Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C Germinario

Publications and source records attributed to C Germinario.

52 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Comparative evaluation of 2 epidemiologic surveillance systems of hepatitis A].

Epidemiological surveillance represents an important tool for the prevention of hepatitis A. In Italy, the surveillance of hepatitis A is based on the routine notification system of infectious diseases (from 1996 it was replaced by SIMI, Computerised System of Infectious Diseases) and on SEIEVA (Epidemiological Integrated System of Acute Viral Hepatitis). From 1997 to 2000 the two surveillance systems have been compared in Puglia region to evaluate match rate, completeness and sensitivity. A total of 7.018 records from SIMI and 4.413 from SEIEVA have been analyzed. During this period, the 37.0% of cases notified to SIMI match SEIEVA records whereas the 58.8% of cases reported to SEIEVA match cases notified to SIMI. Therefore, the match rate between the two systems was 29.0%. The sensitivity of SIMI and SEIEVA resulted 79.4% and 49.9% respectively. The comparison of the two surveillance systems allowed to recognise problems in local organisation. Therefore, a more adequate training should be supplied to workers involved in the surveillance activities.

Hepatitis A↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Evaluation of the Surveillance System of Acute Flaccid Paralysis in Puglia: 5 years of work].

Surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) is the milestone to monitor the progress toward poliomyelitis eradication aim, fixed by WHA in 1988. Active AFP surveillance started in Apulia in 1997; this work evaluates five-year period activities. In this period, the total number of cases notified was 48, 7 of which were resident out of Apulia. Twenty-five were males and 23 females; the age ranged between 1 month and 15 years. Any collected serum specimens showed protective antibody levels against polioviruses. Polioviruses type 1 and type 2 Sabin-like were isolated from stool samples collected from two AFP patients. AFP surveillance targets improved in the years, with only exception, in 2001, of second serum specimen collected within 14 days because of children were discharged earlier form the hospitals. Apulia experience demonstrates the achievement of good levels of AFP surveillance targets. System sensitivity has been optimal in 2001 with a number of notified cases threefold the expected value and adequate specimen sampling (80%). Additional involved hospitals and availability of increased and dedicated human resources contributed to this outcome. The effort to achieve WHO targets for AFP surveillance needs to be maintained in next years until global certification of eradication will be declared.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Hepatic hydatidosis in Puglia: analysis of the hospital discharge cards in the years 1996-2000].

The authors valueted the distribution of Hepatic Hydatidosis in the Region Puglia (Italy) by hospital dimission cards (schede di dimissione ospedaliera). At present, the SDO represent the most important information tool to monitor hospital activity. The authors examined 468 cases of hepatic Hydatidosis admitted in regional hospital during 1996-2000. 54% were men and 46% women, 75% of whom aged between 40-60 anni. The median hospitalization time was of 12 days and 80% were surgical departments. All the cases examined were uniformedly distributed in surgical hospitals. No hospital acts as a pole of attraction. The periodal prevalence was 6.4/100.000. 40% of cases had surgical DRG with quadriennal sanitary cost of 4 miliardi liras. The Surgical procedure was 53% hepatic lesion demolition, 14% partial epatectomy, 7.2% lobectomy, 5.2% marsupializzazione, 2.6% hepatectomy, and 19% others procedures. At present, due to physiopathological considerations, radical surgery is preferred to conservative surgery. Hepatic hydatidosis is considered a public health problem whose epidemiologic monitoring and precautionary measures could be oriented to control the related sanitary costs.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Anti-HEV seroprevalence in the area of Lecce].

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the causative agent of an enterically transmitted viral hepatitis associated with inadequate hygienic conditions. Hepatitis E is endemic in developing countries where it occurs both in sporadic and epidemic form. Outbreaks have been reported in different areas of the world. The aim of the present work was to assess the seroprevalence of HEV infection in the general population and in different risk groups in the area of Lecce. The presence of anti-HEV antibodies was ascertained by qualitative ELISA (Abbott HEV EIA) and Western Blot (Recomblot HEV IgG/IgM, Mikrogen). The prevalence of anti-HEV in the general population was 2.9% while in intravenous drug users, hemodialized patients and immigrants the seroprevalence rates were 0.7%, 4.3% and 15.3% respectively. Our data show a circulation of HEV at low level in the area of Lecce which is endemic for hepatitis A. Higher seroprevalence rates were found in hemodialized patients and remarkably in immigrants coming from endemic areas like Turkey.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The effectiveness of enoxacin for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infection].

In this study we evaluated the efficacy of enoxacin in treating complicated urinary tract infections (UTI). We isolated 21 bacterial strains from 20 enrolled patients and all the strains showed "in vitro" susceptibility to enoxacin. The most represented bacterial strain was E. coli (47.7%). After 48 hs and after 30 days from the end of the treatment, we observed clinical and bacteriological recovery in 65% and 55% of the patients, respectively. However, 6 out of the 20 patients (30%) interrupted the treatment due to mild-severe side effects. In conclusion, enoxacin showed a good antibacterial activity, but it could be necessary to lower daily dosage and to extend the treating period to prevent side effects.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Carriers of Neisseria meningitidis among teen-agers in Apulia (Italy)].

An investigation about N. meningitidis carriers was carried out in Apulia (Italy) among teen-agers. 85 healthy carriers were identified (1.4%): the 81.2% of isolates resulted polyagglutinable, 3.5% autoagglutinable and 1.2% were not classifiable with antisera. The other strains belonged to serogroup B (9.4%), W135 (2.3%), Y (1.2%) and 29E (1.2%). Some Authors report that non-groupable strains are usually isolated from healthy carriers pharynx. The most recent molecular methods permit to subdivide these bacteria in serotype and serosubtype by membrane protein antigens, too. So, today the only identification as serogroup is not able to study N. meningitidis epidemiology.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[General practitioners and mandatory surveillance of communicable diseases: a descriptive study in Puglia (South Italy)].

Public health passive surveillance systems are often affected by low sensitivity level. Enhancement of the reporting by general practitioners is important to improve the sensitivity of notification system. The aim of this work was to evaluate the mandatory notification activities of communicable diseases by general practitioners (GPs) and family pediatricians (FPs) in the Local Health Unit Bari/4, during the years 1999-2000. This study shows that GPs and FPs notified only 39% and 28% of notifiable diseases respectively in 1999 and 2000, although some of these diseases have a very low hospitalization rate. The majority of doctors never notified any case of infectious disease during the period. The study shows also that the doctors who was older and who had larger list of patients had a greater compliance regarding notification. Therefore, a specific training of family doctors and a better facility in the notification procedures (for example, by phone or e-mail) should be very important to improve the sensitivity of surveillance system.

Communicable Diseases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Opinions of women regarding a planned home birth project in Apulia (Southern Italy)].

A growing desire among women to move away from interventions and hospitals to more "natural" childbirth has emerged over several years. The role and autonomy of midwives, a favourable opinion among women about home childbirth and better cooperation between hospitals and district health facilities are all fundamental in order to implement a home birth project. The opinion of women about "planned" home birth was investigated in the Puglia region through a survey conducted among a sample of women who had just delivered in hospital and a representative sample of the general female population. From 20 to 30% of women in the Puglia region would be basically in favour of home birth project. The main difference between the two groups of women concern the higher proportion of caesarean deliveries among mothers who had just delivered and their demand for more specific training of involved health personnel. Both samples are agreed on the specific training of women during pregnancy and on the presence of a specialist during home delivery. The results of the investigation seem to be in favour of planning a home birth project in the Puglia region.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Obesity and lifestyles among teenagers in Apulia. Survey run by a team of general practitioners].

Obesity represents one of the most worrying public health concern of the last decades. The objective of the present work was to find out more about the real risky habits of teenagers, in order to think of specific educational programs. The research sample was composed of 721 respondents (aged 11-13 years old) attending the primary schools located in Martina Franca (TA). More than 70% of the sample was formed by normal weight individuals, 24.5% was composed of overweight individuals, 5.5% were obese. The relevant differences existing between normal weight and overweight individuals are basically due to the different daily meals organization and to the specific vegetable consumption habits. More than 83% of normal weight individuals have breakfast in the morning, while among the overweight only 75% do it (OR = 0.6; 95% IC: 0.4-0.9; p < 0.01); more than 94% of normal weight kids have snack breaks between the main meals, while only 82% of overweight respondents are used to do it (OR = 0.2; 95% IC: 0.15-0.43; p < 0.01). 36% of the overweight eat vegetables everyday, among the normal weight 45% eat them (chi2 = 12.5, p < 0.05). No relevant differences in the extra school time management. The main outcome of the present study is that kids basically follow a common eating behavior: high carbohydrates and proteins consumption, low fruit and vegetables consumption, few time spent in physical activities. This is why it is strongly recommended to develop educational programs targeted to individuals in this age range.

Adolescent↗