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Biomedical subjects

Alessandro Zanetti

Publications and source records attributed to Alessandro Zanetti.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Immunogenicity and effect of a virosomal influenza vaccine on viral replication and T-cell activation in HIV-infected children receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy.

In order to evaluate the immunogenicity and the effect of a virosomal influenza vaccine on viral replication and T-cell activation in HIV-infected children receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), 29 children infected with HIV-1 vertically (19 primed with a previous influenza vaccination and 10 who were not been immunized against influenza) were immunized with an intramuscular virosome-adjuvanted influenza vaccine. According to the European Agency for Evaluation of Medical Products (EMEA) criteria, the immunogenicity of the vaccine was adequate against all three influenza strains (A H1N1, A H3N2, and B) in the primed children, and against A H1N1 and A H3N2 in the unprimed children. After in vitro stimulation with vaccine antigens, the IFN-gamma levels in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells cultures increased significantly from a baseline level of 103.0 +/- 229.8 pg/ml to a 30-day level of 390.7 +/- 606.3 pg/ml (P < 0.05), with concentrations significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the primed children than in the unprimed children. No increase in plasma HIV-1 RNA or HIV-1 proviral DNA was observed in either subgroup, and the immunophenotype analyses demonstrated that the CD4+ cell counts and percentages, the CD4/CD8 ratio and activated lymphocytes remained stable in either group from baseline to 1 month after each vaccine dose. This study showed that the virosomal influenza vaccine does seem to be immunogenic in the majority of HIV-infected children receiving HAART and does not induce viral replication or T-cell activation. Given the possible influenza-related complications in children infected with HIV, these results support the use of this influenza vaccine in such patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Development of a peptide nucleic acid array platform for the detection of genetically modified organisms in food.

Two previously developed platforms, a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) array, the former allowing for the simultaneous detection of five transgenes and two endogenous controls in food and feed matrices and the latter for the assessment of the identity of amplified PCR products, were combined in order to develop a PNA array device for the screening of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food. PNA probes were opportunely designed, synthesized, and deposited on commercial slides. The length of the probes as well as the distance of the probes from the surface were evaluated and found to be critical points. The most suitable probes were found to be 15-mer PNAs linked to the slide surface by means of two 2-(2-aminoethoxy)ethoxyacetic acids as spacers. The device was tested on a model system constituted by flour samples containing a mixture of standards at known concentrations of transgenic material, in particular Roundup Ready soybean and Bt11, Bt176, Mon810, and GA21 maize: The DNA was amplified using the specific multiplex PCR method and tested on the PNA array. The method proposed was found to be able to correctly identify every GMO present in the tested samples.

DNA, Plant↗
PubMed2005

Long-term efficacy of hepatitis B vaccine, booster policy, and impact of hepatitis B virus mutants.

The long-term efficacy of hepatitis B vaccine, long-term effectiveness of hepatitis B immunisation programmes, immune memory induced by hepatitis B vaccine, current booster policies, and impact of hepatitis B virus mutants on immunisation programmes were reviewed at the Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board (VHPB) meeting in Sevilla, Spain, March 2004. The main focus was on universal vaccination programmes with data being presented from Italy, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, The Gambia, and USA (Alaska).

DNA, Viral↗
PubMed2004

Prevention of viral hepatitis in Italy.

The overall situation on viral hepatitis prevention and control in Italy was reviewed and evaluated at a Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board (VHPB) meeting in Catania, Sicily, on 7-8 November 2002. Several specific conclusions, drawn from the presentations and discussions, were considered to constitute an example of how to handle these issues in other European and industrialized countries.

Disease Notification↗
PubMed2004

An economic evaluation of varicella vaccination in Italian adolescents.

An economic evaluation was performed to assess five varicella vaccination scenarios targeted to 11-year-old Italian adolescents. The scenarios were: "compulsory vaccination" of all adolescents, recommended vaccination of susceptible adolescents on the basis of an "anamnestic screening", a "blood test" or a combination of both ("both tests") and vaccination of adolescents in the private sector, at the parents' charge ("private vaccination"). Probabilities and unit costs were taken from published sources and experts opinion. The accuracy of the anamnestic screening (81.6% sensitivity and 87.3% specificity) was derived from a separate descriptive study among 344 Italian adolescents. The costs and benefits of each scenario were simulated using a Markov model and cost-effectiveness, budget-impact and cost-benefit analyses were conducted. Of all considered scenarios, "both tests" and "anamnestic screening" were the most appealing options with an estimated net direct cost of 5058 and 8929 per life-year gained (compared to no vaccination) versus 14,693-42,842 for the other scenarios. These two scenarios further resulted in substantial net savings for society (over 600,000 per cohort, BCR: 2.17). The need for a serological confirmation was highly dependent on the sensitivity of the anamnestic screening, which is believed to increase once such a program is launched. For practical considerations, "anamnestic screening" seems to be the most convenient option.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Development of a seven-target multiplex PCR for the simultaneous detection of transgenic soybean and maize in feeds and foods.

The detection of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food and feed is an important issue for all the subjects involved in raw material control, food industry, and distribution. Because the number of GMOs authorized in the EU increased during the past few years, there is a need for methods that allow a rapid screening of products. In this paper, we propose a method for the simultaneous detection of four transgenic maize (MON810, Bt11, Bt 176, and GA21) and one transgenic soybean (Roundup Ready), which allows routine control analyses to be sped up. DNA was extracted either from maize and soybean seeds and leaves or reference materials, and the recombinant DNA target sequences were detected with 7 primer pairs, accurately designed to be highly specific for each investigated transgene. Cross and negative controls were performed to ensure the specificity of each primer pair. The method was validated on an interlaboratory ring test and good analytical parameters were obtained (LOD = 0.25%, Repeatability, (r) = 1; Reproducibility, (R) = 0.9). The method was then applied to a model biscuit made of transgenic materials baked for the purpose and to real samples such as feed and foodstuffs. On account of the high recognition specificity and the good detection limits, this multiplex PCR represents a fast and reliable screening method directly applicable in all the laboratories involved in raw material and food control.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2004

Lack of evidence of sexual transmission of hepatitis C among monogamous couples: results of a 10-year prospective follow-up study.

The risk of sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was evaluated among 895 monogamous heterosexual partners of HCV chronically infected individuals in a long-term prospective study, which provided a follow-up period of 8,060 person-years. Seven hundred and seventy-six (86.7%) spouses were followed for 10 yr, corresponding to 7,760 person-years of observation. One hundred and nineteen (13.3%) spouses (69 whose infected partners cleared the virus following treatment and 50 who ended their relationship or were lost at follow-up) contributed an additional 300 person-years. All couples denied practicing anal intercourse or sex during menstruation, as well as condom use. The average weekly rate of sexual intercourse was 1.8. Three HCV infections were observed during follow-up corresponding to an incidence rate of 0.37 per 1,000 person-years. However, the infecting HCV genotype in one spouse (2a) was different from that of the partner (1b), clearly excluding sexual transmission. The remaining two couples had concordant genotypes, but sequence analysis of the NS5b region of the HCV genome, coupled with phylogenetic analysis showed that the corresponding partners carried different viral isolates, again excluding the possibility of intraspousal transmission of HCV. Our data indicate that the risk of sexual transmission of HCV within heterosexual monogamous couples is extremely low or even null. No general recommendations for condom use seem required for individuals in monogamous partnerships with HCV-infected partners.

Adult↗