Association of piperacillin/tazobactam MIC and mortality in a cohort of ceftriaxone-resistant Escherichia coli bloodstream infections treated with piperacillin/tazobactam and carbapenems: a multicentric propensity score-weighted observational cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of piperacillin/tazobactam MICs on in-hospital 30 day mortality in patients with third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli bloodstream infection treated with piperacillin/tazobactam, compared with those treated with carbapenems. METHODS: A multicentre retrospective cohort study was conducted in three large academic hospitals in Italy between 2018 and 2022. The study population comprised patients with monomicrobial third-generation cephalosporin-resistant E. coli bloodstream infection, who received either piperacillin/tazobactam or carbapenem therapy within 48 h of blood culture collection. The primary outcome was in-hospital 30 day all-cause mortality. A propensity score was used to estimate the likelihood of receiving empirical piperacillin/tazobactam treatment. Cox regression models were performed to ascertain risk factors independently associated with in-hospital 30 day mortality. RESULTS: Of the 412 consecutive patients included in the study, 51% received empirical therapy with piperacillin/tazobactam, while 49% received carbapenem therapy. In the propensity-adjusted multiple Cox model, the Pitt bacteraemia score [HR 1.38 (95% CI, 0.85-2.16)] and piperacillin/tazobactam MICs of 8 mg/L [HR 2.35 (95% CI, 1.35-3.95)] and ≥16 mg/L [HR 3.69 (95% CI, 1.86-6.91)] were significantly associated with increased in-hospital 30 day mortality, while the empirical use of piperacillin/tazobactam was not found to predict in-hospital 30 day mortality [HR 1.38 (95% CI, 0.85-2.16)]. CONCLUSIONS: Piperacillin/tazobactam use might not be associated with increased mortality in treating third-generation cephalosporin-resistant E. coli bloodstream infections when the MIC is <8 mg/L.

Stigma and mental health among people living with HIV across the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Mental health (MH) is extremely relevant when referring to people living with a chronic disease, such as people living with HIV (PLWH). In fact - although life expectancy and quality have increased since the advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART) - PLWH carry a high incidence of mental disorders, and this burden has been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this scenario, UNAIDS has set new objectives for 2025, such as the linkage of at least 90% of PLWH to people-centered, context-specific MH services. Aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of MD in PLWH followed at the Clinic of Infectious Diseases of the University of Bari, Italy. METHODS: From January 10th to September 10th, 2022, all PLWH patients accessing our outpatient clinic were offered the following standardized tools: HAM-A for anxiety, BDI-II for depression, PC-PTSD-5 for post-traumatic stress disorder, CAGE-AID for alcohol-drug abuse. Factors associated with testing positive to the four MD were explored with a multivariable logistic regression model. RESULTS: 578 out of 1110 HIV-patients agreed to receive MH screening, with 141 (24.4%) people resulting positive to at least one MH disorder. HAM-A was positive in 15.8% (n = 91), BDI-II in 18% (n = 104), PC-PTSD-5 in 5% (n = 29) and CAGE in 6.1% (n = 35). The multivariable logistic regression showed a higher probability of being diagnosed with anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder for PLWH who reported severe stigma, social isolation, psychological deterioration during the COVID-19 pandemic and for those receiving a dolutegravir (DTG)-based regimen. Moreover, history of drug use (OR 1.13; [95% CE 1.06-4.35]), family stigma (2.42 [1.65-3.94]) and social isolation (2.72 [1.55;4.84]) were found to be associated to higher risk for substance use disorder. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, stigma was a strong predictor for being diagnosed of a MH disorder among PLWH. Also, the possible role of dolutegravir as a risk factor for the onset of MH disorders should be considered in clinical practice, and MH of patients receiving DTG-containing regimens should be constantly monitored.

Oral anti-viral therapy for early COVID-19 infection in patients with haematological malignancies: A multicentre prospective cohort.

High rates of lung failure have been reported in haematological patients after SARS-CoV2 infection. An early administration of monoclonal antibodies or anti-virals may improve the prognosis. Oral anti-virals may have a wider use independently of the genetic variations of the virus. Prospective data on anti-virals in haematological malignancies (HMs) are still lacking. Outpatients diagnosed with HM and early COVID-19 infection were prospectively treated with the oral anti-virals nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and molnupiravir. Incidence of lung failure, deaths and adverse events was analysed. Long-term outcome at third month was evaluated. Eighty-two outpatients were evaluable for the study objectives. All patients had been treated for their HM within 12 months. COVID-19-related lung failure was 23.1%. Active HM (aOR = 4.42; p = 0.038) and prolonged viral shedding (aOR = 1.04; p = 0.022) resulted independent predictors of severe infection. The vaccination with three to four doses (aOR = 0.02; p = 0.001) and with two doses (aOR = 0.06; p = 0.006) resulted protective. COVID-19-related deaths at 28 days were 6.1%. All-cause mortality at 90-day follow-up was 13.4% (n. 11) and included opportunistic infections and cardiovascular events. In conclusion, this approach reduced the incidence of lung failure and specific mortality compared to previous cohorts, but patients remain at high risk of further complications.

Loading dose plus continuous/extended infusion versus intermittent bolus of ß-lactams for the treatment of Gram-negative bacteria bloodstream infections: a propensity score-adjusted retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Optimal ß-lactam dosing for the treatment of Gram-negative bacteria bloodstream infections (GNB-BSIs) remains a debated issue. Herein, the efficacy and safety of a loading dose (LD) followed by extended/continuous infusion (EI/CI) versus intermittent bolus (IB) of these drugs for the treatment of GNB-BSIs was evaluated. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study enrolling patients with GNB-BSIs treated with ß-lactams from 1 October 2020 to 31 March 2022. The 30 day infection-related mortality rate was assessed with Cox regression, while mortality risk reduction was evaluated by an inverse probability of treatment weighting regression adjustment (IPTW-RA) model. RESULTS: Overall, 224 patients were enrolled: 140 and 84 in the IB and EI/CI groups, respectively. ß-Lactam regimens were chosen according to pathogen antibiogram, clinical judgement and current guidelines. Interestingly, the LD + EI/CI regimen was associated with a significant lower mortality rate (17% versus 32%, P = 0.011). Similarly, ß-lactam LD + EI/CI was significantly associated with a reduced risk of mortality at multivariable Cox regression [adjusted HR (aHR) = 0.46; 95%CI = 0.22-0.98; P = 0.046]. Finally, the IPTW-RA (adjusted for multiple covariates) was performed, showing a significant risk reduction in the overall population [-14% (95% CI = -23% to -5%)]; at the subgroup restricted analysis, a significant risk reduction (>15%) was observed in the case of GNB-BSI in severely immunocompromised patients (P = 0.003), for SOFA score > 6 (P = 0.014) and in septic shock (P = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: The use of LD + EI/CI of ß-lactams in patients with a GNB-BSI may be associated with reduced mortality; also in patients with severe presentation of infection or with additional risk factors, such as immunodepression.

Incidence and predictors of infections in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapies: A monocentric retrospective cohort study.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represent the cornerstone of the current treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the occurrence of concomitant infections might hamper success. All consecutive patients with advanced NSCLC who started ICIs as a first- or second-line therapy from January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2020 were retrospectively evaluated. The occurrence of infectious events during ICIs was correlated with clinical characteristics, including previous Cytotoxic Chemotherapy (CC), occurrence of immune-related-adverse-events (irAEs). A total of 211 patients were included, 46 (22%) females, with a median (q1-q3) age of 69 (62-76) years. Overall, 85 patients (40%) received ICIs as a first treatment line and 126 (60%) as a second line; 40 patients (19%) had at least one infection during ICIs, and 17 (8%) more than one. Notably, autoimmune diseases (P < .005), neutropenia (P = .001) or infections during previous CC (P = .001), irAEs (P = .006), or steroid therapy for irAEs (P < .001) were associated with infection development. By multivariate Cox-regression, autoimmune diseases (aHR = 6.27; 95%CI = 2.38-16.48; P < .001) and steroid therapy for irAEs (aHR = 2.65; 95%CI = 1.27-5.52; P < .009) were associated with a higher risk of infection during ICIs. Interestingly, autoimmune diseases were confirmed as risk factors in patients treated with ICIs as a first line, while previous infections were the only independent predictor of infections in patients treated with ICIs as a second line. Patients with NSCLC treated with ICIs with concurrent autoimmune disease, receiving steroid therapy for management of irAEs, or having a history of previous infections during CC should be actively monitored for the risk of developing infectious complications.

Efficacy and safety of therapies for COVID-19 in pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Clinical evidence suggests that pregnant women are more vulnerable to COVID-19, since they are at increased risk for disease progression and for obstetric complications, such as premature labor, miscarriage, preeclampsia, cesarean delivery, fetal growth restriction and perinatal death. Despite this evidence, pregnant women are often excluded from clinical trials, resulting in limited knowledge on COVID-19 management. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to provide better evidence on the efficacy and safety of available COVID-19 treatment in pregnant women. METHODS: Four authors searched major electronic databases from inception until 1 st November-2022 for controlled trials/observational studies, investigating outcomes after the administration of anti-SARS-CoV-2 treatments in pregnant women affected by COVID-19. The analyses investigated the cumulative incidence of delivery and maternal outcomes in pregnant women, comparing those taking active medication vs standard care. Risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Statistical significance was assessed using the random effects model and inverse-variance method. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the updated 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The protocol has been registered in Prospero (number registration: CRD42023397445). RESULTS: From initially 937 non duplicate records, we assessed the full texts of 40 articles, finally including ten studies. In six studies, including 1627 patients, the use of casirivimab/imdevimab (CAS/IMD), remdesivir, and IFN-alpha 2b significantly decreased the need of cesarean section ((RR = 0.665; 95%CI: 0.491-0.899; p = 0.008; I 2 = 19.5%;) (Table 1, (Fig. 1). Treatments did not decrease the risk of preterm delivery, admission to neonatal ICU, or stillbirth/perinatal loss (p-values > 0.50 for all these outcomes) and did not prevent the progression of disease towards severe degrees (k = 8; 2,374 pregnant women; RR = 0.778; 95%CI: 0.550-1.099; p = 0.15; I 2 = 0%). Moreover, the use of medications during pregnancy did not modify the incidence of maternal death in two studies (Table 2). CONCLUSIONS: To our analysis, CAS/IMD, remdesivir, and IFN alpha 2b reduced the number of cesarean sections but demonstrated no effect on disease progression and other obstetric and COVID-19 related outcomes. The inability to evaluate the influence of viral load on illness development in pregnant women was attributed to lack of data. In our systematic review, no major side effects were reported. Though, it is essential for the medical community to focus more on clinical trials and less on episodic case reports and case series, with standardization of fetal and maternal outcomes.

Detection of Endosymbiont Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii and Tickborne Pathogens in Humans Exposed to Tick Bites, Italy.

During 2021, we collected blood and serum samples from 135 persons exposed to tick bites in southern Italy. We serologically and molecularly screened for zoonotic tickborne pathogens and only molecularly screened for Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii. Overall, 62 (45.9%) persons tested positive for tickborne pathogens. Coxiella burnetii was detected most frequently (27.4%), along with Rickettsia spp. (21.5%) and Borrelia spp. (10.4%). We detected Candidatus M. mitochondrii DNA in 46 (34.1%) participants who had statistically significant associations to tickborne pathogens (p<0.0001). Phylogenetic analysis of Candidatus M. mitochondrii sequences revealed 5 clades and 8 human sequence types that correlated with vertebrates, Ixodes spp. ticks, and countries in Europe. These data demonstrated a high circulation of tickborne pathogens and Candidatus M. mitochondrii DNA in persons participating in outdoor activities in southern Italy. Our study shows how coordinated surveillance among patients, clinicians, and veterinarians could inform a One Health approach for monitoring and controlling the circulation of tickborne pathogens.

Impact of antimalarial resistance and COVID-19 pandemic on malaria care among pregnant women in Northern Uganda (ERASE): protocol of a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Uganda accounts for 5% of all malaria cases and deaths reported globally and, in endemic countries, pregnancy is a risk factor for both acquisition of P. falciparum infection and development of severe malaria. In recent years, malaria control has been threatened by COVID-19 pandemic and by the emergence, in Northern Uganda, of both resistance to artemisinin derivatives and to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine. METHODS: In this facility-based, prospective, observational study, pregnant women will be recruited at antenatal-care visits and followed-up until delivery. Collected data will explore the incidence of asymptomatic parasitemia and malaria-related outcomes, as well as the attitudes towards malaria prevention, administration of intermittent preventive treatment, healthcare seeking behavior and use of insecticide-treated nets. A subpopulation of women diagnosed with malaria will be recruited and their blood samples will be analyzed for detection of genetic markers of resistance to artemisinin derivatives and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine. Also, to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on malaria care among pregnant women, a retrospective, interrupted-time series will be conducted on at the study sites for the period January 2018 to December 2021. DISCUSSION: The present study will explore the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on incidence of malaria and malaria-related adverse outcomes, along with the prevalence of resistance to artemisinin derivatives and to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine. To our knowledge, this is the first study aiming to explore the combined effect of these factors on a cohort of pregnant women. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study has been registered on the ClinicalTrials.gov public website on 26th April, 2022. CLINICALTRIALS: gov Identifier: NCT05348746.

Impact of Vitamin D in Prophylaxis and Treatment in Tuberculosis Patients.

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in many infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis (TB), that remains one of the world's top infectious killers with 1.5 million deaths from TB in 2021. Vitamin D suppresses the replication of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro and showed a promising role in TB management as a result of its connection with oxidative balance. Our review encourages the possible in vivo benefit of a joint administration with other vitamins, such as vitamin A, which share a known antimycobacterial action with vitamin D. However, considering the low incidence of side effects even at high dosages and its low cost, it would be advisable to assess vitamin D level both in patients with active TB and high-risk groups and administer it, at least to reach sufficiency levels.

Concurrent cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis and COVID-19 pneumonia with in vitro immune cell anergy.

Tuberculosis (TB) is top infectious disease killer caused by a single organism responsible for 1.5 million deaths in 2018. Both COVID-19 and the pandemic response are risking to affect control measures for TB and continuity of essential services for people affected by this infection in western countries and even more in developing countries. Knowledge about concomitant pulmonary TB and COVID-19 is extremely limited. The double burden of these two diseases can have devastating effects. Here, we describe from both the clinical and the immunological point of view a case of a patient with in vitro immune cell anergy affected by bilateral cavitary pulmonary TB and subsequent COVID-19-associated pneumonia with a worst outcome. COVID-19 can be a precipitating factor in TB respiratory failure and, during ongoing SARS-COV-2 pandemic, clinicians must be aware of this possible co-infection in differential diagnosis of patients with active TB and new or worsening chest imaging.

Lost to follow-up: a challenge over 10 years.

The loss of patients to follow up is a major issue related to HIV management. Our research was aimed to evaluate, in a single Italian centre, the rate of patients lost to follow-up (LFU) over 10 years, to describe their socio-demographic and clinical features, and to identify predictors of disengagement from care. Between 2008 and 2017, 563 subjects were LFU. Over the years, the proportion of LFU on the number of patients followed per year, decreased from 6.5% in 2008 to 4.8% in 2017 (p for trend = 0.255). Four different subgroups were identified among LFU:116 patients resulted untraceable; 192 had died; 144 were re-engaged elsewhere; 111 were subsequently re-engaged in our centre. Old age (OR 1.08, 95%, CI = 1.06-1.11; p < 0.001), AIDS (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.04-2.64; p = 0.031), drug addiction (OR = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.07-3.41; p = 0.027) were predictors of death at multivariable analysis. Main predictors of being untraceable were non-Italian nationality (OR = 4.23, 95% CI = 2.19-8.16; p < 0.001) and a short history of cART (OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.88-0.99; p = 0.026). Subjects living far from our Centre were often re-engaged elsewhere (OR = 2.36, 95% CI = 1.34-4.15; p = 0.002). According to our analysis, the problem LFU is still relevant: strategies to empower retention in care are thus necessary.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Diverse Physical Health Outcomes: An Umbrella Review of Meta-analyses of Observational Studies.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to assess both the credibility and strength of evidence arising from systematic reviews with meta-analyses of observational studies and physical health outcomes associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but not acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. METHODS: We performed an umbrella review of observational studies. Evidence was graded as convincing, highly suggestive, suggestive, weak, or nonsignificant. RESULTS: From 3413 studies returned, 20 were included, covering 55 health outcomes. Median number of participants was 18 743 (range 403-225 000 000). Overall, 45 (81.8%) of the 55 unique outcomes reported nominally significant summary results (P < .05). Only 5 outcomes (9.0%; higher likelihood of presence of breathlessness, higher chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] prevalence, maternal sepsis, higher risk of anemia, and higher risk of all fractures among people living with HIV [PLWHIV]) showed suggestive evidence, with P values < 10-3; only 3 (5.5%; higher prevalence of cough in cross-sectional studies, higher incidence of pregnancy-related mortality, and higher incidence of ischemic heart disease among PLWHIV in cohort studies) outcomes showed stronger evidence using a stringent P value (<10-6). None of the unique outcomes presented convincing evidence (Class I), yet 3 outcomes presented highly suggestive evidence, 5 outcomes presented suggestive evidence, and 37 outcomes presented weak evidence. CONCLUSIONS: Results show highly suggestive and suggestive evidence for HIV and the presence of a cough, COPD, ischemic heart disease, pregnancy-related mortality, maternal sepsis, and bone fractures. Public health policies should reflect and accommodate these changes, especially in light of the increases in the life expectancy and the incidence of comorbidities in this population.

Common cardiovascular risk factors and in-hospital mortality in 3,894 patients with COVID-19: survival analysis and machine learning-based findings from the multicentre Italian CORIST Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: There is poor knowledge on characteristics, comorbidities and laboratory measures associated with risk for adverse outcomes and in-hospital mortality in European Countries. We aimed at identifying baseline characteristics predisposing COVID-19 patients to in-hospital death. METHODS AND RESULTS: Retrospective observational study on 3894 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection hospitalized from February 19th to May 23rd, 2020 and recruited in 30 clinical centres distributed throughout Italy. Machine learning (random forest)-based and Cox survival analysis. 61.7% of participants were men (median age 67 years), followed up for a median of 13 days. In-hospital mortality exhibited a geographical gradient, Northern Italian regions featuring more than twofold higher death rates as compared to Central/Southern areas (15.6% vs 6.4%, respectively). Machine learning analysis revealed that the most important features in death classification were impaired renal function, elevated C reactive protein and advanced age. These findings were confirmed by multivariable Cox survival analysis (hazard ratio (HR): 8.2; 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.6-14.7 for age ≥85 vs 18-44 y); HR = 4.7; 2.9-7.7 for estimated glomerular filtration rate levels <15 vs ≥ 90 mL/min/1.73 m2; HR = 2.3; 1.5-3.6 for C-reactive protein levels ≥10 vs ≤ 3 mg/L). No relation was found with obesity, tobacco use, cardiovascular disease and related-comorbidities. The associations between these variables and mortality were substantially homogenous across all sub-groups analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Impaired renal function, elevated C-reactive protein and advanced age were major predictors of in-hospital death in a large cohort of unselected patients with COVID-19, admitted to 30 different clinical centres all over Italy.

Uncommon testicular localization of Disseminated TB: a case report from Mozambique.

Tuberculosis (TB) of the testicle is a rarely reported and poorly described disease localization. There are no well-defined clinical features suggestive of testicular TB, which makes the diagnosis difficult to establish, especially in low-income settings like Mozambique, where TB is endemic and often associated with HIV-infection; both considered leading causes of death worldwide. We reported the case of a 45-year-old male, HIV positive, naïve to antiretroviral treatment, admitted to the Department of Medicine of the Central Hospital of Beira to investigate chronic enlargement of the testicles.

Pathways of care for HIV infected children in Beira, Mozambique: pre-post intervention study to assess impact of task shifting.

BACKGROUND: In 2013, Mozambique implemented task-shifting (TS) from clinical officers to maternal and child nurses to improve care for HIV positive children < 5 years old. A retrospective, pre-post intervention study was designed to evaluate effectiveness of a new pathway of care in a sample of Beira District Local Health Facilities (LHFs), the primary, local, community healthcare services. METHODS: The study was conducted by accessing registries of At Risk Children Clinics (ARCCs) and HIV Health Services. Two time periods, pre- and post-intervention, were compared using a set of endpoints. Variables distribution was explored using descriptive statistics. T-student, Mann Whitney and Chi-square tests were used for comparisons. RESULTS: Overall, 588 HIV infected children (F = 51.4%) were recruited, 330 belonging to the post intervention period. The mean time from referral to ARCC until initiation of ART decreased from 2.3 (± 4.4) to 1.1 (± 5.0) months after the intervention implementation (p-value: 0.000). A significant increase of Isoniazid prophylaxis (O.R.: 2.69; 95%CI: 1.7-4.15) and a decrease of both regular nutritional assessment (O.R. = 0.45; 95%CI: 0.31-0.64) and CD4 count at the beginning of ART (O.R. = 0.46; 95%CI: 0.32-0.65) were documented after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Despite several limitations and controversial results on nutrition assessment and CD4 count at the initiation of ART reported after the intervention, it could be assumed that TS alone may play a role in the improvement of the global effectiveness of care for HIV infected children only if integrated into a wider range of public health measures.

Teenage pregnancies in Mozambique: the experience of "Servicios Amigos dos Adolescentes" clinics in Beira.

The purpose of this article is to provide insights into the demand for pregnancy-related health services by adolescent girls and young women in Mozambique. We analysed the patient registers for the first year of operation (2014) of the Servicios Amigos dos Adolescentes (SAAJ) [Friendly Services for Adolescents] clinics in Beira, Mozambique. These registers provide details of the service demands of, and services provided to the 8 290 adolescent girls and young women who accessed the 6 SAAJ clinics in 2014. Analysis of that record, with disaggregation of the patients according to age (9 years or less; 10-14; 15-19; 20-24; 25 and older), show that 3 021 (36%) were pregnant or had previously been pregnant; most being girls in the 15-19 age band (59%). Being pregnant or having been pregnant previously was associated with dropping out of school. Of all the girls and women, 60% agreed to HIV testing and counselling; the HIV prevalence rate amongst this group was 4-5% amongst adolescents and 25% amongst women 25 years and older. A minority of the girls and women who were pregnant or had been pregnant previously agreed to HIV testing and counselling. Notwithstanding the limitations for analysis, the results were alarming: substantially high HIV prevalence rates were indicated (2% amongst 10-14 year old girls; 8% amongst 15-19 year olds; 10% amongst 20-24 year olds; and 28% amongst >24 year olds). The data from the SAAJ clinics and results pertain only to conditions in Beira. However, as the first empirical assessment of pregnancy-related service demand amongst adolescent girls and young women in the country and involving a relatively large sample, we contend that this study affirms the need for expansion of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, including HIV services, for adolescent girls and young women in Mozambique.

An intricate case of multidrug resistant Plasmodium falciparum isolate imported from Cambodia.

BACKGROUND: Imported cases of multidrug resistant Plasmodium falciparum and treatment failure with artemisinin-based regimens, although rare, have been described also in Western countries and their management is often challenging. This is also due to an inadequate knowledge and implementation of health prevention measures. CASE REPORT: A complex case of imported malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax/P. falciparum isolates in a patient who was not taking chemoprophylaxis while he was travelling in Cambodia is reported in this article. After failures of artemisinin-based and both oral and intravenous quinine-based regimens, a multidrug resistant P. falciparum was detected. The patient was successfully treated with atovaquone-proguanil. CONCLUSIONS: This experience highlights the importance of a careful management that should be based not only on the most up-to-date guidelines, but also on the awareness of a rapidly evolving scenario.

Tuberculosis and diabetes: current state and future perspectives.

This review outlines the association between tuberculosis and diabetes, focusing on epidemiology, physiopathology, clinical aspects, diagnosis and treatment, and evaluates future perspectives, with particular attention to developing countries.

Long-Term Impairment of Working Ability in Subjects under 60 Years of Age Hospitalised for COVID-19 at 2 Years of Follow-Up: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can lead to persistent and debilitating symptoms referred to as Post-Acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) This broad symptomatology lasts for months after the acute infection and impacts physical and mental health and everyday functioning. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of long-term impairment of working ability in non-elderly people hospitalised for COVID-19. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 322 subjects hospitalised for COVID-19 from 1 March 2020 to 31 December 2022 in the University Hospital of Bari, Apulia, Italy, enrolled at the time of their hospital discharge and followed-up at a median of 731 days since hospitalization (IQR 466-884). Subjects reporting comparable working ability and those reporting impaired working ability were compared using the Mann-Whitney test (continuous data) and Fisher's test or Chi-Square test (categorical data). Multivariable analysis of impaired working ability was performed using a logistic regression model. Results: Among the 322 subjects who were interviewed, 184 reported comparable working ability (57.1%) and 134 reported impaired working ability (41.6%) compared to the pre-COVID-19 period. Multivariable analysis identified age at hospital admission (OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.04), female sex (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.18 to 3.08), diabetes (OR 3.73, 95% CI 1.57 to 9.65), receiving oxygen during hospital stay (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.01 to 3.06), and severe disease (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.26 to 1.01) as independent predictors of long-term impaired working ability after being hospitalised for COVID-19. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that PASC promotes conditions that could result in decreased working ability and unemployment. These results highlight the significant impact of this syndrome on public health and the global economy, and the need to develop clinical pathways and guidelines for long-term care with specific focus on working impairment.