Surveillance of human astrovirus circulation in Italy 2002-2005: emergence of lineage 2c strains.

By screening faecal samples collected over four consecutive years (2002-2005) from hospitalized children with diarrhoea in Palermo, Italy, astroviruses (HAstVs) were detected in 3.95% of the patients. The predominant type circulating was HAstV-1 but, in 2002, only HAstV-2 and -4 were identified. Interestingly, the HAstVs-2 detected appeared to be consistently different in 5' end of their open reading frame 2 from the previously described subtypes. These novel type 2 strains were included in a new 2c lineage based on the phylogenetic analysis and the presence of nine peculiar substitutions.

[Clostridium difficile enterocolitis in subjects treated with wide-spectrum antibiotics]. / Enterocolite da Clostridium difficile in soggetti trattati con antibiotici ad ampio spettro.

After a concise description the main aetiopathogenic features of clostridium difficile colitis, three clinical cases are reported. It is considered that this disease could be easily cured as long as high risk patients are determined.

[Acute reversible renal insufficiency during treatment with diclofenac]. / Insufficienza renale acuta reversible in corso di trattamento con diclofenac.

The authors, after a brief discussion of the main effects of the prostaglandins on renal blood flow, report a case of acute renal failure following the ingestion of diclofenac. Although there is little doubt that diclofenac is among the safest NSAIDs the Authors consider that caution is still necessary, especially in the treatment of older and dehydrated patients.

[Atrial dissociation in complete intra-atrial block]. / Dissociazione atriale da blocco intra-atriale completo.

Atrial dissociation due to a complete intraatrial block is a very rare electrocardiographic occurrence. Two cases of this atrial arrhythmia characterized by two atrial ectopic beats of different origin are reported. The electrophysiologic mechanisms of the arrhythmia are discussed briefly.

[The importance of glycosylated hemoglobin in the prevention of diabetic vasculopathy]. / L'importanza dell'emoglobina glicosilata nella prevenzione della vasculopatia diabetica.

Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), less portion of total haemoglobin, represents a biochemical marker in glucidic metabolism of diabetic patient. Authors refer in their experience relaps of cerebrovascular accidents have been of 37% in diabetic patients, while they have been only of 11% in non diabetic patients. They conclude that glycosilated haemoglobin periodic value might favourably condition diabetic vasculopathy prognosis.

[Pelger-Huet leukocyte anomaly. A clinical case of acquired and transient anomaly]. / L'anomalia leucocitaria di Pelger-Huët. Su di un caso clinico acquisito e transitorio.

A survey of the relevant literature is followed by the presentation of a case of transient, acquired Pelger-Huët anomaly observed in a patient operated for Crohn's disease.