[Long-term development of chronic hepatitis caused by virus B in childhood]. / L'evoluzione a distanza dell'epatite cronica da virus B in età pediatrica.

Ten children with chronic hepatitis B have been followed for at least 3 years. All patients received 2 liver biopsies, the first after 1 year of continuous liver disfunction and HBsAg positivity, and the second 2 years after, that showed a mild improvement of the histologic lesions in 4 cases of chronic persistent hepatitis (CPH) and in 1 case of chronic lobular hepatitis (CLH). Three children out of 5 with chronic active hepatitis (CAN) changed to CPH and the other 2 remained unchanged without any evidence of cirrhosis. No patient received any drug for the treatment of hepatitis.

[Sylvatic rabies: a pediatric problem?]. / La rabbia silvestre: un problema pediatrico?

Rabies epizooty has been recently reported from several Italian provinces: Bolzano, Udine, Belluno, Brescia, sondrio, Varese, Como and Bergamo. The rate of spread of the infection through wild animals has been estimated in 50 Km/year. We have reviewed the fundamental characters or rabies virus, the pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of disease. Furthermore the fundamental guidelines of passive and active immunization will be stressed with spread emphasis to the pre-exposition active immunization in children-living in high risk areas.