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A national survey was conducted to describe the coverage and characteristics of infection prevention and control (IC) programmes in Italy and to evaluate progress during recent years. All regions, with one small exception, participated and the response rate was 88%. Nearly all 278 respondent public health trusts reported having an IC committee, 80% of the 615 respondent hospitals to have instituted an IC team, and 79% to have an IC nurse. However, when the presence of truly operating IC bodies was considered, the pattern was different: only 27% of IC teams met at least monthly, and variation by region was extremely large [coefficient of variation (CV): 1.06]. The IC programme characteristics with the greatest variation by region included: availability of qualified nurses and IC doctors (CV: 1.55 and 1.39 respectively); integration of IC activities and clinical risk management (CV: 1.05); IC programmes also involving community services (CV: 0.98); training of personnel at induction (CV: 0.82); and availability of written policies for the control of multidrug-resistant organisms (CV: 1.08). A relevant and statistically significant North-South gradient showed Southern Regions averaging 23 points less than Northern Regions on the IC score. Compared with a similar survey conducted in 2000, the distribution of several activities by region had improved significantly. Despite the noteworthy improvement observed over time, the situation in Italy is still unsatisfactory, due to significant variation in the development of IC organisations and initiatives by region and by type of hospital. more...

In Italy, the introduction of Universal Varicella Vaccination (UVV) has been decided but postponed, as a national programme, until 2015, when data from Regions which have already implemented it will be available. Starting from 2003, eight Italian Regions (Basilicata, Calabria, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Apulia, Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany and Veneto) have progressively introduced UVV, in their immunization programme, with different schedules in children aged 13–15 months and 5–6 years, currently a two-dose schedule is adopted by all Regions. In June 2013, an Interregional Group on Varicella Vaccination (IGVV) has been established in order to assess the effectiveness of varicella vaccination with standardized and shared tools. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of varicella vaccination on the incidence and hospitalizations due to varicella and its complications in the period 2003–2012 in order to support the Italian decision makers on the future national adoption. Preliminary data showed that a general reduction of incidence and hospitalization rates was observed in the study period, resulting in relevant savings for the National Health Service. Immunization coverage with first dose at 24 months of age was high in all Regions (84%–95%) in 2012. Adverse events due to varicella vaccines were rare and without permanent sequelae. Underreporting of varicella cases and delays in the administration of the first dose of varicella vaccines were the main critical issues. In conclusion, solid evidences in support of universal UVV arise from the experiences available today in Italy. more...

Background In Western Europe, about 50% of newly diagnosed HIV-positive individuals are diagnosed at a late stage disease and enter in care late (i.e. with a CD4 count ≤350 μL/μL). The aim of the present study is to analyze the characteristics and the factors associated with being diagnosed late or at an advanced stage of disease among persons with a new HIV diagnosis in Italy, in the period 2010–2011. Methods We used individual data on new HIV diagnoses reported by the HIV surveillance system in 2010 and in 2011. Persons with CD4 ≤350 cells/μL or diagnosed with AIDS (regardless of the CD4 cell count) were defined as late presenters (LP); persons with CD4 ≤ 200 cells/μL or AIDS (regardless of the CD4 cell count) were defined as presenting with advanced HIV disease (AHD). Results Of the 7,300 new diagnoses reported in 2010–2011 by the included regions, 55.2% were LP; among these, 37.9% was diagnosed with AIDS. Persons presenting with AHD were 37.8%. The median age of LP was 40 years (IQR 33–48), significantly higher (p more...

In Italy, the introduction of Universal Varicella Vaccination (UVV) has been decided but postponed, as a national programme, until 2015, when data from Regions which have already implemented it will be available. Starting from 2003, eight Italian Regions (Basilicata, Calabria, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Apulia, Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany and Veneto) have progressively introduced UVV, in their immunization programme, with different schedules in children aged 13-15 months and 5-6 years, currently a two-dose schedule is adopted by all Regions. In June 2013, an Interregional Group on Varicella Vaccination (IGVV) has been established in order to assess the effectiveness of varicella vaccination with standardized and shared tools. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of varicella vaccination on the incidence and hospitalizations due to varicella and its complications in the period 2003-2012 in order to support the Italian decision makers on the future national adoption. Preliminary data showed that a general reduction of incidence and hospitalization rates was observed in the study period, resulting in relevant savings for the National Health Service. Immunization coverage with first dose at 24 months of age was high in all Regions (84%-95%) in 2012. Adverse events due to varicella vaccines were rare and without permanent sequelae. Underreporting of varicella cases and delays in the administration of the first dose of varicella vaccines were the main critical issues. In conclusion, solid evidences in support of universal UVV arise from the experiences available today in Italy. more...