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Biomedical subjects

M Scaglia

Publications and source records attributed to M Scaglia.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Endemic strongyloidiasis in northern Italy: clinical and immunological aspects.

One hundred and eighteen cases of S. stercoralis infection were detected by stool examination among 4203 patients seen over a period of three years at the Division of Infectious Diseases (IRCCS, San Matteo, University of Pavia) of a University Hospital in Northern Italy. Because chronic strongyloidiasis is often asymptomatic, a 3 per cent prevalence in this selected population indicates that the parasitosis may be much more frequent in the general population of the area. Parasite-specific humoral responses were studied in 48 patients. Strongyloides-specific IgG and IgA antibodies were found by ELISA in the serum of 40 (83.3 per cent) and 43 (89.5 per cent) patients, respectively, and specific IgE antibodies were detected by RAST in 39 (81.3 per cent). The specific IgG antigen recognition patterns of these patients were compared by immunoblotting with those of North and South American and Thai patients, and differences among the groups suggested the existence of separate geographic strains of S. stercoralis. This was further supported by the virtual absence in our patients of the larva currens, a common and highly characteristic sign of strongyloidiasis in subjects infected in southeast Asia. More awareness of the epidemiologic and clinical features of strongyloidiasis, with the use of serologic tests to screen candidates for immunosuppression, may result in the early detection of chronic uncomplicated strongyloidiasis and in the prevention of fatal opportunistic hyperinfections.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Pathogenic and non-pathogenic Naegleria and Acanthamoeba spp.: a new autochthonous isolate from an Italian thermal area.

We performed an epidemiological survey of 17 thermal baths and the same number of mud-basins. This study aimed to ascertain the presence and incidence of small free-living amoebae, particularly species and/or strains of Naegleria and Acanthamoeba spp., occasional etiological agents of fatal meningoencephalitis and/or ocular infections in man. Over 51 samples of water and mud incubated at 37 degrees C and at 45 degrees C, 34 (66.7%) became positive at 37 degrees C and 33 (64.7%) at 45 degrees C. We isolated 7 (6%) strains of Naegleria spp., 6 (5.2%) of Acanthamoeba spp., 39 (33.6%) of Vahlkampfia spp., 28 (24.1%) of Hartmannella spp. and 36 (31.1%) strains of other species of free-living amoebae. 4 strains of Naegleria spp. and 6 of Acanthamoeba spp. proved pathogenic both in vivo, after experimental infection (meningoencephalitis) in the albino mouse, and in vitro, having previously contaminated monolayers of Vero cell line (cytopathic effect). Within the isolated pathogenic strains of Naegleria spp., a new strain of N. australiensis s.sp. italica was typified from an immunochemical point of view. This should be added to previous isolations reported by us.

Amoeba↗
PubMed1986

Restoration of intestinal continuity (pelvic pouch) after previous proctocolectomy with distal mucosal proctectomy.

Colectomy with full thickness proximal proctectomy and endoanal distal mucosal proctectomy may be a rational alternative to the conventional single stage proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis. One of the great attractions of the method is that the preserved anal canal and anal sphincters may subsequently be used for restoration of intestinal continuity. Two patients are described who were both successfully treated by construction of a pelvic pouch at a second stage. This approach should be considered an alternative for patients with severe ulcerative colitis particularly those in whom preservation of the rectum is judged to be hazardous.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Dynamic and ultrastructural studies of in vitro interaction between Toxoplasma gondii and cultured cell lines. I. Adhesion and cellular penetration.

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that requires an intracellular environment for growth and replication. This study describes the early phase of the interaction between the parasite and its host cell. With the aid of phase contrast microcinematography, it has been possible to observe adhesion to cell membrane, and the closely following intracellular penetration. This report also reviews the ultrastructural and biochemical grounds that could account for the infecting process.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Larva currens following systemic steroid therapy in a case of strongyloidiasis.

The authors report a case of larva currens following systemic steroid administration for acute contact eczema. The patient was found affected with subclinical strongyloidiasis. Strongyloides is not very common in Northern Italy; it is occasionally diagnosed from stool samples from patients complaining of persisting itching.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

A comparative study of 14 strains of Naegleria australiensis demonstrates the existence of a highly virulent subspecies: N. australiensis italica n. spp.

Fourteen strains of Naegleria australiensis, including the type strain, were compared for virulence for mice, maximum growth temperature, lectin agglutination, isoenzyme pattern, and total protein banding pattern. Their relation to other species of Naegleria also was compared by immunoelectrophoretic analysis. Strains with high virulence, comparable to that of N. fowleri, were found to be different in concanavalin A agglutination as well as with regard to zymograms and total protein patterns. Although serologically different from N. fowleri and reacting with N. australiensis antiserum in the fluorescent antibody test, these high-virulence strains differed in number of immunoelectrophoretic precipitin bands. Because of these results, the high-virulence strains are considered to be a subspecies of N. australiensis. The low-virulence strains showed minor differences from the type strain. Thus, N. australiensis does not appear to be as homogenous a species as N. fowleri. Pathogenic N. australiensis also seems to be more widespread than previously thought.

Agglutination↗
PubMed1984

[First isolation in Italy of Naegleria australiensis (De Jonckheere, 1981)].

An epidemiological investigation was carried out in Northern Italian spa to detect presence and incidence of free-living amoebae, mostly belonging to amphizoic species Acanthamoeba and Naegleria. Seven pathogenic strains of Naegleria spp. were isolated. Morpho-biological characterization and indirect immunofluorescence assays showed that all these strains belong to N. australiensis, a new pathogenic species. Such a species could induce, along with N. fowleri and Acanthamoeba spp., fatal meningo-encephalitis in man and other mammals.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Entamoeba moshkovskii (Tshalaia, 1941): morpho-biological characterization of new strains isolated from the environment, and a review of the literature.

After an investigation carried out with samples from several sewage sludges from the town of Pavia (Italy) the AA. report the isolation of two new strains of Entamoeba moshkovskii. The usefulness and reliability of two methods, i.e. growth in hypotonic media and the thermoresistance tests in vitro for the biological typing of this species are analyzed and discussed. Both methods had already proven useful to characterize the Laredo-type strains of E. histolytica too, as reported by other AA.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Isolation and identification of pathogenic Naegleria australiensis (Amoebida, Vahlkampfiidae) from a spa in northern Italy.

Samples from therapeutic swimming pools and mud basins were cultured for free-living amoebae. Seven strains of pathogenic Naegleria species were isolated. Although some of the strains were as virulent as Naegleria fowleri, the etiological agent of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, they were identified as Naegleria australiensis with the indirect fluorescent-antibody technique. The virulence of the isolates for mice corresponded with the cytopathic effect for Vero cells. The N. australiensis strains were isolated from swimming pools with water temperatures ranging from 32 to 35 degrees C and from mud with temperatures from 25 to 43 degrees C. The presence of pathogenic N. australiensis in the swimming pools did not correlate with bacterial indicators.

Amoeba↗
PubMed1983

[Incidence of intestinal parasitosis among the Batwa and Hutu pygmy tribes of Rwanda].

The AA have carried out an epidemiological investigation on the incidence of intestinal parasitosis in groups of populations belonging to the pygmoid tribes Batwa and Hutu living in the Northern and Southern regions of Rwanda (East Africa). Positivity for intestinal parasites (protozoa and/or helminths) reached 100% in the 309 subjects examined, no significant difference in prevalence being observed between the Northern and Southern groups. Among the protozoa, E. coli and E. histolytica were most commonly found, while trichocephalosis and ascaridiasis were the most frequently encountered helminthiasis. The occasional finding of Strongyloides fülleborni infestation should also be pointed out.

Cestode Infections↗
PubMed1980

Parasite-reactive serum IgE antibodies in African populations. Relation to intestinal parasite load.

Serum IgE levels and IgE antibodies against four intestinal parasites, and the presence and abundance of parasites in stool samples were investigated in 161 Rwanda natives. Most of the IgE turn out to be helminth-reacting antibodies. The stimulation and production of these antibodies are much different from those of anti-amoeba antibodies in their relation to the specific intestinal parasite load; helminth infestations seem to play a major role in the development of anti-amoeba antibodies as well.

Ascaris↗