[Occurrence of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in public parks in Cuneo province (Piemonte, Italy)]. / Zecche (Acari: Ixodidae) nelle aree verdi urbane destinate ad attività ricreative: indagine in 17 comuni della provincia di Cuneo (Piemonte, Italia).

Mites Ixodidae (hard ticks) may represent an important public health problem even in urban green areas. In the present study, by doing weekly samples, the green areas (playgrounds, parks, picnic areas for dogs, etc.) of 17 municipalities in the province of Cuneo (Piedmont, Italy) have been inspected, for a total of about 18,710 m2 monitored. No sample was found positive for mites Ixodidae. From this study it can be concluded that the green areas surveyed do not pose a risk to the population, while probably the greatest risk of infestation for humans has to be found in domestic spaces and areas of woodland and forests.

[Enterobiasis in pediatric subjects in north-western Italy: a study of home remedies]. / Indagine sui metodi popolari di trattamento dell'enterobiasi in età pediatrica nel nord-ovest dell'Italia.

The present study examines the most common home remedies in the Piedmont region of northwest Italy currently used in the treatment of pediatric enterobiasis, commonly known as pinworm infection. The remedies in question, typically based on popular beliefs and as such are nearly useless, were noted through interviews with subjects who had come to the local Hygiene and Public Health Services offices for information about pinworm prevention and treatment. Analysis of replies by the subjects clearly indicates that local families are ill-prepared to recognize the symptoms this parasitic infection; often it is confused with pediatric ketosis, therefore leading to inappropriate treatment which at times may be potentially harmful to the patient.