Background: Vaccination constitutes a low-cost, safe, and efficient public health measure that can help prevent the spread of infectious diseases and benefit the community. The fact that vaccination effectiveness varies among populations, and that the causes of this are still unclear, indicates that several factors are involved and should be thoroughly examined. The “intestinal microbiota” is the most crucial of these elements. Numerous clinical studies demonstrate the intestinal microbiota’s significance in determining the alleged “immunogenicity” and efficacy of vaccines. This systematic review aimed to review all relevant scientific literature and highlight the role of intestinal microbiota in COVID-19, Salmonella typhi, Vibrio cholerae, and rotavirus vaccinations. Materials and Methods: The MESH terms “vaccines” and “microbiota” were used to search the major scientific databases PubMed, SciVerse Scopus, Web of Knowledge, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials. Results: Between February 2024 and October 2024, the analysis was conducted using electronic databases, yielding a total of 235 references. Finally, 24 RCTs were chosen after meeting all inclusion criteria: eight studies of COVID-19, two studies of Salmonella typhi, three studies of Vibrio cholerae, and eleven studies of rotavirus. Only six of these demonstrated good study quality with a Jadad score of three or four. Conclusions: According to the review’s results, the intestinal microbiota surely plays a role in vaccinations’ enhanced immunogenicity, especially in younger people. As it is still unclear what mechanisms underlie this effect, more research is needed to better understand the role of the intestinal microbiota.

Background/Objectives: Surgical site infections are a serious public health concern, representing a significant burden on healthcare systems and society. Their occurrence is influenced by several factors, including patient demographics, healthcare facilities and the specific circumstances surrounding surgery. The use of prophylactic antibiotics in this context carries both potential benefits and risks. The aim of this study is to investigate potential risk factors that may adversely affect the development of SSIs, as well as to assess the appropriateness and adherence to perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis. Methods: This observational study was conducted from October 2023 to October 2024 at the University Hospital of Messina, Italy, a hospital performing both thoracic and vascular surgery. Data were collected using a questionnaire regarding socio-demographic data, risk factors, clinical and surgical data and details regarding the administration of antibiotics. Results: This study included 117 patients with an average age of 63 ± 12.36 SD years, 70.9% from the Thoracic Surgery Unit and 29.1% from the Vascular Surgery Unit. The most administered antibiotic was cefazolin, and antibiotic administration time was in compliance with the guidelines. Conclusions: Our data show that the implementation of evidence-based guidelines, healthcare professionals’ education and correct antibiotic use can reduce the burden of SSIs by improving patient care.

Global health faces unprecedented challenges driven by communicable diseases, which are increasingly amplified by persistent health inequities, the impact of climate change, and the speed of emerging crises. Prevention is not merely a component but the foundational strategy for an effective, sustainable, and fiscally responsible public health response. This paper delves into the pivotal role of core prevention levers: robust vaccination programs, stringent hygiene standards, advanced epidemiological surveillance, and targeted health education. We detail how contemporary technological advancements, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data analytics, and genomics, are fundamentally reshaping infectious disease management, enabling superior predictive capabilities, faster early warning systems, and personalized prevention models. Furthermore, we thoroughly examine the imperative of integrating the One Health approach, which formally recognizes the close, interdependent links between human, animal, and environmental health as critical for combating complex threats like zoonoses and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). Despite significant scientific progress, persistent socio-economic disparities, the pervasive influence of health-related misinformation (infodemics), and structural weaknesses in global preparedness underscore the urgent need for decisive international cooperation and equitable financing models. We conclude that only through integrated, multidisciplinary, and resource-equitable strategies can the global community ensure effective prevention, mitigate severe socio-economic disruption, and successfully build resilient healthcare systems capable of withstanding future global health threats.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a major concern in public healthcare, leading to increased morbidity, pro-longed hospital stays length, and significant economic costs. Understanding the epidemiology and risk fac-tors of SSIs is crucial for developing effective prevention and management strategies. In the last century, CDC ‘s HICPAC improved a bundle for prevention of HAIs based on the use of aseptic procedures, disin-fection of the skin and correct use of antibiotics for SSIs. In our country, Gelli-Bianco law introduced the national health guidelines system that include the prophylaxis antibiotic therapy pre- and post-surgery. The aim of our study is to evaluate adherence and appropriateness of the use of antibiotic-preoperative prophylaxis in a province of southern Italy and to identify risk factors that may influence the development of an SSI. The study found many statistically significant associations among the factors examined, i.e. the timing of administration adherent to guidelines, with 47% of the analyzed files administering antibiotics within 60 min before the intervention and 62.7% using intravenous administration.

Background and Clinical Significance: Inflammatory fibroid polyp (IFP), also known as Vanek’s tumor, is a rare, benign mesenchymal lesion of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract that frequently mimics neoplastic conditions due to its submucosal location and radiologic appearance. Although most commonly found in the gastric antrum, IFPs may occur throughout the GI tract and present with a range of symptoms, from incidental findings to obstruction or bleeding, depending on size and location. Case Presentation: This article presents two distinct cases of gastric IFP managed at the University Hospital of Messina: one endoscopically resected polyp in a 70-year-old man and one surgically excised infiltrative lesion in a 64-year-old woman with high-grade obstruction. Histological analysis in both cases confirmed the diagnosis of IFP, demonstrating spindle cell proliferation with eosinophilic infiltrates and a characteristic perivascular “onion-skin” pattern. Immunohistochemical staining showed strong CD34 positivity and absence of CD117 and DOG1, aiding in differentiation from gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Conclusions: Recent evidence suggests a neoplastic origin for IFPs, supported by the presence of PDGFRA mutations and telocyte involvement, prompting a reevaluation of their pathogenesis. These cases underscore the diagnostic challenges posed by IFPs and highlight the importance of histological and immunohistochemical analysis in guiding appropriate treatment. While endoscopic resection is preferred for localized lesions, surgical intervention remains necessary in complex or obstructive cases. Understanding IFPs’ molecular profile and cellular origin may refine future diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.