[Poliomyelitis in Italy and throughout the world. The epidemiologic situation]. / La poliomielite in Italia e nel mondo. Situazione epidemiologica.

The latest WHO figures on the epidemiology of poliomyelitis make it clear that there are areas, such as Italy, where vaccination programmes are put into effect continuously and on a comprehensive scale, and other areas where such programmes have not yet been introduced. The disease has been eradicated in the former, whereas its position is unchanged in the latter. A point of epidemiological interest is that in countries with general vaccination programmes there has been a shift towards younger age groups with regard to both the morbidity and the mortality rate for polio. The view is expressed that generalised programmes should be introduced with suitable international aid in countries where such steps have not so far been taken, and that they should in no way be interrupted or restricted in countries where the disease has been defected, since this leads to its reappearance.

[Importation of malaria to Lombardy. I - Analysis of reported cases]. / La malaria di importazione in Lombardia. I - Rassegna della casistica notificata.

The comparative analysis of the cases of imported malaria in Lombardy and in Italy during 1976-1980, shows that the prevalent factors of risk are, in both, the male sex, the young age, the stay in endemic areas of tropical Africa where P. falciparum is greatly prevalent. The only very significant difference is represented by the prevalence of touristic motivation of the stay among the cases of Lombardy. The efficacy of prophylaxis against these factors of risk allowed to note, in the two last years considered (1979-1980), a sharp reduction of the annual number of cases in opposition to the trend of European cases of malaria.

[Epidemiology of tetanus in Italy. Compulsory active preventive measures for the general population]. / Epidemiologia del tetano in Italia. Strategia della profilassi attiva d'obbligo nei confronti della popolazione.

Tetanus mortality in Italy shows a constant and significant decrease after the second World War period. In particular, it is diminished the male mortality for the ages between 20 and 60 yrs, with inversion of the M/F rate. Morbidity rates show a similar pattern since 1955 when notification of new cases of tetanus became compulsory. Active prophylaxis policy against tetanus includes compulsory vaccination of the draftees (since 1939 and '40), of high risk workers and athletes (since 1963), and of all newborns in their second year of life (since 1968). Subsequent booster vaccine administrations are performed every four years. A law which anticipates the start of the vaccination at the third month of life is going to be approved. Epidemiological considerations, data from literature and experimental data suggest the opportunity of further modifications.

[The importance of chemoantibiotic resistance in controlling infections disease (author's transl)]. / L'importanza della chemioantibiotico resistenza nel controllo della patologia infettiva.

The AA. examine those mechanisms which might determine the phenomenon of drug resistance in microorganism. They then review those infections of interest to public health. Diseases such as meningococcus, enterobacterial and vibro infections frequently show chemoantibiotic resistance. The AA. procede to point out the problems which may arise during therapy or prophylaxis. Some measures are then reported as necessary in order to prevent or retard the development of drug resistance in microorganism.

[Analysis of benefits and costs in the eradication of transmissible diseases of endemic character with special reference to poliomyelitis]. / Benefici e costi della eradicazione di malattie trasmissibili a carattere endemico con particolare riferimento alla poliomielite.

Cost-benefit analysis is an important in the rational direction of health policy. The results with respect to poliomyelitis are examined in the light of the money spent and the advantages obtained. It is shown that the cost-benefit ratio has been 1 : 12.98, i.e. every lira spent on vaccination has resulted in a direct saving of 12.98 lire with respect to cases prevented and the cost of their treatment and patient rehabilitation. The ratio is, of course, higher if indirect benefits of a social, moral and occupational kind are included. Some observations are offered on the areas to which cost-benefit analysis can be applied and the ground that it covers.

[Problems in the interpretation of hygienic indices of mineral waters in the light of current standards]. / La problematica della interpretazione degli indici igienici delle acque minerali naturali alla luce delle attuali normative

After several references to the Italian laws now in force in this field, the Author emphasizes the necessity of bringing them up to date both from an analytical and from an explanatory point of view. In particular, he calls attention to the difficulties to be encountered in establishing regulations in view of the presence of saprophytes in natural waters.