Data on COVID-19 boosting vaccination in people living with HIV (PLWH) are scant. We investigated the immunogenicity and safety of the BNT162b2 homologous boosting vaccination. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike antibodies (LIAISON^® SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 IgG test, DiaSorin^®), CD4+, CD8+ and viraemia were monitored at T0 (pre-vaccination), T1 (4 weeks after the second dose), T2 (pre-booster) and T3 (4 weeks after the booster dose). Humoral responses were evaluated according to sex, age, BMI, nadir and baseline CD4+ counts, as well as type of cART regimen. Forty-two subjects were included: the median age was 53 years (IQR: 48–61); the median time since HIV was 12.4 years (IQR: 6.5–18.3); the median nadir and baseline CD4+ counts were 165 (IQR: 104–291) and 687 cells/mm³ (IQR: 488–929), respectively. The booster dose was administered at a median of 5.5 months after the second dose. Median anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG concentration had significantly decreased at T2 compared to T1 (107 vs. 377, p < 0.0001). Antibody levels elicited by the booster dose (median: 1580 AU/mL) were significantly higher compared with those of all the other time points (p < 0.0001). None of the investigated variables significantly affected antibody response induced by the booster dose. Local and systemic side-effects were referred by 23.8% and 14.3% of the subjects, respectively. One patient developed sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) 24 h after boosting. He recovered auditory function upon endothympanic administration of corticosteroids. The BNT162b2 boosting vaccination in PLWH is safe and greatly increased the immune response with respect to the primary vaccination.

Background: we aim to investigate attitudes toward vaccination by analyzing empirical factors associated with vaccine acceptance in the Lazio region mpox vaccination (MpoxVax) campaign in Italy. Methods: all subjects who accessed MpoxVax and signed the informed consent were prospectively enrolled in the MPOX-VAC Study and were asked to fill out an anonymous survey. Two endpoints were selected: ‘delayed acceptance’ and ‘early acceptance’, defined as access for vaccination >60 and ≤30 days from the vaccination campaign starting (VCS), respectively. Results: over the study period, 1717 individuals underwent vaccination: 129 (7%) > 60 [1588 (92.5%) ≤ 60] and 676 (60%) ≤ 30 days from VCS. A bisexual orientation, a lower education level and a worse perceived physical and mental health were associated with delayed access to vaccination. Being pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users and, marginally, HIV positive; having a high perceived risk for mpox infection; and reporting high-risk behaviors like the use of recreational drugs/chems, sex under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol and having a higher number of principal sexual partners, were associated with early access to vaccination. Conclusions: according to our data, risk awareness was a major determinant of early MpoxVax acceptance. Conversely, worse perceived health status and a low educational level were critical factors associated with delayed vaccination.

Background: Anogenital warts (AGWs) represent the most common clinical manifestation of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The analysis of AGW time trends helps to investigate possible changes over time and monitor the impact of HPV vaccines on HPV-associated morbidity. Methods: AGWs diagnosed from 1991 to 2022 at a centre belonging to the Italian STI Surveillance Network were analysed in terms of their numbers and the socio-behavioural characteristics of the patients and then compared over the course of three decades. The time trends, overall and by transmission category, were investigated by joinpoint analysis. Results: In total, 9781 AGWs were diagnosed [61.9% in men who have sex with women (MSW)]. Individuals aged 25–34 years (36.9%), those with one recent partner (52.0%), and those with no previous STIs (87.8%) accounted for the majority of diagnoses. The HIV prevalence among individuals tested for HIV was 136/3098 (4.4%, 95% CI: 3.7–5.2). AGW diagnoses showed a mild decrease from 1991 to 2004, followed by a significant increase up to 2013 (the highest peak over the entire study period) and a significant decline thereafter, until the most recent years. During 2011–2022, diagnoses in women who have sex with men (WSM) decreased for those aged up to 24 years—the age class that could potentially have included women vaccinated against HPV. Conclusions: AGWs have declined in recent years. The decrease in the proportion of diagnoses in young WSM may reflect the female immunisation campaign in Italy. Nonetheless, there is still a need to promote vaccine uptake to reduce the AGW burden.