Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

P Benedetti

Publications and source records attributed to P Benedetti.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

High prevalence of HCV-RNA in the saliva cell fraction of patients with chronic hepatitis C but no evidence of HCV transmission among sexual partners.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of HCV-RNA in different fractions of saliva taken from patients with chronic hepatitis C, to establish whether virologic parameters or disease severity exert any influence on the detectability of HCV-RNA in saliva, and to evaluate the prevalence of HCV infection in partners of HCV-infected subjects with respect to the presence of HCV-RNA in saliva. Sera samples and different fractions of saliva (whole saliva, surnatant, and cell fraction) from 48 subjects (45 with chronic hepatitis C and three healthy anti-HCV+ carriers) were examined for HCV-RNA by RT nested PCR and DEIA hybridization. HCV-RNA-positive sera were also tested for genotype and viral titer (bDNA2 method). Twenty-seven stable sexual partners (25 females and 2 males) were screened for anti-HCV antibodies at least twice over a minimum of 12 months. HCV-RNA was detected in the sera of 39/45 patients and of 22/39 viremic patients. In all of the latter, the presence of HCV-RNA was restricted to the cell fraction. Viral titer was significantly higher in patients with HCV-RNA in saliva than in those without (12.3 x 10(6) versus 4.6 x 10(6) eq/ml, P < 0.01). HCV-RNA positivity was unrelated to genotype, duration of disease, Hepatitis Activity Index scores or transaminase levels. Anti-HCV was positive in one of 13 sexual partners of patients with HCV-RNA in saliva and in 1/14 of those without (P = NS). In conclusion, HCV-RNA is detectable in the cell fraction of saliva in a high proportion of highly viremic patients with chronic hepatitis C, but its presence does not seem to be associated with an increased risk of HCV transmission among sexual partners.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

HGV/GBV-C in liver tissue and in sera from patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Forty-eight persons (M = 45, F = 3; age range = 20-53, mean = 32.2) affected with chronic hepatitis C were tested for HGV/GBV-C RNA and HCV-RNA by nested PCR and DEIA in serum and in liver specimens to evaluate the prevalence and the impact of HGV/GBV-C coinfection in patients with chronic HCV-related hepatitis. Sera were also assayed for antibodies to HGV/GBV-C E2 protein. Serum HGV/GBV-RNA could be detected in nine (19%) patients, and anti-E2 antibodies in 22 (46%) patients. The presence of HGV/GBV-C RNA or anti-E2 antibodies was mutually exclusive. The cumulative prevalence of HGV/GBV-C infection was 65% (31/48); the majority of these patients (26/31, 84%) were intravenous drug users (IVDUs). In eight of nine patients viraemic for HGV/GBV-C, RNA positivity could be revealed even in liver specimens; these eight patients were also positive for HCV-RNA both in serum and the liver and did not exhibit any specific association with HCV genotype. HGV/GBV-C RNA negative strand RT-PCR testing was negative in all of the eight liver specimens, providing little support to the hypothesis that liver represents the primary site of HGV/GBV-C replication. Moreover, patients with HGV/GBV-C and HCV coinfection were comparable to those with HCV infection alone in terms of biochemistry and liver histology.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The development of auditory and visual evoked potentials in early treated phenylketonuric children.

Brain-stem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) and flash visual evoked potentials (F-VEPs) were gathered from 8 early treated phenylketonuric (PKU) children in a prospective longitudinal investigation during the 1st to the 12th months after birth. No consistent differences were found in the wave morphology of evoked potentials in PKU children from that of age-matched controls. Studying the latency of some components showed that in BAEPs, wave I latency was similar to control values for the whole year, but that the I-V interpeak mean latency (I-V IPL) was always significantly longer than in controls. In F-VEPs wave N1 latency was significantly longer than in controls only at 1-2 months of age, but returned to control values at 3-4 months (when all children were on dietary therapy) and remained in this range up to the 12th month. The mean latency of the P2 wave of flash VEPs was always significantly longer in PKU children than in controls. These results show that relevant alterations in evoked potentials may be found in PKU children several months after starting dietary therapy. This suggests that information processing in the brain may be impaired for a long time, due to abnormal metabolic conditions between birth and the onset of dietary therapy.

Brain↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Outcome after discontinuation of antiepileptic drug therapy in children with epilepsy.

We studied recurrence risks and predictive factors of relapse after antiepileptic drug (AED) discontinuation in a prospective analysis of 425 children with epilepsy who had not had a seizure for at least 2 years (follow-up after withdrawal 1.6-12 years, mean 8 years). Factors closely related by multivariate analysis to relapse were neurologic abnormalities, mental retardation, seizure type (infantile spasms, absence seizures), and appearance or persistence of EEG abnormalities during the course of the illness and before discontinuation. When multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate outcome of patients with a first relapse (isolated vs. multiple relapses), the variables closely related to a poor prognosis were etiologic factors, first relapse characterized by more than one seizure in a 24-h period, seizure-free period less than 4 years, unchanged seizure type at first relapse, more than one AED for seizure control, and abnormal EEG before the first relapse. In itself, resumption of therapy did not influence outcome. At the study cutoff point, 88% of patients with relapse were again seizure-free. We conclude that AEDs can safely be discontinued if predictive factors are considered to individualize the risk of relapse for each patient.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Leptospirosis following a flood in the Veneto area, North-east Italy.

In August 2002, an exceptional flood devastated a suburban area in the surroundings of Vicenza, North-east Italy. A fatal case of haemorrhagic pneumonia, which was presumptively diagnosed as leptospirosis, was observed as a consequence of the inundation. A local seroepidemiological survey was activated thereafter, with the principal aim of evaluating the risk of infection with Leptospirae in the population exposed to the flood. A 6.8% seroconversion rate was found in the population studied; however, the case previously observed remained unique, since an overt outbreak of leptospirosis did not occur.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Peripheral neuropathy in infantile and juvenile diabetes. A neurophysiological study].

We report on the results of a study on the peripheral nerve function in 40 patients with type I diabetes mellitus with onset in pediatric age. Results have shown a significant decrease in motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities (NCV) in a high percentage of cases, correlated with the degree of metabolic control. The finding of NCV slowing also in patients with a history of diabetes of less than 10 years and the presence in these cases of a high number of complications (autonomic neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy) may suggest that peripheral neuropathy is an early-onset complication and that its prompt recognition through neurophysiological investigations can have some predictive value in forecasting other complications. This hypothesis is to be verified through prospective studies.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Neuropsychological correlates of subclinical paroxysmal EEG activity in children with epilepsy. 1: Qualitative features (generalized and focal abnormalities).

The cognitive deficit often associated with epilepsy is attributable to the presence and interaction of several factors but whether recurrent subclinical spike-wave discharges interfere with cognitive development is not yet clear. In the present study, the presence of subclinical discharges proved to be significantly associated with lower than average Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (IQ), Verbal IQ and Performance IQ scores (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children) in comparison with patients not presenting EEG abnormalities during test. These findings confirm the adverse effect both of generalized and focal EEG epileptiform abnormalities, even if unaccompanied by overt seizures.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Neuropsychological correlates of subclinical paroxysmal EEG activity in children with epilepsy. 2: Quantitative aspects.

Altered cognitive functioning has often been reported in patients with epilepsy. In our study we looked for quantitative correlation between the recurrence of Subclinical Spike-and-Wave Discharges (SSWD) during EEG recording, the scores on the intelligence test (WISC) and the electro-clinical characteristics of 29 epileptic children with subclinical discharges of generalized spike-and-wave complexes. In our sample we found a below-normal mean IQ, with greater impairment on performance than on verbal tasks. No clear quantitative correlation was found between the weighted scores on the various subtests and the "time density" of the spike-and-wave complexes. These findings suggest that the SSWD interfere with cognitive development (mainly with visuo-spatial and sensorimotor coordination abilities) and selectively impair some of the functions involved in the cognitive processes.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Clinical picture of the onset of AIDS in 2911 adults in Italy].

Since 1982, 2911 adult AIDS cases have been officially reported in Italy up to December 31, 1988. The clinical presentation of all cases, reported to the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, and contained into the National AIDS Register, has been analyzed, with particular attention to opportunistic infections. 168 cases (mainly homosexual men) were found exclusively affected at diagnosis by Kaposi's Sarcoma (KS), while the other 2743 patients were affected by opportunistic infections and/or other pathologies. At diagnosis, 23.5% of patients had Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), 32% esophageal or pulmonary candidiasis, and 7% cerebral toxoplasmosis. A decrease in frequency of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) diseases has been observed, as well as an increase of HIV encephalopathy from 1982 to 1988. The clinical picture of full-blown AIDS showed stability during the whole period of observation, with slight geographical variations.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Sinusitis in children. Personal case study].

The presence of sinusitis has been found out 85 times out of 278 cases of acute relapsing respiratory diseases in children between 4 and 12 years of age. The maxilla sinuses have been those most frequently stricken; the frontal sinuses come next and last at a distance the sphenoidal sinus. A close relationship between the entity of basic respiratory pathology and the presence and seriousness of the sinusitis has been observed. There also seems to be a rather close relationship between the frequency of the presence of sinusitis in children with respiratory pathology either relapsing or chronic and climatic environmental situation. A damp climate with persistent fog together with industrial atmospheric pollution seems to favour the considered pathology in an undisputed way.

Aerosols↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Plasma levels of phenobarbital in epileptic children. Effect of combination with other anticonvulsants].

The effect of age on the steady state levels of phenobarbitone, alone and when given with phenytoin, sodium valproate and ethosuccimide has been measured in 1 361 children whose ages ranged from one month to 12 years. The relationship between dose and plasma level differed in those under 2 years from those aged between 2 years and 12 years. The addition of the other drugs altered the pharmacokinetics of phenobarbitone.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Primary enuresis: 144 cases (clinico-statistical observations and therapeutic considerations].

Of 144 cases of enuresis we have studied the distribution according with the age in which the subjects have been treated by a doctor for a first consultation, the clinical form (only night, only day, mixed), the sex. We have examined the familiarity, the associated pathology (encopresis, anorexy), the spontaneous evolution and after therapy. Authors have followed a therapeutic scheme that provides for "conditio sine qua non" a practice in the child to reduce, until suspension, the swallowing of liquids during and after the evening meal and in the previous hours, for the whole period of treatment. Cures employed: a preparation with atrapine, ephedrine (Noxenur) and a preparation of dry extract of rear hypophysis (Disipidin), given in series. Another group of subjects has been treated with mipramine. Authors have reached satisfying results by these means, they employ in any case of enuresis on condition to be over 7 years old, because, at this age, there is a more effective and constant collaboration by the subject. Presented the results of EEG and EMG, too.

Adolescent↗