SPIR01 and SPIR02: a two-year 1-day point prevalence multicenter study of infections in intensive care units in Piedmont, Italy

This study reports the results of a one-day point prevalence study of infections performed in 2001 (SPIR01) and 2002 (SPIR02) in a Regional network of ICUs in Piedmont, Italy. The study aims were to illustrate the overall proportion of infected patients and the rate of ICU-acquired infections. Mortality rate was evaluated three weeks after the study days. Resistance pattern of Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase negative Staphylococci and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were recorded. The primary end-point of the study was to document the prevalence and associated risk factors of the ICU-acquired infections, and the impact of infections on mortality. The prevalence of ICU-acquired infection was 30% in SPIR01, and 38.3% in SPIR02. The rate of methicillin-resistance was high among isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococci. The prevalence of ICU-acquired infections was lower than that reported in the EPIC study. In our experience, this Regional survey stimulated further research and collaboration to improve the prophylaxis, diagnosis and treatment of ICU-acquired infections

Results by motor cortex stimulation in treatment of focal dystonia, Parkinson's disease and post-ictal spasticity. The experience of the Italian Study Group of the Italian Neurosurgical Society.

Extradural motor cortex stimulation has been employed in cases of Parkinson's disease (PD), fixed dystonia (FD) and spastic hemiparesis (SH) following cerebral stroke. Symptoms of PD are improved by EMCS: results were evaluated on the basis of the UPDRS and statistically analysed. In PD EMCS is less efficacious than bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) stimulation, but it may be safely employed in patients not eligible for deep brain stimulation (DBS). The most rewarding effect is the improvement, in severely affected patients, of posture and gait. FD, unresponsive to bilateral pallidal stimulation, has been relieved by EDMS. In SH reduction of spasticiy by EMCS allows improvement of the motor function

Results by motor cortex stimulation in treatment of focal dystonia, Parkinson's disease and post-ictal spasticity. The experience of the Italian Study Group of the Italian Neurosurgical Society

Extradural motor cortex stimulation has been employed in cases of Parkinson's disease (PD), fixed dystonia (FD) and spastic hemiparesis (SH) following cerebral stroke. Symptoms of PD are improved by EMCS: results were evaluated on the basis of the UPDRS and statistically analysed. In PD EMCS is less efficacious than bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) stimulation, but it may be safely employed in patients not eligible for deep brain stimulation (DBS). The most rewarding effect is the improvement, in severely affected patients, of posture and gait. FD, unresponsive to bilateral pallidal stimulation, has been relieved by EDMS. In SH reduction of spasticiy by EMCS allows improvement of the motor function