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Biomedical subjects

L Mauro

Publications and source records attributed to L Mauro.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Immune response to simultaneous administration of a combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine with booster doses of diphtheria-tetanus and poliovirus vaccine.

A combined vaccine against measles (Edmonston-Zagreb 19 strain), mumps (Rubini strain) and rubella (Wistar RA 27/3 strain) was administered to a group of 46 children aged 10-12 months simultaneously with booster doses of compulsory diphtheria-tetanus toxoid and oral poliovirus vaccine. A second group of 53 children aged 15-24 months who had received booster doses of the compulsory vaccines 5 to 12 months before was also vaccinated. The same seroconversion rates (100%) and similar antibody titers for rubella were observed in both groups. The same seroconversion rates for mumps (93%) and similar rates for measles (98 and 94%) were observed in the two groups. Significantly lower antibody titers for measles and mumps were found in the first group, but they were compensated by an earlier protection, a reduction of number of visits for immunization, costs for the community, and improvement in parental compliance. These results confirm that Edmonston-Zagreb 19 and Rubini strains are still immunogenic even when they are combined with Wistar RA 27/3 strain. Moreover, a long term follow-up in order to verify the persistence of protective antibody levels in both groups of children, could suggest that combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine could be given earlier (at 10-12 months of age), simultaneously with booster doses of diphtheria and tetanus toxoid and of trivalent oral poliovirus vaccine.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1991

Immune response to simultaneous administration of a recombinant DNA hepatitis B vaccine and multiple compulsory vaccines in infancy.

The reactogenicity and immunogenicity of simultaneous administration of recombinant DNA hepatitis B vaccine with diphtheria and tetanus toxoids (DT) and oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) in 111 infants were compared with those of DT and OPV alone in a control group of 21 infants. All subjects received three doses of the vaccine according to one of three different schedules of vaccination. Reactions following simultaneous administration of vaccines were all but absent, with mild pain reported for four out of 111 subjects, compared with one of 21 in the control group. Seroconversion rates of 98-100% and high anti-HBs geometric mean titres (GMTs) were observed in all study groups after three doses of hepatitis B vaccine. Significantly higher anti-HBs were seen in Group III, where six months is allowed between the second and the third hepatitis B vaccine doses, compared with Group I and II, where only 1-2 months separate the second and third doses. A fourth dose of vaccine was needed in both these groups to obtain anti-HBs levels as high as seen in Group III after three vaccine doses at 3, 4 and 10 months of age. The immune response to DT and OPV was similar in the study groups and the control group. It is concluded that a course of 10 micrograms doses of recombinant hepatitis B vaccine given simultaneously with DT and OPV elicits a strong anti-HBs response and does not interfere with the immune response to the other antigens.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1991

Simultaneous administration of HB recombinant vaccine with diphtheria and tetanus toxoid and oral polio vaccine: a pilot study.

An extensive vaccination program to be used in highly endemic areas is the main strategy against the spreading of hepatitis B. The purpose of this study was the evaluation of the immune response to the recombinant HB vaccine administered singly or at the same time as other compulsory vaccines anti-diphtheria, anti-tetanus and oral anti-polio. Evidence was found of the serological efficacy both of HB vaccine and compulsory vaccines with a percentage of seroconversion of 100%. However, the infants who received HB vaccine at birth and at the age of 1 month had titers of antiHBs higher than the infants who received HB vaccine at birth and at 3 months. No difference in antibody levels of compulsory vaccines was observed among the study groups and the controls who received only compulsory vaccines. Our results suggest that HB vaccination must be encouraged and pursued in all newborns.

Diphtheria Toxoid↗
PubMed1987

Immunological changes in beta-thalassemia major patients positive for HTLV-III antibodies.

Antibodies to HTLV-III were found in 6 of 206 Sicilian patients with thalassemia major, aged 1 to 30 years. None of the patients showed clinical signs related to immuno-deficiency syndromes. Immunological investigations carried out in all positive patients showed alterations similar to those found in thalassemic patients without antibodies to HTLV-III. These immunological changes could not depend on the HTLV-III infection, but could be related to the thalassemic condition.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

AIDS in Sicily: prevalence of antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in low and high risk groups.

A seroepidemiological survey, carried out to evaluate the prevalence of antibodies to HIV in patients with ARC and in healthy individuals at risk for AIDS, showed the infection to be widespread in the groups at risk, namely in drug abusers and hemophiliacs. However, remarkable difference existed between the prevalence of antibodies to HIV in drug abusers of the city of Palermo and those of other Sicilian provinces. Spread of the virus among Sicilian thalassemics, however, was very low and quite similar in all geographic areas. Antibodies were found very rarely (0.06%) in unpaid voluntary blood donors. The spread of the virus is still confined in high risk groups, and the major part of the seropositive blood donors were identified a posteriori as drug abusers.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMed1987

Antibiotic resistance and R plasmids in endemic strains of Salmonella typhimurium isolated in Sicily.

The characteristics of R plasmids in strains of Salmonella typhimurium isolated in Sicily during 1983 from apparently isolated cases of human infection have been determined. A plasmid of the Inc group 10-B-0, characterized by ApSm resistance markers and with a molecular weight of 70 Md, was found in strains belonging to different phage types (2, 3, 117, 135, NT). The data obtained suggest that strains of the same phage type harboring such plasmids come from the same bacterial clone which has continued to be endemic through interhuman contagion. Instead, the presence of the same plasmid in strains of different phage type could indicate its spreading in different bacterial clones.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1987

[Prevalence of anti-LAV/HTLV III antibodies in groups at risk of infection and in donors blood in the province of Catania].

The prevalence of anti-LAV/HTLV III antibodies in serum samples of individuals at high risk for AIDS and of healthy individuals living in the province of Catania is reported. Serum samples were collected over the period 1983-86 from 220 drug addicts adults, 339 from multitransfused thalassemia patients, 71 from hemophiliacs, 22 from subjects of the hospital staff who had had contacts with positive subjects, 9 from family contacts of positive multitransfused thalassemics and 7270 from blood donors. Prevalence of antibodies among drug addicts was 14% and a positive subject was found as early as 1983. This result suggested that LAV/HTLV III was already present in Catania at that year. Among the thalassemics and the hemophiliacs the prevalence was 2.3% and 21% respectively. No positive subject was found among hospital staff nor among family contacts of positive thalassemic subjects. Three positive cases have been found among the blood donors and even though these are drug addicts, it is important to underline the necessity of a regular screening of the blood units to prevent LAV/HTLV III diffusion.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Primary ureteral carcinoma. Experience in a general surgical service.

Five cases (3M, 2F) of ureteral transitional cell carcinoma are reported. they have been observed in the last two years in a general surgical service. All the patients have been treated surgically. Gross hematuria was present in all the patients. Three cases had multicentric tumor sites. Three tumors were located in the distal ureter. Four cases showed a non functioning kidney at IVP. In two, because of obstruction, retrograde pyelography was unsuccessful. Ultrasound was able to demonstrate hydronephrosis. In the two cases submitted to angio-CT the spread of the tumor was correctly diagnosed. Frequency, etiology, clinical, diagnostic findings and surgical therapy as well have all been taken into account, based on the literature. Histopathologic aspects, grade and stage, are considered too. The authors emphasize the necessity to find and understand the cause of an unexplained hematuria, since ureteral carcinoma is not as rare as previously thought. Being grade and stage closely related to prognosis, the diagnostic delay must be reduced.

Aged↗
PubMed1982

[Research results on gamma-glutamyl-transferases and amino-peptidases in mycobacteria].

The activity of 68 mycobacteria strains belonging to 21 different species has been studied on 8 different chromogenic substrates utilized for determining the gamma-GT and various aminopeptidases. The assay was carried out using a simple method (bacterial suspension in solution M/10 of substrate and reading the result after 24 and 48h of incubation according to the color change) and interesting data were obtained about gamma-GT. This enzyme was present in all the strains of M.tuberculosis and in all the strains of the rapid growth species, absent in the other species. Thus, gamma-GT research is taxonomically and diagnostically useful in mycobacteria.

Aminopeptidases↗
PubMed1977

Granulocyte function in visceral leishmaniasis.

Nitroblue tetrazolium test in nine children with visceral leishmaniasis (VL) showed no increase of spontaneous reduction by neutrophils. The normal bactericidal activity of four of these patients excludes an impaired function of the neutrophils in VL.

Blood Bactericidal Activity↗
PubMed1976

Leukocyte function and characterization of leukocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in Sicilian mutants.

Nine Sicilian children known to be deficient in glucose-6-phosphate dehyrdrogenase (G6PD) were studied to see if there were anomalies of bactericidal activity in peripheral blood phagocytes. The type of deficiency was established. The G6PD levels in the leukocyte were found to be 26% of the controls (0.094 +/- 0.03, normal controls 0.360 +/- 0.12). The Michaelis constant for NADP and glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) was lower than the control. Conversely, the utilization of the analogous 2-deoxyglucose-6-phosphate (2dG6P) and galactose-6-phosphate (Ga16P) was higher. The thermostability of the enzyme in the deficient subjects was lower and the pH optima (8 and 9.5) were different from the controls. An identical electrophoretic pattern was found in both normal and deficient subjects. The bactericidal activity in the deficient subjects was normal. There was no difference in the results of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) tests in either group.

Blood Bactericidal Activity↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Microbiological quality of the Catania coastal sea water].

This study was carried out from 1997 to 1998 along a selected coastal area near Catania to ascertain bacteriological and virological quality of marine waters. 44 seawater samples, collected from 4 stations, were assayed for the presence of total and fecal coliforms, fecal streptococci, coliphages, Salmonellae and enteric viruses. Two stations localized at canal outfalls showed high levels of fecal pollution. The other stations were of good microbiological quality and showed a limited number of samples exceeding the standards laid down as guide values for bathing waters by Italian normative during the bathing period. Salmonellae were isolated in 8 out of 44 sea water samples (18%). Their presence was ascertained mainly in samples of the two polluted stations. Enteroviruses were not isolated. Enteric viruses such as Reoviruses were isolated from all stations, in 12 out of 44 samples (27%). The presence of these viruses was ascertained only during autumnal and winter seasons. The results of this study showed that, notwithstanding some stations showed high levels of bacteriological indicators of fecal pollution and presence of Salmonellae, enteroviruses growing on cell cultures were not isolated. Reoviruses confirmed their high diffusion in marine waters.

Bathing Beaches↗
PubMedDate not supplied

HTLV-I and HIV-I antibody frequency in thalassemics and drug addicts in southeast Sicily.

HTLV-I (Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type 1) and HIV-1 (Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1) antibodies have been investigated in 702 sera samples from: 259 drug addicts nerve screened for HIV-1 (Group I), 43 drug addicts already identified as HIV-1 seropositive (Group II), 222 thalassemics (Group III) and 178 occasional blood donors (Group IV). The sera, collected from June 1984 to April 1989, were screened a first time with immunoenzymatic test and the samples proving positive were then confirmed by Western blot test. The seropositive frequency with Western blot for anti-HTLV I was 2.7% in Group I and 6.9% in Group II. Of the thalassemics, five of whom had been previously identified as seropositive for HIV-1, and of the blood donors, none proved to be seropositive for HTLV-I antibodies. With regard to HIV-1, a positive antibody response to the Western blot was found in 19.9% of the Group I subjects. Contemporaneous presence of HTLV-I and HIV-1 antibodies was found in five subjects.

Adolescent↗