[Changes in the radiologic and spirometric profile in subjects with pulmonary silicosis]. / Evoluzione del quadro radiologico e spirometrico in soggetti affetti da silicosi polmonare.

All admissions with diagnosis of silicosis from 1980 to 2000, in the Occupational Medicine Division of Fondazione S. Maugeri, Cassano Murge (Bari), were examined. From 586 gathered medical records we selected 106 subjects with double admissions and detected their X-rays of chest, FVC and FEV1. The stationary results of their chest X-rays and the light declines of their respiratory functions confirm the slow evolution in time of this pathology.

[Assessment of biological risk of blood transmission among health workers at a Bari university hospital]. / Valutazione del rischio biologico a trasmissione ematica negli operatori di una Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria di Bari.

We have examined all occupational exposures to biological materials, occurred from September 2001 to December 2002, among health workers of Bari polyclinic. The reported exposures, through an appropriate questionnaire expressly predisposed, have been a total of 114. The nurses were the most exposed category (46.5%) followed by physicians (27.2%). The highest load of accidents happened in surgical area (53%) and at a greater extent after the first three hours of the work shift (60%). The instruments that have caused endermic lesions have been more frequently the hollow bone needles (53.2%). The serology for HBV, HCV, and HIV of source-patients was known in the 87.8% of cases: 13 patients were positive for HCV, 1 for HIV and 2 were HbsAg positive. All injured workers were submitted to serological screening for HBV, HCV, HIV; for nobody of them seroconversions were observed.

Chlamydia pneumoniae in community-acquired pneumonia: seven years of experience.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of Chlamydia pneumoniae in community-acquired pneumonia during a period of seven years. METHODS: Serum samples from 311 patients with pneumonia were evaluated using microimmunofluorescence assay to detect C. pneumoniae -specific IgG and IgM antibodies. RESULTS: Thirty nine patients (12.5%) complied with the diagnostic criteria of acute C. pneumoniae infection (a four-fold rise in the titer of IgG antibody, or a single IgG titer > or = 1:512, or a single IgM titer > or = 1:16). All patients were diagnosed as having pneumonia. Co-infection with other respiratory tract pathogens was found in four patients. CONCLUSIONS: C. pneumoniae is an important cause of pneumonia also in our area. Pneumonia due to this bacterium occurs in the cold months and in early spring; in addition we have observed periods of increased incidence of one years duration and periods of low incidence lasting one-two years. Therapy with macrolides and levofloxacin was effective in all patients with C. pneumoniae infection.

Comparison of two microimmunofluorescence tests for detecting antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae.

Two microimmunofluorescence (MIF) tests were compared for detection of antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae: the microimmunofluorescence of Washington University and the microimmunofluorescence of Chlamydia Serofia. Concordant positive results at the same dilution were observed for IgG in 37.33% of sera tested and concordant negative results were found in 44%. Variations of one fold dilution were observed in 36 sera. Extensive variations (2-3 two-fold dilutions) in the numeric titer values were observed in 20 serum samples with titers of antibody generally higher in the Chlamydia Serofia MIF than in the Washington MIF, resulting in a diagnosis of current infection in three patients. IgM were found with both methods only in one patient. The discrepancies observed may be due to several factors including the different TWAR strain used as antigen in the two tests and the dilution of the FITC-labelled conjugated anti-human IgG. We think that MIF serology may also be influenced by the type of response of the host that may depend on the "local strain" of C. pneumoniae that may express different antigens or in different amounts in comparison with the strains used by the commercial kit.

[Indoor radon pollution in houses in the Apulian Region of Italy and evaluation of the probability of lung cancer in the population]. / Contaminazione da radon indoor nelle abitazioni pugliesi e valutazione della probabilità di insorgenza di tumore polmonare nella popolazione residente.

BACKGROUND: Radon-222 is a gaseous radioactive chemical which can be transformed into other radioactive chemicals, defined as "products of decay" or "radon's daughter". The modality of radon penetration into the buildings depends on the convection motion created in the ground, which suck it back, so causing the penetration. The principal effect on human health is the increase risk of lung cancer, in proportion to the concentration and the time people spend indoors with exposure to radon. OBJECTIVES: The study proposed to estimate the expected cases of radon-induced lung cancer in the population of Apulia due to contamination by indoor radon. METHODS: The study used the data obtained in a national survey made by ANPA (National Environmental Protection Agency) and ISS (High Health Institute), with the collaboration of the Regional Reference Centres for the Control of Environmental Radioactivity (CRR). In the Apulia Region 310 families (5000 nationwide) were involved, which were selected so as to constitute a representative sample both of the region and the country. Appropriate instruments for the measurement of mean concentrations of indoor radon (passive nuclear trace monitors were installed in the homes of the sample families in two different periods of year). We evaluated the variations of indoor radon concentration in the houses during spring-summer and autumn-winter periods, observing a predictable increase in the latter period. We assessed concentrations in relation to: 1. architectural features and location, 2. construction year, 3. building material, 4. presence of windows. RESULTS: We found higher contamination in the oldest non-cement buildings and on the lower floors. In Lecce and Castrì di Lecce we found a mean radon concentration higher than the national and the regional mean, which is equivalent to annual exposure of 0.54 and 0.46 WLM respectively. For these levels we estimated that the expected cases of radon-induced lung cancer will be 1.5 in Lecce and 1.3 in Castrì per 10,000 inhabitants. CONCLUSION: The results of our investigations confirm that indoor radon pollution is a significant problem as it is one of the main causes of lung cancer. Hence, precautionary measures to reduce as much as possible exposure to indoor radon are highly recommended.