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Biomedical subjects

R Santoro

Publications and source records attributed to R Santoro.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Measles epidemiology in Italy.

In preparation for a mass vaccination programme, the immune status with regard to measles was determined in over 8300 unvaccinated children aged 0-13 years, residing in eight Italian cities with different socioeconomic situations and geographical locations. The age corresponding to the 50% prevalence of immunes appeared to be intermediate (2.9-5.5 years) between that reported for industrialized (6-7 years) and developing countries (1-2 years). The 50% prevalence of natural immunity was reached at an earlier age in southern cities in which poorer socioeconomic and hygienic conditions prevailed; the earlier occurrence of measles in these areas was confirmed by a more detailed serological study of children in the first 24 months of life. For children aged 2-13 years, serological results showed that the history of measles reported by parents on questionnaires gave high positive predictive values (over 85%). Our seroepidemiological study shows that, on the basis of the ages of 25 and 75% prevalence of immunes, the target population for a mass immunization programme in Italy can be assumed to be aged from 12 months to 7 years. However, special attention should be given to the poorest areas, especially in southern Italy, where measles occurs earlier and can be particularly severe.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Serum antibodies to poliomyelitis in Italy.

A seroepidemiological survey was conducted to assess the effectiveness of the Italian nationwide immunization programme against poliomyelitis. Over 3800 serum samples were collected from persons, aged between 6 months and 79 years and residing in urban and rural areas with different socioeconomic conditions and geographic locations.A very high level of protection was found in the target population, confirming the almost 100% history of complete immunization. Almost all subjects over 30 years of age were found to have poliovirus antibodies, although they had never been vaccinated. In Naples, a higher proportion of subjects susceptible to all 3 types of virus was found in the age group 6-23 months, suggesting a delay in the administration of vaccine. This was confirmed by the analysis of the immunization history. No difference was observed between urban and rural areas, in either serological results or history of immunization.The results confirmed the higher immunogenicity of poliovirus type 2 with respect to the other two types, the effectiveness of the vaccine, and, finally, the efficiency of the operational procedures adopted for its administration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

[Enuresis].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

[Coxsackie B virus infection and cardiopathies].

Neutralizing antibody activity against Coxsackie virus group B, types 1-6, was determined on paired serum samples taken from 16 hospitalized patients affected by acute heart diseases of suspected viral origin. Serum samples were also taken from 4 additional cases of pleuropericarditis observed in the course of a small outbreak of Coxsackie B2 infection. Serological evidence of virus infection was based on the occurrence of the following conditions: a) twofold or greater variation of virus neutralizing antibody; b) antibody titers equal to or greater than 1:256. Evidence of Coxsackie B2 virus infection was found in 12 patients, while Coxsackievirus B1, B3, B5 and B6 infection, respectively, could be associated with 4 cases. The advisability of performing serological examination for Coxsackie group B viruses antibodies in patients with heart diseases of suspected viral origin is emphasized.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Perineal reconstruction with continent colostomy after the Miles operation.

Since the beginning of the century, different surgical procedures have been employed to create new anal sphincters for a continent perineal colostomy after abdominal perineal anorectal resection for cancer. After a detailed review of all the currently employed surgical procedures, the authors present their experience with 15 cases treated by transposition of the gracilis muscles to the perineum. More than 50% of the operated patients had good functional results with complete continence for solid stools and sufficient control of the stimulus. Poor results are related to surgical complications or unexpected postsurgical diseases and cancer recurrence or metastases. This surgical procedure seems to be an interesting possibility for selected patients in the case of a permanent abdominal incontinent colostomy after the Miles operation.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Serum antibodies against Coxsackie B1-6 viruses in type 1 diabetics.

Twenty-two newly diagnosed insulin-dependent diabetics and 46 control subjects have been examined for Coxsackie B1-6 serum antibodies. Evidence for CoxB4 neutralizing antibodies at titers greater than or equal to 16 and two seroconversions for this single virus type were shown in the diabetic group (31.8% of patients with titers greater than or equal to 16 in comparison with 10% of controls, p = 0.08). Reduced titers against CoxB2 and CoxB5 in diabetics were also observed. In agreement with the majority of publications, these data suggest the hypothesis that CoxB4 infections are frequently associated with type 1 diabetes, and the positive relationship found only for this type of virus may be related to greater tropism for the pancreas. The specificity of this viral infection, as shown by our serologic results, could suggest a possible causative role in the development of type 1 diabetes only in a limited number of cases. The authors propose new studies with monoclonal and IgM specific antibodies, obtained from new isolates, to detect more accurately the qualiquantitative differences between type 1 diabetics and controls.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Benign pancreatic tumor treated with duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas. Case report.

Cystic neoplasms of the pancreas constitute about 9% of all cystic lesions of the pancreas and less than 1% of all pancreatic neoplasms. Authors report the case of a 70 year-old woman with microcystic cystadenoma. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen diagnosed a 5 cm multilocular septated cyst, with calcifications in the context, localized in the head-uncinate process of the pancreas. The mass was well separated by a sharp cleavage plane with portal vein and superior mesenteric vessels. An endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) showed cephalic symmetrical stenosis (diameter: 3 mm) of the main pancreatic duct (MPD), mildly dilated in the remaining tract (diameter: 6 mm). An intra-operative biopsy of the cystic wall had been performed. Therefore, it was decided to proceed with a duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas (DPPHR), including stenosis tract of the MPD in the surgical specimen. The reconstructive procedure consisted, by i.v. jejunal loop transposition, of a side-to-side pancreatico-jejunostomy, including in the anastomosis both corpocaudal stump and the resection cavity of the pancreatic head, and an end-to-side Roux-en-Y jejuno-jejunostomy. With respect to long-lasting pain relief and preservation of the endocrine and exocrine functions of the pancreas, duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas is a highly effective surgical procedure with low early and late morbidity and mortality due to limited surgical resections. This technique, introduced into surgical practice in 1972 by Beger, is indicated in patients with chronic pancreatitis with an inflammatory mass in the head of the pancreas. The authors conclude that this procedure can also be performed in cases of pancreatic benign tumors, such as microcystic cystadenoma. Advantages of this technique make DPPHR an attractive alternative to pylorus-preserving pancreatico-duodenectomy (PPPD).

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Rotavirus laboratory network: results after one year of observation].

Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhea in children and it has been estimated that in Argentina Rotavirus is responsible for 21,000 hospitalizations, 85,000 medical attentions and an annual medical cost of US$ 27 millions. Given that a Rotavirus vaccine is about to be approved, a laboratory network based surveillance system was organized. Herein, we present the results after one year of study. Severe diarrhea was responsible for 9% of pediatric hospitalizations and rotavirus was detected in 42.1% of the diarrhea cases. We estimated that Rotavirus causes 3.8% of pediatric hospitalizations. The number of diarrhea and Rotavirus diarrhea hospitalizations was greater during the first year of life (62% and 71.3%, respectively). The number of diarrhea hospitalizations during the December-May semester was significantly higher than the rest of the year. A Rotavirus diarrhea peak was detected between April and June. These results indicate that Rotavirus is the most important etiological agent of severe diarrhea in Argentine children and show the importance of performing Rotavirus diagnosis in every pediatric hospital. The additional costs will be compensated by many benefits such as better use of antibiotics, improved nosocomial spread control, better handling of hospital beds and of laboratory resources and of the hospitalized patient.

Argentina↗