Oral lichenoid lesions after thalidomide treatment.
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Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
G Lodi
Publications and source records attributed to G Lodi.
Assessment of distribution of CD34 epitope classes in fresh and cryopreserved peripheral blood progenitor cells and acute myeloid leukemic blasts.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: So far several reports have described changes in the expression of surface antigens in progenitor cells and blasts following cryopreservation. However, there are no data on the effects of cryopreservation on the expression of the three CD34 epitope classes, and on their relationship with the clonogenic capacity of PBPC collected by leukapheresis. DESIGN AND METHODS: In order to analyze the effects of freezing/thawing procedures (Eth 80C storage for 3 months) and use of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) on the immunophenotype profile and colony production of peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) in apheresis products derived from 20 patients with stage 0-III non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (nHL), a flow cytometry study was undertaken using different CD34 monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) capable of recognizing the 3 epitope classes of CD34 molecule (class III: HPCA-2/FITC, HPCA-2/PE, 581/FITC, 581/PE; class II: Q-Bend 10/PE; class I: ICH3/PE, BI3C5-PE, Immu-133-PE). CD34 epitope expression was also analyzed in thawed CD34+ blasts obtained from 14 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), who were analyzed using a larger number (#17) of CD34 epitope class I, II, and III reactive MoAbs. RESULTS: Under our experimental conditions it was found that class III and class II CD34 epitopes (differentially resistant to enzymatic cleavage with neuraminidase, chymopapain and glycoprotease) are better preserved than class I epitope Eth sensitive to degradation Eth after cell exposure to cryoprotectant DMSO and the freezing- thawing procedures. Results further showed a concomitant decrease in class I CD34+ counts and in BFU-E colony production. A significant increase in CD34 antigen expression levels (i.e. antibody binding capacity, ABC) by cryopreserved cells stained with CD34 epitope class III, and class II reactive MoAbs was also documented, while no changes after cryopreservation were noted using class I-reactive MoAbs. The slight increase in the percentage of CD34+ cells detected after frozen storage was correlated to a concomitant decrease in the number of more mature myeloid cells (CD15+, CD13+, CD33+). Compared to pre-cryopreservation values, a slight reduction in class I CD34 epitope expression was also found in thawed CD34+ AML blasts. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: As far as the reduction of class I CD34 epitope is concerned, it may be hypothesized that the freezing procedure, use of DMSO, and/or lysis methodology may either damage a CD34 subset, or induce distinct alterations of the CD34 glycoprotein, possibly determining a reduction in their immunoreactivity with some CD34 MoAbs. In conclusion, this study has shown that exposure to the cryoprotectant DMSO and the freezing/thawing procedures modifies the distribution of CD34 epitopes as well as the clonogenic capacity of PBPCs from nHL patients, and CD34+ blasts from AML. These findings need to considered when selecting CD34 MoAbs for enumeration and positive selection of stem/progenitor cells for research and clinical purposes.
Acute Disease↗
Prevalence and determinants of anti-lytic and anti-latent antibodies to human herpesvirus-8 among Italian individuals at risk of sexually and parenterally transmitted infections.
Three hundred seventy-nine individuals [137 non-injecting drug using (non-IDU) heterosexuals, 130 homosexual men and 112 IDU] attending the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing program of a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic in Rome were studied to estimate the prevalence and to identify the modalities of transmission of human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) infection. Serological analysis was performed by using an immunofluorescence assay able to detect anti-latent and anti-lytic HHV-8 antibodies. Twelve acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) patients and 94 blood donors were tested as reference population groups. Anti-lytic antibodies were detected in 185 (48.8%) individuals; 52 of them (13.7%) also had anti-latent antibodies. Both anti-lytic and anti-latent antibody prevalence were higher among homosexual men (66.9% and 27.7%, respectively) than among IDU (49.1% and 8.0%, respectively) and non-IDU heterosexuals (31.4% and 5.1%, respectively), and tended to increase with age. Anti-lytic HHV-8 antibodies were associated with syphilis [odds ratio (OR)=3.81] but not with hepatitis C virus (HCV) seropositivity. HIV-infected homosexual men were more likely to have HHV-8 antibodies than those who were HIV-negative. When using anti-latent antibodies the direction of the OR remained the same, although the associations did not often reach statistical significance. Among AIDS-KS patients, 83.3% had anti-lytic and 66.6% had anti-latent antibodies. Among blood donors, 28% had anti-lytic antibodies and 2 of them (2.1%) also had anti-latent antibodies. Our data indicate that HHV-8 seroprevalence increases with age and is higher among homosexual men, particularly those infected with HIV. This is consistent with sexual transmission of HHV-8 infection. In addition, the presence of HHV-8 antibodies in HIV-negative non-IDU heterosexual contacts and in healthy blood donors is consistent with the high incidence of classic KS in Italy.
Adolescent↗
Hepatitis C virus infection: Review and implications for the dentist.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this report was to review the current literature on hepatitis C virus infection, with particular attention to the aspects of interest for dental health care staff. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The authors searched original research and review articles on specific aspects of hepatitis C virus infection, including articles on virology, epidemiology, transmission, diagnosis, natural history, extrahepatic manifestations, therapy and oral aspects of hepatitis C virus infection. The relevant material was evaluated and reviewed. RESULTS: Hepatitis C virus is an RNA virus that is present throughout the world and has major geographic variations. The virus, transmitted mainly by means of blood contact, causes chronic hepatitis in up to 80% of cases and may give rise to hepatic cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in a significant proportion of patients. Although it is of limited efficacy, interferon alpha is currently the drug of choice in the treatment of the infection. Hepatitis C virus infection is associated with a number of extrahepatic manifestations that may include oral diseases such as lichen planus or sialadenitis. Although there are documented cases of nosocomial transmission to health care workers after percutaneous exposure, the prevalence of hepatitis C virus among dental staff members is probably similar to that in the general population. CONCLUSION: Hepatitis C virus infection is a relatively common infection worldwide (1.4% in the US general population) that causes significant chronic hepatic disease. The dentist is thus likely to face a growing number of patients with a diagnosis of hepatitis C virus infection. For this reason it is essential for dental health care workers to be aware of the principal features of the disease and of its oral and dental implications.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗
Kappa light chain deposition disease of the liver.
We report the case of a middle-aged woman presenting epigastric discomfort, hepatomegaly, biochemical signs of cholestasis, bone marrow plasmocytosis and Bence Jones proteinuria. Percutaneous liver biopsy disclosed kappa light chain deposition disease of the liver and fine needle aspiration of abdominal fat showed amyloid substance. Renal blood chemistries and urinalysis were repeatedly normal. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of kappa light chain deposition disease of the liver and concomitant amyloidosis without renal involvement as the first manifestation of plasma cell dyscrasia. This condition should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intrahepatic cholestatic liver disease.
Amyloidosis↗
Prevalence of HCV infection in health care workers of a UK dental hospital.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies in a group of dental health care workers (DHCW). DESIGN: Retrospective cross sectional study. SETTING: A UK dental hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The sera of 167 unselected DHCW were tested for the presence of IgG antibodies to HCV using two, third-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). HCV viremia was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. RESULTS: Two (1.2%) of the serum samples were found to be anti-HCV positive; one was also viremic. The two antibody-positive subjects were a qualified dental nurse and a student dental nurse, both females, without any known risk factor for HCV acquisition. No dentist was HCV seropositive. CONCLUSIONS: Since the prevalence of HCV infection in the UK general population varies between 0.08% and 0.55%, these results suggest that DHCW, and auxiliary staff in particularly, may have a slightly increased risk of HCV infection.
Adolescent↗
Development of squamous cell carcinoma in hepatitis C virus-associated lichen planus.
The hepatitis C virus may occasionally be associated with oral lichen planus. The present report details the features of a patient with hepatitis C virus infection and oral lichen planus who developed a squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
Attitude towards smoking and oral cancer prevention among northern Italian dentists.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the smoking habits of Northern Italian dental practitioners and their basic skills in the prevention of oral cancer. 217 of the 250 dental practitioners (86.8%) contacted by telephone from September to December 1994, answered a simple questionnaire. One third of the sample interviewed was formed by current smokers; nevertheless 60.8% of them always advise their patients to give up smoking. Only a relatively small percentage of the questioned dental practitioners (10.6%) do not examine the oral mucosa of the patients on a regular basis and 40% of responders had made a clinical diagnosis of oral cancer in the past. The lack of a specific dental education was associated with less scrupulous examination of the oral soft tissues and minor experience of cancer diagnosis. Despite their smoking habit, Northern Italian dental practitioners self-reported encouraging behaviour towards primary and secondary oral cancer prevention.
Adult↗
Oral lichen planus is not associated with IgG circulating antibodies to epithelial antigens.
Autoantibodies to a number of epithelial components have previously been described in small groups of patients with lichen planus. Recently a group of antibodies to monkey esophagus have been detected in lichen planus related to hepatitis C virus infection. This study has examined the frequency of serum antiepithelial antibodies in a group of patients with idiopathic oral lichen planus and lichenoid drug reactions. Five of 34 patients with idiopathic lichen planus and two of six patients with lichenoid eruptions had circulating antibodies that gave rise to an antinuclear pattern when examined using epithelial tissue. However, these antibodies were present in only low titer and were not specific to a particular clinical presentation of lichen planus or lichenoid drug reaction. It seems likely therefore that such antibodies do not play an important part in the etiopathogenesis of lichen planus, and their detection is unlikely to be beneficial in the diagnosis of this disease.
Adolescent↗
Local antimicrobial therapy of oral mucositis in paediatric patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation.
The present investigation has examined the clinical benefits of tobramycin, polymyxin E and amphotericin therapy in the management of oral mucositis in children undergoing chemotherapy prior to bone marrow transplantation. Tobramycin, polymyxin E, and amphotericin reduced the degree of oral mucositis more than conventional therapy of diphenhydramine, Maalox, and local analgesic. While there was a statistically significant fall in the severity of the mucositis with tobramycin, polymyxin E and amphotericin, this was unlikely to be of practical benefit.
Adolescent↗
Antibodies to epithelial components in oral lichen planus (OLP) associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a common chronic inflammatory disorder sometimes associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. An increased prevalence of autoimmune markers has been reported in patients with HCV infection. The aim of the present study was to determine, by conventional indirect immunofluorescence, the nature and frequency of circulating antibodies to epithelial antigens in the sera of HCV-positive patients who also have OLP. The study comprised four groups: 14 patients with OLP and HCV infection. 14 HCV-seronegative patients with OLP, 21 HCV-seropositive patients without OLP and 18 healthy controls. We found a significant association between the concomitance of OLP and HCV infection and the presence of such antibodies. It is concluded that some patients with HCV-associated OLP may have circulating antibodies to epithelial antigens, although their precise aetiological role in the development of this disease in HCV infection remains unknown.
Antiviral Agents↗
HCV genotypes in Italian patients with HCV-related oral lichen planus.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has high genomic variability and since its discovery, six different "types" and an increasing number of "subtypes" have been reported. HCV genotype may influence viral replication, natural history of disease and response to therapy. Recently, an association between lichen planus (LP) and HCV infection has been suggested, as there is an increased frequency of HCV infection among some groups of patients with LP, in particular from Italy and Japan. These results have not been confirmed by other reports from different geographical areas. Since HCV genotypes have a heterogeneous geographical distribution, we have determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism the genotypes of 39 HCV-seropositive Italian patients with oral LP in order to establish whether the association between LP and HCV infection is influenced by HCV subtype. Of the 33 (84.6%) viraemic patients, 17 (51%) were infected by HCV subtype 1b, 9 (27%) were infected by HCV subtype 2a, 2 by subtype 1a and 1 by subtype 2b. In four cases the gel patterns were uninterpretable. This distribution of HCV genotypes is similar to that reported in recent studies of Italian HCV-seropositive patients of unknown LP status. It is concluded from this small sample that the association of lichen planus with HCV infection and its differential geographic distribution is unlikely to be due to infection by a particular HCV genotype.
Adult↗
Hepatitis C virus infection and lichen planus: a short review.
OBJECTIVE: To review the current literature regarding the association of lichen planus (LP) and liver disease, with particular attention to the association of the oral variant of the disease with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Available literature of the possible association of LP with systemic disorders, in particular chronic hepatic disease, has been reviewed. RESULTS: LP is sometimes associated with infectious or autoimmune disease and/or neoplasia, however an aetiological association between LP and these disorders seems unlikely. A more consistent association exists between LP and chronic hepatic disease. The precise cause of this association is not known. However, in the last 6 years a notable association between HCV infection and LP has been observed, particularly in patients in Spain, Italy and Japan. The pathogenesis of this possible HCV-associated LP is not known, but it may involve a cell mediated response to an altered epithelial antigen. CONCLUSION: There is now evidence to suggest a significant association between HCV infection and LP in some groups of patients.
Epithelium↗
Hepatitis C virus (HCV)--an occupational risk to dentists?
Hepatitis B virus has long been regarded as an occupational hazard in dentistry. However, as the availability of effective vaccination has reduced the risk of HBV infection, so dental staff have become aware of the potential risk of transmission of hepatitis C virus during dental treatment. This article outlines current relevant data suggesting that nosocomial transmission of HCV in dentistry is unlikely.
Dentists↗
Lack of association between hepatitis C virus and Sjogren's syndrome.
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Aged↗
[Aneurysm of the splenic artery. Diagnosis with computerized tomography].
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Aneurysm↗
[Peritoneovenous shunt complicating a glomerulonephritis associated with bacteremia. Description of a clinical case].
We report the case of a patient who exhibited a complication following implantation of the LeVeen valve. This is the first example of a delayed complication in our experience, occurring approximately 3 years after the implantation. Biochemical and clinical data showed bacteremia due to meningococci resulting from the valve (and this was subsequently confirmed by microbiological data).
Female↗
[Findings in relation to serum and urinary iron in heterozygotic beta-thalassemia].
Iron status (expressed as serum ferritin and iron levels) has been compared in normal and in heterozygous beta-thalassemic subjects. A higher serum ferritin concentration has been found in beta-thalassemic males, showing, therefore, a shift towards super-normal values of the balance between tissue iron and serum ferritin levels. In beta-thalassemic subjects the serum ferritin levels have been found in the normal range and this seems to be correlated with an adequate and ready iron supply by protein transferrin to hyperplastic bone marrow. The higher urinary iron values in normal male subjects can be explained in this way: a large iron supply from the transferrin to the thalassemic erythroid cells limits the contribution from this protein to the urinary iron.
Adolescent↗