The impact of the Catholic Jubilee in 2000 on infectious diseases. A case-control study of giardiasis, Rome, Italy 2000-2001.

Mass gatherings are believed to increase the transmission of infectious diseases although surveillance systems have shown a low impact. The Catholic Jubilee was held in Rome, Italy in 2000. We conducted a case-control study to analyse the risk factors of giardiasis among residents. All diseases reported to the laboratory surveillance system from January 2000 to May 2001 were compared with hospital controls concurrently selected in the same season as cases and frequency-matched for age and birth country. Fifty-two cases (44.1%) and 72 controls were enrolled. In the multivariable analysis factors associated with giardiasis among adults were: travelling abroad (OR 24.2, P>0.01), exposure to surface water (OR 4.80, P=0.05), high educational level (OR 3.8, P=0.03). Having a maid from a high-prevalence country was independently associated (OR 2.3) although not statistically significant. This is the only exposure that changed during the Jubilee.

[Esophageal achalasia: etiopathogenesis and possibility of treatment. Review of the literature and presentation of a clinical case]. / L'acalasia esofagea: etiopatogenesi e possibilità di trattamento. Revisione della letteratura e presentazione di un caso clinico.

The Authors report a particular case and make a careful international literature regarding etiopathogenesis and surgical treatment of oesophageal achalasia. First they consider the infection mechanisms as the cause of underlying motor disturbances of the oesophagus. Afterwards holding as parameters of reference for the evaluation of effectiveness of the therapy both the relief of dysphagia and the appearance of postoperative RGE, the various surgical options are then examined: pneumatic dilatation as opposed to surgery; the approach to thoracic and abdominal surgery and the possible assembly of a reflux protection mechanism. Finally, they propose the discussion on the challenge that the new technological systems have opened to the international surgical scene: the minimal-access surgery.

Colposcopy in gynecologic practice.

We review the role of colposcopy in the setting of a private gynecologic practice and present the data regarding 418 patients. The practicality and propriety of using colposcopy to evaluate patients with abnormal results of cytology, gross cervical lesions with or without postcoital bleeding, or a history of intrauterine exposure to diethylstilbestrol are discussed. The follow-up of small groups of patients treated with cryosurgery for intraepithelial neoplasms is presented.

Pelvic abscess and perforation of the sigmoid colon by a segment of benign cystic teratoma: an unusual complication of induced abortion.

PIP: The case described here reports on an extremely unusual complication of induced abortion: the rupture of a benign cystic teratoma with spillage of its contents within the walled-off area of the pelvic cavity, and with subsequent infection culminating in a large pelvic abscess. The patient in question was admitted to the hospital for severe pelvic pain. After colpotomy was performed, a large amount of pus was drained out, and the patient was put on antibiotics. A subsequent laparotomy showed a dermatoid cyst on the right ovary, and it was surgically removed. No further complications were observed.^ieng

Verrucous carcinoma of the vagina.

The case histories of three women with verrucous carcinoma of the vagina are presented. Verrucous carcinoma, in the female genital tract as elsewhere, is a relentlessly growing, destructive, but generally nonmetastasizing neoplasm of stratified squamous epithelium with a characteristic gross and microscopic appearance. It should be recognized and segregated from the usual type of squamous carcinoma so that appropriate therapy can be administered. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice. Radiotherapy is usually contraindicated. Two of the patients described here were treated by surgery alone with good results. The other received radiation only and died within a year with persistent disease.

A ten-year experience in the evaluation and management of patients with stress urinary incontinence.

The surgical procedures used, the complications encountered and the results obtained in 549 patients with urinary stress incontinence with or without prolapse and 50 patients with prolapse without urinary stress incontinence are presented. Incontinence was cured in 347 patients, improved in 126, unchanged in 66 and worsened in ten. Seven patients operated on for uterine prolapse developed urinary incontinence after surgery. The overall recurrence of SUI was 12.75%. The introduction of suprapubic bladder drainage has practically eliminated postoperative urinary tract infections and reduced the length of hospitalization from 9.1 to 7.2 days. My experience in 214 patients with suprabpubic drainage demonstratedthe superiority of the Ansari method over the cystocath. The addition of Cantor's bladder neck plication improved the results (cured plus improved) from 80% to 100% in the Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz operation and from 81% to 86% when the Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz operation was associated with an abdominal hysterectomy.

Cervical pregnancy: report of three cases and a review of the literature.

Three cases of cervical pregnancy are reported and the literature is reviewed. The incidence is found to be increasing and it was felt to be related to the increasing number of legal or therapeutic abortions, or other surgical procedures on the cervix and endometrial cavity, resulting in unsuitable endometrium for implantation of a fertilized ovum.