Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Media Technology
187
Scopus Publications
4285
Scholar Citations
34
Scholar h-index
117
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
A Possible Unmet Need: Pneumococcal Vaccination in the Workplaces—A Systematic Review of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease Among Shipyard Workers Matteo Riccò, Luca Pipitò, Claudio Costantino, Silvio Tafuri, Chiara Noviello, et al. Vaccines, 2026 Background: Workplace-related outbreaks of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) have been increasingly reported among shipyard workers, yet their epidemiological and clinical features remain incompletely characterized. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize available evidence on IPD outbreaks in shipyard settings. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, and medRxiv was conducted up to March 2026. Observational studies reporting IPD outbreaks in shipyards were included. Pooled incidence rates and clinical outcomes were estimated using random-effects models, with heterogeneity assessed by I2 statistics. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Results: Eight studies describing six outbreaks across four European countries (France, Norway, Northern Ireland, Finland; 2015–2025) were included, encompassing 131 cases among 35,623 workers. The pooled incidence was 368.9 cases per 100,000 workers with an attack rate of 2.36 per 1000 person-months for total cases, compared to 200.49 cases per 100,000 workers (95%CI 103.54–387.85) and 1.10 cases per 1000 person-months (95% CI 0.17–2.03) for laboratory confirmed cases, with considerable heterogeneity across studies. Most cases occurred in men (97.7%), with the median age ranging from 39 to 48 years. Hospitalizations occurred in 79.1% of cases, intensive care unit admission in 13.7%, and the case fatality ratio was 0.8%. Serotype 4 accounted for 67.2% of characterized isolates. Occupational exposures and shared accommodation may have contributed to transmission, although this could not be formally assessed. Conclusions: IPD outbreaks in shipyard settings are characterized by high incidence but relatively favorable outcomes, likely reflecting workforce demographics. However, considerable heterogeneity and methodological limitations across studies constrain the interpretation of pooled estimates. Preventive strategies, including vaccination and workplace-targeted interventions, should be considered as plausible public health measures, with a proactive role for occupational health services.
Did Nirsevimab Shift Pediatric Hospitalizations Due to Lower Respiratory Tract Infections? A Nationwide Italian Study (2024–2025) Paolo Manzoni, Matteo Riccò, Chryssoula Tzialla, Graziano Barera, Paolo Del Barba, et al. Viruses, 2026 Nirsevimab is a long-acting monoclonal antibody designed to prevent infections due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Here we report on a retrospective, multicenter study encompassing a total of 19 Italian neonatal and pediatric centers evaluating the epidemiology of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI)-related hospitalizations in infants younger than 2 years during the first RSV season following the introduction of nirsevimab prophylaxis. A total of 401 hospitalizations were reported, with 40.4% being in children with previous prophylaxis with nirsevimab. Respiratory syncytial virus was the most frequently identified pathogen (47.5%), followed by rhinovirus/enterovirus (20.2%) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV; 6.9%). In multivariable analyses adjusted for age, sex, and month of diagnosis, prior nirsevimab immunization was associated with a significantly reduced likelihood of RSV-related hospitalization (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.259; 95% CI, 0.157–0.427), corresponding to an estimated effectiveness of 74.1% (95% CI, 57.3–84.3). Conversely, nirsevimab-immunized infants showed increased odds of hospitalization due to hMPV (aOR, 2.490; 95% CI, 1.019–6.085) and rhinovirus/enterovirus (aOR, 2.573; 95% CI, 1.424–4.650). Lower respiratory tract infections associated with hMPV predominantly occurred outside the typical RSV season, being associated with moderate-to-severe clinical presentations. These findings confirm the real-world effectiveness of nirsevimab against RSV hospitalizations, also highlighting the need for the continued surveillance of non-RSV respiratory pathogens in the context of universal RSV immunoprophylaxis.
Impact of a Universal Nirsevimab Prevention Program Against Respiratory Syncytial Virus Bronchiolitis in Infants in Sicily (Italy) During the 2024–2025 Epidemic Season: A Retrospective Cohort Study Claudio Costantino, Emanuele Amodio, Rosario Asciutto, Costanza Affranchi, Franco Belbruno, et al. Vaccines, 2025 Objectives: The introduction of universal prophylaxis with Nirsevimab represents a major innovation in preventing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in newborns. In Sicily, Nirsevimab administration began on 1 November 2024, for all newborns under one year and at-risk infants during the 2024–2025 season. This study assessed the real-world impact of this strategy in reducing RSV-related hospitalizations. Methods: This retrospective cohort study examined newborns residing in Sicily from 2015 to May 2025, evaluating hospitalization incidence rates attributable to RSV during the first year of life. RSV hospitalizations were identified using ICD-9 codes (079.6, 466.11, 480.1) in any diagnostic position. Incidence rates in the 2024–2025 season (intervention period) were compared with preceding seasons. Results: During the study period, 4431 RSV hospitalization cases occurred (19.84 cases per 1000 person-years), peaking in 2023–2024 (53.47 cases per 1000 person-years). A statistically significant 40% reduction in RSV hospitalizations was observed during the 2024–2025 season (October–April) compared with the preceding season, with a relative reduction ranging between 33.4% and 54.8% across sensitivity models. Conclusions: These results confirm the significant impact of the universal prophylaxis program in real-world practice, consistent with other European programs. These findings support universal RSV prevention strategies and provide insights for optimizing regional and national health policies.
Effectiveness of an Active Offer of Influenza Vaccination to Hospitalized Frail Patients Alessandra Fallucca, Davide Anzà, Claudio Costantino, Cristina Genovese, Giovanni Genovese, et al. Vaccines, 2025 Background/Objectives: Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the influenza season returned to its typical pre-pandemic circulation patterns. The category of people most vulnerable to severe influenza was older adults, and frail individuals, confirming their central role as a priority group for vaccination. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of an active influenza vaccination program in an area with low influenza vaccination rates and propensity to vaccine co-administration. Methods: People recruited were hospitalized frail individuals, patients over the age of 60, and those with chronic illnesses or comorbidities. It was administered a questionnaire to investigate adherence to influenza vaccination and the Health Action Process Approach was used to evaluate the propensity to co-administration. Results: A total of 418 hospitalized patients were enrolled in the study, of whom 58.4% (n = 244) received the influenza vaccine and 17.9% (n = 75) had a higher propensity to have co-administration of influenza and other recommended vaccines. The factors associated with influenza vaccination acceptance were received advice from hospital healthcare workers (aOR = 10.6 p < 0.001) and previous influenza vaccination (aOR = 18.1; p < 0.001). Propensity to vaccine co-administration was associated with a higher educational level (aOR = 4.21; p = 0.002), receiving vaccination advice from hospital healthcare workers (aOR = 2.80; p = 0.03), perceived positive outcome (aOR = 1.29; p = 0.02) and perceived self-efficacy (aOR = 1.48; p < 0.001). Conslusions: This study explored the impact on influenza vaccination coverage in implementing in hospital vaccination offer. The reliability of this strategy, together with the standard vaccination offer, could allow reaching the recommended vaccination coverage, particularly among at-risk people.
Knowledge and training needs on built environment and indoor health of Italian public health residents: A national survey Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene, 2017
Improvement in vaccination knowledge among health students following an integrated extra curricular intervention, an explorative study in the University of Palermo Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene, 2017
Influenza vaccination in high-risk groups: A revision of existing guidelines and rationale for an evidence-based preventive strategy Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene, 2016
Impact of the abolition of food handler certification on notification rates of foodborne diseases in Italy Epidemiologia E Prevenzione, 2015
Work-related stress variables among post-graduate medical residents (MESH) at the major teaching hospital of Sicily (Italy): A cross-sectional survey Medicina Del Lavoro, 2015
Canal switch and re-entry phenomenon in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: Difference between immediate and delayed occurrence Acta Otorhinolaryngologica Italica, 2015
The immunohistochemical peptidergic expression of leptin is associated with recurrence of malignancy in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma Acta Otorhinolaryngologica Italica, 2015
Antimeningococcal and antipneumococcal vaccination determinants: A European systematic literature review Epidemiologia E Prevenzione, 2015
Logistic regression of attitudes and coverage for influenza vaccination among Italian Public Health medical residents Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene, 2014
Analysis of appeals against the ruling of occupational physicians lodged with the Prevention and Occupational Epidemiology Operative Unit, ASP Palermo (Palermo Health Authority), from 2008-2010 Medicina Del Lavoro, 2013
Attitudes, behaviours and perceptions of Italian General Practitioner trainees towards influenza vaccination in Western Sicily (Italy) Italian Journal of Public Health, 2012
A proposal for an evidence-based model of the screening for the colorectal carcinoma in an Italian setting Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene, 2011
[Abolishing mandatory routine medical and laboratory examination of food handlers may have influenced the reporting trends of foodborne diseases? Frequency of notified foodborne illnesses in Southern Italy from 1996 to 2009]. Annali Di Igiene Medicina Preventiva E Di Comunita, 2011
[Asbestos-related diseases observed in Palermo (Italy) among workers exposed to asbestos]. Igiene E Sanita Pubblica, 2011
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