Evidence and antibiotic resistance profiles of clinical Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii (ACB) and non-ACB complex members in companion animals: A 2020-2022 retrospective study

To evaluate the frequency of Acinetobacter spp., belonging to both Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii (ACB) and non-ACB complex, and their antibiotic resistance profiles in veterinary medicine, a three-year (2020–2022) retrospective study was carried out on sick companion animals. Epidemiological data from different clinical canine, feline, and equine samples, were acquired. For each strain, MALDI-TOF MS identification and susceptibility to a panel of 11 antibiotics, by Kirby-Bauer and E-test methods, were performed. Out of 628 bacteriological examinations, 2.5% resulted positive for strains belonging to Acinetobacter genus. Frequencies of 2.3%, 1.9%, and 3% were obtained from both in-visiting and hospitalized dogs, cats, and horses, respectively. Members of ACB-complex accounted for 50% of isolates. Since all strains resulted susceptible to aminoglycosides and polymyxins, no pandrug-resistant (PDR) species were recorded. While 12.5% A. baumannii resulted extensively-drug resistant (XDR), a higher percentage of multidrug-resistant strains was recorded among non-ACB strains (35.5%) than ACB strains (25%). Susceptibility was observed in the same percentage in both groups (62.5%). All ACB strains confirmed their intrinsic resistances. Non-ACB species showed lower resistances against antipseudomonal penicillins plus beta-lactamase inhibitors (P=0.1306), III generation cephalosporins (P=0.0547), and tetracyclines (P=0.0209) than ACB species. Carbapenem-resistance was observed for XDR A. baumannii (12.5%) and, in particular for MDR non-ACB complex members (25%). To our knowledge, A. lactucae represents the first description in two sick dogs in Italy. Furthermore, our results emphasize the role of non-ACB-complex species as important zoonotic pathogens, which could be reservoirs of clinically relevant resistance profiles

Fecondità e maternità: un sistema integrato per la misurazione di fenomeni sanitari e socio demografici

Il lavoro descrive i passi iniziali di progettazione e sperimentazione di un complesso progetto di integrazione tra fonti, finalizzato alla realizzazione del “Sistema integrato sugli esiti del concepimento”. L' integrazione delle fonti è indispensabile per ottenere un quadro completo e dettagliato sui principali aspetti demografici e socio-sanitari degli esiti dei concepimenti, dati i profondi cambiamenti degli ultimi decenni nella regolamentazione sulla raccolta dei dati amministrativi, legati a questioni di semplificazione e di privacy. Nel lavoro si delinea una strategia di integrazione, mettendone in rilievo gli aspetti metodologici e prediligendo soluzioni che possano essere facilmente estese, portate a regime ed inserite in processi di produzione corrente

Lo squilibrio dei sessi alla nascita nel contesto migratorio. Anche in Italia

A partire dagli anni ’80, il rapporto di mascolinità alla nascita è cresciuto notevolmente in alcuni paesi, soprattutto asiatici, e ci si aspetta che rimanga significativamente più alto di quello teoricamente atteso almeno per i prossimi 30 anni, distanziandosi in maniera evidente da quella “costante demografica” per cui, in condizioni non perturbate, nascono mediamente circa 106 maschi ogni 100 femmine. Il crescente numero di migranti internazionali in tutto il mondo, e soprattutto di coloro che provengono dall’est e dal sud-est asiatico, sembra condurre a una esportazione della pratica della selezione del sesso del nascituro nei paesi di accoglienza

Sex imbalances at birth in migratory context: evidence from Italy.

International audienc

Skewed Sex Ratios at Birth in Italian Migrant Populations: Evidence from a Longitudinal Register 1999–2017

none4noMany studies in different settings have suggested that migrants from countries with skewed sex ratios at birth tend to adjust the sex of their offspring to ensure the birth of at least one male child. Enlarging the scope of existing research, the present study explores the phenomenon by studying the sex ratio at birth and sex selection at birth among migrants in Italy, focussing on birth order and the sex of the previous child. We perform a descriptive analysis of SRB by birth order (first, second and third), sex of the previous children, inter-birth interval and citizenship of the child. We analyse data from the Longitudinal register on reproductive histories from 1999 to 2017 (ISTAT). Results show significantly higher values of SRB for third births among Indian and Chinese communities when the first and second births are girls. A skewed SRB is also present among Indian babies born after a female firstborn. A more detailed analysis of SRBs for immigrants from China and India, by the sex of the previous children and inter-birth interval between second and third birth, did not indicate significant changes in SRB when the inter-birth interval is longer. Our study provides evidence for policymaking. However, further research is needed to address the causes of sex selection among immigrant communities. Efforts to alter gender norms and reduce son preference within communities are required to tackle gender discrimination against second-generation girls.noneAmbrosetti, Elena; Ortensi, Livia Elisa; Castagnaro, Cinzia; Attili, MarinaAmbrosetti, Elena; Ortensi, Livia Elisa; Castagnaro, Cinzia; Attili, Marin

Sex imbalances at birth in migratory context in Western Europe: evidence from Italy

This paper aims to explore SRB of migrants in Italy in order to shed light on the phenomenon of sex selection at birth and to help to address policies against that practice. Our objective is to analyze births from mothers with a foreign background from countries where sex selection at birth is widespread and that are among the largest immigrant communities in Italy. The paper aims at assessing if a skewed sex ratio at birth is observed also among overseas communities and what are the possible factors affecting skewed SRB in migratory context. Data stems from the Survey on births from the Resident Population Registers, from Survey on Income and living conditions of families with migrants held by ISTAT in 2009 and from the First Regional Survey on Sexual and Reproductive Health of Migrant Women held in Lombardy in 2010

Sex imbalances at birth in migratory context: evidence from Italy

This paper aims to explore SRB of migrants in Italy in order to shed light on the phenomenon of sex selection at birth. Our objective is to analyze births from mothers with a foreign background from countries where sex selection at birth is widespread and that are among the largest immigrant communities in Italy. In addition our paper aims at assessing what are the possible factors affecting skewed SRB in migratory context. Data stems from the Survey on births from the Resident Population Registers, from Birth Assistance Certificate (CEDAP) dataset for the year 2008-9 collected by the Italian Ministry of Health in Lombardy, and from the First Regional Survey on Sexual and Reproductive Health of Migrant Women held in Lombardy in 2010. We perform both descriptive and multivariate analysis. For multivariate analysis we chose Lombardy as a case study, as it is the first Italian region by number of migrants. Results both at the national and at the regional level show skewed sex ratio at birth for migrants originating from India, China and Albania. The phenomenon is more evident for higher-order births in a context of declining fertility associated with new techniques to assess the sex of the foetus

Εἰλείϑυια comes from afar: The foreigners' contribution to fertility by Italian provinces

The fertility differential of foreign women in Italy has decreased considerably over the years and it is expected to decrease even more over time but, despite this, the role of foreign children in slowing the decline in births remains crucial. This study aims to further the debate on the fertility of migrants, providing an estimate of the fertility rates among foreign nationals at the provincial level over the past two decades. We intend to analyse the evolution over time and space of the contribution to fertility by foreign female citizens, investigating the determinants of their fertility behaviour and identifying differences and similarities with Italian female citizens

Il contributo alla fecondità delle cittadine straniere residenti nel Lazio

Il contributo presenta i risultati preliminari di un progetto di ricerca sviluppato nell’ambito del programma Emos (European Master in Official Statistics Workshop). Il lavoro analizza il contributo alla fecondità delle donne straniere nel Lazio, con riferimento ai nati da donne straniere al momento della nascita del figlio. Nel contesto della fecondità ridotta e tardiva che caratterizza la popolazione italiana, i nati da madri straniere hanno a lungo contribuito a sostenere la base demografica della regione. Tuttavia, l’apporto delle donne straniere si va riducendo, nel Lazio come nel contesto nazionale, in considerazione del progressivo invecchiamento della popolazione straniera, delle acquisizioni di cittadinanza italiana e del processo di convergenza dei comportamenti demografici in atto

EFFECT OF LACTITOL ON BLOOD AMMONIA RESPONSE TO ORAL GLUTAMINE CHALLENGE IN CIRROTIC PATIENS EVIDENCE FOR AN EFFECTI NONABSORBABLE DISACCHARIDES ON SMALL INTESTINE AMMONIA GENERATION

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Nonabsorbable disaccharides are widely used to decrease blood ammonia concentration. Their principal mode of action is the modification of pH and bacterial flora in the colon. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that these drugs may also reduce small intestine ammonia generation. METHODS: Eight male cirrhotics without overt hepatic encephalopathy received 20 g of glutamine in 100 mi of water. Venous samples for whole blood ammonia were taken before, 30 and 60 min after the load. Immediately after the last blood sample the patients were submitted to the following psychometric tests: number connection test, Posner's attention test, and Sternberg paradigm. After the first glutamine load, patients were started on lactitol (initial dose 20 g, three times a day). Once two bowel movements/day were obtained and maintained for at least 5 days, oral glutamine challenge and psychometric tests were repeated. RESULTS: Ammonia increased significantly after the glutamine load (from 83 +/- 13 to 164 +/- 30 mu g/dl at 30 min and 210 +/- 29 mu g/dl at 60 min; mean +/-SE; p = 0.006 analysis of variance) but not after glutamine load after lactitol treatment (from 77 +/- 17 to Ill +/- 21 mu g/dl and 142 +/- 24 mu g/dl; p = not significant). The peak increment(127 +/- 24 vs 65 +/- 18 mu g/dl; p = 0.008). of ammonia elevation was significantly smaller during lactitol administration. The patients' psychometric performance after the glutamine load did not differ significantly after lactitol treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Lactitol reduces the elevation in blood ammonia that follows oral glutamine challenge. Because enterally administered glutamine is efficiently absorbed in the jejunum and, in part, metabolized to ammonia we suggest that lactitol affects small intestine ammonia generation probably by shortening the residence time of intestinal content