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Biomedical subjects

R Rescaldani

Publications and source records attributed to R Rescaldani.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

[Comparative study of 2 latex tests (rubalex and rubascan) with an immunoenzyme test (enzygnost-rubella) and a hemagglutination inhibition test for the study of anti-rubella antibodies].

Four different assays for detection of rubella IgG antibodies, two latex agglutination (Rubalex and Rubascan), one hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) and one enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA IgG), were used to test 372 human serum samples. All samples were also tested with a rubella ELISA IgM test and all of them were found negative. The results obtained in 358 (96.2%) out of 372 samples tested were identical with all procedures. Inconclusive results were obtained in 14 (3.8%) specimens, in that there were positive and negative results for the different assays. These 14 specimens were sent to the Institute of Virology in Turku (Finland) and tested by using a hemolysis in gel and a non commercially-available ELISA IgG test. Results obtained with the two last tests were considered definitive. The two latex tests were found equal or better than HAI and ELISA IgG for sensitivity and specificity. Furthermore they were also cost effective and more simple to perform.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1986

[IgM ISAGA test in the diagnosis of acute acquired Toxoplasma infections].

An immunoglobulin M immunosorbent agglutination assay (IgM ISAGA) was tested in 1804 outpatients' samples. The test was negative in all 1091 sera from individual negative in the total indirect immunofluorescence antibody (IFA tot) test and in the passive hemagglutination (HA) test and in 15 sera with inconclusive results in these two tests. The 698 sera positive in the IFA tot and HA tests were also tested with direct IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (IgM ELISA). The 74 sera positive in the IgM ISAGA and/or IgM ELISA were also tested in the IgM immunofluorescent (IgM IFA) test. These sera belong to 42 individuals, 26 of whom were followed for previous positive results in the IgM ELISA test. 51 samples (68.9%) were found positive in both IgM ISAGA and IgM ELISA tests. Only 13 (25.5%) of these 51 samples were found positive in the IgM IFA. 9 samples (12.2%) were positive only in the IgM ISAGA test. Conversely another 9 samples (12.2%) were positive only in the IgM ELISA test, performed on serum as well as on chromatographic IgM fraction. Finally five samples (6.7%) yielded false positive results in the IgM ELISA test, and three of them were found false positive also in the IgM IFA test. All these five samples in fact were found negative on IgM chromatographic fraction in both tests. In conclusion, IgM ISAGA appears to be more specific than direct IgM ELISA or IgM IFA test for the detection of Toxoplasma gondii IgM. Sensitivity of IgM ISAGA test seems to be as good as in the direct IgM ELISA and better than in the IgM IFA test for the diagnosis of acute acquired toxoplasma infection.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Interleukin-2 receptor positive cells and circulating soluble interleukin-2 receptors in patients with solid tumors are not correlated.

Activated lymphocytes can release a soluble form of IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R), which retains the capacity to bind IL-2. Abnormally high values of sIL-2R have been observed in patients with advanced solid tumors. In an attempt to further understand the biological significance of sIL-2R in solid tumors, this study investigated the relation between sIL-2R and Tac-positive cells. sIL-2R serum levels and Tac-positive cells were determined in 18 patients with solid tumors metastatic, 108 non-metastatic. Tumor types were: breast 7; lung 6; colon 2; stomach 1; testis 1; larynx 1. No correlation was found between circulating sIL-2R values and Tac-positive cells, and there was no difference between Tac-positive cell mean number in patients with high and normal sIL-2R levels. These preliminary results suggest that different mechanisms are responsible for sIL-2R release in the blood and IL-2 receptor expression on the immune cell surface.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Statistical research into the diagnostic methodology in bacterial infections of the respiratory system as at present practised by various centres (author's transl)].

A research program has been carried out using a questionnaire to survey statistically the diagnostic methods obtaining in the bacteriological examination of sputum. Of the 336 forms sent to: 1. all the regional, 2. most of the provincial, 3. some local, hospital laboratories, only 48 were returned. From these limited numbers we have extracted the data discussed in the present paper.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Surgery-induced decline in circulating dendritic cells in operable cancer patients: a possible explanation of postoperative immunosuppression.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The recent advances in the immunobiology of tumor have demonstrated the essential role of dendritic cells in anticancer immunity. Dendritic cells activate anticancer immunity by secreting interleukin-12 and by activating T helper lymphocytes, with the following production of interleukin-2. Since surgery-induced immunosuppression has been proven to be associated with a decline in the blood levels of both interleukin-2 and interleukin-12, it could depend at least in part on a transient deficiency of dendritic cells system. Unfortunately, at present there are no data about changes in circulating dendritic cell number during the postoperative period. This preliminary study was performed to evaluate the influence of surgery on dendritic cell number in the peripheral blood. METHODOLOGY: The study included 14 consecutive operable gastrointestinal tract cancer patients, who were evaluated before and at day 7 of the postoperative period. The control group consisted of 50 healthy subjects. Immature (CD 123+) and mature (CD 11+) dendritic cell subsets were measured by FACS and monoclonal antibodies. RESULTS: Cancer patients showed a significantly lower mean number of immature dendritic cells with respect to that found in controls. The mean number of mature dendritic cells was also lower in patients than in controls, without, however, significant differences. Finally, surgery induced a statistically significant decline in the mean number of both immature and mature dendritic cells, and the decrease was particularly pronounced for immature dendritic cells. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the well-demonstrated surgery-induced lymphocytopenia, this preliminary study shows that the surgical treatment may determine a significant decrease in circulating immature and mature dendritic cells. Because of the fundamental role of dendritic cells in regulating the immune responses, surgery-induced decline in circulating dendritic cells number could play a role in determining the immunosuppressive status, which characterizes the postoperative period.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of cancer chemotherapy on the relation between serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptors and CD4/CD8 ratio in patients with solid neoplasms.

The clinical significance of sIL-2R in solid tumors has still to be clarified. To further define the biological role of sIL-2R in cancer and their relation to chemotherapy, we have measured serum levels of sIL-2R and CD4/CD8 ratio in 45 patients with limited or metastatic solid tumor, 28 of whom had never received chemotherapy, whereas the other 17 had been previously treated with chemotherapy. sIL-2R were significantly higher in metastatic cancer patients than in the non-metastatic ones, while no difference was seen between patients treated and untreated with chemotherapy. Within the untreated group, sIL-2R mean values were significantly higher in patients with low CD4/CD8 ratio than in those with the normal one, while an opposite behavior was seen in patients previously treated with chemotherapy. The present study shows that cancer chemotherapy influences the release of sIL-2R and its relation to T lymphocyte subpopulations.

Adult↗