patients and earlier treatment start. HIV Med 2013; 15:165-74. [PMID: 24495188 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.12097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has become the main driver of total costs of caring for persons living with HIV (PLHIV). The present study estimated the short/medium-term cost trends in response to the recent evolution of national guidelines and regional therapeutic protocols for cART in Italy. METHODS We developed a deterministic mathematical model that was calibrated using epidemic data for Lazio, a region located in central Italy with about six million inhabitants. RESULTS In the Base Case Scenario, the estimated number of PLHIV in the Lazio region increased over the period 2012-2016 from 14 414 to 17 179. Over the same period, the average projected annual cost for treating the HIV-infected population was €147.0 million. An earlier cART initiation resulted in a rise of 2.3% in the average estimated annual cost, whereas an increase from 27% to 50% in the proportion of naïve subjects starting cART with a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based regimen resulted in a reduction of 0.3%. Simplification strategies based on NNRTIs co-formulated in a single tablet regimen and protease inhibitor/ritonavir-boosted monotherapy produced an overall reduction in average annual costs of 1.5%. A further average saving of 3.3% resulted from the introduction of generic antiretroviral drugs. CONCLUSIONS In the medium term, cost saving interventions could finance the increase in costs resulting from the inertial growth in the number of patients requiring treatment and from the earlier treatment initiation recommended in recent guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Angeletti
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'L. Spallanzani', Rome, Italy
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35
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Rozera G, Abbate I, Vlassi C, Giombini E, Lionetti R, Selleri M, Zaccaro P, Bartolini B, Corpolongo A, D'Offizi G, Baiocchini A, Del Nonno F, Ippolito G, Capobianchi MR. Quasispecies tropism and compartmentalization in gut and peripheral blood during early and chronic phases of HIV-1 infection: possible correlation with immune activation markers. Clin Microbiol Infect 2013; 20:O157-66. [PMID: 24134524 DOI: 10.1111/1469-0691.12367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2013] [Revised: 06/20/2013] [Accepted: 08/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
HIV quasispecies was analysed in plasma and proviral genomes hosted by duodenal mucosa and peripheral blood cells (PBMC) from patients with early or chronic infection, with respect to viral heterogeneity, tropism compartmentalization and extent of immune activation. Seventeen HIV-1-infected combined antiretroviral therapy naive patients were enrolled (11 early infection and six chronic infection). V3 and nef genomic regions were analysed by ultra-deep pyrosequencing. Sequences were used to infer co-receptor usage and to construct phylogenetic trees. As markers of immune activation, plasma sCD14 and soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor II (sTNFRII) levels were measured. Median diversity of HIV RNA was lower in patients with early infection versus chronic infection patients. Overall, direct correlation was observed between V3 diversity and X4 frequency; V3 diversity of HIV RNA was inversely correlated with CD4 T-cell count; median sCD14 and sTNFRII values were similar in early and chronic patients, but X4 frequency of HIV RNA was directly correlated with plasma sCD14. The proportion of patients harbouring X4 variants and median intra-patient X4 frequency of proviral genomes tended to be higher in chronic infection than early infection patients. More pronounced compartmentalization of proviral quasispecies in gut compared with PBMC samples was observed in patients with early infection compared with chronic patients. The loss of gut/PBMC compartmentalization in more advanced stages of HIV infection was confirmed by longitudinal observation. More studies are needed to understand the pathogenetic significance of early HIV quasispecies compartmentalization and progressive intermixing of viral variants in subsequent phases of the infection, as well as the role of immune activation in tropism switch.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Rozera
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases (INMI) "Lazzaro Spallanzani", Rome, Italy
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36
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Abstract
There are compelling data suggesting that antiretroviral (ARV) drugs can prevent the transmission of HIV: 1) ARV therapy reduces the intrinsic risk of transmission by cutting down the viral load in infected people; 2) ARVs may be used to prevent transmission in uninfected subjects who experienced high risk exposures. Despite these encouraging preliminary results, there are several questions that need to be answered before recommending the use of ARV among uninfected subjects: 1) the efficacy of these strategies amongst women is not yet established; 2) the cost-effectiveness of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in the long term is undefined since PrEP efficacy may depend on adherence; 3) treating uninfected individuals may be counter-effective, as it may increase risky behavior due to the belief that ARV drugs have unlimited protective power. In conclusion, the public-health use of ARV drugs represents a new paradigm in the field of HIV prevention. However, ARV treatment cannot be considered as a substitute for other measures for preventing transmission but a complement to individual protection. In particular, post-exposure prophylaxis may be used in selected cases, whereas PrEP appears to be a highly costly method with limited public-health potential and possible safety concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Ippolito
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy.
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37
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Maltezou HC, Fusco FM, Schilling S, De Iaco G, Gottschalk R, Brodt HR, Bannister B, Brouqui P, Thomson G, Puro V, Ippolito G. Infection control practices in facilities for highly infectious diseases across Europe. J Hosp Infect 2012; 81:184-91. [PMID: 22648013 PMCID: PMC7114579 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2012.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2011] [Accepted: 04/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The management of patients with highly infectious diseases (HIDs) is a challenge for healthcare provision requiring a high level of care without compromising the safety of other patients and healthcare workers. AIM To study the infection control practice in isolation facilities participating in the European Network for Highly Infectious Diseases (EuroNHID) project. METHODS A survey was conducted during 2009 of 48 isolation facilities caring for patients with HIDs in 16 European countries. Checklists and standard evaluation forms were used to collect and interpret data on hand hygiene, routine hygiene and disinfection, and waste management. FINDINGS Forty percent of HIDs had no non-hand-operated sinks or alcohol-based antiseptic distributors, while 27% did not have procedures for routine hygiene, final disinfection, or safe discarding of non-disposable objects or equipment. There was considerable variation in the management of waste and in the training of housekeeping personnel. EuroNHID has developed recommendations for hand hygiene, disinfection, routine hygiene, and waste management. CONCLUSIONS Most aspects of hand hygiene, routine hygiene and disinfection, and waste management were considered at least partially adequate in the majority of European isolation facilities dedicated for the care of patients with HIDs. But considerable variability was observed, with management of waste and training of housekeeping personnel being generally less satisfactory.
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Affiliation(s)
- H C Maltezou
- Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece.
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38
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Gould EA, de Lamballerie X, Coutard B, Fooks AR, Outlaw M, Drosten C, Guenther S, Klempa B, Pinschewer D, Avsic-Zupanc T, Sabeta C, Lukashev A, Eropkin M, Koslov A, Zverev V, Lvov D, Zhebrun A, Shipulin G, Niedrig M, Gao Fu G, Dong Liang G, Ippolito G, Koray E, Romette JL. The European Virus Archive: a new resource for virology research. Antiviral Res 2012; 95:167-71. [PMID: 22626637 PMCID: PMC7172878 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2012.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2012] [Revised: 05/08/2012] [Accepted: 05/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The European Virus Archive (EVA) was conceived as a direct response to the need for a coordinated and readily accessible collection of viruses that could be made available to academia, public health organisations and industry, initially within Europe, but ultimately throughout the world. Although scientists worldwide have accumulated virus collections since the early twentieth century, the quality of the collections and the viruses collected may vary according to the personal interests and agenda of the scientists. Moreover, when laboratories are re-organised or closed, collections are no longer maintained and gradually cease to exist. The tragedy of 9/11 and other disruptive activities have also meant that some previously available biological reagents are no longer openly exchanged between countries. In 2008, funding under the FP7–EU infrastructure programme enabled the initiation of the EVA. Within three years, it has developed from a consortium of nine European laboratories to encompass associated partners in Africa, Russia, China, Turkey, Germany and Italy. There is every reason to believe that EVA will continue to expand and ultimately exist as a globally networked, quality-controlled non-profit archive for the benefit of science. Organizations or individuals who would like to be considered as contributors are invited to contact the EVA coordinator, Jean–Louis Romette, at jean-louis.romette@univmed.fr.
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Affiliation(s)
- E A Gould
- Unité des Virus Emergents, Faculté de Médecine Timone, 5ème étage Aile Bleu, 27, Bd Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille Cedex 05, France
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39
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Costa AN, Capobianchi MR, Ippolito G, Palù G, Barzon L, Piccolo G, Andreetta B, Filippetti M, Fehily D, Lombardini L, Grossi P. West Nile virus: the Italian national transplant network reaction to an alert in the north-eastern region, Italy 2011. Euro Surveill 2011; 16:19991. [PMID: 22008198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
We report four cases of West Nile virus (WNV) transmission following a single multiorgan donation in north-eastern Italy. The transmissions were promptly detected by local transplant centres. The donor had been tested for WNV by nucleic acid amplification test (NAT) prior to transplantation and was negative. There were no detected errors in the nationally implemented WNV safety protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Nanni Costa
- National Transplant Centre, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.
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40
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Nanni Costa A, Capobianchi MR, Ippolito G, Palù G, Barzon L, Piccolo G, Andreetta B, Filippetti M, Fehily D, Lombardini L, Grossi P. West Nile virus: the Italian national transplant network reaction to an alert in the north-eastern region, Italy 2011. Euro Surveill 2011. [DOI: 10.2807/ese.16.41.19991-en] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We report four cases of West Nile virus (WNV) transmission following a single multiorgan donation in north-eastern Italy. The transmissions were promptly detected by local transplant centres. The donor had been tested for WNV by nucleic acid amplification test (NAT) prior to transplantation and was negative. There were no detected errors in the nationally implemented WNV safety protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Nanni Costa
- National Transplant Centre, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - M R Capobianchi
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases (INMI) “L. Spallanzani”, Rome, Italy
| | - G Ippolito
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases (INMI) “L. Spallanzani”, Rome, Italy
| | - G Palù
- Regional Reference Centre for Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Virology Unit, University Hospital, Padova, Italy
- Department of Histology, Microbiology and Medical Biotechnology, University of Padova, Italy
| | - L Barzon
- Department of Histology, Microbiology and Medical Biotechnology, University of Padova, Italy
- Regional Reference Centre for Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Virology Unit, University Hospital, Padova, Italy
| | - G Piccolo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - B Andreetta
- North Italy Transplant Interregional Coordinating Transplant Centre, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - M Filippetti
- National Transplant Centre, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - D Fehily
- National Transplant Centre, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - L Lombardini
- National Transplant Centre, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - P Grossi
- Veneto Regional Coordinating Transplant Centre, Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova, Padua, Italy
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41
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Abbate I, Rozera G, Tommasi C, Bruselles A, Bartolini B, Chillemi G, Nicastri E, Narciso P, Ippolito G, Capobianchi M. Analysis of co‐receptor usage of circulating viral and proviral HIV genome quasispecies by ultra‐deep pyrosequencing in patients who are candidates for CCR5 antagonist treatment. Clin Microbiol Infect 2011; 17:725-31. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2010.03350.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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42
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Catania G, Di Stefano C, Ippolito G, Minona E, Alongi G, Cardì F. [Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis after general surgery: where are we now?]. G Chir 2011; 32:206-210. [PMID: 21554853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a frequent complication in patients undergoing major surgery, with the possibility of long-term disability or fatal outcome. The rationale of the thromboprophylaxis in all patients can be summarized in three points: 1) the VTE is common in some types of surgery; 2) the VTE can be fatal; 3) thromboprophylaxis is highly effective and safe and, besides these clinical benefits, leads to lower total costs of treatment without further diagnostic and a new shelter for treating venous thrombosis. The surgical patients may present at admission one or more risk factors for VTE, The effect of this risk is cumulative, it is important to stratify the risk and to established an adequate prophylactic strategy. Today there is a unanimous consensus that the low molecular weight heparins are both effective and safe in preventing VTE in surgical patients. Unanimously approved guidelines can help surgeons in making decisions regarding VTE prophylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Catania
- Universita degli Studi di Catania, Azienda Policlinico-Ospedaliera, Catania
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43
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Liuzzi G, Vairo F, Chaula Z, Nguhuni B, Nicastri E, Bevilacqua N, Cannas A, Paglia MG, Ippolito G. Antiretroviral strategies for the treatment of pregnant HIV+ women and prevention of perinatal HIV transmission in Dodoma, Tanzania: AMANI Study. J Int AIDS Soc 2010. [PMCID: PMC3112939 DOI: 10.1186/1758-2652-13-s4-p160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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44
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Capobianchi MR, Sambri V, Castilletti C, Pierro AM, Rossini G, Gaibani P, Cavrini F, Selleri M, Meschi S, Lapa D, Di Caro A, Grossi P, De Cillia C, Venettoni S, Landini MP, Ippolito G, Nanni Costa A. Retrospective screening of solid organ donors in Italy, 2009, reveals unpredicted circulation of West Nile virus. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 15. [PMID: 20807488 DOI: 10.2807/ese.15.34.19648-en] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Since the occurrence of West Nile virus (WNV) infection in humans in 2008 in Italy, concerns have been raised about the potential risks associated with solid organ transplantation (SOT). A nationwide retrospective survey showed that 1.2% of SOT donors in 2009 were WNV-seropositive and demonstrated that human WNV infection is distributed throughout several Italian regions. Transmission of WNV or other arboviruses through SOT is a possibility and risk assessment should be carried out before SOT to avoid infection through transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M R Capobianchi
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases (INMI) L. Spallanzani , Rome, Italy.
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45
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Meschi S, Schepisi MS, Nicastri E, Bevilacqua N, Castilletti C, Sciarrone M, Paglia M, Fumakule R, Mohamed J, Kitwa A, Mangi S, Molteni F, Di Caro A, Vairo F, Capobianchi M, Ippolito G. The prevalence of antibodies to human herpesvirus 8 and hepatitis B virus in patients in two hospitals in Tanzania. J Med Virol 2010; 82:1569-75. [DOI: 10.1002/jmv.21852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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46
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Nisii C, Carletti F, Castilletti C, Bordi L, Meschi S, Selleri M, Chiappini R, Travaglini D, Antonini M, Castorina S, Lauria FN, Narciso P, Gentile M, Martini L, Di Perri G, Audagnotto S, Biselli R, Lastilla M, Di Caro A, Capobianchi MR, Ippolito G. A case of dengue type 3 virus infection imported from Africa to Italy, October 2009. Euro Surveill 2010. [DOI: 10.2807/ese.15.07.19487-en] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In October 2009, a traveller returning from Africa to Italy was hospitalised with symptoms suggestive of a haemorrhagic fever of unknown origin. The patient was immediately placed in a special biocontainment unit until laboratory investigations confirmed the infection to be caused by a dengue serotype 3 virus. This case reasserts the importance of returning travellers as sentinels of unknown outbreaks occurring in other countries, and highlights how the initial symptoms of dengue fever resemble those of other haemorrhagic fevers, hence the importance of prompt isolation of patients until a final diagnosis is reached.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Nisii
- WHO Collaborating Center for clinical care, diagnosis, response and training on Highly Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - F Carletti
- WHO Collaborating Center for clinical care, diagnosis, response and training on Highly Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - C Castilletti
- WHO Collaborating Center for clinical care, diagnosis, response and training on Highly Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - L Bordi
- WHO Collaborating Center for clinical care, diagnosis, response and training on Highly Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - S Meschi
- WHO Collaborating Center for clinical care, diagnosis, response and training on Highly Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - M Selleri
- WHO Collaborating Center for clinical care, diagnosis, response and training on Highly Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - R Chiappini
- WHO Collaborating Center for clinical care, diagnosis, response and training on Highly Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - D Travaglini
- WHO Collaborating Center for clinical care, diagnosis, response and training on Highly Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - M Antonini
- WHO Collaborating Center for clinical care, diagnosis, response and training on Highly Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - S Castorina
- WHO Collaborating Center for clinical care, diagnosis, response and training on Highly Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - F N Lauria
- WHO Collaborating Center for clinical care, diagnosis, response and training on Highly Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - P Narciso
- WHO Collaborating Center for clinical care, diagnosis, response and training on Highly Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - M Gentile
- WHO Collaborating Center for clinical care, diagnosis, response and training on Highly Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - L Martini
- WHO Collaborating Center for clinical care, diagnosis, response and training on Highly Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - G Di Perri
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ‘Amedeo di Savoia’ Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - S Audagnotto
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ‘Amedeo di Savoia’ Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - R Biselli
- Italian Air Force, Aeromedical Isolation Unit, Rome, Italy
| | - M Lastilla
- Italian Air Force, Aeromedical Isolation Unit, Rome, Italy
| | - A Di Caro
- WHO Collaborating Center for clinical care, diagnosis, response and training on Highly Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - M R Capobianchi
- WHO Collaborating Center for clinical care, diagnosis, response and training on Highly Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - G Ippolito
- WHO Collaborating Center for clinical care, diagnosis, response and training on Highly Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
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47
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Nisii C, Carletti F, Castilletti C, Bordi L, Meschi S, Selleri M, Chiappini R, Travaglini D, Antonini M, Castorina S, Lauria FN, Narciso P, Gentile M, Martini L, Di Perri G, Audagnotto S, Biselli R, Lastilla M, Di Caro A, Capobianchi M, Ippolito G. A case of dengue type 3 virus infection imported from Africa to Italy, October 2009. Euro Surveill 2010; 15:19487. [PMID: 20184855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In October 2009, a traveller returning from Africa to Italy was hospitalised with symptoms suggestive of a haemorrhagic fever of unknown origin. The patient was immediately placed in a special biocontainment unit until laboratory investigations confirmed the infection to be caused by a dengue serotype 3 virus. This case reasserts the importance of returning travellers as sentinels of unknown outbreaks occurring in other countries, and highlights how the initial symptoms of dengue fever resemble those of other haemorrhagic fevers, hence the importance of prompt isolation of patients until a final diagnosis is reached.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Nisii
- WHO Collaborating Center for clinical care, diagnosis, response and training on Highly Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy.
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48
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Nisii C, Castilletti C, Di Caro A, Capobianchi MR, Brown D, Lloyd G, Gunther S, Lundkvist A, Pletschette M, Ippolito G. The European network of Biosafety-Level-4 laboratories: enhancing European preparedness for new health threats. Clin Microbiol Infect 2009; 15:720-6. [PMID: 19754729 PMCID: PMC7128751 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2009.02946.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Emerging and re-emerging infections and possible bioterrorism acts will continue to challenge both the medical community and civilian populations worldwide, urging health authorities to respond rapidly and effectively. Established in 2005, the European Community (EC)-funded European Network of Biosafety-Level-4 laboratories (Euronet-P4), which brings together the laboratories in Porton Down, London, Hamburg, Marburg, Solna, Lyon and Rome, seeks to increase international collaboration in the areas of high containment laboratory biosafety and viral diagnostic capability, to strengthen Europe's capacity to respond to an infectious disease emergency, and to offer assistance to countries not equipped with such costly facilities. Network partners have agreed on a common strategy to fill the gaps identified in the field of risk group-4 agents’ laboratory diagnosis, namely the lack of standardization and of reference samples. The network has received a further 3-year funding, to offer assistance to external laboratories, and to start the planning of field activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Nisii
- Infectious Disease Biorepository, National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani, 00149 Rome, Italy
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49
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Girardi E, Angeletti C, Puro V, Sorrentino R, Magnavita N, Vincenti D, Carrara S, Butera O, Ciufoli AM, Squarcione S, Ippolito G, Goletti D. Estimating diagnostic accuracy of tests for latent tuberculosis infection without a gold standard among healthcare workers. Euro Surveill 2009. [DOI: 10.2807/ese.14.43.19373-en] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Binary file ES_Abstracts_Final_ECDC.txt matches
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Affiliation(s)
- E Girardi
- Department of Epidemiology and Preclinical Research, Istituto Nazionale per le Malattie Infettive Lazzaro Spallanzani, IRCCS (National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani”), Rome, Italy
| | - C Angeletti
- Department of Epidemiology and Preclinical Research, Istituto Nazionale per le Malattie Infettive Lazzaro Spallanzani, IRCCS (National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani”), Rome, Italy
| | - V Puro
- Department of Epidemiology and Preclinical Research, Istituto Nazionale per le Malattie Infettive Lazzaro Spallanzani, IRCCS (National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani”), Rome, Italy
| | | | - N Magnavita
- Institute of Occcupational Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, (Catholic University), Rome, Italy
| | - D Vincenti
- Department of Epidemiology and Preclinical Research, Istituto Nazionale per le Malattie Infettive Lazzaro Spallanzani, IRCCS (National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani”), Rome, Italy
| | - S Carrara
- Department of Epidemiology and Preclinical Research, Istituto Nazionale per le Malattie Infettive Lazzaro Spallanzani, IRCCS (National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani”), Rome, Italy
| | - O Butera
- Department of Epidemiology and Preclinical Research, Istituto Nazionale per le Malattie Infettive Lazzaro Spallanzani, IRCCS (National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani”), Rome, Italy
| | - A M Ciufoli
- Office of the Hospital Director, Istituto Nazionale per le Malattie Infettive Lazzaro Spallanzani, IRCCS (National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani”), Rome, Italy
| | - S Squarcione
- Office of the Hospital Director, Istituto Nazionale per le Malattie Infettive Lazzaro Spallanzani, IRCCS (National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani”), Rome, Italy
| | - G Ippolito
- Department of Epidemiology and Preclinical Research, Istituto Nazionale per le Malattie Infettive Lazzaro Spallanzani, IRCCS (National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani”), Rome, Italy
| | - D Goletti
- Clinical Department, Istituto Nazionale per le Malattie Infettive Lazzaro Spallanzani, IRCCS (National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani”), Rome, Italy
- Department of Epidemiology and Preclinical Research, Istituto Nazionale per le Malattie Infettive Lazzaro Spallanzani, IRCCS (National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani”), Rome, Italy
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Girardi E, Angeletti C, Puro V, Sorrentino R, Magnavita N, Vincenti D, Carrara S, Butera O, Ciufoli AM, Squarcione S, Ippolito G, Goletti D. Estimating diagnostic accuracy of tests for latent tuberculosis infection without a gold standard among healthcare workers. Euro Surveill 2009; 14:19373. [PMID: 19883555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The evaluation of diagnostic accuracy of new in vitro diagnostic assays for tuberculosis infection has been hampered by the lack of a standard reference test. The aim of this study was to compare sensitivity and specificity of interferon gamma assays for latent tuberculosis infection by assessing the association of test results with tuberculosis occupational exposure and by using latent class analysis. We analysed data from 115 healthcare workers on whom tuberculin skin test (TST) and the following in vitro tests were performed: in-house ELISPOT for RD1 proteins, T.SPOT-TB and Quantiferon-TB Gold. Results of all tests were associated with increased occupational risk of exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but only TST was associated with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination. Sensitivity/specificity (95% confidence intervals) estimated by a latent class model were: 99.9%/64.2% (53.0-74.1) for TST, 95.3% (61.8-99.6)/87.5% (78.0-93.2) for in-house ELISPOT, 96.7% (69.3-99.7)/85.6%(75.3-92.0) for T.SPOT-TB, and 76.3% (55.9-89.1)/93.6% (85.4-97.3) for Quantiferon. The estimated specificity of in vitro assays was higher than that of TST also among individuals who were not BCG-vaccinated. In conclusion, when used in healthcare workers, in vitro assays may provide a significant increase of specificity for tuberculosis infection compared to TST, even among non vaccinated individuals, at the cost of some sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Girardi
- Department of Epidemiology and Preclinical Research, Istituto Nazionale per le Malattie Infettive Lazzaro Spallanzani, IRCCS (National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani), Rome, Italy.
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