DETERMINATION OF ABUSED SUBSTANCES IN BIOLOGICAL MATRICES FOR TOXICOLOGICAL AND FORENSIC PURPOSES

During the year 2017, a research work was carried out at the Department of laboratory diagnostics - Toxicology and Biochemistry U.O.S. of ASP 6 in Palermo. The purpose of this investigation was to perform a second level analysis in order to look for abuse drugs. The sample used consisted of 73 serum tubes, which had previously tested positive for screen- ing tests. The result of the analysis of these samples revealed a false positivity in most cases. From the information gathered through the sampling reports, it appears that the age group with several drivers, who are subject to checks by the traffic police, is the one from 17 to 30 years, with 35 samples analysed (48%). It also emerged tha…

The Dual/Global Value of SARS-CoV-2 Genome Surveillance on Migrants Arriving to Europe via the Mediterranean Routes.

Despite the pandemic, 34,154 migrants, refugees or asylum-seekers landed in Sicily (Italy) in 2020, representing the main point of entry by sea into Europe. The SARS-CoV-2 surveillance program among migrants arriving to Sicily via the Mediterranean Sea, made by the combination of clinical examination and molecular testing, has been integrated by full-genome sequencing strains using the NGS technology from the last week of February. To date, more than one hundred full-genome strains have been sequenced and 8 different lineages have been identified mostly belonging to the lineages B.1.1.7 and B.1.525. As global access to COVID-19 vaccines should be ensured, the need to provide more detailed i…

First detection of SARS-CoV-2 A.23.1 sub-lineage in migrants arriving to Italy via the Mediterranean Sea and public health implications

Serological screening for Leishmania infantum in asymptomatic blood donors living in an endemic area (Sicily, Italy)

The purpose of our study was to assess whether Leishmania infantum parasitemia occurs in asymptomatic Leishmania-seropositive subjects. Samples from 500 blood donors were tested using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Anti-Leishmania antibodies were not found in any sample. Our findings suggest that the risk of L. infantum transmission by blood transfusion in Sicily is very low.