Correlates of HIV, HBV, and HCV infections in a prison inmate population: results from a multicentre study in Italy.

A cross-sectional study was undertaken on the correlates of infection for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis viruses B and C (HBV and HCV) in a sample of inmates from eight Italian prisons. A total of 973 inmates were enrolled [87.0% males, median age of 36 years, 30.4% intravenous drug users (IDUs), 0.6% men who have sex with men (MSWM)]. In this sample, high seroprevalence rates were found (HIV: 7.5%; HCV: 38.0%; anti-HBc: 52.7%; HBsAg: 6.7%). HIV and HCV seropositivity were associated strongly with intravenous drug use (OR: 5.9 for HIV; 10.5 for HCV); after excluding IDUs and male homosexuals, the HIV prevalence remained nonetheless relatively high (2.6%). HIV prevalence was higher for persons from Northern Italy and Sardinia. The age effect was U-shaped for HIV and HCV infections; HBV prevalence increased with age. Tattoos were associated with HCV positivity (OR: 2.9). The number of imprisonments was associated with HIV infection, whereas the duration of imprisonment was only associated with anti-HBc. The probability of being HIV-seropositive was higher for HCV-seropositive individuals, especially if IDUs. In conclusion, a high prevalence of HIV, HCV, and HBV infections among inmates was observed: these high rates are in part attributable to the high proportion of IDUs. Frequency of imprisonment and tattoos were associated, respectively, with HIV and HCV positivity. Although it is possible that the study population is not representative of Italy's prison inmate population, the results stress the need to improve infection control measures users was prisons.

[Morphologic and biochemical kinetics of the pathogenesis of acute lung injury by endotoxin in rats]. / Cinetica morfologica e biochimica della patogenesi del danno polmonare acuto da endotossina nel ratto.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: To highlight the intervention sequence of cells and their products (RO degree and NO) involved in the pathogenesis of lung injury caused by the instillation of endotoxin in rats. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: An experimental comparative study in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experiments were performed using intratracheal instillation of endotoxin in rats (5 mg/kg in 0.125 ml of saline solution). Untreated rats or those instilled with saline solution alone formed the control group. All animals were sacrificed 12, 24 and 48 hours after instillation and the following studies were performed on both lungs: 1) morphological study (optical and electronic); 2) assay of lung MDA; 3) NADPH-diaphorase evaluation using a histochemical method. RESULTS: Lung damage evolves gradually over 48 hours. After the first 12 hours, neutrophil granulocytes were present in the lung capillaries together with monocytes; monocytes were also present in the interstitium. During the following hours, monocytes differentiated into macrophages and, once activated, the granulocytes passed into the interstitium. The parenchyma appears to be extensively altered. Tissular MDA gradually increases until it reaches a maximum level (p < 0.01 vs basal) at 48 hours. Positivity for NADPH-d in macrophage and/or fibroblastic cells was evident after 24 hours and increased after 48 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Acute lung injury caused by endotoxin involves both NO and RO degree. Their production is related to different cell types and follows slightly different kinetic.

[Elimination if living microbial contaminants in non-sterile vaccines]. / Eliminazione di contaminanti microbici vivi in vaccini non sterili.

The authors propose the use of changes of temperature for the decontamination of non-sterile vaccines. With the use of this method they have seen that the antivariolous vaccine and the typhus one, artificially polluted by hemolytic streptococci, have been brought back within the requisites required from the Italian F.U. 8th edition.