Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to A Plebani.
A simple, rapid and sensitive hemolytic micromethod for quantitative and kinetic assessment of the alternative pathway of complement activity is described. The test was performed in microtitre plates using a multiscan photometer for ELISA and permits the simultaneous evaluation of as many as 20 different serum samples.
Several immunological abnormalities were detected in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected children. Intrathecal synthesis of immunoglobulins, free light chains (FLC), IL-1 beta, IL-6, and M-CSF were demonstrated both in asymptomatic children and children with subacute encephalopathy. Our findings further support the hypothesis that an immunopathological subclinical process within the central nervous system (CNS) may be an early manifestation of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Cytokine detection in the CSF may represent a useful diagnostic tool in evaluating the outcome of HIV-1-infected patients.
To determine whether granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and erythropoietin are effective in the therapy of neutropenia and anaemia related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and to anti-retroviral agents, we recruited 11 HIV-infected children (mean age 4 years 10 months). All the children were given granulocyte-colony stimulating factor at a dosage of 5 micrograms/kg twice or three times a week while erythropoietin was administered additionally to three patients at a dosage of 50 U/kg twice a week. Both agents were administered subcutaneously for at least 4 months. Leukocyte and neutrophil counts significantly increased during the treatment (after 1 months, P = 0.003 and P = 0.009, respectively). Erythropoietin prevented blood transfusions and increased haemoglobin levels in the three children treated. No side-effects were recorded during the administration of either agent. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and erythropoietin appear to be safe and useful agents in the management of HIV-infected children.
Autoimmune phenomena, especially occurrence of non organ-specific autoantibodies, are common in congenitally acquired HIV infection, mostly in the symptomatic stages of the disease. Anti-thyroid autoantibodies detected in adult patients represent the only type of organ-specific autoantibodies reported in HIV infection. As far as we know, occurrence of these autoantibodies has not been observed in HIV infected children. In this study thyroid biochemical pattern and possible occurrence of anti-thyroid autoantibodies were investigated in 40 vertically HIV infected, 18 seroreverted and 22 healthy children. 34% of HIV infected symptomatic children showed anti-thyroglobulin antibodies. Asymptomatic patients, seroreverted and healthy controls did not show any anti-thyroid antibodies at the time of the study. High Tg levels were observed in 38% of the 40 HIV infected patients and high TSH concentrations were found in 27.5% of the HIV children. High TSH values were more frequently observed in the infected children with moderate or severe immunocompromised status. Thyroxine binding globulin levels were high in 68% of the HIV children and in 22% of the seroreverted. The finding of anti-thyroid autoantibodies in congenital HIV infected children confirms the thyroid's involvement in HIV infection and provides more information about the wide spectrum of autoimmune phenomena observed in the infection.
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The relationship between levels of secretory IgA and incidence of dental caries has been the object of controversial studies. Selective IgA deficiency (SIgAD) is the commonest primary immunodeficiency and may be found in apparently healthy individuals but is also associated with a variety of diseases. In the present study the authors evaluated the prevalence [correction of incidence] of caries by means of caries indexes in a group of children with severe and partial SIgAD and in a group of children age-matched healthy control. Evaluated caries indexes were significantly higher in children with severe SIgAD as compared to control groups.
Intramuscular Immunoglobulin (IMIG) have been used for 40 years in substitution therapy for antibody deficiencies and as prophylaxis for and treatment of several infectious diseases. Modified and intact intravenous immunoglobulin preparations (IVIG) have now been available for more than 10 years: only the intact product express full Fc- mediated functions with a biological half-life of IgG (3-4 weeks). These preparations have constituted an important achievement in the treatment of humoral immunodeficiencies also resulting in a dramatic improvement of the prognosis. The use of IVIG has also modified the therapeutic approach to several secondary and acquired immunodeficiencies. Treatment with IVIG for immune modulation in several diseases is investigated: substantial data indicate a useful role in selected cases of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, Kawasaky disease and in some neurologic diseases. IVIG are substantially safe and severe side effects have been rarely reported.
Cow's milk protein is quite commune in infancy (2-3% in first year of age). Casein, beta-lactoglobulin and alpha-lactalbumin are the main allergens of cow's milk. The authors describe the immunological reaction involved in IgE synthesis and consequential inflammation after ingestion of cow's milk proteins and present soy and protein extensive hydrolysates as alternative diets for children with cow's milk allergy. Moreover, the authors present their studies on immunogenicity of hydrolysed formulae. At the end they suggest the therapeutic strategy in the cow's milk protein allergy.
We describe a 9-year-old boy with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome and IgM-rheumatoid factor-positive arthritis who presented expansion of two distinct subsets (one CD8dim and the other CD8-) of large granular lymphocytes. Natural killer activity against the K-562 cell line was absent. An increased percentage of CD5+ B cells was also observed. Since patients with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome are at risk of developing autoimmune disorders - conditions in which increased CD5+ B cells have been observed - the high percentage of CD5+ B cells together with the presence of IgM-rheumatoid factor and anti-platelet antibodies may represent an early manifestation of an autoimmune process. The possible relationship between CD5+ B cells and large granular lymphocyte expansion is discussed.