Trend of hospital utilization for encephalitis.

SUMMARYEncephalitis generally results in a serious illness requiring hospitalization. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of hospitalization for encephalitis in Italy, taking into account the geographical distribution, aetiology, seasonality and evolution of hospitalization rates over recent years. The mean hospitalization rate was 5·88/100 000. For most of these hospitalizations (n=13 119, 55·6%), no specific cause of encephalitis was reported. The most common aetiological category was 'viral', which accounted for 40·1% (n=4205) of such hospitalizations (rate 1·05/100 000). Within this category, herpes virus was the leading causative agent (n=1579, 0·39/100 000). This report highlights a significant increase of 'viral encephalitis not otherwise specified' (ICD-9 code 049·9)vs. a reduction of all other causes. A seasonal pattern was noted in people aged ⩾65 years in this group. Specific surveillance of encephalitis without known origin should be reinforced in order to identify the potential role of emerging pathogens and to design preventive interventions

Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis: improved compliance and impact on infection rates.

SUMMARYThe aims of this study were to determine adherence to the perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis (PAP) protocol used at a large Italian teaching hospital during a 6-year period, to assess the variables associated with inappropriate administration, and to measure the impact on surgical site infection (SSI) rates. There were 28 621 patients surveyed of which 74·6% received PAP. An improvement in adherence to the PAP protocol was registered for 58·8% of patients. Significant risk factors were an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score ⩾2 [odds ratios (OR) from 1·28 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1·19–1·37) to 1·87 (95% CI 1·43–2·44)], prolonged duration of surgery (OR 1·68, 95% CI 1·56–1·82) and urgent surgery (OR 2·16, 95% CI 1·96–2·37). During the study period, a significant reduction in SSIs rates was detected. We concluded that the global reduction of inadequate PAP administration signifies the efficacy of a multidisciplinary quality improvement initiative on antimicrobial utilization, and this is supported by the observed reduction of the SSI rate

Stress in Medical Students: PRIMES, an Italian, Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

Medical students (MSs) are healthcare workers and must also cope with education-related stressors. This study aims to assess factors associated with perceived stress in Italian MSs. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 12 Italian medical schools (MSCs) in November 2018. A questionnaire assessed socio-demographic characteristics, habits, opinions about MSC, and concerns about the future. Stress was assessed with the PSS-10. Descriptive and univariable tests were performed. A linear model was fitted to find associations of the PSS-10 score with characteristics. There were 2513 collected questionnaires. Median PSS-10 score was 18 (IQR 11). Median age was 22 (IQR 4) and 61% of the sample was female. Female gender, being part of a sexual minority, poor financial situation, competitive atmosphere, having hobbies, resting, and sleeping hindered by MSC were characteristics associated with higher PSS-10 scores. Current relationship, good family relationship, and no concerns about the future were protective factors. Being part of sexual minorities had greater effects in students not living away from home, while in the other group it was not having satisfying friendships. Medical students suffer higher levels of stress than the general population, and many MSC stressors are associated. Living away from home modifies risk and protective factors, offering the possibility to tailor group-specific interventions

Knowledge about tuberculosis among undergraduate health care students in 15 Italian universities: a cross-sectional study

Background: The Italian Study Group on Hospital Hygiene of the Italian Society of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health conducted a multicentre survey aiming to evaluate undergraduate health care students’ knowledge of tuberculosis and tuberculosis control measures in Italy. Methods: In October 2012–June 2013, a sample of medical and nursing students from 15 Italian universities were enrolled on a voluntary basis and asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire investigating both general knowledge of tuberculosis (aetiology, clinical presentation, outcome, screening methods) and personal experiences and practices related to tuberculosis prevention. Data were analysed through multivariable regression using Stata software. Results: The sample consisted of 2,220 students in nursing (72.6%) and medicine (27.4%) courses. Our findings clearly showed that medical students had a better knowledge of tuberculosis than did nursing students. Although the vast majority of the sample (up to 95%) answered questions about tuberculosis aetiology correctly, only 60% of the students gave the correct responses regarding clinical aspects and vaccine details. Overall, 66.9% of the students had been screened for tuberculosis, but less than 20% of those with a negative result on the tuberculin skin test were vaccinated. Multivariable regression analysis showed that age and type of study programme (nursing vs. medical course) were determinants of answering the questions correctly. Conclusions: Although our data showed sufficient knowledge on tuberculosis, this survey underlines the considerable need for improvement in knowledge about the disease, especially among nursing students. In light of the scientific recommendations concerning tuberculosis knowledge among students, progress of current health care curricula aimed to develop students’ skills in this field is needed.</br

Isolamenti di Yersinia spp. da tamponi linguali e contenuto cecale di suini allevati in Campania

The Authors carried out a research of Yersinia genus in swines butchered in Campania in order to confirm the locai epidemiology of this microorganism. 194 caecal contents and 81 tongue swabs from 204 swines were examined. Yersinia was isolated in 26 samples (13%), with prevalence of strains of Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 1. All serotypes isolated were non pathogen for humans

Confronto tra vaccini antinfluenzali trivalente intero adsorbito, trivalente subunità e tetravalente subunità.

Summary - Two different sub-unit polivalent vaccines have been compared with the trivalent whole virus adsorbed vaccine, in two different groups of people, including both sexes, aging between 20 and 60 yrs. and between 65 and 85 yrs. respectively. Our findings show that all the three vaccines induced high seroconversion rates against the subtypes A/Mississippi/1/85 and A/Chile/1/83. As to the strain B/Ann Arbor/1/86 the sub-unit vaccine induced significantly higher seroconversion rates then the whole virus vaccine; the geometric mean titer has been higher in the groups given the vaccine than in the remaining group; in the latter group the GMTs of antibody against the A strains were consistently above the protective level, whereas the GMT of antibody against the B strain was fairly low. The Authors consider useless including into the vaccine the strains A/Mississippi/1/85 and A/Chile/1/83, whereas it seems to be essential the incorporation of the strains A/Singapore/1/86 like and B/Ann Arbor/1/86. Moreover it turns out that the sub-unit vaccines, because of their better effectiveness, should substitute the whole virus adsorbed vaccine