Asymptomatic patients as a source of transmission of COVID-19 in homeless shelters

Objectives: Asymptomatic carriers account for over a third of all Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) cases and are characterized by the absence of symptoms but the same infectivity as symptomatic infections. The high percentage of asymptomatic COVID-19 patients is significant in settings with specific vulnerabilities, such as homeless shelters, where the consequences of an outbreak may be dramatic. In this work, we briefly report our experience on residents and staff of homeless shelters in the City of Rome, Italy, with a particular focus on asymptomatic transmission, and compare it with the available evidence. Methods: We performed routine Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nasopharyngeal swab tests in all residents and staff of homeless shelters managed by the Eleemosynaria Apostolica of the Vatican City State in the city of Rome, Italy, in addition to daily symptom screening, body temperature monitoring, and application of other prevention measures. Results: We evaluated 298 persons and identified twelve positive cases (4%). Most of the positive cases (75%) were asymptomatic, while only three patients reported symptoms that included fever, diarrhea, and cough. Conclusions: Our data confirm the importance of early identification of asymptomatic carriers that could, in vulnerable conditions such as homeless shelters, spread the infection and cause outbreaks with severe consequences on individual and public health

Effectiveness of Systemic Therapies in Patients with Obesity and Psoriasis: A Single-center Retrospective Study

This retrospective study included 63 patients with obesity (Body Mass Index; BMI ≥ 30) and psoriasis. Our aim was to verify the effectiveness of different systemic therapies administered to the above cohort of subjects over a period of 1 year. Improvements of 75%, 90%. and 100% compared with the baseline Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI 75, PASI 90, and PASI 100, respectively) were used as clinical outcome measures. In a median time of 16 weeks, 85.7%, 68.2%, and 38.0% of patients achieved PASI 75, PASI 90, and PASI 100, respectively. In parallel, the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the visual analog score for measuring itch intensity (VAS itch) decreased significantly (P<0.0001 for both parameters). At the achievement of PASI 75, BMI increased as compared to baseline (P=0.02) and did not significantly vary at the attainment of PASI 90 and PASI 100 (P= 0.07 for both outcomes). Logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that treatment with biologic drugs was a positive predictor for achieving PASI 75, PASI 90, and PASI 100. BMI >31.7 and the presence of psoriatic arthritis were negative predictors for the achievement of PASI 90, while having a DLQI >6 was a positive predicto

Effectiveness of Systemic Therapies in Patients with Obesity and Psoriasis: A Single-center Retrospective Study

This retrospective study included 63 patients with obesity (Body Mass Index; BMI ≥ 30) and psoriasis. Our aim was to verify the effectiveness of different systemic therapies administered to the above cohort of subjects over a period of 1 year. Improvements of 75%, 90%. and 100% compared with the baseline Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI 75, PASI 90, and PASI 100, respectively) were used as clinical outcome measures. In a median time of 16 weeks, 85.7%, 68.2%, and 38.0% of patients achieved PASI 75, PASI 90, and PASI 100, respectively. In parallel, the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the visual analog score for measuring itch intensity (VAS itch) decreased significantly (P<0.0001 for both parameters). At the achievement of PASI 75, BMI increased as compared to baseline (P=0.02) and did not significantly vary at the attainment of PASI 90 and PASI 100 (P= 0.07 for both outcomes). Logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that treatment with biologic drugs was a positive predictor for achieving PASI 75, PASI 90, and PASI 100. BMI >31.7 and the presence of psoriatic arthritis were negative predictors for the achievement of PASI 90, while having a DLQI >6 was a positive predicto

Porphyria cutanea tarda in an HCV-positive liver transplant patient: a case report

Introduction. Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is the most common type of porphyria. The strong association between PCT and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is well established. Although antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis C may improve PCT in some cases, de novo onset of PCT has been observed in patients undergoing peginterferon/ribavirin treatment. We present a rare case of a genotype 3 HCV-positive liver transplant recipient who developed PCT during antiviral treatment and discuss its probable etiopathogenesis. Case presentation. A genotype 3 HCV-positive liver transplant recipient, a 42-year-old man, was treated with peginterferon alfa-2a (180 µg/week) combined with ribavirin (1,200 mg/day) for recurrence of HCV infection after liver transplantation. He presented with hyperferritinemia but tested negative for genetic hemochromatosis (C282Y and H63D mutations). During antiviral therapy, he developed skin lesions on his hands characterized by vesicles and erosions consistent with PCT. PCT was confirmed by skin biopsy and elevated urinary uroporphyrin levels (1,469 mg/24 h). He was treated with chloroquine (200 mg) twice weekly, resulting in gradual regression of the skin lesions. Antiviral treatment was stopped after 48 weeks, and the patient achieved a sustained virological response. In conclusion, we report an extremely rare case of PCT in a genotype 3 HCV-positive liver transplant patient treated with antiviral therapy. We believe that the combination of HCV genotype 3 infection; hemolysis due to ribavirin treatment; and increased plasma levels of cytokines, such as IL-6 and TNFα, could have altered the patient's iron metabolism and thus caused PCT

Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 infection through rapid serology testing in the homeless population in the City of Rome, Italy. Preliminary results

Background: The development of COVID-19 pandemic has affected all segments of the population; however, it had a significant impact on vulnerable subjects, such as in people experiencing homelessness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of COVID-19 spread in homeless persons in the city of Rome, Italy. &nbsp;Design and Methods: Patients included in the study underwent a clinical evaluation and rapid antibody analysis on capillary blood for the presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 virus. Symptomatic patients were not included in the screening and immediately referred to local hospitals for further evaluation.Results: One-hundred seventy-three patients of both sexes were tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection through rapid serological test. Age range was 8-80 years; people came from 35 different countries of origin and 4 continents. Test results were negative for most patients (170-98.2%); two patients had positive IgM (1.2%) and one patient had positive IgG (0.6%).Conclusions: Our study is the first to evaluate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in people experiencing homelessness in the city of Rome, Italy. Most patients were negative for COVID-19, although several factors may have had an impact on this result, such as the exclusion of symptomatic patients, the limited sensitivity of rapid serological tests in the initial stage of infection and the prevention measures adopted in these populations. Larger studies on fragile populations are needed to prevent and intercept new clusters of infection in the upcoming months

A case of furuncular myiasis in an Italian patient: a "travel souvenir"

Furuncular myiasis is a parasitosis of the skin that is commonly reported in the tropical areas and is caused by various agents including Dermatobia hominis. Knowledge of myiasis is limited in Italy, resulting in difficulties in its diagnosis and treatment. We report a case of imported furuncular myiasis in a 48 year old Italian patient who returned from Peru. A third stage larva of D. hominis was identified and the diagnosis of myiasis was confirmed

High Frequency of Symptomatic Zinc Deficiency in Infants in Northern Ethiopia

Background. Zinc deficiency occurs in infants when its demand exceeds its supply. It presents with cutaneous signs which, in severe cases, are associated with diarrhea, alopecia, and irritability. Genetic and acquired forms of zinc deficiency have been reported and often overlap clinical features. Malnutrition, prematurity, malabsorption syndromes, and burns may cause an increased demand for zinc. Methods. Cases of acquired transient infantile zinc deficiency (TIZD) observed during a period of 3 years at Ayder Referral Hospital of Mekelle, Northern Ethiopia, are reported here. Since no sophisticated tests were available at our center, the diagnosis was based on the clinical signs and prompt response to oral zinc supplementation. Results. We observed 18 cases of TIZD at our center. All patients were full-term and breastfeeding infants with no relevant associated diseases. Conclusions. In this region, a high incidence of this condition is observed. We could not rule out whether heterozygosity for the genetic mutation was present or that the disease was caused by a nutritional deficiency in the mothers or more probably because both the factors coexisted together. However, further studies are necessary to better understand the causes of the increased incidence of this disease in Northern Ethiopia

Continuing evidence that COVID-19 has influenced syphilis epidemiology in Rome

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