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Background: In European countries, the prevalence of HBV and HCV in refugees and migrants tends to reflect the prevalence in their countries of origin. The aim of this study is to analyse acute viral hepatitis cases diagnosed in Italy among foreign citizens and to compare incidence rates in foreigners and Italians., Methods: We analysed the cases of each viral hepatitis type among foreigners. Standardised incidence rates were compared between natives and foreigners., Results: Between 2004 and 2019, 15,872 cases of acute viral hepatitis were notified by 10 Italian regions, 14.8% among foreign citizens. Until 2012, the percentage increased gradually, while a fluctuating trend set in from 2013 onwards; in 2019, 23.9% of cases were foreigners. Data from the SEIEVA surveillance show higher standardised incidence rates of hepatitis A and B among foreign citizens; no significant difference emerged between Italians and foreigners in terms of their hepatitis C incidence., Conclusions: foreign citizens have an increased incidence of hepatitis A and B. Regarding hepatitis A, vaccination is strongly recommended to foreigners travelling to their countries of origin. Screening tests for hepatitis B and C infection should be offered to newly arrived migrants from high prevalence countries, or having specific risk factors.

Background: During 2016-17, national guidelines were developed in order to provide evidence-based recommendations on health assessments for migrants and asylum seekers upon their arrival in Italy., Methods: Scientific literature published between 2005 and 2016 was searched in different databases. A free search was also performed on international organizations' websites in order to identify additional relevant documents. A multidisciplinary panel discussed the resulting evidence and formulated recommendations., Results: Evidence-based recommendations were formulated: signs and symptoms of specific diseases should to be actively searched for active TB, malaria, STI, intestinal parasites, diabetes, anaemia. In case of other health conditions (latent TB, HIV, HBV, HCV, STI, strongyloides, schistosoma, diabetes), testing should be offered to asymptomatic subjects coming from endemic areas or exposed to risk factors. Mass screening is recommended for anaemia and hypertension; a pregnancy test should be considered, while inclusion in cervical cancer screening and vaccination programs is recommended. A modulated, progressive approach was developed, covering an initial evaluation during rescue operations, a full medical examination at first line reception stage and the referral to national health services during second line reception., Conclusions: It is important to produce and periodically update guidelines on these issues and local peculiarities should be taken into account in their design and implementation. Guidelines can not only support economic sustainability, but also counteract stigmatization dynamics., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors report no declarations of interest., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In the summer of 2003 a community-acquired outbreak of Legionella pneumophila occurred in Rome, Italy. Three molecular typing methods, pulse-field gel electrophoresis, amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis, and sequence-based typing (SBT), were used to establish the clonal correlation among the isolates of the epidemic cluster. By comparison of the methods, SBT was the most rapid and the easiest to perform and provided unambiguous results.