Dissemination of invasive aspergillosis: diagnostic and management dilemmas.

Invasive aspergillosis is a highly lethal opportunistic infection that poses a significant threat to immunocompromised patients. With studies suggesting that the incidence of this disease is increasing, and mortality rates remain high, early diagnosis and treatment are very important to improve patient survival. We present a case of a 63-year-old woman on an immunosuppression regimen with methylprednisolone and azathioprine for the treatment of autoimmune hepatitis, who presented with neurological and respiratory symptoms leading to a rapid clinical decline.

[Anti-TNFalpha agents in elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a study of a group of 105 over sixty five years old patients].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and the safety of anti-TNF alfa treatment in elderly patients (>/=65 years old) with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in comparison with younger (17-65 years old).

Methods: We considered retrospectively 295 patients, affected by RA and treated with anti-TNF alfa drugs. They were divided in two groups, according to their age, and followed up for two years: over-65-years old patients (190) and under-65-years old patients (105).

[Changes in the cell-mediated immune system in post-traumatic sepsis].

Objective: We studied the alterations of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in polytrauma patients and its relation with sepsis.

Design: a prospective study.

Setting: ICU, Ospedale Maggiore, Bologna (Italy).

[Cranial trauma and prehospital care. Evaluation of the effectiveness of early treatment].

The role of pre-hospital care is still to be stressed especially in case of head injuries. We compared two groups of head injuries (total 50 patients, 38 politrauma) transported by traditional ambulance (28 patients) or by EMS helicopter (22). The two populations had similar values of the considered indices (TS, ISS, GCS, TRISS).