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BACKGROUND: In recent studies, familial coinfection with the same Helicobacter pylori strains has been indicated, but more data are necessary to confirm intra-familial spread of the micro-organism. AIMS: The aim of this study was (a) to assess the frequency of H pylori infection in spouses of patients with duodenal ulcers and (b) to investigate the possibility of intraspousal typing of the respective strains. PATIENTS: Sixty four patients with duodenal ulcer and their spouses were included in the study. METHODS: The H pylori infection was confirmed after endoscopy by culture and histological examination of biopsy specimens, and CLO test. The isolates were compared on the basis of their rRNA gene patterns (ribopatterns) after digestion of chromosomal DNA by the restriction endonucleases HaeIII or HindIII. RESULTS: Of the patients, 54 were found to be H pylori positive. Of the respective spouses, 42 (78%) were also H pylori positive. In contrast, only two out of 10 (20%) partners of H pylori negative patients were infected. Ribopatterns of H pylori strains derived from 18 patients and their spouses showed that in each of eight couples a single strain had colonised both partners, while in the remaining 10 couples each partner was colonised by a distinct H pylori strain. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest person to person transmission within couples or exposure to a common source of infection. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background Head injuries (HI) as a result of falls in winter sport activities, despite their incidence is not very high, they are due to their high severity of lesion, frequently associated with severe disabilities and complicated rehabilitations. Methods The magnitude of head injuries due to falls among alpine skiers and snowboarders (HIFASS) in Slovenia over the last decade were assessed using multiple nationwide Slovenian data. Hospitalisation-, emergency visitation- and mortality were calculated and compared to data of ski slope injuries. Differences by gender, age and injury were assessed, and annual changes were calculated by poisson regression analysis. Results 78.083 hospitalisations, 98.557 emergency visits and 2.969 deaths due to HI were registered in the observed period, and the HIFASS were minimally represented among them (1.7% hospitalisations, 0.6% emergency visits and 0.3% deaths). Although the decreasing trend for all HI (annual change −2.1%, p=0.0001), HIFASS had an increasing secular trend (annual change +3%, p=0.001). Individuals younger than 40 years were the most affected and had also mostly severe intracranial lesions or bone fractures. The incidence of HIFASS was about 0.2 per 1000 skier-days. Conclusion Severe, even fatal HIFASS, may be prevented by carrying a helmet. Slovenia has mandatory helmet use legislation for children until 14 years of age. But take into account results of evidence-based systematic analyses, the obligatory helmet use should include all age groups. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Hand amputations constitute a major cause of disability and public health concern with significant socio-economic dimensions. Aim To investigate hand amputation epidemiology, identify risk groups and estimate the potential for prevention. Methods EDISS in Greece, comprising four hospitals across the country, captures patient and injury information (demographics, accident conditions, injury description, outcome). During 1996–2004, among ∼0.5 million cases recorded, 86 211 were hand injuries resulting in 964 amputations (1.1%). To identify preventable amputation causes detailed injury descriptions regarding injury mechanism were examined. Results Among hand amputations 937 involved fingers, 23 palms and 4 wrists. The estimated (extrapolated) number of amputations was 3940 and the calculated overall incidence rate (IR) 3.62 per 10 000 person-years. The highest IR (8.02) was recorded among males 15–64 years old. The three most common mechanisms involved: tools in 445 (57.8%), doors in 172 (22.3%) and materials in 50 (6.5%) cases; of note, 148 victims were woodworkers (15.3%). The least common causes were animals, jewellery and fireworks (10, 7 and 6 cases respectively). Analysis of the accident conditions revealed the most common causes: lack of preventive measures/appropriate training and work overload. Most amputations due to doors were attributed to non-use of door handle while closing the door or could have been prevented by a chocking door closing mechanism. Conclusions Amputations of the hand constitute a small but non-negligible percentage of all hand injuries. The main risk group is young males and woodwork professionals, whereas doors pose a significant risk. Raising awareness and implementing simple measures could reduce the burden of this disabilitating injury. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]