NFECTIONS ARE THE MOST COMMONcause of death in premature infants andamajorthreatforpooroutcomes. 1 Late-onset sepsis, ie, infections arising after the perinatal period, are mainly nosocomial and affect 21% of very lowbirth-weight (VLBW) (Ͻ1500 g) neonates, with many more undergoing empirical antibiotic treatment. 2 In VLBW neonates, the digestive tract is a major site for colonization and systemic translocation by many pathogens. Also, prolonged Author Affiliations and Task Force Members are listed at the end of this article.

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Objectives: This study aims to characterize personal attitudes and knowledge of a sample of Italian occupational physicians (OPhs) towards immunization practice in the case of healthcare workers (HCWs). Material and Methods: A total of 90 OPhs (42.2% of males, 57.8% of females, mean age of 50.1±8.3 years old) compiled a structured questionnaire through a telephonic interview. They were asked about the official Italian recommendations for HCWs, their general knowledge of vaccine practice, their propensity towards vaccines (both in general and about specific immunizations), their risk perception about the vaccine-preventable infectious diseases. Eventually, a regression analysis was performed in order to identify factors predictive for vaccine propensity. Results: Only 12 out of 90 subjects correctly identified all the 7 recommended immunizations. The hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine was correctly identified by 95.6% of the sample, and was also associated with the more positive attitude and the more accurate risk perception. Influenza vaccine had the lowest acceptance (75.9%). Eventually, pertussis, measles, parotitis and varicella vaccines were insufficiently recognized as

Prophylactic oral administration of bLF reduces the incidence of IFI in preterm VLBW neonates. No effect is seen on colonization. The protective effect on IFI is likely due to limitation of ability of fungal colonies to progress toward invasion and systemic disease in colonized infants.