[Experimental cadaveric study assesing protection and osteotomy guide system (BARU) in hallux valgus surgery using Reverdin-Isham technic]. / Estudio experimental cadavérico para valorar el sistema de protección y guía de osteotomía (BARU) en cirugías de hallux valgus con técnica de Reverdin-Isham.

INTRODUCTION: Hallux valgus is a high frequency disorder, affecting the first ray. Operative correction techniques have grown popularity lately. One of them is the Reverdin-Isham technique (first metatarsal medial incomplete osteotomy). Recently, a protection and osteotomy cutting guide has been developed: the BARU system. OBJECTIVE: To test the usefulness of the BARU system as a protective factor for soft structures adjacent to the surgical site and guidance for osteotomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Experimental cadaveric study. Six cadaveric feet (two fresh-frozen and four in formaldehyde solution), unapproached. Feet were numbered and intervened with RI technique, three of them with BARU system and three without it. Afterwards, dissection by two dissectors who did not know whether the BARU system had been used or not, establishing a single-blinded model. 13 structures were evaluated in each foot. Data was recovered into Microsoft Office Excel and processed with SPSS. 2 test (significative if p value < 0.05) and relative risk were calculated. RESULTS: Approach using BARU system was satisfactory, with usual-size operation-ports. BARU system colocation was simple and radiological control showed adequate spatial location. The device contributed as reference for cutting direction and depth. 65 out of the 78 searched structures were found (83.3%). Six injuries were found among the assessed structures: plantar medial nerve (one injury), plantar medial artery (one injury), flexor brevis muscle (three injuries), abductor muscle (one injury). Five of these injuries occurred in non-utilizing BARU system feet. CONCLUSION: Promising results in terms of protection of nearby structures, cutting guide, and ease of intervention. Avoids X-rays exposure. Not significant statistical calculations, the sample should be enlarged.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El hallux valgus es una patología con alta prevalencia en la población. Técnicas de corrección quirúrgica han crecido en popularidad últimamente. Una de ellas es la de Reverdin-Isham (RI: osteotomía incompleta medial en primer metatarsiano), se desarrolló un dispositivo de protección y guía de corte para dicho procedimiento: el sistema BARU. OBJETIVO: Probar la utilidad del sistema BARU como factor protector de estructuras blandas adyacentes al sitio de abordaje y guía para osteotomía. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio cadavérico; seis pies (dos frescos y cuatro formolados) sin abordajes previos. Tres con el sistema BARU y tres sin éste. Posteriormente disección por dos disectores con enmascaramiento simple ciego. Se evaluaron 13 estructuras en cada pie. Los datos fueron recabados con Microsoft Office Excel y procesados en SPSS. Se realizó test de 2 (valor p < 0.05 significativo) y se calculó el riesgo relativo. RESULTADOS: El sistema BARU fue satisfactorio. Su colocación fue sencilla y el control radiológico mostró adecuada ubicación espacial. Ayudó como referencia para la dirección y profundidad del corte. Se encontraron 65 de las 78 estructuras buscadas (83.3%). En las estructuras evaluadas hubo seis lesiones: nervio plantar medial (uno dañado), arteria plantar medial (uno dañado), músculo flexor corto (tres dañados), músculo abductor (uno dañado). Cinco de estas lesiones ocurrieron en pies donde no se utilizó el sistema BARU. CONCLUSIÓN: Resultados prometedores en cuanto a protección de estructuras cercanas, guía de corte y facilidad para la intervención. Cálculos estadísticos no significativos, la muestra debería ampliarse.

Estudio experimental cadavérico para valorar el sistema de protección y guía de osteotomía (BARU) en cirugías de hallux valgus con técnica de Reverdin-Isham / Experimental cadaveric study assesing protection and osteotomy guide system (BARU) in hallux valgus surgery using Reverdin-Isham technic

Resumen: Introducción: El hallux valgus es una patología con alta prevalencia en la población. Técnicas de corrección quirúrgica han crecido en popularidad últimamente. Una de ellas es la de Reverdin-Isham (RI: osteotomía incompleta medial en primer metatarsiano), se desarrolló un dispositivo de protección y guía de corte para dicho procedimiento: el sistema BARU. Objetivo: Probar la utilidad del sistema BARU como factor protector de estructuras blandas adyacentes al sitio de abordaje y guía para osteotomía. Material y métodos: Estudio cadavérico; seis pies (dos frescos y cuatro formolados) sin abordajes previos. Tres con el sistema BARU y tres sin éste. Posteriormente disección por dos disectores con enmascaramiento simple ciego. Se evaluaron 13 estructuras en cada pie. Los datos fueron recabados con Microsoft Office Excel y procesados en SPSS. Se realizó test de χ2 (valor p < 0.05 significativo) y se calculó el riesgo relativo. Resultados: El sistema BARU fue satisfactorio. Su colocación fue sencilla y el control radiológico mostró adecuada ubicación espacial. Ayudó como referencia para la dirección y profundidad del corte. Se encontraron 65 de las 78 estructuras buscadas (83.3%). En las estructuras evaluadas hubo seis lesiones: nervio plantar medial (uno dañado), arteria plantar medial (uno dañado), músculo flexor corto (tres dañados), músculo abductor (uno dañado). Cinco de estas lesiones ocurrieron en pies donde no se utilizó el sistema BARU. Conclusión: Resultados prometedores en cuanto a protección de estructuras cercanas, guía de corte y facilidad para la intervención. Cálculos estadísticos no significativos, la muestra debería ampliarse.

Abstract: Introduction: Hallux valgus is a high frequency disorder, affecting the first ray. Operative correction techniques have grown popularity lately. One of them is the Reverdin-Isham technique (first metatarsal medial incomplete osteotomy). Recently, a protection and osteotomy cutting guide has been developed: the BARU system. Objective: To test the usefulness of the BARU system as a protective factor for soft structures adjacent to the surgical site and guidance for osteotomy. Material and methods: Experimental cadaveric study. Six cadaveric feet (two fresh-frozen and four in formaldehyde solution), unapproached. Feet were numbered and intervened with RI technique, three of them with BARU system and three without it. Afterwards, dissection by two dissectors who did not know whether the BARU system had been used or not, establishing a single-blinded model. 13 structures were evaluated in each foot. Data was recovered into Microsoft Office Excel and processed with SPSS. χ2 test (significative if p value < 0.05) and relative risk were calculated. Results: Approach using BARU system was satisfactory, with usual-size operation-ports. BARU system colocation was simple and radiological control showed adequate spatial location. The device contributed as reference for cutting direction and depth. 65 out of the 78 searched structures were found (83.3%). Six injuries were found among the assessed structures: plantar medial nerve (one injury), plantar medial artery (one injury), flexor brevis muscle (three injuries), abductor muscle (one injury). Five of these injuries occurred in non-utilizing BARU system feet. Conclusion: Promising results in terms of protection of nearby structures, cutting guide, and ease of intervention. Avoids X-rays exposure. Not significant statistical calculations, the sample should be enlarged.

Trombosis venosas cerebrales en la edad pediátrica: presentación clínica, factores de riesgo, diagnóstico y tratamiento / Cerebral venous thromboses in the paediatric age: clinical presentation, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment

Introducción. Desde su primera descripción a mediados del siglo xix, mucho se ha avanzado en el conocimiento de esta entidad, que constituye una reconocida, aunque desestimada, causa de ictus en la infancia. Objetivo. Analizar la presentación clínica, factores de riesgo, evolución y tratamiento de una población de niños con trombosis venosa cerebral. Pacientes y métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo y longitudinal, de niños entre 0 y 17 años con trombosis venosa cerebral, en un período de cinco años. Resultados. Se identificaron 31 casos, de los cuales 18 fueron varones. Dieciocho pacientes comenzaron con convulsiones y 13 con síndrome de hipertensión endocraneal. Se identificaron 23 pacientes con procesos infecciosos, cuatro con patología de base previa, cinco con factores protrombóticos, tres neonatos con traumatismo obstétrico, cinco con más de un factor de riesgo y uno sin marcadores de riesgo. Se realizó diagnóstico por resonancia magnética en 18 pacientes, por tomografía computarizada con contraste en 11 y por angiorresonancia en los dos restantes. Dieciséis presentaron trombosis del seno transverso, cuatro del longitudinal superior, cuatro del sigmoides, cinco afectación de más de un seno y dos del seno cavernoso. Se inició anticoagulación en 21 niños y no se trataron los 10 restantes. Doce pacientes manifestaron déficit neurológico a largo plazo, mientras que 18 se mantuvieron asintomáticos. No hubo fallecimientos o complicaciones graves por la trombosis ni la anticoagulación, así como tampoco recurrencias sintomáticas en el seguimiento. Conclusiones. Las trombosis venosas cerebrales son una causa importante de ictus en la infancia. La sospecha clínica debe ser elevada ante todo paciente con clínica de hipertensión endocraneal o convulsiones en presencia de factores de riesgo conocidos (AU)

[Cerebral venous thromboses in the paediatric age: clinical presentation, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment]. / Trombosis venosas cerebrales en la edad pediatrica: presentacion clinica, factores de riesgo, diagnóstico y tratamiento.

INTRODUCTION: Since its first description at the beginning of the 19th century, greater awareness of this disorder has been achieved, becoming nowadays a recognized but sometimes underdiagnosed cause of ischemic stroke in childhood. AIM. To describe a population of children with cerebral venous thrombosis, analyzing clinical presentation, risk factors, treatment and evolution. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A descriptive, retrospective and longitudinal review of children from 0 to 17 years of age diagnosed with sinovenous thrombosis was conducted, during the period of time between 2004 and 2009. RESULTS: Thirty one cases with cerebral sinus thrombosis were identified, 18 of them were boys. Clinical presentation included 18 patients with seizures and 13 with high intracranial pressure. We found infections as a risk factor in 23 patients, 3 newborns with obstetric trauma, 5 patients with prothrombotic states, 4 with chronic systemic diseases, 5 with more than one risk factor and 1 with none. Diagnosis was done by magnetic resonance imaging in 18 patients, computed tomography in 11 and magnetic resonance angiography in the other 2. Regarding location, 16 patients showed compromise of the transverse sinus, 4 of the superior longitudinal sinus, another 4 an affectation of the sigmoid sinus, 2 of the cavernous sinus and 5 with a combination of them. Anticoagulation therapy was done in 21 patients and treatment abstention in 10. None of the patients suffered complications or death due to anticoagulation therapy or sinovenous thrombosis. No recurrent symptomatic thrombosis in long term follow up was found. CONCLUSIONS: Sinovenous cerebral thromboses are an important but underestimated cause of stroke in childhood. Clinical suspicion should be high, in patients with risk factors and intracranial hypertension or seizures.

Moyamoya en la población infantil no asiática. Ampliación de casuística / Moyamoya disease in non Asian population

La enfermedad o síndrome de moyamoya es una rara afección que provoca una oclusión de las carótidas intracraneales y determina una red vascular colateral anormal en la base del cráneo y que, por su aspecto arteriográfico, hace ya más de 50 años un grupo de neurocirujanos japoneses denominaron moyamoya, y de la cual persisten muchas interrogantes sin resolver. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y longitudinal de 19 niños con síndrome o enfermedad de moyamoya. La edad promedio de inicio fue de seis años. Del total de niños incluidos, doce debutaron en forma aguda con infarto cerebral; dos pacientes (con antecedentes de epilepsia y retraso) lo hicieron, uno con infarto y otro con hemorragia cerebral, otros dos con epilepsia y retraso, uno con trastorno del lenguaje, siendo en los dos restantes un hallazgo casual. Entretanto doce pacientes se consideraron idiopáticos (portadores de enfermedad de moyamoya) y siete asociados a enfermedades sistémicas (síndrome de moyamoya). El diagnóstico inicial se confirmó por angiorresonancia en diez casos y por arteriografía convencional en nueve. El seguimiento promedio fue de cinco años, once evidenciaron progresión clínica y ocho estabilidad, con un seguimiento promedio de siete y dos años respectivamente. Todos mostraron progresión angiográfica. En siete niños se realizaron diez cirugías de revascularización sin complicaciones y con buenos resultados clínicos y angiográficos. Dos niños fallecieron (uno por hemorragia cerebral y otro por un infarto expansivo) y catorce presentaron secuelas leves a moderadas. Resulta importante identificar los niños que se pueden beneficiar con la cirugía de revascularización, una de las pocas opciones terapéuticas para evitar la progresión y complicaciones de esta grave enfermedad.

Moyamoya's disease or syndrome is a rare illness wich causes symptoms of cerebral ischemia due to intracranial arteries' stenosis, with secondary abnormal vasculature networks at the base of the brain. Since the first description of moyamoya disease done by a group of Japanese neurosurgeons more than 50 years ago, this rare illness is still considered an intriguing disease. The clinical features, treatment, imaging findings and outcomes of a series of not Asian children with Moyamoya disease are described in this study. A total of 19 six year old patients were analyzed. The initial presentation in 12 patients was infarctions, 2 with epilepsy and mental retardation, another 2 who had personal history of epilepsy and mental retardation developed symptoms of ischemic stroke (one of them), and hemorrhagic stroke the other one; 1experienced language problems, while in the last two the diagnosis was casual. On the other hand, 12 patientes were considered idiopathic cases (moyamoya's disease) and 7 were related to systemic illnes (moyamoya's syndrome). Initial diagnosis was achieved by magnetic resonance angiography in 10 cases, and conventional angiography in 9. All patients were followed up for a mean period of 5 years. While 11 patients experienced clinical worsening of symptoms, 6 asymptomatic. However, all of them showed angiographic progression. Seven patients underwent bypass surgery with no further complications, 2 passed away and 14 remained with moderate handicaps. A number of surgical procedures have been developed for revascularization, improving the outcome of some of these patients by preventing ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Due to the fact that moyamoya disease is not a silent disorder and its progress cause complications, surgical revascularization should always be considered in the management of these patients.

Extended work hours and risk of acute occupational injury: A case-crossover study of workers in manufacturing.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to determine whether injury risk among manufacturing workers was related to hours worked during the previous week. METHODS: A case-crossover design was utilized to contrast hours worked prior to an injury shift with those worked prior to a non-injury shift for hourly workers. Paired t-tests were used to determine significance of the difference. Conditional logistic regression was used to assess dose-response. RESULTS: Hours worked prior to injury significantly exceeded hours during the control week. Workers who worked more than 64 hr in the week before the shift had an 88% excess risk compared to those who worked 40 hr or fewer, P < 0.05. CONCLUSION: The study provides evidence that injury risk is related to time worked during the previous week. Control of overtime in manufacturing may reduce risk of worker injury.

Sedative and anticonvulsant effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Equisetum arvense.

The hydroalcoholic extract of Equisetum arvense (HAE) tested at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg showed a significant activity on the open-field, enhanced the number of falls in the rota-rod reducing the time of permanence in the bar and increased the sleeping time (46% and 74%) in the barbiturate-induced sleeping time. In the pentylenetetrazole-seizure, it increased the first convulsion latency, diminished the severity of convulsions, reduced the percentage of animals which developed convulsion (50% and 25%) and protected animals from death. On the contrary, in the elevated plus maze, the doses 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg did not affect the evaluated parameters. Thus, HAE presented anticonvulsant and sedative effects. Phytochemical analysis detected the presence of tannins, saponins, sterols and flavonoids.

[In vitro effects of hexavalent and tetravalent tellurium on immune functions]. / Effetti "in vitro" del tellurio esavalente e tetravalente su funzioni immunitarie.

The "in vitro" immune effects of K2TeO3xH2O (Te IV) and K2TeO4x2H2O (Te VI) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was determined. Te(IV) inhibited PBMC proliferation and IFN-gamma, IL-5 and TNF-alpha release from PBMC more than Te (VI).

[Comparative in vitro study of various titanium compounds on the immune system]. / Studio "in vitro" sugli effetti comparati di differenti composti del titanio sul sistema immunitario.

The "in vitro" immune effects of different Ti compounds on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were determined. The results show that Ti dioxide is not immunotoxic; Ti oxalate is strongly immunotoxic; titanocene inhibits cytokine release but not PBMC proliferation, while Ti ascorbate inhibits TNF-alpha release from PBMC but not that of IFN-gamma. The results show that Ti toxicity depends on speciation.

[Serum tryptase: marker of occupational anaphylaxis]. / Triptasi: marker dell'anafilassi occupazionale.

Tryptase is a protein released by mast cells, which is involved in the enhancement of inflammatory sequences in immune-mediated reactions. According with our experience, some patients having a reaction clinically classified as anaphylaxis, showed high levels of tryptase (> 20 ng/l) but also of serum specific IgE, showing the immune-mediated nature of the reactions. On the other hand workers without specific IgE and with low levels of tryptase probably had developed pseudoallergic (anaphylactoid) reactions. So, tryptase can be used as biomarker of occupational anaphylaxis and appear to be able to make out immune and nonimmune mediated reactions.

[Inflammation, bronchial hyperreactivity, and progression of asthma: a 5-year follow-up in grass sensitized farmers]. / Infiammazione, iperreattività bronchiale e progressione dell'asma: follow-up di 5 anni in contadini con asma allergico a graminacee.

We studied in a group of 53 asthmatic farmers the influence of various treatment regimens on progression of disease, during five years follow-up. Specific immuno-therapy (SIT) and steroid treated patients showed significantly lower ECP levels and higher methacholine PD20 FEV1 than untreated patients, during all years of the study. During the first two years, spring ECP increase was higher in SIT treated patients than in steroid ones, however no significant differences were found during the following years. Bronchial hyperreactivity showed same course, except for a significant higher PD20 FEV1 in steroid and SIT treated asthmatics, in respect to the steroid or SIT alone. We may conclude that ECP and bronchial reactivity are useful for asthma monitoring and SIT and inhalant steroids have additional effects on asthma.

Proconvulsant effects of high doses of venlafaxine in pentylenetetrazole-convulsive rats.

Venlafaxine, an atypical antidepressant drug, has been used to treat several neurological disorders, presenting excellent efficacy and tolerability. Clinical seizures after venlafaxine treatment have occasionally been reported when the drug was used at very high doses or in combination with other medications. The aim of the present study was to investigate the convulsant effects of venlafaxine in rats under controlled laboratory conditions. Adult male Wistar rats (8 per group) receiving venlafaxine or saline at the doses of 25-150 mg/kg were subjected 30 min later to injections of pentylenetetrazole at the dose of 60 mg/kg. The animals receiving 75, 100 and 150 mg/kg venlafaxine presented increased severity of convulsion when compared to controls (P = 0.02, P = 0.04, and P = 0.0004, respectively). Indeed, an increased percentage of death was observed in these groups (50, 38, and 88%, respectively) when compared to the percentage of death in the controls (0%). The group receiving 150 mg/kg showed an reduction in death latency (999 +/- 146 s) compared to controls (1800 +/- 0 s; cut-off time). Indeed, in this group, all animals developed seizures prior to pentylenetetrazole administration. Surprisingly, the groups receiving venlafaxine at the doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg showed a tendency towards an increase in the latency to the first convulsion. These findings suggest that venlafaxine at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg has some tendency to an anticonvulsant effect in the rat, whereas doses of 75, 100 and 150 mg/kg presented clear proconvulsant effects in rats submitted to the pentylenetetrazole injection. These findings are the first report in the literature concerning the role of venlafaxine in seizure genesis in the rat under controlled conditions.

Proconvulsant effects of high doses of venlafaxine in pentylenetetrazole-convulsive rats

Venlafaxine, an atypical antidepressant drug, has been used to treat several neurological disorders, presenting excellent efficacy and tolerability. Clinical seizures after venlafaxine treatment have occasionally been reported when the drug was used at very high doses or in combination with other medications. The aim of the present study was to investigate the convulsant effects of venlafaxine in rats under controlled laboratory conditions. Adult male Wistar rats (8 per group) receiving venlafaxine or saline at the doses of 25-150 mg/kg were subjected 30 min later to injections of pentylenetetrazole at the dose of 60 mg/kg. The animals receiving 75, 100 and 150 mg/kg venlafaxine presented increased severity of convulsion when compared to controls (P = 0.02, P = 0.04, and P = 0.0004, respectively). Indeed, an increased percentage of death was observed in these groups (50, 38, and 88 percent, respectively) when compared to the percentage of death in the controls (0 percent). The group receiving 150 mg/kg showed an reduction in death latency (999 + or - 146 s) compared to controls (1800 + or - 0 s; cut-off time). Indeed, in this group, all animals developed seizures prior to pentylenetetrazole administration. Surprisingly, the groups receiving venlafaxine at the doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg showed a tendency towards an increase in the latency to the first convulsion. These findings suggest that venlafaxine at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg has some tendency to an anticonvulsant effect in the rat, whereas doses of 75, 100 and 150 mg/kg presented clear proconvulsant effects in rats submitted to the pentylenetetrazole injection. These findings are the first report in the literature concerning the role of venlafaxine in seizure genesis in the rat under controlled conditions

Antiretroviral prophylaxis of health care workers at two urban medical centers.

We examined the influence of job category, source patient HIV status, and exposure type as predictors of whether health care workers initiated antiretroviral prophylaxis after potential blood-borne pathogen exposures. Of 639 exposures over an 18-month period, 82 individuals (13%) elected to receive prophylaxis, of whom 66% took medications for fewer than 96 hours and 12% completed a 4-week course. Reasons for early drug discontinuation included confirmation of source patient HIV-negative serological status (65%), gastrointestinal side effects (13%), headache (4%), and personal decision after counseling/other input (18%). Individuals exposed to HIV-positive source patients were more likely to initiate prophylaxis (odds ratio [OR], 5.1; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.6 to 9.9). Licensed nurses were less likely than others to accept prophylaxis (OR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.3 to 0.8), whereas physicians and medical students were more likely to accept prophylaxis (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1 to 3.3).

Management of a Sabiá virus-infected patients in a US hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the hospital precautions used to isolate a Sabiá virus (arenavirus: Arenaviridae)-infected patient in a US hospital and to protect hospital staff and visitors. DESIGN: Investigation of a single case of arenavirus laboratory-acquired infection and associated case-contacts. SETTING: A 900-bed, tertiary-care, university-affiliated medical center. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: The case-patient became ill with Sabiá virus infection. The case-contacts consisted of healthcare workers, coworkers, friends, and relatives of the case-patient. INTERVENTION: Enhanced isolation precautions for treatment of a viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) patient were implemented in the clinical laboratory and patient-care setting to prevent nosocomial transmission. The enhanced precautions included preventing aerosol spread of the virus from the patient or his clinical specimens. All case-contacts were tested for Sabiá virus antibodies and monitored for signs and symptoms of early disease. RESULTS: No cases of secondary infection occurred among 142 case-contacts. CONCLUSIONS: With the frequency of worldwide travel, patients with VHF can be admitted to a local hospital at any time in the United States. The use of enhanced isolation precautions for VHF appeared to be effective in preventing secondary cases by limiting the number of contacts and promoting proper handling of laboratory specimens. Patients with VHF can be managed safely in a local hospital setting, provided that appropriate precautions are planned and implemented.

Unusual species of campylobacters isolated in the Siena Tuscany area, Italy.

From January 1989 to December 1990, stool samples from 288 children with enteritis were examined for the presence of unusual campylobacters which represented about 20% of all campylobacteria isolated when the filtration technique was used. The isolation percentage was the following: C. jejuni ss. jejuni 6.9%; C. coli 2%; C. jejuni ss. doylei, C. upsaliensis and C. concisus each 0.7%. The atypical Campylobacter isolates were examined for their virulence characteristics. Toxin profiles based on cytotonic, cytotoxic and cytolethal distending factors were determined after analysis responses in Vero, CHO and HeLa cells. Adhesivity and invasivity tests were performed on Intestine 407 cells. No strain was cytotoxic. C. jejuni ss. doylei and C. concisus induced an elongation of CHO cells (a cytotonic-like effect). C. upsaliensis strains provoked a cytolethal distending effect. No strain adhered to cells in vitro. Our results suggest that the filtration technique is excellent for the isolation of atypical campylobacters and indicate that the unusual Campylobacter isolates could be potentially virulent.

Species, biotype and serogroup of Campylobacter spp. isolated from children with diarrhoea over a ten-year period.

From 1981 to 1990, stool samples from 6403 gastroenteritis cases were examined for the presence of campylobacters as well as Salmonella, Shigella, Aeromonas species and Yersinia enterocolitica. The percentages of isolation were the following: campylobacters 10.8 (86.1% of isolates were C. jejuni and 13.9% were C. coli), Salmonella spp. 8.4, Aeromonas spp 1.4, Yersinia enterocolitica 0.3. Shigella spp. were isolated only occasionally. Predominant biotypes of campylobacters were C. jejuni I (69.5%), C. jejuni II (29.5%) and C. coli I (92.7%). The six most common LIO serogroups-36; 4; 1; 28.53; 11; 2-accounted for 50% ca. of typable strains. Campylobacters are the most common etiological agent of bacterial enteritis in children living in this area of Tuscany. The species and serogroup determination can be useful from an epidemiological point of view.