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Biomedical subjects

F Chiodo

Publications and source records attributed to F Chiodo.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Preliminary observations using HIV-specific transfer factor in AIDS.

Twenty five HIV-1-infected patients, at various stages (CDC II, III and IV) were treated orally with HIV-1-specific transfer factor (TF) for periods varying from 60 to 1870 days. All patients were receiving antiviral treatments in association with TF. The number of lymphocytes, CD4 and CD8 subsets were followed and showed no statistically significant variations. In 11/25 patients the number of lymphocytes increased, whilst in 11/25 decreased; similarly an increase of the CD4 lymphocytes was observed in 11/25 patients and of the CD8 lymphocytes in 15/25. Clinical improvement or a stabilized clinical condition was noticed in 20/25 patients, whilst a deterioration was seen in 5/25. In 12/14 anergic patients, daily TF administration restored delayed type hypersensitivity to recall antigens within 60 days. These preliminary observations suggest that oral HIV-specific TF administration, in association with antiviral drugs, is well tolerated and seems beneficial to AIDS patients, thus warranting further investigation.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1996

Therapeutic and diagnostic procedures in hospitalized AIDS patients with terminal illness.

Clinical charts of 235 consecutive patients with AIDS who died in our in-patient Department between 1985-94 have been evaluated in order to assess the delivery of care during the last week of life, regarding drug administration and diagnostic procedures. The management of the 81 subjects who died between 1985 and 1990 (period A) was compared with that of the 154 patients who died between 1991 and 1994 (period B). Patients followed during period B were treated with a greater number of antimicrobial agents (p < 0.001), supportive drugs (p < 0.001), and blood and blood products units (p < 0.005), while no significant difference was found for agents used for pain management. When assessing diagnostic procedures, during period B our patients had a greater number of plain radiological and ultrasonographic exams (p < 0.001), tomographic and scintigraphic scans (p < 0.005), while the use of other invasive diagnostic techniques did not change significantly. As suggested by our evaluation of possible indicators of curative or palliative care, during recent years the availability of more advanced, diagnostic techniques and new treatments for AIDS complications seemed to have influenced the management and medication of terminal disease in a potentially curative rather than palliative way.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1996

Recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rHuGM-CSF) in leukopenic patients with advanced HIV disease.

In order to assess the efficacy and safety of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rHuGM-CSF) in the treatment of HIV-associated leukopenia, 35 subjects suffering from severe leukopenia/neutropenia (24 with a previous diagnosis of AIDS, 11 with AIDS-related complex), received rHuGM-CSF at 0.5-3 micrograms/Kg/day subcutaneously for a mean period of 9.7 +/- 12.5 weeks (range 2-43 weeks). Five patients have been treated continuously for more than 6 months. rHuGM-CSF administration led to a significant (at least two-fold; P < .001) increase in total leukocyte, neutrophil and monocyte count by the second week of treatment, subsequently maintained through the entire course of therapy. No considerable effects on other hematological, immunological and virological parameters have been detected. Patients treated with rHuGM-CSF did not suffer from novel opportunistic diseases, while bacterial infections occurred in only 3 cases (pneumonia in 2, otitis/mastoiditis in 1). Long-term treatment with rHuGM-CSF allowed continuation or resumption of potentially myelotoxic drugs in 22 patients out of 35. A self-limited flu-like syndrome represented the most common adverse event (observed in 15 patients), while no other significant clinical or laboratory abnormalities were found. In conclusion, long-term rHuGM-CSF therapy showed a good efficacy and safety profile in the treatment of HIV-related leukopenia, also increasing tolerability to potentially myelosuppressive drugs, and leading to a significant reduction in morbidity due to secondary infections.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1996

Morphologic features and clinical significance of skin involvement in patients with AIDS-related cryptococcosis.

Eight out of 30 consecutive patients with AIDS and cryptococcal meningoencephalitis (26,7%) presented cutaneous involvement, in the form of papulo-nodular lesions in 3 patients, molluscum contagiosum-like lesions in 3 patients, and pustular-ulcerative lesions in 2 patients. Skin localization represented an untoward prognostic sign, and in 3 out of 8 patients the lesions were diagnosed 2 to 6 weeks before the onset of systemic and neurologic signs and symptoms of the disease. A systematical examination of all suspected cutaneous lesions in subjects with advanced HIV disease may lead to an earlier diagnosis and treatment of disseminated cryptococcosis.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1996

The Italian external quality assessment scheme for trace element analysis in body fluids.

We describe the operative procedures of the Italian external quality assessment scheme (EQAS) for the determination of trace elements in body fluids. The aims of the scheme are both the education of participants and the continuous development and optimization of procedures for collaborative EQA trials. Participation is free of charge. Interlaboratory exercises for EQA are organised every three or four months for the determination of cadmium and lead in blood; aluminium, copper, selenium and zinc in serum; chromium and nickel in urine. Freeze-dried control materials are prepared in the laboratory from animal blood or human urine. In each trial, each participant receives from six to eight samples, chosen from among the pools selected for that occasion using a randomised strategy and including unknown duplicate specimens. Laboratory performances are evaluated on the basis of proximity to target values, differences in results for duplicate samples and comparison with established acceptability limits. The development of dedicated software for the bidirectional transmission of data between the organising centre and the peripheral laboratory gives the participants the chance to verify immediately the quality of their results and take action without delay, if needed.

Environmental Monitoring↗
PubMed1996

The treatment of AIDS-related cytomegalovirus disease with ganciclovir and foscarnet association. Three case reports.

The management of clinically resistant or relapsing cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an emerging therapeutic challenge in patients with advanced HIV infection. The efficacy and tolerability of ganciclovir-foscarnet association has been evaluated in the treatment of severe CMV disease (retinitis in two subjects, systemic disease in the remaining patient), which proved refractory to prior single drug chemotherapy in two cases out of three. A literature review of all patients receiving associated ganciclovir-foscarnet for the treatment of AIDS-related CMV disease is presented, and current perspectives of the antiviral treatment of CMV infection in the immunocompromised host are discussed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1995

Community-acquired pneumonia due to Staphylococcus cohnii in an HIV-infected patient: case report and review.

Coagulase-negative staphylococci recently have been implicated as a cause of serious infections in immunocompromised individuals. An unusual case of community-acquired pneumonia due to Staphylococcus cohnii in an HIV-infected drug user is described. Results of a study conducted to examine the prevalence of infection due to Staphylococcus cohnii strains and their antibiotic-sensitivity patterns show a low frequency but a high morbidity. These results and a brief review of the literature emphasize the importance of these organisms and other staphylococcal species as emerging opportunistic pathogens in patients with AIDS.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1995

Varicella in immunocompetent children in the first two years of life: role of treatment with oral acyclovir. Italian Acyclovir-Chickenpox Study Group.

An open multicenter study has been carried out to evaluate efficacy and tolerability of oral acyclovir in the treatment of varicella in immunocompetent patients in the first two years of life. Fifty-three children aged 3-24 months received acyclovir at 80 mg/Kg/day in four divided doses for 4 to 6 days; 24 of them were treated in the first 24 hours following disease onset, while the remaining 29 patients were enrolled within 48 hours. The assessment of evolution of disease signs and symptoms showed a rapid resolution of fever, itching and other constitutional symptoms, with interruption of vesicle formation and acceleration of cutaneous healing processes. No statistically significant differences have been demonstrated as to disease progression between patients treated in the first 24 hours, when compared with subjects receiving acyclovir in the following 24 hours. Acyclovir confirmed its excellent clinical and laboratory safety profile. By acting favorably on both the duration and severity of disease signs and symptoms, acyclovir treatment should be recommended in young children and infants with varicella, since a higher incidence of severe and complicated disease has been observed in these patient groups.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed1995

Progressive intractable actinomycosis in patients with AIDS.

Two rare cases of progressive oropharyngeal actinomycosis, characterized by a subacute and invasive course despite seemingly appropriate antibiotic and surgical treatment, have been observed in patients with AIDS. A brief review of previously reported cases of actinomycosis in HIV-infected patients is presented. Clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic problems dealing with actinomycosis in the immunocompromised host are discussed.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗