scholarly journals Thirteen Years of Phleboviruses Circulation in Lombardy, a Northern Italy Region

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 209
Author(s):  
Elena Percivalle ◽  
Irene Cassaniti ◽  
Mattia Calzolari ◽  
Davide Lelli ◽  
Fausto Baldanti
Keyword(s):  
Case Reports ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Pathogenic Potential ◽  
Lombardy Region ◽  
Phlebotomine Sandflies ◽  
Invasive Infections ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Different Strains

Phleboviruses transmitted by phlebotomine sandflies are endemic in the Mediterranean basin. Toscana phlebovirus (TOSV), Sicilian phlebovirus (SFSV), and Naples phlebovirus (SFNV) are responsible of summer fever, with well-known pathogenic potential for humans ranging from asymptomatic to mild fever, in addition to neuro-invasive infections during summer. Although TOSV, in particular, is a significant and well-known human pathogen, SFVs remain neglected, with many gaps in the relevant knowledge. Sero-epidemiological studies and case reports recently showed a geographical wider distribution than previously considered, although the real incidence of phleboviruses infections in the Mediterranean area is still unknown. Here we retrospectively evaluated the circulation of phleboviruses during summer seasons between 2007 and 2019 in 649 patients showing neurological symptoms using both molecular and serological approaches. We found that 42/649 (6.5%) subjects experienced phlebovirus infection and only 10/42 cases were detected by molecular assays, whereas the other 32/42 were identified using serological approaches, including neutralization assays. During the 2013 summer, an outbreak in the Lombardy region is described because the prevalence of phlebovirus infection reached 37.2% (19/51 subjects). Interestingly, only 5/19 (26.5%) reported traveling in endemic areas. Of note, no cross-neutralization was observed between different strains tested, showing the possibility to be reinfected by newly discovered phlebovirus strains. In conclusion, phlebovirus infections are still inadequately considered by physicians and are generally underestimated. However, based on our results, sandfly fever viruses should be routinely included in diagnostic panels during summer period, including in Northern Italy.

scholarly journals Quick regional centroid moment tensor solutions for the Emilia 2012 (northern Italy) seismic sequence

2012 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Pondrelli ◽  
Simone Salimbeni ◽  
Paolo Perfetti ◽  
Peter Danecek
Keyword(s):  
Moment Tensor ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Seismic Sequence ◽  
Centroid Moment Tensor ◽  
Strong Earthquakes ◽  
Magnitude Range ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Centroid Moment Tensor Solutions

<p>In May 2012, a seismic sequence struck the Emilia region (northern Italy). The mainshock, of Ml 5.9, occurred on May 20, 2012, at 02:03 UTC. This was preceded by a smaller Ml 4.1 foreshock some hours before (23:13 UTC on May 19, 2012) and followed by more than 2,500 earthquakes in the magnitude range from Ml 0.7 to 5.2. In addition, on May 29, 2012, three further strong earthquakes occurred, all with magnitude Ml ≥5.2: a Ml 5.8 earthquake in the morning (07:00 UTC), followed by two events within just 5 min of each other, one at 10:55 UTC (Ml 5.3) and the second at 11:00 UTC (Ml 5.2). For all of the Ml ≥4.0 earthquakes in Italy and for all of the Ml ≥4.5 in the Mediterranean area, an automatic procedure for the computation of a regional centroid moment tensor (RCMT) is triggered by an email alert. Within 1 h of the event, a manually revised quick RCMT (QRCMT) can be published on the website if the solution is considered stable. In particular, for the Emilia seismic sequence, 13 QRCMTs were determined and for three of them, those with M &gt;5.5, the automatically computed QRCMTs fitted the criteria for publication without manual revision. Using this seismic sequence as a test, we can then identify the magnitude threshold for automatic publication of our QRCMTs.</p>

scholarly journals On the life-cycle of ameles spallanzania (Rossi, 1792) (Insecta, Mantodea)

2011 ◽  
Vol 152 (1) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Roberto Battiston ◽  
Carlo Galliani
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
General Distribution ◽  
Continental Area ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Behavioural Strategies

The recent find of an <em>Ameles spallanzania</em> population in a continental area of northern Italy permitted to redraw the northernmost edge of the distribution of this species and to study its life cycle in extreme climatic conditions. A comparison with collecting records of adult specimens from the Mediterranean area has been performed to put in evidence how this species adapts its life-cycle timings in different latitudes: hatching earlier or using nymphs to overwinter in warmer localities or oothecae in colder ones. Overwintering strategies of <em>Ameles spallanzania</em> have been compared with strategies of other genera of mantids that share the same habitat but have different life-cycle strategies and general distribution. Different developing times in mantids seem to be linked to behavioural strategies more than physiological attitudes.

Geoarchaeological evidence of multiple climatic and anthropic triggers driving the breakdown of the Terramare civilization (Bronze Age, Northern Italy)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Zerboni ◽  
Anna Maria Mercuri ◽  
Assunta Florenzano ◽  
Eleonora Clò ◽  
Giovanni Zanchetta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
Iron Age ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Human Occupation ◽  
Po River ◽  
Commercial Exchange ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Dramatic Shift

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;The Terramare civilization included hundreds of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;banked and moated villages, located in the alluvial plain of the Po River of northern Italy, and developed between the Middle and the Recent Bronze Ages (XVI-XII cent. BC). This civilization lasted for over 500 years, collapsing at around 1150 years BC, in a period marked by a great societal disruptionin the Mediterranean area. The timing and modalities of the collapse of the Terramare Bronze Age culture are widely debated, and a combined geoarchaeological and palaeoclimatic investigation &amp;#8211; the SUCCESSO-TERRA Project &amp;#8211;is shading new light on this enigma. The Terramare economy was based upon cereal farming, herding, and metallurgy; settlements were also sustained by a well-developed system for the management of water and abundant wood resources. They also established a wide network of commercial exchange between continental Europe and the Mediterranean region.The SUCCESSO-TERRA Project investigated two main Bronze Age sites in Northern Italy:(i) the Terramara Santa Rosa di Poviglio, and (ii) the San Michele di Valestra site, which is a coeval settlement outside the Terramare territory, but in the adjoining Apennine range. Human occupation at San Michele di Valestra persisted after the Terramare crisis and the site was settled with continuity throughout the whole Bronze Ages, up to the Iron Age. The combined geoarchaeological, palaeoclimatic, and archaeobotanical investigation on different archaeological sites and on independent archives for climatic proxies (offsite cores and speleothems) highlights the existence of both climatic and anthropic critical factors triggering a dramatic shift of the landuse of the Terramare civilization. The overexploitation of natural resources became excessive in the late period of the Terramare trajectory, when also a climatic change occurred. A fresh speleothem record for the same region suggests the occurrence of a short-lived period of climatic instability followed by a marked peak of aridity. The&lt;span&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/span&gt;unfavourable concomitance between human overgrazing and climatic-triggered environmental pressure, amplified the on-going societal crisis, likely leading to the breakdown of the Terramare civilization in the turn of a generation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Brucella Septic Arthritis: Case Reports and Review of the Literature

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatehi Elnour Elzein ◽  
Nisreen Sherbeeni
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Septic Arthritis ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Sacroiliac Joints ◽  
Peripheral Arthritis ◽  
Zoonotic Infections ◽  
The Mediterranean

Brucellosis is one of the commonest zoonotic infections worldwide. The disease is endemic in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean area. Osteoarticular involvement is a frequent manifestation of brucellosis. It tends to involve the sacroiliac joints more commonly; however, spondylitis and peripheral arthritis are increasingly reported. Brucellosis can be overlooked especially in the presence of companion bacteria. Hence, it should be suspected in all patients with septic arthritis in endemic areas or in patients visiting such areas.

scholarly journals Virgin Olive Oil and Health: Summary of the III International Conference on Virgin Olive Oil and Health Consensus Report, JAEN (Spain) 2018

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2039 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaforio ◽  
Visioli ◽  
Alarcón-de-la-Lastra ◽  
Castañer ◽  
Delgado-Rodríguez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Olive Oil ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Virgin Olive Oil ◽  
Extra Virgin Olive Oil ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Dietary Regimen ◽  
Extended Longevity ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Consensus Report

The Mediterranean diet is considered as the foremost dietary regimen and its adoption is associated with the prevention of degenerative diseases and an extended longevity. The preeminent features of the Mediterranean diet have been agreed upon and the consumption of olive oil stands out as the most peculiar one. Indeed, the use of olive oil as the nearly exclusive dietary fat is what mostly characterizes the Mediterranean area. Plenty of epidemiological studies have correlated that the consumption of olive oil was associated with better overall health. Indeed, extra virgin olive oil contains (poly)phenolic compounds that are being actively investigated for their purported biological and pharma-nutritional properties. On 18 and 19 May 2018, several experts convened in Jaen (Spain) to discuss the most recent research on the benefits of olive oil and its components. We reported a summary of that meeting (reviewing several topics related to olive oil, not limited to health) and concluded that substantial evidence is accruing to support the widespread opinion that extra virgin olive oil should, indeed, be the fat of choice when it comes to human health and sustainable agronomy.

scholarly journals Antimicrobial treatment of Acinetobacter neuii invasive infections: A systematic review

Praxis medica ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 25-32
Author(s):  
Milica Milentijević ◽  
Nataša Katanić ◽  
Jelena Aritonović-Pribaković ◽  
Aleksandar Kočović ◽  
Jovana Milosavljević ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Pleural Empyema ◽  
Antimicrobial Treatment ◽  
Invasive Infection ◽  
Primary Case ◽  
Pathogenic Potential ◽  
Cochrane Database ◽  
Invasive Infections

Aims: The objectives of this study were to find out whether and to what extent Actinomyces neuii is pathogenic to humans in terms of causing invasive infections and to ascertain the most appropriate and effective antibiotic therapy against this bacterium. Material and method: This study was designed as a systematic review article. MEDLINE, Google Scholar, SCIndex, Cochrane database of published clinical trials - Central and Clinicaltrials.gov databases were systematically searched for primary case reports or case series describing invasive infection with Actinomyces neuii. Results: A literature search identified 23 studies that met the inclusion criteria, describing cases of patients with an invasive infection caused by Actinomyces neuii. It was found that A. neuii could cause endocarditis, endophthalmitis, osteomyelitis, pleural empyema, soft tissue abscesses, neonatal sepsis, ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections and periprosthetic tissue infections. The most prescribed antibiotics for the treatment of Actinomyces neuii infections were amoxicillin and vancomycin (n = 10; 12.3%), followed by penicillin (n =9; 11.1%), gentamicin (n = 6; 7.4%), ampicillin (n = 5; 6.2%) and ceftazidime (n = 4; 4.9%). Antibiotic treatment of infections caused by A. neuii was followed by clinical improvement or complete cure of all patients, with no recorded deaths. Conclusion: A. neuii has a relevant pathogenic potential to cause invasive infections of various organs and tissues, especially in immunocompromised individuals of any age. For the treatment of mild infections caused by this bacterium, the antibiotics of choice are penicillin or amoxicillin, while vancomycin should be used to treat severe infections caused by Actinomyces neuii.

Congenital Zika Virus Infection Paradigm: What is in the Wardrobe? A Narrative Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-56
Author(s):  
Mariam M. Mirambo ◽  
Lucas Matemba ◽  
Mtebe Majigo ◽  
Stephen E. Mshana
Keyword(s):  
Virus Infection ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
English Language ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Ocular Manifestations ◽  
Zika Virus Infection ◽  
N 93

Background: Zika virus infection during pregnancy has been recently associated with congenital microcephaly and other severe neural tube defects. However, the magnitude of confirmed cases and the scope of these anomalies have not been extensively documented. This review focuses on the magnitude of laboratory-confirmed congenital Zika virus cases among probable cases and describing the patterns of congenital anomalies allegedly caused by the Zika virus, information which will inform further research in this area. Methods: We conducted a literature search for English-language articles about congenital Zika virus infection using online electronic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, POPLINE, Embase, Google Scholar, and Web of Knowledge). The search terms used were, “zika”, “pregnancy”, [year], “microcephaly”, “infants”, “children”, “neonates”, “foetuses”, “neural tube defect”, and “CNS manifestations” in different combinations. All articles reporting cases or case series between January 2015 and December 2016 were included. Data were entered into a Microsoft Excel database and analysed to obtain proportions of the confirmed cases and patterns of anomalies. Results: A total of 24 articles (11 case series, 9 case reports, and 4 others) were found to be eligible and included in this review. These articles reported 919 cases, with or without microcephaly, presumed to have congenital Zika virus infection. Of these cases, 884 (96.2%) had microcephaly. Of the 884 cases of microcephaly, 783 (88.6%) were tested for Zika virus infection, and 216 (27.6%; 95% confidence interval, 24.5% to 30.8%) were confirmed to be Zika virus-positive. In addition to microcephaly, other common abnormalities reported – out of 442 cases investigated – were calcifications of brain tissue (n=240, 54.3%), ventriculomegaly (n=93, 20.8%), cerebellar hypoplasia (n=52, 11.7%), and ocular manifestations (n=46, 10.4%). Conclusion: Based on the available literature, Zika virus infection during pregnancy might lead to a wide array of outcomes other than microcephaly. There is a need for more epidemiological studies in Zika-endemic areas, particularly in Africa, to ascertain the role of Zika virus in causing congenital neurological defects.

Congenital Zika Virus Infection Paradigm: What is in the Wardrobe? A Narrative Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-56
Author(s):  
Mariam M. Mirambo ◽  
Lucas Matemba ◽  
Mtebe Majigo ◽  
Stephen E. Mshana
Keyword(s):  
Virus Infection ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
English Language ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Ocular Manifestations ◽  
Zika Virus Infection ◽  
N 93

Background: Zika virus infection during pregnancy has been recently associated with congenital microcephaly and other severe neural tube defects. However, the magnitude of confirmed cases and the scope of these anomalies have not been extensively documented. This review focuses on the magnitude of laboratory-confirmed congenital Zika virus cases among probable cases and describing the patterns of congenital anomalies allegedly caused by the Zika virus, information which will inform further research in this area. Methods: We conducted a literature search for English-language articles about congenital Zika virus infection using online electronic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, POPLINE, Embase, Google Scholar, and Web of Knowledge). The search terms used were, “zika”, “pregnancy”, [year], “microcephaly”, “infants”, “children”, “neonates”, “foetuses”, “neural tube defect”, and “CNS manifestations” in different combinations. All articles reporting cases or case series between January 2015 and December 2016 were included. Data were entered into a Microsoft Excel database and analysed to obtain proportions of the confirmed cases and patterns of anomalies. Results: A total of 24 articles (11 case series, 9 case reports, and 4 others) were found to be eligible and included in this review. These articles reported 919 cases, with or without microcephaly, presumed to have congenital Zika virus infection. Of these cases, 884 (96.2%) had microcephaly. Of the 884 cases of microcephaly, 783 (88.6%) were tested for Zika virus infection, and 216 (27.6%; 95% confidence interval, 24.5% to 30.8%) were confirmed to be Zika virus-positive. In addition to microcephaly, other common abnormalities reported – out of 442 cases investigated – were calcifications of brain tissue (n=240, 54.3%), ventriculomegaly (n=93, 20.8%), cerebellar hypoplasia (n=52, 11.7%), and ocular manifestations (n=46, 10.4%). Conclusion: Based on the available literature, Zika virus infection during pregnancy might lead to a wide array of outcomes other than microcephaly. There is a need for more epidemiological studies in Zika-endemic areas, particularly in Africa, to ascertain the role of Zika virus in causing congenital neurological defects.

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