There is a growing interest for the potential health benefits of human-animal interactions. Although scientific evidence on the effects is far from being consistent, companion animals are used with a large number of human subjects, ranging from children to elderly people, who benefit most from emotional support. Based on a comprehensive review of the literature, this paper examines the potential for domesticated animals, such as dogs, for providing emotional and physical opportunities to enrich the lives of many frail subjects. In particular, we focus on innovative interventions, including the potential use of dogs to improve the life of emotionally-impaired children, such as those affected by autism spectrum disorders. Overall an ever increasing research effort is needed to search for the mechanism that lie behind the human-animal bond as well as to provide standardized methodologies for a cautious and effective use of animal-assisted interventions.

Negli ultimi anni si sta assistendo a un crescente interesse verso i potenziali effetti benefici per la salute umana derivanti dall'interazione uomo-animale. Sebbene le evidenze scientifiche siano ancora limitate, gli animali da compagnia vengono utilizzati in numerosi programmi di educazione e supporto emozionale per bambini e anziani. Partendo da una rivisitazione della letteratura scientifica disponibile, questa rassegna esamina le potenzialità di impiego degli animali domestici, in particolare il cane, come opportunità di arricchimento psicofisico della vita di soggetti caratterizzati da fragilità emozionale, quali i bambini affetti da disturbi dello spettro autistico. Sebbene i dati presenti in letteratura siano incoraggianti, è necessario promuovere ricerche mirate ad approfondire le potenzialità terapeutiche dell'interazione uomo-animale e a mettere a punto metodologie standardizzate finalizzate a un impiego efficace degli interventi assistiti con gli animali.

Objective Evaluating Chlamydia trachomatis infection prevalence in a group of symptomatic and asymptomatic females attending gynaecology services in health centres in Maracaibo in the state of Zulia in Venezuela. Methodology 168 patients attending two health centres in Maracaibo were included in this study. Gynaecological evaluation was based on examining the pelvis, deep areas of the vagina and the cervix. Patients were classified into groups according to age and the presence of clinical manifestations. Two DNA amplification assays of endogenous plasmid and the omp1 gene taken from endocervical swabs were used for investigating C. trachomati. Results 168 patients were evaluated; 81 (48,2 %) were symptomatic and 87 (51,8 %) asymptomatic, A 7,7 % prevalence (p>0.05) was found in the total population (9,9 % prevalence for symptomatic patients and 5,8 % for asymptomatic ones). The 18- 28 year old patient group exhibited the highest prevalence (13,7 %) (p=0.0322). The predominant clinical manifestations were mucopurulent secretion (35,8 %) and cervicitis (21 %). C. trachomatis was detected in 7,1 % of patients having mucopurulent secretion and 23,5 % of cervicitis cases; however, no significant association between infection and individual clinical manifestations was shown (p>0.05). Conclusion Medium C. trachomatis infection prevalence was found In the population being assessed here, the highest frequency being exhibited in young females. This microorganism should be investigated in sexually-active young women, regardless of their symptomatic or asymptomatic status.

Objetivo Evaluar la prevalencia de infecciones por Chlamydia trachomatis en un grupo de mujeres sintomáticas y asintomáticas que asistieron a control en servicios de ginecología en centros de salud de Maracaibo, estado Zulia. Métodos Se incorporaron al estudio 168 pacientes que asistieron a dos centros de salud de Maracaibo. Se llevó a cabo evaluación ginecológica basada en examen pélvico, de áreas profundas de la vagina y cuello uterino. Las pacientes fueron clasificadas en grupos etarios y de acuerdo a la presencia de manifestaciones clínicas. Para investigar C. trachomatis, se aplicaron dos ensayos de amplificación de ADN del plásmido endógeno y del gen OMP1, a partir de hisopados endocervicales. Resultados Se evaluaron 168 pacientes, 81 (48,2 %) sintomáticas y 87 (51,8 %) asintomáticas. Se encontró una prevalencia de 7,7 % en la población total evaluada. La prevalencia fue de 9,9 % y 5,8 % para las pacientes sintomáticas y asintomáticas, respectivamente (p>0,05). El grupo de pacientes de 18-28 años exhibió la más alta prevalencia (13,7 %) (p=0,0322). Las manifestaciones clínicas predominantes fueron secreción mucopurulenta (35,8 %) y cervicitis (21 %). C. trachomatis fue detectada en 7,1 % pacientes con secreción mucopurulenta y 23,5 % casos de cervicitis, pero no se demostró asociación significativa entre infección y manifestaciones clínicas individuales (p>0,05). Conclusión Se encontró una mediana prevalencia de infecciones por C. trachomatis en la población evaluada, exhibiendo mayor frecuencia en mujeres jóvenes. Este microorganismo debería ser investigado en mujeres jóvenes sexualmente activas, independientemente de su condición sintomática o asintomática.

Objetivo Evaluar la prevalencia de infecciones por Chlamydia trachomatis en un grupo de mujeres sintomáticas y asintomáticas que asistieron a control en servicios de ginecología en centros de salud de Maracaibo, estado Zulia. Métodos Se incorporaron al estudio 168 pacientes que asistieron a dos centros de salud de Maracaibo. Se llevó a cabo evaluación ginecológica basada en examen pélvico, de áreas profundas de la vagina y cuello uterino. Las pacientes fueron clasificadas en grupos etarios y de acuerdo a la presencia de manifestaciones clínicas. Para investigar C. trachomatis, se aplicaron dos ensayos de amplificación de ADN del plásmido endógeno y del gen OMP1, a partir de hisopados endocervicales. Resultados Se evaluaron 168 pacientes, 81 (48,2 %) sintomáticas y 87 (51,8 %) asintomáticas. Se encontró una prevalencia de 7,7 % en la población total evaluada. La prevalencia fue de 9,9 % y 5,8 % para las pacientes sintomáticas y asintomáticas, respectivamente (p>0,05). El grupo de pacientes de 18-28 años exhibió la más alta prevalencia (13,7 %) (p=0,0322). Las manifestaciones clínicas predominantes fueron secreción mucopurulenta (35,8 %) y cervicitis (21 %). C. trachomatis fue detectada en 7,1 % pacientes con secreción mucopurulenta y 23,5 % casos de cervicitis, pero no se demostró asociación significativa entre infección y manifestaciones clínicas individuales (p>0,05). Conclusión Se encontró una mediana prevalencia de infecciones por C. trachomatis en la población evaluada, exhibiendo mayor frecuencia en mujeres jóvenes. Este microorganismo debería ser investigado en mujeres jóvenes sexualmente activas, independientemente de su condición sintomática o asintomática.

Objective Evaluating Chlamydia trachomatis infection prevalence in a group of symptomatic and asymptomatic females attending gynaecology services in health centres in Maracaibo in the state of Zulia in Venezuela. Methodology 168 patients attending two health centres in Maracaibo were included in this study. Gynaecological evaluation was based on examining the pelvis, deep areas of the vagina and the cervix. Patients were classified into groups according to age and the presence of clinical manifestations. Two DNA amplification assays of endogenous plasmid and the omp1 gene taken from endocervical swabs were used for investigating C. trachomati. Results 168 patients were evaluated; 81 (48,2 %) were symptomatic and 87 (51,8 %) asymptomatic, A 7,7 % prevalence (p>0.05) was found in the total population (9,9 % prevalence for symptomatic patients and 5,8 % for asymptomatic ones). The 18- 28 year old patient group exhibited the highest prevalence (13,7 %) (p=0.0322). The predominant clinical manifestations were mucopurulent secretion (35,8 %) and cervicitis (21 %). C. trachomatis was detected in 7,1 % of patients having mucopurulent secretion and 23,5 % of cervicitis cases; however, no significant association between infection and individual clinical manifestations was shown (p>0.05). Conclusion Medium C. trachomatis infection prevalence was found In the population being assessed here, the highest frequency being exhibited in young females. This microorganism should be investigated in sexually-active young women, regardless of their symptomatic or asymptomatic status.