Moreover, bath superfusion of the specific D1 receptor agonist SK

Moreover, bath superfusion of the specific D1 receptor agonist SKF-39393, but not the D2 receptor agonist quinpirole, significantly reduced peak amplitude of evoked inhibitory synaptic events. DA reduced the frequency of miniature check details IPSCs without altering the amplitude, while having no effect on the amplitude of IPSCs elicited by pressure application of GABA. These results suggest that DA may modulate inhibitory synaptic transmission in CeA through D1 receptor activation primarily by a presynaptic mechanism.


“There has been considerable recent interest in comparing the circuit and monoamine-based mechanisms of aversive and reward-associative conditioning in a number of vertebrate and invertebrate model systems. The mollusc Lymnaea stagnalis provides a unique opportunity

to explore changes in the neural and chemical pathways underlying these two different types of conditioning as its feeding circuitry has been thoroughly characterised. Animals can learn after a single trial to associate the same CS (amyl acetate) either with a punishment (quinine) or reward (sucrose), showing either a reduced or an elevated feeding response, respectively, to the CS. We previously showed that reward conditioning strengthened the direct excitatory pathway from the lips to the feeding central pattern generator in the buccal ganglia through the activation of feeding interneurons in the cerebral ganglia. Now we demonstrate that aversive conditioning enhances the strength of a different inhibitory pathway that suppresses feeding but has no effect on the excitatory pathway. Here we

show that consolidation click here of long-term memory (LTM) in reward conditioning depends on dopamine but not octopamine. In contrast, aversive LTM depends on octopamine but not dopamine. Octopamine is the invertebrate equivalent of noradrenalin, so these results on the monoamine dependence of reward and aversive conditioning in Lymnaea resemble, at the transmitter receptor level, those in mammals but are the opposite of those in another invertebrate group, the insects. “
“Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is implicated in the pathophysiology of major depression; mice lacking BDNF expression through promoter IV (BDNF-KIV) Edoxaban exhibit a depression-like phenotype. We tested our hypothesis that deficits caused by promoter IV deficiency (depression-like behavior, decreased levels of BDNF, and neurogenesis in the hippocampus) could be rescued by a 3-week treatment with different types of antidepressants: fluoxetine, phenelzine, duloxetine, or imipramine. Each antidepressant reduced immobility time in the tail suspension test without affecting locomotor activity in the open field test in both BDNF-KIV and control wild type mice, except that phenelzine increased locomotor activity in wild type mice and anxiety-like behavior in BDNF-KIV mice.

25 Finally, besides an infectious origin, the possibility of a to

25 Finally, besides an infectious origin, the possibility of a toxinic (ciguatera) or toxic cause (mefloquine

and quinolones) should be considered. CMI are a rare cause of illness in travelers. Among the diversified etiological spectrum, cosmopolitan pathogens are widely predominant, particularly enteroviruses. Tropical germs are uncommon, apart from P. falciparum in returnees from endemic areas especially sub-Saharan Africa. The diagnostic approach, driven by history and physical examination, should focus on buy Enzalutamide curable causes such as bacterial meningitides, herpetic encephalitis, and malaria. Key investigations include full blood count, blood smear, blood cultures, CSF PCR, and culture as well as neuroimaging. We would like to dedicate this paper to our teacher Michel Le Bras, professor in Tropical and Travel Medicine find more and member of the French Travel Medicine Society, who recently passed away. The authors state they have no conflicts of

interest to declare. “
“Background. As the incidence of dengue increases globally, US travelers to endemic areas may be at an increased risk of travel-associated dengue. Methods. Data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s laboratory-based Passive Dengue Surveillance System (PDSS) were used to describe trends in travel-associated dengue reported from January 1, 1996 to December 31, 2005. The PDSS relies on provider-initiated requests for diagnostic testing of serum samples via state health departments. A case of travel-associated dengue was defined as a laboratory-positive dengue infection in a resident of the 50 US states and the District of Columbia who had been in a dengue-endemic area within 14 days before symptom onset. Dengue infection was confirmed by serologic and virologic techniques. Results. One thousand one hundred and ninety-six suspected travel-associated dengue cases were reported—334 (28%) were laboratory-positive, 597 (50%) were laboratory-negative, and 265 (22%) were laboratory-indeterminate. The incidence of laboratory-positive cases varied Calpain from 1996 to 2005, but had an overall increase with no significant

trend (53.5 to 121.3 per 108 US travelers, p = 0.36). The most commonly visited regions were the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America, and Asia. The median age of laboratory-positive cases was 37 years (range: <1 to 75 y) and 166 (50%) were male. Of the 334 laboratory-positive cases, 41 (12%) were hospitalized, and 2 (1%) died. Conclusions. Residents of the US traveling to dengue-endemic regions are at risk of dengue infection and need to be instructed on appropriate prevention measures prior to travel. Especially in light of the potential transmissibility of dengue virus via blood transfusion, consistent reporting of travel-associated dengue infections is essential. Dengue, the most common arboviral infection in the world, is caused by one of the four dengue viruses (DENV-1, -2, -3, and -4).

e they occurred within the range of therapeutic doses), and 65%

e. they occurred within the range of therapeutic doses), and 65% were classified as intermediate reactions. The susceptibility factors associated most frequently with ADRs were comorbidities (i.e. the presence of diseases that were considered as risk factors to developing an ADR; 36%), age (26%) and exogenous factors PD-166866 nmr (i.e. the presence of drug interactions that were involved in the occurrence of ADRs; 17%). Fifty per cent of the ADRs could have been prevented. Conclusions  ADRs are very frequent in hospitalized patients and a significant

proportion of them is preventable. The DoTS classification allowed complete evaluation of the types of ADR encountered. We are currently carrying out a much larger prospective study. “
“The treatment of childhood cancer with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery predisposes the child to a number of potential ‘late effects’, often complex and inter-related which may adversely influence growth, bone development and body composition or almost any endocrine gland function, depending on the treatment modality involved. As increasing time from cancer treatment is one of the risk factors for the development of endocrine dysfunction, effective long-term follow-up arrangements are necessary

for these patients to monitor for the development of such problems. Uncertainties remain about how services such as these should be organized and delivered in the longer term. “
“The prelims comprise: Half-Title RNA Synthesis inhibitor Page Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Preface Numbers, conversions and tables “
“Hypocalcaemia and rickets may present relatively frequently in childhood.

A careful clinical and biochemical assessment of these cases should ensure that the relatively common causes are distinguished from rarer subtypes and treated appropriately. By contrast, hypercalcaemia is relatively rare and often resolves without Amino acid therapy. Osteoporosis is associated with substantial morbidity, but bisphosphanate therapy is proving a highly effective therapy. “
“Hypoglycaemia may be due to reduced glucose availability or increased glucose consumption, and requires urgent investigation and management to avoid neurological damage and unnecessary diagnostic tests later. The majority of causes present in neonatal life and are transient in nature. However, severe and persistent hypoglycaemia may be a consequence of significant endocrine dysfunction or inborn errors of metabolism, and should be managed in conjunction with a specialist centre from an early stage. “
“All change in history, all advance, comes from nonconformity. If there had been no troublemakers, no dissenters, we should still be living in caves.’ (AJP Taylor.) In the November/December 2010 issue of Practical Diabetes International, MEJ Lean’s personal comment reported on ‘How not to die from diabetes in a mountain hut’.

Typhimurium compared with the DMSO-treated control (47 genes upre

Typhimurium compared with the DMSO-treated control (47 genes upregulated; 66 genes downregulated; Fig. 1 and Supporting Information, Tables S1 and S2). The key findings were as follows. Transcription of genes encoding the T3SS-1 structural apparatus, regulators and buy Thiazovivin chaperones was reduced by INP0403 treatment. For example, invC encoding the T3SS-1 ATPase was reduced 23.8-fold and hilD encoding a regulator of SPI-1 gene expression was reduced 9.7-fold (Table S2). Our data were largely in agreement with those obtained using SPI-1 chromosomal lacZ transcriptional fusions (Negrea et al., 2007), but no T3SS-1 translocators or effectors shared statistically

significant changes in transcription (Table S1). When examining the unfiltered Palbociclib mw data, transcription of sipA, -B, -C and -D, encoding effector/translocator proteins, was reduced four- to fivefold and other T3SS-1 effector genes, including sopA, sopB, sopD and sopE2, were reduced by 1.5–2.5-fold (Table S1). Although transcription of these genes was reduced upon INP0403 treatment they did not meet the stringent filtering criteria. hilA similarly did not show statistically significant regulation by INP0403 (Table S1) for the same reason. HilA is encoded within SPI-1 and is a key transcriptional regulator of SPI-1 genes, non-SPI-1 encoded T3SS-1 effectors and SPI-4 genes (Bajaj et

al., 1995, 1996; De Keersmaecker et al., 2005; Morgan et al., 2007; Thijs et al., 2007). Few T3SS-2 genes were significantly repressed by INP0403 (sseE twofold, ssaL 3.2-fold), likely because the experiments were performed under T3SS-1-inducing conditions, rather than those that induce T3SS-2 (magnesium limitation and phosphate starvation; Deiwick et al., 1999). A quarter of all genes upregulated by more than twofold upon INP0403 treatment were involved in iron acquisition and transport, including feoA encoding ferrous Reverse transcriptase iron transport protein A, exbB and exbD involved in uptake

of the siderophore enterochelin and fhuA, B, C and D involved in hydroxymate-dependent iron transport. A cluster of genes encoding 50S and 30S ribosomal subunits were repressed 2.3–4.5-fold by INP0403, including rplO encoding the 50S ribosomal subunit L15 and rpsB encoding the 30S ribosomal subunit protein S2. It is possible that this may be associated with effects on iron availability, as downregulation of ribosomal proteins in response to iron limitation has been observed in both transcriptome and proteome studies of Francisella tularensis (Deng et al., 2006; Lenco et al., 2007). Genes encoding various transporters or drug resistance genes were activated, for example nanT encoding sialic acid transport protein and ybhF encoding a putative ABC-type multidrug transport system. Selected changes in transcript levels were validated using S. Typhimurium SL1344 strains containing single-copy gfp+ transcriptional fusions to promoters of the T3SS-1 gene prgH, the T3SS-2 gene ssaG, the housekeeping gene rpsM and a promoterless gfp+.

The Km for FAD was determined to be 47 μM The enzyme catalyzed

The Km for FAD was determined to be 4.7 μM. The enzyme catalyzed the conversion of 1-H2NA to 1,2-DHN only under aerobic conditions. These results suggested that 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid hydroxylase is a flavoprotein monooxygenase specific for 1-H2NA and different from salicylate-1-hydroxylase. In bacteria, phenanthrene is metabolized to a key intermediate, 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (1-H2NA),

which is further channelized to the central carbon pathway either via a ‘naphthalene route’ (Rogoff & Wender, 1957; Evans et al., 1965; Prabhu & Phale, 2003) or via a ‘phthalate route’ (Iwabuchi & Harayama, 1998; Deveryshetty, 2009; Deveryshetty & Phale, 2009). In the ‘naphthalene route’, 1-H2NA is metabolized via 1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene (1,2-DHN) selleck chemicals and salicylic acid

to catechol by a series of enzymatic steps similar to naphthalene metabolic pathway. Biochemical and genetic studies suggest that enzymes responsible for the conversion of naphthalene to salicylic acid could also transform find more phenanthrene to 1-H2NA (Menn et al., 1993; Kiyohara et al., 1994; Takizawa et al., 1994). Phenanthrene-degrading Pseudomonas putida strain BS202P1, which also metabolizes naphthalene, is reported to have a broad substrate-specific salicylate-1-hydroxylase which is also responsible for the conversion of 1-H2NA to 1,2-DHN (Balashova et al., 2001). However, the enzyme showed a higher catalytic from efficiency for salicylic acid as compared to 1-H2NA. N-terminal amino acid sequence

showed significant homology with salicylate-1-hydroxylases from other gram-negative bacteria (Balashova et al., 2001). Soil isolate Alcaligenes sp. strain PPH degrades phenanthrene as the sole carbon source. The specific activity versus growth profile indicated the presence of two hydroxylases, salicylate-1-hydroxylase and 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid hydroxylase, in this strain (Deveryshetty, 2009). Salicylate-1-hydroxylase from various bacterial sources have been characterized and reported to have wide substrate specificity (Yamamoto et al., 1965; Katagiri et al., 1966; White-Stevens et al., 1972; Tu et al., 1981; You & Roe, 1981; You et al., 1990; Bosch et al., 1999; Balashova et al., 2001; Pinyakong et al., 2003; Zhao et al., 2005; Jouanneau et al., 2007). The hydroxylation of 1-H2NA to 1,2-DHN is similar to that of salicylic acid to catechol. However, the enzyme specific for 1-H2NA has not been reported so far. The aim of the present study is to purify 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid hydroxylase from Alcaligenes sp. strain PPH and study its kinetic properties and substrate specificity. Here, we report partial purification and characterization of 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid hydroxylase from the phenanthrene-degrading Alcaligenes sp. strain PPH.

In 2011, MSM accounted for 54% of all new HIV diagnoses in Spain

In 2011, MSM accounted for 54% of all new HIV diagnoses in Spain [1]. HIV

testing is an important part of HIV prevention activities, as it is required to diagnose HIV infection. Based on the results of HIV testing, prevention programmes focused on the HIV status of the person may be very appropriate to reduce acquisition and transmission of the infection. The advantage of being tested regularly for HIV is that early diagnosis is vital for timely access to treatment and to control the spread of the virus. Some studies have reported that, once people know they are HIV-positive, many of them reduce high-risk sexual behaviours compared with untested people [2]. Diagnosis is also desirable because it allows check details early initiation of antiretroviral therapy, which reduces viral load, which in turn may reduce the risk of transmission SCH772984 cell line of HIV. Serostatus awareness is beneficial at the individual and population levels, and is in line with the

‘test and treat’ approach to control the spread of HIV [3]. Undiagnosed HIV infection is a major potential source of the spread of infection. An important number of new infections are acquired from sexual partners whose infection is undiagnosed [4, 5]. Therefore, to monitor the epidemic among MSM, it is important to know why, when and where they are tested or, conversely, why individuals do not seek HIV testing or refuse it if it is offered. In view of the relatively limited knowledge regarding MSM who have never been tested for HIV in Spain, the aims of this study were to describe the sociodemographic profile of MSM who have never been tested for

HIV, and to analyse factors associated with never having been tested for HIV. A total of 13 753 participants completed the survey. The inclusion criteria were: being male; living in Spain; being at Vildagliptin or over the age of sexual consent in Spain; having sexual attraction to men and/or having had sex with men; indicating having understood the nature and purpose of the study; and providing consent to take part in the study. After exclusion of individuals who did not fulfill the inclusion criteria or with inconsistent data, the final sample consisted of 13 111 men. The questionnaire was available in 25 European languages simultaneously and included core questions on sociodemographic characteristics, risk behaviours, history of diagnoses of HIV infection and other STIs, HIV prevention needs (information, access to condoms, etc.), and service uptake. The European MSM Internet Survey (EMIS) was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the University of Portsmouth, UK (REC application number 08/09:21). This study had a collective approach, including public health, academic and nongovernmental organization (NGO) sectors, and social media. The EMIS was available online for completion over the course of 12 weeks in 2010. Promotion occurred mainly through national and transnational commercial and NGO websites, and social networking websites.

, 2006) In all strains tested, the activity

increased du

, 2006). In all strains tested, the activity

increased during exponential growth and decreased again as cells entered stationary phase, with maximum luciferase activity levels reached in late exponential growth, at around 4.5 h. Luciferase activity profiles corresponded closely to the results from Northern blots (Fig. 1a). Expression was reproducibly higher in LCP single mutants CHIR-99021 research buy than in the parent MSSA1112, with up to twofold increases in Δsa2103 and ΔmsrR mutants and a larger, up to sixfold increase, in Δsa0908. The luciferase expression from the sas016 promoter increased further in the double LCP mutants with the highest expression levels seen in Δsa2103/sa0908 and comparable levels in Δsa0908/msrR and Δsa2103/msrR. The most dramatic increase was apparent in the triple mutant,

where expression levels were up to 250-fold higher than in the wild type, similar to levels reached after PKC inhibitor antibiotic stress (Fig. 1e). Activity peaked slightly later in some mutants, possibly reflecting minor differences in growth dynamics. To verify that increased CWSS expression was VraSR dependent, a VraR mutation was introduced into the wild type strain MSSA1112 and all single and double mutants. The VraR mutation could not be introduced into the triple mutant, probably due to its cell separation defects and temperature sensitivity (Over et al., 2011). Expression of the CWSS was measured over growth in the VraR/LCP mutants using psas016p-luc+. In all Non-specific serine/threonine protein kinase ΔVraR mutants, CWSS expression levels dropped clearly below wild type values (Fig. 1c). The minor differences in expression between all VraR/LCP mutants and MSSA1112ΔVraR, indicates that the increased basal CWSS expression levels in LCP mutants were VraSR dependent. Complementation of Δsa0908, the single mutant with the strongest effect on CWSS expression, by re-introduction of sa0908 in trans, reduced luciferase activity back to wild type levels (Fig. 1d), demonstrating

that differences in CWSS activity were directly linked to the LCP mutations. As the CWSS was already inherently activated to varying degrees in the absence of external stress in growing LCP mutants, we tested their potential to react to an external cell wall stress. Luciferase activity from psas016p-luc+ was measured in exponentially growing LCP and VraR/LCP mutants exposed to oxacillin for 30 min (Fig. 1e). Basal transcription levels were again increased in uninduced LCP mutants. Expression was still strongly induced by oxacillin stress in the single and double LCP mutants. Expression in the untreated LCP triple mutant appeared to already be close to the maximum level, as it only increased approximately twofold upon oxacillin stress (Fig. 1e).

The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions and expe

The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions and experience of physicians MAPK Inhibitor Library regarding the role of the pharmacists, the pharmacists’ ability to perform clinical services, their acceptance of new pharmacist roles and the extent of collaboration that can occur between the two disciplines. In this

cross-sectional survey, 583 randomly selected physicians from the Grand Cairo area were invited to complete a survey composed of 25 questions designed to determine their perceptions of the role of clinical pharmacists. The response rate was 53%. Of the 312 physicians who completed the questionnaire, 50.5% reported direct contact with the pharmacists using the pharmacist as http://www.selleckchem.com/products/BKM-120.html a source of information about the name of the medication, side effects, drug interactions or efficacy as the main role. About one-third believed that pharmacists could be a reliable source of clinical information, identify clinically related problems or advise the physicians about medication’s cost effectiveness. More than 80% agreed that physicians and clinical pharmacists should have daily cooperation, and face-to-face contact was selected to be the best method of communication. Although

a wide proportion of the physicians were aware of the clinical pharmacy principle, the service itself is not well promoted or applied. Greater effort needs to be directed towards increasing physicians’ awareness and knowledge of the importance of clinical pharmacist and promote the benefit of the clinical pharmacy service. “
“Objective Direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) of over-the-counter

or prescribed medicines is a highly controversial issue relating to public health care. Advocates highlight Anidulafungin (LY303366) the advantages of DTCA in terms of patient awareness and autonomy. Opponents voice concerns about safety and patients’ best interests. The views of physicians and consumers about DTCA have been widely investigated. There has been little research, however, in relation to pharmacists’ experiences with DTCA and the impact of DTCA on pharmacy practice. The aim of this study was therefore to explore pharmacists’ perceptions of DTCA in Australia and its impact on pharmacy practice. Methods A semi-structured in-depth interview was conducted with a purposive convenience sample of retail pharmacists in Sydney, Australia. Interviews were recorded, transcribed ad verbatim and continued until data saturation. Emerging themes were extracted and analysed according to the grounded theory approach. Key findings Pharmacists participating in this study reported concern about potential harm to patient health and well-being as a result of the influence of DTCA. DTCA was seen to impede pharmacists in the discharge of their fundamental ethical responsibilities, leading to a strong sense of disempowerment.

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the auth

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention. The authors state that they have no conflicts of interest. “
“Strongyloidiasis is a soil-transmitted selleck helmithiasis with worldwide distribution. Contrary to chronic form, hyperinfestation and life-threatening dissemination, first (invasive) stages of the disease are not well characterized. This paper describes two cases of acute strongyloidiasis in travelers returning from Southeast Asia and highlights the need to take strongyloidiasis into account also among acute travel-related illnesses. Strongyloidiasis is an intestinal nematode infection caused by Strongyloides stercoralis and occasionally Strongyloides fuellerborni.

The disease is distributed worldwide, but more common in populations of the tropical and subtropical areas.1,2 It is rarely observed in temperate regions3,4 where it is more frequently described in migrants, expatriates, elderly local population and very occasionally in travelers.5 Strongyloidiasis usually causes a chronic infection with mild, if any symptoms except in immunosuppressed patients selleck chemicals llc who may suffer from the disseminated and almost invariably fatal form of disease. The symptoms and signs of chronic strongyloidiasis (abdominal pain, diarrhea, and urticaria) occur irregularly, often with prolonged asymptomatic intervals. The penetration phase usually does not give rise to skin signs, whereas little is known about the invasive (acute) stage of the disease which has been infrequently reported. We describe two cases of invasive strongyloidiasis observed in a couple of Italian tourists returning from Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. Mr S.F. and Mrs P.F., respectively 32 and 29 years old, native of Apulia, South Italy, traveled to Southeast from Asia (Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand) on honeymoon from August 27 to September 12, 2008. A few

days after returning to Italy they developed a diffuse urticarial rash, itching, high fever, cough, and fatigue. The signs appeared 7 days after return in S.F. and 10 days in P.F. (incubation period after presumed exposure in Koh Samui Island, Thailand ranging from 7–11 and 10–14 d, respectively). The patients were admitted to the Infectious Disease Unit of Triggiano Hospital, Bari. They both had splenomegaly. Blood tests showed a marked eosinophilia in both patients (absolute eosinophil count 5,130 mm−3, 38.5% for S.F. and 5,740 mm−3, 37% for P.F; normal values <450 eosinophils mm−3, <7%), mild hepatic cytolysis (alanine aminotransferase 56 and 77 U/L, respectively, normal value <41 U/L), increased C-reactive protein (108.2 and 49.1 mg/L, respectively, normal value <5 mg/L), and no other abnormal result. During hospitalization, they were treated with antibiotics and their clinical status partially improved, whereas the eosinophil counts further increased for both.

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the auth

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention. The authors state that they have no conflicts of interest. “
“Strongyloidiasis is a soil-transmitted Selleck 5FU helmithiasis with worldwide distribution. Contrary to chronic form, hyperinfestation and life-threatening dissemination, first (invasive) stages of the disease are not well characterized. This paper describes two cases of acute strongyloidiasis in travelers returning from Southeast Asia and highlights the need to take strongyloidiasis into account also among acute travel-related illnesses. Strongyloidiasis is an intestinal nematode infection caused by Strongyloides stercoralis and occasionally Strongyloides fuellerborni.

The disease is distributed worldwide, but more common in populations of the tropical and subtropical areas.1,2 It is rarely observed in temperate regions3,4 where it is more frequently described in migrants, expatriates, elderly local population and very occasionally in travelers.5 Strongyloidiasis usually causes a chronic infection with mild, if any symptoms except in immunosuppressed patients Stem Cell Compound Library purchase who may suffer from the disseminated and almost invariably fatal form of disease. The symptoms and signs of chronic strongyloidiasis (abdominal pain, diarrhea, and urticaria) occur irregularly, often with prolonged asymptomatic intervals. The penetration phase usually does not give rise to skin signs, whereas little is known about the invasive (acute) stage of the disease which has been infrequently reported. We describe two cases of invasive strongyloidiasis observed in a couple of Italian tourists returning from Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. Mr S.F. and Mrs P.F., respectively 32 and 29 years old, native of Apulia, South Italy, traveled to Southeast SPTBN5 Asia (Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand) on honeymoon from August 27 to September 12, 2008. A few

days after returning to Italy they developed a diffuse urticarial rash, itching, high fever, cough, and fatigue. The signs appeared 7 days after return in S.F. and 10 days in P.F. (incubation period after presumed exposure in Koh Samui Island, Thailand ranging from 7–11 and 10–14 d, respectively). The patients were admitted to the Infectious Disease Unit of Triggiano Hospital, Bari. They both had splenomegaly. Blood tests showed a marked eosinophilia in both patients (absolute eosinophil count 5,130 mm−3, 38.5% for S.F. and 5,740 mm−3, 37% for P.F; normal values <450 eosinophils mm−3, <7%), mild hepatic cytolysis (alanine aminotransferase 56 and 77 U/L, respectively, normal value <41 U/L), increased C-reactive protein (108.2 and 49.1 mg/L, respectively, normal value <5 mg/L), and no other abnormal result. During hospitalization, they were treated with antibiotics and their clinical status partially improved, whereas the eosinophil counts further increased for both.