Giovanni Rezza
Biographic Data
| ID | 1792156 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Giovanni Rezza |
| GIVEN NAMES | Giovanni |
| FAMILY NAME | Rezza |
| SIGNATURE | REZZA G |
| AFFILIATIONS | Istituto Superiore di Sanità |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-0268-6790 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 33 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 6 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 33 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1990 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
Chikungunya resurgence in Italy
The first outbreak of chikungunya in a temperate climate country was identified in northern Italy in 2007 (4). Ten years later, chikungunya reappeared in a di@erent area of Italy, not far from Rome (5), causing a secondary outbreak in the south (6). Apart from these major outbreaks, sporadic cases or small clusters have been reported over the years in the western Mediterranean area (7). This year, 734 cases of chikungunya in 75 di@erent clusters …
West Nile virus spread in Italy, summer 2025
West Nile virus (WNV), a flavivirus transmitted by Culex spp. mosquitoes, has caused several outbreaks in the Mediterranean area and central Europe since the 1950s, with recrudescence every hot season (1). Birds are amplifying hosts and may play an important role in dispersing the virus both through local movements of erratic resident birds and long-range travel of migratory birds (2).Several factors may increase the risk of WNV outbreaks, includ…
A Sars-CoV-2 Outbreak Among Nursing Home Residents Vaccinated with a Booster Dose of mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine
Evolution of Sars-CoV-2 IgG Seroprevalence in Children and Factors Associated with Seroconversion
Data on the effective burden of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in the pediatric population are limited. We aimed at assessing the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in children at three subsequent time-points. The study was conducted between January 2021 and July 2021 among children referring to the Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health "Burlo Garofolo" in Trieste, a referral regional hospital in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy. A multivari…
Genomic Analysis and Lineage Identification of Sars-CoV-2 Strains in Migrants Accessing Europe Through the Libyan Route
Many African countries, representing the origin of the majority of refugees, asylum-seekers, and other migrants, toward regions bordering on the Mediterranean area, are experiencing sustained local transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Sicily is one of the main entry gates of migrants crossing into Europe. We conducted a pilot study, based on the full-genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 strains isolated from mi…
Case-Fatality Rate and Characteristics of Patients Dying in Relation to Covid-19 in Italy
This Viewpoint from physicians with the Italian National Institute of Health confirms a higher case-fatality rate from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Italy compared with China and explains possible reasons, including age, cause of death definitions, and testing strategy.
West Nile virus in Europe
BACKGROUND: After Action Reviews (AAR) with a One Health perspective were performed in Slovenia, Italy, Serbia and Greece following a severe West Nile virus (WNV) transmission season in 2018. A protocol combining traditional techniques and organizational process analysis was developed and then implemented in each country. RESULTS: In 2018, response to the unusually intense transmission season of WNV in Slovenia, Italy, Serbia and Greece took plac…
Non-imported malaria in Italy
The epidemiological evidence shows that the locally acquired events are sporadic, often remain unresolved and classified as cryptic ones despite investigative efforts. The "cluster" of seven non-imported cases that occurred in 2017 in different regions of Italy therefore represents a conscious alert that should lead us to maintain a constant level of surveillance in a former malaria endemic country
Temporal dynamics in total excess mortality and Covid-19 deaths in Italian cities
An underestimation of COVID-19 deaths is particularly evident among the elderly. When quantifying the burden in mortality related to COVID-19, it is important to consider seasonal dynamics in mortality. Surveillance data provides an impartial indicator for monitoring the following phases of the epidemic, and may help in the evaluation of mitigation measures adopted
Epidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection in people living in poverty in the central-west region of Brazil
There was a high prevalence of HBV exposure in PLP in the Central-West Region of Brazil, indicating significant viral spread of the infection. Additionally, there was low serological evidence of immunisation against hepatitis B, indicating that a large proportion of the participants in this study are susceptible to the infection. The results support the need for public health policies that facilitate access to the existing healthcare services in …
In the Digital Era, Is Community Outrage a Feasible Proxy Indicator of Emotional Epidemiology? The Case of Meningococcal Disease in Sardinia, Italy
The aims of this study were (i) to evaluate the relationship between official data on invasive meningococcal disease cases in Sardinia and the reporting of the cases by a regional online newspaper and (ii) to identify indicators useful for understanding the community outrage related to health events. Cases of meningococcal disease, selected from articles published between 1999 and 2016 on a regional newspaper database, were compared to those repo…
Bio-behavioral survey of syphilis in homeless men in Central Brazil
The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with syphilis in homeless men in Central Brazil. It is a cross-sectional study conducted with 481 individuals attending four therapeutic communities between October and December 2015. A structured interview was conducted to collect sociodemographic data and risk factors for syphilis. Rapid/point-of-care and VDRL tests were performed to determine exposure to syphi…
Exposure to hepatitis C virus in homeless men in Central Brazil
The prevalence of HCV infection among homeless men was relatively high. Several risk behaviors were commonly reported, which shows the high vulnerability of this population. These findings emphasize the need for the development of specific strategies to reduce the risk of HCV among homeless men
Incidence and Risk Factors for Hepatitis C Virus Infection among Illicit Drug Users in Italy
Vaccine coverage and determinants of incomplete vaccination in children aged 12–23 months in Dschang, West Region, Cameroon
Vaccination coverage was high; however, 1 out of 7 children was partially vaccinated, and 1 out of 4 did not complete timely the recommended vaccinations. In order to improve the immunization coverage, it is necessary to strengthen ANC services, and to improve parents' information and attitude towards immunization, targeting younger parents and families living far away from vaccination centers, using appropriate communication strategies. Finally,…
Ecological Niche Modelling of Potential West Nile Virus Vector Mosquito Species and Their Geographical Association with Equine Epizootics in Italy
The Incidence of West Nile Disease in Russia in Relation to Climatic and Environmental Factors
Since 1999, human cases of West Nile fever/neuroinvasive disease (WND) have been reported annually in Russia. The highest incidence has been recorded in three provinces of southern European Russia (Volgograd, Astrakhan and Rostov Provinces), yet in 2010-2012 the distribution of human cases expanded northwards considerably. From year to year, the number of WND cases varied widely, with major WND outbreaks in 1999, 2007, 2010, and 2012. The present…
Environmental correlates of crimean-congo haemorrhagic fever incidence in Bulgaria
We identified environmental correlates of CCHF incidence in Bulgaria that may support the prospective implementation of public health interventions
Characteristics and behaviors in a sample of patients unaware of their infection until Aids diagnosis in Italy
The objective of this study was to define the sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics of people unaware of being HIV-positive at AIDS diagnosis. A multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted in 11 Italian centers of infectious diseases, recruited on a voluntary basis. Each center enrolled individuals diagnosed with AIDS aged ≥ 18 years from May 2003 to December 2005. The patients were classified into two groups on the basis of the am…
Few Italian Drug Users Undergo HIV Testing
Mortality at ages 50–59 and deprivation at early and late stages of the life course in Wales
BACKGROUND: Most previous studies have examined the association between mortality and deprivation at only one point in time. However, risk accumulates over the life course. The design of the study was ecological. Its aims were to explain inequalities in total and cause-specific mortality between geographical areas in relation to the lifestyle and health behaviours of the resident populations and the area levels of deprivation in 1981 and in 1921-…
Knowledge and attitudes regarding preventative HIV vaccine clinical trials in Italy
We carried out a telephone survey to assess willingness to participate in HIV vaccine trials. The survey was conducted by interviewing randomly selected callers to the Italian National AIDS Help line. The questionnaire consisted of four sections: demographic information, knowledge about HIV vaccines and vaccines in general, factors related to participation in HIV vaccine trials, and acceptability of a future HIV vaccine. Over 50% of the sample ha…
Increasing proportion of late testers among Aids cases in Italy, 1996–2002
In recent years, the proportion of individuals who are unaware of being infected with HIV when diagnosed with AIDS (defined as 'late testers') has dramatically increased in several European countries, including Italy. We evaluated the extent and determinants of late testing and its impact in terms of AIDS-defining illnesses among AIDS cases reported to the Italian National AIDS Registry since 1996. Late testers were defined as those persons whose…
Avian influenza
Identification and control are the priority
N Greater vigilance about health and hygiene and the open sharing of medical information should be the norm in future
The classification of Aids cases
This study assessed the concordance between the transmission classification of 725 acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases by the Italian AIDS Registry (the national surveillance system) and the classification of the same cases by the Italian Cooperative Group on AIDS-Related Tumors. A high degree of concordance emerged for intravenous drug users in both sexes (kappa = 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.84, 0.92), for homosexual men (…
Mortality at ages 50–59 and deprivation at early and late stages of the life course in Wales
BACKGROUND: Most previous studies have examined the association between mortality and deprivation at only one point in time. However, risk accumulates over the life course. The design of the study was ecological. Its aims were to explain inequalities in total and cause-specific mortality between geographical areas in relation to the lifestyle and health behaviours of the resident populations and the area levels of deprivation in 1981 and in 1921-…
Avian influenza
Behavioural change in injecting drug users
The results obtained from the training and follow-up of 189 IDUs who participated in a programme consisting of an audiovisual presentation, pre-/post-testing and individual counselling are presented. Syringe sharing decreased from 35% at initial contact to 12% after 6 months. Sexual behaviour proved more resistant to change. However, condom use in at-risk situations increased from 49% to 70%. IDUs under continuous methadone treatment were less li…
Behavioural patterns and HIV infection among drug using transvestites practising prostitution in Rome
Fifty-seven male prostitutes who were also drug users, underwent HIV-1 testing in a drug dependency unit in Rome. The overall prevalence of HIV antibody was 74% (42/57). Of the 57 subjects, 46 completed a standard questionnaire and were interviewed by a trained psychologist about use of drugs, sexual and AIDS-related behaviours. Among the 46 patients responding to the questionnaire, the prevalence of HIV was 67% (31/46). HIV prevalence increased …
Methadone treatment as a determinant of HIV risk reduction among injecting drug users
In order to evaluate the protective effect of methadone treatment on HIV infection, we performed a nested case-control study on seroconverters (cases) who were part of a cohort of HIV-negative injecting drug users (IDUs) (controls). Controls were matched with cases by sex, age, duration of drug use and follow-up time. Information on methadone treatment in the year prior to seroconversion was collected using clinical registries. Univariate and mul…
The classification of Aids cases
This study assessed the concordance between the transmission classification of 725 acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases by the Italian AIDS Registry (the national surveillance system) and the classification of the same cases by the Italian Cooperative Group on AIDS-Related Tumors. A high degree of concordance emerged for intravenous drug users in both sexes (kappa = 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.84, 0.92), for homosexual men (…
Serraino and Colleagues Respond
Serraino and Colleagues Respond Diego Serraino, Silvia Franceschi, Luigino Dal Maso, and Giovanni Rezza CopyRight https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.86.8_Pt_1.1172-a Published Online: October 07, 2011
HIV infection among foreign people involved in HIV-related risk activities and attending an HIV reference centre in Rome
Between September 1993 and December 1995, 528 foreign individuals at risk of HIV infection attended the drug treatment centre located in the Santo Spirito Hospital in Rome, undergoing medical examination, HIV testing and counselling. The geographic distribution showed that the majority of the participants were from South America (40.0%), most of whom were transsexual sex workers (from Brazil or Columbia), and from North Africa (37.5%); all the in…
Sexual behaviour of women living with HIV/Aids naïve for antiretroviral therapy
This study describes the sexual behaviours of women living with HIV, and assesses differences by history of drug use. Its general aim is to contribute in the design of programmes to help people with HIV/AIDS (PWH/A) adopt and maintain safe sexual behaviours. A self-administered questionnaire on sexual and drug use behaviours was distributed to study participants. Between 1997 and 1999, 573 women with HIV infection naive to antiretroviral therapie…
Identification and control are the priority
N Greater vigilance about health and hygiene and the open sharing of medical information should be the norm in future
Severe acute respiratory syndrome
A challenge for public health In this issue of the journal, Lee and Abdullah focus on the adoption of hygienic and health promotion measures in Hong Kong for controlling the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).1 One of the interesting aspects of this work is that it provides an insider’s point of view, yet these hygienic measures need to be discussed in the overall context of the outbreak, including the other public health interven…
Avian influenza
Increasing proportion of late testers among Aids cases in Italy, 1996–2002
In recent years, the proportion of individuals who are unaware of being infected with HIV when diagnosed with AIDS (defined as 'late testers') has dramatically increased in several European countries, including Italy. We evaluated the extent and determinants of late testing and its impact in terms of AIDS-defining illnesses among AIDS cases reported to the Italian National AIDS Registry since 1996. Late testers were defined as those persons whose…
Knowledge and attitudes regarding preventative HIV vaccine clinical trials in Italy
We carried out a telephone survey to assess willingness to participate in HIV vaccine trials. The survey was conducted by interviewing randomly selected callers to the Italian National AIDS Help line. The questionnaire consisted of four sections: demographic information, knowledge about HIV vaccines and vaccines in general, factors related to participation in HIV vaccine trials, and acceptability of a future HIV vaccine. Over 50% of the sample ha…
Few Italian Drug Users Undergo HIV Testing
Mortality at ages 50–59 and deprivation at early and late stages of the life course in Wales
BACKGROUND: Most previous studies have examined the association between mortality and deprivation at only one point in time. However, risk accumulates over the life course. The design of the study was ecological. Its aims were to explain inequalities in total and cause-specific mortality between geographical areas in relation to the lifestyle and health behaviours of the resident populations and the area levels of deprivation in 1981 and in 1921-…
Characteristics and behaviors in a sample of patients unaware of their infection until Aids diagnosis in Italy
The objective of this study was to define the sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics of people unaware of being HIV-positive at AIDS diagnosis. A multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted in 11 Italian centers of infectious diseases, recruited on a voluntary basis. Each center enrolled individuals diagnosed with AIDS aged ≥ 18 years from May 2003 to December 2005. The patients were classified into two groups on the basis of the am…
Environmental correlates of crimean-congo haemorrhagic fever incidence in Bulgaria
We identified environmental correlates of CCHF incidence in Bulgaria that may support the prospective implementation of public health interventions
Ecological Niche Modelling of Potential West Nile Virus Vector Mosquito Species and Their Geographical Association with Equine Epizootics in Italy
The Incidence of West Nile Disease in Russia in Relation to Climatic and Environmental Factors
Since 1999, human cases of West Nile fever/neuroinvasive disease (WND) have been reported annually in Russia. The highest incidence has been recorded in three provinces of southern European Russia (Volgograd, Astrakhan and Rostov Provinces), yet in 2010-2012 the distribution of human cases expanded northwards considerably. From year to year, the number of WND cases varied widely, with major WND outbreaks in 1999, 2007, 2010, and 2012. The present…
Vaccine coverage and determinants of incomplete vaccination in children aged 12–23 months in Dschang, West Region, Cameroon
Vaccination coverage was high; however, 1 out of 7 children was partially vaccinated, and 1 out of 4 did not complete timely the recommended vaccinations. In order to improve the immunization coverage, it is necessary to strengthen ANC services, and to improve parents' information and attitude towards immunization, targeting younger parents and families living far away from vaccination centers, using appropriate communication strategies. Finally,…
Exposure to hepatitis C virus in homeless men in Central Brazil
The prevalence of HCV infection among homeless men was relatively high. Several risk behaviors were commonly reported, which shows the high vulnerability of this population. These findings emphasize the need for the development of specific strategies to reduce the risk of HCV among homeless men
Incidence and Risk Factors for Hepatitis C Virus Infection among Illicit Drug Users in Italy
In the Digital Era, Is Community Outrage a Feasible Proxy Indicator of Emotional Epidemiology? The Case of Meningococcal Disease in Sardinia, Italy
The aims of this study were (i) to evaluate the relationship between official data on invasive meningococcal disease cases in Sardinia and the reporting of the cases by a regional online newspaper and (ii) to identify indicators useful for understanding the community outrage related to health events. Cases of meningococcal disease, selected from articles published between 1999 and 2016 on a regional newspaper database, were compared to those repo…
Bio-behavioral survey of syphilis in homeless men in Central Brazil
The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with syphilis in homeless men in Central Brazil. It is a cross-sectional study conducted with 481 individuals attending four therapeutic communities between October and December 2015. A structured interview was conducted to collect sociodemographic data and risk factors for syphilis. Rapid/point-of-care and VDRL tests were performed to determine exposure to syphi…
Epidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection in people living in poverty in the central-west region of Brazil
There was a high prevalence of HBV exposure in PLP in the Central-West Region of Brazil, indicating significant viral spread of the infection. Additionally, there was low serological evidence of immunisation against hepatitis B, indicating that a large proportion of the participants in this study are susceptible to the infection. The results support the need for public health policies that facilitate access to the existing healthcare services in …
Case-Fatality Rate and Characteristics of Patients Dying in Relation to Covid-19 in Italy
This Viewpoint from physicians with the Italian National Institute of Health confirms a higher case-fatality rate from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Italy compared with China and explains possible reasons, including age, cause of death definitions, and testing strategy.
Medicine (28 works) · Environmental health (18 works) · Demography (17 works) · Internal Medicine (13 works) · Outbreak (13 works) · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk (12 works) · Population (12 works) · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions (11 works) · Public health (10 works) · Family medicine (9 works)