Microbiological and parasitological survey of zoonotic agents in apparently healthy feral pigeons.

Microbiological and parasitological investigation was carried out on a colony of feral pigeons, located in a green area near the main hospital of a Central Italy city. One hundred pigeons were submitted to clinical examination. Cloacal swabs, grouped in pool of 4 samples, were analyzed to detect the presence of Coxiella burnetii, Chlamydia psittaci, Chlamydophila spp. using a biomolecular procedure, while individual cloacal samples were examined for Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., and yeasts by means of a specific culture media. An ELISA test was used to determine the presence of Giardia spp., and Cryptosporidium spp. coproantigens. Individual serological samples were also tested with the modified agglutination test (MAT) in order to detect antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii. The pigeons did not show any clinical signs. The cloacal pools proved to be negative for C. burnetii DNA while three pools were positive for C. psittaci or Chlamydophila spp. DNAs. Salmonella spp. was not detected. C. jejuni and C. coli were found in 13% and 4% of the samples, respectively. No Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. were detected. Thirty-three out of 100 samples (33%) were positive for yeast colonies. The seroprevalence for T. gondii was 8%. Although with moderate incidence, potentially zoonotic agents were present thus highlighting the need for sanitary surveillance on feral pigeon colonies.

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infection in epileptic dogs.

OBJECTIVES: Studies in humans have demonstrated the role of Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan parasite, in epileptic seizures. This study aimed to investigate the serological correlation between T. gondii and N. caninum and epilepsy in dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical record database of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Perugia, was searched for dogs serologically tested by IFAT for T. gondii and N. caninum and following specific inclusion criteria. Dogs were stratified by having a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or suffering different conditions. RESULTS: One-hundred and twenty-eight dogs were included, 64 with epilepsy and 64 without clinical signs of epilepsy. Seventeen of the 64 epileptic dogs (26.6%; 95% CI: 15.7% to 37.4%) and twenty-one of the 64 non-epileptic dogs (32.8%; 95% CI: 21.3% to 44.3%) tested positive for T. gondii. Eight of the epileptic dogs (12.5%; 95% CI: 4.4% to 20.6%) and three of the non-epileptic dogs (4.7%; 95% CI: 0% to 9.9%) tested positive for N. caninum. There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of T. gondii or N. caninum seroreactivity between epileptic and non-epileptic dogs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The results obtained do not seem to support the role of T. gondii and N. caninum as causative agents of dog epilepsy.

[Nutritional rickets in twins: a case report]. / Un caso di rachitismo carenziale in una coppia di gemelli.

Vitamin D deficiency rickets in infants attributable to inadeguate vitamin D intake and decreased exposure to sunligh continue to be reported in the United States and other Western Countries. The American Academy of Pediatrics raccomend that all infants, children and adolescent have a minumin intake of 400 UI of vitamin D per day. We describe a case of deficiency-related rickets in two moroccan twins aged 10 months.

Dermatophytosis in animals: epidemiological, clinical and zoonotic aspects.

AIM: Dermatophytosis are the most frequent fungal infections of pets and livestock and play an important role in animal and human health due to their zoonotic potential. Another important aspect of these infections is linked to the economic consequences in farm animal and fur production systems. An overview of dermatophytosis in animals is described in this paper. Epidemiological, clinical and zoonotic aspects are addressed, considering individual species, both pets and farmed animals. METHODS: In particular, most recent investigations in the field of animal mycology, carried out in Central Italy, are reported, with particular reference to rabbit, ruminants, horse, dog, cat and some wild species. RESULTS: The information in this article show how dermatophytes infect a wide range of animals which may be in contact with human beings either directly or indirectly. Consequently they are frequently a source of infection for human beings who, vice versa, may sometimes become contagious for animals. CONCLUSION: Fungal pathogens derive their power to spread from contamination of the animal's habitat - whether the animal is a conventional pet or not, a farm animal or living in the wild. Thus if treatment of the animal or human patient is to achieve optimal efficacy, it needs to be associated with adequate environmental measures.

Multiple sclerosis in the Republic of San Marino.

Previous studies on the prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Italy have grossly underestimated the prevalence of the disease. The prevalence in the Republic of San Marino (near Rimini), in Sicily, and no doubt in the rest of Italy, is of the same order of magnitude as in Europe--that is, 40-60/100 000. The contrast of this with the very low prevalence in Malta (only 60 miles (96 km) away from Sicily) of 4/100 000 should provide a clue to the genetic and environmental factors responsible for multiple sclerosis.

Epidemiology and sequelae of head injury in San Marino Republic.

A study of head injuried patients was carried out in the smallest nation in the world (Republic of San Marino) from January 1981 to December 1982. The results show an epidemiological incidence of 468 cases/10(5) population/year in regards to Hospital admissions, whereas the cases are 694/10(5) population/year when taking into account also patients seen only by Accident and Emergency Department. The consequences of the head injury (Post Traumatic Syndrome, PTS) were studied in 187 patients having comparable features on admission and discharge, and being all residents of the Republic of San Marino. Factors significant in determining a PTS seem to be a history of previous head injuries, the presence of previous neuropsychiatric disturbances and an abnormal E.E.G. on admission. The time of onset of the syndrome, associated with the above mentioned factors, can be important in determining whether the PTS is of neurotic or organic origin.

[Association between ABO blood groups and gallbladder calculi: a dissenting opinion]. / Associazione gruppi sanguigni ABO e calcolosi della colecisti: un'opinione contraria.

A group of 174 hospital patients was studied to discover the incidence of ABO blood groups in comparison, with a similar analysis of a representative sample (1872 people) of the Amiata Community as a whole. Though this type of sampling is open to criticism, it is still felt that there is no statistical proof that one or more of these blood groups is more prone to gall stones, at least in Amiata.

[Risk factors and acute cerebral infarct in patients selected on the basis of blood sugar levels]. / Fattori di rischio ed infarto cerebrale acuto in pazienti selezionati in base al solo status glicemico.

Clinical and laboratory abnormalities were examined in relation to diabetes mellitus in a retrospective study of the 120 patients with acute stroke admitted to our medical unit between January 1, 1981 and March 31, 1984, inclusive. Paretic stroke was defined without clinical evidence of alternative diagnosis. We have examined: age, serum levels of glucose, urea, creatinine, cholesterol, triglycerides, albumin, globulins, ratio albumin/globulins and also a white and red blood-cells count, haemoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and blood pressure. The routine electrocardiogram (ECG) obtained on admission was examined for atrial fibrillation. The high prevalence of risk factors associated with diabetes mellitus in stroke patients indicate the need for further studies of stroke prevention and treatment particularly in this disease.

New chitin complexes and their anti-aging activity from inside out.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional and topical antioxidants and immuno-modulant compounds play a key role in maintaining healthy skin. However, little is known about the combined effects antioxidant cosmeceuticals and nutricosmetics can have on the appearance of aging skin. OBJECTIVE: The clinical trial was designed to study the combined effects on skin hydration, superficial lipids, elasticity, peroxidation and global clinical appearance, of melatonin, Vit. E and Betaglucan (MEB) complexed with chitin nano-crystals administered both topically and orally. Clinical examinations were conducted by dermatologists. DESIGN: By a randomized placebo-controlled, 12 week multicenter study on 70 healthy subjects, affected with skin photo-aging, the anti-aging efficacy and tolerability of the combined activity of topical emulsion and oral hard capsules, containing MEB complexed with chitin nano-crystals (CN) was evaluated clinically and by biophysical non-invasive measurements at week 4,8 and 12. RESULTS: The effects of MEB intake resulted significantly higher (p<0.005) than placebo for all the parameters evaluated by biophysical and clinical measurements. The values resulted higher when the active ingredients MEB were complexed with CN, whether used topically, orally or a combination of both (p<0.05). The positive results, observed since week 4, were accompanied by no side-effects throughout the entire study. CONCLUSION: The combined topical and oral use of MEB was associated with reduced wrinkling, better skin appearance and general overall wellness. When MEB were complexed with CN, the obtained results were statistically more positive (p<0.05) for all the biophysical and clinical parameters considered.

Occurrence of Giardia duodenalis infection in chinchillas (Chincilla lanigera) from Italian breeding facilities.

The present work investigated the occurrence of Giardia infection in Chinchilla lanigera reared in three Italian breeding facilities and determined their role as potential zoonotic reservoir. One hundred and four fecal samples were tested for the presence of Giardia spp. cysts using a Direct Fluorescent Assay (DFA). A high positivity rate (39.4%) was found despite all animals were asymptomatic at the time of sampling. Thirty-one positive samples were genetically characterized by sequence analysis of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of the Giardia ribosomal DNA. Assemblages B (29 isolates) and C (two isolates) were identified. These results showed that Giardia infection can be common in chinchillas, thus spurring further molecular epizootiological studies of the infection to assess the zoonotic potential or host specificity of their isolates, to determine the source of infections, to identify the routes of transmission, and to control the infection among animal populations.

Transforming nanostructured chitin from crustacean waste into beneficial health products: a must for our society.

Chitin, obtained principally from crustacean waste, is a sugar-like polymer that is available at low cost. It has been shown to be bio- and ecocompatible, and has a very low level of toxicity. Recently, it has become possible to industrially produce pure chitin crystals, named "chitin nanofibrils" (CN) for their needle-like shape and nanostructured average size (240 × 5 × 7 nm). Due to their specific chemical and physical characteristics, CN may have a range of industrial applications, from its use in biomedical products and biomimetic cosmetics, to biotextiles and health foods. At present, world offshore disposal of this natural waste material is around 250 billion tons per year. It is an underutilized resource and has the potential to supply a wide range of useful products if suitably recycled, thus contributing to sustainable growth and a greener economy.

Cluster headache in the Republic of San Marino.

The prevalence of cluster headache (CH) in the Republic of San Marino (21,792 inhabitants; 10,893 men and 10,899 women) was studied, reviewing the past 15 years' medical records of neurological, ophthalmological, and otorhinolaryngological services. Further cases were searched for by means of a letter sent to each inhabitant. Control of the case collection method was performed on a random sample of 1314 inhabitants over 7 years, interviewed for possible past or present cluster headache. We found 15 cases of CH (14 men, 1 woman), for an estimated prevalence ratio of 69 cases per 100,000 population. No previous reports have been published on the prevalence of CH in the general population.