Kobo highlighting bug since Calibre 8.0

[Kriemfield]

Hello everyone,

I used to have the KoboTouchExtended installed on Calibre, but I didn't have the latest update of the plugin, because I wasn't sure if the last one still had a spacing issue with italics (spaces were removed next to italics). That way it was working perfectly for me with my Kobo Libra Colour.
I was very happy when I saw that the Calibre 8.0 update's goal was mainly to include more the Kobo devices. So the first thing I did after updating was sideloading epubs, checking if they were converted in kepubs and verifying if the italics still had spaces with other words. All those are good.
However, when I started highlighting, I noticed that highlights skip after an italicized word, making it look like they are two different highlights.
I haven't seen any report about the issue yet, except two people saying they have the same issue on the Calibre 8.0 thread at r/Calibre.
I first thought it was the last KoboUtilities update bugging, but after some tests I am now quite confident it is the recent Calibre update (I have the 8.0.1 installed).
I didn't rollback to a previous version, because I read it isn't recommended.
I have searched on Mobileread and on Reddit for an existing thread, but I haven't found anything, so I am making it here. I hope I am in the right place.
Any help is welcome ! Thanks !

[kovidgoyal]

Attach a sample epub or kepub file showing the issue.

[Kriemfield]

Here is the kepub code for the extract from the photo (I extracted it from the Kobo):

<p class="calibre5"><span class="koboSpan" id="kobo.52.1">The rush of </span><em class="calibre2"><span class="koboSpan" id="kobo.52.2">Sharp Blue</span></em> <span class="koboSpan" id="kobo.52.3">surrounded him, invaded him. </span><span class="koboSpan" id="kobo.52.4">The fragrances on the warm night air, spilling from the line of opened doors behind, carried
</span><span class="koboSpan" id="kobo.52.5"> on the tide of noise the people made, became like separate strands of air, fibers unraveling from a rope, each with its own
</span><span class="koboSpan" id="kobo.52.6"> distinct color and presence. </span><span class="koboSpan" id="kobo.52.7">The fibers became like packets of soil, something to be rubbed between his fingers; absorbed,
</span><span class="koboSpan" id="kobo.52.8"> identified.
</span></p>

Here is the original code from the epub on Calibre before transfering:

<p class="calibre5">The rush of <em class="calibre2">Sharp Blue</em> surrounded him, invaded him. The fragrances on the warm night air, spilling from the line of opened doors behind, carried
 on the tide of noise the people made, became like separate strands of air, fibers unraveling from a rope, each with its own
 distinct color and presence. The fibers became like packets of soil, something to be rubbed between his fingers; absorbed,
 identified.
</p>

It is my first time doing this, so I am a bit lost, I hope it is what you expected.

[kovidgoyal]

Followup on your bug report:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/calibre/+bug/2103926