Time to change the single-centre approach to management of patients with tuberculosis: a novel network platform with automatic data import and data sharing

Time to change the single-centre approach to TB http://ow.ly/lCeM30hBcbB

History of schistosomiasis (bilharziasis) in humans: from Egyptian medical papyri to molecular biology on mummies

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection that has evolved together with the humankind. Evidence in ancient Egyptian medical papyri or Assyrian medical texts reported signs and symptoms that could resemble schistosomiasis; similarly, some biblical passages describe an epidemic (depicted as a 'curse') that has been hypothesized to be associated with schistosomiasis' spread in Mesopotamia. In the modern era, Theodor Maximilian Bilharz and Patrick Manson (the 'father of tropical medicine') gave an impetus to the knowledge about the parasite and its spread until the present time, when immunoassays and molecular biology on mummies allowed retracing important milestones regarding schistosomiasis' evolution. Schistosomiasis affects more than 200 millions of people worldwide and it is an emblem of how hard it is to prevent, control and treat neglected tropical diseases. Our work reviews the history of schistosomiasis with regard to human infections

Acute histoplasmosis in travelers: a retrospective study in an Italian referral center for tropical diseases

Purpose: Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection acquired through inhalation of Histoplasma capsulatum microconidia, mostly present in the Americas. Both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients can present a wide spectrum of signs/symptoms, ranging from mild disease to a severe, disseminated infection. The aim of this observational study is to describe histoplasmosis cases diagnosed in travelers and their clinical/radiological and therapeutic pattern.Methods: Retrospective study at the Department of Infectious - Tropical Diseases and Microbiology (DITM) of Negrar, Verona, Italy, between January 2005 and December 2015.Results: Twenty-three cases of acute histoplasmosis were diagnosed, 17 of which belong to the same cluster. Seven of the 23 patients (30.4%) were admitted to hospital, four of whom underwent invasive diagnostic procedures. Thirteen patients (56.5%) received oral itraconazole. All patients recovered, although nine (39.1%) had radiological persisting lung nodules at 12 month follow up.Conclusions: Clinical, laboratory and radiological features of histoplasmosis can mimic other conditions, resulting in unnecessary invasive diagnostic procedures. However, a history of travel to endemic areas and of exposure to risk factors (such as visits to caves and presence of bats) should trigger the clinical suspicion of histoplasmosis. Treatment may be indicated in severe or prolonged disease

Sensitivity, Specificity and Predictive Values of Molecular and Serological Tests for COVID-19: A Longitudinal Study in Emergency Room

We assessed the sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive value (PPV and NPV) of molecular and serological tests for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection

Tick-borne encephalitis in Europe: a brief update on epidemiology, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is an emerging health threat that is spreading in many parts of Europe. The mix of socio-economical, ecological and climatic factors as well as the presence of more susceptible hosts is actively contributing to the increasing number of TBE reported cases. TBE is an important cause of central nervous system (CNS) infection that can result in long-term neurological sequelae and even death. Diagnosis of TBE relays mainly on high clinical suspicion confirmed by serological and molecular assays both on serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with an ancillary role for neuroimaging in supporting the diagnosis. No specific antiviral treatment is currently available for TBE; indeed, supportive treatment as well as intensive care and assisted ventilation in severe forms may be needed. Because of limited option for TBE treatment, of crucial importance is effective vaccination to prevent disease-related morbidity and mortality. Due to expanding proportion of subject possibly exposed to TBE (and new populations such as: unaware travellers to TBE-endemic areas and immunocompromised patients), we performed a comprehensive review of TBE epidemiology, clinical presentation, current available diagnostic tools and treatment. \ua9 201

Therapeutic Options for Infections due to vanB Genotype Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci

Enterococci are ubiquitous, facultative, anaerobic Gram-positive bacteria that mainly reside, as part of the normal microbiota, in the gastrointestinal tracts of several animal species, including humans. These bacteria have the capability to turn from a normal gut commensal organism to an invasive pathogen in patients debilitated by prolonged hospitalization, concurrent illnesses, and/or exposed to broad-spectrum antibiotics. The majority of vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) infections are linked to the vanA genotype; however, outbreaks caused by vanB-type VREs have been increasingly reported, representing a new challenge for effective antimicrobial treatment. Teicoplanin, daptomycin, fosfomycin, and linezolid are useful antimicrobials for infections due to vanB enterococci. In addition, new drugs have been developed (e.g., dalbavancin, telavancin, and tedizolid), new molecules will soon be available (e.g., eravacycline, omadacycline, and oritavancin), and new treatment strategies are progressively being used in clinical practice (e.g., combination therapies and bacteriophages). The aim of this article is to discuss the pathogenesis of infections due to enterococci harboring the vanB operon (vanBVRE) and their therapeutic, state-of-the-art, and future treatment options and provide a comprehensive and easy to use review for clinical purposes

Predictors of retention in care in HIV-infected patients in a large hospital cohort in Italy

Retention in care is a key feature of the cascade of continuum of care, playing an important role in achieving therapeutic success and being crucial for reduction of HIV transmission. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of retention in care in a large referral centre in the North of Italy and to identify predictors associated with failed retention. All new HIV-infected subjects were consecutive enrolled from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2014. Demographics, immune-virological status, hepatitis co-infection and timing of initiation of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) data were collected at baseline and at the time of last observation. Failed retention in care was defined as lack of laboratory data, clinical visits and drug dispensation for more than 6 months from the last visit. Cox regression analysis was used. Multivariate analysis of variables with P<0.05 in univariate analysis was performed. We enrolled 269 patients (mean age 46.1 years). Males were 197 (73%), Italian 219 (81%) with mean length of disease of 5.1 years. cART was prescribed for 257 patients (95%). The rate of retention in care was 78.4% and the rate of virological suppression was 75%. Predictors of being loss to follow-up were foreign origin (P = 0.048), CD4+ count <200/mmc (P = 0.001) and not being treated for HIV infection (P = 0.0004). Predictors of cART efficacy were shorter duration of HIV infection and baseline HIV-RNA <100 000 copies/ml. These findings underline the necessity to improve retention in care by identifying groups at increased risk of being loss to follow-up. Retention in care of vulnerable population is crucial to reach 90-90-90 UNAIDS endpoint