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Biomedical subjects

Sandro Vento

Publications and source records attributed to Sandro Vento.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Infections and thalassaemia.

Infections are major complications and constitute the second most common cause of mortality and a main cause of morbidity in patients with thalassaemia, a group of genetic disorders of haemoglobin synthesis characterised by a disturbance of globin chain production. Thalassaemias are among the most common genetic disorders in the world. Predisposing factors for infections in thalassaemic patients include severe anaemia, iron overload, splenectomy, and a range of immune abnormalities. Major causative organisms of bacterial infections in thalassaemic patients are Klebsiella spp in Asia and Yersinia enterocolitica in western countries. Transfusion-associated viral infections (especially hepatitis C) can lead to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. A unique and challenging infection detected in Asian patients is pythiosis, caused by a fungus-like organism, the mortality rate of which is very high. Because the prognosis for thalassaemia has much improved, with many patients surviving to the fifth decade of life in developed countries, it is mandatory to reduce mortality by recognising and presumptively treating infections in these patients as quickly as possible.

Comorbidity↗
PubMed2006

Approach to salvage antiretroviral therapy in heavily antiretroviral-experienced HIV-positive adults.

Despite dramatic declines in HIV-associated morbidity and mortality as a result of highly active antiretroviral therapy, management of heavily treatment-experienced patients remains complex and challenging. Treatment response rates with subsequent antiretroviral regimens are lower than with initial antiretroviral therapy. Additionally, increased mortality has been associated with multidrug-resistant HIV. We review data relevant to management of such patients and offer a systematic approach to constructing a salvage antiretroviral regimen.

Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active↗
PubMed2006

Co-occurrence of chronic hepatitis B virus infection and autoimmune hepatitis in a young Senegalese girl.

We report the case of a 9-year-old Senegalese girl with co-occurring wild-type (HBeAg-positive) chronic hepatitis B and antinuclear antibody-positive autoimmune hepatitis. Her HLA haplotype was A1, B8, DRB1*04, DQB1*02. Steriod and lamivudine therapy led to biochemical remission, and reactivation occurred when the patient stopped steroids. Persistent HBV infection due to wild-type virus (likely acquired vertically or early in life, as the mother was HBsAg positive) may have acted as a trigger for autoimmune hepatitis in this young girl.

Child↗
PubMed2006

Human immunodeficiency virus-associated peripheral neuropathies.

Peripheral neuropathy has emerged as the most common neurologic complication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. It will continue to play an Important role in HIV Infection given the fact that HIV-infected Individuals are living longer, are at risk of long-term metabolic complications, and face an Increasing exposure to potentially neurotoxic antiretroviral drugs. We review the various types of peripheral neuropathy that have been associated with HIV infection, including distal symmetrical polyneuropathy, toxic neuropathy from antiretroviral drugs, diffuse infiltrative lymphocytosis syndrome, inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathies, multifocal mononeuropathies, and progressive polyradiculopathy.

Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active↗
PubMed2005

Tipranavir.

Tipranavir is a newly approved protease inhibitor that belongs to the class of 4-hydroxy-5,6-dyhydro-2-pyrones. It exhibits potent in vitro activity against both human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 and HIV-2, including clinical isolates with multiple protease inhibitor-resistant mutations. Tipranavir requires coadministration with ritonavir to achieve clinically meaningful serum concentration. In randomized, phase III, open-label trials, it was found to be superior to the currently available boosted protease inhibitors in highly treatment-experienced patients with multiple protease inhibitor mutations. Thus, it provides a welcome new option for salvage antiretroviral therapy. The most common adverse effects associated with tipranavir are diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Common laboratory abnormalities include elevations of total cholesterol, triglycerides and liver enzymes.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗
PubMed2004

Is there a role for viruses in triggering autoimmune hepatitis?

A role for viruses in autoimmune hepatitis (AH) has been repeatedly proposed but convincing evidence links only two viruses, hepatitis A and Epstein-Barr virus, to the type 1 form of the disease, and only in those rare cases where a genetic predisposition exists and the viral infection occurs at the right time, i.e. when other unknown factors are cooperating. In spite of an impressive amount of information conclusively showing molecular mimicry between cytochrome P450IID6 (the target autoantigen of autoantibodies characteristic of AH type 2) sequences and viral (hepatitis C virus, herpes simplex virus 1, cytomegalovirus, human T lymphotropic viruses 1 and 2) or bacterial (Salmonella typhimurium) antigens, no infectious agent is clearly able to induce this second form of the disease. In conclusion, the molecular mimicry theory has so far found little clinical evidence in its support and many more clinical observations are needed in order to unreveal possible links between viruses and AH.

Antigens, Bacterial↗
PubMed2004

Painful neuropathy vasculitis in 2 patients with long-standing human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection.

We describe 2 most unusual cases of distal symmetrical painful polyneuropathy in patients with long-standing HIV-1 infection well controlled by HAART. Sural nerve biopsies revealed vasculitis in both cases and steroid therapy led to resolution of symptoms not influenced by analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs. These unusual cases outline the importance of nerve biopsies in order to reach a diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Infections in patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy: aetiology, prevention, and treatment.

Patients with cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy are highly susceptible, especially if neutropenic, to almost any type of bacterial or fungal infection. These infections cause substantial morbidity and mortality. Prophylactic use of antibiotics should be avoided, however, since this practice is associated with a risk of emergence of resistant bacteria and it does not lower the risk of death. However, chemoprophylaxis has a role for candidal fungal infections. Because infection in a neutropenic host can be rapidly fatal if not treated, the empirical administration of broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics is generally indicated for these patients, and the local frequencies, susceptibility, and resistance patterns of various pathogens must be taken into account. Once therapy has been initiated, changes in antibiotic regimens during the first 5 days are useless unless the patient's clinical condition deteriorates substantially. The treatment of invasive fungal infections is particularly difficult. Many unsolved questions remain, and studies are proposed here that may shed light on these issues.

Antifungal Agents↗