Papers by Daniela Lo Giudice
Population medicine, Apr 26, 2023
Population Medicine considers the following types of articles: • Research Papers-reports of data ... more Population Medicine considers the following types of articles: • Research Papers-reports of data from original research or secondary dataset analyses. • Review Papers-comprehensive, authoritative, reviews within the journal's scope. These include both systematic reviews and narrative reviews. • Short Reports-brief reports of data from original research. • Policy Case Studies-brief articles on policy development at a regional or national level. • Study Protocols-articles describing a research protocol of a study. • Methodology Papers-papers that present different methodological approaches that can be used to investigate problems in a relevant scientific field and to encourage innovation. • Methodology Papers-papers that present different methodological approaches that can be used to investigate problems in a relevant scientific field and to encourage innovation. • Letters to the Editor-a response to authors of an original publication, or a very small article that may be relevant to readers. • Editorials-articles written by the Editorial Board or by invited experts on a specific topic. Research Papers Articles reporting research may be full length or brief reports. These should report original research findings within the journal's scope. Papers should generally be a maximum of 4000 words in length, excluding tables, references, and abstract and key points of the article, whilst it is recommended that the number of references should not exceed 36.
Clinica Terapeutica, Sep 9, 2020
INTRODUCTION In November 2010 the Mediterranean Diet was recognized by the UNESCO as Intangible C... more INTRODUCTION In November 2010 the Mediterranean Diet was recognized by the UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It is an heritage that brings together the dietary habits of the peoples of the Mediterranean countries, consolidated over the centuries remained almost unchanged until the 1950s. Numerous scientific studies have also shown that the Mediterranean Diet is an healthy diet that helps to prevent the main chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, bulimia and obesity and thanks to the antioxidant power of olive oil combined with vegetables consumption, an important means of cancer prevention. The aim of our study was to investigate the knowledge and the adherence to the Mediterranean diet of young people living in the Mediterranean area. MATERIALS AND METHODS The survey was carried out by administering a web-based anonymous questionnaire from March to May 2019 to Italian young people. In this survey we asked for socio-economic conditions, knowledge, awareness and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (through the KIDMED test) both in childhood and at present time. Parental educational status and family income were used as indicators of socio-economic status (SES). RESULT The sample was made up by 507 Italian young people between the ages of 17 and 35 (123 males and 384 females), with an average age of 22.88 years (DS 7.02). Only 11.4% knew the Mediterranean diet. During childhood 70.8% of respondents had breakfast and 58% ate fruit and vegetables daily. Today they have maintained the correct eating habits, in fact, 71.2% had breakfast, 60.2% ate fruit and 64.7% ate vegetables. In addition, only 48.3% eat fish and the majority of respondents consume carbohydrates (76.9%). To a lesser extent they consume junk foods like candy and various snacks (18.1%) or fast food meals (9.1%). Moreover, we asked for physical activity and we found that 48.9% did it. We found age, exercise and sex high significant variables (p<0.01). Higher adherence to MD was found in older interviewees. CONCLUSION Our study we found high knowledge to a Mediterranean diet into 90.5% of the sample and poor adherence into 23.5% of them, medium into 53.4% while higher only in 23.1% of the interviewees. Lower adherence was found among those who do not engage in physical activity and the two regressor with higher weight on the adherence to MD were "eat at home "and "eat fruit and vegetables". Furthermore, in our sample more increased the age more increased adherence to traditional diet models.
Igiene Moderna, Dec 15, 1995
Igiene Moderna, Mar 1, 2000
Journal of Vaccines and Vaccination, 2015
Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate HPV vaccination coverage in the target populatio... more Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate HPV vaccination coverage in the target population residing in Sicily, five years after launch of the vaccination campaign, and to analyze its organization in this region. Methods: Regional data as at 31 December 2013, grouped by province, issued by the Regional Health Authority were used. The organization and information materials of the campaign were also assessed (letters, posters, brochures, etc.). Results: The results for Sicily show uptake rates for three doses of HPV vaccination of 56.
PubMed, Sep 10, 2020
Introduction: In November 2010 the Mediterranean Diet was recognized by the UNESCO as Intangible ... more Introduction: In November 2010 the Mediterranean Diet was recognized by the UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It is an heritage that brings together the dietary habits of the peoples of the Mediterranean countries, consolidated over the centuries remained almost unchanged until the 1950s. Numerous scientific studies have also shown that the Mediterranean Diet is an healthy diet that helps to prevent the main chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, bulimia and obesity and thanks to the antioxidant power of olive oil combined with vegetables consumption, an important means of cancer prevention. The aim of our study was to investigate the knowledge and the adherence to the Mediterranean diet of young people living in the Mediterranean area. Materials and methods: The survey was carried out by administering a web-based anonymous questionnaire from March to May 2019 to Italian young people. In this survey we asked for socio-economic conditions, knowledge, awareness and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (through the KIDMED test) both in childhood and at present time. Parental educational status and family income were used as indicators of socio-economic status (SES). Result: The sample was made up by 507 Italian young people between the ages of 17 and 35 (123 males and 384 females), with an average age of 22.88 years (DS 7.02). Only 11.4% knew the Mediterranean diet. During childhood 70.8% of respondents had breakfast and 58% ate fruit and vegetables daily. Today they have maintained the correct eating habits, in fact, 71.2% had breakfast, 60.2% ate fruit and 64.7% ate vegetables. In addition, only 48.3% eat fish and the majority of respondents consume carbohydrates (76.9%). To a lesser extent they consume junk foods like candy and various snacks (18.1%) or fast food meals (9.1%). Moreover, we asked for physical activity and we found that 48.9% did it. We found age, exercise and sex high significant variables (p<0.01). Higher adherence to MD was found in older interviewees. Conclusion: Our study we found high knowledge to a Mediterranean diet into 90.5% of the sample and poor adherence into 23.5% of them, medium into 53.4% while higher only in 23.1% of the interviewees. Lower adherence was found among those who do not engage in physical activity and the two regressor with higher weight on the adherence to MD were "eat at home "and "eat fruit and vegetables". Furthermore, in our sample more increased the age more increased adherence to traditional diet models.
Infectious Disease Reports
HIV/AIDS is considered a risk factor for increased mortality due to COVID-19. For this reason, it... more HIV/AIDS is considered a risk factor for increased mortality due to COVID-19. For this reason, it is essential to include this population in vaccination campaigns. Studies found that antibodies are lower in HIV+ patients than in healthy individuals. The aim of this study was to assess the immune response in a cohort of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccination in order to evaluate the role played by the HIV infection in the efficacy of this vaccine. We carried out a cross-sectional study in the period April-September 2021, involving a cohort of PLWH and a cohort of HIV-uninfected people as the control group. The efficacy of vaccination was high in both groups despite a slight and not significant difference between them. However, important differences were found according to the intensity of the immune response. Specifically, while in the HIV+ group almost a quarter of people had a low response, it is important to remark that the control group had only a...
La Clinica terapeutica, 2020
OBJECTIVES Measles still has a high impact on the health of the population in Italy and therefore... more OBJECTIVES Measles still has a high impact on the health of the population in Italy and therefore requires a strong commitment to prevention at national level. In addition to Italy, measles outbreaks have also been reported in other EU countries, with a high number of cases and a rapid spread of the disease even in the nosocomial context between patients and health personnel. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of measles in a group of health workers working at a university hospital in southern Italy. MATERIALS AND METHODS A seroepidemiological study was conducted on 458 health workers. Measles antibody IgG and IgM levels were evaluated by immunoenzymatic testing. RESULTS The highest percentage of susceptible subjects was ≤30 years old, with a statistically significant difference compared to the age group ≥51 years. With regard to gender, susceptibility to measles in males was significantly higher than in females (p<0.05). Additional statistically significant diff...
Vaccines, Nov 18, 2022
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Vaccines, Jan 18, 2023
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Journal of preventive medicine and hygiene, Dec 1, 2022
Acta bio-medica : Atenei Parmensis, Jul 1, 2022
INTRODUCTION Rubella can have particularly serious effects on the product of conception if contra... more INTRODUCTION Rubella can have particularly serious effects on the product of conception if contracted during pregnancy. Thus, the main aim of rubella vaccination programmes is to prevent infection during pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS A seroepidemiological study was conducted from July 2006 to December 2007 on 1000 women of childbearing age, 15 to 45 years old, using specific rubivirus antibody assays, IgG and IgM. A questionnaire administered at the same time allowed us to survey how much women knew about this disease. In addition, MMR vaccine coverage rates were analysed for cohorts born in the local health districts of Messina for the period 1993-2006. RESULTS An analysis of the replies given to the questionnaire showed an estimated 42.8% of the women to have immunity from rubella, while the serological study showed an immunity coverage rate of80.6%. Vaccination coverage in the local health districts regarding the first dose of MMR was 81% (cohorts 1993-2005), while the rate wa...
Health Problems of Civilization, 2016
authors' contribution wkład autorów: a. Study design/planning zaplanowanie badań B. Data collecti... more authors' contribution wkład autorów: a. Study design/planning zaplanowanie badań B. Data collection/entry zebranie danych c. Data analysis/statistics dane-analiza i statystyki D. Data interpretation interpretacja danych E. Preparation of manuscript przygotowanie artykułu F. literature analysis/search wyszukiwanie i analiza literatury G. Funds collection zebranie funduszy Summary Background: lyme disease is a multi-organ disease caused by spirochetes, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, transmitted by Ixodes, with its clinical picture including involvement of the skin, joints, nervous system and heart. laboratory diagnostic tests for lyme disease are mainly based on the detection of anti-Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies by means of serological methods. aim of the work: assessment of the level of antibodies against specific B. burgdorferi s.l. antigens in persons with suspected lyme disease. Material and methods: the tested group consisted of 98 patients with suspected lyme disease. During the first phase of the tests, anti-Borrelia burgdorferi IgM/IgG antibodies were marked using ElISa method, and positive and uncertain results were confirmed by westernblot test (wb). Results: anti-B. burgdorferi IgM/IgG antibodies were present in 60 patients (61.2%). IgM and IgG antibodies were detected as positive in 8 (8.1%) and 35 (35.7%) patients respectively. IgM and IgG were co-present in 6 persons (6.1%), including 2 persons (2%) with positive results in both classes. all patients with positive IgM (12 persons) had anti-ospc antibodies, and 2 patients had, in addition, anti-p31 antibodies. In patients with positive IgG the results were as follows: antibodies against antigen p17-77% of cases, VlsE-74%, p30-46%, p39-44%, p83-38%, p19-31%, ospc/p25-28%, p31-23%, p21-8%. Conclusions: laboratory diagnostic tests for lyme disease must be performed in accordance with the current standards, positive and uncertain results must be confirmed by westernblot test. Results of lab tests must correlate with patient's symptoms.
Journal of preventive medicine and hygiene, 2010
Samples of sewage from treatment plants at the "G. Martino" University Hospital of Mess... more Samples of sewage from treatment plants at the "G. Martino" University Hospital of Messina (AOU) and that of Messina City Council were analysed to detect the hepatits E virus. Samples were taken on sewage entering and exiting the treatment plants on a monthly basis over a one-year period from both the hospital plant (24 samples) and the municipal plant (22 samples). All sewage samples were pretreated by ultrafiltraton and concentration and finally processed by the PCR method to amplify gene material. A total of three samples tested positive: two (8.33%) entering the AOU treatment plant and one (4.5%) entering the municipal plant while no cases of HEV were detected in samples of treated sewage. These findings confirm the presence of the virus in the city of Messina and showed that the two treatment plants to be working efficiently when tested.
Annali di igiene : medicina preventiva e di comunita, 2017
BACKGROUND Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is widespread in developing countries and the disease is also ... more BACKGROUND Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is widespread in developing countries and the disease is also increasing in the developed ones. This infection in pregnancy can cause spontaneous abortion and neonatal death in 56% of newborns. STUDY DESIGN The study was conducted on a sample of 352 pregnant women, 326 Italian and 26 foreign, in order to confirm the presence of HEV in our territory, to analyze wrong habits of the population and to suggest preventive actions against the risk to contract the infection during pregnancy. METHODS We asked all women under study to fill an anonymous questionnaire immediately before taking a venous blood samples to determine the presence of anti-HEV antibodies. The questionnaire contained a set of questions to gain information about lifestyles and risk factors to contract HEV. RESULTS The questionnaire revealed that a portion of the tested women have risk behaviours, as consumption of raw or undercooked food, eating unwashed food and traveling to endemic a...
International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, 2015
The aim of this survey was to assess the seroprevalence of antibodies against Coxiella burnetii (... more The aim of this survey was to assess the seroprevalence of antibodies against Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) in subjects at risk of exposure in Sicily, Southern Italy. Material and Methods: Prevalence of IgG antibodies to C. burnetii phase II antigens was evaluated by ELISA in a group of 140 workers at risk of exposure (38 veterinarians, 38 slaughterhouse workers, 44 livestock handlers, 20 laboratory and technical personnel) included in a medical surveillance program and in 42 control subjects. Positive samples were classified as suggestive of prior exposure to C. burnetii. Results: Antibodies against C. burnetii were detected in 88 out of 140 (62.9%) exposed workers and in 6 out of 42 (14.3%) subjects of the control group. The variables evaluated did not seem to have a significant effect on seropositivity to Coxiella with the exception of symptoms in the last 6 months preceding the survey. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated a high seroprevalence of C. burnetii in the group of exposed workers in comparison to non-exposed subjects of the control group. Clinical illness appears to be rare; nevertheless, physicians should consider Q fever in patients with compatible symptoms and occupational exposure to animals and their products. As aerosols represent the main route of infection in animals and humans, these workers are strongly advised to wear respiratory masks. In addition, occupational physicians should consider routine serologic evaluation and vaccination of occupationally exposed workers.
International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 2012
To determine the prevalence of anti-rubella virus antibodies and the level of knowledge about con... more To determine the prevalence of anti-rubella virus antibodies and the level of knowledge about congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) among pregnant women living in southern Italy. A seroepidemiologic study was conducted between July 1, 2006, and December 31, 2007. Five-hundred women resident in Messina were enrolled in the study; the participants were in the 4th to 39th week of pregnancy. Anti-rubella virus antibodies were assayed using a microparticle enzyme immunoassay. Demographic details, vaccination history, and participants&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; knowledge of the potential risks of rubella infection during pregnancy were assessed via questionnaire. On the basis of the questionnaire results, 70.4% of women were classed as immune to rubella virus infection; however, the prevalence of IgG anti-rubella virus antibodies measured in the participants&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; serum was 85.8%. Although 55.2% of women had undergone pre-pregnancy rubella screening, only 81 participants reported that they had been vaccinated before becoming pregnant. The participants&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; general knowledge about CRS was poor, as was their understanding of the importance of undergoing screening. The number of women at risk of rubella infection fell short of the national target set for elimination of CRS. Increased involvement and collaboration by all healthcare workers are, therefore, required to disseminate the information necessary to prevent CRS.
Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease, 2014
A National Programme to eliminate Measles and Congenital Rubella was implemented in Italy in 2003... more A National Programme to eliminate Measles and Congenital Rubella was implemented in Italy in 2003. It aimed to achieve elimination by 2010 in line with the targets set by the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of rubella antibodies in samples of immigrant women living in southern Italy. A seroepidemiologic study was conducted from 1 January 2008 to June 30 2009. 489 immigrant women resident in Messina were enrolled in the study. The detection of rubella antibodies was performed using a microparticle enzyme immunoassay. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic data including age, country of origin, educational level and knowledge about rubella. The results of the seroepidemiological survey to detect rubella antibodies showed an overall seropositivity rate of 82.2%. Generally, knowledge about rubella and congenital rubella syndrome was lacking. Many immigrants are susceptible to rubella and may benefit from vaccination programmes. Additional catch-up vaccination strategies are urgently needed to eliminate the risk of congenital rubella syndrome for future generations.
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Papers by Daniela Lo Giudice