Epidemiological aspects of HTLV-III infection in Italy.

An epidemiological survey on the presence of serum antibodies to human T lymphotropic retrovirus III (HTLV-III) is reported. The study was carried out on people living in large as well as small cities in different Italian regions. Serum samples of 21 patients with AIDS, 402 with ARCS, and 920 from individuals at risk for these diseases were analyzed.

[A case of intestinal occlusion caused by a Meckel' diverticulum (etiopathogenetic, diagnostic and clinical considerations)].

The authors show a case of acute intestinal stoppage due to Meckel's diverticulum. After some notices about embryogenesis, pathological anatomy and symptomatology of Meckel's diverticula, they point out the difficulty to reach the diagnosis of such disease, which almost always is only done subsequent to the appearance of complications, such as: intestinal stoppage, inflammation, ulceration, perforation, neoplasms, bleeding. In fact, the diagnosis of Meckel's diverticulum is exceptionally preoperative and difficult on the basis of the symptomatology only, for which the disease can be responsible, whereas it can be more easily placed thanks to the contribution of instrumental methods, such as: barium meal, opaque enema, scintigraphy with 99mNa pertechnetate, selective arteriography of upper mesenterial artery.

[Clinical considerations on diverticula of the duodenum].

The authors, in the light of the data supplied by the literature, and through a careful analysis of their recent casuistry, based upon the observation of 48 cases of duodenal diverticula, propose a modern reviewing of the topic. After illustrating the etiopathogenetic, anatomo-pathological and clinical features of such disease, the Authors dwell upon the diagnostic and therapeutical problems involved, and point out the importance of a correct diagnostic iter and a consequent exact surgical indication. As a conclusion, they affirm the surgical treatment of duodenal diverticula, not exempt from risks, should be only reserved to cases rebellious to the medical treatment or severely complicate.