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Biomedical subjects

S Mansueto

Publications and source records attributed to S Mansueto.

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

A sero-epidemiological survey of asymptomatic cases of Boutonneuse fever in western Sicily.

963 sera from contacts, persons from various localities, and blood donors were examined with a commercially produced kit for micro-immunofluorescence for the presence of antibodies to Rickettsia conorii. 10.6% of sera were serologically positive. The higher rates of positivity were observed in sera of contacts (19%) and persons from Mussomeli (20%) and Ustica (18.4%), the lower rates in blood donors from Palermo (3.5%). These results support the view that there is an occupational risk factor related to a rural environment.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1984

Demonstration of spotted fever group rickettsiae in the tache noire of a healthy person in Sicily.

A human case of rickettsial infection occurred in Sicily following tick bite. The patient did not have fever, the typical nodular rash, or other symptoms of illness other than development of a tache noire containing spotted fever group rickettsiae, which were demonstrated by immunofluorescence. A high titer of antibodies of the IgG class suggests that the patient may have had previous exposure to Rickettsia conorii or a related spotted fever group rickettsia. An anamnestic response may be hypothesized to have conferred partial immunity, with resulting containment of rickettsiae at the site of inoculation.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1983

The histology of "taches noires" of boutonneuse fever and demonstration of Rickettsia conorii in them by immunofluorescence.

The recent increase in the incidence of boutonneuse fever in Italy provided the opportunity to study the pathology of six "taches noires," the lesions at the site of tick bite. The center of the lesion has either an ulcer or an area of necrosis of the epidermis and superficial dermis; in some cases the epidermis is intact. The alterations are mainly in the dermis and subcutaneous tissues where the small vessels show endothelial swelling and intramural and perivascular oedema and inflammation with macrophages, lymphocytes and smaller numbers of plasma cells, PMNs and eosinophils. In a few small arteries and fewer veins there are either nonocclusive mural or occlusive thrombi; there is no spatial or quantitative correlation between thrombosis and necrosis. We propose that cutaneous necrosis results from severe injury to many small vessels. Rickettsiae which had not been previously observed in "taches noires" were demonstrated in blood vessels by immunofluorescence, a finding that may be used as a means for early aetiological diagnosis of the disease. The "tache noire" is an excellent human model for localized rickettsial injury.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Immunity and rickettsial infection: a review.

Immunity to rickettsiae is enhanced by both T-lymphocytes and humoral antibodies; however, the principal effector of rickettsial killing is the macrophage. Lymphokines may play an important role. There is undoubtedly a complex in vivo interaction between the immune, phagocytic, and inflammatory host defenses against these obligate intracellular bacteria.

Antibody Formation↗
PubMed1983

[Seroimmunologic studies in boutonneuse fever. I. Evaluation of a commercial micro-immunofluorescence kit in the serodiagnosis of boutonneuse fever].

The diagnosis of Boutonneuse Fever usually depends on clinical evidence (summer occurrence, fever, tache noire at the site of the tick bite, in 30-70% of cases, erythemato -papular rash, prompt response to chloramphenicol or tetracycline treatment). Serological confirmation is difficult since the only diagnostic procedure currently feasible, the Weil-Felix test, is not specific. Other more specific diagnostic procedures (agglutination, complement fixation, ELISA, indirect immunofluorescence tests) are beyond the possibilities of most laboratories (antigens are not available from the market). In the present paper, results obtained with a new commercially produced kit for indirect immunofluorescence are reported. Sera from patients with infectious and non infectious diseases as well as Boutonneuse Fever (at various stages of illness, from 6 days to 12 months) were examined. Sera from blood donors were also included. Specificity and sensitivity were satisfactory as well as reproducibility of results. Some apparently false positivities must be related to the present epidemiological pattern in western Sicily, and namely to the incidence of asymptomatic cases of Boutonneuse Fever, as demonstrated by recent works.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1983

[Enzymatic parameters in boutonneuse fever. II. Behavior and significance of lactic dehydrogenase].

Serum levels of Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined at weekly intervals, in 52 patients with Boutonneuse Fever: 33 adults (23 uncomplicated and 10 complicated cases) and 19 children (no complication occurred in these patients). In the first week of illness, LDH was increased in 86 and 100% of adults (uncomplicated and complicated cases respectively) and in 89% of children. Mean values were 419 and 472 U/l for adults (uncomplicated and complicated) and 423 for children (normal values until 240 U/l). In total (adults plus children), in the first week, pathological findings were observed in 90% of patients. In the second week, LDH was increased in 53 and 100% for adults, and 66% for children. Mean values were 252 and 306 for adults, and 291 U/l for children. The significance of this increase is related to the pathophysiology of rickettsial diseases. Rickettsiae cause endothelial injury with platelet aggregation, activation of inflammation as well as coagulation mechanisms and subsequently damage of various organ systems at various degree (from silent to evident forms). From a general point of view LDH increase appears in part of platelet origin, at first stage of illness, in part from other organ systems involved in the vasculitic process.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

[Preliminary results of the use of an ELISA test for the differential determination of IgG and specific IgM in toxoplasmosis serology].

The diagnosis of acute toxoplasmosis usually depends on serology, since clinical and/or histological features are difficult and/or often misleading. IgM titers are the best indicators of infection acquired in the past two to four months. IgG titers are generally correlated with non-active infections as well as previous (symptomatic and/or asymptomatic) illness. In the present paper, results obtained with a new kit for the evaluation of IgG and specific-IgM by micro-ELISA technique, are reported. Optical density values in sera from: a) blood donors; b) miscellany group; c) suspected toxoplasmosis, were at various degree high for IgG. Few sera of the entire sample (in the group of suspected toxoplasmosis and one in miscellany) showed high optical density for specific IgM. Reading of results with spectrophotometer were in agreement with reading to the naked eye. Reproducibility was satisfactory. Unfortunately some sera positive in the first determinations gave equivocal results in successive proofs. For these reasons diagnosis of toxoplasmosis must be based upon the use of at least three tests.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay↗
PubMed1981

[Boutonneuse fever in clinical practice].

Boutonneuse fever has become endemic in some parts of Sicily and the Italian mainland over the last five years. An account is given of the features assisting its clinical recognition and serological verification. The main nosographical aspects of the disease are described. The conditions required for certain, probable and presumed diagnosis are stated, stress being laid on the prime importance of timely clinical assessment, and the possibility of serological ascertainment when the disease is waning, or even later. Serum diagnosis via complement fixation or microagglutination will be positive in the second half of the second seven-day period of fever. It is specific with Rickettsia conorii antigens, though these have not been easy to find so far. The Weil-Felix reaction with Proteus OX19 and OX2 is significantly positive in advanced coalescence. While this is always a practical possibility, it is of indicative, and usually retrospective, value only.

Antibody Formation↗