[Gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST): what implications for the gynaecologist?]. / Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST): quali implicazioni per il ginecologo?

The case of a young female patient suffering from gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) with significant gynaecological implications is reported. The first signs and symptoms of the tumour were seen at pelvic level. The roles of laparoscopy-laparotomy, immunohistochemical study (c-kit positivity), abdominal CT scan, PET and gastroscopy proved important and are discussed. Problems relating to anaemia, metrorrhagia and the presence of ovarian cysts associated with pelvic abdominal colic are examined from the clinical and gynaecological viewpoint. Medical oncological therapy was able to make use of a new approach: administration of anti-tyrosine kinase drugs which directly contrasted the development of this malignant tumour.

[Congenital toxoplasmosis. Report of a case treated with spiramycin in the 24th week of pregnancy]. / Toxoplasmosi congenita. Descrizione di un caso trattato con spiramicina dalla XXIV settimana.

The Authors present one case of congenital toxoplasmosis; it was sustained by a primary maternal infection, contracted at the XXIII week of gestation. Even if we started the treatment with spiramycin at the XXIV week of gestation, both the prenatal ultrasound examination of the fetus, and the postnatal investigation of the newborn, showed that the young patient was affected by a severe form of congenital toxoplasmosis.

[Comparative evaluation of various direct and culture methods for the diagnosis of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infections]. / Valutazione comparativa di alcuni metodi diretti e colturali per la diagnosi di infezioni genitali da "Chlamydia trachomatis".

Commercially produced fluorescein labelled monoclonal antibodies for Chlamydia trachomatis detection have been recently become available. We have compared the data obtained using two monoclonal antibodies, one for detecting inclusion on cell cultures (culture confirmation) and the other for detecting C. trachomatis in smears from urethral and cervical swabs, with our routine isolation method which utilizes Giemsa staining of cycloheximide treated McCoy cell cultures. We also evaluated an enzyme immunoassay for detecting C. trachomatis antigens in urethral and cervical specimens. The culture confirmation system was slightly more sensitive and simpler than Giemsa staining. Between the results of immunofluorescence direct test and culture there was 96.3% agreement. Sensitivity, specificity and predictive positive and negative value were 72.2, 98.4, 80 and 97.6%. Between results of culture and enzyme immunoassay there was 97.2% agreement. The immunoassay sensitivity, specificity predictive positive and negative value were, in women, 100, 97.1, 63.6 and 100%; in men, 100, 95.7, 81.8, 100%.