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G M Fara

Publications and source records attributed to G M Fara.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Flaccid paralysis surveillance in the Latium Region].

The goal of World Health Organization is to reach the global eradication of poliomyelitis during the first decade of the third millennium. To achieve the certification of the eradication of the disease the main strategy is the Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance. In Italy the active AFP surveillance was performed at national level since 1997. In the Latium region the active surveillance was performed since January 1997 by the laboratory of virology of Institute of Hygiene G Sanarelli which established a regional hospital network. During the years of survey 7 cases were found in 1997 (0.87/100,000), 4 in 1998 (0.5/100,000), 2 in 1999 (0.25/100,000) and 2 in 2000. No wild polioviruses were detected.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Point system) at a catering service: checklist and microbiological examination].

The A.A. carried out a survey on the functioning of a catering service in Rome. The risk analysis assessment was performed by means of a checklist that collected systematically all data about the environment, the operators, the food and the catering process. The results of the microbiological analysis carried out in the CCP's showed that the general conditions of the catering service were not satisfactory, but also indicated the validity of the checklist used. This method showed a high predictive value and can be useful to improve the application of the HACCP system.

Clostridium↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Activities at the Rome Anti-Rabies Center in 2000: analysis and proposals].

The Authors analyzed data from the 1,817 patients (mean age 35.3 +/- 20.6, median 32) treated at the Antirabies Centre of Rome in the year 2000; of these 8.9% were immigrants. Dogs (84.1%) and cats (9.8%) were responsible for most bites. Stray animals were 39.9%, with an owner 58.3% and those without data 1.8%. Over 1/3 of patients could not refer the cause of bite. Most patients (93.0%) went first to hospital, where tetanus prophylaxis was administered preferably by immunoglobulins (25.0%) instead of vaccine (6.6%). Antirabies vaccine (HDCV and/or DEV) was prescribed to 777 patients (42.8%) and administered to 642 (35.3%), but only 296 (16.3%) of them received at least 5 doses. Veterinary observation always confirmed the absence of rabies in central Italy. Immunoglobulins were prescribed only to 14 patients. The data shown in this study emphasize the opportunity to differentiate the Italian antirabies protocol according to the geographic area.

Academic Medical Centers↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Hospital infection surveillance in 5 Roman intensive care units].

The A.A. carried out a survey on hospital acquired infection (HAI) in the intensive care units (ICU) of five roman hospitals. The study monitored the following site-specific infection rates: pneumonia (PNE), blood stream infections (BSI), urinary tract infections (UTI), surgical site infections (SSI). According to CDC definitions all patients developing infection 48 hours or more after ward admission were included. Furthermore risk factors (i.e. age, sex, SAPS II), invasive procedures (i.e. endotracheal intubation, vascular and urinary catheterisation), microbiological isolates and their antibiotic susceptibility were screened. The overall 503 patients characteristics (i.e., age, length of stay, case-mix...) showed the wards as general ICU's. Although the SAPS II score was similar, mortality (18.2%-42.9%) and general infection rates (15.4%-40.4%) among the five ICU's were considerably variable (p < 0.05), as HAI episodes distribution by type: PNE (37-88%), BSI (6-42%), UTI (6-24%), SSI (3-7%) (p < 0.05). Also device-associated infection rates such as Ventilator-associated PNE (11.6-24.6@1000), Vascular catheter-associated BSI (3.4-19.2@1000). Urinary catheter-associated UTI (2.6-14.0@1000) and invasive procedures management were different. Among the infected patients the most commonly isolated microorganisms were P. aeruginosa and Staphylococcus spp., which presented a considerable antibiotic resistance. The study showed: 1) sampling (i.e. blood cultures, tracheal aspirate and urine samples) and laboratory methodology indispensable for a correct HAI diagnosis were not standardized in the five ICU's; 2) hospital infection control policy was not carried out in all ICU's. The study showed a lack of standardization which limits the comparability of the general roman ICU's.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Environmental surveillance of poliovirus in Italy: pilot study.

A pilot study on environmental surveillance of poliovirus included one hundred ninety-six samples (drinking water, surface water, seawater and sewage), collected between 1996 and 1998 in different regions of Italy. Samples were screened for the presence of poliovirus and other enteric viruses. Twelve polioviruses, 35 non polio enteroviruses (NPE) and 51 enteric non entero (NE) viruses were isolated. All poliovirus isolates, namely four type 1, four type 2 and four type 3, were characterised as Sabin-like strains. Thirty-one Coxsackie B and 4 Echo viruses were also detected. The presence of Sabin-like polioviruses in the environment is not unexpected since immunization with only oral poliovirus vaccine was performed in Italy until May 1999, when a sequential schedule consisting of two doses of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) and two of oral polio vaccine (OPV) was adopted; in July 2002 a schedule consisting of four doses of IPV was adopted. Although this is only a pilot study and the number of samples analysed is limited, so far data from this study so far supports once again evidence of lack of circulating wild poliovirus and is in line with results from AFP surveillance in Italy and stool survey on healthy children.

Environmental Monitoring↗