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Biomedical subjects

A Bartoloni

Publications and source records attributed to A Bartoloni.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Serological survey of leptospiral infections in sheep, goats and dogs in Cordillera province, Bolivta.

A serological survey for antibodies to Leptospira spp. was conducted on sheep, goat and dog serum samples collected in three localities in Cordillera province in the southern part of the Santa Cruz Department (Bolivia) in 1992. A total of 98 sheep, 218 goats and 43 dogs were tested against 29 leptospiral serovars using the microscopic agglutination test. At the time of blood collection all of the examined animals appeared healthy and presented no clinical sign suggestive of leptospirosis. Antibody prevalences, as determined by positive results at a 1:100 dilution or higher, was 14.3% in sheep, 19.7% in goats, and 14.0% in dogs. Agglutinins against six serovars (poi. shermani, pomona, canicola, javanica, djasiman) were found in positive animals. The highest serological prevalence in sheep and goats was recorded for serovar poi, followed by pomona in sheep and shermani in goats. Titres to shermani were the commonest in dogs. The results of this survey indicate that leptospiral infection is common in south-east Bolivia and that serovars of several serogroups concur in the etiology.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1997

Tropical pulmonary eosinophilia. Report of a case.

Tropical pulmonary eosinophilia (TPE) is an unusual manifestation of filarial infection, most commonly found in South-East Asia and caused by immunologic hyperresponsiveness to Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi. This report concerns a case of TPE in a 25-year-old Indian male who had been living in Italy for two years and was admitted to hospital with chest pain. Diethylcarbamazine therapy proved effective in rapidly eliminating symptoms and pulmonary abnormalities, as well as normalizing of laboratory findings.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Identification of the newly described Mycobacterium poriferae from tuberculous lesions of snakehead fish (Channa striatus).

A mycobacterium isolated form a cultured snakehead with nodular lesions was identified on the basis of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) profile of cell wall mycolic acids, and confirmed by conventional tests, as Mycobacterium poriferae, a species previously isolated only from a marine sponge. The profiles of M. poriferae, Mycobacterium aurum and Mycobacterium parafortuitum are here reported for the first time.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Characterization of an isolate of the newly described species Mycobacterium interjectum.

The phenotypic features of a clinical isolate of the new species Mycobacterium interjectum, identified on the basis of its 16S rRNA gene sequence, are compared with those of the type strain. The differentiation of M. interjectum from Mycobacterium gordonae or Mycobacterium scrofulaceum is not achievable on the basis of phenotypic traits usually tested for mycobacterial speciation, but it can be reached by 16S rRNA gene sequencing or by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of cell wall mycolic acids. The former reveals sequence identity with the signature region of the type species, and the latter yields a profile which is easily differentiated from those of the other two species. The unique HPLC profile of M. interjectum is reported here for the first time and so are the MICs of a wide spectrum of drugs.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Isolation of an unusual mycobacterium from an AIDS patient.

A mycobacterium isolated from a clinical sample of an AIDS patient was identified as Mycobacterium interjectum by direct 16S rRNA sequence determination. High-performance liquid chromatography, however, revealed a mycolic acid pattern which was different from the one shared by the previously analyzed strains of this species.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1995

In vitro activity of MDL 62,879 against gram-positive bacteria and Bacteroides species.

The new thiazolyl peptide antibiotic MDL 62,879 (GE2270 A) showed excellent in vitro activity in testing against staphylococci and streptococci, with MIC90s ranging from 0.23 to 0.9 mg/l. It was very active against Clostridium difficile and Propionibacterium acnes (MIC90 0.06 mg/l in each case) and had variable activity against Bacteroides spp. MDL 62,879 had exceptionally good activity against Enterococcus faecalis, including against a collection of high-level aminoglycoside-resistant isolates where it had an MIC90 of 0.047. The antibiotic was bacteriostatic for enterococcal isolates but bactericidal for a methicillin-resistant isolate of Staphylococcus aureus.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1995

Utility of high-performance liquid chromatography for identification of mycobacterial species rarely encountered in clinical laboratories.

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has been demonstrated to be a suitable technique for determining the species of mycobacteria on the basis of their mycolic acid pattern. Representative HPLC profiles, which are needed for the visual recognition of chromatograms, have been published for the most frequently encountered mycobacterial species. No extensive study has been reported for less common species, and only a few, scattered chromatographic patterns are available in literature. This study evaluates the utility of this technique for the identification of several rare species. Mycobacterium celatum, Mycobacterium genavense and Mycobacterium simiae chromatographic profiles have been verified, and previously unreported profiles of other species investigated. The chromatographic pattern of Mycobacterium malmoense is presented for the first time.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed1995

Immunogenicity of meningococcal B polysaccharide conjugated to tetanus toxoid or CRM197 via adipic acid dihydrazide.

Vaccine development against Group B Neisseria meningitidis is complicated by the nature of the capsular polysaccharide, which is alpha 2-8-linked poly-sialic acid, identical in structure to the poly-sialic acid found in many mammalian tissues during development. To test the feasibility of a vaccine based on this polysaccharide, we synthesized several conjugates of meningococcal B polysaccharide linked to a carrier protein (tetanus toxoid or diphtheria CRM197), via an adipic acid dihydrazide (ADH) spacer. All conjugates induced a strong immune response. However, most of the antibodies were not directed against the Meningococcus B polysaccharide and could not be inhibited by the purified polysaccharide alone. Further investigations showed that the antibodies recognized an epitope composed by the junction between the spacer and the polysaccharide and protein, that is not present in the native polysaccharide and is generated during the coupling reaction. This epitope becomes immunodominant with respect to the poorly immunogenic polysaccharide. While the majority of the immune response is directed against the above epitope, the conjugates induced also an immune response against the Meningococcus B polysaccharide. The anti-Meningococcus B antibodies elicited are of the IgM and IgG class and are inhibitable by the polysaccharide. Moreover, they are bactericidal, thus suggesting that they would induce protection against disease.

Adipates↗
PubMed1995

Isolation of the newly described species Mycobacterium celatum from AIDS patients.

Mycobacterium celatum is a recently described species which, on the basis of conventional tests, may be misidentified as Mycobacterium xenopi or as belonging to the Mycobacterium avium complex. Only genomic sequencing or high-performance liquid chromatography of cell wall mycolic acids can presently allow a correct identification of this mycobacterium. Two cases of infection due to M. celatum, in AIDS patients, are described here. The quantitative susceptibility pattern of the isolates to a wide spectrum of drugs is also reported.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1995

Acellular pertussis vaccine composed of genetically inactivated pertussis toxin.

Whooping cough, an acute respiratory disease affecting over sixty million infants, can be prevented by vaccination. The vaccine currently used, composed of killed bacterial cells, however, has been associated with many side effects. An improved vaccine against the disease should contain pertussis toxin (PT), a major virulent factor of Bordetella pertussis (B. pertussis). In order to be included in the vaccine, PT needs to be detoxified and the chemical methods used so far are not completely satisfactory, since they give a product with reduced immunogenicity and possible residual toxicity. To avoid this problem, we have used recombinant DNA technologies to clone the PT gene, express it in bacteria, map the B and T cell epitopes of the molecule and identify the amino acids that are important for the enzymatic activity and toxicity. Based on this information, the gene coding for PT was mutated to produce an inactive protein. This genetically modified PT was non toxic, highly immunogenic and able to protect mice from intracerebral challenge with virulent B. pertussis. The mutant was included as a main component of an acellular pertussis vaccine which has been shown in numerous clinical trials to be more safe and immunogenic than the old cellular vaccine.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting with ondansetron: a prospective, randomized, double-blind study in 90 patients].

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are among the most common complications in surgical patients. In this prospective, double blind, parallel group study we compare the prophylactic antiemetic efficacy of ondansetron versus placebo in 90 patients undergoing general balanced anaesthesia. The patients were stratified according to the kind of surgery and randomly allocated to three treatment groups: 30 patients (Group A) received ondansetron 4 mg i.v. 1 hour before the induction of anaesthesia and placebo 1 hour before the end of surgery; 30 patients (Group B) received placebo 1 hour before the end of anaesthesia and ondansetron 4 mg i.v. 1 hour before the end of surgery; 30 patients (Group C-control group) received placebo in both the administrations. Data were analyzed by Student t test and chi 2 test; significance was taken at p < 0.05. The three groups proved comparable with respect to demographic characteristics, duration of anaesthesia and fentanyl consumption. Analysis of the results showed that PONV had a significantly lower incidence in treated patients (Groups A and B) than in the control group patients (Group C): postoperative nausea occurred in 13%, 30% and 67% of patients in Group A, B and C respectively and it was associated with vomiting in 3%, 7% and 57% of patients in Group A, B and C respectively. Although the patients in Group A showed a lower incidence of PONV in comparison to the patients in Group B, such differences proved to be not statistically significant. No adverse effects in relation to drug administration were observed. We conclude that ondansetron 4 mg i.v. is safe and effective in preventing PONV in the surgical patients, particularly when administered before the induction of anaesthesia.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Hemodynamic and metabolic impairment during hepatectomy: effect of continuous dobutamine infusion].

Following surgical liver resection haemodynamic and metabolic impairment, potentially responsible for post-operative hepatic failure may occur. In this prospective, randomized study such impairments and the effect on them of continuous peri-operative infusion of dobutamine were examined. Twelve patients, scheduled for hepatectomy, were divided in two groups: Group I was treated with an infusion of dobutamine 6 micrograms/kg/min from 10 minutes before the induction of anaesthesia till the fifth postoperative hour; Group II was considered as the control group. The main haemodynamic parameters, gastric pHi and serum lactate level were examined. No significant differences were detected in heart rate, parameters of pressure and SvO2. In both groups, during portal clamp, SVR increased while Cl and DO2 decreased with respect to basal and the other intra- and postoperative values. Gastric pHi decreased in both groups after portal clamp. These alterations were significantly lower in the group treated with dobutamine when compared with the control group. Serum lactate level increased in both groups. This increase was lower in Group I. Differences between groups were not statistically significant. In conclusion, during hepatectomy important haemodynamic and metabolic impairments occur. Dobutamine, by reducing such impairments, can be usefully employed in this kind of surgery.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed1995

[The pre-emptive analgesia in the treatment of postoperative pain].

The term "pre-emptive analgesia" implies the hypothesis that an analgesic treatment, given before nociceptive stimuli reach the Central Nervous System, could prevent or reduce the subsequent pain. The rational basis of this phenomenon, giving rise to much interest in the last years, comes from the finding that noxious stimuli cause wind-up and receptive fields expansion phenomena in the dorsal horn neurons of the spinal cord leading to hyperalgesia. Recently, many clinical trials to verify the existence of a pre-emptive effect regarding the management of postoperative pain by the administration of non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), local anesthetics and opioids have been conducted. As regards NSAIDs to date no study demonstrated a pre-emptive effect. Conflicting results emerged from trials employing local anesthetics, opioids or associations of the three classes of drugs. Thus, the "pre-emptive analgesia" represents a very important phenomenon for the basic research, but further trials must investigate its clinical impact.

Analgesia↗
PubMed1995

[Intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) in the treatment of postoperative pain: rationale and clinical application].

The clinical use of the patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) represents a further improvement in the treatment of post-operative pain. In this way in success due to inadequate protocols, unpredictability of the drug absorption and variability of the response to one drug or to the same pain patterns between patients can be avoided. This technique allows the patient himself to control the pain without depending upon nurses or physicians for the administration of analgesic drugs. Although the PCA is in use since several years, there are still some unresolved problems which are considered in this paper.

Analgesia, Patient-Controlled↗
PubMed1995

[The neuroendocrine and metabolic response to surgical stress].

Surgical stress and post-operative pain evoke complex neuroendocrine and tissue responses aiming at defence from injury and recovery of body integrity. Such a reaction appears to be a real "hormonal storm" which is mainly induced by Sympathetic Nervous System and sympatho-adrenomedullary and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal systems activation and, in the periphery, by the release of inflammatory mediators at the site of injury. These substances by means of complex regulatory mechanisms and reciprocal interactions induce significant cardiovascular, metabolic, inflammatory and immunologic changes. However, this response may became excessive and contribute to an increase in postoperative morbidity and mortality. Since pain is a major factor in neuroendocrine response triggered by surgical injury every effort must be made to achieve effective intra and post-operative pain control.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Treatment of postoperative pain by balanced spinal analgesia].

Postoperative pain relief has the aim to provide patient subjective comfort, to inhibit neuroendocrine and metabolic responses to surgical injury and to enhance restoration of function by allowing the patient to breathe, cough, move more easily and to begin enteral nutrition. Opioid analgesics, independently from the route of administration, are unable to provide all this. In addition to spinal opioids other drugs, such as local anesthetics, alpha 2-agonists and cholinergic drugs, may produce an antinociceptive effect when administered by spinal route. All these drugs may be administered in combination between them, realising the so called "balanced spinal analgesia". The aim of this study is to analyse the available methods for the evaluation of pharmacological interactions, the types of interaction among different spinal antinociceptive drugs and the role of balanced spinal analgesia in the treatment of postoperative pain. Analysis of the presented data shows that the spinal synergism between opioids-local anesthetics and opioids-alpha 2-agonists can be useful in the treatment of postoperative pain, because these drug combinations are able to provide a satisfactory pain control at low doses with a reduction of the adverse effects. Furthermore, the combined use of opioids-local anesthetics proved to be effective also in abolishing postoperative incident pain and in inhibiting neuroendocrine and metabolic responses to surgical injury. Especially in high risk patients this is related to a better outcome. Finally, even if the synergism between cholinergic drugs with opioids or a2-agonists have been proved, at the moment their use in man by spinal route in the treatment of postoperative pain is not advisable.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗
PubMed1995

[Postoperative pain in pediatric patients].

Surgery is an unpleasant experience which is always related to a period of pain. In the pediatric patient this results in an important effective and metabolic-neuroendocrine manifestation. After a short review of the methods recently used to evaluate pain-qualitatively as well as quantitatively, we focused on the different techniques and drugs which can be used by the anesthesiologist to achieve an adequate control of the pain symptoms. The aim is to provide devices which can be used for different groups of age in order to guarantee the maximum efficacy in pain control with the least side effect and invasiveness.

Adolescent↗