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Biomedical subjects

G Privitera

Publications and source records attributed to G Privitera.

72 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

Transfer of multiple antibiotic resistance between subspecies of Bacteroides fragilis.

Resistance to clindamycin, erythromycin, streptogramins, and tetracycline was shown to be transferable from a clinical isolate of Bacteroides fragilis subspecies distasonis to a sensitive strain of B. fragilis subspecies fragilis. Resistance to clindamycin, erythromycin, and streptogramins was transferable from a clinical isolate of B. fragilis subspecies fragilis to the sensitive strain of B. fragilis subspecies fragilis. Except for tetracycline, resistance to all of these antibiotics was spontaneously curable en bloc at a frequency of approximately 10(-2). These results suggest that resistance to these antibiotics is determined by a plasmid.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1978

[Intrathoracic goiters].

Reference is made to the nosographical classification of intrathoracic goitre and the difficulties associated with its diagnosis. Particular attention is devoted to the correct surgical technique required. Surgery is mandatory in mediastinal cases on account of the slow and gradual progression of the swelling and exacerbation of the symptoms, and also because complications may supervene (cancer, intraparenchymal haemorrhage, etc.). The approach routes are discussed, along with the conditions requiring resort to a complementary route--usually median sternotomy--in addition to cervicotomy.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

[The immunofluorescence technique detecting antibody-coated bacteria for diagnosis of site of UTI (author's transl)].

The immunofluorescente technique detecting antibody-coated bacteria for diagnosis of site of UTI has been applied to 52 urine samples coming from : 11 patients with clinical diagnosis of pylonephritis, 21 infections of the lower urinary tract, 8 asymptomatic bacteriurias and 2 samples of urine obtained directly by pyelocentesis. The technique confirmed to be specific and sensible: strongly fluorescent germs were observed only in samples coming from pyelonephritis or urine from pyelocentesis. Repeatedly, from single samples were isolated more bacterial strains; only one of them was present in significant quantity. The some observation has been made also in 5 patients clinically affected with P.N., where 2 strains were isolated from each sample. In only one sample both strains were fluorescent, white in the remaining 4 samples the strain present in insignificative quantity was fluorescent. These observations, rather than a double localization (pyelo-renal and lower urinary tract) with different aetiologic agents, were interpreted to be the outcome of repeated antibiotic treatments. It is possible that they could have reduced the fluorescent "bacterial load" of the pyelo-renal region under significant number, simultaneously facilitating the emergence of superinfecting germs at the level of the lower urinary tract. We discuss the therapeutic involvements for a proper antibiotic treatment and the usefulness of flanking the test at the quantitative urine culture.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Research on Pisa University student's life style and health].

Surveys on life and health conditions of university students besides providing useful epidemiologic data partly related to the young population. They are potentially useful for the intervention planning aimed to remove possible environmental or behavioural risk factors. Following these purpose a survey sample about 1200 student attending the University of Pisa was carried out through an anonymous questionnaire about 41 questions focused on behaviours and lifestyles of young people, possible health problems, self-perception of the health state, the use of public health services, and the more commonly used (or preferred) sources of information on health topics. The results suggest that although the self perception of the state of health is broadly positive for the majority of students, there is also a significant frequency of individuals declaring significant at risk behaviours (persistence of sexual practices at risk, drug use, alcohol and smoke abuse). The consumption, also sporadic, of psicoattive substances has been declared gives beyond 40% of the students, in particular 37% asserts to have tried drugs. The habit to smoke appeared diffused much between the students; the percentage of smokers turns out equal to 41% in total (40% females, 42% males). 76% of the interviewed ones has declared to be sexually active, the percentage of those who have declared multiple relations or occasional is elevated (12%), and 47% of the students asserts to use the condom with fixed partner and 77% with occasional partner. Moreover there seems to be a significant association between the changes in the diet and other lifestyles that are due to the "university lifestyle" (as a consequence of leaving the family or increased commuting) and the insurgence of several types of sickness, e.g. gastroenteric disturbances and fever attacks. Finally, the present investigation suggests that few interventions on services offered to students (such as accommodation, teaching structures and especially the creation of a "health office" where students can acquire information on health and other topics related to their condition) could have a significantly beneficial impact on the general state of health of the university population.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Randomized clinical trial of short-term antibiotic prophylaxis in 750 patients undergoing vaginal and abdominal hysterectomy.

We have carried out a controlled, prospective, randomized study with the aim of evaluating the efficacy of a short-term antibiotic prophylaxis on patients undergoing simple total hysterectomy. 750 patients entered the trial, starting in September 1977, 260 underwent vaginal hysterectomy, 490 abdominal hysterectomy. The patients were subdivided randomly into four groups, which were homogeneous in number, age, weight, associated disease, indication for surgery and hormonal status: control group, without treatment; prophylaxis with Cefazolin; prophylaxis with Thiamphenicol; prophylaxis with Cefazolin plus Thiamphenicol. Each antibiotic was administered parenterally, at the dose of 1 g, 1 hour before surgery, and 5 and 12 hours later. Postoperative infectious morbidity was evaluated according to febrile morbidity, the need for antibiotic therapy during the postoperative period and the length of postoperative hospitalization. The incidence and severity of febrile morbidity was significantly reduced in the three groups of patients who received prophylaxis. The use of antibiotics in the postoperative period resulted significantly reduced and the period of hospitalization was shorter for the groups with prophylaxis than for the control group.

Cefazolin↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[On the acute respiratory infections of anaerobes bacteria: clinical, bacteriological and therapeutic results (author's transl)].

In order to isolate and identify aerobe and obligate anaerobe (O.A.) bacteria investigations were carried out on 11 patients with acute respiratory tract infections (7 of them severely ill and hospitalized in an Intensive Care Unit). O.A. species were isolated in 7 subjects, in all cases in mixed culture (from 2 to 5 species per sample), including also potentially pathogenic aerobe bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, etc). On the 24 strains of O.A. bacteria identified, M.I.C. was determined for penicillin, clindamycin, chloramphenicol, and thiamphenciol. The data obtained have been compared with the M.I.C. of 28 strains isolated from uro-gynecological infections. The strains isolated from the respiratory tract presented a sensitivity spectrum to antibiotic similar to those isolated from the urogenital tract. Chloramphenicol and thiamphenicol inhibited growth in 100% of the cases at concentrations equivalent or inferior to plasma levels obtained with normal therapeutical doses; clindamycin was active at lower concentrations but not on all the strains isolated (3 Bacteroides, 1 Fusobacterium sp., 1 Peptococcus sp. were resistent). Penicillin G was active on 21 out of 25 Gram-positive strains, but only on 7 out 26 Gram-negative bacilli. In view of these results the difficulty of obtaining a correct etiologic diagnosis and the consequent use of a correct antibiotic therapy are discussed. The usefulness of the association of different antibiotics is suggested.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Application of clinical audit to the evaluation of prescription of interferon-alpha in a teaching hospital].

Aim of this study was to evaluate through an audit tool the appropriateness of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) prescribing in a teaching hospital. The records of all patients (n.665) treated with IFN-alpha since 1991 were reviewed and the data concerning diagnosis and treatment collected using a standardized from. The data were submitted for peer review to a panel which included the representatives of the different medical specialties which actually prescribed the drug, external experts and members of the health management board of the hospital. The following points were discussed:-adherence to accepted therapeutic indications:-accuracy of the diagnosis prior to treatment:-scheduled doses:-criteria defining non-responders;-length of treatment and criteria for discontinuation. At the end of the study a questionnaire for evaluation of the audit was submitted to all participants. Most patients were treated according to a diagnosis of chronic hepatitis (HCV, n.448; HBV, n.54; HDV, n.22); other indications were chronic myeloid leukemia, thrombocythemia, polycythemia vera, Kaposi's sarcoma, condylomata, melanoma and mycosis fungoides. All indications were approved by the panel: no patient was treated outside established indications (85.6%) or a clinical trial protocol (14.4%). Standard schedules were initially applied to each indication, and were adjusted if needed according to the clinical response. In conclusion, the audit showed that IFN-alpha was correctly prescribed in our teaching hospital; the procedure was well accepted and its application may be useful in modifying prescribing attitudes.

Drug Utilization↗