Genome analysis of Legionella pneumophila ST23 from various countries reveals highly similar strains

© 2022 Ricci et al. This article is available under a CreativeCommons License (Attribution 4.0 International, as described at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 (Lp1) sequence type (ST) 23 is one of the most commonly detected STs in Italy where it currently causes all investigated outbreaks. ST23 has caused both epidemic and sporadic cases between 1995 and 2018 and was analysed at genomic level and compared with ST23 isolated in other countries to determine possible similarities and differences. A core genome multi-locus sequence typing (cgMLST), based on a previously described set of 1,521 core genes, and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) approaches were applied to an ST23 collection including genomes from Italy, France, Denmark and Scotland. DNAs were automatically extracted, libraries prepared using NextEra library kit and MiSeq sequencing performed. Overall, 63 among clinical and environmental Italian Lp1 isolates and a further seven and 11 ST23 from Denmark and Scotland, respectively, were sequenced, and pangenome analysed. Both cgMLST and SNPs analyses showed very few loci and SNP variations in ST23 genomes. All the ST23 causing outbreaks and sporadic cases in Italy and elsewhere, were phylogenetically related independent of year, town or country of isolation. Distances among the ST23s were further shortened when SNPs due to horizontal gene transfers were removed. The Lp1 ST23 isolated in Italy have kept their monophyletic origin, but they are phylogenetically close also to ST23 from other countries. The ST23 are quite widespread in Italy, and a thorough epidemiological investigation is compelled to determine sources of infection when this ST is identified in both LD sporadic cases and outbreaks.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

[Epidemiology and surveillance of hepatitis E in Italy: data from the SEIEVA surveillance system 2007-2019]

hepatitis E is a disease spread all over the world, with endemic levels varying according to ecological and socioeconomic factors. In developing countries, large epidemics spread mainly through contaminated water; in developed countries, hepatitis E has always been considered a sporadic disease, closely associated to the travels to endemic areas, especially in Southeastern Asia. In the last years, this perception is significantly changing, because of an increasing number of autochthonous cases reported in many European countries

Acute Delta Hepatitis in Italy spanning three decades (1991–2019): Evidence for the effectiveness of the hepatitis B vaccination campaign

Updated incidence data of acute Delta virus hepatitis (HDV) are lacking worldwide. Our aim was to evaluate incidence of and risk factors for acute HDV in Italy after the introduction of the compulsory vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 1991. Data were obtained from the National Surveillance System of acute viral hepatitis (SEIEVA). Independent predictors of HDV were assessed by logistic-regression analysis. The incidence of acute HDV per 1-million population declined from 3.2 cases in 1987 to 0.04 in 2019, parallel to that of acute HBV per 100,000 from 10.0 to 0.39 cases during the same period. The median age of cases increased from 27 years in the decade 1991-1999 to 44 years in the decade 2010-2019 (p < .001). Over the same period, the male/female ratio decreased from 3.8 to 2.1, the proportion of coinfections increased from 55% to 75% (p = .003) and that of HBsAg positive acute hepatitis tested for by IgM anti-HDV linearly decreased from 50.1% to 34.1% (p < .001). People born abroad accounted for 24.6% of cases in 2004-2010 and 32.1% in 2011-2019. In the period 2010-2019, risky sexual behaviour (O.R. 4.2; 95%CI: 1.4-12.8) was the sole independent predictor of acute HDV; conversely intravenous drug use was no longer associated (O.R. 1.25; 95%CI: 0.15-10.22) with this. In conclusion, HBV vaccination was an effective measure to control acute HDV. Intravenous drug use is no longer an efficient mode of HDV spread. Testing for IgM-anti HDV is a grey area requiring alert. Acute HDV in foreigners should be monitored in the years to come

Strategy to reduce adverse health outcomes in subjects highly vulnerable to COVID-19: results from a population-based study in Northern Italy

Objectives This study describes a new strategy to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on the elderly and other clinically vulnerable subjects, where general practitioners (GPs) play an active role in managing high-risk patients, reducing adverse health outcomes.Design Retrospective cohort study.Setting Population-based study including subjects resident in the province of Milan and Lodi.Participants 127 735 residents older than 70 years, with specific chronic conditions.Interventions We developed a predictive algorithm for overall mortality risk based on demographic and clinical characteristics. All residents older than 70 years were classified as being at low or high risk of death from COVID-19 infection according to the algorithm. The high-risk group was assigned to their GPs for telephone triage and consultation. The high-risk cohort was divided into two groups based on GP intervention: patients who were not contacted and patients who were contacted by their GPs.Outcome measures Overall mortality, COVID-19 morbidity and hospitalisation.Results Patients with increased risk of death from COVID-19 were 127 735; 495 669 patients were not at high risk and were not included in the intervention. Out of the high-risk subjects, 79 110 were included but not contacted by their GPs, while 48 625 high-risk subjects were included and contacted. Overall mortality, morbidity and hospitalisation was higher in high-risk patients compared with low-risk populations. High-risk patients contacted by their GPs had a 50% risk reduction in COVID-19 mortality, and a 70% risk reduction in morbidity and hospitalisation for COVID-19 compared with non-contacted patients.Conclusions The study showed that, during the COVID-19 outbreak, involvement of GPs and changes in care management of high-risk groups produced a significant reduction in all adverse health outcomes

Photocatalytic activity and synthesis procedures of TiO2 nanoparticles for potential applications in membranes

This chapter overviews the photocatalytic process, titanium dioxide (TiO2) oxidative action, the environmental/human health risks associated with the use of this semiconductor. TiO2 nanoparticles can be efficiently prepared by different synthesis methods, which include the sol-gel, hydrothermal and solvothermal techniques. Among these three methods, the sol-gel has been widely applied for the nanostructured TiO2 synthesis, while the hydrothermal and solvothermal techniques are important tools for the TiO2 nanoparticles synthesis for electronics and ceramics. The TiO2 incorporation in/on the polymeric membrane also allows the reduction of fouling and at the same time highly improves water permeability and self-cleaning ability. Photocatalysis is a challenging and low-cost technique for water and air treatment, for the destruction of microorganisms, for medical applications and for hydrogen production via water splitting. New perspectives exist in the TiO2 photocatalysis area, which require systematic evaluation, as the research results should offer advantages in terms of economic costs and environmental impact for the commercial sector

Tuberculosis Outbreak in a Primary School, Milan, Italy

Investigation of an outbreak of tuberculosis (TB) in a primary school in Milan, Italy, found 15 schoolchildren had active TB disease and 173 had latent TB infection. TB was also identified in 2 homeless men near the school. Diagnostic delay, particularly in the index case-patient, contributed to the transmission of infection

Novel Photocatalytic PVDF/Nano-TiO2 Hollow Fibers for Environmental Remediation

Polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) mixed matrix membranes loaded with inorganic TiO2 nanoparticles have received increasing attention in the last few years as self-cleaning membranes for possible application in wastewater treatment and seawater filtration. These novel membranes show increased hydrophilicity, stability and catalytic activity under UV-A irradiation. In this work, PVDF-TiO2 hollow fibers were prepared by employing new strategies for enhancing the stability of the TiO2 dispersion, reducing particle agglomeration and improving their distribution. The spinning conditions for producing ultrafiltration hollow fiber membranes from PVDF material and nano-TiO2 were investigated. Finally, the optimized fibers have been characterized and tested for methylene blue (MB) degradation in water and salty seawater, revealing good permeability, long-term stability under UV-A irradiation, and photo-catalytic activity in both test solutions

Lack of viable parasites in cured ‘Parma Ham’ (PDO), following experimental Toxoplasma gondii infection of pigs

Twelve Large White pigs were experimentally infected with 1000 Toxoplasma gondii oocysts/each. Serology was carried out at different time points post infection (p.i.) and animals were slaughtered at four months p.i. One of two thighs was examined for T. gondii infection status by PCR and bioassay in mice. The other thigh was processed for Parma ham production. Four thighs were examined after twelve months of curing, four after fourteen months and four were examined after sixteen months. Cured hams were analyzed by PCR, bioassay and in-vitro cultivation on Vero cells followed by real-time PCR. Pigs seroconverted from day 21 p.i. Bioassays were positive for all fresh thighs, but negative for cured hams. PCR was positive for parasite DNA from most thighs both at slaughter and post curing, but parasite growth was not observed following in vitro cultivation and real-time PCR. Results indicate that the curing process of Parma Ham (PDO), when carried out according to the Parma Ham consortium regulations, can inactivate T. gondii tissue cysts. Results would suggest that food-borne transmission of T. gondii to consumers from Parma ham can be excluded. © 2017 Elsevier Lt

Tuberculosis Outbreak in a Primary School, Milan, Italy

Investigation of an outbreak of tuberculosis (TB) in a primary school in Milan, Italy, found 15 schoolchildren had active TB disease and 173 had latent TB infection. TB was also identified in 2 homeless men near the school. Diagnostic delay, particularly in the index case-patient, contributed to the transmission of infection