Evaluation of fungal contamination in operating rooms using a dusting cloth pad: comparison among different sampling methods.

To evaluate microbial contamination in hospitals environments, several methods are available, each one having its limitations. Therefore, the choice of system to use is open. This study compares the ability of a dusting cloth pad (DC pad) with 2 other methods (Rodac contact plate and air sampling) to detect contamination because of filamentous fungi in operating rooms, performing 110 sampling campaigns in hospitals of 3 Italian cities.

Field validation of a dusting cloth for mycological surveillance of surfaces.

Efficient monitoring of surfaces for spores of filamentous fungi is essential for detecting minor contamination even when air samples test negative for fungi. This study evaluates and compares a pad prepared using a dusting cloth with Rodac contact plates and humidified swabs for detecting mycological contamination, and concludes that the new method is superior and cheaper.

Development of an innovative method for the evaluation of fungal contamination of surfaces.

The objective of this technical report is to compare the ability to capture fungal spores through samples performed with three different methods: Rodac contact plates, cotton pad and a pad prepared with a dusting cloth (DC pads) selected from those available on the market. The tests were conducted using a suspension of Aspergillus niger conidia equal to 0.5 MacFarland diluted 1/30, 1/40, 1/50, 1/100.

Case Report. Multiple etiology post-surgery endophthalmitis.

The case describes a septic endophthalmitis arisen in a convalescence period following surgery of cataract extraction. The infection was due to Staphylococcus aureus and three fungal components, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata and Acremonium kiliense, which were subsequently isolated. A careful and prompt laboratory investigation allowed the clinicians to adjust the antimycotic therapy and attain an excellent clinical result.

Diphtheria antitoxin levels in the 14-30-year age group in Italy.

In order to verify diphtheria immunity a seroepidemiological survey was performed in 1996-1997. Serum samples were obtained from 501 subjects 14 years old, recruited at 8 schools in Rome, and from 490 subjects 20-30 years old recruited from 15 Italian regions. Serum diphtheria antitoxin was titrated using the Vero cell assay.

Immunity status against poliomyelitis in persons 13-14 years old living in Rome.

The immunity against poliomyelitis in 1000 subjects 13-14 years old was evaluated. Neutralizing antibodies against poliovirus type 1, 2 and 3 were detected in 97.6%, 95.

[General practice and preventive activities in a Local Health Unit in Lazio].

The Authors describe the results of a survey addressed to evaluate GP's opinions and behaviours regarding prevention. The GP's report they offer health informations about cardiovascular diseases and diabetes very often (score 3.6 and 3.

Immune response of the elderly to rabies vaccines.

A serological study has been performed to detect the antibody response to full schedules of two anti-rabies vaccines (PDEV and HDCV). Subjects aged > 50 years, compared with subjects 11-25 years, showed significantly lower titres after the 4th dose (and, to a lesser extent, after the 5th dose), suggesting that, among the elderly, the 6th dose is strongly desirable.

Viral hepatitis and drugs: a continuing problem.

A seroepidemiological survey of a group of drug abusers has been carried out to determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus and hepatitis B virus, hepatitis D virus, hepatitis A virus infection markers in sera, as well as to evaluate the role of potential risk factors. A total of 645 symptomless subjects with a history of injecting heroin were recruited as volunteers from methadone maintenance centres in Rome. For all hepatitis viruses the total figures showed high prevalence rates giving considerable viral circulation in this group.

[Tetravalent anti-meningococcal vaccine: serologic and clinical evaluation].

Meningococcal disease is the only bacterial meningitis able to cause an epidemic and the mortality due to this disease is all but negligible; therefore the active immunization induced by a vaccine that includes a large portion of Neisseria meningitidis serogroups responsible for the immunization of subjects at risk. Tetravalent vaccine containing polysaccharides of the serogroups A, C, Y, W135 has given good results both for tolerability and immune response. Considering the epidemic situation in Italy, this vaccine could be an excellent strategy "to behead" possible epidemics and/or hyperendemics due to a known serogroups.

Lymphocyte proliferative response to rabies virus antigen.

Rabies virus (RV) infection, as well as active immunisation using viral antigen, elicit both humoral and cellular reactions whose protective effects are still unclear. We evaluated both responses in order to find valuable monitoring parameters for the immunisation procedure. Three laboratory workers repetitively immunised with booster human diploid cell vaccine against rabies virus, 13 patients from the anti-rabies centre (vaccinated for the first time) and 10 healthy volunteers (not immunised nor exposed to rabies virus antigen), were monitored for: (i) in vivo RV-specific antibody production; (ii) in vitro anti-RV lymphocyte proliferative response and (iii) in vitro phenotype modulation induced by the viral antigen.

PCB and other organochlorine compounds in blood of women with or without miscarriage: a hypothesis of correlation.

Polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) have been shown to affect reproduction in experimental animals and in human beings following intoxication. The concentrations of PCBs and other organochlorine compounds were determined in blood samples from 120 women hospitalized for miscarriages and 120 full-term pregnancy controls. The average PCB hematic level (reported as Fenclor 54) was higher in women with miscarriages than in control women.