Acute appendicitis is one of the most common surgical emergencies, treated either by laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) or conventional open appendectomy. This retrospective study analysed 132 patients who underwent surgery at the Policlinico G. Rodolico in Catania (Italy) between 2020 and 2023, comparing the two approaches in terms of operative time, complications, and length of hospital stay. The results indicate that the laparoscopic technique, performed in 62.12% of cases, offers advantages such as shorter operative time, reduced postoperative pain, and shorter hospitalisation. However, it presents a higher risk of intra-abdominal abscesses compared with the open technique. LA thus proves to be a beneficial choice, particularly in cases of uncertain diagnosis.
Background. Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are vulnerable to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), driven by neonates’ immature immune systems, frequent invasive procedures (e.g., catheterization, mechanical ventilation, parenteral nutrition), and antimicrobial use. HAI rates in NICUs range from 8.7% to 74.3%. This study aimed to conduct prospective HAI surveillance in a NICU and identify associated risk factors to inform infection control programmes. Materials and Methods. A prospective surveillance study was conducted over one year (April 2024–2025) at the NICU of the “Renato Dulbecco” University Hospital, Catanzaro. Data collection was adapted from a standardized protocol developed by the University of Catania, utilizing the NeoIPC toolkit and the NEO-KISS surveillance framework. Surveillance forms recorded intrinsic risk factors (gestational age, birth weight, delivery mode) and extrinsic risk factors (invasive devices, surgical procedures, antibiotic exposure, categorised by indication: prophylactic or therapeutic). Targeted HAIs included bloodstream infection, sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, pneumonia, and surgical site infection. Results. A total of 106 neonates were enrolled, with a mean age of 1.8 days (SD ±5.34). Antimicrobials were administered to 89.6% of patients, with a median duration of 7 days (IQR 5–9). Empiric treatment mainly included ampicillin (51.9%) and gentamicin (48.1%), while fluconazole accounted for 88.7% of prophylaxis. Overall, 6.6% (n=7) developed at least one HAI, all classified as central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). Cumulative incidence was 8.9 per 100 patients with a central venous catheter, with an incidence density of 4.2 per 1,000 patient-days. A total of 10 pathogens were isolated, including Staphylococcus aureus (n=3), extensively drug-resistant Enterococcus faecium (n=2), multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella oxytoca (n=2), MDR Serratia marcescens (n=1), MDR Enterobacter kobei (n=1), and MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=1). Conclusions. CLABSIs represent the predominant HAI in this vulnerable population, accompanied by significant multidrug resistance and extensive antimicrobial exposure. Continuous surveillance, bundle care for invasive catheters, and structured antimicrobial stewardship programmes are essential to mitigate infection rates and contain resistance in NICUs. Acknowledgments. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Professor Antonella Agodi and Professor Martina Barchitta from the Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, for kindly providing the protocol utilized in this study.
Background. Cervical cancer is closely associated with persistent infection by human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly high-risk genotypes HPV 16 and 18. Progression from persistent infection to intraepithelial lesion and carcinoma is generally slow, allowing early detection and treatment of high-grade cervical lesions and prevention of invasive disease. Organized screening is therefore essential to reduce incidence and mortality. The current model includes cytology for women aged 25–29 years and primary HPV-DNA testing in older women, followed by cytological triage of HPV-positive women and colposcopy when indicated. Materials and Methods. A descriptive analysis was conducted of the organized cervical cancer screening programme implemented by the Reggio Calabria Local Health Authority in 2025. The programme used HPV-DNA testing through self-sampling, followed, in positive cases, by cytological triage and referral for colposcopy according to GISCi recommendations. The number of invited and participating women, first-level positive results, colposcopic outcomes, diagnoses of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or 3 (CIN2/CIN3), and treatments performed were analysed. The contribution of a mobile screening unit in reaching geographically underserved areas was also assessed.Results. Among 25,059 women in the target population, 8,923 participated in screening; 2,005 invitations were undelivered, resulting in a participation rate of 39%. Overall, 397 women were referred for colposcopy. Of these, 161 received a grade 0 result and continued the scheduled screening pathway, while 227 had a grade 1 result, including 5 CIN2 diagnoses. Nine women were classified as grade 2; among the available data, 4 had negative results, 1 had CIN2, 1 had CIN3, and 1 refused further diagnostic assessment. Seven women underwent treatment. HPV vaccination was recommended to all unvaccinated women. The mobile unit improved access to screening in geographically difficult-to-reach areas.Conclusions. The experience of the Reggio Calabria Local Health Authority supports the value of HPV-based screening with self-sampling, provided that it is integrated with a structured cytological triage pathway, one-year surveillance, and colposcopy for persistent HPV infection or abnormal cytology. The organized programme and mobile unit facilitated the early detection of high-grade lesions and improved accessibility. Continued outcome monitoring, completion of missing data, and establishment of a biobank could support future studies on molecular biomarkers for triage.
Background. Wastewater-Based Epidemiology (WBE) is an innovative public health surveillance approach that analyses wastewater to monitor infectious agents and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants at population level. In Sicily, WBE has progressively developed through poliovirus surveillance and expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, creating opportunities for integrated environmental surveillance. Materials and Methods. The Sicilian surveillance network included multiple sampling sites, including Palermo, Catania, Messina, Siracusa, Trapani and Ragusa, linked to laboratories participating in the surveillance system coordinated by the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS). SARS-CoV-2 monitoring involved collaboration among universities, healthcare institutions, laboratories and water service providers, within the framework of European Commission Recommendation (EU) 2021/472. Further activities included participation in 2023 National Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CCM) project investigating respiratory viruses in wastewater. Preliminary correlations between wastewater measurements and clinical surveillance indicators were assessed for respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) and influenza viruses. The regional network was also considered for extension to AMR surveillance, in line with the Italian National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2022–2025 (PNCAR). Results. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the regional network covered approximately 29.6% of Sicily’s population. Preliminary findings from CCM project involving the University of Palermo showed positive correlations between wastewater and clinical surveillance indicators for hRSV/A (r=0.513; p<0.05), hRSV/B (r=0.637; p<0.05) and influenza A (r=0.607; p<0.05). For influenza B, the correlation was weak and negative (r=−0.213), without statistical significance (p>0.05). The regional network reportedly covers 1,482,120 population equivalents, representing 29.6% of the regional population, and could provide a basis for monitoring antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Conclusions. The Sicilian experience highlights WBE’s potential as an integrated regional surveillance infrastructure for infectious diseases and AMR determinants. Positive correlations for selected respiratory viruses support further evaluation of wastewater monitoring as a complement to clinical surveillance, although predictive performance and temporal relationships require validation. Future priorities include standardised procedures, sustained monitoring, quality assurance and integration of environmental, clinical and epidemiological data. Detection of ARGs should be interpreted cautiously, as it does not independently establish viable resistant pathogens or clinically expressed resistance.
Background. Although the home is a major setting for preventable foodborne diseases (FBDs), household food safety risks are underestimated by consumers. Previous findings among consumers in Southern Italy demonstrated limited knowledge of safe food-handling practices (only 32.2% aware of all recommended practices) and inconsistent hand-hygiene compliance (42.1%), with 71.2% expressing the need for targeted educational interventions [1]. These gaps highlight the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to improve household food safety behaviours. Materials and Methods. To address these multidimensional challenges, this narrative review synthesizes recent literature regarding the core determinants of effective risk communication, school-based educational programs, mass and social media integration, and artificial intelligence (AI) applications in food safety. Results. Effective risk communication must address misconceptions and cognitive biases and is anchored in three primary pillars: transparency to counteract public distrust, timeliness to mitigate misinformation, and responsiveness to audience concerns [2]. Scientific uncertainty should not be concealed but explained in terms of what is actively being done to reduce it. Regarding educational interventions, school-based campaigns demonstrated optimal efficacy when integrated into curricula, experiential, and family-extended, thereby fostering functional and critical health literacy [3]. Furthermore, communication channels vary significantly across demographics, with traditional media predominating among older adults and digital platforms among younger populations. Finally, emerging technological solutions, such as AI-driven pathogen detection, automated quality/hygiene monitoring, IoT/blockchain traceability and predictive surveillance systems, offer substantial potential to enhance modern food safety frameworks. Conclusions. Reducing the FBD burden at home requires multicomponent strategies combining evidence-based risk communication, targeted education, tailored media utilization, and emerging digital technologies, including AI, to successfully translate evidence into sustainable household behavioural change.
