Asymptomatic parasitic infections in renal transplant recipients and in haemodialysis patients.

One hundred and sixty-seven clinically asymptomatic renal transplant recipients and 119 patients on chronic haemodialysis were studied for the presence of intestinal parasites and for the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies. Intestinal parasitic infections were more frequently found in transplant recipients than in haemodialysis patients and in controls. Among transplant recipients, the prevalence rate of T. gondii antibodies at high titres was significantly increased, but in these subjects the positivity rate of specific IgM assays was reduced. This seems to indicate a greater occurrence of asymptomatic reactivated infections. Our findings suggest that parasitologic surveys of immunosuppressed patients should be periodically performed also in temperate climates, in order to prevent the possibility of disseminated infections.

Epidemiology of imported malaria in a hospital in Milan, Italy.

The main epidemiological features of 47 cases of malaria imported into Italy and diagnosed in Milan during the period 1980-84 are reported. Plasmodium falciparum was the most frequently found species and caused two deaths. In P. falciparum infections, the importance for epidemiological and therapeutic purposes of the evaluation of chloroquine sensitivity, not only with in vivo tests but also with in vitro techniques, is stressed.

Humoral immune responses in human loaiasis.

Some immunological parameters in three white patients who contracted loaiasis in endemic areas are reported. Microfilariae count in peripheral blood was elevated in one patient, discrete in another while in the third no microfilariae were detected. Serum IgE levels were elevated in two patients and normal in one of them. High eosinophils percentage (greater than 30%) and high titres of specific anti-filarial antibodies were detected in all patients. C3 and C4 levels fell between the normal values and C3PA was low in one patient. No circulating immune complexes were demonstrated. Two patients showed high anticomplementary activity. Our results are in accord with the possibility of a suppression mechanism in immune response in patients with high microfilaremia. Clinical features of loaiasis could be related to a type 1 (reaginic) reaction.

[Diffusion of intestinal parasitic diseases in some Milanese kindergartens]. / Diffusione delle parassitosi intestinali in alcune scuole materne del milanese.

During the months of October and November 1977, 560 children aged between three and five attending some kindergartens of Milan were studied to evaluate the diffusion of intestinal parasitic infections. Among a first group of 274 children, examination of the stool only with Ritchie's method was positive in 14.96% of subjects. When Scotch tape swab test for enterobiasis was also carried out, the diffusion of parasitic infections resulted higher (54.54% in a second group of 286 cases). These data were correlated to the same parameters (age and sex, place of origin and social status of the family, density of inhabitants, hygienic situation), obtaining almost corresponding values in the two groups. In particular, an increase of the incidence of parasitic infections with advancing age and a higher diffusion among members of immigrated italian families (especially if living in overcrowded houses at low hygienic conditions) were observed.