[The value of determining anti-gliadin antibodies as well as carotene and xylose blood levels in various phases of celiac disease].

The usefulness of measuring xylosaemia, carotenaemia and the antigliadin antibodies in the diagnosis and monitoring of coeliac diseases has been examined, 89 children, 57 with aspecific chronic diarrhoea and 32 with coeliachia were examined. The xylose proved less sensitive (80%) and less specific (84.2%) than carotenaemia (respectively: sensitivity 86.

[Fecal chymotrypsin in the evaluation of exocrine pancreatic function].

In this study the Authors examine the usefulness in determining Fecal Chymotrypsin (FC) as a screening test for pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. The FC was measured in 503 children (337 control subjects and 166 with various intestinal and hepatobiliary diseases). The results demonstrate that FC is usefull as a screening test for pancreatic insufficiency.

Recurrent meningitis: a case report.

A 25-month-old girl is described who experienced three successive attacks of purulent meningitis due to Proteus mirabilis. Third generation cephalosporins were employed as treatment. Cranial radiography and computed tomography revealed a malformation, in the form of an epidermoid cyst, in a central occipital position; small cerebellar abscesses were also present.

[Preliminary results on blood carnitine levels in children with hepatic pathology].

A deficiency of exogenous and endogenous carnitine is present in those pathologies in which the most important clinical sign is represented by weakness and steatosis. We have studied the serum levels of carnitine in 14 children with hepatic disease (8 with acute HAV hepatitis, 2 with acute HBV hepatitis, 2 with toxic hepatitis, 2 with chronic hepatitis). In patients with acute, infective and toxic hepatitis we have found levels of carnitine (25.

[Congenital fructose 1,6 diphosphatase deficiency. Description of a case].

In describing one case of congenital fructose 1,6-diphosphatase deficiency the Authors review the several clinical conditions giving problems of differential diagnosis. For certain diagnosis they underline the importance of liver biopsy, to dose the deficient enzyme directly in the liver tissue.

[Intolerance to cow's milk proteins: cases contribution].

The authors report their own case-report about cow's milk protein intolerance observed in the last seven years in the gastroenterology-department of Pediatric Clinic in Pisa. They underline the symptomatologic polymorphism of the illness and, analysing the laboratory data, point out the absence of absolute diagnostic assurance tests. For this reason they conclude that at the present state the diagnosis of certainty is overall committed to the resolution of the symptomatology after exclusion-diet and following clinic relapse after milk load.

[Recent experience with mites in stored products].

The A.A. refer a recent experience about the isolation and identification of same species of storaged timber mites.

[Prevention of AIDS in the dental area].

After a brief analysis of the present epidemiological situation both international and of our country, on the possibility of early diagnosis on clinical and laboratory bases, the A.A. dwell upon the most frequent dental pathologies in case of AIDS and upon the possibilities of singling patients suffering from the so-called "spy-lesions" of the oral cavity, which are characteristic in most cases.

[Yersinia enterocolitica septicemia in a girl with thalassemia major].

The Authors report the case of a child affected with Thalassemia Major who has presented a Yersinia Enterocolitica infection in a septicemial form. They point out that the clinical overture and its swift evolution with heart involvement make the diagnosis and the treatment difficult and, at the same time, urgent. They talk about the conditions which promote the septicaemia in this hemopathy.

Analgesic activity of flupirtine maleate: a controlled double-blind study with diclofenac sodium in orthopaedics.

A controlled, parallel group study of the analgesic efficacy of flupirtine maleate, was compared against diclofenac sodium in 40 orthopaedic patients with post-operative pain. Clinically, both drugs were of equal analgesic efficacy. A mathematical model has been developed, however, to evaluate the speed, intensity and duration of the analgesic effect and provides data which significantly favour flupirtine maleate in the treatment of these patients.

[Initial experiences in the use of intravenous immunoglobulins in Guillain-Barré-Strohl syndrome].

The Authors demonstrate the successful therapeutic results obtained in two cases of Guillain-Barré-Strohl syndrome treated intravenously with high dosages of intact immunoglobulins. The possible immunological mechanisms behind this therapy are then discussed. The Authors believe that this treatment could very positively influence the prognosis of this disease.

[2 cases of cardial achalasia in childhood. Diagnostic aspects and therapeutic possibilities].

The authors present two case-studies of achalasia in infancy and the emphasize the rarity of the illness in this stage of life. They point out that a correct diagnosis requires a meticulous anamnesis which should be followed by a radiological, endoscopic and manometric study. The authors discuss their therapeutical experience with Nifedipine and they suggest that it should be used while waiting for surgery.

Erosive immune complex-mediated arthritis associated with meningococcal meningitis.

A case of erosive sterile arthritis following meningococcal meningitis is described. High levels of immune complexes were detected in serum and synovial fluid. This is the first case in literature in which destruction of subchondral bone is documented.