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Dive into the research topics where Gianluigi Quaranta is active.

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Featured researches published by Gianluigi Quaranta.


Emerging Infectious Diseases | 2004

Legionella Infection Risk from Domestic Hot Water

Paola Borella; M. Teresa Montagna; V. Romano-Spica; Stampi S; G. Stancanelli; Maria Triassi; R. Neglia; Isabella Marchesi; Guglielmina Fantuzzi; Daniela Tatò; Christian Napoli; Gianluigi Quaranta; Patrizia Laurenti; Erica Leoni; Giovanna De Luca; Cristina Ossi; Matteo Moro; Gabriella Ribera D’Alcalà

We investigated Legionella and Pseudomonas contamination of hot water in a cross-sectional multicentric survey in Italy. Chemical parameters (hardness, free chlorine, and trace elements) were determined. Legionella spp. were detected in 33 (22.6%) and Pseudomonas spp. in 56 (38.4%) of 146 samples. Some factors associated with Legionella contamination were heater type, tank distance and capacity, water plant age, and mineral content. Pseudomonas presence was influenced by water source, hardness, free chlorine, and temperature. Legionella contamination was associated with a centralized heater, distance from the heater point >10 m, and a water plant >10 years old. Furthermore, zinc levels of <20 μg/L and copper levels of >50 μg/L appeared to be protective against Legionella colonization. Legionella species and serogroups were differently distributed according to heater type, water temperature, and free chlorine, suggesting that Legionella strains may have a different sensibility and resistance to environmental factors and different ecologic niches.


Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology | 2006

Prospective 3-year surveillance for nosocomial and environmental Legionella pneumophila: implications for infection control.

Stefania Boccia; Patrizia Laurenti; Paola Borella; Umberto Moscato; Gennaro Capalbo; Andrea Cambieri; Rosarita Amore; Gianluigi Quaranta; Federica Boninti; Massimiliano Orsini; Giovanna Branca; Giovanni Fadda; Romano Spica; Gualtiero Ricciardi

OBJECTIVES To perform a 3-year, prospective surveillance program for legionnaires disease (LD) in a large university hospital in Rome, and to assess the usefulness of the hospital water monitoring program in predicting the risk of nosocomial LD. METHODS Samples from patients with new cases of nosocomial pneumonia were sent for legionella laboratory investigations. Meanwhile, water samples for bacteriological analysis were collected every 6 months from high- and medium-risk hospital wards (10 in total). Legionella pneumophila isolates collected were serotyped and analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. RESULTS From June 2001 through May 2004, the pneumonia surveillance identified one case of nosocomial LD among 43 cases of nosocomial pneumonia (2.3%). Environmental investigations detected L. pneumophila in 12 (18.7%) of the 64 water samples, of which 50% belonged to serogroup 1. The L. pneumophila count and the percentage of positive locations never exceeded 10(2) colony-forming units/L and 20%, respectively, except when the LD nosocomial case occurred (positive water samples, 40%; L. pneumophila count, <10(2) colony-forming units/L). Genotyping showed 3 prevalent clones of L. pneumophila in the water distribution network, of which one persisted over the 3 years. One clone contained 3 different L. pneumophila serogroups (2, 4, and 6). CONCLUSIONS The low incidence of nosocomial cases of LD appears to be associated with a low percentage (<20%) of positive water samples per semester and with a low contamination level (<10(2) colony-forming units/L). An infection control system for nosocomial LD should, therefore, be based on both environmental and clinical surveillance, together with the appropriate maintenance of the hospital water distribution system.


International Journal of Health Geographics | 2007

Determinants of within-country variation in traffic accident mortality in Italy: a geographical analysis

Giuseppe La Torre; Eduard F. van Beeck; Gianluigi Quaranta; Alice Mannocci; Walter Ricciardi

ObjectiveTo identify determinants of regional differences in traffic accident mortality in Italy.Data and methodsMultiple linear regression models were conducted assessing the associations between regional differences in traffic mortality, case fatality and accident rates (dependent variables) with socio-demographic factors, and variables describing road behaviour, vehicles, infrastructure and medical care (independent variables). Data were derived from the National Institute of Statistics, the National Institute of Health and the Italian Automobile Club. In addition to analyses for the whole country of Italy, separate models were conducted for Northern and southern regions.ResultsIn Italy large regional differences in traffic mortality rates can be observed, ranging from 5.5 to 20 per 100.000 person-years. There is a North-South gradient with higher mortality rates in the Northern part of Italy. Strong predictors of regional differences in both traffic mortality and accident rates are the employment rate (directly associated) and alcohol use (directly associated). This is observed in the whole of Italy, and separately in Northern and southern regions.ConclusionOur study has shown the need for regional policies to improve road behaviour to reduce traffic accident and mortality rates in identified high-risk areas.


Science of The Total Environment | 2014

Non-fermentative gram-negative bacteria in hospital tap water and water used for haemodialysis and bronchoscope flushing: Prevalence and distribution of antibiotic resistant strains

Sara Vincenti; Gianluigi Quaranta; Concetta De Meo; Stefania Bruno; Maria Giovanna Ficarra; Serena Carovillano; Walter Ricciardi; Patrizia Laurenti

This study provides a detailed description of the distribution of non-fermentative gram-negative bacteria (NFGNB) collected in water sources (tap water and water used for haemodialysis and bronchoscope flushing) from different wards of a tertiary care hospital. The aim is to identify risk practices for patients or to alert clinicians to the possible contamination of environment and medical devices. The resistance profile of NFGNB environmental isolates has shown that more than half (55.56%) of the strains isolated were resistant to one or more antibiotics tested in different antimicrobial categories. In particular, 38.89% of these strains were multidrug resistant (MDR) and 16.67% were extensively drug resistant (XDR). The most prevalent bacterial species recovered in water samples were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Ralstonia pickettii and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Analysis of antibiotic resistance rates has shown remarkable differences between Pseudomonadaceae (P. aeruginosa and P. fluorescens) and emerging pathogens, such as S. maltophilia and R. pickettii. Multidrug resistance can be relatively common among nosocomial isolates of P. aeruginosa, which represent the large majority of clinical isolates; moreover, our findings highlight that the emergent antibiotic resistant opportunistic pathogens, such as R. pickettii and S. maltophilia, isolated from hospital environments could be potentially more dangerous than other more known waterborne pathogens, if not subjected to surveillance to direct the decontamination procedures.


The Scientific World Journal | 2012

Tuberculosis in Sheltered Homeless Population of Rome: An Integrated Model of Recruitment for Risk Management

Patrizia Laurenti; Stefania Bruno; Gianluigi Quaranta; Giuseppe La Torre; Antonio G. Cairo; Pierangela Nardella; Giovanni Delogu; Giovanni Fadda; Tommaso Pirronti; Salvatore Geraci; Salvatore Pelargonio; Francesco Lauria; Delia Goletti; Gualtiero Ricciardi

The authors show the results of an integrated model for risk management of tuberculosis in a sample of sheltered homeless in Rome. Tuberculin skin test (TST) was used for evaluating the prevalence of latent infection (LTBI). In TST positives, expectorate was collected and chest X-ray was achieved. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate determinants of infection. Out of 288 recruited subjects, 259 returned for the TST reading; 45.56% were positive and referred to a specialized center; 70 accessed the health facility and completed the clinical pathway. The risk factors associated to LTBI were male gender (OR = 3.72), age over 60 years (OR = 3.59), immigrant status (OR = 3.73), and obesity (OR = 2.19). This approach, based on an integrated social network, guarantees high adherence to screening (89.93%), allowing patients testing positive for latent tuberculosis infection to be diagnosed and rapidly referred to a specialized center.


Journal of Forensic Sciences | 2015

Suicidal or Homicidal Sharp Force Injuries? A Review and Critical Analysis of the Heterogeneity in the Forensic Literature

Fabio De-Giorgio; Maria Lodise; Gianluigi Quaranta; Antonio G. Spagnolo; Ernesto D'Aloja; Vincenzo Lorenzo Pascali; Vincenzo M. Grassi

The differential diagnosis between self‐inflicted and nonself‐inflicted, suicidal and homicidal, injuries is difficult or impossible in many cases and, above all, cannot be made on the basis of information obtained solely from the autopsy or the medicolegal clinical examination. The purpose of this study is to analyze the literature on suicidal and homicidal sharp force injuries and identify the relevant parameters that may help differentiate between suicidal and homicidal deaths. To achieve this goal, a review of 595 potentially relevant articles was performed. After excluding the nonrelevant papers by screening the titles, all abstracts were reviewed, and articles meeting the inclusion criteria underwent a full‐text review. The following parameters were compiled into a table: number of cases, localization of the injuries, and number of injuries. The data were statistically analyzed and compared with those available in the forensic literature. On the basis of the heterogeneity of data revealed by the present review, a simple and short checklist of the parameters that should be included when reporting suicides and homicides by sharp force has been proposed.


Value in Health | 2015

Extracorporeal Photopheresis for Second-Line Treatment of Chronic Graft-versus-Host Diseases: Results from a Health Technology Assessment in Italy

Chiara De Waure; Stefano Capri; Maria Assunta Veneziano; Maria Lucia Specchia; Chiara Cadeddu; Francesco Di Nardo; Anna Maria Ferriero; Francesca Gennari; Colette Hamilton; Agostino Mancuso; Gianluigi Quaranta; Matteo Raponi; Luca Valerio; Gian Franco Gensini; Walter Ricciardi

OBJECTIVES To develop a comparative, cost-effectiveness, and budget impact analysis of Therakos online extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) compared with the main alternatives used for the treatment of steroid-refractory/resistant chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD) in Italy. METHODS The current therapeutic pathway was identified by searching medical databases and from the results of a survey of practice in Italian clinical reference centers. A systematic review was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of second-line alternatives. Budget impact and cost-effectiveness analyses were performed from the Italian National Health Service perspective over a 7-year time horizon through the adaption of a Markov model. The following health states were considered: complete and partial response, stable disease, and progression. A discount rate of 3% was applied to costs and outcomes. RESULTS The most common alternatives used in Italy for the management of steroid-refractory/resistant cGvHD were ECP, mycophenolate, pentostatin, and imatinib. The literature review highlighted that complete and partial responses are higher with ECP than with the alternatives while serious adverse events are less common. The economic analysis showed that Therakos online ECP represents the dominating alternative, in that it delivers greater benefit at a lower cost. In fact, according to the alternatives considered, cost saving ranged from €3237.09 to €19,903.51 per patient with 0.04 to 0.21 quality-adjusted life-year gained. CONCLUSIONS Therakos online ECP should be considered an effective, safe, and cost-effective alternative in steroid-refractory/resistant cGvHD. There is inequality in access, and a dedicated reimbursement tariff, however, should be introduced to overcome these barriers.


Public Health | 2015

Systematic review of studies investigating the association between dietary habits and cutaneous malignant melanoma

C de Waure; Gianluigi Quaranta; Maria Rosaria Gualano; Chiara Cadeddu; A. Jovic-Vranes; Bosiljka Djikanovic; G. La Torre; Walter Ricciardi

OBJECTIVE Several papers have dealt with diet as a risk factor for cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM). This study aimed to synthesize available data on the topic. STUDY DESIGN A systematic review of observational studies assessing the association between dietary habits and CMM was performed. METHODS Electronic databases were used to identify eligible articles. Quality was assessed through the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Case-control and cohort studies evaluating the intake of food/nutrients through the assessment of dietary habits and the occurrence of CMM were considered eligible. Data comparing the highest and lowest levels of consumption were collected from single studies and described qualitatively as data combination was not possible. Results were reported as percentages on the basis of relative risks and odds ratios. RESULTS Eighteen studies reported in 21 articles were selected. Cohort studies showed better quality than case-control studies. Most articles did not detect any significant association between food/nutrient intake and CMM, except for limited evidence of a protective role associated with fish, vegetables and fruit. Risk reduction was shown to be 35-37%, 40-57% and 34-46%, respectively, in studies reporting significant results. Similarly, few articles showed protective roles of beta-carotene and vitamins A, C, D and E, with risk reduction of 64%, 37-43%, 41%, 15-39% and 50-66%, respectively. CONCLUSION A trend towards reduced risk of CMM associated with higher intake of fish, vegetables and fruit, as well as beta-carotene and vitamins A, C, D and E, has been shown but further research is needed to provide decisive data.


BMC Public Health | 2012

Legionella on board trains: effectiveness of environmental surveillance and decontamination

Gianluigi Quaranta; Sara Vincenti; Anna Maria Ferriero; Federica Boninti; Romina Sezzatini; Cinzia Turnaturi; Maria Daniela Gliubizzi; Elio Munafò; Gianluca Ceccarelli; Carmelo Causarano; Massimo Accorsi; Pasquale Del Nord; Walter Ricciardi; Patrizia Laurenti

BackgroundLegionella pneumophila is increasingly recognised as a significant cause of sporadic and epidemic community-acquired and nosocomial pneumonia. Many studies describe the frequency and severity of Legionella spp. contamination in spa pools, natural pools, hotels and ships, but there is no study analysing the environmental monitoring of Legionella on board trains. The aims of the present study were to conduct periodic and precise environmental surveillance of Legionella spp. in water systems and water tanks that supply the toilet systems on trains, to assess the degree of contamination of such structures and to determine the effectiveness of decontamination.MethodsA comparative pre-post ecological study was conducted from September 2006 to January 2011. A total of 1,245 water samples were collected from plumbing and toilet water tanks on passenger trains. The prevalence proportion of all positive samples was calculated. The unpaired t-test was performed to evaluate statistically significant differences between the mean load values before and after the decontamination procedures; statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05.ResultsIn the pre-decontamination period, 58% of the water samples were positive for Legionella. Only Legionella pneumophila was identified: 55.84% were serogroup 1, 19.03% were serogroups 2–14 and 25.13% contained both serogroups. The mean bacterial load value was 2.14 × 103 CFU/L. During the post-decontamination period, 42.75% of water samples were positive for Legionella spp.; 98.76% were positive for Legionella pneumophila: 74.06% contained serogroup 1, 16.32% contained serogroups 2–14 and 9.62% contained both. The mean bacterial load in the post-decontamination period was 1.72 × 103 CFU/L. According to the t-test, there was a statistically significant decrease in total bacterial load until approximately one and a half year after beginning the decontamination programme (p = 0.0097).ConclusionsThis study indicates that systematic environmental surveillance could be a useful approach for assessing the risk of exposure to Legionella bacteria, which still represents a public health threat. According to the study results, an environmental surveillance programme, followed by decontamination procedures where necessary, would decrease the total bacterial count, protecting the health of travellers and workers.


Italian Journal of Public Health | 2010

Prevalence of cutipositivity in a sample of homeless shelter population in Rome in the course of Latent Tuberculosis Infection surveillance plan. Preliminary results

Patrizia Laurenti; Gianluigi Quaranta; Stefania Bruno; Antonio G. Cairo; Pierangela Nardella; Giovanni Delogu; Fausta Ardito; Giovanni Fadda; Tommaso Pirronti; Antonio De Lorenzis; Salvatore Geraci; Roberta Molina; Giuseppe Attanasio; Francesca Annunziata; Salvatore Pelargonio; Francesco Lauria; Alessandra Gualano; Walter Ricciardi

Background : in Europe homelessness is a known risk factor both for active and latent tuberculosis (TB). In Rome 409 cases of TB were notified in 2004, but the real occurrence among homeless people is unknown. Tuberculosis surveillance has been organized with the aim to develop an integrated model for the risk evaluation and management of both Latent Tuberculosis infections (LTBI) and TB in Rome homeless people. Methods : the eligible individuals have been recruited in the homeless’ refuges. The Tuberculin Mantoux test has been used to evaluate the infection prevalence; in case of a positive result, the individual’s expectorate has been collected and the chest X-ray has been performed. A collecting data form has been filled in for evaluating some risk factors. Multiple logistic regression models have been carried out to find statistically significant determinants of infection. Results : out of 120 subjects recruited, 108 came back for the evaluation of the skin test; the prevalence of LTBI was 43.5% (47/108 subjects); no active TB cases were found. According to the multivariate analysis, factors significantly associated to LTBI are gender (for males OR = 4.94; 95% CI: 1.46 – 16.67, 1st model; OR 5.84; 95% CI: 1.26 – 21.10, 2nd model), birth place (for Europe: OR 3.05; 95% CI: 1.02 – 9.13, 1st model; OR 3.12; 95% CI: 1.10 – 8.88, 2nd model; for East Mediterranean native Region OR = 4.34; 95%CI: 1.15-16.39); Body Mass Index class (for obesity OR = 3.34; 95% CI:1.31-8.51). Conclusions : these preliminary results have demonstrated a high prevalence of LTBI among homeless people. Male gender, birth place (Europe and East Mediterranean native Region) and obesity were found to be significant risk factors. The surveillance system allowed positive patients for LTBI to be rapidly directed to a specialized centre for the clinical evaluation and the appropriate therapy in order to prevent the evolution of disease.

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Patrizia Laurenti

Catholic University of the Sacred Heart

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Gualtiero Ricciardi

Catholic University of the Sacred Heart

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Stefania Bruno

Catholic University of the Sacred Heart

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Maria Giovanna Ficarra

Catholic University of the Sacred Heart

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Stefania Boccia

Catholic University of the Sacred Heart

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Umberto Moscato

Catholic University of the Sacred Heart

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Chiara De Waure

Catholic University of the Sacred Heart

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Gianfranco Damiani

Catholic University of the Sacred Heart

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Sara Vincenti

Catholic University of the Sacred Heart

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Chiara Cadeddu

Catholic University of the Sacred Heart

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