[Brucella endocarditis: role of drug treatment associated with surgery].

Brucella infective endocarditis is an uncommon, but serious complication of brucellosis. The aortic valve is the most commonly affected cardiac valve, and a fearful complication is the formation of aortic root abscess. Due to the characteristics of the infection, medical therapy alone is not sufficient in treating the disease and best results are achieved in combination with surgery.

Non-typhoid Salmonella subdural empyema in a patient with AIDS.

In AIDS patients, non-typhoid salmonella metastatic abscesses in lung and brain due to bacteremia have been described previously. Here we present a case in which a group B Salmonella, serotype Copenhagen, caused right parietal subdural empyema. The etiologic diagnosis was based on culture of pus obtained from the lesion.

Heterosexual transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus: a seroepidemiological study.

The transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was studied in 647 subjects who presented no apparent risk factors for the infection other than having had promiscuous heterosexual relations, heterosexual relations with people with an elevated risk of infection, or heterosexual relations with people infected by human immunodeficiency virus. Thirty subjects were found to be seropositive for anti-human immunodeficiency virus antibodies. The elevated risk factors included being the habitual partner of a person at risk of infection or of a person who was infected by human immunodeficiency virus, or being the partner of a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Detection of serum HIV-Ag related to the major core protein (p24) in persons at risk for AIDS.

A commercial enzyme immunoassay was utilized for the detection of the human immunodeficiency virus antigen (p24) in serum samples from persons at risk for AIDS. The test demonstrated sensitivity to 20 pg/ml of serum antigen. The results obtained showed 14.

HIV infection in children born to seropositive mothers: a laboratory and clinical follow-up study.

Several serological techniques may be used for the detection of HIV infection, however, in the case of infants, there are no methods that are effective prior to the loss of maternal antibodies. Thus, in such cases, a completed series of serological and virological assay of HIV antibodies should be performed in follow-up studies. Twenty children living in Modena (Italy) were studied since 1985.

Amebic pleuro-pericarditis.

Author's report a case of visceral amebiasis in a 26 year old woman, clinically characterized by pericarditis, without any other symptoms related to organs usually interested in such disease. It was possible to reach an etiological diagnosis by indirect hemagglutination assay. The successful treatment with metronidazole confirmed the etiology "ex adjuvantibus".

[Vaginitis caused by Eikenella corrodens].

The Authors report a case of vaginitis caused by Eikenella corrodens (E.C.) and point out it is very rare all over the world (probably the first case reported in Italy).

Isolation of mumps virus from vaginal secretions in association with oophoritis.

Mumps virus was isolated from the cervico-vaginal secretions of a 31-year-old woman presenting with mild signs of oophoritis accompanied by xantholeucorrhoea. The serological finding of mumps-specific IgM antibodies was further evidence confirming the casual link between mumps virus and ovarian pathology. Rarely, ovarian involvement may be the only manifestation of mumps infection.

Comparison between enzyme-linked immunosorbent and I.F. assays in the serological diagnosis of HIV infections.

A rapid, sensitive indirect immunofluorescence assay based on the use of acetone-fixed virus producing MOLT T4/LAV cells was adapted for the detection of anti-HIV antibodies. At the same time, 1486 serum samples, collected by the AIDS Surveillance and Study Centre of Modena, were tested by ELISA and IFA: the percentage of agreement of both assays was of 99.66%.

Primary hepatic actinomycosis.

A case of primary hepatic actinomycosis is reported. Multiple liver abscesses were diagnosed in a febrile 60-year-old-man by means of non-invasive techniques such as ultrasonography, CT and radioisotope scans. The aetiology was confirmed by the unusual finding of Actinomyces israelii in anaerobic blood cultures.

[Description of a case of type E botulism in Italy].

The authors report the first documented italian case of type E botulism. The initial symptoms were typical permitting prompt diagnosis; the symptoms became severe and the patient had to be moved to intensive care. Biological tests on guinea-pigs showed the presence of type E botulin toxin in the tuna (stored in oil) which the patient had eaten 24 hours prior to admission.

[Tuberculous lymphadenitis. Apropos of a non-typical histological picture].

The case is presented of a young Somali with acute lymphadenitis. Whereas histological examination indicated abscessing granulomatous lymphadenitis, bacteriological studies revealed the presence of M. tuberculosis in the pus taken from the lymph node.

Human subcutaneous dirofilariasis. 2. A report of 5 new cases of Dirofilaria repens in central and northern Italy and of a sixth case with uncertain parasitological diagnosis.

Six new human cases of subcutaneous filariasis (histological sections) in Lombardia, Emilia-Romagna and Toscana are described. Five of them are to attribute to Dirofilaria repens, whereas some doubts exist with regard to one case. The findings are compared with histological sections of male and female specimens of D.

[On a case of autochthonous amebiasis].

Amoebiasis is usually acquired in countries where the disease is endemic. A case is presented of hepatic infection acquired indigenously. The Authors emphasized the importance of amoebic hepatic abscess as potential cause for delay in diagnosis.