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Biomedical subjects

A Terragna

Publications and source records attributed to A Terragna.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Pharmacokinetics of teicoplanin in pediatric patients.

The pharmacokinetics of teicoplanin have been studied in 13 pediatric male patients from 2 to 12 years of age. Patients were given a single 3-mg/kg intravenous dose of teicoplanin for prophylaxis. Blood and urine samples were collected for 8 days after administration, and teicoplanin levels were determined by microbiological assay. Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated from a three-compartment open pharmacokinetic model and from a noncompartmental analysis. Levels in plasma 1 h after the administration averaged 14.8 mg/liter. The half-lives of the two distribution phases were 1.3 and 9.7 h. The half-life of the terminal phase averaged 57.9 h, with similar estimates obtained from the noncompartmental analysis and from data from urine. The volume of distribution of the central compartment was 0.15 liter/kg, whereas the volume of distribution at steady state and during the elimination phase were 0.80 and 1.25 liters/kg. The total teicoplanin clearance averaged 14.8 ml/h per kg, with renal clearance accounting for about 60% of the total. The average cumulative recovery of teicoplanin in urine over 8 days was 59% of the dose, similar to the value obtained in adult volunteers. There was no significant linear correlation between elimination half-life and age. Preliminary data after repeated administration support the reliability of the model used and the validity of the mean estimated parameters. There were no local or systemic adverse reactions to teicoplanin.

Analysis of Variance↗

Treatment of children with chronic hepatitis B with a combination of steroids and human lymphoblastoid interferon.

The efficacy of human lymphoblastoid interferon (Wellferon) therapy was measured in 20 children with chronic hepatitis B with or without pretreatment with prednisolone. Patients were randomised to receive 0.6 mg/kg/day prednisolone for 3 weeks, then at 0.3 mg/kg for a fourth week or placebo. All patients then received interferon 5 MU/m2 i.m. for 12 weeks; daily for 5 days then three times a week for the remaining 11 weeks. Preliminary results show that 25% of children had a permanent loss of viral markers of replication. However, response to interferon varied widely between individuals and a prolonged follow-up is required in order to determine the influence of prednisolone pretreatment on the efficacy of interferon therapy.

Adolescent↗

Zoster sine herpete causing encephalomyelitis.

The case of a patient with encephalomyelitis and laboratory signs of a central nervous system herpes zoster infection without cutaneous lesions is reported. The diagnosis was supported by the serological evidence of intrathecal synthesis of specific antibodies against Varicella-zoster virus (VZV).

Acyclovir↗

Antibody prevalence to torch agents in pregnant women and relative risk of congenital infections in Italy (Liguria).

A study on the prevalence of seropositivity to T.gondii, Rubella virus, Cytomegalovirus and Herpes simplex virus (type 1 and type 2) was carried out in pregnant women aged 15-45 years. An overall prevalence of 40.7% to T.gondii, of 90.1% to Rubella virus, of 80.8% to Cytomegalovirus, of 82.3% and of 69% to Herpes simplex virus, respectively type 1 and type 2 was found. Cytomegalovirus infection was prevalent in women from low socioeconomic background. Herpes simplex 1 infection was higher in women living in quarters of high density population, whereas antibody prevalence to Rubella virus was higher in women from high socioeconomic setting. The expected fetal risk for T.gondii, Rubella and Cytomegalovirus infections has been assessed on the basis of the yearly seroconversion rate for each pathogen in the study population and of the known transplacental transmission rates after primary and recurrent infection in pregnancy. Thus, the expected incidence of congenital T.gondii infection in this geographic area is 0.2-0.3%, of congenital Rubella infection of 0.02% and of congenital Cytomegalovirus infection of 0.3-1.15%.

Adolescent↗

The prevalence of rubella infection in Somalia.

A serological survey was carried out to determine the rubella antibodies among Somalian population with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The prevalence of rubella infection in Somalia was found to be 65.6%. Rubella immunity rises with increasing age of subjects from the second year of life.

Adolescent↗

Increasing prevalence of HTLV-III infection in intravenous drug users in Liguria, Italy.

Anti-HTLV III prevalence has been investigated in serum samples of 638 intravenous drug users collected over May 1981 - March 1985 and stored at -20 degrees C. Separately, in a prospective way, we have studied 68 IV drug abusers (53 Genoese and 15 of Sanremo area) of whom we have collected, at least, one serum specimen for each year, starting with 1981. We have also tested for anti-HTLV III presence serum samples of: 91 subjects of Hospital staff (Infectious Diseases Department and Laboratory workers); 32 workers in Therapeutic Communities for drug users and 24 family contacts of anti-HTLV III positive drug users. And then serum samples of two groups of general population collected for other seroepidemiological investigations in 1982 (256 subjects) and 1984 (538 subjects) were tested. No IV drug user was positive in 1981 whilst from 1982 up to 1984 there was a strong rising of the prevalence of anti-HTLV III positive subjects: 2, 22, and 39 per cent, respectively. The prevalence remained about 40% in the first months of 1985. The investigations carried out also show that HTLV III spread in Sanremo area slightly before than in Genoa and neighbourhood. No subject positive for anti-HTLV III has been detected among the Hospital staff and in workers of Therapeutic communities who have more probability to get in contact with infected subjects or their blood, as well as in the general population. A positive case has been discovered in a family contact (the wife of a positive for anti-HTLV III IV drug user). Some epidemiological and public health questions linked to the situation observed, at present, in Liguria, are discussed.

Antibodies, Viral↗

[Effects of clindamycin and josamycin in experimental Toxoplasma gondii infections].

The effects of clindamycin and josamycin on experimental toxoplasmosis of mice (RH strain) are studied. Oral administration of clindamycin 800 mg/kg daily for 14 days cured 80% of Toxoplasma-infected mice at 60 days after infection. Josamycin, administered subcutaneously at 100, 200, 500, 1000 mg/kg daily for 14 days did not prevent death due to acute infection, and no difference was demonstrated with untreated infected mice.

Administration, Oral↗

The occurrence of toxoplasma gondii in saliva.

The role of saliva in transmission of experimental toxoplasmosis has been evaluated. Three groups of rabbits were infected with 6 X 10(6), 24 X 10(9) 96 X 10(9) toxoplasmic trophozoites. The saliva was drawn with a sterile aspirator on different days from infection and it was intraperitoneally injected in mice. Mice so injected with saliva were examined for intraperitoneal trophozoites or toxoplasmic cysts in brain. Toxoplasma gondii was demonstrated in saliva in 33% of toxoplasma infected rabbits. The possible role of saliva in natural transmission of acquired toxoplasmic infection is considered.

Animals↗

Evaluation of the dye test, IgM-IFAT, and ELISA for the diagnosis of toxoplasmic infection in pregnancy.

This study was undertaken to determine, first the relationship between the Sabin-Feldman dye test and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as far as the antitoxoplasmic IgG antibodies are concerned, and secondly the relationship between the indirect immunofluorescence test and the ELISA as regards the antitoxoplasmic IgM antibodies. The results achieved through this research show a good relationship between the dye test and IgG-ELISA, especially satisfactory with the low and medium values of the antibody titers. Furthermore, a very good agreement could be documented between IgM-ELISA and IgM-IFAT in the detection of IgM-specific antibodies in the early phases of toxoplasmic infection.

Coloring Agents↗