Psychiatry and Mental health, Pharmacology (medical)
39
Scopus Publications
523
Scholar Citations
14
Scholar h-index
17
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Re-opening the question of lower SARS-CoV-2 attack rates in active smokers: a perspective on viral interference and Tobacco Mosaic Virus Ernesto de Bernardis, Fabio Lugoboni, Lina Busà, Giulio Petronio Petronio, Roberto Di Marco Frontiers in Virology, 2026 During the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple observational studies reported a counterintuitive epidemiological observation: active smokers appeared less frequently infected or seropositive for SARS-CoV-2 compared with never-smokers, despite smoking being a risk factor for severe COVID-19 once infection occurs. This apparent paradox was rapidly marginalized due to public health concerns, leaving an informative biological observation largely unexplored. This Perspective proposes a mechanistic hypothesis to explain this paradox. We argue that much of this tension arises from a conceptual conflation between two distinct phases of the disease process: susceptibility to infection and progression to severe illness after infection has been established. Recent advances in virology and mucosal immunology make this question biologically plausible and experimentally tractable. These include: (i) evidence that plant viruses, including Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV), have been reported to be immunogenic in humans and capable of eliciting innate immune responses; (ii) direct documentation of mucosal exposure to TMV in smokers; and (iii) an improved understanding of viral interference, replication-independent RNA sensing, and interferon-lambda–mediated epithelial protection against SARS-CoV-2. This Perspective does not advocate smoking. Rather, it contends that if a specific biological component embedded within a harmful exposure were to modulate susceptibility to viral infection, scientific and ethical responsibility would require identifying that component, disentangling it from harm, rendering it safe, and evaluating its translational potential. We synthesize experimental evidence to propose interferon-mediated priming of innate mucosal immunity associated with Tobacco Mosaic Virus exposure as a testable mechanism underlying reduced SARS-CoV-2 attack rates in active smokers.
COVID-19 vaccination and drug users: Past, present, and future Fabio Lugoboni, Luigi Stella, Lorenzo Zamboni, Simone Campagnari, Francesca Fusina, Ernesto De Bernardis Journal of Public Health Research, 2022 Vaccination against COVID-19 is crucial in the attempt of containing the virus’ spread, but facing a viral pathogen with such a high prevalence means that vaccination strategies are facing an unprecedented situation. People that use illicit drugs may have elevated risk of adverse outcomes from COVID-19 given their high prevalence of underlying medical conditions, including respiratory and pulmonary disease, chronic liver disease, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions, diabetes, and compromised immune systems. Despite a widespread distribution on the Italian territory, a large presence of health personnel and a long-standing experience in vaccinations, addiction clinics have yet to be involved in the vaccination campaign against COVID-19. The aim of this study was to investigate the beliefs of drug users attending some Italian addiction clinics, in order to envisage any vaccine administration strategies involving the services themselves. A questionnaire used for the Italian general population to investigate the relative importance of some factors in influencing the propensity to vaccinate against COVID-19, was administrated to drug users in a multicenter survey. The majority of respondents expressed general confidence in vaccines and a good willingness to undergo vaccination. Given strong peer networks, high coverage of treatment and harm reduction interventions, Italian public addiction clinics could play a strategic role in administering the vaccine in this hard-to-reach population, usefully aiding the global campaign against the virus.
COVID-19 and related symptoms in patients under disulfiram for alcohol use disorder Stefano Tamburin, Elisa Mantovani, Ernesto De Bernardis, Donato Zipeto, Fabio Lugoboni, , Costanza Agostoni, Roberta Almasio, Paola Avveduti, Ornella Baisini, Martina Ballerio, Alessandro Barbero, Marina Bellinato, Carlo Benevento, Loretta Bin, Veronica Bonizzi, Gianmario Borroni, Angelo Bove, Rita Broccardo, Sandra Bruschi, Roberta Brusini, Manuela Cairati, Liborio Martino Cammarata, Andrea Canale, Donatella Cantiero, Tania Capovilla, Maria Cristina Chiroli, Mauro Cibin, Raffaella Collesei, Daniela Colombo, Tiziana Cuomo, Annalisa D’Angelo, Susanna Dedola, Marco Degli Esposti, Giovanni De Micco, Vincenzo De Stefano, Filomena Di Cosmo, Tiziana Di Dio, Carmela Maria Di Fazio, Claudia Dona, Lorenza Fabiano, Mariacristina Fanton, Fulvio Fantozzi, Egle Maria Fergonzi, Elena Finotti, Francesca Fiore, Donatella Fiorentini, Nadia Fontana, Laura Franceschini, Luciana Furini, Paola Galletta, Francesco Gallo, Marianna Gardiolo, Roberta Gaspari, Nicola Gentile, Daniela Gervino, Novella Ghezzo, Cinzia Ghidoni, Maura Giubertoni, Paola Giussani, Filippo Gori, Francesca Groppa, Cinzia Grosina, Maria Raffaella Guzzetti, Paolo Jarre, Giovanna Maria Latino, Gianluca Lerro, Salvatore Lobello, Gloria Lobrano, Ilaria Valerida Lotti, Michael Malagò, Marcello Mazzo, Stefano Mellini, Cristina Meneguzzi, Rocco Mercuri, Sabrina Migliozzi, Elena Molinaroli, Antonio Mosti, Daniela Mussi, Alessandra Novelli, Anna Padovani, Carmela Palmigiano, Elio Panelli, Alessandro Pani, Serena Passaretti, Valentina Pavani, Maria Pecoraro, Ivo Peroglia, Marina Pitasi, Roberto Poli, Edoardo Polidori, Anna Laura Porcu, Davide Possetto, Antonio Prete, Serenella Quaresima, Paola Rapuzzi, Rosa Recchia, Fabio Reina, Marco Riglietta, Elisabetta Rizzo, Fabio Rugani, Maria Adele Salvadori, Stefania Samaia, Samantha Sanchini, Paolo Sandrone, Francesca Sassella, Antonia Scala, Michele Scarzella, Bruno Sciutteri, Ivana Sclaverano, Massimo Sorce, Elvira Speranza, Maria Caterina Staccioli, Laura Suardi, Fiorella Talassi, Anna Talluto, Biagio Tinghino, Sonia Tiso, Tania Tosi, Antonella Tusa, Maria Sabrina Ungari, Riccardo Valenti, Lucia Vecchi, Alessandro Vegliach, Rita Vercellone, Flavio Verdelli, Serena Vicario, Francesca Vignola, Cinzia Zambon, Angela Zannini, Ilenia Zanoni, Valeria Zavan, Cristina Zerbini Internal and Emergency Medicine, 2021
A Global Survey on Changes in the Supply, Price, and Use of Illicit Drugs and Alcohol, and Related Complications During the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic Ali Farhoudian, Seyed Ramin Radfar, Hossein Mohaddes Ardabili, Parnian Rafei, Mohsen Ebrahimi, Arash Khojasteh Zonoozi, Cornelis A. J. De Jong, Mehrnoosh Vahidi, Masud Yunesian, Christos Kouimtsidis, Shalini Arunogiri, Helena Hansen, Kathleen T. Brady Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2021 Background and Aims: COVID-19 has infected more than 77 million people worldwide and impacted the lives of many more, with a particularly devastating impact on vulnerable populations, including people with substance use disorders (SUDs). Quarantines, travel bans, regulatory changes, social distancing, and “lockdown” measures have affected drug and alcohol supply chains and subsequently their availability, price, and use patterns, with possible downstream effects on presentations of SUDs and demand for treatment. Given the lack of multicentric epidemiologic studies, we conducted a rapid global survey within the International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM) network in order to understand the status of substance-use patterns during the current pandemic. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Worldwide. Participants: Starting on April 4, 2020 during a 5-week period, the survey received 185 responses from 77 countries. Measurements: To assess addiction medicine professionals' perceived changes in drug and alcohol supply, price, use pattern, and related complications during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings: Participants reported (among who answered “decreased” or “increased”) a decrease in drug supply (69.0%) and at the same time an increase in price (95.3%) globally. With respect to changes in use patterns, an increase in alcohol (71.7%), cannabis (63.0%), prescription opioids (70.9%), and sedative/hypnotics (84.6%) use was reported, while the use of amphetamines (59.7%), cocaine (67.5%), and opiates (58.2%) was reported to decrease overall. Conclusions: The global report on changes in the availability, use patterns, and complications of alcohol and drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic should be considered in making new policies and in developing mitigating measures and guidelines during the current pandemic (and probable future ones) in order to minimize risks to people with SUD.
Reorganization of Substance Use Treatment and Harm Reduction Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Global Survey Seyed Ramin Radfar, Cornelis A. J. De Jong, Ali Farhoudian, Mohsen Ebrahimi, Parnian Rafei, Mehrnoosh Vahidi, Masud Yunesian, Christos Kouimtsidis, Shalini Arunogiri, Omid Massah, Abbas Deylamizadeh, Kathleen T. Brady, Anja Busse, Marc N. Potenza, Hamed Ekhtiari, Alexander Mario Baldacchino, and Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2021 Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted people with substance use disorders (SUDs) worldwide, and healthcare systems have reorganized their services in response to the pandemic. Methods: One week after the announcement of the COVID-19 as a pandemic, in a global survey, 177 addiction medicine professionals described COVID-19-related health responses in their own 77 countries in terms of SUD treatment and harm reduction services. The health responses were categorized around ( 1 ) managerial measures and systems, ( 2 ) logistics, ( 3 ) service providers, and ( 4 ) vulnerable groups. Results: Respondents from over 88% of countries reported that core medical and psychiatric care for SUDs had continued; however, only 56% of countries reported having had any business continuity plan, and 37.5% of countries reported shortages of methadone or buprenorphine supplies. Participants of 41% of countries reported partial discontinuation of harm-reduction services such as needle and syringe programs and condom distribution. Fifty-seven percent of overdose prevention interventions and 81% of outreach services were also negatively impacted. Conclusions: Participants reported that SUD treatment and harm-reduction services had been significantly impacted globally early during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on our findings, we highlight several issues and complications resulting from the pandemic concerning people with SUDs that should be tackled more efficiently during the future waves or similar pandemics. The issues and potential strategies comprise the following: (1) helping policymakers to generate business continuity plans, (2) maintaining the use of evidence-based interventions for people with SUDs, (3) being prepared for adequate medication supplies, (4) integrating harm reduction programs with other treatment modalities, and (5) having specific considerations for vulnerable groups such as immigrants and refugees.
Inhibitory effects of propionyl-L-carnitine on plasma extravasation induced by irritants in rodents Drugs Under Experimental and Clinical Research, 1993
Effects of GABAergic drugs on ethanol-induced gastric lesions Journal of Physiology Paris, 1993
Pharmacological properties and toxicology of med-15, a prodrug of tolmetin Drugs Under Experimental and Clinical Research, 1992
Influence of sodium valproate and carbamazepine on GSH levels in rat cerebral cortex Drugs Under Experimental and Clinical Research, 1992
Comparative bioavailability of two tablet preparations of diltiazem in healthy volunteers Arzneimittel Forschung Drug Research, 1992
Effects of fructose-1,6-diphosphate on blood alcohol concentration in man Italian Journal of Medicine, 1988
Effects of fructose-1,6-diphosphate on blood alcohol concentration in man Recenti Progressi in Medicina, 1988
Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of ofloxacin in human subjects during a multiple dose regimen International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Research, 1988
Metadoxine in the control of oxidative stress caused by acute and chronic ethanol poisoning Bollettino Della Societa Italiana Di Biologia Sperimentale, 1986
RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Re-opening the question of lower SARS-CoV-2 attack rates in active smokers: a perspective on viral interference and Tobacco Mosaic Virus E de Bernardis, F Lugoboni, L Busà, G Petronio Petronio, R Di Marco Frontiers in Virology 6, 1801380 , 2026 2026
COVID-19 vaccination and drug users: Past, present, and future F Lugoboni, L Stella, L Zamboni, S Campagnari, F Fusina, E De Bernardis Journal of Public Health Research 11 (3), 22799036221105314 , 2022 2022
COVID-19 and related symptoms in patients under disulfiram for alcohol use disorder S Tamburin, E Mantovani, E De Bernardis, D Zipeto, F Lugoboni Internal and Emergency Medicine 16 (6), 1729-1731 , 2021 2021 Citations: 25
A putative role for the tobacco mosaic virus in smokers’ resistance to COVID-19 E De Bernardis, L Busà Medical hypotheses 143, 110153 , 2020 2020 Citations: 20
Comment on “Methadone Dose Adjustments, Plasma R-Methadone Levels and Therapeutic Outcome of Heroin Users: A Randomized Clinical Trial” E de Bernardis European Addiction Research 24 (2), 88-88 , 2018 2018
LEFLYER E DE BERNARDIS, B Lina 2014
Can the buprenorphine-naloxone association outperform buprenorphine alone? E de Bernardis, L Busà A New Era. Provide Quality Patient Care, 63 , 2014 2014 Citations: 2
L'association buprénorphine-naloxone peut-elle faire mieux que la buprénorphine seule? E DE BERNARDIS, L BUSÁ Le Flyer 57, 10-11 , 2014 2014 Citations: 1
Orientamenti alla scelta della terapia agonista nella dipendenza da oppiacei E de Bernardis, L Busà Mission 10, 33-38 , 2004 2004 Citations: 1
Grapefruit juice effects on the bioavailability of cyclosporin-A in rats NG Mangano, VMC Cutuli, A Caruso, E De Bernardis, M Amico-Roxas European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences 5, 1-6 , 2001 2001 Citations: 16
Effects of centrally injected amylin on sexual behavior of male rats G Clementi, L Busa, E de Bernardis, A Prato, F Drago Peptides 20 (3), 379-382 , 1999 1999 Citations: 24
Effects of centrally or peripherally injected adrenomedullin on reserpine-induced gastric lesions G Clementi, A Caruso, VMC Cutuli, E de Bernardis, A Prato, NG Mangano, ... European journal of pharmacology 360 (1), 51-54 , 1998 1998 Citations: 52
INVOLVEMENT OF DA1AND DA2RECEPTORS IN THE GASTROPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF AMYLIN IN THE RAT G CLEMENTI, A CARUSO, VMC CUTULI, E DE BERNARDIS, A PRATO, ... Pharmacological research 38 (3), 221-224 , 1998 1998 Citations: 6
Pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of two different formulations of azithromycin in healthy volunteers C Tanasescu, A Serbanescu, E De Bernardis, LH Jen, C Oliani ACTA TOXICOLOGICA ET THERAPEUTICA 19, 29-40 , 1998 1998
Effect of amylin in various experimental models of gastric ulcer G Clementi, A Caruso, VMC Cutuli, A Prato, E de Bernardis, ... European journal of pharmacology 332 (2), 209-213 , 1997 1997 Citations: 29
Protective action of epidermal growth factor and a fraction from Triticum vulgare extract in mouse tail necrosis A Caruso, VMC Cutuli, E de Bernardis, M Amico-Roxas Life sciences 60 (11), PL175-PL180 , 1997 1997 Citations: 4
Amylin given by central or peripheral routes decreases gastric emptying and intestinal transit in the rat G Clementi, A Caruso, VMC Cutuli, E De Bernardis, A Prato, ... Experientia 52 (7), 677-679 , 1996 1996 Citations: 74
A logistic-regression model provides novel guidelines to maximize the anti-acute rejection properties of cyclosporine with a minimum of toxicity. A Perna, E Gotti, E de Bernardis, N Perico, G Remuzzi Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 7 (5), 786-791 , 1996 1996 Citations: 27
Comparison of ambulatory and clinical blood pressures, and their correlation with organic heart damage, in the elderly AD G.Torrisi, E. De Bernardis, S. Di Mauro, M.Marino, N.Cosentino, C.Leotta Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics 22 (supplement 1), 131-138 , 1996 1996 Citations: 1
Anti-inflammatory activity of amylin and CGRP in different experimental models of inflammation G Clementi, A Caruso, VMC Cutuli, A Prato, E de Bernardis, CE Fiore, ... Life sciences 57 (14), PL193-PL197 , 1995 1995 Citations: 52
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Amylin given by central or peripheral routes decreases gastric emptying and intestinal transit in the rat G Clementi, A Caruso, VMC Cutuli, E De Bernardis, A Prato, ... Experientia 52 (7), 677-679 , 1996 1996 Citations: 74
Effects of centrally or peripherally injected adrenomedullin on reserpine-induced gastric lesions G Clementi, A Caruso, VMC Cutuli, E de Bernardis, A Prato, NG Mangano, ... European journal of pharmacology 360 (1), 51-54 , 1998 1998 Citations: 52
Anti-inflammatory activity of amylin and CGRP in different experimental models of inflammation G Clementi, A Caruso, VMC Cutuli, A Prato, E de Bernardis, CE Fiore, ... Life sciences 57 (14), PL193-PL197 , 1995 1995 Citations: 52
Effects of CGRP in different models of mouse ear inflammation G Clementi, M Amico-Roxas, A Caruso, VMC Cutuli, A Prato, S Maugeri, ... Life sciences 54 (8), PL119-PL124 , 1994 1994 Citations: 43
May there exist specific MRI findings predictive of dementia in multiple sclerosis patients? F Patti, M Di Stefano, D De Pascalis, MR Ciancio, E De Bernardis, ... Functional neurology 10 (2), 83-90 , 1995 1995 Citations: 34
Effect of amylin in various experimental models of gastric ulcer G Clementi, A Caruso, VMC Cutuli, A Prato, E de Bernardis, ... European journal of pharmacology 332 (2), 209-213 , 1997 1997 Citations: 29
A logistic-regression model provides novel guidelines to maximize the anti-acute rejection properties of cyclosporine with a minimum of toxicity. A Perna, E Gotti, E de Bernardis, N Perico, G Remuzzi Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 7 (5), 786-791 , 1996 1996 Citations: 27
COVID-19 and related symptoms in patients under disulfiram for alcohol use disorder S Tamburin, E Mantovani, E De Bernardis, D Zipeto, F Lugoboni Internal and Emergency Medicine 16 (6), 1729-1731 , 2021 2021 Citations: 25
Effects of centrally injected amylin on sexual behavior of male rats G Clementi, L Busa, E de Bernardis, A Prato, F Drago Peptides 20 (3), 379-382 , 1999 1999 Citations: 24
A role for nitric oxide in the anti-ulcer activity of calcitonin gene-related peptide G Clementi, A Caruso, A Prato, E De Bernardis, CE Fiore, M Amico-Roxas European journal of pharmacology 256 (2), R7-R8 , 1994 1994 Citations: 22
Pharmacological properties and toxicology of MED-15, a prodrug of tolmetin. A Caruso, VM Cutuli, E De Bernardis, G Attaguile, M Amico-Roxas Drugs under experimental and clinical research 18 (11-12), 481-485 , 1992 1992 Citations: 21
A putative role for the tobacco mosaic virus in smokers’ resistance to COVID-19 E De Bernardis, L Busà Medical hypotheses 143, 110153 , 2020 2020 Citations: 20
Inhibitory effects of propionyl-L-carnitine on plasma extravasation induced by irritants in rodents. M Amico-Roxas, A Caruso, VM Cutuli, E De Bernardis, G Leonardi Drugs under experimental and clinical research 19 (5), 213-217 , 1993 1993 Citations: 17
Grapefruit juice effects on the bioavailability of cyclosporin-A in rats NG Mangano, VMC Cutuli, A Caruso, E De Bernardis, M Amico-Roxas European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences 5, 1-6 , 2001 2001 Citations: 16
Protective effect of propionyl-L-carnitine against PAF-induced rat paw oedema A Caruso, VMC Cutuli, E De Bernardis, G Leonardi, M Amico-Roxas Pharmacological research 31 (1), 67-72 , 1995 1995 Citations: 13
Protective effects of papaverine salicylate in mouse ear dermatitis and PAF-induced rat paw oedema E De Bernardis, G Leonardi, A Caruso, VMC Cutuli, M Amico-Roxas Agents and Actions 42 (1), 29-33 , 1994 1994 Citations: 12
Interaction between metabotropic receptors and purinergic transmission in rat hippocampal slices G Casabona, MR L'Episcopo, P Di Iorio, R Ciccarelli, E De Bernardis, ... Brain research 645 (1-2), 13-18 , 1994 1994 Citations: 11
Lachrymal concentration of norfloxacin after a single ocular instillation in humans F Drago, E De Bernardis European journal of ophthalmology 4 (2), 102-104 , 1994 1994 Citations: 8
INVOLVEMENT OF DA1AND DA2RECEPTORS IN THE GASTROPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF AMYLIN IN THE RAT G CLEMENTI, A CARUSO, VMC CUTULI, E DE BERNARDIS, A PRATO, ... Pharmacological research 38 (3), 221-224 , 1998 1998 Citations: 6
Influence of sodium valproate and carbamazepine on GSH levels in rat cerebral cortex. G Attaguile, A Caruso, VM Cutuli, C Di Giacomo, A Russo, E De Bernardis, ... Drugs under experimental and clinical research 18 (11-12), 465-467 , 1992 1992 Citations: 5
