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Biomedical subjects

B Cacopardo

Publications and source records attributed to B Cacopardo.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

[National epidemiologic study on hydatidosis].

The results of an epidemiological survey on surgical cases of human hydatidosis in 9 italian regions (Central, Southern and Insular Italy) with the highest incidence of disease and a population of 27,054,000 inhabitants are reported. The period considered was from 1980 through 1984. 2,592 cases have been collected and related to sex, age, occupation, residence of surgically treated patients and cyst localization. Comparison of results from the present and a previous survey was carried out.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Effect of an aerosol delivery system on bronchodilator activity.

Metered dose inhalers (MDIs) are often used incorrectly by patients who find difficulty using MDI for drug inhalation. The study was performed in 11 asthmatic patients in four days in order to evaluate the efficiency of a new Drug Delivery System (DDS-InspirEase) for metered dose inhalers. Clenbuterol was administered via DDS and via conventional MDI in a randomized manner. On the first two days, DDS and MDI were used by patients without any physician's help. On the subsequent days, clenbuterol was administered via DDS and via conventional MDI directly by the physician. FEV1 and MEF75 values were measured 15', 30', one hour, and two hours post-drug inhalation. Statistical analysis (ANOVA) showed that clenbuterol delivered by DDS, administered by patients or by physician, produced a greater increase in FEV1 values (P less than .05) and MEF75 values (P less than .01) in comparison to the conventional MDI on each test day. No significant differences existed between physician or patient administration of clenbuterol with DDS and MDI. The results showed a greater bronchodilator effect obtained by clenbuterol delivered by DDS.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Bronchodilator effect of Aerochamber and Inspirease in comparison with metered dose inhaler.

This trial was performed in a randomized double-blind manner on four different days in 13 asthmatic patients in order to compare the bronchodilator efficacy of two different inhalation devices, Inspirease (IP) and Aerochamber (AC), to the conventional metered dose inhaler (MDI). The results showed that clenbuterol determined a significant FEV1 increase inhaled either via MDI or via IP and AC. IP caused a greater bronchodilatation than AC, 30 min after clenbuterol administration. IP caused a greater mean increase (P less than 0.05) in FEV1 than the MDI at all time intervals; AC provided an improvement in bronchodilator response over directly administered MDI. Such responses are only marginally clinically relevant when patients use MDI correctly. These devices are mainly indicated in patients with poor hand-lung coordination.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Effect of Duovent (ipratropium bromide and fenoterol) on non-specific bronchial hyperreactivity.

Beta 2-adrenergic and anticholinergic drugs have shown an action in modulating bronchial hyperreactivity to various stimuli (chemical, physical, immunological, pharmacological). The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy of a combination of ipratropium bromide and fenoterol (Duovent) with the activity of single drugs in the prevention of histamine-induced bronchospasm. Twenty-six atopic asthmatic subjects were examined in a double-blind trial, during an asymptomatic period, with a FEV1 value not lower than 20% of the predicted normal value. During 4 consecutive days all patients received 2 puffs, respectively, of Duovent (200 micrograms fenoterol + 40 micrograms ipratropium bromide), fenoterol (400 micrograms), ipratropium bromide (80 micrograms) and placebo in a randomized order. PD20 values were evaluated after each drug administration: after 2 h in 16 patients and after 5 h in the other 10 patients. The data were modified to log values, and statistical analysis was performed by two-way analysis of variance. This study showed that Duovent and fenoterol have a protective effect against histamine-induced bronchospasm with a significant increase in the PD20 values 2 h (p less than 0.01) and 5 h (p less than 0.05) after treatment when compared to placebo. Duovent inhalation determined a more protective effect than other drugs but not significantly when compared to fenoterol. Some advantages in the modulation of bronchial reactivity could be seen from using Duovent because with the lower dose of the beta 2-adrenergic drug the same results could be obtained without side-effects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Adenosine-induced bronchoconstriction: comparison between nedocromil sodium and sodium cromoglycate.

The purpose of this study was to compare the protective effect of nedocromil sodium with that of sodium cromoglycate against adenosine-induced bronchoconstriction in 15 asymptomatic asthmatic patients. Airways response was evaluated as FEV1 and adenosine was administered as an aerosol diluted in 0.9% saline to produce a concentration range of 0.03-4.00 mg/ml. When FEV1 was decreased by 20% of the post-saline value, inhalation was discontinued and the PD20 adenosine calculated. Patients were studied on four separate days. On the first day the adenosine challenge was performed and on subsequent days patients were pretreated with either placebo or test drug in a randomized double-blind manner. In this study both sodium cromoglycate and nedocromil sodium showed a significant protective effect against adenosine in comparison with placebo. Their activity was not related to a bronchodilator action. Nedocromil sodium showed a greater protective effect against adenosine challenge which may be indicative of a broader spectrum of activity against nonantigenic stimuli.

Adenosine↗
PubMedDate not supplied

HCV and HBV infection among multitransfused thalassemics from eastern Sicily.

Serum specimens from 152 Sicilian multitransfused thalassemic subjects were tested for antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti- HCV) and for HBV markers by enzyme linked immunoassay and with reference to anti-HCV, confirmed by recombinant immunoblot assay. A high rate (47%) of subjects was anti-HCV positive. HBsAg was found in 8% of patients and 55% had anti-HBs or anti-HBc antibodies or both. Contrary to HBV infection, anti-HCV seropositivity was related to the number of transfused units. The highest anti-HCV prevalence was observed between 16 and 20 years; 100% of persons older than 50 years had at least one marker of HBV infection. In conclusion, HCV and HBV are widespread among multitransfused thalassemic. Probably in our area, particularly during the pre-HBsAg screening era, several multitransfused patients were infected by HBV more readily than by HCV.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Acute hepatitis E in Catania (eastern Sicily) 1980-1994. The role of hepatitis E virus.

Between 1980 and 1994, 540 patients with acute viral hepatitis were admitted to hospital at the Department of Infectious Diseases of Catania (eastern Sicily). Twenty-five patients out of 540 were assessed as having non-A, non-B, non-C hepatitis. These subjects were studied for anti-HEV IgM and IgG seroprevalence by testing serial serum samples collected 1, 4, 12 and 24 weeks after the onset of acute disease. Fourteen of 25 samples (56%) seroconverted to anti-HEV IgG antibodies. No sample was positive for anti-HEV IgG at week 1, ten samples were positive at week 4 and the remainder at week 12. Anti-HEV reactivity was maintained until week 24 in all cases. In 11 of the 14 patients seroconverting to anti-HEV, the presence of IgM anti-HEV was found, which appeared in the sample from week 1 and gradually disappeared thereafter. Identified risk factors for HEV transmission included travel in the tropics and shellfish ingestion (anti-HEV positive versus anti-HEV negative: p < 0.05). HEV-related hepatitis is not yet a major public health problem in Sicily but, from our data, the trend of its incidence is clearly upwards. The high incidence of faecally-orally transmitted diseases in Sicily, the crucial position of Sicily in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea (where HEV largely circulates) and the increase of migration from developing countries are all factors which should increase awareness for a more active surveillance of the spread of HEV in our area.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Acute non A-E hepatitis in eastern Sicily: the natural history and the role of hepatitis G virus.

BACKGROUND: The etiology and the natural history of acute non A-E hepatitis is still undefined. METHODS: We examined the prevalence of HGV viraemia and the long-term outcome in 54 patients with non A-E acute hepatitis. RESULTS: HGV-RNA was found in 19 out of 54 (35%) patients. There was no difference between HGV-RNA positives and negatives in terms of age sex, parenteral risk factors and alanine amino-transferase peak level. Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase levels were higher in the HGV-RNA positive group. During a 3-year follow up, 10 out of 54 (18.5%) patients progressed to chronic hepatitis and 4 out of 10 (40%) had an histologically advanced disease. None of the 19 subjects infected with HGV showed a chronic evolution of liver disease. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm the limited role of HGV as the etiological agent of non A-E acute hepatitis. The great majority of non A-E hepatitis cases are yet of undetermined origin and unfortunately, are characterized by a high rate of progression to chronic active hepatitis.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fatal hepatitis during Epstein-Barr virus reactivation.

Fulminant hepatitis by Epstein-Barr virus is a rare event which is predominantly due to primary infection. We report a rare case of fatal hepatic failure due to Epstein-Barr virus reactivation in a 19-year-old boy who was taking oral steroids. Transaminase peak and the fulminant course of the disease began soon after steroid interruption. Epstein-Barr virus reactivation was diagnosed on the basis of past clinical history of heterophile-positive infectious mononucleosis, a high titer of IgG anti Epstein-Barr virocapsidic antigen, slight elevation of anti-virocapsidic IgM, a high titer of anti-EA IgG antibodies and elevated viral load in serum measured by polymerase chain reaction. It is concluded that Epstein-Barr virus should be considered as a possible etiological agent of fulminant hepatitis.

Administration, Oral↗