Litiasis en receptores de trasplante renal: revisión sistemática / Kidney stones in renal transplant recipients: A systematic review

Introducción La litiasis en el receptor del injerto renal puede ser una enfermedad peligrosa cuyo riesgo potencial es el deterioro de la función renal. Adquisición de la evidencia Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática de la literatura hasta febrero del 2023. El objetivo primario era evaluar la incidencia de litiasis en receptores de trasplante renal (TR). El secundario era valorar el momento de formación, la localización y la composición de la litiasis, las opciones de tratamiento disponibles y la incidencia de la pérdida del injerto. Síntesis de la evidencia Un total de 41 estudios no aleatorizados compuestos por 699 pacientes cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. La edad en el momento del diagnóstico de la litiasis oscilaba entre 29 y 53 años. La incidencia de urolitiasis se encontraba entre 0,1 y 6,3%, siendo diagnosticada generalmente a los 12 meses del TR. La mayoría de las litiasis detectadas se localizaron en los cálices o en la pelvis. La composición más frecuente fue la de oxalato cálcico. Se consideraron diferentes estrategias de tratamiento como vigilancia activa, ureteroscopia, abordaje percutáneo/combinado o cirugía abierta. Del total de pacientes, 15,73% fueron tratados con litotricia extracorpórea por ondas de choque (LEOCh) y 26,75% se sometieron a litotricia endoscópica o extracción quirúrgica. De estos sujetos, 18,03% se abordaron mediante nefrolitotomía percutánea, mientras que 3,14% se sometieron a un manejo combinado. Se realizó litotomía quirúrgica en 5,01% de los casos. La tasa libre de litiasis (TLL) global se situó en torno a 80%. Conclusiones La litiasis en el TR es una patología poco frecuente que suele diagnosticarse al año de la cirugía. Su localización más común son los cálices y la pelvis renal, y en la mayoría de los casos está compuesta de oxalato cálcico. Todos los tratamientos activos han demostrado resultados satisfactorios en términos de TLL, ... . (AU)

Introduction Lithiasis in renal graft recipients might be a dangerous condition with a potential risk of organ function impairment. Evidence acquisition A systematic literature search was conducted through February 2023. The primary objective was to assess the incidence of lithiasis in kidney transplant (KT) recipients. The secondary objective was to assess the timing of stone formation, localization and composition of stones, possible treatment options, and the incidence of graft loss. Evidence synthesis A total of 41 non-randomized studies comprising 699 patients met our inclusion criteria. The age at lithiasis diagnosis ranged between 29-53 years. Incidence of urolithiasis ranged from 0.1 to 6.3%, usually diagnosed after 12 months from KT. Most of the stones were diagnosed in the calyces or in the pelvis. Calcium oxalate composition was the most frequent. Different treatment strategies were considered, namely active surveillance, ureteroscopy, percutaneous/combined approach, or open surgery. 15.73% of patients were submitted to extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), while 26.75% underwent endoscopic lithotripsy or stone extraction. 18.03% of patients underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy whilst 3.14% to a combined approach. Surgical lithotomy was performed in 5.01% of the cases. Global stone-free rate was around 80%. Conclusions Lithiasis in kidney transplant is a rare condition usually diagnosed after one year after surgery and mostly located in the calyces and renal pelvis, more frequently of calcium oxalate composition. Each of the active treatments is associated with good results in terms of stone-free rate, thus the surgical technique should be chosen according to the patient's characteristics and surgeon preferences. (AU)

Kidney stones in renal transplant recipients: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Lithiasis in renal graft recipients might be a dangerous condition with a potential risk of organ function impairment. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A systematic literature search was conducted through February 2023. The primary objective was to assess the incidence of lithiasis in kidney transplant (KT) recipients. The secondary objective was to assess the timing of stone formation, localization and composition of stones, possible treatment options, and the incidence of graft loss. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: A total of 41 non-randomized studies comprising 699 patients met our inclusion criteria. The age at lithiasis diagnosis ranged between 29-53 years. Incidence of urolithiasis ranged from 0.1-6.3%, usually diagnosed after 12 months from KT. Most of the stones were diagnosed in the calyces or in the pelvis. Calcium oxalate composition was the most frequent. Different treatment strategies were considered, namely active surveillance, ureteroscopy, percutaneous/combined approach, or open surgery. 15.73% of patients were submitted to extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), while 26.75% underwent endoscopic lithotripsy or stone extraction. 18.03% of patients underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy whilst 3.14% to a combined approach. Surgical lithotomy was performed in 5.01% of the cases. Global stone-free rate was around 80%. CONCLUSIONS: Lithiasis in kidney transplant is a rare condition usually diagnosed after one year after surgery and mostly located in the calyces and renal pelvis, more frequently of calcium oxalate composition. Each of the active treatments is associated with good results in terms of stone-free rate, thus the surgical technique should be chosen according to the patient's characteristics and surgeon preferences.

Manejo de masas renales en receptores de trasplante renal. Revisión colaborativa de los grupos de trabajo de trasplante renal y cáncer renal de la sección de jóvenes urológos (YAU) de la Asociación Europea de Urología (EAU) / How to manage renal masses in kidney transplant recipients? A collaborative review by the EAU-YAU kidney transplantation and renal cancer working groups

Introducción: Los receptores de trasplante renal (TR) tienen al menos cuatro veces más riesgo de desarrollar neoplasias renales que la población general. Dado que estos pacientes suelen albergar tumores bilaterales o multifocales, el tratamiento de las masas renales sigue siendo un tema controvertido. Objetivo Explorar el tratamiento actual de las masas renales en riñones nativos de pacientes con TR. Adquisición de la evidencia Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en la base de datos Medline/PubMed y se incluyeron 34 estudios en la presente revisión. Síntesis de la evidencia La vigilancia activa es una opción terapéutica factible en pacientes frágiles con masas renales menores de 3 cm. Dado que la cirugía conservadora de nefronas no está justificada en el caso de masas en el riñón nativo, la nefrectomía radical es el tratamiento estándar para los tumores renales en riñones nativos de receptores de TR, con técnicas laparoscópicas asociadas a tasas de complicaciones perioperatorias significativamente menores en comparación con el abordaje abierto. La realización de nefrectomía bilateral de riñón nativo y TR en el mismo acto puede ser una opción terapéutica en pacientes con masa renal y enfermedad poliquística renal, particularmente ante la ausencia de diuresis residual. Los pacientes con enfermedad localizada y nefrectomía radical satisfactoria no requieren ajuste del tratamiento inmunosupresor. En los casos con metástasis, los agentes mTOR pueden garantizar una respuesta antitumoral eficaz, manteniendo a la vez el tratamiento inmunosupresor adecuado para proteger el injerto. Conclusiones El cáncer renal en riñones nativos postrasplante es un acontecimiento frecuente. La nefrectomía radical es el tratamiento de elección en masas renales localizadas. Aún no se ha implementado una estrategia de cribado estandarizada y ampliamente aprobada para las neoplasias malignas en las unidades renales nativas. (AU)

Introduction: Kidney transplant (KT) recipients have a four-times higher risk of renal malignancies compared to general population. As these patients frequently harbor bilateral or multifocal tumors, the management of renal masses is still under debate. Objective To explore the current management of the native kidney masses in KT patients.Acquisition of evidenceWe performed a literature search on MEDLINE/PubMed database. A number of 34 studies were included in the present review. Synthesis of evidence In frail patients with renal masses below 3 cm, active surveillance is a feasible alternative. Nephron-sparing surgery is not justified for masses in the native kidney. Radical nephrectomy is the standard treatment for post-transplant renal tumors of the native kidneys in KT recipients, with laparoscopic techniques leading to significantly less perioperative complication rates as compared to the open approach. Concurrent bilateral native nephrectomy at the time of transplantation can be considered in patients with renal mass and polycystic kidney disease, especially if no residual urinary output is present. Patients with localized disease and successful radical nephrectomy do not require immunosuppression adjustment. In metastatic cases, mTOR agents can ensure efficient antitumoral response, while maintaining proper immunosuppression in order to protect the graft. Conclusions Post-transplant renal cancer of the native kidneys is a frequent occurrence. Radical nephrectomy is most frequently performed for localized renal masses. A standardized and widely-approved screening strategy for malignancies of native renal units is yet to be implemented. (AU)

Trasplante renal abierto frente a trasplante renal asistido por robot: revisión sistemática del grupo de trabajo de trasplante renal de la sección de Jóvenes Urólogos Académicos (YAU) de la Asociación Europea de Urología (EAU) / Open versus robotic-assisted kidney transplantation: A systematic review by the European Association of Urology (EAU) – Young Academic Urologists (YAU) Kidney Transplant Working Group

Introducción En los últimos 20 años se ha evaluado el uso de la robótica en el campo del trasplante renal como abordaje miniinvasivo a esta población especialmente vulnerable. Al tratarse de un campo relativamente novedoso, pocos estudios han comparado el trasplante renal abierto (TRA) y el trasplante renal asistido por robot (TRAR), la mayoría en cohortes pequeñas. Para ampliar los conocimientos actuales, hemos querido reunir en este documento datos comparativos de TRA frente a TRAR en una revisión sistemática. Métodos Se realizó una revisión sistemática de acuerdo con la declaración de Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Se realizaron búsquedas en las bases de datos Medline, Embase y Cochrane para identificar todos los estudios que informaran sobre los resultados postoperatorios del TRAR frente al TRA. Resultados Un total de 2.136 pacientes de 13 estudios fueron incluidos. La mediana de edad de los receptores fue de 42,6 años (TRA: 43,5 años y TRAR: 40,3 años). La mediana de la tasa de trasplante renal preventivo fue de 27,1% (TRA: 23,3% y TRAR: 33,2%). La mediana del tiempo quirúrgico total y de recalentamiento fueron: 235 y 49 min, respectivamente, en la población TRA; 250 y 60 min en la población TRAR. Las tasas de complicaciones postoperatorias fueron: 26,2% en la población TRA y 17,8% en la población TRAR. Las tasas de retraso en la función del injerto fueron: 4,9% en la población TRA y 2,3 en la población TRAR. Los resultados funcionales a medio plazo y la supervivencia del paciente y del injerto fueron similares entre las poblaciones TRA y TRAR. Conclusión Esta revisión sistemática demostró que el TRAR puede asociarse a una menor incidencia de retraso en la función del injerto y de complicaciones quirúrgicas postoperatorias, así como a unos resultados funcionales a medio plazo y una supervivencia del paciente y del injerto similares, en comparación con el TRA para los pacientes con enfermedad renal terminal (AU)

Introduction In the last 20 years, robotic assisted procedures were evaluated in the field of kidney transplantation to provide a mini-invasive approach for this particularly fragile population. As a relatively new issue, few studies compared open kidney transplantation (OKT) and robotic-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT), mostly in small cohorts. To improve current knowledge, we wanted here to gather comparative data of OKT vs RAKT in a systematic review. Methods A systematic review was performed according to preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched to identify all studies reporting post-operative outcomes of RAKT versus OKT. Results A total of 2,136 patients in 13 studies were included. Median recipient age was 42.6 years (OKT: 43.5 years and RAKT: 40.3 years). Median preemptive kidney transplantation rate was 27.1% (OKT: 23.3% and RAKT: 33.2%). Median total operative time and rewarming were respectively: 235 and 49 minutes in OKT population; 250 and 60 minutes in RAKT population.Post-operative complications rates were: 26.2% in OKT population and 17.8% in RAKT population. Delayed graft function rates were: 4.9% in OKT population and 2.3 in RAKT population. Mid-term functional outcomes, patient and graft survival were similar in OKT and RAKT population. Conclusion This systematic review showed that RAKT may be associated with a lower incidence of delayed graft function and post-operative surgical complications and similar mid-term functional outcomes, patient and graft survival, compared to OKT for end-stage renal disease patients (AU)

How to manage renal masses in kidney transplant recipients? A collaborative review by the EAU-YAU kidney transplantation and renal cancer working groups.

INTRODUCTION: Kidney transplant (KT) recipients have a four-times higher risk of renal malignancies compared to general population. As these patients frequently harbor bilateral or multifocal tumors, the management of renal masses is still under debate. OBJECTIVE: To explore the current management of the native kidney masses in KT patients. ACQUISITION OF EVIDENCE: We performed a literature search on MEDLINE/PubMed database. A number of 34 studies were included in the present review. SYNTHESIS OF EVIDENCE: In frail patients with renal masses below 3 cm, active surveillance is a feasible alternative. Nephron-sparing surgery is not justified for masses in the native kidney. Radical nephrectomy is the standard treatment for post-transplant renal tumors of the native kidneys in KT recipients, with laparoscopic techniques leading to significantly less perioperative complication rates as compared to the open approach. Concurrent bilateral native nephrectomy at the time of transplantation can be considered in patients with renal mass and polycystic kidney disease, especially if no residual urinary output is present. Patients with localized disease and successful radical nephrectomy do not require immunosuppression adjustment. In metastatic cases, mTOR agents can ensure efficient antitumoral response, while maintaining proper immunosuppression in order to protect the graft. CONCLUSIONS: Post-transplant renal cancer of the native kidneys is a frequent occurrence. Radical nephrectomy is most frequently performed for localized renal masses. A standardized and widely-approved screening strategy for malignancies of native renal units is yet to be implemented.

Open versus robotic-assisted kidney transplantation: A systematic review by the European Association of Urology (EAU) - Young Academic Urologists (YAU) Kidney Transplant Working Group.

INTRODUCTION: In the last 20 years, robotic assisted procedures were evaluated in the field of kidney transplantation to provide a mini-invasive approach for this particularly fragile population. As a relatively new issue, few studies compared open kidney transplantation (OKT) and robotic-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT), mostly in small cohorts. To improve current knowledge, we wanted here to gather comparative data of OKT vs RAKT in a systematic review. METHODS: A systematic review was performed according to preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched to identify all studies reporting post-operative outcomes of RAKT versus OKT. RESULTS: A total of 2136 patients in 13 studies were included. Median recipient age was 42.6 years (OKT: 43.5 years and RAKT: 40.3 years). Median preemptive kidney transplantation rate was 27.1 % (OKT: 23.3 % and RAKT: 33.2 %). Median total operative time and rewarming were respectively: 235 and 49 min in OKT population; 250 and 60 min in RAKT population. Post-operative complications rates were: 26.2 % in OKT population and 17.8 % in RAKT population. Delayed graft function rates were: 4.9 % in OKT population and 2.3 in RAKT population. Mid-term functional outcomes, patient and graft survival were similar in OKT and RAKT population. CONCLUSION: This systematic review showed that RAKT may be associated with a lower incidence of delayed graft function and post-operative surgical complications and similar mid-term functional outcomes, patient and graft survival, compared to OKT for end-stage renal disease patients.

Infections in lung transplanted patients: A review.

Lung transplantation can improve the survival of patients with severe chronic pulmonary disorders. However, the short- and long-term risk of infections can increase morbidity and mortality rates. A non-systematic review was performed to provide the most updated information on pathogen, host, and environment-related factors associated with the occurrence of bacterial, fungal, and viral infections as well as the most appropriate therapeutic options. Bacterial infections account for about 50% of all infectious diseases in lung transplanted patients, while viruses represent the second cause of infection accounting for one third of all infections. Almost 10% of patients develop invasive fungal infections during the first year after lung transplant. Pre-transplantation comorbidities, disruption of physical barriers during the surgery, and exposure to nosocomial pathogens during the hospital stay are directly associated with the occurrence of life-threatening infections. Empiric antimicrobial treatment after the assessment of individual risk factors, local epidemiology of drug-resistant pathogens and possible drug-drug interactions can improve the clinical outcomes.

Percutaneous puncture during PCNL: new perspective for the future with virtual imaging guidance.

CONTEXT: Large and complex renal stones are usually treated with percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). One of the crucial steps in this procedure is the access to the collecting system with the percutaneous puncture and this maneuver leads to a risk of vascular and neighboring organs' injury. In the last years, the application of virtual image-guided surgery has gained wide diffusion even in this specific field. OBJECTIVES: To provide a short overview of the most recent evidence on current applications of virtual imaging guidance for PCNL. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A non-systematic review of the literature was performed. Medline, PubMed, the Cochrane Database and Embase were screened for studies regarding the use virtual imaging guidance for PCNL. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: 3D virtual navigation technology for PCNL was first used in urology with the purpose of surgical training and surgical planning; subsequently, the field of surgical navigation with different modalities (from cognitive to augmented reality or mixed reality) had been explored. Finally, anecdotal preliminary experiences explored the potential application of artificial intelligence guidance for percutaneous puncture. CONCLUSION: Nowadays, many experiences proved the potential benefit of virtual guidance for surgical simulation and training. Focusing on surgery, this tool revealed to be useful both for surgical planning, allowed to achieve a better surgical performance, and for surgical navigation by using augmented reality and mixed reality systems aimed to assist the surgeon in real time during the intervention.

Systemic inflammatory markers and psychophysical olfactory scores in coronavirus disease 2019 patients: is there any correlation?

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the correlations between olfactory psychophysical scores and the serum levels of D-dimer, C-reactive protein, ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase, procalcitonin and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in coronavirus disease 2019 patients. METHODS: Patients underwent psychophysical olfactory assessment with the Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center test, and determination of blood serum levels of the inflammatory markers D-dimer, C-reactive protein, ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase, procalcitonin and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio within 10 days of the clinical onset of coronavirus disease 2019 and 60 days after. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients were included in this study. D-dimer, procalcitonin, ferritin and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio correlated significantly with severe coronavirus disease 2019. No significant correlations were found between baseline and 60-day Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center test scores and the inflammatory markers assessed. CONCLUSION: Olfactory disturbances appear to have little prognostic value in predicting the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 compared to D-dimer, ferritin, procalcitonin and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. The lack of correlation between the severity and duration of olfactory disturbances and serum levels of inflammatory markers seems to further suggest that the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the loss of smell in coronavirus disease 2019 patients are related to local rather than systemic inflammatory factors.

Therapeutic strategies and outcomes of MDR and pre-XDR-TB in Italy: a nationwide study.

BACKGROUND: Treatment outcomes in multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) patients are suboptimal in several low-incidence countries.METHODS: The primary outcome measure was the proportion of successfully treated patients in Italy during an 18-year period. Secondary outcomes were treatment outcomes in certain drug-containing regimens and the possibility for the WHO shorter MDR-TB regimen.RESULTS: In the 191 patients included (median age at admission: 33 years; 67.5% male, following drug-resistance patterns were found: MDR-TB in 68.6%, pre-extensively drug-resistant TB (pre-XDR-TB) in 30.4% and XDR-TB in 1.1% patients. The most frequently prescribed drugs were fluoroquinolones in 84.6% cases, amikacin in 48.7%, linezolid in 34.6% and meropenem/clavulanic acid in 29.5%. The median duration of treatment was 18 months. Treatment success was achieved in 71.2% patients, of whom, 44% were cured and 27.2% completed treatment. Treatment success rates did not statistically differ between the MDR- (68.8%) and pre-XDR-TB (77.6%) groups (P = 0.26). Treatment success rates had large variability between North and South of Italy (81.3% vs. 53.3%). Only 22.5% of the cases would have been eligible for shorter MDR-TB regimensCONCLUSION: Our study highlights variability in treatment outcomes in MDR- and pre-XDR-TB patients. Study findings confirmed the potential utility of linezolid and, for patients with limited oral options, meropenem/clavulanic acid and amikacin.

Perspectiva de los pacientes sobre el uso de la telemedicina en las consultas urológicas ambulatorias: aprendiendo de la pandemia del COVID-19 / Patients' perspective on the use of telemedicine for outpatient urological visits: Learning from the COVID-19 outbreak

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An outbreak of severe invasive meningococcal disease due to a capsular switched Neisseria meningitidis hypervirulent strain B:cc11.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to investigate an outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in Southern Sardinia. METHODS: Epidemiological and microbiological investigations were performed. The latter included antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). RESULTS: Seven individuals with severe IMD were found to be infected with serogroup B (MenB) Neisseria meningitidis in the first quarter of 2018. Five of the seven cases (five males; mean age 19 years; range 18-21 years; CFR 40%) were due to a unique strain B:P1.5-1,10-8:F3-6:ST-11(cc11), probably switched from the hypervirulent C-cc11, as confirmed by WGS. All five patients had attended the same nightclub in the 2 weeks prior to symptom onset. Public health measures, including chemoprophylaxis of contacts and active immunization against MenB, were implemented. CONCLUSIONS: We observed five IMD cases due to the same switched MenB strain. The hypervirulent B:P1.5-1,10-8:F3-6:ST-11(cc11) strain, probably switched from C-cc11, is of concern due to the observed high virulence and case fatality rates. All the patients shared the same place of probable exposure. The molecular characterization of the invasive strain allowed the outbreak to be confirmed, which was then controlled through timely public health action.

Procedures in endoscope reprocessing and monitoring: an Italian survey.

BACKGROUND: The high diffusion of endoscopes worldwide and the need for effective reprocessing methods requested the development of guidelines and implementation of surveillance procedures at local level. STUDY DESIGN: In order to collect data on everyday's practice and adherence to available guidelines, endoscopy units from different public institutions were surveyed using a dedicated questionnaire. METHODS: Between July and November 2015 a survey was carried in 12 main hospitals from 10 different Italian regions, involving 22 endoscopy units. The state of the art of national and international guidelines was investigated to compare the protocols adopted at local level. RESULTS: In all the surveyed hospitals, the reprocessing activity is based on pre-established protocols in adherence with principal guidelines. Enzymatic detergents, which are recommended by the international guidelines, are used in 55.6% of units and peracetic acid is currently the most widely used chemical disinfectant. Discrepancies were observed in the application of periodic quality controls. CONCLUSION: Updated guidelines are generally applied in reprocessing practice. Quality controls may represent a critical issue to improve effectiveness and surveillance. The whole of acquired data can promote a positive trend towards the application of best practices.

Nosocomial transmission of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in an Italian university hospital: a molecular epidemiological study.

AIM: To describe the phenotypic and genotypic profiles of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae (KPC-Kp) strains isolated from patients with invasive infections at an Italian university hospital in order to assess the epidemiological trend. METHODS: An observational prospective study was undertaken at the University Hospital of Sassari, Italy to detect KPC-Kp strains in patients with invasive bacteraemia. Isolates were identified phenotypically; carbapenemase production was assessed using phenotypic and genotypic methods. Sequencing of blaKPC genes, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and multi-locus sequence typing were performed. RESULTS: During the period 2015-2017, 46 cases of invasive infection with K. pneumoniae were recorded. Two-thirds (67.4%) of the patients were male, and the mean age was 69.4 years. Most patients had at least one comorbidity (56.5%) and/or had been hospitalized previously (70.5%), 81.8% had current or recent medical device use, and 85.4% had recent antibiotic exposure. The mortality rate was 52.3%. A multi-drug-resistant pattern (including carbapenems, fluoroquinolones, third-/fourth-generation cephalosporins) was shown for all K. pneumoniae isolates. KPC-3 and -2 were produced by all strains. The most common sequence types were 512 (91.3%) and 101 (8.7%), grouped into three clusters (A, A1 and B). CONCLUSIONS: A high incidence of KPC-Kp in patients with invasive infections was recorded at an Italian university hospital compared with the incidence measured before 2015. This study confirmed the importance of the KPC-3 carbapenemase variant, as reported by other Italian studies. High mortality and comorbidity rates appear to be associated with KPC-Kp infection.

Derogation from drinking water quality standards in Italy according to the European Directive 98/83/EC and the Legislative Decree 31/2001 - a look at the recent past.

BACKGROUND: Until 2012, the European Directive 98/83/EC and the Italian Legislative Decree 31/2001 allowed derogation from the drinking water quality standards in Italy with a number of requests higher than any other European country. The present work aims to assess the extent of the derogation granted in Italy, in particular by noting those issued from 2001 to 2012, in order to obtain a retrospective quality indicator, useful for evaluating the risk arising from population exposure. METHODS: The most significant factors leading to derogation were analyzed. We first carried out an in-depth analysis of the European, national and regional legislation and subsequently distributed the obtained data according to: parameters regarding derogation; length of the derogation; area involved; and maximum parameter value granted by the derogation acts. RESULTS: We found approximately 100 derogation acts, granted in 14 Regions and concerning 19, mostly chemical, parameters. The most frequently granted derogation, in 12 Regions, was due to the presence of arsenic. Furthermore, given its 10-year presence in Campania and Lazio, fluoride was the most widespread parameter in the Italian territory. The year 2006 had the largest number of derogations issued with 22 acts found: this decreased to one during the third three-year derogation granted in 2012. CONCLUSIONS: Data collected showed how often Italy applied for drinking water quality derogation in recent years, going so far as to request a third three-year derogation. While this phenomenon has highlighted a practice largely ignored by the public, derogation acts have often involved the same parameters, underlining how difficult it can be to comply with the standards in a timely manner.