rome and Influenza--Human

Influenza surveillance aims to determine onset, duration and intensity of the seasonal Influence-like Illness (ILI); data collection begins in the week 42 of a year and ends in the week 17 of the following year. In this observational study, we report the experience of a tertiary care children hospital in Rome about Influenza viruses circulation during the calendar year 2022 (January-December) in comparison with the previous five years (2017-2021), with a special focus on the weeks 18-41, usually not under surveillance.. This retrospective study involved 36782 respiratory samples referred to 21354 patients (pts), median age 2.63 years, admitted with respiratory symptoms at Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital in the years 2017-2022. Respiratory viruses were detected by molecular Allplex™ Respiratory Panel Assays (Seegene, Korea).. Regarding the pre pandemic years, 2017-2019, distribution of Flu positive patients focused in the first weeks of the year (weeks 1-17). During the pandemic period, Flu was not detected. In 2022, 239 Flu viruses were identified: 37 FluA (weeks 1-17), 29 FluA (weeks 18-41) and 168 FluA and 5 FluB (weeks 42-52). For the year 2022, during the non-epidemic period, the number of Flu viruses detected corresponded to 12.1% of total Flu detected, respect to 0-1.7% for the previous five years (p < 0.001).. When compared with pre SARS-CoV-2 pandemic years, our data show a significant increase in Influenza cases during weeks 18-41/2022 and reveal an unexpected summer circulation of these viruses: just weeks 26-30 showed to be influenza virus free. A national year-round Flu surveillance could be useful to understand if changing in influenza epidemiology is transitional or likely to persist in the following years.

Topics: Child; Child, Preschool; COVID-19; Hospitals, Pediatric; Humans; Influenza, Human; Orthomyxoviridae; Retrospective Studies; Rome; SARS-CoV-2; Tertiary Healthcare

The concurrent administration of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines has arisen as a promising approach to bolster protection against respiratory pathogens and improve vaccination rates. However, there remains a lack of data regarding the prevalence of co-administration across several vaccination campaigns, especially among healthcare workers (HCWs). Therefore, this study aims to shed light on the acceptance of co-administration strategies among HCWs during the two campaigns following the introduction of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. A retrospective cohort study was conducted among the HCWs of the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, a research hospital in Rome. Hospital administrative databases were accessed to gather information about vaccination for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza during the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 vaccination campaigns. The study included 7399 HCWs. The co-administration of anti-SARS-CoV-2 and influenza vaccines presented a significant rise in 2022/2023 compared to the previous vaccination campaign (+38%): this was confirmed for every professional category, with the largest increases among resident doctors (+47%) and physicians (+44%), and also for every age category, but it was particularly evident for the youngest health professionals. The probability of co-administration uptake during the 2022/2023 campaign was significantly higher for males, and for those that received co-administration during the 2021/2022 campaign, while the probability was lower for nurses and administrative staff. This study highlights the co-administration procedure as a valuable and effective tool in annual vaccination campaigns for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza. The procedure's safety and streamlined logistics make it increasingly attractive for implementation, particularly among HCWs.

Topics: COVID-19; Health Personnel; Hospitals, Teaching; Humans; Immunization Programs; Influenza Vaccines; Influenza, Human; Male; Retrospective Studies; Rome; SARS-CoV-2; Vaccination

Vulnerable populations are being more severely impacted by the ongoing pandemic, and the recent release of vaccines for Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) may offer them protection. The aim of this study was to investigate the willingness of homeless persons to be vaccinated against COVID-19; secondary aims were to analyze the immunization coverage for other conditions.. The acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine and immunization coverage for other conditions were investigated through a form in 112 persons experiencing homelessness referring to the primary care medical services of the Eleemosynaria Apostolica, Holy See.. Most subjects, with a male preponderance, were willing to be vaccinated against COVID-19 (64.3%), 3.6% were unsure and 32.1% preferred not to be vaccinated. When answering questions on the immunization coverage for tuberculosis and hepatitis A and B, most subjects reported not to be vaccinated (48.2%, 56.2% and 55.3%, respectively) or did not know (33%, 28.6% and 27.7%).. A significant portion of our sample declared to be willing to be vaccinated against COVID-19. It would be auspicious that the recent statements from several countries on the importance to extend COVID-19 vaccination to fragile populations be followed by the distribution of the vaccine to these populations.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Attitude to Health; COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccines; Female; Hepatitis A; Hepatitis A Vaccines; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B Vaccines; Humans; Ill-Housed Persons; Influenza Vaccines; Influenza, Human; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Rome; SARS-CoV-2; Tuberculosis; Tuberculosis Vaccines; Vaccination Coverage; Young Adult

In Italy, the first SARS-CoV-2 infections were diagnosed in Rome, Lazio region, at the end of January 2020, but sustained transmission occurred later, since the end of February. From 1 February to 12 April 2020, 17,164 nasopharyngeal swabs were tested by real time PCR for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 at the Laboratory of Virology of National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani" (INMI) in Rome. In the same period, coincident with the winter peak of influenza and other respiratory illnesses, 847 samples were analyzed by multiplex PCR assay for the presence of common respiratory pathogens. In our study the time trend of SARS-CoV-2 and that of other respiratory pathogens in the same observation period were analysed. Overall, results obtained suggest that the spread of the pandemic SARS-CoV-2 virus did not substantially affect the time trend of other respiratory infections in our region, highlighting no significant difference in rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with or without other respiratory pathogens. Therefore, in the present scenario of COVID-19 pandemic, differential diagnosis resulting positive for common respiratory pathogen(s) should not exclude testing of SARS-CoV-2.

Topics: Coronavirus; Coronavirus Infections; Humans; Influenza, Human; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction; Nasopharynx; Orthomyxoviridae; Respiratory Tract Infections; Rome

Seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) of health-care workers (HCWs) is recommended in most countries to protect them and their patients from infection. Although SIV can reduce the risk of influenza complications among vulnerable patients, vaccination uptake is generally unsatisfactory. The present study aimed to assess the impact of different programs in promoting SIV uptake among HCWs during the season 2017/2018 in four teaching hospitals in Rome. A multicentric cross-sectional study was carried out, in order to describe the four different campaigns and to assess their impact by identifying and developing a set of indicators that provide information about the vaccination services, the percentage of invited HCWs, the vaccinators' workforce and the vaccination coverage rates.The hospitals organized different strategies: Hospital 1, 3 and 4 organized educational courses for HCWs and actively invited every single HCW through e-mail. All the hospitals organized a dedicated unit for influenza vaccination, and Hospital 1 added on-site vaccination sessions that required a large number of staff. Hospital 1 and hospital 4 registered a comparable vaccination coverage rate, 12.97% and 12.76%, respectively, while it was 6.88% in Hospital 2 and 4.23% in Hospital 3. Our indicators demonstrated to be effective and useful for analyzing the different SIV campaigns. The results suggest that the best practice to promote SIV among HCWs should include multiple approaches. Among those, an easy access to the vaccination site seems to play a key role in determining a higher vaccination coverage.

Topics: Attitude of Health Personnel; Cross-Sectional Studies; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Personnel; Hospitals, University; Humans; Immunization Programs; Influenza Vaccines; Influenza, Human; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Rome; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vaccination Coverage

Flu vaccination, as well as being effective to prevent seasonal influenza, decreases staff illness and absenteeism and reduces costs resulting from loss of productivity. Despite the effectiveness of flu vaccination, the seasonal coverage among healthcare workers is usually low. The aim of this retrospective observational study was to analyze the vaccination coverage rate among all employees (healthcare workers and administrative staff) of a large teaching hospital in Rome during the 2017-2018 influenza season, to perform a cost-consequence analysis of influenza vaccination (by evaluating the absenteeism due to illness in the epidemic period), and to assess the impact of vaccination in terms of both costs and sick days. The flu vaccination coverage rate was 9.8% among 4631 healthcare workers and 852 administrative employees. The human capital approach estimated a loss of productivity equal to 297.06 € for each vaccinated worker and 517.22 € for each unvaccinated worker (cost-outcome ratio: 120.07 €/sick day). Applying the friction cost method, a loss of productivity equal to 237.65 € for each vaccinated worker and 413.78 € for each unvaccinated worker (cost-outcome ratio: 104.19 €/sick day) was found. These results confirm the benefits of the flu vaccination for the society and the company. This allowed the management to grant one hour of permission to the flu-vaccinated workers in the following annual vaccination campaign (2018-2019).

Topics: Cost-Benefit Analysis; Female; Hospitals, Teaching; Humans; Influenza Vaccines; Influenza, Human; Male; Pilot Projects; Rome; Vaccination

Elderly people are more likely to develop influenza-related complications. However, despite the recommendations, the optimal vaccination coverage is not reached. The use of deprivation indexes can help to identify subgroups with lower vaccination uptake. We analyzed vaccination coverage among elderly subjects living in the city of Rome on the basis of their socioeconomic characteristics by using a local deprivation index.. We focused on the population aged ≥ 65 years living in the city of Rome from 2009 to 2013. Information on vaccination coverage was collected from general practitioners. A combination of multivariate techniques, including multiple linear regression, factor and cluster analysis, was used to construct a composite area-based Index of Socio-Economic and Health Deprivation (SEHDI). The index was calculated for each census tract on the basis of data from the 2001 Italian census.. The majority of elderly subjects living in Rome belonged to the medium (40.4%) and medium-high (24%) deprivation groups; only 4.5% of the population was in the low-deprivation group. An inverse relationship was found between influenza vaccination coverage and the deprivation index: elderly subjects in the low-deprivation group displayed lower coverage (55.45%) than those in the high-deprivation group (57.59%). Specifically, vaccination coverage decreased with the increase of replacement index, employment rate and the percentage of: single and divorced individuals; university and high-school graduates; employees, entrepreneurs and freelancers, family assistants, students; foreigners and stateless persons residing in Italy; families consisting of one person.. Our results show an inverse relationship between deprivation and vaccination coverage and may help to identify subgroups that could benefit from targeted initiatives to increase vaccination coverage.

Topics: Aged; Female; Humans; Influenza Vaccines; Influenza, Human; Male; Mortality; Poverty; Registries; Rome; Social Class; Vaccination Coverage; Vaccination Refusal

The study was conducted to explore the knowledge of pregnant women about influenza, influenza vaccine during pregnancy and the attitudes regarding immunization.. A questionnaire based on the model proposed by Yudin in 2009 was translated, adapted and administered to 309 pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy between October 1 and December 1, 2013 at San Giovanni Calibita Fatebenefratelli hospital of Rome (Italy).. Most of the interviewed women (68.9%) answered that influenza is highly contagious, 34.6% of them believed that pregnant women have the same risk of complications as non-pregnant women. Only 5.8% were aware that the vaccine is recommended for women in the second and third trimester of pregnancy and only 14.2% of women answered that the vaccine is safe during pregnancy. Only 3/309 women reported recommendation and offer of vaccination during current pregnancy, but none of them was vaccinated.. Overall, knowledge regarding influenza, implications during pregnancy and influenza vaccine was poor among pregnant women. In Italy, the National Vaccine Prevention Plan 2012-2014 recommends influenza vaccine during pregnancy, but only 18/309 were aware of this recommendation. These results suggest that in order to increase influenza vaccine acceptance it is necessary to improve pregnant women knowledge about influenza and to offer education to healthcare providers.

Topics: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Influenza Vaccines; Influenza, Human; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Pregnant Women; Rome; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vaccination

To characterize respiratory virus infections during the first autumn-winter season of pandemic A (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus (A/H1N1/2009) circulation, a prospective study in children attending a paediatric emergency department at the Sapienza University hospital, Rome, was conducted from November 2009 to March 2010. By means of both nasal washings and pharyngeal swabs, enrolled children were checked for 14 respiratory viruses. The majority of acute respiratory infections resulted from viral pathogens (135/231, 58%). Overall, the most common was respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), in 64% of positive samples; A/H1N1/2009 was the only influenza virus found in 16% and rhinovirus (RV) in 15%. Virus-positive children did not differ significantly from virus-negative children in signs and symptoms at presentation; of the virus groups, RSV-infected children were younger and more frequently admitted to intensive-care units than those infected with A/H1N1/2009 and RV. Of the hospitalized children, stratified by age, both infants and children aged >1 year with RSV were most severely affected, whereas A/H1N1/2009 infections were the mildest overall, although with related pulmonary involvement in older children. Children with RV infections, detected in two flares partially overlapping with the A/H1N1/2009 and RSV peaks, presented with bronchiolitis, wheezing and pneumonia. Leukocytosis occurred more frequently in RV-infected and A/H1N1/2009-infected children, and numbers of blood eosinophils were significantly elevated in RV-infected infants. Given the fact that clinical and epidemiological criteria are not sufficient to identify viral respiratory infections, a timely virological diagnosis could allow different infections to be managed separately.

Topics: Adolescent; Blood Cell Count; Bronchiolitis, Viral; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Hospitalization; Humans; Infant; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; Influenza, Human; Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; Leukocytosis; Male; Nasal Lavage Fluid; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; Prospective Studies; Respiratory Sounds; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses; Respiratory Tract Infections; Rome; Seasons; Severity of Illness Index

Our goal was to assess how different hospital wards react to influenza epidemics, and whether related specialties cooperate in coping with winter bed crises.. The Lazio Hospital Information System (HIS) dataset from July 1998 to June 2001 was used for the study. The HIS collects data on all hospital discharges. We considered diagnosis-related groups (DRG) as the reason for hospital stay and used DRG to classify admissions as influenza related or influenza unrelated. Time series analysis of daily bed occupancy in different specialty areas by influenza-related and influenza-unrelated cases was performed. Generalized additive models (GAMs) were used to take the effect of short-term and seasonal bed occupancy into account on influenza-related occupancy.. Influenza-related bed occupancy ranges from 770 patients/day during the influenza season to 525 patients/day during the rest of the year. Daily occupancy by influenza-related cases represents 2.8% of total hospital occupancy and 7% of general medicine occupancy during the influenza season. When comparing the influenza season with the rest of the year, general medicine occupancy by influenza-related cases increases by 51% versus the 25-32% increase in other specialty wards. Little change in daily occupancy by influenza-unrelated cases was observed in all specialties when comparing the influenza season with the rest of the year.. Hospital specialty wards react poorly and single handedly to a minor and predictable burden. Any winter bed crisis in the Lazio region is probably the result of defective management of available beds more than excess in demand.

Topics: Disease Outbreaks; Health Services Needs and Demand; Hospital Bed Capacity; Hospitals, Public; Humans; Influenza, Human; Medical Audit; National Health Programs; Rome

Limited information is available on the viral aetiology of influenza-like illness (ILI) in Southern European countries. Hereby we report the main findings of a survey conducted in the area of Rome during the 2004-2005 winter season.ILI cases were defined as individuals with fever >37.5 degrees C and at least one constitutional symptom and one respiratory symptom, recruited during the survey period. Influenza and other respiratory viruses were identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on throat swabs. Basic individual information was collected through a standard form. Of 173 ILI cases enrolled, 74 tested positive for one virus, and two tested positive for two viruses. Overall, 33.5% of the cases were positive for influenza viruses, 5.2% for adenoviruses, 3.5% for parainfluenza viruses, 1.7% for coronaviruses, and 1.2% for the respiratory syncitial virus. The proportion of influenza virus detection was higher in the 'high influenza activity' period. The distribution of viral agents varied across age groups, influenza viruses being more likely to be detected in younger patients. Viral pathogens were identified in less than 50% of ILI cases occurred during a high activity influenza season. The detection of other than influenza viruses was sporadic, without evidence of large outbreaks due to specific agents.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Health Surveys; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Influenza, Human; Male; Middle Aged; Orthomyxoviridae; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses; Respiratory Tract Infections; Rome; Seasons

Topics: Catholicism; Health Status; Humans; Influenza, Human; Male; Rome

Eighteen influenza A (H3N2) viruses were isolated during a single outbreak in a closed community of Carmelite nuns. Serological analysis of the virus haemagglutinin (HAs), using a panel of monoclonal antibodies, demonstrated antigenic microheterogeneity. In contrast, no significant biochemical differences were detected in viral genes by RNA:RNA hybridisation or in structural or nonstructural polypeptides analysed by high-resolution polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) or by limited proteolysis followed by PAGE. Influenza A (H3N2) viruses isolated in the vicinity of the convent were distinguishable from each other and from the epidemic viruses isolated in the convent both antigenically and biochemically.

Topics: Adult; Antigenic Variation; Antigens, Viral; Disease Outbreaks; Female; Genes, Viral; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus; Hemagglutinins, Viral; Humans; Influenza A virus; Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype; Influenza, Human; RNA, Viral; Rome; Social Isolation; Viral Structural Proteins

In the periods from July 1982 to June 1983 and July 1983 to June 1984, 31 strains of influenza virus, of which 19 A/H3N2 6 A/H1N1 and 6 type B, were isolated from 242 throat cultures obtained from patients with acute febrile respiratory disease. A seroepidemiological survey on 520 serum samples confirms significant activity of influenza viruses during the winterly period of 1983-1984. In the period July-August 1983 the evaluation of mortality from respiratory diseases presents an excess in respect of epidemic threshold probably ascribable to heat stroke.

Topics: Disease Outbreaks; Humans; Influenza, Human; Rome

In the period from September 1981 to April 1982, one strain of influenza virus (A-H3N2) was isolated from 121 throat cultures obtained from patients with acute febrile respiratory disease. A sero-epidemiological survey on 520 serum samples and evaluation of excess mortality from respiratory diseases did not show significant activity of influenza viruses during the period from October 1981 to October 1982.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Antibodies, Viral; Child; Child, Preschool; Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests; Humans; Influenza A virus; Influenza B virus; Influenza, Human; Middle Aged; Nasopharynx; Rome

Influenza activity was studied in the Rome population from 1956 to 1976 by analysis of mortality from respiratory causes and from all causes. During cold weather months, type A influenza virus was associated, as a rule, with epidemic excess deaths at two year intervals while type B virus was prevalent twice during isolation data were also compared with epidemic excess mortality during four consecutive years. The evidence obtained indicated that influenza virus isolation alone does not represent a reliable index of epidemic influenza activity in this population. The proportion of deaths attributed to respiratory causes consistently increased in every epidemic, the most pronounced increases occurring during large epidemics. The break-down by age of deaths from respiratory causes in the course of two epidemic periods showed that the percentage distribution of deaths was essentially the same as in non-epidemic periods. This evidence indicates that the same factors influencing the age-related distribution of mortality from respiratory causes during non-epidemic periods, probably affect the fatal outcome of influenza during epidemics.

Topics: Absenteeism; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Child; Child, Preschool; Disease Outbreaks; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Influenza, Human; Middle Aged; Rome; Urban Population

Haemagglutination inhibiting antibodies (H.I.A.) to influenza viruses A/Victoria/3/75, A/Victoria/112/76, B/Hong Kong/8/73 and A/New Jersey/8/76 were titrated in 1110 serum specimens collected in Rome in the period between March-May 1977 and obtained from subjects 0-60 years old. The H.I.A. protective level (greater than or equal to 1 : 40) found in 21.7% of the sera against A/Victoria/3/75 is such that it does not avoid a possible diffusion of this strain in the successive epidemic season. Moreover this finding suggests that there will be probably no antigenic change (4) in the same period. The age group 0-20 showed the higher titer H.I.A. Low protective levels were found against the virus A/Victoria/112/76 and B/Hong Kong/8/73, while the H.I.A. to virus A/New Jersey/8/76 showed a percentage of protective level increasing with the age.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Antibodies, Viral; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests; Humans; Infant; Influenza, Human; Male; Middle Aged; Rome

An account of the effects of recent influenza epidemics is given from the medical standpoint, and also with respect to their social and economic repercussions. The part played by air travel in the carriage of such epidemics is also examined. The immunity of the population of Rome towards an A strain swine fever (A/New Jersey 8/76) is assessed in the light of personal research.

Topics: Antibodies, Viral; Humans; Influenza A virus; Influenza, Human; Rome

Topics: Antibodies; Complement Fixation Tests; Humans; Influenza, Human; Rome; Urban Population

Topics: Adolescent; Allergy and Immunology; Antibodies; Child; Coxsackievirus Infections; Enterovirus B, Human; Enterovirus Infections; Epidemiology; Geriatrics; Herpesviridae Infections; Humans; Incidence; Infant; Influenza, Human; Italy; Mumps; Orthomyxoviridae; Orthomyxoviridae Infections; Poliomyelitis; Psittacosis; Respiratory Tract Infections; Rome; Virus Diseases

Topics: Coxsackievirus Infections; Enterovirus B, Human; Enterovirus Infections; Epidemiology; Humans; Incidence; Influenza, Human; Italy; Orthomyxoviridae; Orthomyxoviridae Infections; Paramyxoviridae Infections; Poliomyelitis; Respiratory Tract Infections; Rome; Virus Diseases