Biomedical subjects

G Monti

Publications and source records attributed to G Monti.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Causes of death in essential mixed cryoglobulinemia.

Ninety-three patients with essential mixed cryoglobulinemia have been followed for more than 5 years in 75% of cases; 21 patients died during this period and the mean age at death was 54 years. The most common cause of death was renal failure. The percentages of patients who survived after 5 and 10 years from the diagnosis were 87 and 74%, respectively. The cryoglobulin type seems to be an important prognostic factor: in our population the type II/III ratio is 6/7 at diagnosis, while it becomes 2/1 when the patients who died are considered.

Cryoglobulinemia↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hepatitis B virus-related markers in secondary and in essential mixed cryoglobulinemias: a multicentric study of 596 cases. The Italian Group for the Study of Cryoglobulinemias (GISC).

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of HBV-related markers in cryoglobulinemias and the possible association between hepatitis B virus (HBV) and essential mixed cryoglobulinemia (EMC). A retrospective survey of the prevalence of HBV infection in cryoglobulinemic patients was carried out in 596 cases of cryoglobulinemia. On the basis of clinical and laboratory criteria the cases were grouped as secondary to connective tissue disease, to lymphoproliferative disorders, to chronic liver diseases or to chronic infectious diseases. The cases in which an associated disease was not evidenced were considered as essential mixed cryogobulinemias. Subjects in which liver dysfunction was first diagnosed simultaneously with cryoglobulinemia, were considered as a separate group. A greater prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HBc antibodies was found in cryoglobulinemias secondary to chronic liver disease (p < 0.0001) and in those associated with liver involvement at diagnosis (p < 0.05) than that found in EMCs. The prevalence of anti-HBs antibodies did not differ significantly among the groups. Proven contact with the virus, documented by at least one positive marker, was evidenced more frequently in cryoglobulinemias secondary to liver disease than in the other groups (p < 0.01). The prevalence of HBV related markers in EMCs and in hospitalized patients not suffering from diseases associated with cryoglobulin production were similar, and seems to reflect the epidemiological situation of HBV infection in Italy. In conclusion, our findings do not support an association of HBV with EMC.

Biomarkers↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Immunotherapy by inhalation of allergen in powder in house dust allergic asthma--a double-blind study.

The authors report the analysis of clinical and immunological parameters during local immunotherapy (LI) by inhalation of an extract in powder in patients with allergic asthma due to D. pteronyssinus (DP). The study was double-blind and lasted 24 months. Twenty-four patients were randomly assigned on a double-blind basis to receive by inhalation increasing doses of a micronized, freeze-dried DP extract in powder (14 patients, active therapy) or capsules of lactose (10 patients, placebo group). Results showed a statistically lower symptom score, a significant increase in bronchial tolerance to the allergen and significant levels of DP-specific IgG in actively treated patients compared to those treated with placebo.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Chronic eosinophilic pulmonitis with eosinophilic pleurisy. A report on 2 clinical cases seen by the authors].

We discuss the cases of two patients affected with chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP) pleurisy and eosinophilia in pleural effusion, not previously mentioned in the literature, to point out their peculiarity, to consider differential diagnosis and the effect of steroid therapy. Both patients, a 57-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman, were atopic: they had been suffering from allergic rhinitis and asthma for several years when they suffered sudden onset of cough, dyspnea and thoracic pain. This symptomatology persisted for more than 6 weeks. Chest radiography highlighted pulmonary infiltrates, not fixed in the first case, fixed in the second. The laboratory features revealed eosinophilia in peripheral blood and in pleural effusion. These data conformed to the criteria suggested by Jederlinic et al. for the diagnosis of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia. Tuberculosis had been present in the remote history of the second case; the repeated research for mycobacteria was negative, and no improvement was seen after antitubercular chemotherapy for one month. We excluded the diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis because of the absence of both precipitating antibodies against Aspergillus fumigatus and bronchiectasis. Neither vasculitis nor autoantibodies were found; possible drug-related correlations were excluded; culture data and serological researches for infections were negative in both cases; no involvement of other districts correlated to hypereosinophilia was evidenced. Clinical and radiological remission was obtained in both cases after steroid therapy for a month at the dosage of 1-2 mg/kg daily. No clinical recurrence was seen during a follow-up period of 6 months. Pleural effusion has already been reported in patients with CEP, while we have not found any references to pleural fluid eosinophilia in this disease; this finding has instead been already reported in patients affected with acute eosinophilic pneumonia or hypereosinophilic syndrome.

Chronic Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[A multidisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic approach to atopic eczema in the nursing infant: the 1-year follow-up].

This study presents the outcome of a multidisciplinary approach to the infants with atopic dermatitis. Forty six patients, 40 males and 6 females, afflicted with atopic dermatitis, aged 3 months-2 years, were examined. A careful history was taken for each case to identify possible allergic disease and particular attention was placed on the relation between food assumption and appearance of lesions. The association of diet, dermatological therapy, elimination of environmental stimulus where possible, treatment of lesions and pruritus and good psychological support enable the Authors to obtain 57% of complete remission of atopic dermatitis. In 43% improvement was observed.

Combined Modality Therapy↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy in patients with rhinitis and asthma due to house dust mite. A double-blind study.

Fifty eight patients under 12 years of age, positive to mites (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. farinae) according to prick, "in vitro" specific IgE and challenge tests, suffering from asthma and rhinitis, were randomly assigned on a double blind basis to receive per os either a biologically standardized extract of mites (active therapy TA = 30 patients) or a saline buffered solution (placebo = 28 patients). Patients took sublingually increasing doses of the solution, followed by maintenance therapy consisting of 15 drops 3 times a week. The results of the trial were assessed after 12 an 18 months, according to the following parameters: symptom scores recorded in diary cards, total and specific IgE levels, total IgG level, IgG1 and IgG4 levels, lymphocytes underpopulations, nasal challenge test, side effects. During the first 18 months, the patients on active therapy had significantly lower scores (p less than 0.001) and clear variations of rhinomanometric parameters (p less than 0.01); IgG also significantly increased. After 12 months, bronchial specific and specific challenge tests showed significantly higher threshold values in comparison to initial values (p less than 0.05). No statistically significative variation was registered in the placebo group.

Administration, Sublingual↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Immunotherapy with alginate-conjugated two grass pollen extract in patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical and immunological effects of specific immunotherapy with alginate-conjugated two grass pollen extract in patients with rhinoconjunctivitis. A total of 52 patients were admitted to the study. Before and after 3 years of immunotherapy quantitative skin test (QST) to Dactylis glomerata (Dg) and to Phleum pratense (Php), variation of grass specific IgE and IgG4 and nasal challenge with the aqueous extract of the two grasses were compared. Each patient kept a daily record of symptoms and medication required during pollen season. In all patients a significant decrease in QST and a significant increase in grass specific IgG4 was observed. In 47 patients a significant decrease in nasal symptom scores and drug consumption was observed. In 5 patients no significant decrease in nasal symptom scores was observed.

Alginates↗

PubMedDate not supplied