Article
Immunology
Fiona P. Havers, Tami H. Skoff, Marcia A. Rench, Monica Epperson, Gowrisankar Rajam, Jarad Schiffer, Susan Hariri, Laurie S. Swaim, Carol J. Baker, C. Mary Healy
Summary: This study found that the transplacental anti-pertussis antibody concentrations in infants born to women vaccinated with Tdap during pregnancy were affected by the type of childhood vaccine the women received.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Eduardo Juscamayta-Lopez, Faviola Valdivia, Maria Pia Soto, Helen Horna, Monica Pajuelo
Summary: Despite widespread vaccination, pertussis has re-emerged as a serious public health concern worldwide. A case-control study in Peru found that infants whose mothers received the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy had a significantly lower risk of pertussis, indicating the effectiveness of this intervention in reducing the burden of pertussis in at-risk populations.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Catherine Psaras, Annette Regan, Roch Nianogo, Onyebuchi A. Arah, Marissa J. Seamans
Summary: This study examined the impact of the 2011/2012 ACIP pertussis recommendation on pertussis incidence and mortality among US infants. The results suggest that the recommendation may have led to a decrease in pertussis incidence, but had no significant effect on infant pertussis mortality.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Michelangelo Mercogliano, Claudio Fiorilla, Federica Esposito, Michele Sorrentino, Pasquale Domenico Mirizzi, Antonio Parisi, Andrea Tajani, Gaetano Buonocore, Maria Triassi, Raffaele Palladino
Summary: This study aimed to assess the coverage status, knowledge, and attitude on Tdap vaccination in healthcare workers (HcWs) of a university hospital in Naples, Italy. The study found that only 34.47% of HcWs received the Tdap booster, and those who worked 5-9 years at the hospital had the lowest vaccination rate. Non-medical doctors had a lower attitude toward vaccination compared to medical doctors. The study highlights the importance of implementing public health strategies to improve knowledge and attitude towards vaccination, particularly emphasizing the importance of Tdap booster every 10 years for protecting high-risk populations.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Francesca Licata, Concetta Paola Pelullo, Giorgia Della Polla, Emma Antonia Citrino, Aida Bianco
Summary: This study investigated the practices, knowledge, and attitudes of Italian healthcare workers (HCWs) regarding influenza vaccination during pregnancy. The findings revealed that a significant number of HCWs had misconceptions about the risks of vaccines and lacked up-to-date knowledge. These findings are valuable for promoting evidence-based recommendations among HCWs.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Federico Martinon-Torres, Scott A. Halperin, Terry Nolan, Bruce Tapiero, Kirsten P. Perrett, Ignacio Salamanca de la Cueva, Jose Garcia-Sicilia, Zbynek Stranak, Otto G. Vanderkooi, Pavel Kosina, Sarka Rumlarova, Miia Virta, Jose M. Merino Arribas, Mariano Miranda-Valdivieso, Begona Arias Novas, Jan Bozensky, Maria Jose Cilleruelo Ortega, Jose Tomas Ramos Amador, Manuel Baca, Esperanza Escribano Palomino, Gian Vincenzo Zuccotti, Jan Janota, Paola Giovanna Marchisio, Lusine Kostanyan, Nadia Meyer, Maria Angeles Ceregido, Brigitte Cheuvart, Sherine O. Kuriyakose, Narcisa Mesaros
Summary: The study found that infants born to mothers vaccinated with pertussis vaccine still had lower pertussis antibody concentrations before receiving a booster vaccine, indicating interference by maternal antibodies. However, the immune response rates were high post-booster vaccination for all toddlers, with higher antibody concentrations in the control group for certain antigens. Further evaluation is needed on the clinical significance of this interference.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anne-Marie Rick, Anthony Lentscher, Lingqing Xu, Maris S. Wilkins, Amro Nasser, Dylan J. Tuttle, Christina Megli, Ernesto T. A. Marques, Anita K. McElroy, John V. Williams, Judith M. Martin
Summary: Maternal COVID-19 vaccination can protect infants through antibody transfer during pregnancy and lactation. The study found that maternal booster vaccine resulted in long-lasting antibodies in maternal milk, while there was no significant increase in infant blood antibodies. Infants born to vaccinated mothers had positive antibodies measured months after delivery. These findings suggest that maternal vaccination provides important protection against SARS-CoV-2 for the first six months of life.
Article
Immunology
Tami H. Skoff, Amanda E. Faulkner, Jennifer L. Liang, Meghan Barnes, Kathy Kudish, Ebony Thomas, Cynthia Kenyon, Marisa Hoffman, Eva Pradhan, Juventila Liko, Susan Hariri
Summary: The study found that the incidence of pertussis and clinical characteristics of the disease are similar among pregnant and nonpregnant women. Continued monitoring is crucial for further defining pertussis epidemiology in pregnant women.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Katrina Mott, Krista F. Huybrechts, Robert J. Glynn, Helen Mogun, Sonia Hernandez-Diaz
Summary: Prenatal Tdap vaccination can effectively reduce the risk of pertussis infections in infants during the first 6 months of life, with a particular benefit for preterm infants. The protective effect of vaccination is stronger during pertussis outbreaks.
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Gabriella F. Rodriguez, Valerie Vilarino, Eva Agasse, Joan E. St Onge, Shirin Shafazand, JoNell Potter
Summary: The study found that despite the support of healthcare providers, vaccination rates among pregnant individuals remain suboptimal. There is a need for interventions to improve counseling and vaccine availability in order to increase vaccine uptake during pregnancy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GYNECOLOGY & OBSTETRICS
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Meghan Laverty, Natasha Crowcroft, Shelly Bolotin, Steven Hawken, Kumanan Wilson, Gayatri Amirthalingam, Anne Biringer, Jocelynn Cook, Vinita Dubey, Romina Fakhraei, Scott A. Halperin, Frances Jamieson, Jeffrey C. Kwong, Manish Sadarangani, Ewa Sucha, Mark C. Walker, Deshayne B. Fell
Summary: The study found that maternal immunization with Tdap vaccine during pregnancy did not increase the risk of adverse health outcomes in early childhood. In fact, inverse associations were observed with upper respiratory infections, gastrointestinal infections, and urgent and inpatient health service use.
Article
Immunology
Sonia M. McAlister, Anita H. J. van den Biggelaar, Tabitha L. Woodman, Heidi Hutton, Ruth B. Thornton, Peter C. Richmond
Summary: This study showed that pertussis immune memory can be maintained for up to 12 years after Tdap vaccination in wP-primed Australian adults. There was no evidence to suggest that pertussis immune responses would decrease more rapidly after a booster dose. These findings support the current recommendations of repeating Tdap booster vaccination every 10 years in pediatric healthcare workers.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Caroline Atyeo, Krista M. Pullen, Evan A. Bordt, Stephanie Fischinger, John Burke, Ashlin Michell, Matthew D. Slein, Carolin Loos, Lydia L. Shook, Adeline A. Boatin, Laura J. Yockey, David Pepin, Marie-Charlotte Meinsohn, Ngoc Minh Phuong Nguyen, Maeva Chauvin, Drucilla Roberts, Ilona T. Goldfarb, Juan D. Matute, Kaitlyn E. James, Lael M. Yonker, Lisa M. Bebell, Anjali J. Kaimal, Kathryn J. Gray, Douglas Lauffenburger, Andrea G. Edlow, Galit Alter
Summary: SARS-CoV-2 infection causes more severe disease in pregnant women compared to age-matched non-pregnant women. Transfer of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies across the placenta is significantly reduced compared to other infectious diseases like influenza and pertussis, but can be partially rescued by infection-induced increases in IgG and increased FCGR3A placental expression. These findings provide insights for maternal vaccine design to boost immunity in neonates.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Liana R. Clark, David R. Johnson
Summary: Research shows that vaccination with Adacel or Adacel-Polio during pregnancy can effectively prevent pertussis disease in newborn babies, with a favorable safety profile for both pregnant women and their infants.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Caroline G. Atyeo, Lydia L. Shook, Sara Brigida, Rose M. De Guzman, Stepan Demidkin, Cordelia Muir, Babatunde Akinwunmi, Arantxa Medina Baez, Erin McSweeney, Madeleine Burns, Ruhi Nayak, Maya K. Kumar, Chinmay D. Patel, Allison Fialkowski, Dana Cvrk, Ilona T. Goldfarb, Lael M. Yonker, Alessio Fasano, Alejandro B. Balazs, Michal A. Elovitz, Kathryn J. Gray, Galit Alter, Andrea G. Edlow
Summary: Pregnant individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 are at high risk of complications, but little is known about the immune response and antibody transfer from COVID-19 vaccines in different trimesters. This study characterizes the antibody response and transplacental transfer in pregnant individuals who received Ad26.COV2.S, mRNA-1273, or BNT162b2 vaccines. The findings show differences in vaccine-induced functions, receptor-binding, and efficacy against variants of concern. First and third trimester vaccination enhances maternal immune response and antibody transfer compared to the second trimester. These results provide valuable insights into the effect of vaccine platform and timing on maternal immune response and transplacental antibody transfer.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Francesca Licata, Angela Quirino, Davide Pepe, Giovanni Matera, Aida Bianco
Summary: This study investigated the distribution of antimicrobial resistance among blood-borne pathogens isolated in a region of Italy over a two-year period. The results showed a high prevalence of antimicrobial resistance among hospital isolated pathogens, consistently higher than the European average, highlighting the need for information from surveillance systems to better characterize the trend in the incidence of AMR at local and national levels.
Article
Microbiology
Aida Bianco, Francesca Licata, Alessandro Trovato, Francesco Napolitano, Maria Pavia
Summary: The study found that despite 93.7% of Italian community pharmacists knowing that DAwP is illegal, about 37.1% claimed to be involved in this practice. Most pharmacists reported always/often asking clients about drug allergies and medication history, with 66.2% warning clients about potential drug side effects and 55% informing them about the importance of completing the full course of antibiotics.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Aida Bianco, Vincenza Cautela, Francesco Napolitano, Francesca Licata, Maria Pavia
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the pattern of antibiotic prescription for prophylaxis purposes among Italian dental practitioners. The results showed a high proportion of unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions, highlighting the urgent need to incorporate best practices into national and local protocols and implement specific antibiotic stewardship strategies targeted to dental practitioners.
Article
Microbiology
Francesca Licata, Gianfranco Di Gennaro, Vincenza Cautela, Carmelo Giuseppe Angelo Nobile, Aida Bianco
Summary: The study found that 33.3% of Italian dental practitioners prescribed antibiotics without therapeutic indication, and 30.2% did so without prophylactic indication. Acute alveolar abscesses were identified as a high-risk scenario for overprescription. Predictors of overprescribing included demographics and professional characteristics.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Aida Bianco, Giorgia Della Polla, Silvia Angelillo, Concetta P. Pelullo, Francesca Licata, Italo F. Angelillo
Summary: Understanding parents' hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccination for their children is important. A survey in Italy showed that the perceived risk, belief in the usefulness of the vaccine, and information sources all play a role in parents' decision-making. Communication and public health interventions are needed to address parents' concerns and promote vaccination.
EXPERT REVIEW OF VACCINES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Aida Bianco, Francesca Licata, Carmelo Ga Nobile, Francesco Napolitano, Maria Pavia
Summary: This cross-sectional study investigates the pattern of antibiotic prescription for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in children seen by primary care paediatricians (PCPs). The study found a high rate of sub-optimal antibiotic therapy, with overprescription and the use of broad-spectrum molecules being common. Antibiotic under-prescription also occurs, depriving paediatric patients of effective treatment when indicated.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Cristina Genovese, Claudio Costantino, Anna Odone, Giuseppe Trimarchi, Vincenza La Fauci, Francesco Mazzitelli, Smeralda D'Amato, Raffaele Squeri, Alessandra Casuccio, Maria Pia Fantini, Antonio Azara, Silvana Castaldi, Elena Righi, Aida Bianco, Sofia Cosentino, Antonio Mistretta, Giovanni Gabutti, Rosa Prato, Giancarlo Icardi, Leila Fabiani, Roberta Siliquini, Guglielmo Bonaccorsi, Ida Torre, Maria Pavia, Paolo Villari, Gabriele Messina, Silvia Majori, Vincenzo Restivo, Davide Gori, Giovanna Deiana, Lucia Palandri, Giovanni Panciroli, Francesca Licata, Marina Marranzano, Armando Stefanati, Francesca Fortunato, Domenico Martinelli, Donatella Panatto, Daniela Amicizia, Annalucia Moretti, Damiana Di Risio, Gianluca Voglino, Fabrizio Bert, Chiara Lorini, Francesca Pennino, Gabriella Di Giuseppe, Andrea, Carolina Marzuillo, Cesare Rivieri, Nicola Nante, Stefano Tardivo, Francesca Moretti, Rosalia Ragusa, Carlo Signorelli
Summary: This study evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, and opinions of the general population in Italy regarding COVID-19 and influenza immunization. The findings showed that 17.5% of respondents were unlikely to accept a future COVID-19 vaccine, mainly due to a lack of trust, fear of side effects, or a lack of perceived susceptibility to the disease. While over 50% of participants were willing to receive flu vaccinations, only 28.2% had received it in the previous five seasons. Higher knowledge about COVID-19 and previous flu vaccination were significantly associated with the intention to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Francesca Licata, Silvia Angelillo, Carmelo Giuseppe Angelo Nobile, Gianfranco Di Gennaro, Aida Bianco
Summary: HIV testing uptake is low among Italian university students, with only 16.2% of eligible students reporting ever having been tested. Attending medical or life sciences majors is the strongest predictor of HIV testing.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Francesco Napolitano, Grazia Miraglia del Giudice, Silvia Angelillo, Italo Fattore, Francesca Licata, Concetta Paola Pelullo, Gabriella Di Giuseppe
Summary: This study examines vaccination hesitancy and behaviors among parents of children with chronic conditions in Southern Italy. The findings suggest that while some parents are aware of the increased risk of complications from vaccine-preventable diseases for their children with chronic conditions, they have limited knowledge about the available vaccinations in Italy. The study also reveals that parents express concerns about vaccine side effects and a significant portion of them hold vaccine-hesitant attitudes. Parental vaccine hesitancy is associated with factors such as the gender of the child, lack of knowledge about recommended vaccinations, worry about vaccine side effects, perception of vaccine administration as useless, and reliance on internet, social, and mass media for vaccine information.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Francesca Licata, Silvia Angelillo, Antonella Oliverio, Gianfranco Di Gennaro, Aida Bianco
Summary: This study investigated the knowledge and attitudes towards HIV infection and sexual behaviors among undergraduate university students in Southern Italy. The findings showed that while most students had some knowledge about the transmission of HIV, unsafe sexual practices were still prevalent. Therefore, it is important to develop tailored HIV prevention strategies for young individuals to improve their knowledge and reduce risky behaviors.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Antonio Vinci, Fabio Ingravalle, Dorian Bardhi, Nicola Cesaro, Sara Frassino, Francesca Licata, Marco Valvano
Summary: Supplementary therapy with cannabinoids may be beneficial for the induction period of Crohn's Disease, but its usage in Ulcerative Colitis is not recommended. Low-dose treatment may be more effective than higher dosage.
Article
Immunology
Concetta Paola Pelullo, Pamela Tortoriello, Silvia Angelillo, Francesca Licata, Francesco Napolitano, Gabriella Di Giuseppe
Summary: The survey aimed to assess the health status and healthcare service utilization during the pandemic period. It was conducted in Southern Italy from May to October 2021, and the sample consisted of 655 individuals attending vaccination or primary care physician clinics. The results showed that more than half of the respondents were female, with an average age of 49 years, and 61.3% had at least one chronic disease. Among the respondents, 56.3% accessed healthcare at least once during the pandemic, and 23.2% of those who did not access healthcare cited reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The mean scores for physical health and mental health were 48.4 and 45.9, respectively. Among the respondents, 2.3% rated their health as poor, 43.1% as good, and 6.4% as excellent.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Gianfranco Di Gennaro, Francesca Licata, Alessandro Trovato, Aida Bianco
Summary: HPV self-sampling is effective in increasing cervical cancer screening uptake, especially in small communities with door-to-door distribution. Brushes and swabs show potential stronger effects in improving CCS. There is no significant difference in acceptability and preference of device type among women.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Gabriella Di Giuseppe, Silvia Angelillo, Aida Bianco, Francesca Galle, Francesca Licata, Giorgio Liguori, Francesco Napolitano, Carmelo Giuseppe Angelo Nobile, Maria Pavia, Concetta Paola Pelullo, Italo Francesco Angelillo
Summary: This survey examined the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding HPV preventive measures among university students in Italy. The results showed that females, those aged 25-30 years, those who have had oral sex, those who have received information from physicians, and those who needed additional information were more knowledgeable. Only 39.1% had received at least one HPV vaccination dose, and factors such as being female, enrolled in health sciences, and having a higher knowledge about HPV were associated with a higher willingness to receive the vaccine.
