“Alert” microrganisms: role of microbiology laboratory

The phenomenom of antibiotic resistance represents today an important problem especially in nosocomial settings with a considerable impact in clinical treatment of infections. We have draft in collaboration with C.I.O. (Comitato infezioni Ospedaliere) and applied in the routine of microbiology laboratory the “Procedura per la gestione dei microrganismi sentinella” (Protocol for the management of “alert microrganisms”). In this study we have investigated the isolation of “alert microrganisms” in our hospital in a period of fifteen months and we have evaluated in time a relative antibiotic resistance.The term “alert microrganisms” is refered to microrganisms with particular antibiotic resistance profiles that are responsible of difficult to treat hospital infections. The study suggests the role of microbiology laboratory in the systematic research of “alert microrganisms” as excellent and economic information source for identify they to level of species and following the antibiotic resistance in time

Epidemiology, diagnosis and management of superficial mycoses: ours three years retrospective analysis

Mycotic infections of the skin, hair and nails are disorder with high prevalence. Dermatophytes are the most frequently etiologic agents followed by yeasts and non-dermatophyte moulds. The geographic distribution is variable because of migration, lifestyle and socio-economics conditions. In this study, based on ours three years retrospective data analysis, we evaluate the epidemiology of etiologic agents, diagnosis and management of superficial mycoses. Our data and our experience suggest the importance of this microbiological diagnosis and the role of the Clinical Microbiologist to assess with Dermatologist and Primary Care Phyisician an appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic plan

Sieroepidemiologia delle infezioni da Toxoplasma gondii, virus della Rosolia e Citomegalovirus in una coorte di gravide

Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella virus and Citomegalovirus are responsible for maternal-fetal infections that can cause severe consequences in fetus. The surveillance of these infections in pregnancy is made by specific antibodies detection and when necessary by demostrating the presence of the infectious agent in body fluids. We have evaluated the seroprevalence of antibodies in a cohort of 1100 pregnant women against Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella virus and Citomegalovirus. Our data show a low seroprevalence against Toxoplasma gondii, a suboptimal immunitary coverage against Rubella virus and a significative increase of incidence in Citomegalovirus infection. The study suggests the need of a multiprofessional and multidisciplinary approach for the right management of these maternal-fetal infections and underlines the pivot role played by Clinical Pathologists