Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Ficarra

Publications and source records attributed to G Ficarra.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Oral keratinocyte immune responses in HIV-associated candidiasis.

INTRODUCTION: Candidiasis is the most commonly encountered opportunistic infection among HIV-positive subjects. The purpose of this study was to assess specific keratinocyte immune parameters in the pseudomembranous and erythematous forms of HIV-associated oral candidiasis. MATERIAL/METHODS: This collaborative study from three centers analyzed 25 HIV-positive and 10 HIV-negative subjects with either pseudomembranous or erythematous candidiasis. Oral biopsy specimens from lesional tissues were procured, and histopathologic features were correlated with immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization investigations for the expression of interleukin 1 alpha, interleukin 8, antimicrobial calprotectin, lymphocyte populations, and Candida antigen. RESULTS: Both pseudomembranous and erythematous candidiasis among HIV-infected subjects showed a mild interface lymphocytic mucositis with the presence of neutrophilic subcorneal abscesses in the latter. Erythematous candidiasis cases that failed to show surface mycelia, did yield positive results for Candida antigens in the parakeratinized layer. The expression of inflammatory chemokines were positive in all groups and calprotectin appeared to serve as a keratinocyte barrier to hyphal penetration. CONCLUSIONS: The erythematous form of candidiasis is often devoid of hyphae yet the presence of Candida antigens in the surface epithelium implicates an immune or allergic process. The intactness of chemokines and antimicrobial calprotectin in keratinocytes may explain why disseminated candidiasis is rarely encountered in HIV-infected patients.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1997

Traumatic eosinophilic granuloma of the oral mucosa: a CD30+(Ki-1) lymphoproliferative disorder?

Traumatic eosinophilic granuloma of the oral mucosa, also known as eosinophilic ulcer, is considered to be a reactive lesion of unknown aetiology. It usually presents as a tongue ulcer and injury has been considered to play a role in its cause. We present a 72-year-old man who had suffered multiple episodes of recurrent eosinophilic ulcers of the oral mucosa which underwent self-healing. Biopsy specimens (including fresh tissue) were studied with a combination of histology, electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. A dense cell infiltrate composed of eosinophilis, lymphocytes and large mononuclear cells was constantly shown. Immunostains showed that the infiltrate was mainly composed of CD3+,CD4+,CD8-T-cells and CD1a + dendritic cells. Approximately 70% of the T-cells expressed CD30 (Ki-1) antigen. On the basis of the clinical behaviour, histology and antigenic features, it seems reasonable to suggest that traumatic eosinophilic granuloma of the oral mucosa may represent the oral countpart of primary cutaneous CD30 (Ki-1)-positive lymphoproliferative disorders. This group of cutaneous lymphomas are indeed characterised by non-aggressive clinical behaviour (sequential evolution in ulceration, necrosis and self-regression) and expression of CD30 antigen by the infiltrating large T-cells.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Immunocompetent cells in oral candidiasis of HIV-infected patients: an immunohistochemical and electron microscopical study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the pathogenesis of oral candidiasis, a common cause of discomfort and social impairment among HIV-infected individuals. STUDY DESIGN, MATERIALS AND METHODS: The oral mucosal immune system cells were analysed by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy in biopsies from five erythematous and four pseudomembranous candidiasis cases and were compared with those from seven HIV-positive and 10 HIV-negative controls without candidiasis. RESULTS: The superficial lamina propria and basal epithelial layer was populated by CD1a+ Langerhans cells with infiltration of CD8+ lymphocytes. Within the submucosa are CD36+ dendritic macrophages and lymphocytes, although CD4+ subsets were absent from the infiltrate. The expression of human leukocyte antigen system, DR locus (HLA-DR) and leukocyte specific adhesion molecules was low in erythematous, yet more marked in pseudomembranous candidiasis. In the pseudomembranous form, CD14+ leukocytes were found in the basal epithelial layer. Langerhans cells were significantly more numerous and were richer in dendrites and Birbeck granules in erythematous than in pseudomembranous candidiasis. CONCLUSIONS: Candidiasis is associated with alterations in the number and differentiation of lymphocytes and dendritic cells, being more severe in the pseudomembranous than erythematous form. We propose that these alterations play a role in the pathogenesis and evolution of the disease.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1997

Oral ulcers in HIV-infected patients: an update on epidemiology and diagnosis.

Oral ulcers observed during the course of HIV infection may be very severe. Such manifestations may interfere with oral functions and alter the patients' quality of life. It is important to stress that when HIV-infected individuals present with ulcerative lesions of the oral cavity, neoplastic processes and rare infections must be included in the differential diagnosis. Nontumefactive oral ulcers in HIV-positive patients may be a source of diagnostic difficulties because of the diverse array of underlying pathologic entities and multiplicity of etiologic agents. Biopsy should always be performed on long-standing ulcers, since either infection or a neoplastic process may be present. In the absence of infection or neoplasm, such lesions are then designated ulcers not otherwise specified.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1997

[Mammary carcinoma in a patient with hyperprolactinemia].

In 1990, a 50 year-old man was referred to us for hyperprolactinemia. At 37 years of age the patient had undergone left mastectomy, for a histologically confirmed gynecomastia and, in 1989, he had undergone pituitary adenomectomy, for a PRL secreting macroadenoma (PRL = 3520 ng/ml). Persistently high PRL plasma levels (PRL = 550 ng/ml) showed an incomplete surgical removal of the adenoma and as a consequence, radiotherapy of the pituitary area was performed in 1990. When the patient referred to us, PRL plasma levels were still pathologic and medical therapy with bromocriptine was started. A year later a replacement therapy with cortisone, testosterone, L-thyroxine, was commenced, as the patient presented a post-radiotherapy hypopituitarism. Since the treatment with bromocriptine was unsuccessful, the drug was replaced with cabergoline, but not even the latter was able to normalize PRL plasma levels. In 1996, a nodule of 3 cm in diameter was discovered under his right mammary areola. The nodule biopsy showed a grade II infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma positive to the estrogen and progesterone receptors analysis. A right total mastectomy was performed and the diagnosis was confirmed through histological examination. A case of gynecomastia and breast cancer in a male patient who had been exposed to high PRL plasma levels for several years is reported. In this patient, both elevated PRL plasma levels and a relative hyperestrogenic state may have contributed to originate breast cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Bicuculline enhances the corticosterone secretion induced by lipopolysaccharide and interleukin-1 alpha in male rats.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory stress activates the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) function. Interleukin-I (IL-1) is one of the key factors during this event; however, the mechanisms mediating IL-1 stimulation of HPA axis are still unclear. The present study evaluated the possible involvement of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in LPS-induced activation of HPA axis in adult male rats. In addition, the possible existence of diurnal changes of LPS-induced HPA axis activity was also investigated. Bicuculline (0.8 mg/kg BW), a GABA-A receptor antagonist and GABA (1 g/kg BW) were intraperitoneally (ip) injected 15 min before LPS (2 mg/kg BW, ip) or recombinant human IL-1 alpha (microgram/rat) administration in intact rats. Control animals received an equivalent volume of 0.9% saline. Rats were sacrificed at 60 min or 90 min after LPS, or IL-1 alpha or saline injection. Plasma corticosterone levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Results showed that pretreatment with bicuculline enhanced both LPS- and IL-1-induced corticosterone secretion; while pretreatment with GABA significantly reduced the LPS-stimulated corticosterone release (p < 0.05, vs LPS alone). The effect is dependent on the time of sampling and such effect of bicuculline or GABA was not observed when rats were stimulated in the evening. In addition, the maximal changes of plasma corticosterone following LPS administration in the evening were significantly lower than in the morning (p < 0.01). The present study provides evidence that GABA is involved, at least in part, in the neuroendocrine regulation of LPS/interleukin-1a-induced corticosterone secretion via GABA-A receptor in rats. In addition, the response of plasma corticosterone to LPS has a diurnal variation, which corresponds to a diurnal change of GABAergic modulation of the immunoneuroendocrine response.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Malignant acanthosis nigricans with florid papillary oral lesions.

Acanthosis nigricans is a distinctive skin disease of importance, because it has served as an external marker for a variety of systemic disorders including endocrinopathies, and malignant tumors of internal organs. It typically appears as hyperpigmented, roughened plaques of velvety consistency and infrequently as verruca-like papillations. The oral cavity and lips can be affected by florid papillary growths. Because of its rarity and nonspecific microscopic appearance, clinical recognition of acanthosis nigricans continues to be a challenge. A case of mucocutaneous "malignant" acanthosis nigricans is presented in which pigmented skin lesions led to the discovery of a gastric adenocarcinoma, which in turn was followed by the appearance of massive oral papillomatosis. No effective treatment was found.

Acanthosis Nigricans↗
PubMed1996

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma involving Wharton's duct: a case report.

This article describes a case of renal cell carcinoma that metastasized to the right Wharton's duct of a 73-year-old man. Metastases of renal cell carcinoma to the oral tissues are rare. Involvement of salivary gland tissue appears to be exceedingly rare, and a metastatic focus localized only in the Wharton's duct never has been reported in the literature.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Cause of oral ulcers in HIV-infected patients: a study of 19 cases.

OBJECTIVES: To study the cause and clinical aspects of oral ulcers in HIV-infected patients. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-one consecutive HIV-positive patients with long-standing oral ulcers were examined; 19 were evaluated by biopsy. From these 19 cases, viral, bacterial, and fungal cultures and biopsies were taken in each patient. When indicated, special microbial stains were undertaken to identify bacteria or fungi. Ten cases without granulomatous bacterial fungal or lymphomatous features were available for in situ hybridization to detect viral DNA of herpes simplex virus 1 and 2, cytomegalovirus, varicella-zoster virus, and Epstein-Barr virus. RESULTS: Most of the oral ulcers occurred in patients with severe immunodepression. Median CD4 T-lymphocyte count was 60 cell/mm3 (range, 3 to 335). It was ascertained that nine (47%) patients had nonspecific aphthous-like ulcers, and ulcers caused by herpes group viruses were identified in six (31.5%) patients. One (5%) person was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; and in one (5%) patient, multiple ulcers were an expression of lues maligna. Two ulcers (10.5%) in the palate harbored mycotic granulomatous foci (cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis). In this population, almost all of these ulcers were found to be large, persistent, and painful. CONCLUSIONS: Nontumefactive oral ulcers in HIV-positive patients may be a source of diagnostic difficulties because of the diverse array of underlying pathologic entities and multiplicity of etiologic agents. Biopsy should always be performed on long-standing ulcers because either infection or a neoplastic process may be extant. In the absence of infection or neoplasm, such lesions are then designated as ulcers not otherwise specified.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1996

Relationship of circulating CD4+ T-lymphocytes and p24 antigenemia to the risk of developing AIDS in HIV-infected subjects with oral hairy leukoplakia.

To investigate the relationship of circulating CD4+ T-lymphocytes and p24 antigenemia to the development of AIDS in HIV-infected subjects with hairy leukoplakia (HL), we have followed over eight years 173 HIV-positive patients, all asymptomatic at the start of the study, and compared those who developed HL (n=55) to those who did not (n=118). Both groups included injection drug users (IDUs), homosexual men, and hemophiliacs. At the time of their first visit, both HL+ and HL- patients had a normal value of CD4+ cells and a low frequency of p24 antigenemia. During the years of follow-up, patients in the HL+ group showed a greater reduction in CD4+ cells, a significant increase in p24 antigenemia, and a higher rate of progression to AIDS. Our study demonstrates that in HIV-positive patients, HL is associated with more compromised immunological parameters and a higher viral replication and that its appearance has a negative prognostic value in relation to AIDS progression.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1996

Adrenergic and serotoninergic receptors mediate the immunological activation of corticosterone secretion in male rats.

In order to elucidate the mechanism of action of immune agents on corticosterone secretion, the present study evaluated the possible involvement of some neuronal pathways (serotoninergic, noradrenergic/adrenergic) in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced corticosterone release in male rats. Serotoninergic antagonists, mianserin (5-HT2C receptor blocker) or pindolol (5HT1A receptor blocker) or noradrenergic/adrenergic antagonists, prazosin (alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocker) or propranolol (beta-adrenoceptor blocker), were intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected before (5 min) the administration of LPS. In each experiment a group of rats i.p. injected with vehicle served as controls. Animals were sacrificed by decapitation 90 min after administration of LPS and trunk blood was collected for corticosterone radioimmunoassay. Results showed that pretreatment with mianserin, but not with pindolol, significantly reduced plasma corticosterone levels following administration of LPS (p < 0.05); prazosin attenuated the plasma corticosterone response to LPS (p < 0.05), while propranolol did not induce significant change. The present study indicated that serotoninergic and noradrenergic/adrenergic pathways are involved in the immunoneuroendocrine modulation of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal function in rats. In particular, it is probably mediated by the activation of 5-HT2C receptors and of alpha 1-adrenoceptors, while type 1A serotonin receptors or beta-adrenoceptors do not seem to be involved in such a phenomenon.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed1996

Primary solitary meningioma of the lung.

Light microscopic, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical features of a case of primary meningioma of the lung are described in this report. The lesion was incidentally discovered in the right lung of a 68-year-old man and treated by lobe resection. No evidence of recurrence or metastasis has been detected 2 years after surgery. The literature is reviewed and the differential diagnosis from other neoplasms presenting as coin lesions in the lung is stressed. Different histogenetical theories and the relation to so-called "minute pulmonary chemodectomas" are discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Evidence for a role for the neurosteroid allopregnanolone in the modulation of reproductive function in female rats.

The present study investigated the effect of allopregnanolone (5 alpha-pregnan-3 alpha-ol-20-one) or of passive immunoneutralization of brain allopregnanolone, the most potent steroid produced by neurons, on ovulation rate and sexual behavior in female rats. Allopregnanolone was injected intracerebroventricularly in rats on diestrus and proestrus and tests were done on estrus. The intracerebroventricular injection of allopregnanolone significantly decreased the number of oocytes collected on estrus (p < 0.01). To support a physiological involvement, antiserum to allopregnanolone was injected centrally to block the activity of the endogenous neurosteroid. When administered on diestrus and proestrus or only on proestrus, the antiserum was shown to be correlated with a significant increase (p < 0.01) in oocytes retrieved on estrus. In female rats treated with antiserum to allopregnanolone, the lordosis intensity was augmented significantly as compared to controls. Finally, the possible changes of medial basal hypothalamus concentration of allopregnanolone throughout the estrous cycle and at the time of ovulation were investigated. Hypothalamic extracts were eluted on high-pressure liquid chromatography and allopregnanolone concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay. Brain cortex was used as control tissue. Hypothalamic allopregnanolone concentration on proestrus morning and afternoon was found to be significantly lower than in the remaining phases of the estrous cycle (p < 0.01), while no significant changes were observed in brain cortex concentration of allopregnanolone. The present results suggest that hypothalamic allopregnanolone may be involved in the mechanism of ovulation, affecting hormonal and behavioral events.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Evidence for a role of neurosteroids in modulation of diurnal changes and acute stress-induced corticosterone secretion in rats.

The neurosteroid allopregnanolone has been shown to be a potent ligand of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-A receptors and enhances its receptor-mediated inhibitory events. Since central GABA plays a major inhibitory role, via GABA-A receptors, in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) function in rats, the present study has evaluated the effect of passive immunoneutralization of allopregnanolone on diurnal changes in corticosterone secretion and acute stress-induced corticosterone secretion in rats. In the first protocol, four groups of male rats (prepubertal, fertile, castrated adult and aged) and three groups of female rats (prepubertal, fertile at different phases of the estrous cycle and aged) were studied. Rats were injected intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) with 10 microliters anti-allopregnanolone serum or 10 microliters normal rabbit serum (control) 24 h before exposure to an acute cold swimming stress, and sacrificed either before stress or after 5 min stress. In the second protocol, fertile male or female rats at diestrus II were injected i.c.v. with anti-allopregnanolone serum or normal rabbit serum and sacrificed on the following day at 10.00 or 18.00. Truncal blood samples were collected for measuring plasma corticosterone. Our results showed that there was no significant difference in basal plasma corticosterone levels between antiserum-treated and control rats of both sexes. However, in male rats, central injection of antiserum to allopregnanolone significantly potentiated plasma corticosterone response to stress in prepubertal and adult fertile rats as well as in castrated rats. Likewise, in female rats, the stress response of plasma corticosterone was enhanced by passive immunoneutralization of allopregnanolone in prepubertal and fertile rats throughout the estrous cycle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Oral hairy leukoplakia in two children with perinatally acquired HIV-1 infection.

We report on two children with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a 5-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy, who presented with oral hairy leukoplakia (OHL) as a late clinical manifestation of perinatally acquired human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. The reasons why OHL is a rare symptom in HIV-1-infected children, compared with HIV-1-infected adults, are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Ontogeny of the circadian rhythm in medial basal hypothalamic beta-endorphin content in female rat.

The present study evaluated the possible role of estrogens in generating the circadian rhythm of medial basal hypothalamus content at the time of puberty in female rats. Accordingly, changes in medial basal hypothalamus beta-endorphin (beta-EP) content were investigated in female rats, before and at puberty. Groups of intact or ovariectomized rats were studied after estradiol-benzoate or placebo treatment. The results showed that circadian rhythm of beta-EP content of medial basal hypothalamus is absent in prepubertal rats, while it appears at puberty, associated to a significant increase of beta-EP concentration. The primary involvement of steroids in generating this circadian rhythm was supported by the finding that estradiol-benzoate treatment caused a precocious appearance of beta-EP hypothalamic diurnal changes in prepubertal rats. Moreover, estradiol-benzoate replacement restored the loss of beta-EP nocturnal increase induced by ovariectomy in pubertal animals. Therefore, these data support the significant role of estrogen in inducing the circadian rhythm of beta-EP content in medial basal hypothalamus at the time of puberty in female rats.

Aging↗
PubMed1994

Facial and perioral molluscum contagiosum in patients with HIV infection. A report of eight cases.

Facial and perioral molluscum contagiosum is a common and often disfiguring condition in patients with HIV infection. The purpose of this study was to report on the clinical aspects of eight HIV-positive patients with facial molluscum contagiosum. Also we describe the histopathologic and electron microscopic findings and discuss the treatment modalities for this unusual disease.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗