Biomedical subjects

P Mastroeni

Publications and source records attributed to P Mastroeni.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1992

Induction of tumor necrosis factor alpha by Leishmania infantum in murine macrophages from different inbred mice strains.

The present study was undertaken to determine whether the viscerotropic species, Leishmania infantum, endemic in Italy, could induce tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) in murine macrophages. Genetically susceptible (Lshs) and resistant (Lshr) mice were used in the attempt to correlate TNF alpha production with the ability to control parasite growth and replication. Resident peritoneal macrophages of C3H/HeN, DBA/2, CBA (Lshr), C57BL/10 and BALB/c (Lshs) mice were infected in vitro with promastigotes at a parasite to cell ratio of 8:1. No significant differences in the percentages of infected peritoneal cells of Lshs versus Lshr mice were observed until 72 h of in vitro culture. On the contrary, Kupffer cells from Lshr mice inhibited Leishmania replication. Peritoneal macrophages of resistant mice produced significantly higher amounts of TNF alpha as compared to susceptible mice. TNF alpha production of both resistant and susceptible mice peaked at about 5 h after the challenge with the parasite. No TNF alpha was found in supernatants of infected Kupffer cells from all the strains tested. The ability of macrophages from susceptible or resistant mice strains to produce TNF alpha after challenge with Leishmania infantum does not seem related to their capacity to control parasite replication in vitro.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Serum TNF alpha inhibitor in mouse typhoid.

Administration of anti-TNF alpha antiserum enhanced a sublethal infection with salmonellae of moderate virulence (Salmonella typhimurium M525) in innately susceptible (Ity(s)) BALB/c mice, indicating that TNF alpha is important in the early response which suppresses bacterial growth in the reticuloendothelial system (RES). However, only transient low levels of TNF alpha were detectable on day 3 in sera from some, but not all, sublethally infected mice. Conversely, on day 4 of the same infection, clear TNF alpha inhibitory activity was detected in some sera. Neither TNF alpha or any inhibitory activity were detected in sera of lethally infected BALB/c mice undergoing an acute, overwhelming Salmonella infection. In contrast, TNF alpha inhibitory activity, but not TNF alpha, was detected in sera of mice showing a cachectic syndrome induced by persistent high bacterial numbers following intravenous inoculation of a very high dose (2 x 10(7)) of the attenuated aro- S. typhimurium SL3261 strain.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Effects of rufloxacin in Salmonella typhimurium infection in mice.

This study was undertaken to investigate the efficacy of rufloxacin, a new quinolone which is interesting due to its pharmacokinetics characterized by a long plasma half-life, in the treatment of systemic salmonella infections in the mouse typhoid model. Innately susceptible BALB/c and resistant CBA mice were used to investigate the efficacy of rufloxacin in controlling systemic salmonella infections when given for brief or prolonged periods. The present study shows that rufloxacin is not only very effective on both mouse strains, but can completely eradicate the salmonellae from livers and spleens when given early in the infection of CBA resistant mice.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Serum TNF alpha in mouse typhoid and enhancement of a Salmonella infection by anti-TNF alpha antibodies.

Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) was detected by the L929 cell assay in the sera of mice 1 h after large i.v. inocula of virulent Salmonella typhimurium C5. TNF alpha was not detectable in sera from innately susceptible BALB/c mice during the course of a lethal infection commencing from a low inoculum, or from resistant A/J mice during the course of a lethal or sublethal infection, but only 1 h after i.v. challenge with large numbers of organisms. Administration of a single dose of rabbit polyclonal anti-TNF alpha antiserum on day 1 had no effect on the early course of a lethal infection in A/J mice. However, the same treatment exacerbated a sublethal infection in A/J mice. Anti-TNF alpha treatment did not accelerate the early bacterial net growth rate in the RES. Instead, the cfu count in treated mice continued to increase past the point at which the host response suppressed a further increase in bacterial numbers (the plateau phase) in normal controls. A second dose of anti-TNF alpha antiserum on day 4 together with a higher but still sublethal challenge caused a lethal infection in A/J mice. The results indicate that TNF alpha is important in mediating the plateau phase in a salmonella infection, and its effect may be local.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

A dot-ELISA for the detection of IgG antibodies to mumps and varicella viruses.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using nitrocellulose strips (dot-ELISA) for the routine laboratory detection of IgG antibodies to mumps and varicella viruses is described. The virus antigens are dotted onto nitrocellulose strips, and the dotted strips are incubated with the sera to be tested. The bound antibodies are revealed using enzyme-labeled antihuman IgG antibodies. Reliable results are obtained when the assay is carried out at 37 degrees C. The reported data indicate that the dot-ELISA can reliably be used for the detection of IgG antibodies to mumps and varicella viruses in human sera.

Antibodies, Viral↗

PubMed1990

A dot-ELISA intended for the specific and simultaneous detection of antibodies directed to antigens derived from Toxoplasma gondii, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, and type 1 and type 2 herpesviruses.

A procedure for the routine and simultaneous laboratory detection of IgG antibodies produced in humans in the course of various infectious diseases is described. The procedure, based on dot-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), used single nitrocellulose strips onto which several antigens were dotted in close proximity. Optimal conditions were specified that allowed the unequivocal and simultaneous detection of IgG antibodies specifically directed against Toxoplasma gondii, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 antigens. This technique has proved to be simultaneously specific, sensitive, and reliable, and it has been applied to prenatal screening of sera from pregnant women. It is suggested that this technique should also be used for the screening of large numbers of sera under field trial conditions.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Beta-lactam antibiotics (aztreonam, ampicillin, cefazolin and ceftazidime) in the control and eradication of Salmonella typhimurium in naturally resistant and susceptible mice.

This study was undertaken to investigate the efficacy of different beta-lactam antibiotics in the treatment of systemic salmonella infections in the mouse typhoid model. Innately susceptible BALB/c (Itys) and resistant CBA (Ityr) mice were used to investigate the efficacy of one monocyclic (aztreonam) and three bicyclic (ampicillin, cefazolin, ceftazidime) beta-lactam antibiotics in controlling systemic salmonella infections when given for brief or prolonged periods. The present study confirms and amplifies earlier reports on ampicillin therapy, demonstrates marked differences in the efficacy of the different antibiotics and shows that aztreonam is not only very effective but can completely eradicate the salmonellae from the RES when given early in the infection.

Ampicillin↗

PubMed1990

Screening of tetanus antibodies with the aid of dot-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Dot-ELISA). Validation of the results using standard ELISA and passive hemagglutination test.

A Dot-ELISA is described that lends itself to the screening of large series of sera in relation to tetanus antibodies. A threshold of 0.06 I.U. per ml has been chosen as representing the protective tetanus antibody level. Two hundred and fifty-four sera were assayed by conventional ELISA, passive hemagglutination test and Dot-ELISA. The results obtained using concurrently these 3 techniques were in agreement with one another and permitted us to ascribe the same sera as tested by the various techniques to the same group of sera containing a non protective antitetanus antibody level and to the same group of sera-containing a protective level. It is suggested that Dot-ELISA should be used for the assessment of the tetanus immune status of populations.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

PubMed1990

T cells do not mediate the initial suppression of a Salmonella infection in the RES.

The course of a sublethal salmonella infection was followed in mice rendered susceptible by irradiation, reconstituted with T-cell-depleted bone marrow from normal donors and given a synergistic pool of CD4 and CD8 monoclonal antibodies. The results indicate that the host response causing the early plateau and suppression of bacterial growth at the end of the first week of the infection, which is essential for survival, does not require T cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Rapid assessment of the antitetanus immune status of a subject using Dot-ELISA.

We describe a Dot-ELISA system for the rapid, specific and reliable assessment of a subject's antitetanus immune status. The conditions for Dot-ELISA were selected to give positive reactions only for sera with antitetanus antibody titers equal to or higher than 0.06 I.U./ml, considered to represent protection when using "in vitro" methods. This Dot-ELISA method could advantageously be applied to the monitoring of vaccination campaigns, as well as for assessing the antitetanus immune status of the wounded.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

PubMed1989