RESUMO
Mosquitoes collected in northern Italy were screened for flavivirus RNA. Positive amplicons were sequenced and found most similar to insect flavivirus (ISF), Usutu virus (USUV) and surprisingly also to Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). The sequence (167 bp), obtained from one pool of Culex pipiens, was found identical to JEV strains from bats in China. Unfortunately additional sequence data or virus isolations were not obtained in this study. Confirmation of potential introduction of JEV to Italy and other European countries is urgently needed.
Assuntos
Culex/virologia , Vírus da Encefalite Japonesa (Espécie)/isolamento & purificação , Insetos Vetores/virologia , RNA Viral/genética , Análise do Polimorfismo de Comprimento de Fragmentos Amplificados , Animais , China , Quirópteros/virologia , Culex/genética , Vírus da Encefalite Japonesa (Espécie)/genética , Itália , Análise de SequênciaRESUMO
Thirty-two demented, elderly residents of a nursing home were admitted to a specially designed dementia unit. Each patient was assessed three times: prior to admission, and at four and 12 months after admission to the unit. Patients were evaluated using a modified version of a previously published assessment scale as well as with a standardized New York State numerical rating system. There was an increased level of functioning in both mental and emotional status and basic functions of daily living at both four (P less than or equal to 0.001) and 12 months (P less than or equal to 0.005). The improvement in scores was maintained over a prolonged time period, despite the expectation of progression of the dementing process. There was no change noted on the New York State assessment. Our data suggest that a select group of demented elderly can benefit from being placed on a specialized dementia unit.
