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S Ricci

Publications and source records attributed to S Ricci.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Suramin in combination with weekly epirubicin for patients with advanced hormone-refractory prostate carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Suramin and epirubicin are both active agents in the treatment of patients with hormone-refractory advanced prostate carcinoma, with demonstrated antitumor synergism in vitro on human prostate carcinoma cells and different dose-limiting toxicities. The authors conducted this Phase II study to determine the feasibility, toxicity, and antitumor activity of suramin in combination with epirubicin. METHODS: Only patients with hormone-independent advanced prostate carcinoma who had progressive disease after the last therapeutic maneuver they had undergone, including antiandrogen withdrawal, entered the study. Suramin was administered initially as a 6-day continuous infusion for 10 consecutive weeks and then for 6 days every 28 days for a maximum of 6 months. Doses were determined by a computer-assisted dosing system that used Bayesian pharmacokinetics to maintain suramin plasma concentrations of 200-250 microg/mL. Cortisone acetate 25 mg, administered at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily, was begun 4 weeks after the initiation of suramin therapy. Epirubicin 25 mg/m2 was given as a weekly intravenous bolus beginning on Day 1 and was continued for a maximum of 6 months. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients entered the study. Toxicities mainly included World Health Organization Grade 1-2 nausea, fatigue, anorexia, neutropenia, peripheral neuropathy, creatinine elevation, proteinuria, and prolonged prothrombin time, whereas Grade 3 toxicities were uncommon. Among 11 patients with measurable disease, 3 (27%) demonstrated an objective response. Among 24 patients evaluated for prostate specific antigen (PSA) response, 8 (33%; 95% confidence interval 16-55%) had a > or =50% decrease in PSA levels, which lasted a median of 32 (range, 8-52) weeks. Median progression free and overall survival were both 8 months. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of suramin and epirubicin used in the current study is feasible, is associated with moderate toxicities, and has antitumor activity in advanced hormone-refractory prostate carcinoma. However, the results obtained with this combination do not represent major improvements in the treatment of patients with this disease, compared with suramin or epirubicin alone or other available treatments.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Lysosomotropic agents increase vinblastine efflux from mouse MDR proximal kidney cells exhibiting vectorial drug transport.

Vinblastine (VBL) transport and efflux were studied in mouse proximal tubule PKSV-PR cells and in their multidrug-resistant derivatives PKSV-PRcol50 cells. The PKSV-PRcol50 cells produced more mdr1b transcripts and had higher resistance to various drugs. PKSV-PRcol50 cells had a predominantly basal-to-apical flux of [3H]VBL, 2.7 times larger than that in PKSV-PR cells. This flux was partially inhibited by verapamil (VRP) (10 microM) and cyclosporin A (CsA) (200 nM). [3H]VBL efflux was also greater in PKSV-PRcol50 than in PKSV-PR cells. Treatment with NH4Cl (30 mM), a lysosomotropic weak base, and concanamycin A (CCM A) (20 nM), an inhibitor of the vacuolar H+/ATPase, further increased [3H]VBL efflux from PKSV-PRcol50 cells. The cytoplasmic pH (pHcyt) of these drug-resistant cells transiently increased in the presence of NH4Cl deltapHcyt: +0.4). CCM A caused a moderate, delayed increase in pHcyt (deltapHcyt: +0.1) and made the acidic intralysosomal compartment more alkaline (deltapHlys: +1.3). VRP and CsA prevented the NH4Cl- and CCM A-induced [3H]VBL efflux from PKSV-PRcol50 cells. However, VRP (10 microM) did not significantly affect pHcyt of PKSV-PRcol50 cells, the NH4Cl-and CCM A-induced pHcyt responses, and the effect of CCMA on pHlys. Thus, lysosomotropic agents may affect the kinetics of [3H]VBL efflux. Our results also suggest that the inhibitory action of VRP on VBL efflux was not directly mediated by a pH-dependent process in these drug-resistant renal proximal tubule cells.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed1999

Characterization of mutations in the gene doublecortin in patients with double cortex syndrome.

Mutations in the X-linked gene doublecortin, which encodes a protein with no dear structural homologues, are found in pedigrees in which affected females show "double cortex" syndrome (DC; also known as subcortical band heterotopia or laminar heterotopia) and affected males show X-linked lissencephaly. Mutations in doublecortin also cause sporadic DC in females. To determine the incidence of doublecortin mutations in DC, we investigated a cohort of eight pedigrees and 47 sporadic patients with DC for mutations in the doublecortin open reading frame as assessed by single-stranded conformational polymorphism analysis. Mutations were identified in each of the eight DC pedigrees (100%), and in 18 of the 47 sporadic DC patients (38%). Identified mutations were of two types, protein truncation mutations and single amino acid substitution mutations. However, pedigrees with DC displayed almost exclusively single amino acid substitution mutations, suggesting that patients with these mutations may have less of a reproductive disadvantage versus those patients with protein truncation mutations. Single amino acid substitution mutations were tightly clustered in two regions of the open reading frame, suggesting that these two regions are critical for the function of the Doublecortin protein.

Brain Diseases↗
PubMed1999

Single-agent gemcitabine: an active and better tolerated alternative to standard cisplatin-based chemotherapy in locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

This randomized study was designed to determine the response rates, survival and toxicities of single-agent gemcitabine (GEMZAR) and a combination of cisplatin/etoposide in chemonaive patients with non-resectable, locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 was given as a 30-min intravenous infusion on days 1, 8, 15 of a 28-day cycle, cisplatin 100 mg/m2 on day 1, and etoposide 100 mg/m2 on days 1 (following cisplatin), 2 and 3. Major eligibility criteria included histologically confirmed non-small cell lung cancer, measurable disease, Zubrod performance status 0-2, no prior chemotherapy, no prior radiation of the measured lesion, and no CNS metastases. One hundred and forty-seven patients were enrolled, 72 in the gemcitabine and 75 in the cisplatin/etoposide arm. Patient characteristics were well-matched across both arms. Sixty-seven gemcitabine and 72 cisplatin/etoposide patients were qualified for efficacy analysis. There were no complete responses, but 12 partial responses in the gemcitabine arm and 11 in the cisplatin/etoposide arm, for protocol-qualified response but 12 partial responses in the gemcitabine arm and 11 in the cisplatin/etoposide arm, for protocol-qualified response rates of 17.9% (95%, CI: 9.6-29.2%,) and 15.3% (95% CI: 7.9-25.7%,), respectively. Median survival times were 6.6 months (95% CI: 4.9-7.3 months) for gemcitabine and 7.6 months (95% CI: 5.4-9.3 months) for cisplatin/etoposide. The 1-year survival probability estimate was 26% for gemcitabine and 24% for cisplatin/etoposide. There were no statistically significant between-group differences in time-to-event measures, but patients in the gemcitabine arm had a greater probability of achieving a tumour response after 2 months (probability estimate: 8 vs. 0%,) and of the response lasting at least 6 months (73 vs. 45%,). Clinical and haematologic toxicity was more pronounced in the cisplatin/etoposide arm. Quality-of-life measures indicated a significant worsening of symptomatology in the cisplatin/etoposide arm for hair loss, nausea and vomiting, and appetite loss. This randomized study provides further evidence that single-agent gemcitabine is an active and effective therapy for patients with non-resectable. locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC and good performance status, and that it is better tolerated than the combination cisplatin/ etoposide.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Medical technology assessment photic stimulation--standardization of screening methods.

RATIONALE: In many EEG laboratories in Europe, intermittent photic stimulation (IPS) is not performed routinely, and consequently, great variation exists in the type of photo stimulator used, the methodology employed, and the interpretation of the EEG curves, thus leading to different outcomes. METHODOLOGY: It was decided to hold a consensus meeting with experts in the field of photic stimulation from various European countries. This meeting was held at the Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland, Heemstede, the Netherlands. The consensus reached was presented and discussed at the 9th European Congress of Clinical Neurophysiology in Ljubjana in June 1998. RESULTS: Patients should be positioned at a distance of 30 cm from the photic stimulator (nasion to lamp) with dim surrounding lights, just enough to see the patient. Flashes should be delivered in separate trains of 10 s for each frequency, with intervals of 7 s minimum. First stimulation occurs with eyes open followed after 5 s by eye closure, while starting at 1 Hz progressing to 20 Hz, unless generalised epileptiform discharges are evoked at a lower frequency. Then, frequencies should start at 60 Hz decreasing to 25 Hz. The following frequencies should be used: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 60, 50, 40, 30 and 25 Hz. The total duration is a maximum of 6 min (patients without a reaction to IPS). In interpreting the evoked responses, a clear distinction should be made between epileptiform responses confined to the occipital area (OSW), starting occipitally and spreading to frontal regions (OGSW), or generalised from the start (GSW). Other responses include generalised spikes (OR). CONCLUSION: This standard is safe, relatively quick, simple and reliable. Comparison of data within patients and between patients of various laboratories will also be possible. This will improve the quality of the care of the individual patient and make collaborative research possible.

Electroencephalography↗
PubMed1999

The effect of video-game software in video-game epilepsy.

PURPOSE: The individual role of video-game (VG) programs in VG activation is still unclear. Strict relations between VG seizures and photo- and pattern sensitivity suggest that programs per se may have a role in seizure activation. METHODS: We tested a series of 12 commercially available VG programs in 30 subjects aged 7-28 years; test protocol comprised intermittent photic stimulation (IPS), pattern stimulation, and a game session with 12 programs, each played for 5 min, delivered from a 50-Hz screen. RESULTS: Activation was observed in 17 subjects; marked differences were observed between different games: two programs activated 13 subjects; one program did not provoke activation. High variability between scenes makes it impossible to define mean brightness for the whole program. Activation correlated with "steady maximal brightness" (SMB) within a program; SMB is defined as the brightness in lux of the brightest scene steadily present in a program. SMB varied between 6 and 305 lux in tested programs. Difference in activation between different games was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Pattern sensitivity is strictly correlated with the probability of VG activation (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates a strong variation in activation between different game programs and a strict relation between VG activation and pattern sensitivity. Programs with SMB >100 lux should be regarded as potentially dangerous: programs with SMB <50 lux may be considered relatively safe.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Video-game epilepsy: a European study.

With the introduction of Nintendo video-games on a large scale, reports of children having seizures while playing suggested a possible specific, provocative factor. Although 50% of the photosensitive patients are also sensitive to a 50-Hz television, nonphotosensitive patients with a history of video-game seizures were described as well. The question arises whether this is a mere coincidence, provoked by fatigue and stress, is related to the reaction to the television screen itself, or depends on the movement and color of the pictures of this specific game. A European study was performed in four countries and five sites. All patients were selected because of a history of television, video- or computer-game seizures, with a history of sun-light-, discotheque-, or black and white pattern-evoked seizures, or were already known to be sensitive to intermittent photic stimulation. A total of 387 patients were investigated; 220 (75%) were female and 214 (55%) of those were < 18 years of age. After a routine examination, intermittent photic, pattern, and television stimulation were performed in a standardized way. The patients were investigated with Super Mario World and a standard relatively nonprovocative TV program, both on a 50- and 100-Hz television. Regardless of the distance, Super Mario World proved to be more provocative than the standard program (Wilcoxon, p < 0.05). Eighty-five percent showed epileptiform discharges evoked by intermittent photic stimulation. Forty-five percent of patients were 50-Hz television sensitive and 26% were 100-Hz television sensitive. Pattern sensitivity was found in 28% of patients. The patients, referred because of a television, video- or computer-game seizure, were significantly more sensitive to pattern and to the 50-Hz television (chi square, p < 0.001). More patients are sensitive when playing Super Mario, compared with the standard program (Wilcoxon, p = 0.001) and more sensitive with playing versus viewing (p = 0.016). Of the patients who were referred because of seizures in front of the television, or evoked by a video- or computer game, 14% proved not to be photosensitive. Although no difference in age or use of medication was found, twice as many men were found in this nonphotosensitive group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Why do Italian stroke patients receive CT scans earlier than UK patients? International Stroke Trial Collaborators in Italy and the UK.

Computed tomography (CT) scanning is important prior to acute stroke treatment. We wished to identify factors associated with being able to obtain a CT scan quickly, from a recent large stroke treatment trial. A questionnaire survey on the organisation of CT scanning services for stroke was sent to 179 UK and Italian hospitals who had randomised patients into the International Stroke Trial and performed at least one pre-randomisation CT scan. Data from the questionnaire were analysed in conjunction with other patient data. Italian doctors expected the CT scans to be done more quickly than UK doctors, their hospitals were more likely to have a CT scanner operating all the time, and a porter was used less frequently to take the patient to the CT scanner. A few simple changes in the way CT scanning is organised for stroke patients in the UK could speed access to CT considerably.

Cerebrovascular Disorders↗
PubMed1999

Gemcitabine and cisplatin versus mitomycin, ifosfamide, and cisplatin in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: A randomized phase III study of the Italian Lung Cancer Project.

PURPOSE: To compare gemcitabine and cisplatin (GC) with mitomycin, ifosfamide, and cisplatin (MIC) chemotherapy in patients with stage IIIB (limited to T4 for pleural effusion and N3 for supraclavicular lymph nodes) or stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The end points were the evaluation of quality of life (QoL), response rates, survival, and toxicity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three hundred seven patients were randomized to receive either gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m(2) on days 1, 8, and 15 plus cisplatin 100 mg/m(2) on day 2, every 28 days, or mitomycin 6 mg/m(2), ifosfamide 3,000 mg/m(2), and mesna on day 1 plus cisplatin 100 mg/m(2) on day 2, every 28 days. The whole-blood cell count was repeated on day 1 in both arms and weekly in the GC arm before each gemcitabine administration. RESULTS: No major differences in changes in QoL were observed between the two treatment arms. The objective response rate was 38% in the GC arm compared with 26% in the MIC arm (P =.029). The median survival time was 8.6 months in the GC arm and 9.6 months in the MIC arm (P =.877, log-rank test). Grade 3 and 4 thrombocytopenia was significantly worse in the GC arm (64% v 28%, P <.001), whereas grade 3 and 4 alopecia was reported more commonly in the MIC arm (39% v 12%, P <. 001). CONCLUSION: We report an increased response rate without changes in QoL and a similar overall survival, time to progression, and time to treatment failure for the GC when compared with the MIC regimen in the treatment of advanced NSCLC.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Bactericidal monoclonal antibodies that define unique meningococcal B polysaccharide epitopes that do not cross-react with human polysialic acid.

The poor immunogenicity of the Neisseria meningitidis group B polysaccharide capsule, a homopolymer of alpha(2-->8) sialic acid, has been attributed to immunologic tolerance induced by prenatal exposure to host polysialyated glycoproteins. Substitution of N-propionyl (N-Pr) for N-acetyl groups on the meningococcal B polysaccharide, and conjugation of the resulting polysaccharide to a protein carrier, have been reported to yield a conjugate vaccine that elicits protective Abs with minimal autoantibody activity. To characterize the protective epitopes on the derivatized polysaccharide, we isolated 30 anti-N-Pr meningococcal B polysaccharide mAbs. These Abs were heterogeneous with respect to complement-mediated bactericidal activity, fine antigenic specificity, and autoantibody activity as defined by binding to the neuroblastoma cell line, CHP-134, which expresses long-chain a(2-->8)-linked polysialic acid. Eighteen of the Abs could activate complement-mediated bacteriolysis. Seven of these 18 Abs cross-reacted with N-acetyl meningococcal B polysaccharide by ELISA and had strong autoantibody activity. Thus, N-Pr meningococcal B polysaccharide conjugate vaccine has the potential to elicit autoantibodies. However, 7 of the 18 bactericidal mAbs had no detectable autoantibody activity. These Abs may be useful for the identification of molecular mimetics capable of eliciting protective Abs specific to the bacteria, without the risk of evoking autoimmune disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Radio-frequency thermal ablation of liver metastases with a cooled-tip electrode needle: results of a pilot clinical trial.

The aim of this study was to evaluate feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of radio-frequency (RF) thermal ablation, performed by using a cooled-tip electrode needle, in the treatment of liver metastases. Twenty-nine patients (20 males and 9 females; age range 43-77 years) with one to four hepatic metastases 1.1-4.8 cm in diameter (mean 2.9 +/- 0.8 cm) from previously resected intra-abdominal primary malignancies were treated. All patients were excluded from surgery and had partial or no response to chemotherapy. Radio-frequency ablation was performed by using a 100-W generator and 17-gauge, dual-lumen, cooled-tip electrode needles with a 2- to 3-cm exposed tip. Exposure time was 12 min for each needle insertion. Findings at spiral CT were used to assess the therapeutic response. A total of 127 insertions were performed (mean 2.4 +/- 1.7 insertions/lesion) during 84 treatment sessions (mean 1.6 +/- 0.7 sessions/lesion) in absence of major complications. Complete tumor response (i. e., unenhancing area of thermal necrosis larger than the treated tumor) was seen in 41 (77 %) of 53 lesions, including 33 (87 %) of 38 lesions 3 cm or less in diameter. After a mean follow-up period of 6.5 +/- 2.1 months (range 3-9 months), recurrence of the treated lesion was seen in 5 (12 %) of the 41 cases. New metastatic lesions appeared in 7 patients. Two patients died after 6 and 8 months, respectively. Of the 27 patients still in follow-up, 14 are currently free of disease. Radio-frequency thermal ablation with a cooled-tip electrode needle is a safe and effective local treatment for hepatic metastases 3 cm or less in greatest dimension.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Comparative evaluation by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction of MDR1, MRP and GSTp gene expression in breast carcinomas.

Identification and quantitative evaluation of drug resistance markers are essential to assess the impact of multidrug resistance (MDR) in clinical oncology. The MDR1 gene confers pleiotropic drug resistance in tumour cells, but other molecular mechanisms are also involved in drug resistance. In particular, the clinical pattern of expression of the other MDR-related genes is unclear and their interrelationships are still unknown. Here, we report standardization of the procedures used to determine a reliable method of semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using a standard series of drug-sensitive and increasingly resistant cell lines to evaluate the expression of three MDR-related genes, i.e. MDR1 (multidrug resistance gene 1), MRP (multidrug resistance related protein) and GSTp (glutathione-S-transferase p), reported to be endogenous standard genes for normalization of mRNAs. A total of 74 breast cancer surgical biopsies, obtained before any treatment, were evaluated by this method. When compared with classical clinical and laboratory findings, GSTp mRNA level was higher in diploid tumours. However, the main finding of our study suggests a clear relationship between two of these MDR-related gene expressions, namely GSTp and MRP. This finding provides new insight into human breast tumours, which may possibly be linked to the glutathione conjugate carrier function of MRP. Well defined semiquantitative RT-PCR procedures can therefore constitute a powerful tool to investigate MDR phenotype at mRNA levels of different related genes in small and precious tumour biopsy specimens.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed1998

doublecortin is the major gene causing X-linked subcortical laminar heterotopia (SCLH).

Subcortical laminar heterotopia (SCLH), or 'double cortex', is a cortical dysgenesis disorder associated with a defect in neuronal migration. Clinical manifestations are epilepsy and mental retardation. This disorder, which mainly affects females, can be inherited in a single pedigree with lissencephaly, a more severe disease which affects the male individuals. This clinical entity has been described as X-SCLH/LIS syndrome. Recently we have demonstrated that the doublecortin gene, which is localized on the X chromosome, is implicated in this disorder. We have now performed a systematic mutation analysis of doublecortin in 11 unrelated females with SCLH (one familial and 10 sporadic cases) and have identified mutations in 10/11 cases. The sequence differences include nonsense, splice site and missense mutations and these were found throughout the gene. These results provide strong evidence that loss of function of doublecortin is the major cause of SCLH. The absence of phenotype-genotype correlations suggests that X-inactivation patterns of neuronal precursor cells are likely to contribute to the variable clinical severity of this disorder in females.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1998

Ambulatory phlebectomy. Principles and evolution of the method.

BACKGROUND: An easy, effective, inexpensive, and aesthetic method of varicose vein avulsion, in an office setting, is the aim of most phlebologists. Muller's ambulatory phlebectomy probably comes very close to this goal. With the acceptance and diffusion of this method, imitations, deviations, and "ameliorations" are frequent but do not always represent a true evolution. OBJECTIVE: To describe the basic principles of the method and the evolution of some aspects (anesthesia, instruments, duplex mapping, eco-phlebectomy, compression) leading to effective advantages. CONCLUSION: In its 40 years in existence, ambulatory phlebectomy has not significantly changed, and has proved to be easy and safe. The most important progress has been made in anesthetic dose and in ultrasound applications.

Ambulatory Surgical Procedures↗
PubMed1998

Epilepsy provoked by television and video games: safety of 100-Hz screens.

Television (TV) and video games (VG) can provoke seizures in patients with photosensitive epilepsies. Flicker frequency is the most important factor in screen activation. We tested conventional 50-Hz versus 100-Hz monitors during TV viewing and VG playing in 30 photosensitive subjects, 23 of whom had a history of TV or VG seizures or both. Fifteen subjects' discharges were activated by 50-Hz TV; 17 by 50-Hz VG; and one by a 100-Hz screen. Thus, 100-Hz screens protect against screen activation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Intra-arterial antiblastic treatment of breast carcinoma].

PURPOSE: To report our personal experience with the locoregional treatment of breast cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighteen patients aged 33-67 years (mean: 54 years) were treated with 31 sessions of intra-arterial antiblastic infusion, 5 of them for neoadjuvant purposes (Group 1), 5 for palliation in unresectable tumors (Group 2) and 8 for cutaneous recurrences after mastectomy (Group 3). RESULTS: 2/5 CR and 3/5 PR were obtained in Group 1; 2/5 lesions were made resectable and 3/5 RP obtained in stage III or unresectable lesions (Group 2). Finally, 3/8 CR, 3/8 PR, 1/8 SD and 1/8 PD were observed in Group 3. An objective response according to WHO criteria was demonstrated in 15/18 cases (88%). We had no post-treatment hematologic complications, but one patient presented focal subcutaneous sclerosis and one cutaneous necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: The morphological efficacy of intraarterial antiblastic infusion in our series was similar to that of other series. No definitive conclusions can be drawn yet about clinical results and long-term survival. This poorly invasive and low risk procedure, which should be combined with other treatments, permits to reduce the extent of surgery and to treat skin recurrences.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Predictive value of cytomegalovirus DNA detection by polymerase chain reaction in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage in lung transplant patients.

BACKGROUND: Despite promising results, the efficacy of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for clinical management of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in transplanted patients is still controversial. METHODS: A prospective study of CMV detection, with concurrent shell vial cultures and PCR in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), was conducted in 13 lung transplant recipients, monitored for 15 months (range: 1-42 months). CMV DNA was detected by PCR amplification of a 406-bp fragment in the Us region and a 290-bp fragment in the immediate early region of the viral genome. RESULTS: When comparing PCR to viral culture, the sensitivity and specificity of CMV DNA detection were 100% and 65.7% in blood (n=122) and 100% and 75% in BAL (n=104). The positive and negative predictive values of PCR for a forthcoming diagnosis of CMV infection were 50% and 97% in blood, and 67% and 85% in BAL. Seventeen CMV infections were evaluated at the end of treatment: when PCR was still positive either in blood or BAL, CMV infection relapsed within 35+/-5 days; when PCR was negative, CMV infection relapsed after 142+/-57 days (P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Negative CMV detection by PCR strongly advocates against a forthcoming CMV infection. PCR assay seems to be a good predictor for early recurrence of CMV infection, and would be useful for monitoring the response to antiviral therapy.

Adolescent↗