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SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant is spreading worldwide, causing unprecedented epidemic peaks due to its transmissibility and immune evasion. We searched in the archive of the Regional Microbiology Laboratory (Umbria, Italy) for immediate reinfection (i.e. infection occurring 25-60 days from primary infection) among 454,764 RT-PCR tests from 261,217 individuals. Lineage heterogeneity was assessed by S gene target failure phenomenon or whole genome sequencing. We found that BA.1 Omicron variant may cause immediate reinfection of patients just recovered from Delta infection. Immediate reinfection was not observed for any other combination of variants, including Delta over Alpha variant and BA.2 over BA.1 Omicron lineage.

The use of roll-your-own (RYO) cigarette has substantially increased in most high-income countries recently. This work aims to update Italian trends on loose tobacco sales and to describe the consumer profile of predominant RYO users. Data from the Italian Agency of Customs and State Monopolies and from PASSI (Italian behavioral risk factor surveillance system) were used. Information on 16,858 interviews to current smokers aged 18–69 was analyzed. Sales of loose tobacco increased more than sevenfold between 2004 and 2017. In 2015–2016, 11.6% of smokers reported smoking predominantly RYO cigarettes, with higher percentages among the youngest where a significant association between use of RYO and education was observed, unlike what happened in older adults. The association between economic difficulties and use of RYO was observed only in older adults. A growing trend in RYO cigarette sales was registered between 2004 and 2017. In young smokers, the greater use of RYO was observed among the most educated regardless of financial strain, while in older ones among those with economic difficulties.

Cervical cancer screening programmes in Italy actively invite all 25-64-year-old resident women for the Pap test every 3 years irrespective of their citizenship. Immigrant women come from countries where screening is absent or poorly implemented and the prevalence of human papillomavirus is often high. These women therefore have significant risk factors for cervical cancer. The Italian Group for Cervical Cancer Screening promoted a survey of all the screening programmes on the participation and the positivity and detection rates in Italian and foreign women in 2009-2011. Aggregated data for participation, cytology results, compliance with colposcopy and histology results were collected, distinguishing between women born in Italy and abroad. All comparisons were age adjusted. Forty-eight programmes out of 120 participated in the immigrant survey, with 3 147 428 invited and 1 427 412 screened Italian women and 516 291 invited and 205 948 screened foreign women. Foreign women had a slightly lower participation rate compared with Italians (39.9 vs. 45.4%), whereas compliance with colposcopy was similar (90%). Foreigners showed a higher risk of pathological findings than Italians: cytology positivity [relative risk (RR)=1.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24-1.27] and detection rate for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 (CIN2) (RR=1.39, 95% CI 1.31-1.47), CIN3 (RR=2.07, 95% CI 1.96-2.18) and cancer (RR=2.68, 95% CI 2.24-3.22). The ratio between cancer and CIN was higher in immigrants (0.06 vs. 0.04, P0.01). Foreign women had a higher risk of cervical precancer and cancer. Because of their high risk and because opportunistic screening does not cover this often disadvantaged group, achieving high participation in screening programmes for foreigners is critical to further reducing the cervical cancer burden in Italy.

to measure the risk of having serious lesions and cervical cancer for immigrant women, by evaluating the impact of their lack of participation in the previous rounds.retrospective study.archive of the screening programme of Local Health Unit 2, Umbria. People subjected to the study: those adhering to the last round (2008- 2010) and belonging to an age group potentially capable of participating in all the previous rounds (1999-2007).positivity to Pap test; lesions that require colposcopy (AGCH,AGCUS,ASCH, HSIL); tumours (squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas).1.7% of the women were positive to the Pap test, 0.7% presented lesions with the immediate need for colposcopy, and 0.039% were diagnosed with cancer. The percentage of women who resulted either positive to the Pap test, or presenting lesions requiring colposcopy or with cancer, is significantly higher among those who come from poor countries. Furthermore, participation in previous rounds has proven to be protective with reference to the above-mentioned markers.the independent weight of several risk factors has emerged and consequently the need to promote with particular commitment the participation in screening of women coming from poor countries.

The present work investigated the occurrence of Giardia infection in Chinchilla lanigera reared in three Italian breeding facilities and determined their role as potential zoonotic reservoir. One hundred and four fecal samples were tested for the presence of Giardia spp. cysts using a Direct Fluorescent Assay (DFA). A high positivity rate (39.4%) was found despite all animals were asymptomatic at the time of sampling. Thirty-one positive samples were genetically characterized by sequence analysis of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of the Giardia ribosomal DNA. Assemblages B (29 isolates) and C (two isolates) were identified. These results showed that Giardia infection can be common in chinchillas, thus spurring further molecular epizootiological studies of the infection to assess the zoonotic potential or host specificity of their isolates, to determine the source of infections, to identify the routes of transmission, and to control the infection among animal populations.

describing, using administrative data, the extent and modalities of hospitalization in terminally ill cancer patients, residing in Local Health Unit (LHU) 2 of Umbria Region, Italy.retrospective cohort study based on current administrative data: Nominative Registry of Causes of Death (ReNCaM) and Hospital Discharge Records (HDR).residents in LHU 2 dead of cancer (ICD9-CM categories: 140-239) in 2004-2006 (N=3,122).percentage of patients hospitalized within thirty days before death, percentage of those admitted to hospital within 2 days before death, percentage of patients discharged once dead, percentage of those discharged alive on the day of death. We used a multivariate logistic analysis model to assess the role played by the variables on the available indicators.percentage of patients hospitalized within thirty days before death was 56.5% (N=1,764) percentage of those admitted to hospital within 2 days before death was 9.0% (N=281) percentage of those discharged alive on the day of death was 24.4% (N=763); percentage of discharged alive on the day of death was 6,1% (N=190). The age group 40-59 years and any residence other than the District of Assisi (the first with a palliative care network), are factors associated with increased hospitalization in the terminally ill.

Mud-bath treatment has a relevant therapeutic activity in reducing symptoms and disabilities in rheumatic diseases, as studies on inflammation process and clinical symptomatology have shown. Objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of mud therapy by natural limans of Cervia on clinical parameters in patients with lumbar spine osteoarthrosis (OA).30 patients (20 females and 10 males) suffering from lumbar OA, diagnosed by clinical symptoms and X-Ray findings (osteophytosis, morphological changes of vertrebral somes, tightness of intervertebral spaces, alterated lumbar physiologic lordosis) were studied. All patients were examined first when recruited (T0) and after two weeks of therapy (T1). Interviews were submitted in order to estimate functional restrictions and pain. Statistical analysis was performed via t test for paired data.On the basis of the statistical analysis a very significant difference was demonstrated between the average values of the tests before and after the treatment. These results confirm the improvement of the symptoms concerning the pain, the articular functionality and the quality of life.The results of the study demonstrate the efficacy of the mud-bath treatment with natural limans of Cervia on the patients affected by lumbar spine osteoarthrosis (OA).

verify the consistency of two independent sources of data concerning the prevalence of arterial hypertension under pharmacological treatment.the pharmacological prescriptions database (A) and the Studio PASSI (Italian behavioural risk factor survey) (B) were assessed. Data selection was carried out according with the presence of at least one prescription of antihypertensive drug during the year 2004 (A), the statement of being under treatment with antihypertensive drugs (B). Prevalence rates were calculated.resident population registered in the list of Umbrian Local Health Unit 2 (LHU 2); age range: 18-69 years.A) the pharmacological prescriptions database: 43,146 subjects selected from the 2004 archive, B) Studio PASSI: representative random sample of 200 persons drawn out from the resident population registered in the 2005 record of the LHU2 list.prevalence rate for arterial hypertension with pharmacological treatment.both studies showed similar prevalence rates: A) pharmacological prescriptions database = 17.2% (95% CI 17.1-17.4) and B) PASSI = 15.0% (95% CI10.4-20.7). Age and gender distribution were also comparable. Moreover, the PASSI survey produced additional socio-economical information.the hypothesis that the pharmacological prescription database can be used to monitor in a simple, timely and reproducible way major health-related events was validated. Small size surveys - such as the PASSI study - may add further information to the analysis of large administrative databases and they may serve to periodically verify the consistency of these databases when assessed for epidemiological purposes.