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This paper describes the dental health status of Italian 4-year-olds in 2004/2005 and analyzes the association between caries in preschool children and some background characteristics in children and parents. Caries was recorded according to WHO criteria. 5,538 subjects were examined. Information on the children’s and their parents’ social, behavioral, ethnic and demographic status was obtained through a series of closed questions. Bivariate analysis was performed to investigate the association between caries and background characteristics. The probability of being an extra zero for the dmfs index was estimated via the zero-inflated negative binomial regression model (ZINB). 78.4% (95% CI = 77.2–79.6) of the children were caries-free. The national mean dmfs index was 1.36 (95% CI = 1.15–1.57), ranging from 1.22 (95% CI = 1.03–1.42) in the Italian North-East to 1.73 (95% CI = 0.83–2.63) in the South section. Significant bivariate associations between caries experience and risk factors were observed for parents’ nationality (not Italian vs. Italian: p < 0.001), parents’ educational levels (low vs. high: p < 0.001), preterm birth (yes vs. no: p = 0.011), prolonged breastfeeding (≤13 months vs. >13 months: p = 0.038) and early tooth eruption (

We evaluated the concentration and congener distribution of seven “target” polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) present in water collected in different aquaculture farms of the Mediterranean area, commercial feeds, and farmed seafood. PCBs were present in feed and in tissues of all the analysed organisms at levels ranging from 1.96 ng g−1 to 124.00 ng g−1 wet weight, and in 10.5% of the water samples, at levels from under detection limit to 33.0 ng l−1 with total PCB concentrations significantly higher in samples from the Tyrrhenian Sea than the Adriatic Sea. PCB congener distribution in tissues resembled that of feed, suggesting that commercial feed is an important source of PCBs. The estrogenicity of organic extracts of the samples was also evaluated by using an in vitro yeast reporter assay. Estrogenic activity higher than 10% of the activity induced by 10 nM 17 β-estradiol was observed in 20.0% of seafood samples and15.8% of water samples. Seafood and water samples from the Tyrrhenian Sea were more frequently estrogenic than the Adriatic ones (16.45 versus 4.08%). A significant correlation of total PCB concentrations on biological activity was observed for sea bass and mussels from the Adriatic Sea (p

Monitoring program of hygienic quality water in twelve public swimming pools was performed. Legally required microbiological indicator parameters of safety for gastrointestinal illness were measured besides the analyses of Pseudomonas spp. and Staphylococcus spp. prevalence, frequency of recovery and number of nontuberculous mycobacteria. We detected positive samples for coliforms at lower rate (29.3%) than Pseudomonas (75.5%), Staphylococcus spp. (46%) and Mycobacteria (59.4%). We pointed out statistically significant correlation (r=0.67 p=0.0001) between Mycobacteria and Pseudomonas so we think that the latter might be a good predictive marker. As 82% of samples had free chlorine residual within the limits stated by Italian Laws, the efficacy of chlorination to prevent risk of infectious diseases transmission by route other than gastroenteric was discussed. A revision of both the sanitary significance of conventional microbial parameters and the related regulations appears necessary.

The frequency of L. monocytogenes and other listerias was determined in different types of Italian-made soft cheeses purchased from retail outlets (shops and supermarkets) located in different areas and different towns of central Italy. Of the 164 examined samples, eight proved to be positive for L. monocytogenes (4.9%), seven strains belonged to serotype 1, and one strain to serotype 4. Thirty-six samples were positive for the presence of other listeria species (22%); of these, L. innocua was prevalent (72% of positive samples). The cheeses bought in supermarkets displayed a higher and statistically significant (Fisher's exact test: 0.0016) positivity for Listeria spp. than those sold by the shops, independently of the type of cheese. One particular type of cheese proved to be frequently contaminated (Fis. ex. test: 0.0013). Technical, analytical and epidemiological aspects are discussed.

Different host-specific bacteriophages were monitored in several water systems together with the usual faecal contamination indicator bacteria (thermotolerant coliforms). The host bacteria used for the plaque assay were E. coli K12, E. coli K12 Hfr, E. coli CHfr and S. typhimurium LT2F+. S. typhimurium LT2F+ showed significantly lower phage counts than the three E. coli strains. The phages specific for E. coli K12 (somatic phages) were in high correlation (r = 0.86, r = 0.91; P less than 0.001) with other coliphages, but not with phages specific for S. typ. LT2F+ (r = 0.33; P less than 0.05). There was an high degree of correlation among phages of E. coli K12 Hfr, E. coli C Hfr and S. typhimurium LT2F+ (pilus F-carrying bacteria) (r = 0.96, r = 0.73, r = 0.75; P less than 0.001). Good correlation was seen between faecal coliforms and male-specific phages but not among faecal coliforms and E. coli K12-specific phages (r = 0.30; P less than 0.05). The relative suitability of host strains when using phages in the evaluation of faecal and viral pollution of aquatic environments is discussed.