Prone positioning and convalescent plasma therapy in a critically ill pregnant woman with COVID-19

Prone positioning is feasible in pregnancy and may have contributed to the positive outcome in this case. Doctors should not be reluctant to move a patient to a prone position just because they are pregnant

Potential Activity of Albino Grifola frondosa Mushroom Extract against Biofilm of Meticillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Mushroom extracts are a rich source of natural compounds with antimicrobial properties, which are able to prevent, to some extent, the growth of foodborne pathogens. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of extracts from albino Grifola frondosa (GF), commonly known as maitake, to inhibit the growth of some bacteria and the biofilm production by Staphylococcus aureus. We obtained not only a significant reduction of OD score between biofilm and biofilm plus albino G. frondosa extract group, but also a reduction of category of biofilm. In addition, we observed a significant presence of isolates with strong category for the biofilm group and a significant presence of isolates with absent category for the biofilm plus albino G. frondosa extract group. These results confirm that the use of albino G. frondosa extract reduces in significant way the presence of biofilm. Our results suggest and confirm that albino G. frondosa extracts could be employed as functional food and could be used as a natural additive for food process control and food safety

Editorial: Special Issue: “Legionella pneumophila: A Microorganism with a Thousand Faces”

: Legionella pneumophila is a microorganism that is able to contaminate the freshwater environment and, consequently, human-made water systems [...]

Transfusion‐transmitted malaria of plasmodium malariae in palermo, sicily

Transfusion‐transmitted malaria (TTM) is a rare occurrence with serious consequences for the recipient. In non‐endemic areas, the incidence of transmission of malaria by transfusion is very low. We report a clinical case of transfusion‐transmitted malaria due to Plasmodium malariae, which happened in a patient with acute hemorrhagic gastropathy. Case presentation: In April 2019, a 70‐ year‐old Italian man with recurrent spiking fever for four days was diagnosed with a P. malariae infection, as confirmed using microscopy and real‐time PCR. The patient had never been abroad, but about two months before, he had received a red blood cell transfusion for anemia. Regarding the donor, we revealed that they were a missionary priest who often went to tropical regions. Plasmodium spp PCR was also used on donor blood to confirm the causal link. Discussion and Conclusions: The donations of asymptomatic blood donors who are predominantly “semi‐immune” with very low parasitic loads are an issue. The main problem is related to transfusion‐transmitted malaria. Our case suggests that P. malariae infections in semi‐immune asymptomatic donors are a threat to transfusion safety. Currently, microscopy is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of malaria but has limited sensitivity to detect low levels of parasitemia. Screening using serological tests and molecular tests, combined with the donor’s questionnaire, should be used to reduce the cases of TTM

Sludge

International audienceWater treatment residuals, sewage sludge and dredged sediments, hereinafter referred to as sludge, share common features, like inherent high moisture content, high organic and mineral pollutant load and above all a pasty consistency. Several recovery opportunities exist. However, sludge composition is closely correlated with human activity and the design of the recovery processes requires knowledge of physical, thermal or biological characteristics of the sludge that will be processed, often even before the specific sludge exists. Therefore, sludge characterization is a key challenge for the process design, control and optimization and further valorization. The present chapter is divided into four parts dedicated to the composition, the material properties, the dynamic processing properties and the environmental assessments, respectively. Standard tests methods for the characterization of solids and water distribution in sludge are introduced first. Then, the fate of organic constituents, inorganic nonmetallic and metallic constituents as well as pathogenic organism. In the second part, standard and state-of-the-art methods for the characterization of chemical, physical and thermal properties of sludge are described. Dynamic tests, required for the selection and design of conventional processes for sludge concentration and conveying, are detailed in the third part. Finally, methods for assessing the environment impacts of sludge and secondary raw materials derived from sludge are addressed