[Expected risk of congenital toxoplasmosis in Florence and its province. Statistical research in 1984]. / Rischio atteso di toxoplasmosi connatale in Firenze e provincia. Ricerca statistica nell'anno 1984.

Research has been carried out to determine the prevalence of toxoplasma infection in 1176 women of fertile age in Florence and province for 1984 so as to calculate expected congenital foetal risk of toxoplasmosis. Prevalence proved to be 22% in women aged from 15 to 20 and 60% in the 41-45 group, with an average annual sero-conversion rate of 1.5%. As pregnancy lasts 9 months, this rate is cut by 1/4, namely it drops from 1.5% to 1.125%. Transmission of the infection from mother to foetus occurs in about 1/3 of cases. 9256 pregnancies were reported in Florence and province. The expectation was therefore 104 primary infections and 35 infected newborns of whom 11-12 clinically diagnosable at birth. The estimated rate of toxoplasmosis in pregnancy is therefore 11% for Florence and foetal infection is about 4%. Two-thirds of the newborns with toxoplasma infection are asymptomatic but, if left untreated, they may develop serious neurological and behavioural sequelae. It is therefore necessary to learn the immune state with respect to toxoplasma for all fertile women before pregnancy and study negative findings during gestation.

[Preventive measures against HIV infection]. / Misure preventive dell'infezione da HIV.

The principle form of AIDS transmission are well known: sexually, blood and blood products, vertical transmission and in order to prevent HIV infections one must avoid these modes of transmission. Much has done to make more secure blood and blood products used for transfusions. It is furthermore, advised to those who must utilize intravenous drugs to employ the use of disposable syringes and more precisely, not to use the syringes of other persons. It is far more difficult to advise regarding the prevention of transmission of the virus through sexual contact, or to attempt to modify the sexual habits of certain categories of persons. Clearly, women with HIV infections should avoid pregnancy. Particular precautionary measures must be taken by those assisting patients with AIDS or HIV infections, thus avoiding infecting themselves and other patients.

[AIDS in childhood]. / L'AIDS in età pediatrica.

Since its first report in 1981, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has attracted great interest among clinicians. Pediatric cases of AIDS were reported only two years later. Recently a review of the literature revealed about 300 pediatric patients with AIDS who are now tabulated separately by the Centers for Disease Control of Atlanta. The classification of the pediatric AIDS is based on epidemiologic, immunologic and virologic data. Subjects at risk include infants born to intravenous drug-addicted mothers and infants who have received blood transfusions or blood products. The diagnosis of pediatric AIDS may be established in a patient who has a polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia and T-cell immunodeficiency associated with antibody to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or isolation of retrovirus.