[Necrotizing fasciitis. A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge]. / La fascite necrotizzante. Una sfida diagnostica e terapeutica.

A case of necrotizing fasciitis of the upper limb caused by group A streptococcal infection and a case with an abscess of the hand caused by staphylococcus aureus, are presented. The anatomo-pathological and clinical differences between the two different types of infection are underlined and stress is laid on the excruciating pain, the high temperature and the rapidly spreading inflammatory-necrotizing evolution of the first case. More than the anatomo-pathological findings of a necrotic area the authors consider more important, the rapidity and the severity of the infection, that can evolve into a toxic shock-like syndrome, and the microbiological isolation of the streptococcus type A. On the basis of personal experience and of an accurate review of the literature, a therapeutical protocol is proposed based on an aggressive surgical approach, prompt specific antibiotic treatment and daily control of the lesions.

[Characteristics of a new colorimetric test for the rapid screening of bacteriuria compared to the traditional culture method]. / Considerazioni sulle caratteristiche di un nuovo test colorimetrico per lo screening rapido delle batteriurie rispetto alla metodica colturale tradizionale.

Eight hundred eighty five samples of urine sent for culture were examined at the same time with BDD Ortho. In a smaller amount (348) of these samples a microscopic examination of urine sediment was also carried out. Results obtained allow the authors to state that BDD is a good instrument for the screening of bacteriurias.