SARS-CoV-2 antibody response after BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in healthcare workers: Nine-month of follow-up.

We collected sequential serum samples (0, 4, 12 weeks, 9 months) for the determination of S-RDB IgG levels from 103 vaccinated healthy subjects (age 45 ± 13 years; 60 women), in order to evaluate neutralizing antibody response against SARS-CoV-2 in healthy healthcare workers (HCWs) after the administration of two doses of BNT162b2 SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine. Every subject received two doses of mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech), 21 days apart (January-February 2021). Furthermore, antibody titer of 14 subjects who were hospitalized for symptomatic COVID-19 was evaluated. Antibody response was (median, interquartile range) 35 U/mL (10-104) at baseline, 1960 (1241-3221) at 4 weeks, 791 (388-1179) at 12 weeks and 524 (273-931) at 6 months. Antibody response was inversely correlated with age at all timepoints (p < 0.001) while gender and Body Mass Index had no significant effect. At multivariate analysis, post-baseline values were significantly higher than baseline (p < 0.001) with a reduction at 12 weeks and 9 months (p < 0.001). Antibody response of hospitalized subjects who did not receive vaccination, symptomatic for COVID 19 infection, was 103 (25-557) U/mL, significantly higher than baseline (p = 0.007) of study population but lower than all post-baseline determinations (p < 0.001). Younger subjects showed a stronger response and a lower decrease of antibody titers compared to the classes of older subjects. SARS-CoV2 infection was excluded by performing 1017 nasopharyngeal RT-PCR swabs on the study cohort. The second dose of mRNA vaccine resulted in an antibody response effective in preventing infection in a population of healthcare professionals. The antibody level was stable through week 12, showing a reduction in the following six months.

[Biological injuries in a hospital in Puglia: an observational study between nurses and nursing students]. / Gli infortuni a rischio biologico in una realtà ospedaliera pugliese: studio osservazionale in una coorte di infermieri e studenti infermieri.

SUMMARY: Introduction. An injury caused by a biological agent is an event that causes damage to the health of the operator. Nursing is one of the most affected professions. Objectives. This study aims to analyze and quantify the injuries caused by exposure to biological agents among working nurses and students of the degree course in Nursing at the "F. Miulli" Regional General Ecclesiastical Body, located in Acquaviva delle Fonti, province of Bari, Italy. Methods. The retrospective study was carried out by collecting data from May 2019 to July 2019. The data were collected from the archive of biological accidents for the five-year period 2014-2018. The data collected was divided according to the professional category of the subject: whether it is a nurse-worker, or a nurse-student, enrolled in the Nursing course of the University of Bari Aldo Moro. Results. 249 injuries caused by biological agents were recorded, of which 69.1% were female and 30.9% were male. The operating units most involved are the medical branch departments (55.4%). The anatomical sites most affected are the upper limbs with 205 cases. Discussion. It is necessary to invest in training and refresher campaigns for nursing staff and nursing students in order to ensure the standards of effectiveness of the services provided and safety in providing them.

[Comparison of conventional culture methods and quantitative real-time PCR methods for the detection of Legionella pneumophila in water samples in a large University teaching hospital in Rome, Italy]. / Confronto tra il metodo colturale standard e la real-time PCR per l'identificazione di Legionella pneumophila in campioni di acqua.

The aims of this study were to identify the best threshold value for the real-time PCR method in detecting the presence of Legionella pneumophila in water samples, and to evaluate the prognostic significance of negative results obtained with the molecular method. From 2011 to 2014, 77 water samples were collected from hospital wards of a large University teaching hospital in Rome (Italy) and screened for L.pneumophila by the standard culture method and by real-time PCR. The high sensitivity and negative predictive value of real-time PCR make this method suitable as a quick screening tool to exclude the presence of L. pneumophila in water samples in the hospital setting.

[Definition of "Safety and Hygiene Packages" as a management model for the Hospital Hygiene Service (HHS)]. / Definizione di "Pacchetti Sicurezza e Igiene" come modello organizzativo e gestionale per la sicurezza in Ospedale di un Servizio di Igiene Ospedaliera.

The purpose of this research is to identify and formalize the Hospital Hygiene Service activities and products, evaluating them in a cost accounting management view. The ultimate aim, is to evaluate the financial adverse events prevention impact, in an Hospital Hygiene Service management. A three step methodology based on affinity grouping activities, was employed. This methodology led us to identify 4 action areas, with 23 related productive processes, and 86 available safety packages. Owing to this new methodology, we was able to implement a systematic evaluation of the furnished services.

[Knowledge of tuberculosis and of the relative risk of transmission, among healthcare workers: a preliminary survey in Rome (Italy).]. / Indagine preliminare sulla conoscenza della Tubercolosi e del relativo rischio di trasmissione negli operatori sanitari.

A survey was conducted in a university hospital in Rome to evaluate knowledge of tuberculosis and its prevention amongst healthcare workers, in order to obtain data useful for planning appropriate surveillance and education programmes.