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Biomedical subjects

A Matteelli

Publications and source records attributed to A Matteelli.

47 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

[Clinical review of 3 cases of aspergillosis].

Three cases of aspergillosis observed in Pavia Infectious Disease Clinic in 1983-85 are described. The cases differed both in the site of the infection (lungs, bones and liver) and in the patients' basic immunological situation. The importance of mycological investigations during diagnosis is emphasised, though they should of course be flanked by instrumental examinations and blood chemical assays. The efficacy of specific treatment with amphotericin B combined with surgery and plasma exchange is also emphasised.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

[Syphilitic encephalitis: a diagnosis to be kept in mind. Epidemiological considerations and description of a case].

Since the introduction of antibiotic treatment there has been a remarkable reduction in the incidence of "classical" neurosyphilis, and, when cerebral involvement occurs, a relative increase in abortive or monosymptomatic cases that are difficult to diagnose because of the prevalence of meninges and/or mental signs. A case of luetic meningoencephalitis is described with emphasis on diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic aspects.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Levels of circulating nitrate/nitrite and gamma interferon not increased in uncomplicated malaria.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate nitric oxide (NO) activity in patients with uncomplicated malaria. Lipopolysaccharide and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) are potent inducers of NO by inducing production of NO synthase. NO activity was determined by measuring serum levels of nitrite/nitrate (metabolic end products of NO), and IFN-gamma in patients with uncomplicated malaria, mostly caused by Plasmodium falciparum. Neither serum levels of nitrite/nitrate nor of IFN-gamma were significantly increased in patients with uncomplicated malaria, especially in patients with P. falciparum infection, and in those with high parasitaemia. These results show that NO cannot play a role in uncomplicated malaria, and it is still debatable if NO production in this infection has beneficial or detrimental effects.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Insecticide-impregnated bed nets reduce malaria transmission in rural Zanzibar.

There has been concern that impregnated bed nets are an insufficiently powerful method to control malaria in areas with very high perennial transmission, as in the humid lowland parts of tropical Africa. We carried out a 'cross-over' trial among children under 5 years of age in 2 villages in rural Zanzibar. In 1989, one village was supplied with newly permethrin-impregnated bed nets whereas the other served as unprotected control. In 1992, when those nets had lost their insecticidal activity and were badly torn, the village which had previously been the control was given newly impregnated bed nets. Each time, reinfection with Plasmodium falciparum was measured after initially clearing the parasites by administering a therapeutic dose of sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine. The introduction of bed nets led to a 74-78% reduction in the weekly rate of reinfection with malaria parasites, in all age groups. The nets apparently also affected perceived clinical symptoms, haemoglobin levels, and the mosquito sporozoite rate.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Imported schistosomiasis in Europe: sentinel surveillance data from TropNetEurop.

BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis is a major parasitic disease, increasingly imported into temperate climates by immigrants from and travelers to endemic areas. METHOD: To generate valid data on imported infectious diseases to Europe and to recognize trends over time, the European Network on Imported Infectious Diseases Surveillance (TropNetEurop) was founded in 1999. Three hundred and thirty-three reports of schistosomiasis were analyzed for epidemiologic and clinical features. RESULTS: Male patients accounted for 64% of all cases. The average age of all patients was 29.5 years. The majority of patients were of European origin (53%). Europeans traveled predominantly for tourism (52%). Main reasons for travel for people from endemic areas were immigration and refuge (51%) and visits to relatives and friends (28%). The majority of infections were acquired in Africa; 92 infections were clearly attributable to Schistosoma haematobium, 130 to Schistosoma mansoni, and 4 to Schistosoma intercalatum. Praziquantel was the only treatment used. No deaths were recorded. CONCLUSION: TropNetEurop sentinel provides valuable epidemiologic and clinical data on imported schistosomiasis to Europe.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Malaria in illegal Chinese immigrants, Italy.

A cluster of 22 imported malaria cases, 21 caused by Plasmodium falciparum, was observed among illegal Chinese immigrants in northern Italy in the summer of 2000. The rate of severe disease was high because the patients were not immune and they sought health-care services late in their illness because of their clandestine status. Recognition of the outbreak was delayed because no regional alert system among infectious diseases hospitals was in place.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Serum levels of interleukin-18 in patients with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

Interleukin (IL)-18, a newly discovered cytokine produced primarily by macrophages, has been shown to induce gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) production by natural killer cells, to induce the T helper type 1 response. To further elucidate the role of this cytokine in uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum, serum levels of IL-18, and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), determined by an immunoenzymatic assay, were analyzed in 40 adult patients, and in 15 healthy control subjects. A significant increase in serum levels of IL-18 was observed in patients with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria on admission, whereas serum levels of IFN-gamma tended to increase although not significantly. Serum levels of IL-18 decreased three days later, but still remained significantly high, whereas IFN-gamma levels returned to normal levels compared to the controls. No significant correlation was found between parasitemia and serum levels of IL-18 and IFN-gamma. The increase of IL-18 levels during acute and recovery phases of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria may reflect a proinflammatory role of IL-18 in these patients. An early and effective immune response regulated by proinflammatory Th1 cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-12, and possibly IFN-gamma may limit the progression from uncomplicated malaria to severe and life-threatening complications.

Adult↗