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Biomedical subjects

A Sciacca

Publications and source records attributed to A Sciacca.

67 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Two outbreaks of "Clostridium perfringens" food poisoning: epidemiological remarks (author's transl)].

Two outbreaks of Cl. perfringens food poisoning which occurred in Florence during 1976 have been described. The first one involved three hundred primary school children; processed re-heated turkey meat was thought to have been the vehicle of infection in the school meal. The clinical symptoms consisted of mild diarrhoea in all cases and the duration of the illness was about 12 hours. The possible part played by food storage temperature, post-cooking periods and food trolleys in the spread of infection is discussed. The other outbreak interested three people who ate a dish with gravy in a restaurant; one of these suffered severe haemorrhagic enteritis and died after two weeks. Necroscopy was performed and the results of post-mortem examination as well as histological and bacteriological findings certified that the cause of death was severe enteritis (Necrotizing enteritis) in elderly debilitated patient (with diabetes, chronic bronchitis, arteriosclerosis and previously gastroresected).

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of short-term reserpine treatment on generalized and focal dystonic-dyskinetic syndromes.

We report that low dose reserpine treatment (0.25 mg/day for 7 days) improves the dystonic-dyskinetic disability score in patients affected by idiopathic dystonias, iatrogenic dystonic-dyskinetic syndromes and Sydenham's chorea. The results support the idea that the particular antidopaminergic activity exerted by reserpine or other dopamine-depleting agents may produce good therapeutical efficacy, although reserpine can precipitate Parkinsonism and induce dopamine-receptor supersensitivity.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Antigliadin antibodies (AGA) in the various stages of celiac disease in children].

Antigliadin antibodies (AGA), both IgA and IgG, were studied in the serum of 84 coeliac children during the various stage (Diagnosis, GFD, Challenge) and in 29 healthy children, with a micro-ELISA technique. The results demonstrated the presence of AGA in the serum of coeliac children and a different behaviour between the two Ig-classes in the various stages of the disease. During acute phase both classes were present at high titre. When gluten was withdrawal from the diet, while the titre of IgA fell rapidly since the first month, the IgG titre decreased slowly and raised the normal limits after six months. If the children didn't observe a corrected GFD, the serum AGA titres remained at high levels. During challenge, while IgG raised since the early days, IgA titres raised later, when the intestinal damage became important. The explanation of this different behaviour could be that AGA-IgA are derived from gut mucosa, on the contrary AGA-IgG are not synthesised in the intestine. We believe that serum AGA seem to be good markers of the immune reaction in the intestine triggered by gluten. Furthermore we conclude that the assay of AGA in the serum of coeliac patients is: 1) high sensible and specific method; 2) the most important screening test for intestinal biopsy; 3) the most important test for diagnosis and follow-up of CD; 4) the test which could substitute 1 or 2 intestinal biopsies of the ESPGAN protocol.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Kaposi's varicelliform eruption. Presentation of 3 cases].

Three cases of Kaposi's Varicelliform Eruption are reported. In all cases the herpes virus simplex etiology was demonstrated. Every patients had in the anamnesis clinical signs of atopy. The findings in all patients of depressed cell-mediated immunity confirmed a minimal immunodeficiency as cause of atopy. The course of K.V.E. was normal, but the patients presented constant cherato-conjunctival and palpebral alterations.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Arteritis.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Arteritis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Oral administration of itraconazole in a case of neonatal hepatic candidiasis].

Systemic Candida A. infections are increasing in Neonatal Intensive Care Units. For many years, Amphotericin B, alone or in combination with 5-fluorocytosine, have been used. Recently a search for new and less toxic drugs has been started. In this study we report the case of hepatic candidosis in a preterm newborn. The patient has been treated with itraconazole, an oral antifungal agent with broad spectrum activity. Its tolerance has been good. No severe side effects were observed and biochemical parameters showed no consistent drug induced effects.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The use of fluconazole in low-weight neonates with candidiasis].

Systemic Candida Albicans infections in premature newborns are characterized by high morbidity; early diagnosis and immediate treatment are therefore necessary. In this study we report the cases of fourteen newborns admitted to our Newborn Care Unit in a three-year period, in whom candidiasis was diagnosed. The mycetes was isolated from blood, liquor, peritoneal fluid, urine, oesophageal aspirate. Treatment was undertaken immediately with fluconazole, administered through the parenteral route or locally into peritoneal cavum and oesophageal stump. Duration of treatment varied from five to twenty-one days. All cases underwent complete negativization of cultures and no systemic or local side effects.

Antibodies, Fungal↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Decreased plasma fibronectin (pFN) level in preterm infants with infections].

Plasma fibronectic (pFN) is a high molecular weight multifunction glycoprotein, which augments neutrophil and macrofage phagocytosis and acts as a nonspecific opsonin for the reticuloendothelial system. In this study we have determined pFN concentrations in fifty eight preterm infants to discriminate infected from non infected ones. Concentrations of pFN decreased from baselin in babies with early or late onset infections. The changes in pFN concentrations were not found before sepsis, but on day 1. By day 5 pFN concentrations have increased and have been no longer different from controls. We have calculated sensitivity (73.68%), specificity (74.36%), positive (58.35%) and negative (85.29%) predictive values of pFN and of other markers of infections (C-reactive protein--CRP-, Immature/Mature neutrophil ratio--I/M n. ratio-). Adding these tests to pFN, provided equal specificity and positive predictive value, but increased sensitivity (94.73%) and negative predictive value (96.43%). Thus, low concentrations of pFN may be a valuable but not early marker for neonatal infections. The combination of pFN, CRP and I/M n. ratio increase the precision of diagnostic testing.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hepatitis B vaccination in young nurses of a general hospital.

Several reports have clearly demonstrated that intradermal way of administration of hepatitis B vaccine represent a valid alternative to the intramuscular route, producing an high percentage of seroconversion. The characteristics of the intradermal way, short time of immunization and lower cost, have induced us to conduct a clinical trial among 116 healthcare workers in a hospital setting, which represent an high risk group especially at their first admission to the hospital. 99 selected participants (average age 22 years, range 17-27) received, after screening for HBV markers, 5 mcg of vaccine intradermally on the volar surface of the forearm, according to the schedule 0, 15, 30 and 45 days. Serum samples were collected after one month from the last inoculation of vaccine. The percentage of seroconversions obtained was significantly high (93.9%) confirming that intradermal vaccination with hepatitis B vaccine may be appropriate in providing a rapid protection for certain population subgroups.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Concentration of blood ICAM-1s in the newborn at risk of infection. A prospective study in the first 2 weeks of life].

We prospectively determined serum concentrations of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1) in the first 2 weeks of life in 32 preterm newborns in an attempt to assess whether these concentrations are reliable markers of sepsis in newborns at risk of infection. Ten of the study group were normal and had been hospitalized only for low birth weight. The remaining 22 presented respiratory distress (RDS) and were at even higher risk of infection because they required assisted mechanical ventilation and central venous catheterisation for parenteral feeding and infusion therapy. Sepsis was diagnosed in 11/22 newborns with RDS: in 3 on day 3 and in 8 on day 7. Circulating sICAM-1 concentrations were significantly elevated in neonates with RDS (group II) and associated infection (group III) compared with normal newborns (group I). However, after day 3 of life sICAM-1 values were significantly higher in group III than in group II.

Age Factors↗