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This study was carried out with the aim to investigate the presence of carriers of diphtheria bacillus in a sample of 1970 healthy children, 6-14 years aged, residing in eight Italian towns. Three non-toxigenic strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae biotype mitis were isolated from as many healthy children. Molecular characterization by ribotyping showed close genetic relation of two of the wild strains with the C7(b) reference strain whereas one of the wild strains showed close genetic relation with two collection strains isolated in the same geographic area (Emilia-Romagna) from diphtheria patients in the seventy years. This supports the hypothesis of the persistence of some non toxigenic C. diphtheriae strains derived from ancient endemic strains under the selective pressure of mass immunization against diphtheria. The persistence of carriers of diphtheria bacilli, although non toxigenic, suggests that high levels of immunity must be maintained, not only in children, but also in adults by booster vaccination.

In compliance with the Legislative Decree 230/1999, about the provisions for reorganizing Penitentiary Medicine, the management of the convicts health is attached to the Local Health Authorities (Aziende Sanitarie Locali, ASL). A proper health management, based on the populations real needs, cannot but take into consideration the features of its users as well as their health state. The article shows figures about the Italian jail population and compares them with international data so as to detect risk factors and frequent health problems, before and after imprisonment.

STDs represent a major public health problem for two reasons: their serious sequelae and the facts that they facilitate transmission of HIV. This article presents WHO estimates new cases of some of curable STDs, and italian data from national reporting system (published from ISTAT and ISS). The number of new reported cases decreases in Italy, but reported cases are not all cases. People with STDs tend not to seek treatment or to self-medicate, this behaviour is common in youths. In many cases STDs are asymptomatic in both sexes, particularly in women. Women are also much more vulnerable biologically, culturally, socioeconomically. There is also a lack of notification by physicians. Important social determinants of STDs diffusion are migration and travels. Prevention and control of STDs need collaboration between medical disciplines: gynaecology, urology, dermo-venerology, microbiology, epidemiology, public health. Contributions of nurses, laboratory technician and social workers are also required. The role of public health specialists in the prevention is strictly related to health education. Health education will promote responsible sexual behaviour and early recourse to health services by people with STDs and their sexual partners.

Death and corpse were incompatible with god's and family doctor's presence in the Greek-Roman world. This incompatibility between life and the death was surmounted by the admittance of Saints' bodies in the Churches and believers' burial "ad Sanctos". From this, to body's utilization as discloser of the "causae morborum" the way was relatively short, culminating in the stage marked by Morgagni's name.

For some time a bactericidal activity is recognized by air ionization. Recently it has been demonstrated that while the bactericidal effect of the positive ions is due to physical factors, the negative ions operate either by physical or chemical effects. This depends on the presence of oxygen: negative air ionization consists mainly of oxygen ions with a strong oxidizing effect. Beneficial effects of negative air ionization on human health have been recently demonstrated in several studies. In this research the bactericidal effect of the negative air ionization on some strains of Gram+ and Gram- bacteria has been estimated. Trials with Escherichia coli ATCC and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC strains have been carried out using a point-acting tester as generator of negative oxygen ions. The ion concentration was estimated in 8-10(6) ion/cm3 air at a distance from the source of 0.5 metric. The tests were performed in a special room of the microbiology laboratory, equipped without metal furniture and in absence of people. Suspensions of bacterial cells were spread on a solid medium in Petri dishes and then placed, without cover, under the ion generator, at different distances from the source, for 24 hours. The results show a greater effect of the negative air ions on the Gram- than on the Gram+ cells; the number of colonies of Escherichia coli grown under ionization was estimated to be 15.1 times less than of the colonies grown without ionization, while the growth of Staphylococcus aureus in the same conditions was only 4.5. time less. No contamination of Petri dishes by environmental bacteria has ever been occurred during trials: this could demonstrate a biocidal effect of the negative ionization also on air bacteria.

The in vitro activity of nine antibiotics was tested against 50 bacterial strains isolated from urinary tract infections. The two methods showed a considerable percentage of diversity in an evaluation of their agreement. The Sensititre analytical method for the determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations is regarded as reliable and more useful to determine looked therapy. The authors suggest that the Sensititre system will be accepted in routine work.