Occurrence of enteric viruses in shellfish and relation to climatic-environmental factors.

AIMS: To investigate the presence of enteric viruses [hepatitis A (HAV) and norovirus (NoV)] in shellfish harvested from the deltaic area of the Po river in relation to environmental factors. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fortnightly sampling of shellfish was carried out in two lagoon areas (category B production areas) and one sea area (category A). Environmental parameters in the lagoon and hydrometric level of the tributary river were monitored throughout the sampling period. Samples (n = 120) were analysed for bacterial (E. coli and Salmonella) and viral (HAV and NoV) contamination; samples from category B areas were analysed before and after purification treatment. All the samples were negative for HAV whereas 10 samples (8.3%), all harvested in the lagoon areas, were positive for NoV. Sequencing identified the strains as genotypes II.4 and II.b. None of the samples was found to be contaminated after depuration. CONCLUSIONS: The monitoring showed a low frequency of NoV presence; viral contamination, detected exclusively in shellfish collected from the deltaic area (category B), could be influenced by the flow of the tributary river. The data collected are useful for the design of targeted prevention strategies and for the modulation of control plans after meteorological events.

[Diagnosis of chronic reflux esophagitis. Role of endoscopic and histological examination]. / Diagnosi dell'esofagite cronica da reflusso. Ruolo dell'esame endoscopico ed istologico.

Fibroendoscopic and histobioptic study of the distal oesophageal mucosa has been carried out in a series of patients suffering from gastro-oesophageal regurgitation. The regurgitation condition was verified and its extent established by means of anamnestic, spot-fluorographic and manometric-pHmetric investigations. On the basis of the analysis of relations between the extent of the oesophagitis assessed on the basis of endoscopy and that arising out of microscopic examination of the biopsy, it is concluded that there is no complete correspondence between the two techniques insofar as endoscopy can give false positive or false negative results. On the basis of these results and of those of functional investigations, histology is considered desirable even when the oesophageal mucosa is normal, if there are clinical and/or laboratory signs of gastro-oesophageal regurgitation.