Human Campylobacter spp. infections in Italy.

PURPOSE: Campylobacter is a frequent cause of enteric infections with common antimicrobial resistance issues. The most recent reports of campylobacteriosis in Italy include data from 2013 to 2016. We aimed to provide national epidemiological and microbiological data on human Campylobacter infections in Italy during the period 2017-2021. METHODS: Data was collected from 19 Hospitals in 13 Italian Regions. Bacterial identification was performed by mass spectrometry. Antibiograms were determined with Etest or Kirby-Bauer (EUCAST criteria). RESULTS: In total, 5419 isolations of Campylobacter spp. were performed. The most common species were C. jejuni (n = 4535, 83.7%), followed by C. coli (n = 732, 13.5%) and C. fetus (n = 34, 0.6%). The mean age of patients was 34.61 years and 57.1% were males. Outpatients accounted for 54% of the cases detected. Campylobacter were isolated from faeces in 97.3% of cases and in 2.7% from blood. C. fetus was mostly isolated from blood (88.2% of cases). We tested for antimicrobial susceptibility 4627 isolates (85.4%). Resistance to ciprofloxacin and tetracyclines was 75.5% and 54.8%, respectively; resistance to erythromycin was 4.8%; clarithromycin 2% and azithromycin 2%. 50% of C. jejuni and C. coli were resistant to ≥ 2 antibiotics. Over the study period, resistance to ciprofloxacin and tetracyclines significantly decreased (p < 0.005), while resistance to macrolides remained stable. CONCLUSION: Campylobacter resistance to fluoroquinolones and tetracyclines in Italy is decreasing but is still high, while macrolides retain good activity.

Mortality Attributable to Bloodstream Infections Caused by Different Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacilli: Results From a Nationwide Study in Italy (ALARICO Network).

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to analyze mortality attributable to carbapenem-resistant (CR) gram-negative bacilli (GNB) in patients with bloodstream infections (BSIs). METHODS: Prospective multicentric study including patients with GNB-BSI from 19 Italian hospitals (June 2018-January 2020). Patients were followed-up to 30 days. Primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and attributable mortality. Attributable mortality was calculated in the following groups: Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing Enterobacterales, metallo-ß-lactamases (MBL)-producing Enterobacterales, CR-Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA), CR-Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB). A multivariable analysis with hospital fixed-effect was built to identify factors associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted OR (aORs) were reported. Attributable mortality was calculated according to the DRIVE-AB Consortium. RESULTS: Overall, 1276 patients with monomicrobial GNB BSI were included: 723/1276 (56.7%) carbapenem-susceptible (CS)-GNB, 304/1276 (23.8%) KPC-, 77/1276 (6%) MBL-producing CRE, 61/1276 (4.8%) CRPA, and 111/1276 (8.7%) CRAB BSI. Thirty-day mortality in patients with CS-GNB BSI was 13.7% compared to 26.6%, 36.4%, 32.8% and 43.2% in patients with BSI by KPC-CRE, MBL-CRE, CRPA and CRAB, respectively (P < .001). On multivariable analysis, age, ward of hospitalization, SOFA score, and Charlson Index were factors associated with 30-day mortality, while urinary source of infection and early appropriate therapy resulted protective factors. Compared to CS-GNB, MBL-producing CRE (aOR 5.86, 95% CI 2.72-12.76), CRPA (aOR 1.99, 95% CI 1.48-5.95) and CRAB (aOR 2.65, 95% CI 1.52-4.61) were significantly associated with 30-day mortality. Attributable mortality rates were 5% for KPC-, 35% for MBL, 19% for CRPA, and 16% for CRAB. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with BSIs, carbapenem-resistance is associated with an excess of mortality, with MBL-producing CRE carrying the highest risk of death.

Remdesivir treatment and clinical outcome in non-severe hospitalized COVID-19 patients: a propensity score matching multicenter Italian hospital experience.

INTRODUCTION: Remdesivir exerts positive effects on clinical improvement, even though it seems not to affect mortality among COVID-19 patients; moreover, it was associated with the occurence of marked bradycardia. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 989 consecutive patients with non-severe COVID-19 (SpO2 ≥ 94% on room air) admitted from October 2020 to July 2021 at five Italian hospitals. Propensity score matching allowed to obtain a comparable control group. Primary endpoints were bradycardia onset (heart rate < 50 bpm), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in need of intubation and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 200 patients (20.2%) received remdesivir, while 789 standard of care (79.8%). In the matched cohorts, severe ARDS in need of intubation was experienced by 70 patients (17.5%), significantly higher in the control group (68% vs. 31%; p < 0.0001). Conversely, bradycardia, experienced by 53 patients (12%), was significantly higher in the remdesivir subgroup (20% vs. 1.1%; p < 0.0001). During follow-up, all-cause mortality was 15% (N = 62), significantly higher in the control group (76% vs. 24%; log-rank p < 0.0001), as shown at the Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis. KM furthermore showed a significantly higher risk of severe ARDS in need of intubation among controls (log-rank p < 0.001), while an increased risk of bradycardia onset in the remdesivir group (log-rank p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression showed a protective role of remdesivir for both ARDS in need of intubation (OR 0.50, 95%CI 0.29-0.85; p = 0.01) and mortality (OR 0.18, 95%CI 0.09-0.39; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Remdesivir treatment emerged as associated with reduced risk of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome in need of intubation and mortality. Remdesivir-induced bradycardia was not associated with worse outcome.

Impact of oral antiviral therapy against HCV on gut microbiota. A prospective study.

The intestinal microbiota plays a fundamental role in physiological homeostasis as well as in pathologic conditions. Hepatitis C virus is the leading cause of chronic liver diseases worldwide. The treatment of this infection has been revolutionized by the availability of direct-acting antiviral agents which guarantee a high rate (about 95%) of viral clearance. Few studies have assessed the change in the gut microbiota of patients treated with direct-acting antiviral agents against HCV, and many aspects still need to be clarified. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of antiviral therapy on gut microbiota. We enrolled patients with HCV-related chronic liver disease attending the Infectious Diseases Unit of the A.O.U. Federico II of Naples from January 2017 to March 2018 and treated with DAAs. For each patient, a fecal sample was collected and analyzed for the assessment of microbial diversity before the start of therapy and by SVR12 time. We excluded patients who had received antibiotics in the previous 6 months. Twelve patients were enrolled (6 male, 8 genotype 1 (1 subtype 1a), 4 genotype 2). Fibrosis scores were F0 in 1 patient, F2 in 1 patient, F3 in 4 patients and cirrhosis in the remaining 6 (all in Child-Pugh class A). All were treated with DAAs for 12 weeks (5 with Paritaprevir-Ombitasvir-Ritonavir-Dasabuvir, 3 with Sofosbuvir-Ledipasvir, 1 with Sofosbuvir-Ribavirin, 1 with Sofosbuvir-Daclatasvir, 1 with Sofosbuvir-Velpatasvir) and 100% achieved SVR12. In all patients, we observed a trend in reduction of potentially pathogenic microorganisms (i.e., Enterobacteriaceae). Furthermore, a trend of increase in α-diversity was observed in patients by SVR12 compared to baseline. This trend was markedly more evident in patients without liver cirrhosis than in those with cirrhosis. Our study shows that viral eradication obtained with DAA is associated with a trend in restoring the heterogeneity of α-diversity and in reducing the percentage of potentially pathogenic microbial species, although this benefit is less evident in patients with cirrhosis. Further studies with larger sample size are needed to confirm these data.

Anaerobic bloodstream infections in Italy (ITANAEROBY): A 5-year retrospective nationwide survey.

INTRODUCTION: A lack of updated data on the burden and profile of anaerobic bloodstream infections (ABIs) exists. We assessed the incidence of ABIs and trends in antimicrobial resistance in anaerobes isolated from blood in Italy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study on 17 Italian hospitals (2016-2020). Anaerobes isolated from blood culture and their in vitro susceptibility profiles (EUCAST-interpreted) were registered and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 1960 ABIs were identified. The mean age of ABIs patients was 68.6 ± 18.5 years, 57.6% were males. The overall incidence rate of ABIs was 1.01 per 10.000 patient-days. Forty-seven% of ABIs occurred in medical wards, 17% in ICUs, 14% in surgical wards, 7% in hemato-oncology, 14% in outpatients. The three most common anti-anaerobic tested drugs were metronidazole (92%), clindamycin (89%) and amoxicillin/clavulanate (83%). The three most common isolated anaerobes were Bacteroides fragilis (n = 529), Cutibacterium acnes (n = 262) and Clostridium perfringens (n = 134). The lowest resistance rate (1.5%) was to carbapenems, whereas the highest rate (51%) was to penicillin. Clindamycin resistance was >20% for Bacteroides spp., Prevotella spp. and Clostridium spp. Metronidazole resistance was 9.2% after excluding C. acnes and Actinomyces spp. Bacteroides spp. showed an increased prevalence of clindamycin resistance through the study period: 19% in 2016, 33% in 2020 (p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide a comprehensive overview of the epidemiology of ABIs in Italy, filling a gap that has existed since 1995. Caution is needed when clindamycin is used as empirical anti-anaerobic drug.

Fosfomycin in continuous or prolonged infusion for systemic bacterial infections: a systematic review of its dosing regimen proposal from in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies.

Fosfomycin (FOS) administered intravenously has been recently rediscovered for the treatment of systemic infections due to multidrug-resistant bacteria. Its pharmacokinetic properties suggest a time-dependent dosing schedule with more clinical benefits from prolonged (PI) or continuous infusion (CI) than from intermittent infusion. We revised literature concerning PI and CI FOS to identify the best dosing regimen based on current evidence. We performed a MEDLINE/PubMed search. Ninety-one studies and their pertinent references were screened. Seventeen studies were included in the present review. The activity of FOS against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria was evaluated in fourteen and five studies, respectively. Six studies evaluated FOS activity in combination with another antibiotic. Daily dosing of 12, 16, 18 or 24 g, administered with different schedules, were investigated. These regimens resulted active against the tested isolates in most cases. Emergence of resistant isolates has been shown to be preventable through the coadministration of another active antibiotic. FOS is a promising option to treat systemic infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. Coadministration with another active molecule is required to prevent the emergence of resistant bacterial strains. The results of our review suggest that a therapeutic regimen including a loading dose of FOS 8 g followed by a daily dose of 16 g or 24 g CI could be the best therapeutic approach for patients with normal renal function. The dosing regimens in patients with renal insufficiency and CI or PI superiority compared with intermittent infusion in clinical settings should be further investigated.

Changes in the relative prevalence of candidaemia due to non-albicans Candida species in adult in-patients: A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression.

BACKGROUND: Candidaemia remains associated with high mortality and increased costs worldwide. OBJECTIVE: To assess the changes over time in the relative prevalence of non-albicans candidaemia (NAC). METHODS: A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression were performed. Observational studies investigating the epidemiology of consecutive, non-selected, candidaemia episodes were included. Two separated analyses were conducted: (a) whole hospital analysis and (b) intensive care unit (ICU) analysis. RESULTS: Starting from an initial total of 7726 records, 220 studies fulfilled inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of NAC in whole hospital analysis was 49.5% (95% confidence intervals [CI] 48.0-51.1, I2 93.1%), while the pooled prevalence in ICU analysis was 50.6% (95% CI 46.6-54.6; I2 86.7%). In meta-regression, a progressive increase in NAC prevalence was observed in whole hospital analysis, although it explained only a small portion of between-study variance (estimated yearly prevalence change +0.3%, 95% CI from +0.1% to +0.5%, P = .003; adjusted R2 3.42%) and was observed only in some continents in subgroup analyses. No relevant changes over time were observed in NAC prevalence for ICU studies. CONCLUSIONS: We registered an increasing trend in the relative prevalence of NAC, which, nonetheless, seems to be limited to some continents and to contribute only minimally to explain the observed differences in NAC prevalence across studies.

Extended Infusion of ß-Lactams for Bloodstream Infection in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis: An Observational Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: We analyzed the impact of continuous/extended infusion (C/EI) vs intermittent infusion of piperacillin-tazobactam (TZP) and carbapenems on 30-day mortality of patients with liver cirrhosis and bloodstream infection (BSI). METHODS: The BICRHOME study was a prospective, multicenter study that enrolled 312 cirrhotic patients with BSI. In this secondary analysis, we selected patients receiving TZP or carbapenems as adequate empirical treatment. The 30-day mortality of patients receiving C/EI or intermittent infusion of TZP or carbapenems was assessed with Kaplan-Meier curves, Cox-regression model, and estimation of the average treatment effect (ATE) using propensity score matching. RESULTS: Overall, 119 patients received TZP or carbapenems as empirical treatment. Patients who received C/EI had a significantly lower mortality rate (16% vs 36%, P = .047). In a Cox-regression model, the administration of C/EI was associated with a significantly lower mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.11-0.936; P = .04) when adjusted for severity of illness and an ATE of 25.6% reduction in 30-day mortality risk (95% CI, 18.9-32.3; P < .0001) estimated with propensity score matching. A significant reduction in 30-day mortality was also observed in the subgroups of patients with sepsis (HR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.06-0.74), acute-on-chronic liver failure (HR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.03-0.99), and a model for end-stage liver disease score ≥25 (HR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.08-0.92). At competing risk analysis, C/EI of beta-lactams was associated with significantly higher rates of hospital discharge (subdistribution hazard [95% CI], 1.62 [1.06-2.47]). CONCLUSIONS: C/EI of beta-lactams in cirrhotic patients with BSI may improve outcomes and facilitate earlier discharge.

Carbapenem-sparing strategy: carbapenemase, treatment, and stewardship.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: describing the current role of carbapenems and carbapenem-sparing strategies in the setting of antimicrobial stewardship programs. RECENT FINDINGS: sparing carbapenems with other drugs appears to be an interesting perspective for a variety of reasons in the current context of the multidrug-resistant (MDR) pandemic. Specific algorithms should also be precisely investigated to define better how to spare carbapenems within empiric and targeted regimens, with combination treatment or monotherapies, aiming at the best use of the new drugs and improving de-escalation as soon as possible for most of the patients. SUMMARY: stewardship programs may be useful in reducing probable misuse and overuse of antibiotics, which has probably contributed to the emergence of carbapenem-resistant bacteria worldwide. The proposal of carbapenem-sparing strategies has then generated substantial scientific debate and, overall, the concept of sparing these drugs is well advocated together with judicious use of novel drugs, appropriate measures of infection control and prevention as well as in stewardship programs to curb the spread of MDR and XDR-strains in healthcare facilities.

Organization and training at national level of antimicrobial stewardship and infection control activities in Europe: an ESCMID cross-sectional survey.

Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and Infection prevention and control (IPC) are two key complementary strategies that combat development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. The ESGAP (ESCMID Study Group for AMS), EUCIC (European Committee on Infection Control) and TAE (Trainee Association of ESCMID) investigated how AMS and IPC activities and training are organized, if present, at national level in Europe. From February 2018 to May 2018, an internet-based cross-sectional survey was conducted through a 36-item questionnaire, involving up to three selected respondents per country, from 38 European countries in total (including Israel), belonging to the ESGAP/EUCIC/TAE networks. All 38 countries participated with at least one respondent, and a total of 81 respondents. Education and involvement in AMS programmes were mandatory during the postgraduate training of clinical microbiology and infectious diseases specialists in up to one-third of countries. IPC was acknowledged as a specialty in 32% of countries. Only 32% of countries had both guidance and national requirements regarding AMS programmes, in contrast to 61% for IPC. Formal national staffing standards for AMS and IPC hospital-based activities were present in 24% and 63% of countries, respectively. The backgrounds of professionals responsible for AMS and IPC programmes varied tremendously between countries. The organization and training of AMS and IPC in Europe are heterogeneous and national requirements for activities are frequently lacking.

Nanobiotechnology as an emerging approach to combat malaria: A systematic review.

Mosquitoes (Diptera; Culicidae) present a major threat to millions of people and animals worldwide, as they act as vectors for various pathogens, especially parasites and viruses. Resistance to insecticides, such as organophosphates and microbial control agents, and insufficient adherence to application guidelines are common reasons for insecticide treatment failure. Therefore, there is an urgent need for exploration of safer, cheaper, and more effective agents, with novel modes of action, to improve mosquito control. Biosynthesized nanoparticles (NPs) have recently been considered as a potential approach for combating vectors of malaria and also as a treatment for malaria. Here, we present current knowledge about the characterization and effectiveness of biogenic NPs against major vectors of malaria, including avian malaria (which may also provide useful insights on vectors of human malaria). This article is the first systematic review of the effects of biosynthesized nanoparticles on both malaria parasites (Plasmodium spp.) and relevant vectors.

Efficacy of the "first wave" Direct Acting antivirals against HCV infection: results from the Italian LINA (Liver Network Activity) cohort.

Approximately 71 million people are chronically infected with HCV worldwide. Recently, interferonfree therapies effective against HCV became available and nowadays, therapeutic strategies include a combination of two or three drugs with different mechanisms of action. In the present study, we reported real-life SVR rates in a large cohort of four prescribing centers in a high-endemic area of Southern Italy. We conducted a prospective multicenter study among all the patients with chronic HCV infection, who received therapy with the first available interferon-free therapies between March 2015 and December 2017 and who referred to one of the 4 DAA-prescribing centers in Campania, Southern Italy. Patients with Child C cirrhosis, a diagnosis of active HCC at the baseline or who refused the consent form, were excluded. Nine-hundred fifty-three patients were enrolled. Most of the enrolled patients had HCV genotype 1b infection (66.4%), were older than 65 years (64.1%) and had advanced liver fibrosis (Metavir > F4) (73.5%). The overall SVR12 rate was 98.5%. Patients with clinical cirrhosis had a similar SVR12 rate compared with those without cirrhosis (97.8% vs 99.2%, p=0.09), while patients with decompensated cirrhosis had a significantly lower rate of SVR12 compared with those without decompensated disease (95.3% vs 99.0%, p<0.05). Patients aged more than 65 years had a similar rate of SVR12 compared with patients aged ≤ 65 years (98.6% vs 98.0%, p=0.57). Among patients >65 years, those with clinical cirrhosis, as well as those with advanced liver fibrosis, had a similar SVR12 rate compared with the patients with a Metavir score < F4 (98.3% vs 99.0%, p=0.70 and 98.6% vs 98.6%, p=1.00, respectively). In the present, real-life study, DAA regimens are effective and safe in patients with chronic HCV infection, regardless of age and stage of liver disease, providing very high rates of SVR12 (98.5%).

Management of chickenpox in pregnant women: an Italian perspective.

Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by primary infection of varicella zoster virus (VZV). The disease is spread worldwide and is usually benign but, in some groups of population like pregnant women, can have a severe outcome. Due to a not optimal vaccination coverage, a relatively high number of childbearing-aged women in a European country such as Italy tested seronegative for VZV and so are currently at risk of acquiring chickenpox during pregnancy, especially if they live in contact with children for family or work reasons. Only few data are available about the risk of infection in this setting: the incidence of chickenpox may range from 1.5 to 4.6 cases/1000 childbearing females and from 1.21 to 6 cases/10,000 pregnant women, respectively. This review is aimed to focus on the epidemiology and the clinical management of exposure to chickenpox during pregnancy. Particular emphasis is given to the accurate screening of childbearing women at the time of the first gynecological approach - the females who tested susceptible to infection can be counseled about the risks and instructed on procedure should contact occur - and to the early prophylaxis of the at-risk exposure. Lastly, the achievement of adequate vaccination coverage of the Italian population remains a cornerstone in the prevention of chickenpox in pregnancy.

Infectious meningitis/encephalitis: evaluation of a rapid and fully automated multiplex PCR in the microbiological diagnostic workup.

Infectious diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) such as meningitis/encephalitis (ME) require rapid identification of causative pathogens for effective treatment. This study evaluated the analytical performance and clinical utility of a fully automated multiplex PCR test to improve the microbiological diagnostic workup of ME. Seventy-seven cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 77 patients with suspected ME were studied. The samples were tested by FilmArray™ (FA) ME Panel test and the results were compared with those obtained using conventional microbiological procedures (CMP). Furthermore, the assay's validity was evaluated testing 5 pooled CSF samples positive for different pathogens. The data showed a good concordance (90.9%) between the FA ME panel test and CMP results. Discrepant results were observed in CSF samples with low viral load (5/77) and in samples of patients (2/77) undergoing antimicrobial therapy for fungal infection. The ability of the FA ME panel test to correctly detect the target pathogens was confirmed. Faster microbiological diagnosis was obtained by the FA ME test in comparison to CMP for both bacterial and viral analytes (P<0.001). Implementation of microbiological diagnostic workup with FA ME panel test may improve the management of patients with suspected CNS infection.

Secondary syphilis mimicking malignancy: A case report and review of literature.

A 56-year-old man developed disseminate lymphadenopathies, associated with hepato-splenomegaly, fever, nocturnal sweating and weight loss. Imaging studies in particular FDG-PET/CT raised the suspicion of a malignant disease. But blood flow cytometry assay for B/T cell clonality was negative and fine-needle biopsy of enlarged laterocervical lymph node showed a not specific "reactive hyperplasia". Four months later, the patient developed a non-itching rash; since a further anamnestic investigation revealed an history of high-risk sexual intercourse, the patient underwent serological tests for Treponema pallidum that were positive at high titer, after a first negative screening. Made the diagnosis of secondary syphilis, the patient responded to the treatment with benzyl penicillin with complete resolution of symptoms. This case highlights the importance of carefully screening the patients with suspected lymphoadenopathies also for lue, particularly in presence of behavioral risk factors.

Short Course Antibiotic Therapy for Catheter-Related Septic Thrombosis: "Caveat Emptor!": Duration of Therapy Should Not Be Set a Priori.

There is a growing body of evidence showing no significant difference in clinical outcomes in patients with uncomplicated Gram-negative bloodstream infections (BSIs) receiving 7 or 14 days of therapy. However, the scenario may differ when complicated forms of BSI, such as catheter-related BSIs (CRBSIs) burdened by septic thrombosis (ST), are considered. A recent study showed that a short course of antimicrobial therapy (≤3 weeks) had similar outcomes to a prolonged course on CRBSI-ST. From this perspective, starting from the desirable goal of shortening the treatment duration, we discuss how the path to the correct diagnosis and management of CRBSI-ST may be paved with several challenges. Indeed, patients with ST due to Gram-negative bacteria display prolonged bacteremia despite an indolent clinical course, requiring an extended course of antibiotic treatment guided by negative FUBCs results, which should be considered the real driver of the decision-making process establishing the length of antibiotic therapy in CRBSI-ST. Shortening treatment of complicated CRBSIs burdened by ST is ambitious and advisable; however, a dynamic and tailored approach driven by a tangible outcome such as negative FUBCs rather than a fixed-duration paradigm should be implemented for the optimal antimicrobial duration.

A rare association of liver abscess and rhabdomyolysis induced by Klebsiella oxytoca.

INTRODUCTION: We report the case of a 76-year-old male who was hospitalized with severe dehydration, pain in the hepatic region, and weakness in the limbs. METHODOLOGY: A contrast-enhanced abdomen CT and a contrast-enhanced ultrasound identified a large liver abscess. The patient underwent percutaneous drainage of the abscess. RESULTS: The culture examination, analyzed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction test, showed the presence of Klebsiella oxytoca. The laboratory report identified a resistance mechanism involving a plasmid-mediated SHV-1 extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase (ESBL). CONCLUSIONS: K. oxytoca is a Gram-negative bacterium and is potentially associated with a large variety of infections. The association between the liver abscess by K. oxytoca and rhabdomyolysis had not yet been described in the literature.

Does early combination vs. Monotherapy improve clinical outcomes of clinically extremely vulnerable patients with COVID-19? Results from a retrospective propensity-weighted analysis.

BACKGROUND: The potential efficacy of early combination therapy, based on an antiviral plus a monoclonal antibody, for COVID-19 in severely immunocompromised patients is matter of debate. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to describe the impact on clinical outcomes of COVID-19 treatments in severely immunocompromised individuals, evaluating differences between a combination and a monotherapy. METHODS: We included severely immunocompromised outpatients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who received an early treatment (either monotherapy with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir or remdesivir or the combination of an antiviral plus sotrovimab). We then assessed differences between the two treatment strategies on three main outcomes (30-day mortality, access to emergency department, hospitalization), separately and as a composite by using a propensity score weighted (PSW) approach. RESULTS: Eighty one severely immunocompromised patients were included, 39 receiving early combination therapy and 42 receiving monotherapy. No significant difference was observed in the 30-day mortality rate and hospitalization rate between subjects in the two groups, while access to the emergency department following treatment administration was significantly higher in people who received a combination therapy. After applying the PSW, it was observed that combination therapy impacted favourably on the composite outcome, in a statistically significant fashion. In addition, PSW approach for mortality showed that age was the only significant factor influencing the death as stand-alone outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Early combination therapy showed a favourable impact on a composite outcome (including mortality, hospitalizations and access to emergency department) in severely immunocompromised hosts who were all vaccinated. However, further studies are needed to support our results.

Editorial for the Special Issue: "The Issue of Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens in Nosocomial Infections".

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global problem; in 2019, before the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it was responsible of more deaths than any other infectious diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus and malaria [...].

Predisposing factor, impactful adjunctive treatment or unfavorable prognostic marker: a meta-analysis on the elusive role of dexamethasone for Listeria monocytogenes meningitis.

INTRODUCTION: There are no randomized controlled trials to inform the choice of using adjunctive dexamethasone (AD) against Listeria monocytogenes meningitis (LMM) and data from observational studies are pretty conflicting. METHODOLOGY: We performed a rapid review of the literature with quantitative analysis. A pairwise random-effects meta-analysis was implemented, pooling unadjusted and adjusted data. The main outcome was mortality. RESULTS: Across all included studies (five) informing the main analysis on raw mortality data, 199 patients received AD, as opposed to 382 who did not receive AD. All-cause mortality was slightly lower in patients undergoing AD, but not in a statistically significant manner: odds ratio 0.96, 95% confidence interval 0.42-2.19. The prediction interval was very wide (0.06-15.99), suggesting that in future studies the effect of AD might be either beneficial or harmful. CONCLUSIONS: The role of AD for LMM still needs to be established being the current evidence inconclusive and heterogeneous.