Non‐epileptic myoclonic attacks in infancy: three cases

Since the first cases of abnormal paroxystic movements in normal infants were described, the importance of accurate characterization of this medical condition has been increasingly confirmed in the literature. Non‐epileptic attacks mimic epileptic paroxysms in clinical presentation, but they have a typically benign course and are unresponsive to pharmacological treatment. An evident feature of the syndrome is its extreme variability in clinical manifestation. Here, we describe three normal infants with two similar forms of non‐epileptic paroxysms. Electroclinical manifestations and profile of evolution were investigated. Ictal video‐EEG polygraphic recordings were obtained for each patient. The increasing number of such reported clinical cases in the literature may contribute to high quality systematic reviews and the development of useful guidelines in the future. The clinical heterogeneity of non‐epileptic attacks, together with the relative rarity of the condition, may make differential diagnosis with epileptic attacks very challenging. [Published with video sequences]     

Prevalence of Usutu and West Nile virus antibodies in human sera,Modena, Italy, 2012

A collection of 3069 human sera collected in the area of the municipality of Modena, Emilia Romagna, Italy, was retrospectively investigated for specific antibodies against Usutu (USUV) and West Nile viruses (WNV). All the samples resulting positive using a preliminary screening test were analyzed with the plaque reduction neutralization test. Overall, 24 sera were confirmed as positive for USUV (0.78%) and 13 for WNV (0.42%). The results suggest that in 2012, USUV was circulating more than WNV in North‐eastern Italy.     

The impact of COVID-19 on the provision of cardiac surgical services

The global pandemic caused by COVID-19 has had a significant global impact on healthcare systems. One implication of this pandemic is the cancellation of elective cardiac surgeries and the centralization of services. As a result, hospitals in Europe, North America, and the United Kingdom have had to alter the services offered to patients to be able to cope with service provision for COVID infected patients. Data should be collected during this period to provide a good insight following the lockdown period to understand the implication of such service alteration. Future research should also focus on the effects on long-term mortality and morbidity as well as financial implications on hospitals as a result of these changes.     

A Transitional Model for the Evaluation of West Nile Virus Transmission in Italy

In August 2008, after 10 years of apparent silence, West Nile virus (WNV) infection re‐emerged in northern Italy, spreading through the territories of three regions. In the following years, new cases occurred in the same area and additional foci of infection were observed in central and southern Italy, involving also Sicily and Sardinia islands. The Italian Ministry of Health ordered to test by RT‐PCR all blood and organ donors from 15th June to 15th November of each year in the infected areas. The period at risk of WNV transmission was defined on the basis of literature data, but a more scientific estimation of the transmission season, under Italian circumstances, needs to be performed. A transitional model previously developed by other Authors was applied and adapted to Italian circumstances, to describe and quantify the WNV transmission cycle between birds and mosquitoes. Culex spp. was considered the main vector, and mosquito parameters were adapted to this genus. Magpies (Pica pica) were considered the main bird host. The model was partially validated through the results of the entomological surveys carried out in central Italy and in Po Valley. The results of the transitional model permitted to calculate the basic reproduction number (R₀) during 2010 for the whole Italian territory at 1 km of spatial resolution, estimating the risk of WNV transmission during the year and creating detailed risk maps for Italy. The mean values of R₀ for the whole Italy varied between 0.4 and 4.8, with values >1 from the end of May to the middle of September. The coastal and flat zones of Italy showed the highest R₀ values. Although partially validated, the model showed a substantial acceptable capacity of defining the period at major risk of WNV transmission in Italy, helping Public health authorities in the application of appropriate and timely control and preventive measures.     

Liofilchem? O.A. Listeria agar and direct CAMP test provided sooner Listeria monocytogenes identification from neonatal bacteremia

Listeria monocytogenes infection in pregnant women and newborns is a cause for serious concern, and invasive disease outcome strongly depends on prompt antibiotic therapy. To provide sooner identification from neonatal bacteremia we performed a CAMP test directly on positive blood aliquots and inoculated the Liofilchem^® O.A. Listeria chromogenic agar as well, thus providing a 24-h turn-around time for response.     

Repeatability of total Keratometry and standard Keratometry by the IOLMaster 700 and comparison to total corneal astigmatism by Scheimpflug imaging

ObjectivesWe aimed (1) to assess the repeatability of Total Keratometry (TK) and standard keratometry (K) measurements, as provided by the IOLMaster 700 (Carl Zeiss Meditec), and (2) to compare the corneal astigmatism measured by TK to the total corneal astigmatism (TCA) measured by a Scheimpflug camera (Pentacam AXL, Oculus).MethodsTwo groups of patients were prospectively enrolled: Group A included previously unoperated eyes undergoing cataract surgery, and Group B eyes with previous myopic corneal excimer laser surgery. TK and K were measured three times by the same examiner. Repeatability was assessed based on the within-subject standard deviation (S_w), test–retest variability, coefficient of variation and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). In Group A, TCA was measured once and compared to TK astigmatism. Vector analysis was performed according to Næser.ResultsIn Group A (69 eyes) the mean K and TK were, respectively, 43.14 ± 1.37 D and 43.18 ± 1.37 D. In Group B (51 eyes) the mean K and TK were, respectively, 40.14 ± 2.20 D and 39.71 ± 2.35 D. The repeatability of the average K and TK was high (S_w < 0.10D). All measurements revealed an ICC > 0.9. For most measurements the variance of K and TK did not show any statistically significant difference either within groups or between groups. Vectors KP(45) were significantly different between TK astigmatism and TCA.ConclusionsTK measurements offer high repeatability in unoperated and post-excimer laser surgery eyes. TK astigmatism and TCA measurements could not be considered interchangeable.Subject terms: Outcomes research, Tomography     

Preliminary Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of Standard Intravenous Immunoglobulins in Pregnant Women with Primary Cytomegalovirus Infection

Hyperimmune globulins were reported to prevent and treat fetal cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection during pregnancy. Here, we report that infusions of standard human intravenous immunoglobulin significantly increase CMV IgG titers and avidity indexes in pregnant women, paving the way to their use for passive transfer of maternal CMV humoral immunity to fetuses. Preliminary data on perinatal outcomes of the first 67 newborns are encouraging.