Multiple abscesses of the left brain hemisphere due to Listeria monocytogenes in an immunocompromised patient: a case report.

We describe a case of brain abscesses in a cirrhotic and diabetic 57-year-old woman showing fever, aphasia, right hemiparesis and seizures. Neuroradiological investigation revealed unilateral cerebritis evolving in multiple abscesses. From blood and surgical drainage samples Listeria monocytogenes grew in pure culture.

Hepatitis C virus infection in an endemic area of Southern Italy 14 years later: evidence for a vanishing infection.

Background: In a 1996 survey, prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies (anti-HCV) in a southern Italian town was 12.6%.

Aims: To identify changes in the epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Natural history and clinical response: "it's the virus, stupid, or is it the host?".

A major goal of modern medicine is the application of personalized therapies, consisting of decisions and practices tailored to the individual patient. Information about genetic variants, either mutant or polymorphic, represents the basis for the development of this clinical approach. Recently, several independent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the IL28B locus associated with HCV containment, spontaneous clearance, treatment response, and disease progression.

The impact of a vaccination campaign against hepatitis B on the further decrease of hepatitis B virus infection in a southern Italian town over 14 years.

Background: Hepatitis B virus infection has decreased in Italy. The aims of this study were to identify changes, if any, in the epidemiological pattern of HBV infection in a southern Italian town first surveyed in 1996 and to assess the effectiveness of vaccination campaign against hepatitis B.

Methods: In 2010, subjects were selected from the census by a systematic 1:4 random sampling procedure.