Canine leishmaniasis surveillance in a northern Italy kennel.

An epidemiological survey on canine leishmaniasis (CanL) was performed during a 3-year period (2007-2009) in a public kennel of the Bologna province. The presence of the disease was shown in the canine population for the first time in 2007 by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). The parasite circulation was confirmed also by direct diagnostic tools, as PCR, cytology and cultural method, performed on different bioptic materials. The parasite was isolated and identified as Leishmania infantum zymodeme MON 1. The serological monitoring was performed also in 2008 and 2009 on animals that previously showed negative or uncertain results. The incidence values calculated by significant seroconversions in IFAT titre ≥ 1/160, ranged between 4.9% and 6.6%, indicating a stable focus of leishmaniasis. The entomological survey, performed by sticky and CO(2)-baited traps in 2008, showed the presence of the vector Phlebotomus perfiliewi. This study allowed us to identify a stable focus of CanL in an area that was not considered eco-compatible with the presence of the vector and infection. Our results confirm the northward spread of CanL towards areas not previously affected by autochthonous foci.

[Primary malignant tumors of the spleen]. / I tumori maligni primitivi della milza.

A case of angiosarcoma of the spleen is examined. In a review of reports in the literature of primary malignant tumours of the spleen, the extreme variety of this neoplasia and the lack of any precise classification are underlined.

[Treatment protocol for duodenal ulcers. Outlines of indications for surgery]. / Protocollo di trattamento dell'ulcera duodenale. Rilievo dell'indicazione chirurgica.

105 duodenal ulcer patients were examined over a two-year period. Apart from anamnesis, endoscopy and radiology, a personal treatment protocol was used to assess the indications for medical or surgical treatment. Endoscopy undeniably plays a central role in identifying the characteristics of the ulcer and its complications and will indicate medical treatment for the majority of duodenal ulcers though it also serves to confirm or modify the indication for surgery.

[Treatment of gastric cancer in the aged]. / Il trattamento del cancro gastrico nell'anziano.

The A. suggest a modification of Stojanovick primary technique in the treatment of gastric cancer in the elderly. They reviewed pathology of gastric resected patients with exclusion of duodenal transit and they foretell such a technique because of a quicker performance, the scantiness of post-operative complication and, at the end, the complete lack of malabsorption syndromes which are so frequent in gastric resected patients.

[Simple cholecystectomy without drainage. A dilemma?]. / La colecistectomia semplice senza drenaggio. Un dilemma?

A retrospective study was carried out to show the uselessness of the routine employment of the drainage after simple cholecystectomy. 1425 patients underwent cholecystectomy because for cholelithiasis; of these 164 (13%) were drained because of adhesions, concomitant pancreatitis, inadvertent damage, empiema, gangrena and perforation of the gallbladder. In no case of the 1261 patients without drainage it has been possible to demonstrate the presence of one of those complications for which the use of a drainage after simple cholecystectomy is commonly advised.

[Early factors of necrosis in acute hemorrhagic necrotic pancreatitis]. / I fattori precoci di necrosi nelle pancreatiti acute necrotiche emorragiche.

In 60 cases of acute pancreatitis it was noted that 10 developed towards the haemorrhagic necrotic form. All these cases were surgically verified. Stress is laid on the factors that appear earliest in the change-over from an oedematous to a necrotico-haemorrhagic form. These factors (shock, fever, leukocytosis, hypocalcaemia, hyperglycaemia, pain, etc.) are assessed in relation to the frequency of their appearance and of their importance and reliability. These parameters point to the change-over from a pancreatopathy of medical significance to one of surgical interest and also suggest the most suitable moment for carrying out the operation.

[Retroperitoneal rupture of the duodenum caused by closed abdominal injury]. / Rottura retroperitoneale del duodeno da trauma addominale chiuso

Preoperative diagnosis of retroperitoneal rupture of the duodenum is very difficult. Radiographical observation of air surrounding the right kidney or psoas muscle is of great assistance in this respect, but may only be expected in 30% of cases. Examination of the first segment of the digestive tract with the aid of "gastropgrafin" is advised. With the abdomen open, the presence of air, haematoma or bile in the transverse mesocolon or mesentery of the small intestine may be noted. In most cases, the breach can be closed with a double layer, leaving a drainage tube in the retroperitoneum. Measures than can be taken when suturing is unfeasable are also described.