Search

After a short review of the literature, starting from the last decades of the past century, the current classification of the Dirofilaria genus is shown with its two subgenera: D. immitis and D. nochtiella (repens, tenuis and ursi). The first case of subcutaneous and pulmonary dirofilariasis caused in Italy by D. repens is then shown as well as a research on dog populations in which D. immitis is prevalent. The fact that D. immitis has not yet been isolated in humans, in Italy, is probably due to D. repens vectors being more anthropophile. Finally, the latest cases of dirofilariasis from D. repens reported in Italy are taken into consideration along with the one isolated by the Authors, complete with illustrations. The case presented has been diagnosed on the basis of the histological examination carried out on a soft nodule detected in the right pectoral region; furthermore, eosinophilia and an elevated value PRIST were present.

Enteric infections in childhood are estimated to be a primary cause of illness and death in the third world and Rotaviruses play a very important role in acute nonbacterial diarrheal enterocolitis. The Authors analyse the latest results of the direct investigation of the virus in the feces by ELISA method. The improvements in diagnostic techniques and the new knowledges about Rotaviruses and their pathogenic power acquired during the last decade have made it easier to know the consequences of Rotavirus infections particularly in the poorest countries, with very bad sanitary conditions. Much attention has therefore been paid to the study of dietetics and immunoprophylaxis in order to find the most suitable cure. At present only some vaccines of animal origin are available that many Authors consider to be harmless, and that, might hopefully be employed in the third world countries.

The results of a large serological survey on Lazio population are reported and discussed. Sera from 26,500, 17,205 and 7,800 subjects of both sexes and various age were tested for rubella, measles and mumps antibody content respectively. Immune status was age dependent and on the whole the 15.2%, 20.0% and 69.8% of the population studied were negative (less than 1:8) for each of the three above cited antibodies.

The AA, taking the latest reports as a starting point, are attempting a first epidemiological reconsideration of Hepatitis, Virus B. They have found that the disease, which was generally thought not to be contagious, is actually deceptive in its potential for transmission from person to person. Hospital personnel, in particular, are greatly at risk as are their families.

The results of a study made in the areas of Central Italy on a random community on the significant presence of cases with seroantibodies against Campylobacter, Yersinia, Legionella Pneumophila, Francisella Tularensis and Rotavirus confirm the hypothesis on the presence in the territory of microorganisms responsible. These positivities in man are not only single but also contemporaneous for at least two microorganisms. Hence the hypothesis of the presence in the environment (animals, soil, surface waters) of the microorganisms (Campylobacter, Yersinia, Legionella Pneumophila, Francisella Tularensis, and Rotavirus) responsible for the zoonoses of interest for man.

There have been some results of the antitoxotoxin investigation into antibodies in cases variously positive to the Dye test for the toxoplasmic infectious disease. The results point to various etiological considerations, therapeutic and therapeutic-prophylactic, on which the AA dwell briefly. They touch upon the possibility of a timely recourse to desensitization which, however, is sometimes not excluded even in cases which show a negative result to the toxotoxin.

A short epidemiological presentation of the toxoplasmic infectious disease in our country on suspected cases compared with a clinically healthy group shows the importance of the phenomenon, especially for its various preventative and therapeutic implications.

The Yersinia enterocolitis is a kind of disease whose diffusion is gradually increasing in North Europe. The authors relates about the outcomes of a serum-immunologic research conducted during the period 1982-84 on a sample of 965 adults coming from three different italian districts (Roma, Siena, Napoli) and 65 children coming from Napoli. They interpret antibody titers painted out by their research comparing them with ones reported in bibliography. The issue of this research, even if it was conducted only in three bordering central-southern Italy regions, can anticipate an indicative epidemiological image of this Country.

In the past Tularemia has largely affected animals, nowadays' in our country it could become actual one more because of wild animals repopulation actuated in many areas. Unlike the other countries, in Italy it's not well known if there are any consequences on population. The authors has conducted a research on this subject studying seroimmunologically samples taken randomly in some areas of south-central Italy. Their results confirm endemism and therefore announce the problem and the consequent pathology.

The authors, after a brief relation on contribution given by international publications, relates about their study on Legionellosis epidemiology based on seroconversion results obtained comparing six different serotypes, precisely the ones from 1 to 6, over a sample of people living in the areas surrounding the two italian cities of Rome and Siena. This study has given proof of an high, and unaspected, seroconversion (over 27%) caused by Legionella Pneumophila. Titer was equal to or higher than 64, and there was a significantly higher incidence given by serotype 6 in both the examined areas.

The authors carried out a research on diffusion of Herpes virus 1 and 2 investigating specific serous antibodies over a sample of 1660 women living in Roma and in the surrounding area aged between 14 and 40 years; 595 of them were suspected to have an Herpes infection. The results of this research confirmed an high frequency of Herpes 1 and 2 infection in the examined sample. In order to correlate better the outcomes obtained by the investigation on the suspected sample 102 vaginal smear, executed on women suspected to have a developed infection, have been examined. The issues confirmed that it's useful to execute cytoimmunologic research in so far as such method seems to give more certainty in infection and disease identification than seroconversion investigation.

The authors on the basic of the diffusion of pediatric and gastroenterological pathologies in Italy, have conducted a research on the epidemiology diffusion of Campylobacter infection analyzing seroimmunologically sample randomly chosen and coming from some areas of central-south Italy. Their results confirm that in such areas the infection is endemic therefore they hypothesize that enteric vascular, bacterial pathologies and spontaneous abortions are related with it.

The Author's study ranges from the historical background of Toxoplasma gondii to our current biological knowledge and the role of Toxoplasma gondii in pathology and human infection. The Author has considered the diagnosis--always problematic from the interpretative point of view--and, on the basis of his own long and extensive research, suggests the usefulness of a comparison with the results obtained from the dye test findings observed in longitudinal surveys of new born up to a maximum age of 96 months. The Author believes that these results can represent an element of comparison for the purpose of prognosis, therapy and prophylaxis, and above all, in sedation to combat anxiety states, and banal preoccupations.

The etiology of diarrhea and intestinal deficiency relative to the absorbency of glucose and some enzymes can be found in Rotavirus infection. The epidemiology of this infection has been derived by the authors even if the research was limited to some areas of central-south Italy, analyzing seroimmunologically serums randomly selected. The research outcomes fully explain the first mentioned disease because antibody markers have been founded in most of the examined people.