Anal HPV prevalence in individuals with and without other concomitant sexually transmitted infections.

The association between human papillomavirus (HPV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in anal lesions still remains unclear. Aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of simultaneous infection of HPV and Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium, and Trichomonas vaginalis in individuals screened for HPV anal infection. A total of 507 anal samples were tested for both anal HPV and STIs: 16% resulted positive for one or more non-HPV STIs. Specifically, C. trachomatis, M. genitalium, and N. gonorrhoeae were detected in 8%, 5%, and 4% of cases, respectively. Two groups were considered, including a positive STI group and a negative STI group. The prevalence of HPV was similar in patients in both groups: high risk (HR)-HPV and low risk (LR)-HPV were 67% and 53% versus 62% (p = 0.361) and 54% (p = 0.864) of patients, respectively. However, HPV 16, 18, 35, 51, 59, and 69 were significantly more frequent in patients tested positive for other STIs versus HPV infection alone (p < 0.05). No significant differences between the two groups were observed in vaccination coverage, 28% versus 32% (p = 0.463), and HIV status, 86% versus 84% (p = 0.658). The study shows that the overall HPV status is not directly correlated to other STIs in the investigated population, except for certain HPV types, including HR-HPV 16, reinforcing the urge for a greater vaccination coverage.

High prevalence of high-risk HPV genotypes in individuals attending an infectious diseases clinic from 2018 to 2022 in Milan, Italy.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection, linked to several types of lesions. HPV, specifically HPV 16, accounts for most of anal cancer cases. In this study, we evaluated the proportion of samples tested positive for HPV and characterized genotypes distribution in anal specimens collected from individuals at risk of anal HPV infection attending from 2018 to 2022 a large Infectious Diseases Department in Italy. The presence of HPV DNA was investigated through a commercial kit detecting 12 HR-HPV, 8 probable/possible HR-HPV, and 8 LR-HPV genotypes. Among 1514 samples, 84% (1266/1514) resulted positive for any type of HPV. The prevalence of high-risk HPV types remained high during all the years of the study period, from 2018 to 2022, ranging from 65% to 73%. Most of HR-HPV, LR-HPV and HPV 16 positive samples were collected from men >45 years. HPV 16 was also the most frequent type in men and women. We did not observe significant variations between years in detection of HR-HPV, instead of LR-HPV, that significantly decreased. In conclusion, the high prevalence of oncogenic HPV genotypes underlines the necessity of clear anal HPV screening guidelines and, along with frequent HR-HPV coinfections, reinforces the urge to intensify the anti-HPV vaccination campaign.

High-throughput peptide array analysis and computational techniques for serological profiling of flavivirus infections: Implications for diagnostics and vaccine development.

Arthropod-borne viruses, such as dengue virus (DENV), pose significant global health threats, with DENV alone infecting around 400 million people annually and causing outbreaks beyond endemic regions. This study aimed to enhance serological diagnosis and discover new drugs by identifying immunogenic protein regions of DENV. Utilizing a comprehensive approach, the study focused on peptides capable of distinguishing DENV from other flavivirus infections through serological analyses. Over 200 patients with confirmed arbovirus infection were profiled using high-density pan flavivirus peptide arrays comprising 6253 peptides and the computational method matrix of local coupling energy (MLCE). Twenty-four peptides from nonstructural and structural viral proteins were identified as specifically recognized by individuals with DENV infection. Six peptides were confirmed to distinguish DENV from Zika virus (ZIKV), West Nile virus (WNV), Yellow Fever virus (YFV), Usutu virus (USUV), and Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infections, as well as healthy controls. Moreover, the combination of two immunogenic peptides emerged as a potential serum biomarker for DENV infection. These peptides, mapping to highly accessible regions on protein structures, show promise for diagnostic and prophylactic strategies against flavivirus infections. The described methodology holds broader applicability in the serodiagnosis of infectious diseases.

First imported case of Candida auris infection in Milan, Italy: genomic characterisation.

PURPOSE: Candida auris, an emerging multidrug-resistant yeast, has been reported worldwide. In Italy, the first case was reported in 2019. We describe the first case of C. auris, imported from Greece, in Milan, using whole genome sequencing to characterise mutations associated with antifungal resistance. CASE PRESENTATION: On October 2022 an 80-year-old Italian man was hospitalised in Greece. In the absence of clinical improvement, the patient was transferred to our hospital, in Italy, where blood culture resulted positive for C. auris. Despite therapy, the patient died of septic shock. In a phylogenetic analysis the genome was assigned to Clade I with strains from Kenya, United Arab Emirates and India. D1/D2 region resulted identical to a Greek strain, as for many other strains from different World regions, highlighting the diffusion of this strain. CONCLUSION: Importation of C. auris from abroad has been previously described. We report the first case of C. auris imported into Italy from Greece, according to phylogenetic analysis. This case reinforces the need for monitoring critically ill hospitalised patients also for fungi and addresses the need for the standardisation of susceptibility testing and strategies for diagnosis and therapy.

Mpox DNA clearance in semen over 6-month follow-up.

Sexual intercourse is a well-established way of transmission of mpox infection. However, it is still uncertain whether semen may represent a viral reservoir. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clearance of viral DNA in semen samples from individuals diagnosed with mpox infection over 6-month follow-up. This prospective, observational, single-center study was conducted at IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy, between May and October 2022 in 140 individuals who attended Sexual Health Clinic and diagnosed with mpox infection. Semen samples were collected and analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction assays. The baseline collection was performed in 64 (46%) of 140 men diagnosed with mpox infection. The viral DNA was detected in 43 (67%) with median cycle threshold (Ct) 34 (interquartile range [IQR] 31-36). The research was repeated in 32 (74%) and viral DNA clearance was observed in all within 6 months in a median time of 10.5 days (IQR 7-33). Viral clearance occurred in all tested individuals, mostly within 2 weeks since the first positive test. These findings suggest a transient presence of viral DNA in semen and do not support the hypothesis of reservoir. More studies on mpox DNA detection in semen with viral culture and extended follow-up are needed.

Concomitant diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections and human monkeypox in patients attending a sexual health clinic in Milan, Italy.

In 2022, many monkeypox (MPX) outbreaks have been documented in countries where MPX was not endemic. It spread all around the world, especially in European Union and United States. While MPX is classically considered to be transmitted through close contact with lesions, the hypothesis of sexual transmission has been proposed. This study considered a total of 49 patients suspected for MPX that were also tested for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium, and Trichomonas vaginalis. The data from coinfected patients suggested that MPXV and STIs might share the same route of inoculum, corroborating the hypothesis of possible sexual transmission for the emerging poxvirus. And like any other STI, MPX should be considered without stigmatization.

First Identification of the New Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Omicron Variant (B.1.1.529) in Italy.

We identified the first case in Italy of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) B.1.1.529 variant, using whole-genome sequencing in an Italian subject traveling from Mozambique. Specific mutation profiles deserve further investigations to clarify potential effects on vaccination efficacy. This case highlights the crucial role of rapid and continuous surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 variant circulation.

SARS-CoV-2 in the knee joint: a cadaver study.

OBJECTIVES: Despite the considerable research efforts being made to learn more about COVID-19, little is known about the presence of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material in biological fluids other than respiratory droplets, blood, and feces. The aim of this post-mortem study was to assess the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the knee synovial fluid, synovial tissue, and bone tissue of COVID-19 patients in order to discover whether the joint is a possible route of transmission during orthopaedic surgical procedures, and clarify the possible role of SARS-CoV-2 as a directly arthritogenic virus. METHODS: Post-mortem synovial fluid, synovial tissue and bone tissue samples were collected from the knees of five patients who died of COVID-19 in our hospital between September and October 2020, and analysed for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 using a commercial real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) panel. Quantitative RT-PCR was used to test post-mortem nasopharyngeal swabs of all of the patients. RESULTS: No SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in any of the knee samples, despite the positivity of the throat swab. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that SARS-CoV-2 was not detected in knee synovial fluid, synovial membrane or bone. This makes it unlikely that these are potential sources of contagion, and suggests that SARS-CoV-2 is not directly arthritogenic.

Eradication of a Multidrug-Resistant, Carbapenemase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolate Following Oral and Intra-rectal Therapy With a Custom Made, Lytic Bacteriophage Preparation.

In July 2017, a patient presented colonization with a multidrug-resistant, carbapenemase (KPC-3)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate. A custom-made, lytic bacteriophage preparation was administered to the patient in December 2017, with subsequent eradication of the microorganism and without adverse effects.

Compassionate remdesivir treatment of severe Covid-19 pneumonia in intensive care unit (ICU) and Non-ICU patients: Clinical outcome and differences in post-treatment hospitalisation status.

SARS-CoV-2 is causing an increasing number of deaths worldwide because no effective treatment is currently available. Remdesivir has shown in vitro activity against coronaviruses and is a possible antiviral treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection. This prospective (compassionate), open-label study of remdesivir, which was conducted at Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy, between February 23 and March 20, 2020, involved patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia aged ≥18 years undergoing mechanical ventilation or with an oxygen saturation level of ≤94 % in air or a National Early Warning Score 2 of ≥4. The primary outcome was the change in clinical status based on a 7-category ordinal scale (1 = not hospitalised, resuming normal daily activities; 7 = deceased). The 35 patients enrolled from February 23 to March 20, 2020, included 18 in intensive care unit (ICU), and 17 in our infectious diseases ward (IDW). The 10-day course of remdesivir was completed by 22 patients (63 %) and discontinued by 13, of whom eight (22.8 %) discontinued because of adverse events. The median follow-up was 39 days (IQR 25-44). At day 28, 14 (82.3 %) patients from IDW were discharged, two were still hospitalized and one died (5.9 %), whereas in ICU 6 (33.3 %) were discharged, 8 (44.4 %) patients died, three (16.7 %) were still mechanically ventilated and one (5.6 %) was improved but still hospitalized. Hypertransaminasemia and acute kidney injury were the most frequent severe adverse events observed (42.8 % and 22.8 % of the cases, respectively). Our data suggest that remdesivir can benefit patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia hospitalised outside ICU where clinical outcome was better and adverse events are less frequently observed. Ongoing randomised controlled trials will clarify its real efficacy and safety, who to treat, and when.

Whole genome and phylogenetic analysis of two SARS-CoV-2 strains isolated in Italy in January and February 2020: additional clues on multiple introductions and further circulation in Europe.

Whole genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 obtained from two patients, a Chinese tourist visiting Rome and an Italian, were compared with sequences from Europe and elsewhere. In a phylogenetic tree, the Italian patient's sequence clustered with sequences from Germany while the tourist's sequence clustered with other European sequences. Some additional European sequences in the tree segregated outside the two clusters containing the patients' sequences. This suggests multiple SARS-CoV-2 introductions in Europe or virus evolution during circulation.

Microbial biofilm correlates with an increased antibiotic tolerance and poor therapeutic outcome in infective endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis (IE) is associated with high rates of mortality. Prolonged treatments with high-dose intravenous antibiotics often fail to eradicate the infection, frequently leading to high-risk surgical intervention. By providing a mechanism of antibiotic tolerance, which escapes conventional antibiotic susceptibility profiling, microbial biofilm represents a key diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for clinicians. This study aims at assessing a rapid biofilm identification assay and a targeted antimicrobial susceptibility profile of biofilm-growing bacteria in patients with IE, which were unresponsive to antibiotic therapy. RESULTS: Staphylococcus aureus was the most common isolate (50%), followed by Enterococcus faecalis (25%) and Streptococcus gallolyticus (25%). All microbial isolates were found to be capable of producing large, structured biofilms in vitro. As expected, antibiotic treatment either administered on the basis of antibiogram or chosen empirically among those considered first-line antibiotics for IE, including ceftriaxone, daptomycin, tigecycline and vancomycin, was not effective at eradicating biofilm-growing bacteria. Conversely, antimicrobial susceptibility profile of biofilm-growing bacteria indicated that teicoplanin, oxacillin and fusidic acid were most effective against S. aureus biofilm, while ampicillin was the most active against S. gallolyticus and E. faecalis biofilm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that biofilm-producing bacteria, from surgically treated IE, display a high tolerance to antibiotics, which is undetected by conventional antibiograms. The rapid identification and antimicrobial tolerance profiling of biofilm-growing bacteria in IE can provide key information for both antimicrobial therapy and prevention strategies.

Genomic Characterization of an ST1153 PVL-producing Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Clinical Isolate in Italy.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clones are rapidly increasing beyond the hospital into the community, livestock farming and environmental settings. An Italian man, a professional diver working in Egypt, was admitted to Infectious Diseases Clinic-ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco for ulcerative skin lesions. An MRSA strain was isolated from the lesions' purulent exudate and the nasal colonization was also ascertained. The strain, characterized by whole genome sequencing, resulted to be Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) positive, SCCmecI - spa-type t504, and belonging to the sequence type 1153, sporadically described worldwide.

Detection of ST1702 Escherichia coli blaNDM-5 and blaCMY-42 genes positive isolates from a Northern Italian hospital.

We describe two multi drug-resistant (MDR) carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli clinical isolates from an acute hospital in Milan. Both strains, isolated from a surgical wound sample and a surveillance rectal swab respectively, were positive for a blaNDM-type gene by Xpert Carba-R test. The whole-genome sequence characterization disclosed several resistance determinants: blaNDM-5, blaCMY-42, blaTEM-198, rmtB, mphA. The two isolates belonged to phylogenetic group A, sequence type (ST) 1702 and serotype O89:H9. PCR-based replicon typing and conjugation assay demonstrated an IncI1 plasmid localization for both blaNDM-5 and blaCMY-42 genes. This is the first report of a ST1702 NDM-5 and CMY-42- producing E. coli clone in Italy.

European Multicenter Study on Analytical Performance of DxN Veris System HCV Assay.

The analytical performance of the Veris HCV Assay for use on the new and fully automated Beckman Coulter DxN Veris Molecular Diagnostics System (DxN Veris System) was evaluated at 10 European virology laboratories. Precision, analytical sensitivity, specificity, and performance with negative samples, linearity, and performance with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes were evaluated. Precision for all sites showed a standard deviation (SD) of 0.22 log10 IU/ml or lower for each level tested. Analytical sensitivity determined by probit analysis was between 6.2 and 9.0 IU/ml. Specificity on 94 unique patient samples was 100%, and performance with 1,089 negative samples demonstrated 100% not-detected results. Linearity using patient samples was shown from 1.34 to 6.94 log10 IU/ml. The assay demonstrated linearity upon dilution with all HCV genotypes. The Veris HCV Assay demonstrated an analytical performance comparable to that of currently marketed HCV assays when tested across multiple European sites.

Whole genome sequencing for the molecular characterization of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated at the Italian ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco Hospital, 2012-2014.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains is threatening antimicrobial treatment. METHODS: Sixty-eight carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae strains isolated at Luigi Sacco University Hospital-ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco (Milan, Italy) between 2012 and 2014 were characterised microbiologically and molecularly. They were tested for drug susceptibility and carbapenemase phenotypes, investigated by means of repetitive extra-genic palindromic polymerase chain reaction (REP-PCR), and fully sequenced by means of next-generation sequencing for the in silico analysis of multi-locus sequence typing (MLST), their resistome, virulome and plasmid content, and their core single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes. RESULTS: All of the samples were resistant to carbapenems, other ß-lactams and ciprofloxacin; many were resistant to aminoglycosides and tigecycline; and seven were resistant to colistin. Resistome analysis revealed the presence of blaKPC genes and, less frequently blaSHV, blaTEM, blaCTX-M and blaOXA, which are related to resistance to carbapenem and other ß-lactams. Other genes conferring resistance to aminoglycoside, fluoroquinolone, phenicol, sulphonamide, tetracycline, trimethoprim and macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin were also detected. Genes related to AcrAB-TolC efflux pump-dependent and pump-independent tigecycline resistance mechanisms were investigated, but it was not possible to clearly correlate the genomic features with tigecycline resistance because of the presence of a common mutation in susceptible, intermediate and resistant strains. Concerning colistin resistance, the mgrB gene was disrupted by an IS5-like element, and the mobile mcr-1 and mcr-2 genes were not detected in two cases. The virulome profile revealed type-3 fimbriae and iron uptake system genes, which are important during the colonisation stage in the mammalian host environment. The in silico detected plasmid replicons were classified as IncFIB(pQil), IncFIB(K), ColRNAI, IncX1, IncX3, IncFII(K), IncN, IncL/M(pMU407) and IncFIA(HI1). REP-PCR showed five major clusters, and MLST revealed six different sequence types: 512, 258, 307, 1519, 745 and 101. Core SNP genotyping, which led to four clusters, correlated with the MLST data. Isolates of the same sequencing type often had common genetic traits, but the SNP analysis allowed greater strain tracking and discrimination than either the REP-PCR or MLST analysis. CONCLUSION: Our findings support the importance of implementing bacterial genomics in clinical medicine in order to complement traditional methods and overcome their limited resolution.

Imported arboviral infections in Italy, July 2014-October 2015: a National Reference Laboratory report.

BACKGROUND: Imported cases of infections due to Dengue (DENV) and Chikungunya (CHIKV) viruses and, more recently, Zika virus (ZIKV) are commonly reported among travelers returning from endemic regions. In areas where potentially competent vectors are present, the risk of autochthonous transmission of these vector-borne pathogens is relatively high. Laboratory surveillance is crucial to rapidly detect imported cases in order to reduce the risk of transmission. This study describes the laboratory activity performed by the National Reference Laboratory for Arboviruses (NRLA) at the Italian National Institute of Health in the period from July 2014 to October 2015. METHODS: Samples from 180 patients visited/hospitalized with a suspected DENV/CHIKV/ZIKV infection were sent to the NRLA from several Italian Hospitals and from Regional Reference Laboratories for Arboviruses, in agreement with the National Plan on human surveillance of vector-borne diseases. Both serological (ELISA IgM test and Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test-PRNT) and molecular assays (Real Time PCR tests, RT-PCR plus nested PCR and sequencing of positive samples) were performed. RESULTS: DENV infection was the most frequently diagnosed (80 confirmed/probable cases), and all four genotypes were detected. However, an increase in imported CHIKV cases (41 confirmed/probable cases) was observed, along with the detection of the first ZIKV cases (4 confirmed cases), as a consequence of the recent spread of both CHIKV and ZIKV in the Americas. CONCLUSIONS: Main diagnostic issues highlighted in our study are sensitivity limitations of molecular tests, and the importance of PRNT to confirm serological results for differential diagnosis of Arboviruses. The continuous evaluation of diagnostic strategy, and the implementation of laboratories networks involved in surveillance activities is essential to ensure correct diagnosis, and to improve the preparedness for a rapid and proper identification of viral threats.