Prevalence of hepatitis virus infections in Kosovar refugees

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Risk factors for HBV/HIV/HCV in drug addicts: a survey of attendees of a Department of Pathological Dependence

Introduction. This study aims to determine risk factors for the acquisition of HIV, HBV and HCV infections among Injection Drug Users (IDUs) who attended the out-patient clinic of the Department of Pathological Dependence at Bari Hospital in Bari Province (Italy). Methods. The study was conducted in the year 2008 using the information available in the out-patient files of 291 drug addicts who were undergoing treatment. Results. Their average age was 29.3 and 133 (45.7%) of them were affected by HIV/ HBV/ HCV. The use of injected heroin, being separated or divorced, and having committed a crime were found to be risk factors for infection by HIV/ HBV/ HCV, while having a school diploma or a university degree and the use of cannabinoids were negatively associated with the infective diseases. Discussion and conclusions. While the data from the Italian Departments of Pathological Dependence concerning HIV diffusion in treated patients have been showing a reduction in the number of cases of seropositivity, drug addiction in industrialized countries is still the second most important risk factor, after promiscuous sexual behaviour, for infection by parenteral transmission. Correct risk assessment is essential for the planning of effective strategies for primary and secondary prevention

Case report: Fulminant pneumococcal sepsis in an unvaccinated asplenic patient in Italy

We report a fatal case of overwhelming pneumococcal infection in an asplenic young adult not vaccinated against Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae). Post-mortem microbiological investigations revealed the presence of S. pneumoniae in blood samples and lungs. Serotyping by molecular methods identified the presence of a 6C serotype not comprised in the current 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine, highlighting that a risk of fatal infections may persist even in vaccinated splenectomised individuals

Genetic characterization of measles virus strains isolated during an epidemic cluster in Puglia, Italy 2006–2007

The genetic characterization of wild-type measles strains isolated during an epidemic cluster of measles occurred in Puglia (South Italy), between November 2006 and January 2007, was performed. Measles virus (MV) detection was carried out by a nested RT-PCR on 8 of 18 total cases. The viruses were analyzed using the standard genotyping protocols. The N gene sequences of the strains from outbreak were identical to each other, and sequence analysis revealed that the viruses belonged to genotype B3, subgroup B3.1, never identified before in Italy. An importation of measles B3.1 strains from Africa was hypothesized. Molecular surveillance will help to monitor the progress in measles elimination

Control of Hepatitis A by Universal Vaccination of Adolescents, Puglia, Italy

Control of Hepatitis A by Universal Vaccination of Adolescents, Puglia, Ital

Clonal spread of a unique strain of macrolide-resistant mycoplasma pneumoniae within a single family in Italy

Macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MR-MP) is an increasing problem worldwide. This study describes the clonal spread of a unique strain of MR-MP within a single family. On January 23, 2015, nasopharyngeal swabs and sputum samples were collected from the index case (a 9-year-old girl) in southern Italy. The patient had pneumonia and was initially treated with clarithromycin. MR-MP infection was suspected due to prolonged symptoms despite appropriate antibiotic therapy. Two further cases of pneumonia occurred in relatives (a 7-year-old cousin and the 36-year-old mother of the index case); therefore, respiratory samples were also collected from other family members. Sequence analysis identified mutations associated with resistance to macrolides. Both P1 major adhesion protein typing and multiple loci variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) typing were performed to assess the relatedness of the strains. The index case, the cousin, the mother, and another 4 family members (twin siblings of the index case, a 3-year-old cousin, and the grandmother) were positive for MR-MP. All strains harbored the mutation A2063G, had the same P1 subtype (1), and were MLVA (7/4/5/7/2) type Z. In addition, the index case's aunt (31 years of age and the probable source of infection) harbored an M pneumoniae strain with the same molecular profile; however, this strain was susceptible to macrolides. This cluster of MR-MP infection/carriage caused by a clonal strain suggests a high transmission rate within this family and highlights the need for increased awareness among clinicians regarding the circulation of MR-MP. Novel strategies for the treatment and prevention of M pneumoniae infections are required

Malignant cancer mortality in Province of Taranto (Italy). Geographic analysis in an area of high environmental risk

Background. A geographic analysis of the causes of death is an important tool for assessing the effectiveness of Public Health initiatives. The aim of this study is to analyse the causes of death between 2000 and 2004, to discover any excess mortality from can- cer in Province of Taranto, an area at high environmental risk. Methods. Mortality data from cancer were selected from the Puglia Regional Nominative Causes of Death Registry. Crude and standardized rates and Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMR) were calculated for the five Provinces of the Puglia Region, their capital cities and in four concentric rings around the industrial area located in Province of Taranto. Results. Even if the highest death rate for all tumours resulted in the Province of Lecce (24.9 x 10,000), in the cities of Lecce and Bari (29 x 10,000), the distribution of the SMRs in Province of Taranto showed an excess of mortality (+10%) in the ring next to industrial area. For lung cancer the highest rate was reported in city of Taranto (6 x10,000) and the highest risk (+24%) in the ring next to industrial area. Moreover, in this area 9 (70%) of the 13 considered malignant tumours types presented an excess of mortality. Conclusion. The results uphold the data reported in the pub- lished literature. It is fundamental to intensify research into other risk factors (exposure at work and aberrant lifestyles). Moreover, there is an increasing need for a Regional Cancer Register