Seroprevalence of measles antibodies in the Italian general population in 2019-2020.

In Italy, the measles elimination target has not yet been reached despite a significant reduction in cases. A multicenter study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of anti-measles (MV) IgG antibodies in the Italian population by age, sex and geographical area. To determine the level of MV-specific antibodies in sera, the immunoenzymatic assay ELISA was used (Enzygnost Anti-VZV/IgG, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostic Products GmbH, Germany). Overall, 3746 serum samples collected in the years 2019-20 from healthy subjects aged 6-64 years residing in 13 Italian regions. The overall seroprevalence of anti-MV IgG was 91.2 % (90.6 % male, 91.7 % female). Significantly higher seroprevalence values (p < 0.05) were recorded for the extreme age groups of the study population (6-9 years: 94.2 %; 40-64 years: 97.6 %). Subjects 20-39 and 40-64 years old had significantly higher antibody titers suggesting a protection against measles mainly derived from natural infection. Seroprevalence was significantly higher in the South (93.2 %) than in the Northern-Central Italy (88.9 %). The results indicate an increase in the overall seroprevalence data compared to previous investigations. However, further efforts must be made to implement and maintain high measles vaccination coverage to avoid the risk of future epidemic outbreaks.

Real-world performance of SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen testing through the Alpha-, Delta- and Omicron-dominant waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: Compared with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), rapid antigen detection tests (RADTs) for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics are faster, less expensive, but also less accurate. Performance of RADTs is context-specific and depends on disease prevalence. In this real-world study, we assessed impact of RADTs in an inpatient setting through the entire COVID-19 emergency phase. METHODS: In this matched retrospective study, data on RT-PCR and RADT laboratory diagnoses of SARS-CoV-2 made between February 2020 and May 2023 in a large hospital were analyzed. To be included in the study, samples used for both RT-PCR and RADT had to be collected on the same day. RESULTS: Of 278,867 RT-PCR tests available, 13,321 same-day RADTs could be matched to RT-PCR. Over the entire period, RADT sensitivity and specificity were 76.4% and 99.4%, respectively. With the observed positivity rate of 9.4%, positive and negative predictive values were 92.7% and 97.6%, respectively. Compared with the periods dominated by the Alpha and Delta variants of concern, RADT accuracy was slightly lower during the Omicron phase. CONCLUSION: This real-world experience demonstrates that despite suboptimal sensitivity and some variation by predominant variants of concern and positivity prevalence, the use of RADTs is useful in hospital settings. Public health implications were discussed.

Monitoring influenza vaccination coverage among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a three-year survey in a large university hospital in North-Western Italy.

Introduction: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are one of the highest priority groups recommended for seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV). Greater awareness of the importance of influenza vaccination was observed among HCWs after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to analyze SIV coverage rates in the 2019-2020, 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 seasons among HCWs employed at the IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino in Genoa, in order to observe how coverage has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Methods: A retrospective, single-center study was conducted among HCWs working at the IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino in Genoa. The vaccinated population was stratified by gender, age, qualification and area of activity, and the characteristics of vaccinated HCWs were analyzed. Results: While SIV coverage was below the recommended target in all seasons, a sharp increase was observed in 2020/2021 (12.8%; 40.9% and 23% in 2019/2020, 2020/2021 and 2021/2022, respectively). The mean and median age of vaccinees also increased during the 2020/2021 vaccination campaign (46.7 and 49 years, respectively) in comparison with the 2019/2020 season (43.5 and 45, respectively). In the 2019/2020 and 2021/2022 seasons, a higher proportion of vaccinees were physicians. Vaccinated females outnumbered males, but the coverage rate resulted greater in males than females in all three seasons. While a higher proportion of vaccinated subjects worked in medical areas, the most evident increase over the three years was seen among subjects working in the services area. Conclusions: This survey highlights the importance of studying the determinants that influence vaccination adherence and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected SIV coverage.