Parassitologia
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Malassezia may play a role in several dermatoses. It is responsible for foliculitis and mainly for pityriasis versicolor. Pityriasis versicolor is the most known dermatitis because of its clinical aspects and frequently for its poor response to the therapy, mainly in chronic forms. ⋯ The data related to the patients observed in the last thirty years in Siena are reported. In addition, a study was carried out in Pisa by Professor F. Mancianti to identify species of Malassezia isolated in 37 patients.
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Since its introduction in Italy in 1990, Aedes albopictus has spread quickly across the country, being at present reported in scattered foci in all regions below 600 m of altitude. The most important items of the lesson learned in almost 20 years of fight against the "Tiger" in Italy are here reported and discussed.
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In Italy, babesiosis is widespread in several Central and Southern Regions, but few data are available on its presence in most Italian areas. In 2004 a project was financed by the MIUR to investigate on the babesiosis epidemiology in vertebrate and invertebrate hosts, and on the transmission risk for humans in Central and Northern Regions of the country. Microscopy and/or molecular tools were applied to blood samples of wild animals, livestock and pets, and to 1,677 ticks collected on animals or in the environment, with the aim of detect babesial parasites. ⋯ In wild ungulates have been found the B. divergens-like, and the Babesia EU1 strains (reported in Italy in humans). Our findings evidenced the low reliability of microscopy in epidemiological studies, and the need of new/improved immunological tests to face diagnostic problems. The monitoring of infected areas and infection rates, joined to appropriate control programs, seems necessary to avoid the transmission of babesiosis to humans.
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Data of human babesiosis are shortly reviewed with particular emphasis to Europe. In Europe, most cases of human babesiosis are caused by Babesia divergens. ⋯ Recently a non-Babesia divergens organism causing zoonotic infection has been found in Italy and Austria. Overall, the seroprevalence against both B. microti and B. divergens microrganisms in human ranges 1.5%-11.5% in Europe.