[Anti-rabies measures by the Infectious Disease Prevention Service at the "La Sapienza" University of Rome in the years 2005-2007]. / Attività Antirabbica del Servizio di Profilassi delle Malattie Infettive della Sapienza Università di Roma nel 2005-2007.

Antirabies service activities of the Infectious Diseases Prophylaxis Centre of the Sapienza University of Rome during the period 2005-2007. Authors analyzed data, of antirabies activity, from 3206 patients treated at the Infectious Diseases Prophylaxis Centre of the University of Rome "La Sapienza" during the period 2005-2007 Dogs were responsible for most bites (92.1%). All patients went first to the Emergency Room where tetanus prophylaxis was administrated only with specific immunoglobulins (51.5%): to such patients we suggested to implement prophylaxis with vaccination. For other patients (19.4%) we prescribed only vaccine tetanus prophylaxis. Antirabies vaccine (PCEC) has been injected in 604 patients (18.8%). Rabies immunoglobulins have been prescribed only to 11 (0.4%) patients that were bitten during travel to Asia or Africa (0.4%). The authors emphasize the opportunity to reduce the administration of anti-tetanus immunoglobulin in Emergency Room by a deeper evaluation of patient's immunity; moreover the authors confirm a clear quantitative reduction of prophylactic interventions against rabies in Italy.

Leptospirosis survey in wild rodents living in urban areas of Rome.

The aim of the study was to survey the current extension of the infected brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) living on the site Ripa Grande-San Michele port located in the center of the sity along the accessible right bank of the Tiber river by using a specific molecular technology. The detection of Leptospira, in 11 trapped brown rats, by tube-based Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was performed. The amplified samples were analysed by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). Sequence analysis of the amplified DNAs confirmed the specificity of the detection of leptospires. Five out of 11 brown rats exhibited positivity for Leptospira. The survey points out the high rate of leptospiral infection in the brown rats living in the most ancient urban area of Rome.

Persistent hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection in chronic hemodialysis patients and non-B, non-C chronic hepatitis.

Three groups of patients have been studied longitudinally for 24 months to analyze the role of hepatitis G virus (HGV) in hepatic disease. Group 1 consisted of 50 patients with non-B, non-C chronic hepatitis, group 2 consisted of 44 hemodialyzed patients, and group 3 consisted of 50 healthy blood donors. The presence of HGV RNA was detected by both reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). At the baseline visit the HGV RNA was detected in seven out of 50 patients with non-B, non-C chronic hepatitis, in two out of 44 hemodialyzed patients, and in three out of 50 healthy blood donors. HGV-infected hemodialyzed patients and HGV viremic blood donors had serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels within normal limits. During the follow-up period the two HGV-positive hemodialyzed patients and the three infected healthy blood donors did not show any sign of hepatic disease. There were no significant differences between HGV-positive patients in the three groups at the beginning and at the end of the follow-up. No considerable deterioration of general health conditions was observed on the basis of clinical and laboratory data in HGV-positive chronic hepatitis patients. Finally, HGV does not seem to be responsible for hepatic disease.

Detection and clinical evaluation of GBV-C/HGV in plasma from patients with chronic hepatitis of unknown etiology.

PURPOSE: The role of GBV-C/HGV virus infection in patients with chronic hepatitis of unknown etiology has been studied. Two groups of patients have been included: a) 50 consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis (mean age 47 yrs; M/F = 35/15), negative for markers of hepatitis viruses (HBV-HCV). These patients did not show evidence of metabolic, autoimmune, alcoholic or toxic liver disease; b) 50 healthy blood donors (mean age 35 yrs; M/F = 35/15). All the subjects were HIV-seronegative. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The detection of GBV-C/HGV RNA was performed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction techniques and capillary zone electrophoresis analysis (CZE). RESULTS: There was no difference between the two groups of patients (14% vs 6%; p = 0.18 NS). CONCLUSIONS: The etiopathogenetic role of GBV-C/HGV in chronic hepatitis of unknown etiology is yet to be shown.

[Ulcerative colitis, thromboses of the cavernous sinuses and prostatic plexus and acute necrotizing hemorrhagic leukoneuraxitis: a case report of a syndromal association]. / Colite ulcerosa, trombosi dei seni cavernosi e del plesso prostatico e leuconevrassite acuta necrotizzante emorragica: descrizione di un caso di associazione sindromica.

The authors describe a case of ulcerative colitis initially complicated by priapism due to cavernous sinus thrombosis and by prostatic plexus thrombosis and, subsequently, by a fatal acute necrotizing hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis. This complex and, apparently, until now unreported association supports the view that ulcerative colitis is the expression of a systemic disease. It also raises important pathogenetic problems which are discussed in connection with the vascular complications of ulcerative colitis reported in the literature.

[Monitoring of plasma concentrations of aminoglycosides]. / Monitoraggio della concentrazione plasmatica degli aminoglucosidi.

Aminoglycosides are antibiotics commonly used in the management of a large number of gram- and gram+ infections but their use is limited by their potential nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. At present, monitoring of plasma concentrations is the most reliable method for assuring adequate therapy with these antibiotics. The above paper was intended to show the importance of pharmacokinetic monitoring in order to guarantee therapeutic efficacy and control potential toxicity of aminoglycosides in a series of 90 patients.

[A case of disseminated mucormycosis]. / Osservazioni su un caso di mucormicosi disseminata.

Report of a case of disseminated mucormycosis. The Authors, after a review of the literature, report a fatal case of disseminated Mucormycosis observed in a young patient with aplastic anemia, severe neutropenia and treated with Deferoxamine.

[Critical considerations on various experimental staphylococcus infections]. / Considerazioni critiche su alcune infezioni sperimentali da stafilococco.

The authors discuss some problems concerning the use of models in biomedical research and particular animal models of staphylococcal infections simple, reproducible and similar to the corresponding human diseases. Two models of staphylococcal infections are examined in particular: experimental endocarditis and osteomyelitis, considering their characteristics and reliability in relation to the corresponding human diseases.