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aggiornate al 11-11-2009
1. Int J Infect Dis. 2009 Nov 3. [Epub ahead of print]
Post-neurosurgical multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii meningitis
successfully treated with intrathecal colistin. A new case and a systematic
review of the literature.
Cascio A, Conti A, Sinardi L, Iaria C, Angileri FF, Stassi G, David T, Versaci A,
Iaria M, David A.
Tropical and Parasitological Diseases Unit, Department of Human Pathology,
University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria n. 1, 98125 Messina, Italy.
INTRODUCTION: Post-neurosurgical nosocomial meningitis has become an important
subgroup of bacterial meningitis in the hospital setting. The increase in
meningitis caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii has
resulted in a significant reduction in available treatment options. CASE REPORT
AND LITERATURE REVIEW: We report the case of a 36-year-old man with a complex
craniofacial trauma, who developed a nosocomial meningitis due to MDR A.
baumannii that was cured by intrathecal colistin. The case is contextualized
among all the published cases of Acinetobacter meningitis treated with topical
colistin found through a MEDLINE search of the literature. To date, including the
present case, eight reported cases of Acinetobacter meningitis have been treated
with colistin administered by an intrathecal route and 24 by an intraventricular
route. The daily dose of colistin used ranged from 1.6mg every 24h to 20mg every
24h in adult patients. The median time necessary to obtain cerebrospinal fluid
sterilization was 4.1 days, and treatment was always successful even if in two
cases Acinetobacter meningitis relapsed. Toxicity probably or possibly related to
the topical administration of colistin was noted in five out of the 32 patients.
CONCLUSIONS: Topical colistin can be an effective and safe treatment for MDR
Acinetobacter meningitis.
PMID: 19892577 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
2. Emerg Infect Dis. 2009 Oct;15(10):1706; author reply 1706-7.
Appropriate screening for leishmaniasis before immunosuppressive treatments.
Cascio A, Iaria C.
Comment on:
Emerg Infect Dis. 2009 Jun;15(6):956-9.
PMID: 19861088 [PubMed - in process]
3. J Med Virol. 2009 Dec;81(12):2089-95.
Genetic characterization of G3 rotaviruses detected in Italian children in the
years 1993-2005.
De Grazia S, Martella V, Colomba C, Cascio A, Arista S, Giammanco GM.
Dipartimento di Scienze per la Promozione della Salute G. D’Alessandro, Sezione
di Microbiologia, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
In recent years an apparent increase in the frequency of detection of G3P[8]
rotaviruses has been observed worldwide. Similarly, in Italy G3P[8] strains have
been detected sporadically and in a scattered fashion over 20 years, whereas in
2003 and 2005 G3P[8] rotavirus activity increased markedly. By analysis of the
VP7, VP4, VP6, and NSP4 genes of a selection of G3P[8] rotaviruses detected
between 1993 and 2005, a remarkable sequence conservation was observed in the
VP7, VP4, and VP6 genes. By converse, after 2002 the Italian G3P[8] strains were
found to possess unique mutations in significant regions of the NSP4 protein. ©
2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
PMID: 19856472 [PubMed - in process]
4. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2009 Sep 24. [Epub ahead of print]
Leishmaniasis and Biologic Therapies for Rheumatologic Diseases.
Cascio A, Iaria M, Iaria C.
Tropical and Parasitological Diseases Unit, Department of Human Pathology,
University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
PMID: 19782386 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
5. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2009 Jul;81(1):46-51.
Is real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) more useful than a conventional PCR
for the clinical management of leishmaniasis?
Antinori S, Calattini S, Piolini R, Longhi E, Bestetti G, Cascio A, Parravicini
C, Corbellino M.
Department of Clinical Sciences L Sacco, section of Infectious Diseases and
Immunopathology, University of Milan, Via GB Grassi 74, 20157 Milano, Italy.
1
[email protected]
It is currently unknown if the use of a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
adds value to the diagnosis and follow-up prognosis of patients affected by
leishmaniasis. We performed a study using a real-time PCR directed against the
alpha-polymerase gene and a semiquantitative PCR that target the SSU ribosomal
RNA (rRNA) gene as control for the diagnosis and quantification of parasites in
patients with visceral (VL) and cutaneous (CL) leishmaniasis. Our single copy
real-time PCR missed one diagnosis of VL compared with the conventional PCR,
whereas both PCR methods were able to detect Leishmania parasites in CL. Under
anti-leishmania treatment the kinetics of parasitemia were comparable with the
two methods. The real-time PCR directed against alpha-polymerase of Leishmania
despite being able to make a more accurate quantification of parasites does not
add to the decision-making management compared with a semiquantitative PCR, and
it is comparatively expensive.
PMID: 19556565 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
6. Int J Infect Dis. 2009 Nov;13(6):e519-20. Epub 2009 Apr 7.
Acalculous cholecystitis during the course of acute Epstein-Barr virus infection
and Gilbert’s syndrome.
Iaria C, Leonardi MS, Fabiano C, Cascio A.
Comment on:
Int J Infect Dis. 2009 Jul;13(4):e161-4.
PMID: 19356960 [PubMed - in process]
7. Lancet Infect Dis. 2008 Mar;8(3):191-9.
Leishmaniasis among organ transplant recipients.
Antinori S, Cascio A, Parravicini C, Bianchi R, Corbellino M.
Department of Clinical Sciences L Sacco, Section of Infectious Diseases and
Immunopathology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. [email protected]
Leishmaniasis is a rarely reported disease among transplant recipients; however,
the number of published cases has quadrupled since the beginning of the 1990s.
Most cases have been observed in patients living in countries of the
Mediterranean basin. Leishmaniasis is most commonly associated with kidney
transplantation (77%), and cases are also recorded among patients undergoing
liver, heart, lung, pancreas, and bone marrow transplantation. Visceral
leishmaniasis (VL) is the most frequently observed clinical presentation,
followed by mucosal leishmaniasis and more rarely cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Transplant recipients with VL develop the classic clinical form of the disease,
which is a febrile hepatosplenic and pancytopenic syndrome. Immunodepression
seems to predispose to development of mucosal leishmaniasis caused by
viscerotropic strains. Early diagnosis of VL is crucial for patient therapy and
outcome; however, this is frequently overlooked or delayed in transplant
patients. Pentavalent antimonials are the most commom form of treatment for VL,
but have a high incidence of toxicity (34%). Although used in fewer patients,
liposomal amphotericin B seems to be better tolerated and should be considered as
first-line therapy in transplant recipients.
PMID: 18291340 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
8. Emerg Infect Dis. 2007 Jul;13(7):1091-3.
Canine-origin G3P[3] rotavirus strain in child with acute gastroenteritis.
De Grazia S, Martella V, Giammanco GM, Gòmara MI, Ramirez S, Cascio A, Colomba C,
Arista S.
University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Infection by an animal-like strain of rotavirus (PA260/97) was diagnosed in a
child with gastroenteritis in Palermo, Italy, in 1997. Sequence analysis of VP7,
VP4, VP6, and NSP4 genes showed resemblance to a G3P[3] canine strain identified
in Italy in 1996. Dogs are a potential source of human viral pathogens.
PMID: 18214189 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
9. PLoS Med. 2007 Dec;4(12):e317.
Perspectives for the treatment of brucellosis in the 21st century: the Ioannina
recommendations.
Ariza J, Bosilkovski M, Cascio A, Colmenero JD, Corbel MJ, Falagas ME, Memish ZA,
Roushan MR, Rubinstein E, Sipsas NV, Solera J, Young EJ, Pappas G; International
Society of Chemotherapy; Institute of Continuing Medical Education of Ioannina.
Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital de Bellvitge, Universidad
deBarcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
PMCID: 2222927
PMID: 18162038 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
10. Int J Infect Dis. 2008 Jul;12(4):391-5. Epub 2008 Feb 20.
Acute acalculous cholecystitis during the course of primary Epstein-Barr virus
2
infection: a new case and a review of the literature.
Iaria C, Arena L, Di Maio G, Fracassi MG, Leonardi MS, Famulari C, Cascio A.
AILMI (Associazione Italiana per la Lotta contro le Malattie Infettive; Italian
Association for the Control of Infectious Diseases), University of Messina,
Messina, Italy.
Comment in:
Int J Infect Dis. 2009 May;13(3):e129-30.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe a case of acute acalculous
cholecystitis occurring in the course of primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
infection. METHODS: The clinical features of the case were analyzed and compared
to those of three other similar cases reported in the international literature.
RESULTS: All cases occurred in European females with cholestatic hepatitis,
presented with gallbladder wall thickening, and recovered uneventfully without
the need for surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Acute acalculous cholecystitis
may occur during the course of acute EBV infection, especially in patients with
cholestatic hepatitis. Clinicians should be aware of the possible involvement of
the gallbladder during EBV infection to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures or
the overuse of antibiotics.
PMID: 18083615 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
11. New Microbiol. 2007 Oct;30(4):481-4.
Clostridium baratii bacteremia associated with Kawasaki syndrome. First case
report.
Iaria C, Stassi G, Salpietro DC, La Mazza A, Silipigni L, Arena A, Costa GB,
Cascio A.
Associazione Italiana per la Lotta contro le Malattie Infettive, Università di
Messina, Italy.
We experienced a case of a 3-year-old boy who presented signs and symptoms of
Kawasaki syndrome. Two blood culture sets were processed by the hospital
microbiology laboratory using a standard blood culturing system. The anaerobic
bottles gave a positive result at day 3 after inoculation. The biochemical
profiles produced by the RapID ANA II System showed that the organism was
Clostridium baratii with a probability of 99%. Our case highlights the importance
of C. baratii as a potential human pathogen and reports the associations with
manifestations, which, to our knowledge, have not been previously described
concomitantly with a clostridial infection.
PMID: 18080686 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
12. J Clin Microbiol. 2008 Jan;46(1):357-60. Epub 2007 Dec 6.
Rare AU-1-like G3P[9] human rotaviruses with a Kun-like NSP4 gene detected in
children with diarrhea in Italy.
De Grazia S, Giammanco GM, Martella V, Ramirez S, Colomba C, Cascio A, Arista S.
Dipartimento di Igiene e Microbiologia, Università di Palermo, via del Vespro
133, Palermo 90127, Italy.
Three G3P[9] rotaviruses, detected in children hospitalized with gastroenteritis
in Palermo, Italy, were found to be genetically related to strains of either
human or feline origin in the VP7, VP4, and VP6 genes. In contrast, in the NSP4
gene the viruses resembled G2P[4] human strains, suggesting a reassortment
between AU-1-like and Kun-like strains.
PMCID: 2224260
PMID: 18063802 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
13. Microbiol Res. 2009;164(5):522-8. Epub 2007 Oct 24.
Phenotypic and genotypic evaluation of slime production by conventional and
molecular microbiological techniques.
Liberto MC, Matera G, Quirino A, Lamberti AG, Capicotto R, Puccio R, Barreca GS,
Focà E, Cascio A, Focà A.
Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Microbiology, University Magna
Graecia, Catanzaro, Italy.
Twenty-nine staphylococcal isolates from different clinical samples were tested
for slime production: phenotypic characterization was carried out using
Christensen test (tube test) and Congo red agar plate test (CRA plate test),
while the presence and expression of icaA and icaD genes were evaluated by
real-time PCR. In 79.3% of studied strains there was a concordance between slime
production and presence of icaA and icaD genes, and between lack of slime
production and absence of both or only one of the tested genes. In four of five
strains where positive phenotype was not associated with the presence of ica
genes, gene co-expression (evaluated by mRNA determination) was lacking, while in
only a case out of five, there was the presence of transcripts without phenotype.
Our study, for the first time, introduces real-time PCR for the detection of both
icaA and icaD genes and their mRNA and, furthermore, addresses the relationship
between slime phenotype absence and mRNA expression, in clinical isolates of
3
coagulase-negative staphylococci.
PMID: 17928210 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
14. Clin Infect Dis. 2007 Oct 1;45(7):940.
Please, do not forget Pasteurella multocida.
Iaria C, Cascio A.
Comment on:
Clin Infect Dis. 2007 Jul 1;45(1):10-5.
PMID: 17806067 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
15. J Hosp Infect. 2007 Sep;67(1):102-4. Epub 2007 Aug 27.
Outbreak of multi-resistant Corynebacterium striatum infection in an Italian
general intensive care unit.
Iaria C, Stassi G, Costa GB, Biondo C, Gerace E, Noto A, Spinella SG, David A,
Cascio A.
PMID: 17719684 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
16. Clin Infect Dis. 2007 Jun 15;44(12):1602-10. Epub 2007 May 7.
Clinical use of polymerase chain reaction performed on peripheral blood and bone
marrow samples for the diagnosis and monitoring of visceral leishmaniasis in
HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected patients: a single-center, 8-year experience in
Italy and review of the literature.
Antinori S, Calattini S, Longhi E, Bestetti G, Piolini R, Magni C, Orlando G,
Gramiccia M, Acquaviva V, Foschi A, Corvasce S, Colomba C, Titone L, Parravicini
C, Cascio A, Corbellino M.
Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche L. Sacco, Sezione di Malattie Infettive e
Tropicali, Università di Milano, Milan, Italy. [email protected]
BACKGROUND: To overcome some of the limitations of conventional microbiologic
techniques, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays are proposed as useful
tools for the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A
comparative study using conventional microbiologic techniques (i.e., serologic
testing, microscopic examination, and culture) and a Leishmania species-specific
PCR assay, using peripheral blood and bone marrow aspirate samples as templates,
was conducted during an 8-year period. The study cohort consisted of 594 Italian
immunocompetent (adult and pediatric) and immunocompromised (adult) patients
experiencing febrile syndromes associated with hematologic alterations and/or
hepatosplenomegaly. Identification of the infecting protozoa at the species level
was directly obtained by PCR of peripheral blood samples, followed by restriction
fragment-length polymorphism analysis of the amplified products, and the results
were compared with those of isoenzyme typing of Leishmania species strains from
patients, which were isolated in vitro. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients (11.4%) had
a confirmed diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis. Eleven cases were observed in
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-uninfected adults, 20 cases were observed in
HIV-infected adults, and the remaining 37 cases were diagnosed in HIV-uninfected
children. In the diagnosis of primary visceral leishmaniasis, the sensitivities
of the Leishmania species-specific PCR were 95.7% for bone marrow aspirate
samples and 98.5% for peripheral blood samples versus sensitivities of 76.2%,
85.5%, and 90.2% for bone marrow aspirate isolation, serologic testing, and
microscopic examination of bone marrow biopsy specimens, respectively. None of
229 healthy blood donors or 25 patients with imported malaria who were used as
negative control subjects had PCR results positive for Leishmania species in
peripheral blood samples (i.e., specificity of Leishmania species-specific PCR,
100%). PCR and restriction fragment-length polymorphism analysis for Leishmania
species identification revealed 100% concordance with isoenzyme typing in the 19
patients for whom the latter data were available. CONCLUSIONS: PCR assay is a
highly sensitive and specific tool for the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in
both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients and can be reliably used for
rapid parasite identification at the species level.
PMID: 17516404 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
17. Emerg Infect Dis. 2006 Dec;12(12):2001-2.
Live nativity and brucellosis, Sicily.
Iaria C, Ricciardi F, Marano F, Puglisi G, Pappas G, Cascio A.
PMID: 17354346 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
18. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2006 Dec;28(6):491-6. Epub 2006 Nov 2.
Optimal treatment of leptospirosis: queries and projections.
Pappas G, Cascio A.
Institute of Continuing Medical Education of Ioannina, Har. Trikoupi 10, Ioannina
45333, Greece. [email protected]
Although the global burden of leptospirosis remains enormous and new aspects of
the disease are constantly recognised, little progress has been achieved in the
4
field of leptospirosis therapeutics and queries regarding the utility of
antibiotics in the late severe form of the disease remain. From the currently
existing data, conclusions on the efficacy of antibiotic administration in severe
or late disease cannot easily be drawn, since clinical trials have different
selection criteria and may focus on Leptospira serovars with different virulence.
However, as a rule the benefit of the doubt should apply. Moreover, new options,
such as ceftriaxone, have a superior safety profile to penicillin. In vitro
studies have outlined potential antimicrobial candidates such as macrolides and
ketolides. Development of a globally accepted subunit vaccine for humans is
warranted but is not expected in the near future.
PMID: 17084067 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
19. Eur J Pediatr. 2007 Mar;166(3):241-7. Epub 2006 Aug 29.
Rotavirus and not age determines gastroenteritis severity in children: a
hospital-based study.
Albano F, Bruzzese E, Bella A, Cascio A, Titone L, Arista S, Izzi G, Virdis R,
Pecco P, Principi N, Fontana M, Guarino A.
Dipartimento di Pediatria, Università di Napoli Federico II, via S. Pansini 5,
80131 Naples, Italy.
BACKGROUND: The severity of childhood gastroenteritis is generally believed to be
age-related rather than aetiology-related. Rotavirus-induced gastroenteritis is
more severe than gastroenteritis caused by other enteric pathogens and is also
age-related. We thus addressed the question of whether the increased severity of
rotavirus-induced gastroenteritis is related to age or to features intrinsic to
the agent. STUDY DESIGN: In this multicentre, hospital-based, prospective survey,
we evaluated the severity of diarrhoea in rotavirus-positive and
rotavirus-negative children up to 4 years of age. Severity was assessed with a
score in four groups of age-matched children. RESULTS: Rotavirus was detected in
381 of 911 children. Disease severity was evaluated in 589 cases for which
clinical data were complete. The rotavirus-positive and rotavirus-negative groups
differed with regards to diarrhoea duration, hospital stay, degree of dehydration
and the number of episodes of vomiting. Gastroenteritis was more severe in
rotavirus-positive than in rotavirus-negative children. In contrast, none of the
main severity parameters differed in the four age groups, irrespective of the
presence of rotavirus. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide the evidence that
aetiology and not age determines diarrhoeal severity. The demonstration that
diarrhoea was more severe in rotavirus-positive children supports the need for a
rotavirus vaccine and for studies that address the duration of vaccine
protection.
PMID: 16941130 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
20. J Virol. 2006 Nov;80(21):10724-33. Epub 2006 Aug 23.
Heterogeneity and temporal dynamics of evolution of G1 human rotaviruses in a
settled population.
Arista S, Giammanco GM, De Grazia S, Ramirez S, Lo Biundo C, Colomba C, Cascio A,
Martella V.
Dipartimento di Igiene e Microbiologia, via del Vespro 133, 90127, Palermo,
Italy. [email protected]
A rotavirus sample collection from 19 consecutive years was used to investigate
the heterogeneity and the dynamics of evolution of G1 rotavirus strains in a
geographically defined population. Phylogenetic analysis of the VP7 gene
sequences of G1P[8] human rotavirus strains showed the circulation of a
heterogeneous population comprising three lineages and seven sublineages.
Increases in the circulation of G1 rotaviruses were apparently associated with
the introduction of novel G1 strains that exhibited multiple amino acid changes
in antigenic regions involved in rotavirus neutralization compared to the strains
circulating in the previous years. The emergence and/or introduction of G1
antigenic variants might be responsible for the continuous circulation of G1
rotaviruses in the local population, with the various lineages and sublineages
appearing, disappearing, or cocirculating in an alternate fashion under the
influence of immune-pressure mechanisms. Sequence analysis of VP4-encoding genes
of the G1 strains revealed that the older strains were associated with a unique
VP4 lineage, while a novel VP4 lineage emerged after 1995. The introduction of
human rotavirus vaccines might alter the forces and balances that drive rotavirus
evolution and determine the spread of novel strains that are antigenically
different from those included in the vaccine formulations. The continuous
emergence of VP7-VP4 gene combinations in human rotavirus strains should be taken
into consideration when devising vaccination strategies.
PMCID: 1641777
PMID: 16928744 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
21. Parassitologia. 2006 Jun;48(1-2):131-3.
5
Epidemiology and clinical features of Mediterranean spotted fever in Italy.
Cascio A, Iaria C.
Clinica delle Malattie Infettive, Dipartimento di Patologia Umana, Università di
Messina, Italy.
Mediterranean Spotted Fever is caused by Rickettsia conorii and is transmitted to
humans by Rhipicephalus sanguineus, the common dog tick. It is characterized by
the symptomatologic triad: fever, exanthema and “tache noire”, the typical eschar
at the site of the tick bite. In Italy the most affected region is Sicily. The
seasonal peak of the disease (from June through September) occurs during maximal
activity of immature stage ticks. Severe forms of the disease have been reported
in 6% of patients, especially adults with one of the following conditions:
diabetes, cardiac disease, chronic alcoholism, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
deficiency, end stage kidney disease. The mortality rate may reach 2.5%. Oral or
parenteral administration of tetracyclines or chloramphenicol represent the
standard treatment. Recent studies indicate that oral clarithromycin and
azithromycin could constitute an acceptable alternative for the treatment of the
disease in children; furthermore, they could be recommended during pregnancy.
PMID: 16881414 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
22. J Med Virol. 2005 Dec;77(4):587-94.
G2 rotavirus infections in an infantile population of the South of Italy:
variability of viral strains over time.
Arista S, Giammanco GM, De Grazia S, Colomba C, Martella V, Cascio A,
Iturriza-Gòmara M.
Dipartimento di Igiene e Microbiologia, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
[email protected]
Rotavirus positive samples collected in Palermo, Italy, during 2002-2004 did not
react with the G2 type-specific RV5:3 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and could be
identified as G2 only by RT-PCR genotyping. The genetic variation of VP7 and VP4
antigenic proteins was studied in 14 G2 samples including a selection of both
those successfully characterized by serotyping and those failing to be serotyped.
The phylogenetic analysis performed on partial VP7 sequences showed a temporal
clustering of these strains, with those isolated in Palermo in 2003 belonging to
the same lineage of G2 MAbs-unreactive strains identified in UK in 1996-1997 and
in Bari, Italy, in 2003-2004. A single amino acid substitution in VP7 antigenic
region A, at position 96 (Asp-->Asn), was consistently associated with the loss
of antigenic reactivity. Five of the G2 strains were further characterized by
sequencing of VP4-encoding genes as belonging to the P[4] type, and separate
lineages clustering the strains according to a temporal distribution could be
described. VP7 and VP4 antigenic proteins analysis provided evidence that over
the last 11 years, at least two different populations of G2P[4] rotavirus strains
have been infecting the infant population in Palermo. Considering the role of
anti-VP7 and anti-VP4 neutralizing antibodies in rotavirus immunity, the
emergence of new VP7-VP4 gene combinations might influence rotavirus circulation
in the infant population and should be taken into consideration when devising
vaccination strategies. Copyright © 2005 Wiley-Liss, inc.
PMID: 16254979 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
23. Antivir Ther. 2005;10(5):695-6; author reply 696.
Visceral leishmaniasis during pegylated interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis
C: first report.
Cascio A, Antinori S, Ricciardi F, Costantino G, Iaria C.
Comment on:
Antivir Ther. 2004 Aug;9(4):627-30.
PMID: 16152764 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
24. Int J Dermatol. 2005 Jul;44(7):588-9.
Klebsiella oxitoca folliculitis mimicking tinea barbae in a diabetic man.
Cascio A, Cannavò SP, Guarneri C, Iaria C, Guarneri B.
Section of Dermatology, Department of Territorial Social Medicine and the Section
of Infectious Diseases, Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina,
Messina, Italy.
PMID: 15985031 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
25. J Med Microbiol. 2005 Jul;54(Pt 7):677-80.
Chryseobacterium indologenes bacteraemia in a diabetic child.
Cascio A, Stassi G, Costa GB, Crisafulli G, Rulli I, Ruggeri C, Iaria C.
Scuola di Specializzazione in Malattie Infettive, Dipartimento di Patologia
Umana, Università di Messina, Italy. [email protected]
Chryseobacterium indologenes is a non-fermentative Gram-negative bacillus that is
a rare pathogen in humans. Its occurrence in diabetic children has not been
previously reported. In this report, a case is described of C. indologenes
6
bacteraemia possibly associated with the use of a peripheral venous catheter. A
2-year-old boy with type I diabetes mellitus was admitted due to a coma caused by
cerebral oedema and was successfully treated for his neurological condition but
presented on the tenth day after admission with fever of 40 degrees C, agitation,
restlessness, lack of appetite, somnolence and fatigue. His pulse rate was 90
min(-1) and his respiratory rate was 20 min(-1). Laboratory studies revealed a
white blood cell count of 4900 mm(-3) with 67% neutrophils and 27% lymphocytes.
Two separate blood cultures yielded C. indologenes. Treatment with ceftriaxone
was started before the culture results were obtained, and was continued after
susceptibility test results were obtained. The patient became afebrile after 48
h, and his general condition improved within 36 h. The infection did not recur.
This is believed to be the third case of bacteraemia outside of Asia due to C.
indologenes and the first in a diabetic child not otherwise immunocompromised.
This case indicates that C. indologenes infection can occur in diabetic children
without ventilator or central venous catheter and might be treated with a single
agent after in vitro susceptibility tests have been performed.
PMID: 15947433 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
26. BMC Infect Dis. 2005 Jan 14;5(1):3.
Enterococcal meningitis caused by Enterococcus casseliflavus. First case report.
Iaria C, Stassi G, Costa GB, Di Leo R, Toscano A, Cascio A.
AILMI (Associazione Italiana per la Lotta contro le Malattie Infettive),
Università di Messina, Italy. [email protected]
BACKGROUND: Enterococcal meningitis is an uncommon disease usually caused by
Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium and is associated with a high
mortality rate. Enterococcus casseliflavus has been implicated in a wide variety
of infections in humans, but never in meningitis. CASE PRESENTATION: A
77-year-old Italian female presented for evaluation of fever, stupor, diarrhea
and vomiting of 3 days duration. There was no history of head injury nor of
previous surgical procedures. She had been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis
for 30 years, for which she was being treated with steroids and methotrexate. On
admission, she was febrile, alert but not oriented to time and place. Her neck
was stiff, and she had a positive Kernig’s sign. The patient’s cerebrospinal
fluid was opalescent with a glucose concentration of 14 mg/dl, a protein level of
472 mg/dl, and a white cell count of 200/muL with 95% polymorphonuclear
leukocytes and 5% lymphocytes. Gram staining of CSF revealed no organisms,
culture yielded E. casseliflavus. The patient was successfully treated with
meropenem and ampicillin-sulbactam. CONCLUSIONS: E. casseliflavus can be inserted
among the etiologic agents of meningitis. Awareness of infection of central
nervous system with Enterococcus species that possess an intrinsic vancomycin
resistance should be increased.
PMCID: 547911
PMID: 15649336 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
27. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2004 Nov;10(11):1025-9.
Molecular epidemiology of astrovirus infection in Italian children with
gastroenteritis.
De Grazia S, Giammanco GM, Colomba C, Cascio A, Arista S.
Dipartimento di Igiene e Microbiologia, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Abstract A 1-year study involving 157 gastroenteritis samples was conducted to
investigate the role of human astrovirus (HAstV) as a cause of gastroenteritis in
Italian children aged < 2 years. The overall incidence of HAstV was 3.1%. Most
cases occurred between March and May, and four of the five isolates were of the
HAstV-1 type, the other being HAstV-3. Analysis of genetic variability showed
that the three HAstV-1 isolates collected in 2000 clustered together, but
separately from the 1999 isolate. The results indicated that HAstV should be
considered as a potential diarrhoeal pathogen in Italian children.
PMID: 15522011 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
28. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2004 Nov;10(11):1020-2.
Use of sulesomab in the diagnosis of brucellar spondylitis.
Cascio A, Iaria C, Campennì A, Blandino A, Baldari S.
Scuola di Specializzazione in Malattie Infettive, Dipartimento di Patologia
Umana, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy. [email protected]
Twenty-two patients with suspected brucellar spondylitis were investigated to
evaluate the possible diagnostic role of Sulesomab, a (99m)Tc-antigranulocyte
antibody Fab’ fragment. Sensitivity and specificity were compared with those of
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Skeletal involvement was detected by MRI in 11
cases, while leukoscintigraphy indicated normal vertebral uptake in seven of
these patients, increased uptake in two patients, and decreased uptake in two
patients. Leukoscintigraphy of the 11 patients negative by MRI demonstrated
increased uptake in two cases. The sensitivity and specificity of
7
leukoscintigraphy were 27.2% and 81.1%, respectively. Based on these results,
leukoscintigraphy is not indicated for the management of patients with suspected
brucellar spondylitis.
PMID: 15522009 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
29. Clin Infect Dis. 2004 Oct 1;39(7):1088-9.
Visceral leishmaniasis as a cause of anemia in HIV-infected patients.
Cascio A, Iaria C, Antinori S.
Comment on:
Clin Infect Dis. 2004 May 15;38(10):1454-63.
PMID: 15472874 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
30. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2004 Jul;48(7):2739-41.
No findings of dental defects in children treated with minocycline.
Cascio A, Di Liberto C, D’Angelo M, Iaria C, Scarlata F, Titone L, Campisi G.
Instituto di Patologia Infettiva e Virologia, G. Di Cristina Hospital, Università
di Palermo, Palermo, Italy. [email protected]
Forty-one children <8 years of age treated for brucellosis with oral minocycline
(2.5 mg/kg) twice daily for 3 weeks were recalled and examined to check for
dental staining and defects. Dental staining and defects were found in 14 of 41
exposed children (34.1%) and in 30 of 82 matched controls (36.6%), respectively
(P > 0.2).
PMCID: 434185
PMID: 15215140 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
31. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2004 Jul;54(1):217-20. Epub 2004 May 18.
A 6 day course of liposomal amphotericin B in the treatment of infantile visceral
leishmaniasis: the Italian experience.
Cascio A, di Martino L, Occorsio P, Giacchino R, Catania S, Gigliotti AR, Aiassa
C, Iaria C, Giordano S, Colomba C, Polara VF, Titone L, Gradoni L, Gramiccia M,
Antinori S.
Clinica Malattie Infettive, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy.
[email protected]
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate in a retrospective analysis the efficacy and safety of a
6 day course of liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB) in infantile cases of
Mediterranean visceral leishmaniasis (VL) diagnosed over a 10 year period in
Italy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients included were diagnosed as having VL
consecutively admitted from December 1992 to December 2001 at four main referral
children’s hospitals in Italy and treated with six intravenous doses of 3 mg/kg
L-AmB given on days 1-5 and 10 (a total dose of 18 mg/kg). Demographic data,
nutritional status, underlying diseases, clinical and laboratory findings, and
therapy outcome were considered. RESULTS: A total of 164 HIV-negative children
(median age 1.6 years; range 4 months to 14 years) were enrolled. All patients
were initially cured by the given treatment, and did not present adverse events
related to drug infusion. Seven patients (4.3%) had a clinical and
parasitological relapse 3-15 months after therapy. All relapses were successfully
retreated with 3 mg/kg L-AmB for 10 consecutive days (a total dose of 30 mg/kg).
CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the efficacy (>95%) and safety of the six dose
L-AmB regimen and validates it as a first-line treatment for Mediterranean VL in
children.
PMID: 15150166 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
32. Haematologica. 2004 Apr;89(4):EIM09.
Fatal delayed diagnosis in a patient with Falciparum malaria.
Pitini V, Sturniolo G, Cascio A, Arrigo C.
Department of Oncology, Policlinico Universitario, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125
Messina, Italy. [email protected]
PMID: 15075112 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
33. Epidemiol Infect. 2004 Apr;132(2):343-9.
Molecular characterization of the genotype G9 human rotavirus strains recovered
in Palermo, Italy, during the winter of 1999-2000.
Arista S, Giammanco GM, De Grazia S, Migliore MC, Martella V, Cascio A.
Dipartimento di Igiene e Microbiologia, Università di Palermo, via del Vespro
133, 90127 Palermo, Italy.
Among the known human rotavirus serotypes, types G1-G4 are ubiquitous and account
for >80% of global human rotavirus strains. Since 1994 an increase in reports of
G9 serotype isolates has been observed in both developed and developing
countries. In the winter season of 1999-2000 we detected the appearance of G9
rotavirus in Palermo, Italy, accounting for 19% of all rotaviruses circulating in
our geographical area. Some of these Italian G9 isolates have been submitted to
partial sequencing of their VP7 gene. All of them showed complete nucleotide
8
identity suggesting a clonal origin. The Italian VP7 sequences were found to be
very closely related to that of other G9 strains recently isolated in Europe,
America, Africa and Asia. Our results confirm that G9 strains circulating
worldwide since 1994 are closely related genetically in their VP7 genes.
PMID: 15061510 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
34. Eur J Epidemiol. 2003;18(7):711-4.
High incidence of G9P181 rotavirus infections in Italian children during the
winter season 1999-2000.
Arista S, Vizzi E, Migliore MC, Di Rosa E, Cascio A.
Dipartimento di Igiene e Microbiologia, Università degli studi di Palermo, Italy.
We report a significant high incidence of infection with G9P[8] rotavirus in
Italian children during the winter epidemic season 1999-2000. The study was
carried out on 439 children < 4 years hospitalized with acute diarrhea in
Palermo. G9P[8] strains constituted 19% of all rotavirus identified and were not
associated with more severe forms of gastroenteritis.
PMID: 12952148 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
35. J Chemother. 2003 Jun;15(3):248-52.
Treatment of human brucellosis with rifampin plus minocycline.
Cascio A, Scarlata F, Giordano S, Antinori S, Colomba C, Titone L.
AILMI (Associazione Italiana per la Lotta contro le Malattie Infettive) c/o
Scuola di Specializzazione in Malattie Infettive Università di Messina, Via
Consolare Valeria n.1, 98125 Messina, Italy. [email protected]
In order to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a high intravenous dose of
rifampin plus oral minocycline (administered daily for 3 weeks) for the treatment
of acute brucellosis, we retrospectively reviewed the outcome of 239 consecutive
patients (135 adults and 104 children) diagnosed and treated over a 17-year
period in Italy. The combination used resulted in 100% response and a relapse
rate lower than 2%. Fifty-two (30 adults and 22 children) (29.8%) complained of
mild adverse effects including an increase in aspartate aminotransferase (>250
IU) observed in 12 cases and considered related to rifampin and in 11 cases a
reversible hyperpigmentation of the tongue attributed to minocycline. A
randomized prospective comparative study should be performed to confirm our
encouraging results.
PMID: 12868551 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
36. Infez Med. 2003 Mar;11(1):5-10.
[Childhood Mediterranean visceral leishmaniasis]
[Article in Italian]
Cascio A, Colomba C.
AILMI (Associazione Italiana per la Lotta contro le Malattie Infettive) c/o
Scuola di Specializzazione in Malattie Infettive, Universita di Messina, Italy.
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is endemic in areas bordering the Mediterranean Sea
(Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Morocco, Tunisia) where it is caused by Leishmania
infantum and it is transmitted by the bite of hematophagous sandfly belonging to
Phlebotomus spp.; dog constitutes the main reservoir of the infection. In
comparison with the past, when VL was typically observed more frequently in
children, the current ratio of childhood to adult cases is approximately 1:1. The
onset of the disease is characterized by a non-specific initial symptomatology;
fever, pallor and splenomegaly are always present. Pancytopenia is present very
often; the laboratory diagnosis is established by serological tests (indirect
fluorescent-antibody assay, immunoassay test, indirect hemagglutination assay)
and by demonstration of Leishmania parasites by microscopy, culture or polymerase
chain reaction (PCR) in the bone marrow aspirates. The use of PCR performed on
peripheral blood has been reported to be highly sensitive for the diagnosis and
the follow up of children with VL. Pentavalent antimonial drugs have been used
for many decades as standard treatment for VL; in Italy liposomal amphotericin B
(AmBisome) is nowadays considered the first-line treatment for VL.
PMID: 12719664 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
37. Infez Med. 2000;8(2):87-91.
[Anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa antibodies and lung disease in cystic fibrosis]
[Article in Italian]
Pardo E, Iapichino L, Collura M, Furnari ML, Termini L, Cascio A, Giordano S.
Centro Regionale Fibrosi Cistica, 2 Divisione di Pediatria, Ospedale dei Bambini
“G. Di Cristina”, Palermo, Italy.
The aim of our study was to diagnose and to control three aspects of the
evolution of lung disease in CF: the absence of infection, the intermittent
colonization and chronic infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Therefore a study
of anti-pseudomonas antibodies (Ab) (anti-protease, anti-elastin and
antihexo-toxin A) for diagnosis and follow-up of CF patients was considered.
9
Moreover, we related the presence of Ab to the sputum culture, to FEV1, to
patient age and to genotype. Tbe Ab were dosed in 121 patients by quantitative
ELISA method. Values < 1: 500 were considered negative, values> 1: 500 and <
1:1250 borderline, and > 1:1250 positive. 16.5% of patients did not have Ab, 17%
had borderline values and 69.5% had positive values. All the patients with
negative Ab had negative sputum culture; 47% of patients with borderline values
had at least one positive culture while 53% were negative. 87% of patients with
positive values had chronic colonization, 13% intermittent colonization. The
increase in the Ab rate is statistically related to a more severe lung disease (p
< 0.013). The presence of a severe mutation (?F 508) is related to positive
values of Ab. Evaluation of anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important tool for
diagnosis and follow-up of CF lung disease
PMID: 12709601 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
38. Infez Med. 2002 Sep;10(3):145-50.
[Macrolides in the treatment of children with Mediterranean spotted fever]
[Article in Italian]
Cascio A, Colomba C.
Istituto di Patoligia Infettiva e Virologia, Universita degli Studi di Palermo,
Italy.
Till now there is not a gold standard therapy for Mediterranean spotted fever
(MSF) in children. Standard treatment for MSF is the administration of
tetracycline or chloramphenicol, however both these drugs can cause significant
adverse effects in children (tetracyclines can cause staining of teeth,
chloramphenicol severe hematological adverse events such as aplastic anemia, gray
baby syndrome and hemolytic anemia in patients with the Mediterranean form of
G6PD deficiency). We conducted two randomized clinical trials; the first compared
clarithromycin versus chloramphenicol: mean time to defervescence was 36.7 +/18.1 h in the clarithromycin group and 47.1+/- 21.9 h in the chloramphenicol
group (P= 0.047). The second trial compared clarithromycin versus azithromycin
and did not show any statistically significant difference: mean time to
defervescence was 46.2 +/- 36.4 h in the clarithromycin group and 39.3 +/- 31.3 h
in the azithromycin group (P= 0.34). On the basis of these studies we think that
clarithromycin and azithromycin could constitute an acceptable alternative to
chloramphenicol and to tetracyclines for the treatment of MSF in children
PMID: 12704264 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
39. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2002 Apr;21(4):277-82. Epub 2002 Apr 13.
Pediatric visceral leishmaniasis in Western Sicily, Italy: a retrospective
analysis of 111 cases.
Cascio A, Colomba C, Antinori S, Orobello M, Paterson D, Titone L.
Istituto di Patologia Infettiva e Virologia, Ospedale “G. Di Cristina”,
Universitatà di Palermo, Piazza Moatalto 8, 90134 Palermo, Italy.
[email protected]
The clinical and epidemiological characteristics of 111 consecutive cases of
visceral leishmaniasis identified from 1980 to 2000 in a Sicilian pediatric
hospital were analyzed retrospectively. The mean age of the patients was 1.7
years. All children were HIV negative, but 15% were severely malnourished. Fever
and splenomegaly were present in all cases and hepatomegaly in 101 (90.1%) cases.
Thrombocytopenia and anemia were both observed in 78 (70.2%) cases and leukopenia
in 47 (42.3%) cases. A bone marrow aspirate was obtained in all cases; Leishmania
amastigotes were detected in 89 (80.2%) cases. Initial treatment consisted of
meglumine antimoniate in 99 (89.2%) patients and amphotericin B in 12 (10.8%)
patients. Only two children treated with meglumine antimoniate relapsed. The
findings highlight the differences between the cases of visceral leishmaniasis
observed in the Mediterranean basin and those observed in other regions. The use
of the term “Mediterranean visceral leishmaniasis”, rather than the term
“kala-azar”, is proposed for cases observed in the Mediterranean area.
PMID: 12072938 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
40. Pediatrics. 2002 Feb;109(2):E27.
Polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis and prognosis of Mediterranean
visceral leishmaniasis in immunocompetent children.
Cascio A, Calattini S, Colomba C, Scalamogna C, Galazzi M, Pizzuto M, Camilli R,
Gramiccia M, Titone L, Corbellino M, Antinori S.
Istituto di Patologia Infettiva e Virologia, Ospedale dei Bambini G. di Cristina,
Università di Palermo, Italy.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the usefulness of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay
amplifying the small subunit rRNA coding region of Leishmania species performed
on peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) aspirates for the diagnosis and
follow-up of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in children living in the Mediterranean
basin. DESIGN: A prospective study was conducted on children consecutively
10
hospitalized over a 1-year period at our Infectious Diseases Department in Sicily
(Italy) presenting with fever, hepatosplenomegaly, and/or pancytopenia and a
positive Leishmania serology (> or =1:40). RESULTS: Among the 14 patients
hospitalized with signs and symptoms suggestive of the disease and a positive
serology, we identified 10 cases of Mediterranean VL. PCR performed on PB and BM
aspirates was positive in all cases and concordant with microscopy and/or culture
performed on BM. Leishmania DNA was cleared from PB a median of 6 days after the
start of treatment; during follow-up (median: 9 months; range: 6-12 months) 1
child relapsed. In this case, BM PCR remained positive with rapid reappearance of
a positive signal also in PB. CONCLUSIONS: PB PCR allows a rapid and noninvasive
parasitologic diagnosis of Mediterranean VL among immunocompetent children and is
at least as sensitive as a diagnosis made on the basis of BM aspirates. The lack
of disappearance from BM and the reappearance of positive PCR on PB is predictive
of clinical relapse. Qualitative and semiquantitative PCR may be the standard
method for monitoring response to therapy in immunocompetent children.
PMID: 11826237 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
41. Clin Infect Dis. 2002 Jan 15;34(2):154-8. Epub 2001 Dec 4.
Clarithromycin versus azithromycin in the treatment of Mediterranean spotted
fever in children: a randomized controlled trial.
Cascio A, Colomba C, Antinori S, Paterson DL, Titone L.
Istituto di Patologia Infettiva e Virologia, Ospedale G. Di Cristina, Università
di Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy. [email protected]
We conducted an open-label randomized controlled trial to compare the efficacy
and safety of clarithromycin (15/mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses for 7 days) with
those of azithromycin (10 mg/kg/day in 1 dose for 3 days) in the treatment of
children with Mediterranean spotted fever. Until now, there has not been a
gold-standard therapy for this rickettsial disease in children. Eighty-seven
children were randomized to receive 1 of the 2 drugs. The mean time to
defervescence (+/- standard deviation) was 46.2+/-36.4 h in the clarithromycin
group and 39.3+/-31.3 h in the azithromycin group. These differences were not
statistically significant and both drugs were equally well-tolerated.
Clarithromycin and azithromycin could be acceptable therapeutic alternatives to
chloramphenicol and tetracyclines for children aged < or =8 years with
Mediterranean spotted fever. Azithromycin, because it has a long half-life,
offers the advantages of administration in a single daily dose and a shorter
duration of therapy, which could increase compliance in children.
PMID: 11740701 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
42. Infection. 2001 Aug;29(4):188-91.
Hepatitis B virus infection in native versus immigrant or adopted children in
Italy following the compulsory vaccination.
Giacchino R, Zancan L, Vajro P, Verucchi G, Resti M, Barbera C, Maccabruni A,
Marcellini M, Balli F, Cascio A, Nebbia G, Crivellaro C, Bortolotti F, Clemente
MG, Bragetti P, Valentini P, Mazzoni N, Losurdo G, Cristina E.
Infectious Diseases Unit Giannina Gaslini Children’s Hospital, Genova, Italy.
[email protected]
BACKGROUND: Compulsory vaccination of children against hepatitis B virus (HBV)
infection was introduced in Italy in 1991. PATIENTS AND METHODS: To evaluate the
current importance of pediatric HBV infection, we studied 359 HBsAg-positive
children admitted to 16 centers in Italy from 1991 to 1998. 185 patients were
natives of Italy and 174 (39 immigrants and 135 adopted) came from highly endemic
countries (eastern Europe: 60.9%, Asia: 16.7%, Africa: 14.9% and Central and
South America: 5.7%). RESULTS: Transaminase Levels were moderately altered in
both Italian (mean 134 UI/L) and foreign children (mean 168 UI/L). In total, 77%
of ItaLian children and 88% of foreign children tested HBeAg positive. High
transaminase levels and HBeAg positivity were more frequent in adopted children.
Follow-up of 317 patients showed that the incidence of HBeAg/anti-HBe serum
conversion was similar in all cohorts, but in adopted children it occurred at an
earlier age and was associated with HBsAg clearance in 5%. CONCLUSION: HBV is not
frequent in Italian children today, but it is common among children coming from
highly endemic areas. The vaccination of nonimmune native populations must be
strongly recommended.
PMID: 11545477 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
43. Clin Infect Dis. 2001 Aug 1;33(3):409-11. Epub 2001 Jun 21.
Efficacy and safety of clarithromycin as treatment for Mediterranean spotted
fever in children: a randomized controlled trial.
Cascio A, Colomba C, Di Rosa D, Salsa L, di Martino L, Titone L.
Istituto di Patologia Infettiva e Virologia, Ospedale G. Di Cristina, Università
di Palermo, Palermo, Italy. [email protected]
Erratum in:
11
Clin Infect Dis 2001 Sep 1;33(5):749.
Comment in:
Clin Infect Dis. 2002 Feb 15;34(4):560.
Fifty-one children with Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) were randomized to
receive either clarithromycin, 15 mg/kg/day orally in 2 divided doses, or
chloramphenicol, 50 mg/kg/day orally in 4 divided doses, for 7 days. Mean time to
defervescence was 36.7 h in the clarithromycin group and 47.1 h in the
chloramphenicol group (P=.047). Clarithromycin could be an acceptable therapeutic
alternative to chloramphenicol and to tetracyclines for children aged <8 years
with MSF.
PMID: 11438914 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
44. Infect Immun. 2001 Jul;69(7):4516-20.
Long-term pertussis-specific immunity after primary vaccination with a combined
diphtheria, tetanus, tricomponent acellular pertussis, and hepatitis B vaccine in
comparison with that after natural infection.
Esposito S, Agliardi T, Giammanco A, Faldella G, Cascio A, Bosis S, Friscia O,
Clerici M, Principi N.
Pediatric Department I, University of Milan, Milan, University of Palermo,
Palermo, Italy.
The aim of this study was to compare pertussis-specific humoral and cellular
immunity in children 5 years after a primary vaccination with a combined
diphtheria, tetanus, tricomponent acellular pertussis, and hepatitis B vaccine
(DTaP-HBV; InfanrixHepB; SmithKline Beecham) with immunity after natural
infection. The subjects were 38 children aged 5 to 6 years who received DTaP-HBV
at 3, 5, and 11 months of life and 21 subjects of similar ages and sex who
acquired pertussis in the first year of life. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody
titers against Bordetella pertussis antigens, peripheral blood mononuclear
cell-specific proliferation, and the secretion of cytokines were evaluated. After
5 years, only a small proportion of vaccinated and infected children had
significant specific concentrations of IgG in serum against all three B.
pertussis antigens, and T-cell responses persisted in a minority of subjects. A
preferential type 1 cytokine response with the secretion of gamma interferon was
observed in the pertussis group, whereas a type 2 skewed response was observed in
the vaccinated children; however, the quantitative differences in the cytokines
produced by DTaP-HBV and natural infection were minimal. In conclusion, our
results show that the immune responses induced by primary pertussis vaccination
are qualitatively and quantitatively similar to those seen in children who
recovered from natural infection and highlight the need for booster immunization
with pertussis vaccines in order to maintain adequate levels of a specific immune
response to B. pertussis.
PMCID: 98527
PMID: 11401994 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
45. Clin Infect Dis. 2001 Apr 15;32(8):1126-32. Epub 2001 Mar 23.
Rotavirus gastroenteritis in Italian children: can severity of symptoms be
related to the infecting virus?
Cascio A, Vizzi E, Alaimo C, Arista S.
Istituto di Patologia Infettiva e Virologia, Università di Palermo, Palermo,
Italy. [email protected]
The aim of our study was to determine whether the severity of rotavirus
gastroenteritis may be related to the different characteristics of infecting
viral strains. The severity of clinical symptoms in 401 children with acute
rotavirus gastroenteritis was assessed using a scoring system for frequency and
duration of vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, as well as the patients’ requirements
for intravenous rehydration. Rotavirus strains were characterized by determining
the electropherotype of their double-stranded RNA, the G type and subgroup by a
panel of monoclonal antibodies, and the P type by reverse
transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Strains with a short electropherotype,
G2P[4] type, and subgroup I were associated with more-severe gastroenteritis and
affected children older than those infected with strains with a long
electropherotype, G1P[8] or G4P[8] type, and subgroup II. Minor differences in
clinical symptoms were also detected in children infected with different long
electropherotypes and with G1P[8] and G4P[8] specificities.
PMID: 11283801 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
46. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2000 Aug;19(8):651-3.
Oral leishmaniasis in an HIV-infected patient.
Cascio A, Antinori S, Campisi G, Mancuso S.
Institute of Infectious Pathology and Virology, G. Di Cristina Hospital,
University of Palermo, Italy. [email protected]
PMID: 11014636 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
12
47. J Clin Microbiol. 1999 Aug;37(8):2706-8.
Identification of human rotavirus strains with the P[14] genotype by PCR.
Arista S, Vizzi E, Alaimo C, Palermo D, Cascio A.
Dipartimento di Igiene e Microbiologia, Università di Palermo,” Palermo, Italy.
A seminested PCR typing assay has been extended to identify rotavirus strains
with the P[14] genotype. The specificity of the method was confirmed by Southern
hybridization and by restriction analysis with the enzyme AluI. One out of four
human rotavirus (HRV) strains with unusual subgroup-electropherotype linkage but
none out of 50 HRV strains with usual linkage was typed as P[14].
PMCID: 85321
PMID: 10405427 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
48. Eur J Pediatr. 1998 Jun;157(6):482-6.
Clinical and laboratory findings of boutonneuse fever in Sicilian children.
Cascio A, Dones P, Romano A, Titone L.
Istituto di Patologia Infettiva e Virologia, Università di Palermo, Italy.
[email protected]
The spectrum of signs and symptoms of 645 consecutive children diagnosed from
1984 to 1996 with boutonneuse fever (BF), a mild rickettsial disease caused by
Rickettsia conorii endemic in the Mediterranean basin, are reported. The major
clinical features were fever (97.2%), exanthema (96.1%) and “tache noire”
(71.8%). The large series examined permitted the authors to observe some rare or
disregarded clinical features of the disease: cases with papulovesicular
exanthema, reported previously only in adults who had been infected by R. conorii
in Africa; and cases in which the only symptom was an isolated lymphadenopathy.
CONCLUSION: R. conorii infection should be considered in patients with
lymphadenopathy who live in or have travelled to an endemic area, even when
other, more specific features, are not present. Also pox-like vesicular lesions
may be caused by this organism, awaiting confirmation by using culture techniques
instead of serology. The serological confirmation of BF by immuno fluorescent
antibody test is possible only late in the illness.
PMID: 9667405 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
49. J Pediatr. 1997 Aug;131(2):271-7.
Treatment of visceral leishmaniasis in children with liposomal amphotericin B.
di Martino L, Davidson RN, Giacchino R, Scotti S, Raimondi F, Castagnola E, Tasso
L, Cascio A, Gradoni L, Gramiccia M, Pettoello-Mantovani M, Bryceson AD.
Department of Pediatrics, Institute Giannina Gashni, Genoa, Italy.
We used liposomal amphotericin B as first-choice treatment of visceral
leishmaniasis in 106 immunocompetent children who acquired the infection in a
temperate region of southern Europe (Italy) where Leishmania infantum visceral
leishmaniasis is endemic. The aim of the study was to identify the minimum total
dose of liposomal amphotericin B needed to cure the infection in children and
reduce the period of hospitalization. We conclude that the optimal regimen in
immunocompetent children with L. infantum visceral leishmaniasis to be a total
dose of 18 mg/kg of liposomal amphotericin B (3 mg/kg per day for 5 days,
followed by 3 mg/kg administered as an outpatient regimen on day 10).
PMID: 9290615 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
50. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1997 Jul;57(1):75-8.
Epidemiologic surveillance of visceral leishmaniasis in Sicily, Italy.
Cascio A, Gradoni L, Scarlata F, Gramiccia M, Giordano S, Russo R, Scalone A,
Camma C, Titone L.
Istituto di Patologia Infettiva e Virologia, Università di Palermo, Italy.
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is endemic in Sicily. Although it is a notifiable
disease, there is evidence that the actual number of cases is higher than that
reported. In 1987, a regional reference center for active surveillance of VL was
established and it recorded a total of 284 cases through 1995, a mean of 31.5
cases/year and about four-fold more than previously reported. Of the 284 cases,
150 (53%) were children (< or = 14 years of age), and of the 134 adults, 39 (29%)
were coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The commonest
viscerotropic zymodeme of Leishmania infantum, MON 1, was identified in 40 (93%)
of 43 HIV-negative and eight (57%) of 14 HIV-positive patients. Among 280
patients evaluated (i.e., all HIV-negative and 35 of 39 HIV-positive subjects),
254 (91%) were treated with meglumine antimoniate alone or in combination with
other drugs; 23 (8%) received allopurinol or amphotericin B, either conventional
or in liposomal form; and three terminally ill patients were not treated. Among
the 245 HIV-negative patients, 236 (96%) were successfully cured, while nine (4%)
(seven adults) died during the course of antimonial treatment. None of the 35
HIV-positive patients was definitively cured, although mortality was apparently
associated with other opportunistic infections.
13
PMID: 9242323 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
51. Eur J Histochem. 1997;41 Suppl 2:201-2.
Programmed cell death in children with active visceral leishmaniasis.
Potestio M, Gervasi F, Cascio A, Colonna Romano G.
Istituto Patologia Infettiva e Virologia, Università di Palermo.
PMID: 9859848 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
52. Arch Virol. 1997;142(10):2065-71.
Distribution of VP7 serotypes and VP4 genotypes among rotavirus strains recovered
from Italian children with diarrhea.
Arista S, Vizzi E, Ferraro D, Cascio A, Di Stefano R.
Dipartimento di Igiene e Microbiologia, Università di Palermo, Italy.
108 rotavirus strains obtained from children with diarrhea hospitalized in
Palermo, Italy, in the years 1990-1994, were examined by seminested PCR to study
the relative frequency and distribution of the four most common alleles of the
gene 4. Such strains were selected from 344 human rotavirus strains recovered in
palermo during those years after characterization by electropherotyping,
subgrouping and G serotyping. One hundred and seven of the 108 strains could be
classified into P types, the P[8], G1 (38.3%) and the P[8], G4 (52.3%) types
being predominant. The unique strain whose P genotype could not be identified
showed an unusual combination of long migration electrophoretic pattern and
subgroup I specificity.
PMID: 9413515 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
53. Int J Clin Lab Res. 1997;27(2):135-8.
Plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma in Sicilian
children with Mediterranean spotted fever.
Cascio A, Gervasi F, Giordano S, Palazzolo B, Salsa L.
Istituto di Patologia Infettiva e Virologia, Università di Palermo, Italy.
The plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma were
measured in 53 consecutive children with serologically confirmed Mediterranean
spotted fever and were found to be increased during the acute phase compared with
the convalescent phase (tumor necrosis factor-alpha mean 32.17 vs. 4.12 pg/ml, P
< 0.0001; interferon-gamma mean 84.17 vs. 2.65 pg/ml, P = 0.0006). Plasma levels
of both cytokines were higher in patients with a typical exanthema rather than
those with a very mild or no exanthema; tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels were
significantly lower in the latter (tumor necrosis factor-alpha 32.17 vs. 9.85
pg/ml, P < 0.0001; interferon-gamma 84.17 vs. 38.14 pg/ml, P = 0.35). Tumor
necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma may be harmful or beneficial to the
infected host, depending upon the amounts produced and whether they are
circulating or confined locally to the site of inflammation.
PMID: 9266285 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
54. Res Virol. 1996 Nov-Dec;147(6):333-9.
Detection of enteric adenoviruses 40 and 41 in stool specimens by monoclonal
antibody-based enzyme immunoassays.
Vizzi E, Ferraro D, Cascio A, Di Stefano R, Arista S.
Dipartimento di Igiene e Microbiologia, Università di Palermo, Italy.
To examine the role of enteric adenoviruses (Ad40 and Ad41) in children with
acute gastroenteritis, we evaluated 273 children with diarrhoea and 137 without
enteric symptoms in Palermo, Italy, during an 8-month period. Stools were tested
by two home-made monoclonal-based ELISAs to detected genus-specific adenovirus
antigen and to type Ad40 and Ad41. Twenty-five samples (6.1%) were found to
contain adenovirus, 18 of which were grown in Graham 293 and in HEp-2 cells. Ad40
and Ad41 were detected in 2.6% of children with diarrhoea and in none in the
control group, while non-enteric adenoviruses were obtained from both patients
(3.2%) and controls (6.5%). Samples containing Ad40 and Ad41 were positive by the
virus isolation procedure in Graham and in HEp-2 cells, showing no distinct
growth pattern in these cell lines. The evaluation of a latex agglutination test
(Adenolex) and of a commercial ELISA (Adenoclone), respectively available for the
detection of genus adenovirus antigen and for the typing of Ad40 and Ad41
suggests that both tests enable the identification of enteric adenoviruses in
stool specimens, giving results comparable to our ELISAs.
PMID: 8958586 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
55. Eur J Epidemiol. 1996 Oct;12(5):545-7.
Identification of picobirnavirus from faeces of Italian children suffering from
acute diarrhea.
Cascio A, Bosco M, Vizzi E, Giammanco A, Ferraro D, Arista S.
Institute of Infectious Pathology and Virology, University of Palermo, Italy.
Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of nucleic acid extracted from stool samples
14
of diarrhoeic children revealed in 3 out of 690 (0.43%) specimens two
electrophoretic bands with a migration pattern characteristic of picobirnavirus
ds-RNA. In none of the 92 control children were similar bands detected. No other
potential enteric pathogens were found in the patients with picobirnavirus
infection.
PMID: 8905320 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
56. Clin Infect Dis. 1996 Jun;22(6):938-43.
Short-course treatment of visceral leishmaniasis with liposomal amphotericin B
(AmBisome).
Davidson RN, di Martino L, Gradoni L, Giacchino R, Gaeta GB, Pempinello R, Scotti
S, Cascio A, Castagnola E, Maisto A, Gramiccia M, di Caprio D, Wilkinson RJ,
Bryceson AD.
Imperial College School of Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
We evaluated liposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome; Vestar, San Dimas, CA)
administered to 88 immunocompetent patients (56 children) with visceral
leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania infantum. Thirteen patients received 4
mg/kg on days 1-5 and 10 (total dose, 24 mg/kg), and all were cured; 42 received
3 mg/kg on days 1-5 and 10 (18 mg/kg), and 41 were cured; 32 received 3 mg/kg on
days 1-4 and 10 (15 mg/kg), and 29 were cured (amastigotes were not cleared from
1 child, and 2 relapsed). One adult was cured with a total dose of 12mg/kg. The
four children who were not cured received 3 mg/kg for 10 days; none had further
relapses. There were no significant adverse events. For VL due to L. infantum, we
recommended a total dose of AmBisome of > or = 20 mg/kg, given in > or = 5 doses
of 3-4 mg/kg over > or = 10 days.
PMID: 8783690 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
57. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1996 May-Jun;90(3):317-8.
Early efficacy of liposomal amphotericin B in the treatment of visceral
leishmaniasis.
Castagnola E, Davidson RN, Fiore P, Tasso L, Rossi G, Mangraviti S, Di Martino L,
Scotti S, Cascio A, Pempinello R, Gradoni L, Giacchino R.
Department of Infectious Diseases, Gaslini Children’s Hospital, Genoa, Italy.
The rapidity and efficacy of a short course of liposomal amphotericin B was
evaluated in 29 children affected by visceral leishmaniasis (Leishmania
infantum). Their overall health status was assessed using the prognostic
inflammatory and nutritional index (PINI), and their haematological status by the
reticulocyte count and haemoglobin blood levels. All these quantities were
measured on day 0, and 3 and 10 d after starting therapy. A significant decrease
of inflammatory signs, associated with an improved reticulocyte count, was
recorded after 3 d of therapy. A significant increase of haemoglobin levels was
also observed 10 d after the start of treatment. The early reduction of
inflammatory signs and the improvement of bone marrow function in most patients
confirmed the validity of amphotericin B therapy. The PINI score is helpful in
assessing the severity of visceral leishmaniasis and the follow-up of its
treatment.
PMID: 8758092 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
58. Res Virol. 1995 May-Jun;146(3):225-32.
Detection of IgM antibodies specific for measles virus by capture and indirect
enzyme immunoassays.
Arista S, Ferraro D, Cascio A, Vizzi E, di Stefano R.
Dipartimento di Igiene e Microbiologia, Università di Palermo, Italy.
During a measles outbreak, 112 serum specimens from 88 hospitalized patients were
received in our laboratory for investigation of a morbilliform rash. These
specimens (88 acute- and 24 convalescent-phase) were tested for the presence of
measles-specific IgM antibodies by a capture EIA (enzyme immunoassay) using
peroxidase-conjugated measles virus antigens and by an indirect EIA. Commercially
available indirect EIA kits for measles-specific IgM antibodies were also used
and compared with our homemade EIAs. Specificity studies included a collection of
serum specimens containing rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibodies or IgM
antibodies specific to other viruses, and sera from blood donors and healthy
children. Sensitivity of capture EIA and indirect EIA to detect measles IgM was
91.8 and 90.3%, respectively, and specificity was 98.2% for both tests. Specific
IgM antibodies were detected in 70.5% of serum specimens at the first day after
rash onset and were present for a month following the rash. Among the commercial
measles IgM detection assays, EIA “Behring” was found to be a valid alternative
for detection of measles virus-specific IgM.
PMID: 7481095 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
59. Q J Med. 1994 Feb;87(2):75-81.
Liposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome) in Mediterranean visceral leishmaniasis: a
15
multi-centre trial.
Davidson RN, Di Martino L, Gradoni L, Giacchino R, Russo R, Gaeta GB, Pempinello
R, Scott S, Raimondi F, Cascio A, et al.
St Mary’s Hospital Medical School, Dept of Infectious and Tropical Diseases,
Lister Unit, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, UK.
Thirty-one patients with visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania
infantum received liposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome) in a multi-centre study.
Ten immunocompetent patients (six children) received 1-1.38 mg/kg/day for 21
days, and ten (nine children) received 3 mg/kg/day for 10 days. All were cured
without significant adverse events and without relapse during 12-24 months of
follow-up. Eleven immunocompromised adults, including seven co-infected with HIV
(four with AIDS) received 100 mg (1.38-1.85 mg/kg) daily for 21 days. All were
initially considered cured, but eight relapsed clinically and parasitologically
at 3-22 months. Liposomal amphotericin B is a new, safe and effective drug for
the treatment of VL.
PMID: 8153291 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
60. J Pediatr. 1993 Jul;123(1):81-4.
Immunogenicity of an acellular pertussis vaccine composed of genetically
inactivated pertussis toxin combined with filamentous hemagglutinin and pertactin
in infants and children.
Podda A, Carapella De Luca E, Titone L, Casadei AM, Cascio A, Bartalini M,
Volpini G, Peppoloni S, Marsili I, Nencioni L, et al.
Biocine-Sclavo R&D Vaccines, Siena, Italy.
We studied the immunogenicity of an acellular pertussis vaccine composed of
genetically detoxified pertussis toxin (PT-9K/129G), filamentous haemagglutinin,
and a 69-kilodalton protein, pertactin, in 30 children aged 12 to 24 months and
in 80 infants aged 2 to 4 months. A significant increase of the neutralizing
titer and of the titers against pertussis toxin, filamentous hemagglutinin, and
pertactin, as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, was achieved after
three doses of vaccine in all the children; a significant increase of these
antibody titers was obtained in 100%, 96.1%, 93.5%, and 98.7% of the infants,
respectively.
PMID: 8320630 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
61. J Pediatr. 1992 May;120(5):680-5.
Acellular pertussis vaccine composed of genetically inactivated pertussis toxin:
safety and immunogenicity in 12- to 24- and 2- to 4-month-old children.
Podda A, De Luca EC, Titone L, Casadei AM, Cascio A, Peppoloni S, Volpini G,
Marsili I, Nencioni L, Rappuoli R.
Biocine-Scalvo R & D Vaccines, Siena, Italy.
To determine whether a nontoxic derivative of pertussis toxin obtained by
recombinant DNA technology, PT-9K/129G, is a good candidate for a new pertussis
vaccine, we examined the safety and the immunogenicity in children of a vaccine
containing 15 micrograms of PT-9K/129G protein and 0.5 mg of aluminum hydroxide
per dose. Fifty-three children 12 to 24 months of age and 21 infants aged 2 to 4
months were injected with two and three doses, respectively. The vaccine did not
induce significant local or systemic reactions and elicited an increase of
antibody titer in more than 98% of the children. The geometric mean of the
toxin-neutralizing titers increased after each dose and was 85 units in children
given two doses and 196 units in those given three doses. Two children who had
detectable antibody levels before the first immunization had a high response
(greater than 320 units) to the first vaccine dose. The findings suggest that
PT-9K/129G is a promising antigen to be included in the development of acellular
pertussis vaccines.
PMID: 1578301 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
62. Res Virol. 1990 Jul-Aug;141(4):435-48.
Electropherotypes, subgroups and serotypes of human rotavirus strains causing
gastroenteritis in infants and young children in Palermo, Italy, from 1985 to
1989.
Arista S, Giovannelli L, Pistoia D, Cascio A, Parea M, Gerna G.
Institute of Microbiology, University of Palermo, Italy.
During 1985-89, an epidemiological survey was conducted in Palermo, Sicily
(Southern Italy) on group A human rotavirus (HRV) strains which cause
gastroenteritis in infants and young children. Two hundred and thirty eight HRV
strains were characterized for subgroup and serotype using
monoclonal-antibody-based ELISA systems, and for electropherotype using
polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Subgroup II strains were largely predominant,
constituting 218/238 of the positive stool samples (91.6%). Among the serotypes,
192/238 strains (80.7%) were serotype 1 and 16 strains (6.7%) were serotype 4;
serotype 2 circulated intermittently and serotype 3 was nearly absent (only one
16
subgroup I strain was detected). Two electropherotypes, bbba and cbba, accounted
for the largest proportion of the 345 HRV strains examined, 74 (21.4%) and 222
(64.3%) strains, respectively. Unexpected combinations of subgroup, serotype and
electropherotype were detected in 5 subgroup I strains, of which 4 possessed a
“long” RNA pattern (1 serotype 3 and 3 serotype 4 strains) and one a “short” RNA
pattern (a serotype 4 strain). In addition, 4 group C HRV strains (atypical HRV
or pararotaviruses) were detected on the basis of electropherotype. These
findings emphasize the need for continuous surveillance of HRV infections in
different geographic areas of the world in order to detect the appearance of new
strains early and to adopt adequate strategies for vaccine preparation and
administration.
PMID: 1964238 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
63. Eur J Epidemiol. 1990 Mar;6(1):84-7.
Changing patterns of hepatitis A virus infection in children in Palermo, Italy.
Stroffolini T, De Crescenzo L, Giammanco A, Intonazzo V, La Rosa G, Cascio A,
Sarzana A, Chiarini A, Dardanoni L.
Laboratorio di Epidemiologia, Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Rome, Italy.
In 1988 in Palermo, Italy, the prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis A virus
(anti-HAV) in a sample of 490 children 6-13 years old was 10.6%; it increased
from 6.3% among children 6-10 years old to 14.7% in children 11-13 years old (P
less than 0.01). Compared with findings from a survey conducted in 1978 in the
same area, the results of the present study show a significant (P less than 0.01)
reduction in the anti-HAV prevalence in both age groups. Anti-HAV prevalence was
inversely related to the father’s years of education and positively related to
the family size. Children of fathers with less than 6 years of schooling had a
3.2-fold risk (C.I. 95% = 1.3-8.1), and children with five or more members in
their households had a 2.7-fold risk (C.I. 95% = 1.1-6.4) of previous exposure to
hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection. Our findings indicate that exposure of
children in Palermo to HAV is decreasing significantly, probably because of
improvements in socio-economic conditions during recent years; however
socio-demographic factors appear to be important determinants of infection.
PMID: 2344881 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
64. Infection. 1989 Sep-Oct;17(5):280-3.
Prevalence of pertussis IgG antibodies in children in Palermo, Italy.
Stroffolini T, Giammanco A, De Crescenzo L, Lupo F, Nicosia V, Torres G, Valenza
AR, Cascio A, Taormina S, Nisticò L, et al.
Laboratory of Epidemiology, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.
The prevalence of IgG antibodies to Bordetella pertussis in a sample of 615
1-12-year-old unvaccinated children in Palermo was estimated by ELISA. The
overall prevalence was 56%; it increased from 24% in one to three-year-old
children to 67% in 11-12-year-old children (p less than 0.01). IgG antibody
prevalence was not associated with the father’s years of schooling (OR 1), nor
with the family size (OR 1.3; C.I. 95% = 0.8-2.2). For children aged one the
three years, serological results showed that the history of pertussis reported by
parents in questionnaires gave high specificity (93.2%) and negative predictive
value (85.4%). Our seroepidemiological study evidences a great exposure of
children to B. pertussis in Palermo, with a high proportion of infections
occurring after three years of age.
PMID: 2689344 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
65. J Chemother. 1989 Jul;1(4 Suppl):1115-7.
Immunohistochemical diagnosis of herpetic gingivostomatitis and its treatment
with acyclovir.
Titone L, Romano A, Cascio A, Florena AM, Daniele E.
Institute of Infectious Diseases, Palermo University, Italy.
PMID: 16312796 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
66. J Chemother. 1989 Jul;1(4 Suppl):960-1.
Our experiences in visceral leishmaniasis therapy.
Titone L, Scarlata F, Cascio A, Giordano S, Mancuso G.
Institute of Infectious Diseases - Palermo University, Italy.
PMID: 16312722 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
67. Microbiologica. 1988 Jul;11(3):213-8.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for Brucella melitensis-associated antigens.
Geraci D, Locorotondo G, Parlato A, Cocchiara R, Caracappa S, Scarlata F, Cascio
A.
Istituto di Biologia dello Sviluppo, CNR, Palermo, Italy.
An ELISA assay was performed to detect antigens of Brucella melitensis directly
in the blood of patients affected by Brucellosis. Disposable polystyrene
17
microtiter plates were coated with rabbit immunoglobulins anti-Brucella
melitensis antigens and then incubated with sera of Brucellosis patients and sera
of not infected normal subjects as a control, to standardize the conditions of
the different steps of the assay. The level of the blood-containing Brucella
antigen bound to the plate was measured by addition of anti-Brucella melitensis
antiserum conjugated with alkaline phosphatase followed by incubation with the
specific enzyme substrate. Sera from 9 Brucellosis patients not undergoing
therapy were tested by this ELISA assay, and all showed values significantly
higher than the control. A pool of 96 sera from normal subjects not infected with
Brucella melitensis was used as a negative control. In addition, a different
group of 8 sera from patients with Brucellosis undergoing therapy were also
analyzed, but no difference in the ELISA value was observed between the two
groups with or without therapy. The ELISA assay described in this paper could be
a reproducible, sensitive and suitable test to detect Brucella-antigens in the
blood of Brucellosis patients and it could be used in addition to the more common
methods for a more thorough diagnosis of Brucellosis.
PMID: 3173124 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
18