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Biomedical subjects

G Rezza

Publications and source records attributed to G Rezza.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Serum B2-microglobulin and human immunodeficiency virus infection in intravenous drug users: a cross-sectional study.

Beta 2-microglobulin level has been evaluated in 183 male intravenous drug users and 50 apparently healthy blood donors. The aim of the study was to assess the possible association between high values of the peptide and both HIV infection and disease progression in intravenous drug users. Beta 2-microglobulin values were found significantly higher in AIDS patients and other symptomatic subjects than in asymptomatic, both seropositive and seronegative, intravenous drug users. Among asymptomatic drug users, no significant difference in the values was found.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1990

Characterization of AIDS-associated tumors in Italy: report of 435 cases of an IVDA-based series.

The Italian Cooperative Group on AIDS-related tumors has collected 435 cases of HIV-associated tumors since December 1986. The following conclusions can be drawn from this IVDA-based series: (1) at least 15% of AIDS cases are associated with tumors; (2) the number of malignant lymphomas (high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma [NHL], Hodgkin's disease [HD] is comparable to that of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) (188 vs. 198); (3) KS among AIDS patients is less common than in countries where homosexual men are the main group affected by AIDS. However, KS also affects intravenous drug abusers (IVDA) almost exclusively males, with characteristics similar to those observed among homosexual men; (4) HD is associated with an aggressive course; (5) anal and oral primary tumors as well as oral and anal involvement of NHL are very rare; (6) testicular cancers occur in patients mainly with early HIV infection, without adversely affecting the dosage of radiotherapy and chemotherapy; (7) cervical cancer successfully treated with conization suggests that PAP test screening in young IVDA women is warranted; (8) lung cancer occurs in a young age group with rapid progression and death.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

High prevalence of antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus in heterosexual persons attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic in Italy.

The prevalence of antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV-1) was determined in 924 outpatients attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic. The overall prevalence of anti-HIV-1 was 9%. Six of 14 intravenous drug addicts and 4 of 34 patients of African origin were anti-HIV-1 positive. In the other 876 patients, the anti-HIV prevalence was 6.6% in 467 heterosexual men, 5% in 261 heterosexual women and 22.3% in 148 homosexual or bisexual men. The prevalence of anti-HIV-1 in the heterosexual subjects was much higher than that expected in the general population and than that observed in patients attending sexually transmitted disease clinics in other developed countries. Intravenous drug abusers, who represent the most important group at risk for AIDS in Italy, could contribute to the spread of HIV infection through heterosexual contacts with persons without other known risk factors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

The natural history of HIV infection in intravenous drug users: risk of disease progression in a cohort of seroconverters.

A multicentre cohort study was carried out to estimate the incidence of AIDS and HIV-related conditions in newly infected intravenous drug users (IVDU). The enrollment criteria included the identification of the seroconversion time. Two hundred and five subjects entered the study, and were followed for a mean of 26 months. Twelve subjects developed clinical AIDS over a 4-year period. The actuarial incidence of AIDS estimated by Kaplan-Meier survival technique was 17.8% by 4 years since seroconversion. The risk of developing AIDS increased significantly after 24 months from seroconversion. Relatively small figures accounted for the lack of statistical association between the risk factors investigated and the disease status.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMed1989

Hodgkin's disease in association with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). A report on 36 patients. Gruppo Italiano Cooperativo AIDS and Tumori.

In an Italian cooperative study on AIDS and cancer a diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease was established in 36 HIV-positive patients. The series was characterized by a high proportion of drug abusers, a high proportion of mixed cellularity and lymphocytic depletion subtypes and short survival. It is still unclear if HIV infection promotes the development of Hodgkin's disease or only modifies the course of the disease. According to the authors, however, patients who are HIV seropositive and have biopsy-proven Hodgkin's disease should be considered as fulfilling the criteria for AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

Malignant tumors other than lymphoma and Kaposi's sarcoma in association with HIV infection.

Since 1981 there has been a constant rise in the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and the anorectum among homosexual men in the United States. In addition, lung cancer, testicular cancer, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, cervical cancer, and multiple myeloma have been recently reported in persons at risk for AIDS with HIV infection, with some peculiar clinicopathological features, including age, histological type, and clinical aggressiveness. Within the GICAT (Gruppo Italiano Cooperativo AIDS & Tumori) framework, we have identified four cases of testicular cancer, two cases of leukemia, and 1 case each of cervical cancer, carcinoma of the oral cavity, lung cancer, brain tumor, and multiple myeloma in persons at risk for AIDS, mainly i.v. drug abusers, with HIV infection, diagnosed in different Italian institutions. Work is in progress in order to collect histological and clinical data on these tumors. Although these data are preliminary and are not indicative of an actual increase in the incidence of malignancies other than malignant lymphomas and Kaposi's sarcoma in the AIDS setting, clinicians should be aware of the possible association of these tumors with HIV infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

HIV, HTLV-1, and HBV infections in a cohort of Italian intravenous drug abusers: analysis of risk factors.

A seroepidemiological survey of a group of 291 intravenous drug abusers (IVDAs), 45 household contacts of IVDAs, and 39 laboratory workers has been carried out to determine the prevalence of HIV-1, HIV-2, HTLV-1, and HBV antibodies in the sera, as well as to evaluate the role of various risk factors. Among i.v. drug abusers, the prevalence was 32.3% for HIV-1 and 6.6% for HTLV-1. For both viruses, the total figures did not significantly change from 1985 through 1987, accounting for a slow viral circulation in this group. No seropositivity (HIV-1, HTLV-1) was found among laboratory workers, whereas one subject was found seropositive for HIV-1 among household contacts. From 1985 to 1986, 5 out of 58 subjects seronegative for HIV-1 and 5 out of 82 seronegative for HTLV-1 seroconverted (incidence rates of 8.6 and 6.1%, respectively). From 1986 to 1987, none out of 11 seronegatives for HIV and 1 out of 16 seronegatives for HTLV-1 seroconverted. The total figures for hepatitis B markers were 79.2% among IVDAs, 24.4% among household contacts, and 25.6% among laboratory workers. A significant correlation was found between presence of HBV markers and seropositivity for HIV and HTLV-1. A significant association with HIV-1 seropositivity was found for history of sexual intercourse with HIV-1 seropositive partners and for sexual promiscuity. These data emphasize the important role played by sexual behavior in addition to needle-sharing in the spreading of multiple infections among drug abusers.

Female↗