Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) delicatessen foods: Prevalence, genomic characterization of isolates and growth potential.

This study investigated Listeria monocytogenes prevalence and count in 132 ready-to-eat (RTE) delicatessen samples belonging to different categories (starters with/without mayonnaise pasta/rice-based courses, meat/fish-based main courses) produced by an Italian industry. Whole Genome Sequencing characterized the isolates to map the pathogen circulation. Moreover, the growth potential of L. monocytogenes in the most contaminated product was investigated by a challenge test. L. monocytogenes was detected in 23 samples, giving an estimated prevalence of 17.4 %. Starters with mayonnaise showed a very high prevalence (56.7 %), showing the role of the sauce in the diffusion of the pathogen within the plant. A total of 49 isolates were obtained; they belonged to two different serogroups, IIb and IIa, and were related to two clonal complexes (CCs) and sequence types (STs) (CC288-ST330 and CC121-ST717), suggesting the possible persistence and circulation of the pathogen within the plant. The results of the challenge test showed a limited ability to grow in the selected product thanks to the presence of lactic microflora.

Predictive factors of selective transarterial embolization failure in acute renal bleeding: a single-center experience.

PURPOSE: Transarterial embolization of renal artery branches (RTE) is a minimally invasive procedure commonly performed in life-threatening renal bleeding of different etiologies. Despite the widespread use of RTE, no consensus guidelines are currently available. Our aim was to investigate clinical and technical efficacy and to identify potential predictors for clinical failure of this procedure. METHODS: All the RTE procedures performed in our Interventional Radiology unit in last 10 years were retrospectively collected and analyzed. All selected patients underwent both pre-procedural computed tomography angiography (CTA) and post-procedural CTA within 30 days. Clinical success was considered as primary endpoint. Demographic, laboratory, and diagnostic findings predictive of clinical failure of RTE were identified. RESULTS: Over a total of 51 patients enrolled, 27 (53%) were females and 33 (64.7%) had a renal bleeding of iatrogenic origin. Technical and clinical success was 100% and 80.4%, respectively. Hematoma volumes > 258.5 cm3 measured at CTA, higher pre- and post-procedural serum creatinine (Scr) levels, an increase in Scr value > 0.135 mg/dl after the procedure, a worse post-procedural estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), a post-procedural reduction of eGFR < 3.350 ml/min, and a post-procedural reduction of platelet count (PLT) > 46.50 × 103/mmc showed a significantly higher rate of clinical failure. CONCLUSION: RTE is a safe and effective procedure in the management of acute renal bleeding of various origins. Hematoma volume, Scr, PLT, and eGFR values were found to be predictive factors of poor clinical outcome and should be closely monitored.

Tracing sources of Listeria contamination in traditional Italian cheese associated with a US outbreak: investigations in Italy.

In 2012 a US multistate outbreak of listeriosis was linked to ricotta salata imported from Italy, made from pasteurized sheep's milk. Sampling activities were conducted in Italy to trace the source of Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The cheese that caused the outbreak was produced in a plant in Apulia that processed semi-finished cheeses supplied by five plants in Sardinia. During an 'emergency sampling', 179 (23·6%) out of 758 end-products tested positive for L. monocytogenes, with concentrations from <10 c.f.u./g to 1·1 × 106 c.f.u./g. Positive processing environment samples were found in two out of four processing plants. A 'follow-up sampling' was conducted 8 months later, when environmental samples from three out of six plants tested positive for L. monocytogenes and for Listeria spp. PFGE subtyping showed 100% similarity between US clinical strains and isolates from ricotta salata, confirming the origin of the outbreak. The persistence of strains in environmental niches of processing plants was demonstrated, and is probably the cause of product contamination. Two PFGE profiles from clinical cases of listeriosis in Italy in 2011, stored in the MSS-TESSy database, were found to have 100% similarity to one PFGE profile from a US clinical case associated with the consumption of ricotta salata, according to the US epidemiological investigation (sample C, pulsotype 17). However, they had 87% similarity to the only PFGE profile found both in the US clinical case and in 14 ricotta cheese samples collected during the emergency sampling (sample B, pulsotype 1). Sharing of molecular data and availability of common characterization protocols were key elements that connected the detection of the US outbreak to the investigation of the food source in Italy. Simultaneous surveillance systems at both food and human levels are a necessity for the efficient rapid discovery of the source of an outbreak of L. monocytogenes.

Determination of plasma antithrombin III by tanned red cell hemagglutination inhibition immunoassay.

Concentrations of antithrombin III have been evaluated in normal and pathological plasmas by a new immunochemical technique, the tanned red cell hemagglutination inhibition methods that analyze the biological activities of antithrombin III.

Determination of antithrombin III activities by different methods in diabetic patients.

Antithrombin III activity was determined by three techniques in 58 patients with maturity onset diabetes mellitus: a spectrophotometric assay, using the chromogenic substrate Chromozym TH; evaluation of antifactor Xa activity and an immunochemical technique. Although the biological antithrombin III activity was clearly reduced in individual subjects, there was only a slight nonsignificant reduction in the mean anti-thrombin III activity values as compared to normal subjects. No difference was observed between diabetics receiving insulin and subjects taking oral hypoglycemic agents or between diabetics without vascular complications and diabetics with vascular lesions.

[Study of lipid metabolism during oestro-progestin treatment].

PIP: 36 young women, aged 15-36, on oral combined contraceptives, were observed for a period of 3-24 months to study changes in lipid metabolism. Triglycerides serum concentrations and cholesterol levels were normal, except in 2 patients; total lipidemia and glycemia also were normal. These results demonstrate that oral contraceptives do not alter lipid metabolism. Modifications of this nature are sometimes found in older women, possibly because forms of lipid metabolism disorders can be latent in older age.^ieng