Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in parts of Italy: detection of a multiresistant cluster circulating in a heterosexual network.

Data concerning Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections in Italy are scarce, and there is little information on the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of the circulating strains. In this study, 326 isolates collected from 397 patients, with or without concurrent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, were cultured and characterized by serovar and antimicrobial susceptibility to five antimicrobials. N.

Seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 infection among attendees of a sexually transmitted disease clinic in Italy. Italian Herpes Forum.

Background And Objectives: An increased prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection has been recently observed in industrialized countries.

Goal: To determine HSV-2 seroprevalence in a high-risk population in Italy.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study was performed to ascertain the HSV-2 prevalence among 919 persons attending an STD clinic in northern Italy.

TPHA test. Experience at the Clinic of Dermatology, University of Milan.

The results of serological investigations with the treponemal haemagglutination (TPHA) test are reported in a large number of luetic and non-luetic patients. From these the following conclusions can be drawn: (1) The sensitivity of the TPHA test is decreased if the test is carried out with micromethods; however, in our opinion, the same degree of sensitivity can be obtained either with the macromethod at dilution 1/80-1/60 or with micromethods at 1/20-1/40. (2) The sensitivity of this test is high, being similar to that of the fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) test in primary and secondary syphilis and even higher than that of the FTA-ABS test in treated subjects.

[Treponemal hemagglutination test (TPHA). Validity of the micromethod using dilutions of sera 1/20-1/40].

The Authors studied the possibility to use, for the carrying out of the TPHA micromethod, higher serum dilutions, as preliminary investigations had pointed out an insufficient sensitivity of the reaction performed at the 1:80 - 1:160 dilutions, particularly in the primary-secondary phase of the luetic infection. The Authors controlled, preliminarily, that at the dilutions studied, no unacceptable increase of spontaneous hemagglutinations and false positive reactions took place in the test sera. The investigation stressed the acceptability of the methodological modification set forth.