Berlusconi is showing "gradual and constant improvement" in his treatment for the lung infection and leukemia, according to the latest medical bulletin issued by Milan's San Raffaele Hospital, where the 86-year-old three-time former prime minister and media tycoon has been in intensive care since last Wednesday.

"Over the last 48 hours we have seen a progressive and constant improvement in the functions of the organs being monitored," the bulletin read.

The media mogul, who it recently emerged has been suffering from leukemia for about two years, was hospitalised with breathing difficulties due to the lung infection.

The San Raffaele added that it was cautiously optimistic about Berlusconi's recovery from his latest bout of ill health.

"The cyto-reductive, anti-microbic and anti-inflammatory therapies are producing the hoped for results, enabling us to express cautious optimism," the medical bulletin said.

"(Ex) Premier Berlusconi is still in intensive care".

Berlusconi has been described as a "lion" and a "rock" by relatives as he fights his latest health battle.

He is reportedly asking to go home.

Berlusconi's type of leukemia, or blood cancer, is not the most severe type, medical sources said after it was revealed to be chronic myelomonocytic leukemia.

Berlusconi had a heart operation in 2016 and has been hospitalised on several occasions in the last three years for COVID and subsequently long COVID.

The latest health problem for the flamboyant businessman turned politician has gained him more headlines in Italy and worldwide.

The centre-right Forza Italia (FI) leader is a world renowned public figure whose fans and detractors split fairly equally on his business, economic and political accomplishments and his long history of legal woes including most recently the alleged bunga bunga sex parties he has always insisted were elegant and tasteful soirées.

With his politically base eroded by years of scandal and the powerful rise of his one-time sports minister Giorgia Meloni to become Italy's first woman prime minister, Berlusconi has been reduced to playing a bit part in the new centre-right coalition spearheaded by Meloni's rightwing Brothers of Italy (FdI) party.

ANSA