Angelo Dubini
Encyclopedia
Angelo Dubini , 1813 – March 28, 1902) was an Italian physician born in Milan
. He earned his doctorate from the University of Pavia
in 1837 and spent most of his professional career at the Ospedale Maggiore in Milan
. In 1865 he became head physician and director of the dermatology department at Maggiore.
Dubini is remembered for his discovery of an intestinal parasite
he named Anchylostoma duodenale
. He first noticed the parasite in 1838 during an autopsy
of a peasant woman who died of pneumonia
. He would rediscover the parasite in the course of other autopsies in ensuing years. In 1843 he published his findings in Annali universali di medicina. Further research done by physicians Wilhelm Griesinger
, Theodor Maximilian Bilharz
, and Otto Eduard Heinrich Wucherer
were able to confirm the parasites' pathogenicity in cases of chlorosis
, which would probably be called iron deficiency anemia
today.
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
. He earned his doctorate from the University of Pavia
University of Pavia
The University of Pavia is a university located in Pavia, Lombardy, Italy. It was founded in 1361 and is organized in 9 Faculties.-History:...
in 1837 and spent most of his professional career at the Ospedale Maggiore in Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
. In 1865 he became head physician and director of the dermatology department at Maggiore.
Dubini is remembered for his discovery of an intestinal parasite
Intestinal parasite
Intestinal parasites are parasites that populate the gastro-intestinal tract in humans and other animals. They can live throughout the body, but most prefer the intestinal wall. Means of exposure include: ingestion of undercooked meat, drinking infected water, and skin absorption...
he named Anchylostoma duodenale
Hookworm
The hookworm is a parasitic nematode that lives in the small intestine of its host, which may be a mammal such as a dog, cat, or human. Two species of hookworms commonly infect humans, Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus. A. duodenale predominates in the Middle East, North Africa, India...
. He first noticed the parasite in 1838 during an autopsy
Autopsy
An autopsy—also known as a post-mortem examination, necropsy , autopsia cadaverum, or obduction—is a highly specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present...
of a peasant woman who died of pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
. He would rediscover the parasite in the course of other autopsies in ensuing years. In 1843 he published his findings in Annali universali di medicina. Further research done by physicians Wilhelm Griesinger
Wilhelm Griesinger
Wilhelm Griesinger was a German neurologist and psychiatrist born in Stuttgart. He studied under Johann Lukas Schönlein at the University of Zurich and physiologist François Magendie in Paris....
, Theodor Maximilian Bilharz
Theodor Bilharz
Theodor Maximilian Bilharz was a German physician and an important pioneer in the field of parasitology.-Education:...
, and Otto Eduard Heinrich Wucherer
O. E. H. Wucheria
Otto Edward Henry Wucherer was a Brazilian physician, born to Brazilian mother and German father.He was born in Oporto and practiced in London at St Bartholomew's Hospital and in Lisbon.He discovered the filaria larvae in Bahia, Brazil....
were able to confirm the parasites' pathogenicity in cases of chlorosis
Chlorosis (medicine)
In medicine, chlorosis is a form of anemia named for the greenish tinge of the skin of a patient. Its symptoms include lack of energy, shortness of breath, dyspepsia, headaches, a capricious or scanty appetite and amenorrhoea...
, which would probably be called iron deficiency anemia
Iron deficiency anemia
Iron-deficiency anemia is a common anemia that occurs when iron loss occurs, and/or the dietary intake or absorption of iron is insufficient...
today.
Published works
- Nuovo verme intestinale umano (Anchylostoma duodenale), cinstituente un sesto genere di nematoidei proprii dell’uomo. Annali universali di medicina, Milano, 1843, 106: 4-13.
- Primi cenni sulla corea elettrica. Annali universali di medicina, Milano, 1846, 117: 5-50.
- Entozoografia umana per servire di complemento agli studi d’anatomica patologica. Milano, 1850.
- Dell arte di fare le sezioni cadaveriche. Indices nosologici ordine alphabetico adnotationibus therapeuticis accomodati. Milano, 1859.
Source
- Angelo Dubini @ Who Named ItWho Named ItWho Named It? is an English-language dictionary of medical eponyms and the people associated with their identification. Though this is a dictionary, many eponyms and persons are presented in extensive articles with comprehensive bibliographies. It is hosted in Norway and maintained by medical...