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Aim of this study is to examine the prevalence data from different types of long-term care facilities (LTCFs); we also analyzed similarities and differences between them and national data.«Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Use in European Long-Term Care Facilities Project» (HALT2) is a prevalence survey of health care associated infections and antimicrobial use in European long-term care facilities. The study protocol is developed, funded and promoted by the ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control).Data were collected on a single day from long term care facilities (LTCFs) defined as facilities in which residents need constant supervision (24 hours). Two types of questionnaires had to be completed.Point prevalence of healthcare-associated infections (HAI) and antimicrobial use (AU).63 LTCFs in Piedmont Region participated in the HALT-2 point prevalence survey; 3,984 residents met the eligibility criteria. The crude prevalence of residents with at least one HAI was 3% in LTCF and 10% in CA/DP facilities. The crude prevalence of residents receiving at least one antimicrobial agent was 4%; this percentage rose to 17.4 % in CA/DP facilities.Data from Piedmont Region are similar to national data; differences are highlighted in different types of LTCFs. The results show the need to improve antimicrobial stewardship and to define protocols in each type of facilities in order to standardize the appropriateness and patient management.

Objectives: To evaluate the cost-benefit ratio of measles-mumps-rubella vaccination in two Italian areas with different immunisation coverages. Design: On the basis of the epidemiologic patterns of the three diseases in Piemonte and Puglia, the direct and indirect costs of the diseases and vaccination were estimated. A hypothetical 5-year vaccination program for children between 2 and 6 years of age was designed for the two regions. Setting: Piemonte and Puglia regions from 1995 to 1999, with a MMR immunization coverage of 60% and 40%, respectively. Main outcome measures and results: The variation of the cost-benefit ratio of vaccination was related to immunization coverage (and residual morbidity), cost of the disease (especially indirect costs), efficacy of the vaccine. The ratio was > 1 when coverage was moderate (40%) with high morbidity and low costs of the disease; with a 60% coverage a ratio of 0.70–0.90 was achieved. Conclusions: The analysis showed that the cost-benefit ratio is affected by several factors that can vary within the regional situations. While the cost of a prevented case can be low, public health strategies should also consider the cost of residual cases, which can be high when immunisation coverage or vaccine efficacy is low.

A two years follow-up study on dentists and dental students was performed to evaluated HBV infections incidence. The results allowed to evidence a risk of infection 10 times higher for dentist than for general population. Some considerations about the benefits following the prevention measures for this group, and their consequences on the general epidemiological situation are presented