03238nas a2200469   4500000000100000008004100001260001200042653001800054653001300072653001200085653001500097653001800112653002300130100001600153700001200169700001500181700001500196700001600211700001400227700001500241700001700256700001400273700001300287700001300300700001500313700001200328700001600340700001500356700001100371700001200382700001300394700001500407700001300422700001500435700001400450700001500464700001400479700001600493245011700509520212800626022001402754       2019                            d  c12/201910aLeishmaniasis10aMigrants10aScabies10aFiliriasis10aCysticercosis10aNeurocysticercosis1 aZammarchi L1 aGobbi F1 aAngheben A1 aSpinicci M1 aBuonfrate D1 aCalleri G1 aDe Paola M1 aBevilacqua N1 aCarrara S1 aAttard L1 aVanino E1 aGulletta M1 aFesta E1 aIacovazzi T1 aGrimaldi A1 aSepe A1 aMegna A1 aGaiera G1 aCastagna A1 aParodi P1 aAlbonico M1 aBisoffi Z1 aCastelli F1 aOlliaro P1 aBartoloni A00aSchistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis and Chagas disease: the leading imported Neglected Tropical Diseases in Italy.3 a<p><b>BACKGROUND: </b>In recent years, an increasing number of individuals affected by Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) has been observed in Italy, due to migration, international travels, and climate changes. Reliable data on the current NTD epidemiology in Italy and the health system preparedness on this issue are not available.</p><p><b>METHODS: </b>We report the results of a survey on selected NTDs (schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis, echinococcosis, Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, cysticercosis, filariasis, and scabies) in nine Italian sentinel centres, in order to investigate their occurence throughout the country and to identify which ones are a priority for public health interventions, development of protocols for case management, and training activities. To explore the preparedness of the centres, we investigate the availability of specific diagnostic tools and drugs, needed for the management of the most common NTDs. We also reviewed and summarized the available national policies, recommendations and guidelines on NTDs in Italy.</p><p><b>RESULTS: </b>Overall, 4,123 NTDs cases were diagnosed in nine Italian centres within a seven-year period (2011-2017). Schistosomiasis and strongyloidiasis were the most common NTDs, accounting for about one-third each of all the diagnosed cases, followed by Chagas disease. The number of cases showed a significant trend to increase over time, mainly due to foreign-born subjects. Serology for Schistosoma spp and Strongyloides stercoralis was available in six and five centres, respectively. Agar plate stool culture for S. stercoralis was available in three sites. Ivermectin and praziquantel were always available in six centres. Six national policies, recommendations and guidelines documents were available, but for the most part, they are not fully implemented yet.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS: </b>This survey showed how some NTDs, such as schistosomiasis and strongyloidiasis, are becoming more common in Italy, due to multiple components. A list of seven key actions were proposed, in order to improve diagnosis, management and control of NTDs in Italy.</p>  a1708-8305