Susceptibility to antibiotics of Vibrio spp. and Photobacterium damsela ssp. piscicida strains isolated from Italian aquaculture farms.

The antibiotic resistance patterns of aetiological agents responsible for vibriosis and pasteurellosis were studied to contribute to control the spread of these two bacterial diseases in Mediterranean fish farming. Strains of Photobacterium damsela ssp. piscicida, Vibrio fluvialis, Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio metschnikovii, isolated from Italian aquaculture (fish, shellfish and crustaceans) sites, were assayed for their susceptibility to some antibacterial agents currently used in farming practices. Kirby Bauer and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (M.I.C.) tests were performed. The bacterial strains showed resistance to ampicillin, carbenicillin, kanamycin, cefalothin, while they were sensitive to chloramphenicol, nitrofurantoin and tobramycin; the sulfadiazine-trimethoprim association was completely ineffective. Conversely, flumequine showed the lowest M.I.C. value (0.97 �g mL-1), suggesting its marked antibiotic effect. Considering that quinolone resistance can be transmitted only by selection of mutations and not by other genetic mechanisms, this study stresses the importance of a more responsible use of this antibacterial drug in aquaculture.

[Adolescents and alcohol: a survey in the city of Messina (Italy)]. / Gli adolescenti e l'alcol: indagine statistica nella città di Messina.

Alcohol abuse represents a relevant social problem in industrialized countries. Italy has an age-long tradition of producing and drinking wine, a beverage which in moderate doses is considered to be part of the much appreciated "Mediterranean diet". However, drinking other alcoholic beverages is becoming increasingly common, especially among adolescents. In order to evaluate aspects of the "alcohol" phenomenon among adolescents in the city of Messina (Italy), an anonymous questionnaire was administered during school hours to 5,168 students aged 13 to 17 years. Results show that 989 (19.1%) students, of which 38.3% were females and 61.7% males, reported drinking alcohol. Beer was the preferred drink, followed by alcohol-containing aperitifs, spirits and wine. It was found that students begin drinking alcoholic beverages more regularly at 16 years of age and do so mainly during group encounters. Almost none of the interviewed students reported ever having been drunk, and for most students alcohol is considered to be dangerous only if drunk in excessive amounts (70.9% of females and 72.7% of males). Family habits were found to clearly influence students' degree of alcohol consumption. Information and education is needed by young adolescents regarding the responsible approach to alcoholic beverages.

[Prevention of legionellosis in hotel establishments: a proposal to introduce a plan of action in accordance with Provision 13 January 2005 (Italy)]. / La prevenzione della Legionellosi nelle strutture alberghiere. Proposta di un Piano di Autocontrollo ai sensi del Provvedimento 13 Gennaio 2005.

Provision 13 January 2005 (Italy) gives guidelines for legionellosis control and prevention in hotel and thermal establishments. Considering that Legionella pneumophila is an ubiquitous organism , the implementation of actions to control the risk of Legionella in the water distribution systems of various types of establishments (hospital, hotel, thermal), or to at least reduce it to acceptable levels, is warranted. The authors have prepared a plan of action for Legionella which, besides describing the main points of the provision and the roles of managers and technicians, also includes the data sheets to be used during environmental monitoring procedures. The action plan will be freely available through local health authorities and professional associations.