Campania Region Southern Italy Research Articles

Molecular and environmental analysis of Campania (Italy) sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) cultivars for biocultural refugia identification and conservation

Conservation of agrobiodiversity is a major concern worldwide. Several strategies have been designed and programmed to reduce biodiversity erosion due to anthropic and non-anthropic causes. To this end, we set up a multidisciplinary approach based on the genetic analysis of selected cultivars and recognition of the environmental parameters. We genotyped the sweet cherry cultivars of Campania region in southern Italy by using simple sequence repeats and further investigated them by cluster analysis, disclosing a homogeneous genetic constitution, different from that of commercial accessions. By structure analysis we identified three distinct genetic clusters, each characterized by common and distinct alleles. Survey of the cultivars’ geographical distribution by quartic kernel function identified four preferred districts further characterized for soil origin, pedologic, agronomic features and urbanization impact. We correlated these environmental parameters, typical of the identified areas, with the three genetic pools and found a statistically significant association for each cluster. When we overlaid the cultivation traditions and cultural heritage, we found they have a dominant role; on these premises, we generated new territorial maps. In conclusion, we propose a novel methodological approach based on molecular, geo-pedological and cultural parameters with the aim to recognize biocultural refugia and preserve endangered or valuable cultivars.

Distribution and risk factors associated with Babesia spp. infection in hunting dogs from Southern Italy

Canine babesiosis is caused by haemoprotozoan organisms of the genus Babesia which are transmitted by the bite of a hard tick. The aim of this survey was to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with Babesia species infections in hunting dogs from Southern Italy. Blood samples were collected from 1311 healthy dogs in the Napoli, Avellino and Salerno provinces of the Campania region of Southern Italy. Serological testing was performed using two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), with one designed to detect B. canis and B. vogeli antibodies, and the other designed to detect B. gibsoni antibodies. Blood samples were also tested by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays for amplification of B. canis, B. vogeli and B. gibsoni DNA. The overall seroprevalence for B. canis/B. vogeli was 14.0%, compared to 0.2% for B. gibsoni. B. canis and B. vogeli PCR positive rates were 0.15% and 1.1%, respectively. B. gibsoni DNA was not amplified by qPCR. Male gender (OR 1.85), increased age (OR 1.01), long hair coat (OR 1.61) and living in Salerno province (OR 1.71) represented risk factors for B. canis/B. vogeli seroreactivity. Hunting dogs in Southern Italy are often exposed to B. canis/B. vogeli, however Babesia spp. infection was infrequently detected using qPCR. Further studies are needed to determine the extent to which Babesia spp. cause clinical disease in hunting dogs, and to evaluate the potential epidemiological relationships between hunting dogs and wild animal populations sharing the same area.

Orographic Effects on Extreme Rainfall at Different Durations: A Case Study in Campania Region (Southern Italy)

Long-term probabilistic prediction of extreme rainfall at the regional scale is a significant tool in the mitigation of hydro-geological disasters: it actually provides the starting point in the design of strategic hydraulic infrastructures and emergency plans. A crucial task of regional estimation of extreme rainfall is how to include the complex effects of orographic barriers in a mathematical model for Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) curves. Here, an analysis of how orography can affect extreme rainfall at different durations is presented for three orographic systems that are very relevant for hydrological risk assessment in the Campania Region in Southern Italy. Then, we introduce a power law model to link the amplification factor to the duration, thus allowing a simple and effective enhancement of the IDF model in mountainous areas.

Evaluation of Variations in Frequency of Landslide Events Affecting Pyroclastic Covers in Campania Region under the Effect of Climate Changes

In recent years, pyroclastic covers mantling slopes in the Campania region of southern Italy have frequently been affected by flowslides. Due to high exposure and demographic pressure in these areas, assessment of the potential effects of climate change on the frequency of such events has become a crucial issue. In this regard, our paper proposes a simulation chain comprising three main elements: (i) climate simulation at the highest horizontal resolution available for Italy (8 km); (ii) a bias correction procedure in an attempt to remove systematic errors in the entire weather forcing probability distribution; (iii) the data obtained used as input for an interpretative tool estimating the evolution of soil pore water pressure and water storage (bulk water content) by means of a well-calibrated coupled thermo-hydraulic approach able to adequately take into account soil-atmosphere interaction dynamics. The predictive ability of the geotechnical model to reproduce failure conditions was tested by forcing it with temperature and precipitation observations. Subsequently, the performance of the entire modeling chain was evaluated for a period from 1981 to 2010. Lastly, variations in landslide occurrence were assessed up to 2100 under two concentration scenarios. An increase with different features was estimated under both scenarios depending on the time horizon and the severity of the concentration scenario.

Environmental impact of municipal solid waste management using Life Cycle Assessment: The effect of anaerobic digestion, materials recovery and secondary fuels production

Material and energy recovery from waste is significantly growing its importance in the last decades aiming to reduce the primary resources exploitation and the excessive recourse to incineration and landfilling. Several processes, technologies and methods can be chosen to design a proper waste management system (WMS) so that an objective comparison between alternatives has to be made. To this end, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) can be used to compare possible alternative scenarios and create an evaluation grid where different environmental parameters are reported. The aim of this work was to compare the environmental impacts of four different scenarios already analysed for technological and economic aspects in a previous work. The scenario taken as base case referred to a real waste management system applied in Caserta Province, an area of 924,614 inhabitants in the Campania region of Southern Italy. The base scenario considers the household separation of waste in five fractions addressed to material recovery (polyethylene, polyethylen-terephtalate, polypropylene, metals, cellulosic fibers, …), composting (biowaste) and incineration (residual waste). The results of the LCA demonstrated that the best scenario is that one including the highest separate collection rate technically and economically feasible to be carried out i.e. 60%, the recourse to anaerobic digestion and biogas production to treat the biowaste separately collected and the maximization of the re-processing of recyclable materials such as PET, HDPE, glass, metals, … In particular, the Global Warming Potential decrease of 166% and the Eutrophication Potential decrease of 646%, when the alternative scenario, including the recalled features is compared to the base-case one. The most important result is that the raised separate collection of recyclable materials utilized as substitutes of raw materials and of biowaste utilized for production of renewable energy helps to mitigate the direct and indirect burdens connected to the overall life cycle of goods production.

Prevalence of Foodborne Viruses in Mussels in Southern Italy.

In this study, the prevalence of various enteric viruses in Mytilus galloprovincialis (Mediterranean mussel) belonging to class A and class B mollusc-harvesting areas in the Campania region in southern Italy was evaluated. One hundred and eight mussels were analysed using real-time reverse transcription PCR during a 2-year collection period (2014-2015) to detect the following viruses: human norovirus (genogroups I and II), rotavirus, astrovirus, sapovirus, aichivirus, hepatitis A virus and hepatitis E virus. Overall, 50.93% of mussels were contaminated by at least one of the tested viruses. Of these virus-positive mussels, 63.63% were contaminated by two or more viruses. In 2014, only three of the eight investigated viruses were detected: astrovirus, sapovirus and aichivirus, whereas in 2015, seven of the eight viruses were detected (only hepatitis E virus was not identified). Astrovirus was the most frequently detected virus in both sampling periods. In 2014, sapovirus was detected at the same frequency as astrovirus (16.00%), followed by aichivirus (8%). In 2015, astrovirus (32.53%) was most frequently detected, followed by norovirus GII (26.50%), sapovirus (18.07%), hepatitis A virus (16.87%), rotavirus (16.87%), aichivirus (13.25%) and norovirus GI (12.05%).This study describes, for the first time, the presence of aichivirus and sapovirus in mussels in Italy.

Occurrence of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in eggs from free-range hens in Campania (southern Italy) and risk evaluation

ABSTRACTHens’ eggs collected in home-producing farms located in different areas of the Campania region of southern Italy were analysed for six NDL-polychlorobiphenyls (PCB indicators), 17 polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDFs), and 12 congeners of dioxin-like PCBs (DL-PCBs). In the investigated area, waste from civil, industrial and hospital activities was illegally dumped and in many cases burned, so the area is called the ‘Land of fire’. This illicit practice has been considered the main source of pollution in this territory and the cause of the persistent organic pollutants’ (POPs) contamination in the neighbouring lands intended for agricultural use and livestock. The results, which were obtained from the analysis of 56 samples of eggs, showed levels of contamination by dioxins and PCBs that have often exceeded the action levels set by European Union Recommendation 711/2013 and sometimes even exceeded the maximum levels set by Commission Regulation (EU) 1259/2011. The median PCDD/Fs was 0.41 pg TEQ g−1 fat (range = 0.01–6.18 pg TEQ g−1 fat) and the median concentration of DL-PCBs was 0.70 pg TEQ g−1 fat (range = 0.01–14.60 pg TEQ g−1 fat), whereas NDL-PCBs median was 7.35 ng g−1 fat (range = 0.48–67.55 ng g−1 fat). Nevertheless, the estimated weekly intake (EWI) calculated for consumers of eggs home produced in Campania is lower than the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) established by the European Union Scientific Committee on Food (SCF).

A database on flash flood events in Campania, southern Italy, with an evaluation of their spatial and temporal distribution

Abstract. This study presents an historical database of flash flood events in the Campania region of southern Italy. The study focuses on small catchments characterized by intermittent flow, generally occurring during and after heavy rainstorms, which can be hydrologically defined as small Mediterranean catchments. As the outlet zones of these catchments (consisting mainly of alluvial fans or fan deltas) are highly urbanized in Campania, the population living in the delivery areas is exposed to high risk. Detailed scrutiny and critical analysis of the existing literature, and of the data inventory available, allowed us to build a robust database consisting of about 500 events from 1540 to 2015, which is continuously updated. Since this study is the first step of a longer project to perform a hazard analysis, information about time and site of occurrence is known for all events. As for the hazard analysis envisaged, collecting information about past events could provide information on future events, in terms of damage and also spatial and temporal occurrence. After introducing the issue of flash floods in Italy we then describe the geological and geomorphological settings of the study area. The database is then presented, illustrating the methodology used in collecting information and its general structure. The collected data are then discussed and the statistical data analysis presented.

Sphaceloma coryli: A Reemerging Pathogen Causing Heavy Losses on Hazelnut in Southern Italy.

In 2013 to 2014, a disease causing severe crop losses was observed in several growing areas of the Campania region in southern Italy. Disease symptoms consisted of necrotic spots on leaves, bracts, and shells along with vein necrosis. Nuts were necrotic or aborted and symptomatic fruit dropped prematurely. A fungus was consistently isolated from symptomatic tissues and morphologically identified as Sphaceloma coryli. The fungus was first reported in France and Italy (Campania) over 30 years ago and was not subsequently documented until 2006 in the Latium region of Italy. When artificially inoculated on healthy hazelnut plants, disease symptoms were reproduced. The teleomorph of S. coryli was recorded for the first time on overwintering tissues of hazelnut trees. It was also induced in vitro. The morphology of asci and ascospores together with phylogenetic analysis based on internal transcribed spacer sequences indicated that the teleomorph is an undescribed species within the genus Elsinoë for which the name of Elsinoë coryli is proposed. Optimum temperatures for ascospore and conidium germination and mycelium growth were determined in vitro. The inhibition effect of some commercial fungicides on S. coryli was also evaluated in vitro.

Quantitative rockfall risk assessment for an important road by means of the rockfall risk management (RO.MA.) method

This paper deals with a quantitative risk analysis, performed using the rockfall risk management (RO.MA.) method, for a road affected by rockfalls. This approach allows evaluating the rockfall risk, also considering existing protection devices. Rockfall hazard and risk were assessed for an important and very busy road stretch linking Positano to Amalfi in the Campania region of southern Italy. An estimate of the rockfall return periods for assigned volume classes was obtained using the magnitude–frequency curves (MFCs) computed through the analysis of a rockfall inventory covering a time span from 1996 to 2008. For rockfall volumes of 0.1, 1.0, and 10 m3, using a 2D trajectory simulating code, the involved kinetic energies and run-out distances of boulders that may hit the road were calculated. The risk, expressed as the annual probability of a fatal accident for the three rockfall hazard scenarios has been evaluated both without and with protection devices, respectively. The total final risk is given by the sum of partial risks related to the three scenarios. The analysis showed that regardless of whether there are any rockfall protection devices, the total risk remains almost constant. This is due to the wide spread of slopes protected with inadequate restraining metallic nets characterized by decreasing catching capacities, as possible rockfall magnitude increases. The individual risk is not acceptable, and some actions are requested in order to lower it.

A cost–benefit analysis of mitigation options for optimal management of risks posed by flow-like phenomena

Decisions associated with life safety risk management of natural hazards can involve significant potential consequences for public safety. Given possible limitations to available societal resources, it is therefore necessary to establish a clear and rational basis for the allocation of resources towards risk management. A viable approach for utilising life safety risk assessment in public safety decisions that are aimed at improving the welfare of the public and other stakeholders is described in this paper. This approach is conceptually based on the principles of the Life Quality Index (LQI) (Nathwani et al. in Affordable safety by choice: the life quality method. University of Waterloo, Waterloo, 1997; Nathwani et al. in Engineering decisions for life quality: how safe is safe enough? Springer, London, 2009). A case study involving the cost–benefit analysis of selected packages of measures for reducing the risks posed by different rainfall-induced flow-like phenomena—which include hyperconcentrated flows, debris flows and landslides on open slopes—in the municipality of Nocera Inferiore (located in the Campania region in southern Italy) is then described. As demonstrated through the case study, the approach enables a clear evaluation of the efficiency and acceptability of the risk mitigation packages and provides vital decision support in their prioritisation and optimisation.

Photogrammetry for environmental monitoring: The use of drones and hydrological models for detection of soil contaminated by copper

Campania Region of Southern Italy has a complex environmental situation, due to geogenic and anthropogenic soil pollution. Some of the pollutants such as copper are mobilized in the organic matter. It has been shown that wetlands provide physical as well as biogeochemical barriers against pollutants. Therefore, the objective of this study was to introduce and test an innovative approach able to predict copper accumulation points at plot scales, using a combination of aerial photos, taken by drones, micro-rill network modelling and wetland prediction indices usually used at catchment scales. Data were collected from an area measuring 4500m2 in Trentola Ducenta locality of Caserta Province of southern Italy. The photos processing with a fifth generation software for photogrammetry resulted in a high resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM), used to study micro-rill processes. The DEM was also used to test the ability of Topographic Index (TI) and the Clima-Topographic Index (CTI) to predict copper sedimentation points at plot scale (0.1–10ha) by comparing the map of the predicted and the actual copper distribution in the field. The DEM obtained with a resolution of 30mm showed a high potential for the study of micro-rill processes and TI and CTI indices were able to predict zones of copper accumulation at a plot scale.

Indirect field technology for detecting areas object of illegal spills harmful to human health: application of drones, photogrammetry and hydrological models.

The accumulation of heavy metals in agricultural soils is a serious environmental problem. The Campania region in southern Italy has higher levels of cancer risk, presumably due to the accumulation of geogenic and anthropogenic soil pollutants, some of which have been incorporated into organic matter. The aim of this study was to introduce and test an innovative, field-applicable methodology to detect heavy metal accumulation using drone-based photogrammetry and microrill network modelling, specifically to generate wetlands wetlands prediction indices normally applied at large catchment scales, such as a large geographic basin. The processing of aerial photos taken using a hexacopter equipped with fifth-generation software for photogrammetry allowed the generation of a digital elevation model (DEM) with a resolution as high as 30 mm. Not only this provided a high potential for the study of micro-rill processes, but it was also useful for testing and comparing the capability of the topographic index (TI) and the clima-topographic index (CTI) to predict heavy metal sedimentation points at scales from 0.1 to 10 ha. Our results indicate that the TI and CTI indices can be used to predict points of heavy metal accumulation for small field catchments.

Interplay of rheology and entrainment in debris avalanches: a numerical study

Flow-type landslides are a major global hazard. They occur worldwide, and are responsible for a large number of casualties, significant structural damage to property and infrastructure, and economic losses. The features of debris avalanches are particularly important, as they involve open slopes and affect triangular source areas when initial slides turn into avalanches through further failures or eventual soil entrainment. In this paper, the propagation stage of debris avalanches is numerically modelled to provide information such as the propagation pattern of the mobilized material and its velocity, thickness, and run-out distance. The use of a “depth-integrated” model has the following advantages: (i) it adequately accommodates the irregular topography of real slopes, which greatly affects the evolution of the propagation stage; and (ii) it is less time consuming than full three-dimensional approaches. The model is named “GeoFlow_SPH” and has previously been applied to theoretical, experimental, and real case histories. The behaviour of debris avalanches is analysed with particular attention to the apical angle, one of the main features of this type of landslide, in relation to soil rheology, hillslope geometry, and the geometric aspect ratio of the triggering area. The role of bed entrainment is also investigated with reference to differences in steepness of the uppermost parts of open slopes. First, simplified benchmark slopes are analysed using both water-like materials (with negligible shear strength) and debris-type materials (saturated frictional soil). Next, the paper addresses three important case studies from the Campania region of southern Italy (Cervinara, Nocera Inferiore, and Sarno), where debris avalanches occur in pyroclastic soils that originated from the eruptive products of the Mount Vesuvius volcano. In all of the cases analysed, the effects of erosion rate are compared with those of simulated soil propagation height, run-out distance, and velocity. In a novel contribution to the existing research, the results obtained from analysis of both the benchmark slopes and the real case histories indicate that landslide propagation depends on the interplay of rheology and bed entrainment. In particular, increased erosion growth rates correspond to shorter run-out distances, lower velocities, and larger propagation depths. It is further shown that erosion depth increases with either friction angle or the consolidation coefficient of pore-water pressure; the latter reduces bed entrainment but does not significantly affect the apical angle of debris avalanches. Globally, the results are particularly satisfactory because they indicate that the GeoFlow_SPH model is a suitable tool for the analysis and forecasting of debris avalanches.

Physicochemical composition, fatty acid profile and cholesterol content of “Pecorino Carmasciano” cheese, a traditional Italian dairy product

“Pecorino Carmasciano” (pecorino C) cheese is produced from the raw milk of Laticauda sheep in the Province of Avellino located in the northwest Campania Region of southern Italy. The objective of this study was to investigate some physicochemical properties, fatty acid profile and cholesterol content of Pecorino C cheese during a 354-day maturation period. Pecorino C was characterised by a relatively high content of monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and by a favourable ratio of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids (2.25:1). Eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6 n-3), in particular, were present at average amounts of 0.26% and 0.21% respectively. The total conjugated linoleic acid was 0.5%. High cholesterol values were not found during ripening time. This study is the first comprehensive report on the chemical and physical properties of Pecorino C cheese.

Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Babesia caballi and Theileria equi infections in donkeys from Southern Italy

Equine piroplasmosis (EP) has been frequently described in donkeys in subtropical and tropical regions, but published data reflecting large scale surveys are very limited in Europe. The seroprevalence of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi was determined in a donkey population from Campania Region in Southern Italy using a commercial indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), and the risk factors associated with the occurrence of the infection were assessed.Of 203 samples, the overall seroprevalence for EP was 57.1% (116/203), with 35.5% (72/203) for B. caballi and 44.3% (90/203) for T. equi. Co-infection was detected in 46 donkeys (22.6%). The distribution of IFAT antibody titres to B. caballi was: 1:80 (n = 67), 1:160 (n = 2), 1:320 (n = 3); while the distribution of IFAT antibody titres to T. equi was: 1:80 (n = 25), 1:160 (n = 42), 1:320 (n = 12), 1:640 (n = 8), 1:1280 (n = 3). All examined donkeys were asymptomatic, except one adult male (with a titre of 1:640 against T. equi) that showed clinical signs corresponding to the acute stage of EP, reported for the first time in Italy.The unique risk factor associated with a higher B. caballi seroprevalence was the presence of horses in the farms, while risk factors associated with a higher T. equi seroprevalence were poor body condition, presence of ruminants in the farms and milk production. The results indicate a high level of exposure in donkeys living in Southern Italy and suggest that donkeys may be an important reservoir of EP.

Is it reasonable to abandon obligatory vaccinations in Italy? a 2013 survey.

In Italy, infant vaccinations are mandatory for four infectious diseases: diphtheria, polio, tetanus and hepatitis B. In the past, there was widespread apprehension in Italy that doing away with obligatory vaccinations would reduce the coverage rate, but the possibility of making vaccinations optional has recently become more popular. The objectives of this study were to investigate parental willingness to vaccinate their children if those vaccinations were no longer mandatory and to evaluate the variables influencing this intention. We conducted face-to-face structured interviews with 1,039 parents at public health vaccination centres in four cities of the Campania region of southern Italy. Most respondents (91.9%) said that they would certainly (69.4%) or probably (22.5%) vaccinate their children if vaccinations were not mandatory. The belief that vaccinations are effective and safe was positively associated with willingness to vaccinate their children, whereas having heard that autism is a possible adverse reaction to vaccination was inversely associated with willingness to vaccinate. Nevertheless, in the context of the relatively low 2012* [corrected] vaccination coverage rates in Campania (under the national standard of 95%), our results suggest that eliminating mandatory vaccinations is likely to lead to current coverage rates decreasing to unacceptably low levels, significantly below 90%.

Accessibility Indicators for Freight Transport Terminals

Accessibility is usually defined as the possibility to reach some activities from a given point and with a given transport system. With respect to the comparison of different project scenarios, an accessibility analysis could be used like a decision support system for planning a territorial system, allowing a comparative evaluation based on accessibility variations. In this paper, a methodology is proposed for the estimation of a transport terminal influence area based on an accessibility analysis. The methodology has been applied for the influence areas of two commercial ports of Campania region in southern Italy. Moreover, some accessibility indicators specific for freight transport are presented and estimated overcoming some limitations of the existing measures.

Comparison of individual and pooled faecal samples in sheep for the assessment of gastrointestinal strongyle infection intensity and anthelmintic drug efficacy using McMaster and Mini-FLOTAC

A field study was conducted to validate pooled faecal samples in sheep for the assessment of gastrointestinal (GI) strongyle infection intensity (faecal egg count – FEC) and anthelmintic drug efficacy (FEC reduction – FECR). Ten sheep farms located in the Campania region of southern Italy were selected for the study. In each farm, individual faecal samples from 20 adult sheep (when possible) were collected, before (D0) and after (D14) an anthelmintic treatment with albendazole. For each farm and at each time point (D0 and D14) the faecal samples were examined individually and as pools. Specifically, three different pool sizes (5, 10 and 20 individual sheep samples) and three different analytic sensitivities (namely 10 using Mini-FLOTAC; 15 and 50 using the two variants of McMaster – McM15 and McM50) were compared for FEC and FECR using individual and pooled faecal samples. GI strongyle intensity (eggs per gram of faeces – EPG) of pooled samples correlated positively with mean EPG of individual samples, with very high correlation coefficients (ranging from 0.94 to 0.99) across the 3 different pool sizes and analytic sensitivities. Mini-FLOTAC was more sensitive compared to the two variants of McMaster (McM15 and McM50) for the diagnosis of GI strongyles in sheep (100% vs 88.5% vs 75.9%) and resulted in significant higher FEC compared to both McM15 and McM50, with a mean difference in egg counts of approximately 90 EPG (p<0.001). The drug efficacy results showed that FECR was higher than 98% at most farms independently of the pool size and analytic sensitivity. With the exception of two farms, FECR was 100% when calculated for individual animals and across the different pool size and analytic sensitivities. In conclusion, the present study highlighted that pooling ovine faecal samples is a rapid procedure that holds promise as a valid strategy for assessing GI strongyles FEC and FECR in sheep.

Tu1503 Quality of Bowel Cleansing in Hospitalized Patients Is Not Worse Than That of Outpatients Undergoing Colonoscopy: Results of a Multicenter Prospective Regional Study

Tu1503 Quality of Bowel Cleansing in Hospitalized Patients Is Not Worse Than That of Outpatients Undergoing Colonoscopy: Results of a Multicenter Prospective Regional Study Gianluca Rotondano*, Antonio Rispo, Maria E. Bottiglieri, Dario Bruzzese, Leonardo De Luca, Roberto Lamanda, Luigi Orsini, Giuseppe Galloro Gastroenterology, Hospital Maresca, Torre del Greco, Italy; Gastroenterology, University Federico II, Naples, Italy; Digestive Endoscopy, University Federico II, Naples, Italy; Gastroenterology, Pellegrini Hospital, Naples, Italy; Gastroenterology, Marcianise Hospital, Marcianise, Italy; Gastroenterology, Cardarelli Hospital, Naples, Italy; Statistics, University Federico II, Naples, Italy; Gastroenterology, La Schiana Hospital, Pozzuoli, Italy Background: safe and effective colonoscopy requires adequate bowel cleansing. The degree of bowel cleansing in hospitalized patients undergoing colonoscopy is often regarded as unsatisfactory compared to that of outpatients. To date, no focused study investigated the inpatient or outpatient setting as cause of inadequate cleansing. Aims: a) to assess the degree of bowel cleansing in inpatients vs. outpatients and b) identify possible predictors of poor bowel preparation in the two populations. Methods: prospective multicenter cross-sectional study including consecutive patients undergoing colonoscopy in 25 endoscopy units of Campania region in Southern Italy. Degree of bowel cleansing was rated on a segmental scoring scale of 1 to 4 by using a simplified Boston Bowel Preparation Scale. Univariate and multivariate analysis with odds ratio estimation were performed. Results: data from 3,276 colonoscopies were analyzed (2178 outpatients and 1098 inpatients). Inadequate colon cleansing (poor/fair) was recorded in 35.1% of cases at the level of proximal colon and 22.9% at left colon (p!0.01). An incomplete colonoscopy due to inadequate cleansing was recorded in 369 pts (11.2%), and in almost 50% of them it was due to poor cleansing of the proximal colon (p!0.001). There was no significant difference in bowel cleansing rates between inpatients and outpatients (23.5% and 22.6% fair/poor preparation vs. 76.5% and 77.4% good/excellent preparation, respectively. pZ0.58 and pZ0.18). The presence of comorbidity and co-prescriptions was significantly higher in inpatients than in outpatients (75.5% vs. 56.7% and 75.8% vs. 61.8%; p! 0.001). Regardless of the setting, independent predictors of poor bowel preparation were: male gender, presence of comorbidity (in particular diabetes), BMI O25, chronic constipation, absence of any explanation by medical or nursing staff, high-volume preparation, non-split dosage schedule and incomplete intake of the purge (Table). Conclusions: although the hospitalized population is at increased risk of inadequate bowel cleansing, there is no difference in the rate of inadequate preparation between inand outpatients This result could be the effect of the better explanation of the importance/modality of purge intake AB564 GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPY Volume 79, No. 5S : 2014 made by physicians and/or nurses that can in some way compensate the presence of several risk factors. Obesity, comorbidity, chronic constipation, hi-volume preparation, non-split dosage schedule and incomplete intake of the purge turned out to be independent predictors of poor bowel preparation. The project was named after and carried out in loving memory of our colleague and friend Roberto Piscopo, MD. independent predictors of inadequate (fair/poor) bowel cleansing at logistic regression analysis Right colon Left colon Adjusted OR [95% CI] P value Adjusted OR [95% CI]