Cutaneous tuberculosis: a rare presentation in an immigrant

The increased incidence of tubercular diseases in industrialized countries appears to be due to several factors, including development of resistance to the most commonly used specific chemotherapeutic substances, unsuitable control programmes, HIV infection, the increased influx of immigrants, and homelessness. Different forms of cutaneous tuberculosis are caused by different species of mycobacteria (e.g., Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. avium). Determining the species of mycobacteria is relevant when disease is suspected to be linked to the type of employment of the patient, mainly because the clinical features do not always indicate which species is the cause of the infection. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT) usually infects through the lung, but in rare cases can penetrate the skin or mucous membranes. Skin transmission can be exogenous by inoculation, or endogenous by diffusion (lymphatic or hematic) or by contiguity. The immunologic status of the patient is a crucial factor which influences the clinical variants and the course of disease itself. Here we report a case of an illegal immigrant who presented with a bilateral, symmetrical ulcer on the neck.

Pharmacokinetics of rufloxacin in healthy volunteers after repeated oral doses

Rufloxacin is a new broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent. The pharmacokinetics and safety of rufloxacin were evaluated after repeated oral administration to healthy volunteers. The drug was administered once a day for 6 consecutive days following two different dose schedules. The first group of 11 subjects was given a loading dose of 300 mg on the first day and 150 mg on the subsequent 5 days. The second group of 12 subjects was given a loading dose of 400 mg and 200 mg for 5 days. Serum levels and urine concentrations of rufloxacin were determined by microbiological assay. A simultaneous fit of all data points for each subject was done according to a one-compartment open model. The drug was rapidly absorbed (absorption half-life 17 +/- 6 min in the 300 + 150 mg and 11 +/- 5 min in the 400 + 200 mg dose regimen group) and reached maximal serum concentrations (2.77 +/- 0.24 and 3.62 +/- 0.35 micrograms/ml) 4.2 +/- 0.4 and 4.0 +/- 0.9 h after the first administration. Steady-state serum concentrations (3.19 +/- 0.31 and 4.06 +/- 0.33 micrograms/ml) were reached in 3.7 +/- 0.7 and 4.5 +/- 0.4 days. Elimination half-lives were 29.5 +/- 2.4 and 36.0 +/- 2.8 h. Apparent volumes of distribution were 111 +/- 8 and 136 +/- 16 liters and apparent plasma clearances were 46 +/- 5 and 44 +/- 4 ml/min. Renal clearances were 18 +/- 3 and 17 +/- 2 ml/min.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Sulpiride and extrahepatic bile ducts. Radioisotope study]

An original radioisotopic method was employed in an investigation of the effect of sulpiride on extrahepatic bile duct motility. Stress is laid on the primarily hyposthenic effect of the drug, and the influence of various factors on the functional status of the gallbladder.

[Obstruction of the principal bile duct caused by Fasciola hepatica. First case in Sicily]

The first case of human liver infestation due to liver fluke in Sicily is reported. After a clinical review of parasitosis, the autochthonous nature of the case is mentioned to highlight its epidemiological and prophylactic importance, especially in those regions where climatic conditions and living and working habits favour infestation. Finally, attention is called to diagnostic difficulties, treatment and appropriate hygiene and dietetic measures.

[Modification of malate dehydrogenase and glutamate dehydrogenase in hearts of rats exposed to a double stress (dry heat - fasting). III]

MDH and GLDH activity modifications have been studied in heart homogenized of rats exposed to double stress (dry heat and starvation). MDH activity shows statistically significant variations only after 72 hours. This induces to suspect a decrease of energetic metabolism due to a probable substratum lack. GLDH activity shows a statistically significant decrease after 24 hours, and this decrease increases after 72 hours. This behaviour could be explained by an acclimatization reaction of such an amount to delete the hunger effect on protein catabolism.

[Malate dehydrogenase and glutamate dehydrogenase activity modification in livers of rats exposed to a double stress (dry heat - fasting). I]

We have studied MDH and GLDH behaviour in liver homogenized of rats exposed to double stress (dry heat and starvation) for 24 hours respectively. Both enzyme showed a statistically significant activity increase, either after 24 and 72 hours. Such an increase is affected mainly by starvation. This behaviour reflects the metabolic needs of organism, related to increased energetic requirements.

[Modification of malate dehydrogenase and glutamate dehydrogenase in kidneys of rats exposed to a double stress (dry heat - fasting). II]

MDH and GLDH activity changes have been studied in kidney homogenized of rats exposed to double stress (dry heat and starvation) for 24 and 72 hours respectively. MDH behaviour activity decrease after 24 hours and increase to basic values after 72 hours leads to suspect the primer of a defence mechanism that precedes to face up increased metabolic needs. GLDH activity shows a constant decrease after 24 hours and after 72 hours; this was explained as a premature acclimatization reaction.

[In vitro antibiotic sensitivity of 43 B and/or C bile strains of E. coli]

43 strains of E. coli observed in B and/or C bile from patients in the University of Catania Medical Clinic between 1965 and 1970 were subjected to 16 antibiotics in vitro. Sensitivity to streptomycin fell from 55.86% in 1965 to 16% in 1970, whereas a fluctuation from 35 to 55% was observed for kanamycin over the same period; there was a general fall in effectiveness in the case of the other 14 antibiotics. The clinical advantages nd technical simplicity of the antibiogram are noted.