[Clinico-therapeutic considerations on some cases of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis].
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Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
Biomedical subjects
C Viscoli
Publications and source records attributed to C Viscoli.
Immunological characterization of lymphocytes in cerebrospinal fluid during acute viral and tuberculous meningitis.
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Acute Disease↗
[Progress in cerebrospinal fluid diagnostic studies contributed by cytocentrifugation].
Immunological studies in cerebrospinal fluid of acute viral and tubercular meningitidis, and other inflammatory diseases of CNS require a strict cellular detection and identification, that may be reached by cytocentrifugation. Several cases are reported, in which cytocentrifugation was obtained by Shandon-Elliott cytocentrifuge. Some morphological aspects are discussed, as the presence of high levels of "reticulomonocytes" in encephalitis, plasma-cells in acute disorders, activated lymphocytes in viral meningitis.
Central Nervous System Diseases↗
Immunological studies in cerebrospinal fluid of acute viral and tubercular meningitis.
The Authors studied the immunological characteristics of lymphocytes in cerebrospinal fluid, from children affected by acute viral or tubercular meningitis. A reduced P.H.A. response of C.S.F. lymphocytes was observed. The Authors emphasize the usefulness of applying some other specific markers of T and B lymphocytes to achieve further informations on immunological traffic of lymphocytes.
Acute Disease↗
Voriconazole versus a regimen of amphotericin B followed by fluconazole for candidaemia in non-neutropenic patients: a randomised non-inferiority trial.
BACKGROUND: Voriconazole has proven efficacy against invasive aspergillosis and oesophageal candidiasis. This multicentre, randomised, non-inferiority study compared voriconazole with a regimen of amphotericin B followed by fluconazole for the treatment of candidaemia in non-neutropenic patients. METHODS: Non-neutropenic patients with a positive blood culture for a species of candida and clinical evidence of infection were enrolled. Patients were randomly assigned, in a 2:1 ratio, either voriconazole (n=283) or amphotericin B followed by fluconazole (n=139). The primary efficacy analysis was based on clinical and mycological response 12 weeks after the end of treatment, assessed by an independent data-review committee unaware of treatment assignment. FINDINGS: Of 422 patients randomised, 370 were included in the modified intention-to-treat population. Voriconazole was non-inferior to amphotericin B/fluconazole in the primary efficacy analysis, with successful outcomes in 41% of patients in both treatment groups (95% CI for difference -10.6% to 10.6%). At the last evaluable assessment, outcome was successful in 162 (65%) patients assigned voriconazole and 87 (71%) assigned amphotericin B/fluconazole (p=0.25). Voriconazole cleared blood cultures as quickly as amphotericin B/fluconazole (median time to negative blood culture, 2.0 days). Treatment discontinuations due to all-cause adverse events were more frequent in the voriconazole group, although most discontinuations were due to non-drug-related events and there were significantly fewer serious adverse events and cases of renal toxicity than in the amphotericin B/fluconazole group. INTERPRETATION: Voriconazole was as effective as the regimen of amphotericin B followed by fluconazole in the treatment of candidaemia in non-neutropenic patients, and with fewer toxic effects. RELEVANCE TO PRACTICE: There are several options for treatment of candidaemia in non-neutropenic patients, including amphotericin B, fluconazole, voriconazole, and echinocandins. Voriconazole can be given both as initial intravenous treatment and as an oral stepdown agent.
APACHE↗
Emerging fungal pathogens, drug resistance and the role of lipid formulations of amphotericin B in the treatment of fungal infections in cancer patients: a review.
The incidence of life-threatening invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised patients has increased dramatically in recent years. Candida spp other than C. albicans are increasingly being isolated, and Aspergillus infections also are on the increase, as well as infections due to previously uncommon organisms. It is likely that this phenomenon is multifactorial in origin, although the extensive use of antifungal prophylaxis may have played a role, especially for the emergence of non-albicans Candida. Amphotericin B remains the antifungal agent with the broadest spectrum of action available and is thus the standard treatment for immunocompromised patients with proven or suspected fungal infections, especially aspergillosis. However, its potential for nephrotoxicity limits its usefulness. Lipid formulations of amphotericin B may allow therapy to be administered with reduced renal toxicity. Three different lipid formulations of amphotericin B currently are available. These compounds have different pharmacokinetic properties and seem to achieve higher serum or tissue concentrations than amphotericin B. This statement is based on animal models and scattered human data. At present, there are no studies comparing the lipid formulations with each other and only a few randomized trials comparing them with conventional amphotericin B. However, a number of open clinical trials and compassionate-use protocols suggest that lipid-based forms of amphotericin B can achieve good response rates with minimal toxicity in patients with a variety of invasive mycoses, including those who have proved refractory or intolerant to previous therapy with conventional amphotericin B. Unfortunately, the cost of these compounds remains high and may represent a limiting factor to their use.
Amphotericin B↗
Ceftazidime plus amikacin versus ceftazidime plus vancomycin as empiric therapy in febrile neutropenic children with cancer.
Two antibiotic regimens, ceftazidime plus amikacin and ceftazidime plus vancomycin, were compared in a prospective, randomized clinical trial as empiric therapy in febrile granulocytopenic children with cancer. The rate of response was similar in the two groups (66% vs. 77%). The prevalence of secondary gram-negative bacteremia was higher--but not significantly higher--in the group receiving vancomycin. Adverse reactions also occurred more often in the latter group (35% vs. 4%). Mortality did not differ significantly in the two groups. Adjustment for independent predictors of response to treatment by means of multivariate analysis confirmed the lack of any remarkable difference between the responses to the two regimens. We conclude that the use of vancomycin instead of amikacin in combination with ceftazidime does not significantly improve the outcome of treatment of fever and infection in granulocytopenic children with cancer and that the use of vancomycin is associated with an increased frequency of both secondary infections due to gram-negative bacteria and adverse reactions.
Amikacin↗
Italian guidelines for the management of infectious complications in pediatric oncology: empirical antimicrobial therapy of febrile neutropenia.
The Italian Association for Paediatric Haematology and Oncology prepared a guideline document aimed at unifying and rationalising as much as possible the management of febrile neutropenia in children with cancer, because of the potential impact of these procedures on hospital costs and on the development of antibiotic resistance. Before starting anti-infective therapy, at least 2 blood cultures, a throat swab, urine-culture, and cultures from any suspected infected site, should be performed. Routine chest X-rays at onset of febrile neutropenia are probably not necessary, in absence of respiratory signs. At the present time, the safer option probably remains the combination of a beta-lactam and an aminoglycoside, and treating febrile neutropenia outside of hospital should be considered an investigational approach. The choice of the most appropriated regimen for each institution should be based also on the local bacteriological statistics and patterns of bacterial resistance. Antibiotic toxicity and cost should be other important factors. Every subsequent addition or substitution of antibiotics should be based on objective signs of clinical deterioration. The only accepted empirical modification is empirical antifungal therapy, while the empirical addition of a glycopeptide antibiotic cannot be recommended.
Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
Hepatic and splenic mycosis in children with acute leukemia.
Three cases of hepatic and/or splenic mycosis in children with acute leukemia are reported. Patients presented with fever not responding to broad spectrum antibiotics during or after prolonged and profound neutropenia. Noteworthy, in 1 case no abnormality in liver function tests was detectable at diagnosis. CT scan showed focal hepatic lesions in all patients. In 1 patient ultrasounds failed to detect hepatic lesions and showed only splenic lesions, while CT scan detected hepatic and not splenic lesions. Definitive diagnosis was performed by open liver biopsy and histological demonstration of fungal invasion. Cultures were negative in all cases. All patients survived with prolonged amphotericin B treatment (from 36 to 40 mg/kg), combined with flucytosine in two cases. In conclusion, this clinical entity should be taken into account by physicians taking care of neutropenic patients, even in the absence of abnormalities in liver function. CT seems to be the method of choice for diagnosis, although ultrasounds might be useful for detecting concomitant splenic lesions.
Adolescent↗
[Liver cirrhosis in childhood. Considerations on 22 cases with different etiology].
Although rather uncommon and multifactorial in etiology, liver cirrhosis is a severe and often rapidly fatal disease in pediatrics. In our institution, during the last 15 years, 22 children with liver cirrhosis have been followed. The underlying predisposing condition was HBV infection (8 cases), CMV perinatal infection (2 cases), Wilson's disease (4 cases), chronic cholestasis (2 cases) and alcohol abuse (2 cases); in 4 cases no predisposing condition was evident. In all cases the histological examination of the liver was the diagnostic cornerstone. The mean age at diagnosis was 6 years and 8 months, with an early onset especially in the posthepatitis cirrhosis. In 10 out of 22 patients, cirrhosis was not preceded by an history of chronic liver disease. Poor subjective symptomatology was present in 13 of the cases, hepatomegaly in all, splenomegaly in 18 cases, signs of hepatic failure in 13 cases. In all patients various impairments of hepatocellular synthesis were detectable, especially during the period preceding the development of hepatic insufficiency. The mean time to cirrhosis was 5 years. The average duration of the follow up was 3 years and 4 months: during the follow up 6 patients improved, 5 patients showed no clinical or functional modifications of their hepatic disease, 3 patients worsened and 8 died. In order to perform suitable treatment of liver cirrhosis the need of early diagnosis and etiological definition should be emphasized.
Adolescent↗
[Autologous bone marrow transplantation in children. Use of parenteral nutrition].
Children undergoing ABMT, a procedure which entails massive doses of chemotherapy along with total-body irradiation, are candidate to develop severe gastrointestinal toxicity and prolonged anorexia requiring administration of Parenteral Nutrition (PN) for variable periods. We report a series of 35 consecutive children affected by malignancies who underwent 37 courses of PN after ablative therapy followed by ABMT. Age ranged from 8 months to 17 years; 16 were females, 19 males. There were 23 cases of neuroblastoma, 5 of Wilms' tumor, 3 of acute myelogenous leukemia, 2 of Ewing's sarcoma, 1 case each of rhabdomyosarcoma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. All patients developed severe neutropenia for 9-42 days (median 18 d). Fever occurred in all patients; sepsis was documented in 10. Duration of PN ranged from 10 to 64 days (23 +/- 9; mean +/- SD). PN solution, containing crystalline L-Aminoacids (8.5%) mixed with 33% glucose, minerals, trace elements and vitamins provided for children a caloric intake of 49.8 +/- 17.3 Kcal/Kg/day with a nitrogen intake of 0.26 +/- 0.27 g/Kg/day. Nutritional assessment, utilizing percent ideal body weight, serum protein electrophoresis, C3, pseudocholinesterase and fibrinogen, was performed at the beginning and at the completion of each course of PN. Mean percent ideal body weight was 95.8 before PN, 98.5 on last day of PN (p less than 0.0005). Other parameters did not change significantly. No metabolic complication nor severe electrolyte imbalance were observed except for 5 patients who developed hypokalemia in coincidence with administration of Amphotericin B.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Adolescent↗
[Total body irradiation, vincristine in continuous infusion and high-dose melphalan with transplant of autologous bone marrow in the treatment of neuroblastoma].
High dose chemo-radiotherapy followed by autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) is known to be an effective treatment in stage IV neuroblastoma (NB). Since October '84, 19 children with NB (12 relapsed or resistant: Group A; 7 in first CR: Group B) received ablative therapy (AT) consisting of VCR (4 mg/mg), L-PAM (140 mg/mg) and fractionated TBI (1000 Rads). Induction strategy at diagnosis or at relapse included high dose Peptichemio, 2-3 cycles of Vincristine-Cyclophosphamide--high dose Platinum and surgery. Bone marrow was harvested after 2 evaluation proved negative by cytomorphology, histology and immunofluorescence. Mononuclear cells (median 6.7 x 10(7)/kg) were cryopreserved and reinfused without purging. At the time of AT in Group A8 children were in CR, 4 had minimal diseases; in Group B 6 were in CR and one in PR. One toxicity-related death occurred on day 7 in a child in first CR; median duration of granulocytopenia 0.5 x 10(9)/l and thrombocytopenia less than 50 x 10(9)/l were 20 days (R: 9-40) and 27 days (R: 11-51) respectively. Persistent immune thrombocytopenia occurred in 4 children. Fever higher tha 38 degrees C developed in all patients: sepsis was documented in 6 patients. Extramedullary toxicity was moderate: GI tract was the most affected. Two out of 5 children who received AT having residual disease achieved CR; relapse or progression of disease occurred in all these patients. Four out of 8 children in second or subsequent CR and 4 out of 5 in first CR are alive and well at 3-12 months (median 7).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
Employment of azthreonam in generalized and localized infections determined by gram negative bacteria.
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Aztreonam↗
[Advantages of a permanent venous access in children treated for cancer. Preliminary results].
Current therapy for children with cancer includes a variety of invasive procedures many of which require repeated venous access over a considerable period of time. Such procedures are poorly tolerated by children and by their veins. Recently it has become possible to undertake the majority of such procedures by means of permanent indwelling silastic catheters improving the quality of life of the children and their parents and increasing the scope of therapeutic intervention. In the period July '83 - August '84 we have used 46 of these catheters in 45 children with malignant disease, 12 with acute myeloid leukaemia, 12 with neuroblastoma, 7 with B cell leukaemia-lymphoma, 6 with rhabdomyosarcomas, 2 with Ewing's Sarcoma, 2 with Wilms' tumor and 1 case each of Hodgkin's disease, teratocarcinoma, osteosarcoma and juvenile chronic myeloid leukaemia. The children's ages ranged from 2 months to 14 years; 22 were male and 23 female. The catheters were inserted under general anaesthesia (duration 20-40 minutes) usually without difficulty, except for a single patient in whom no suitable vein could be found. No complications connected with the placement of the catheter were observed. Subsequent management of the catheter was initially complicated and time-consuming, but was subsequently simplified so that acceptance by parents, children and nursing staff was eventually excellent. The duration of use of 46 catheters ranges from 7 to 350+ days; 24 catheters are presently in use at 30-350+ days from insertion. Eight children died as a result of disease progression and two of sepsis with the catheter in place.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Adolescent↗
[Hereditary fructose intolerance].
Two cases of hereditary fructose intolerance are reported. In the first one the symtomatology has started with an acute hepatic failure; the second one has come to our observation with a diagnosis of intrahepatic biliary duct atresia. It is underlined the difficulty of a differential diagnosis, in infants with serious hepatic failure, between infectious, metabolic and others illnesses.
Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic↗
[Congenital hepatic fibrosis].
According to their experience and to a review of the most important papers in the field, the Authors examine the clinical, morphological, diagnostical and therapeutical aspects of congenital hepatic fibrosis. The initial sign is almost always hepatosplenomegaly and diagnosis can be achieved by means of clinical, anamnestic, histological and ecotomographic findings. Relationships among congenital hepatic fibrosis, infantile polycystic disease of the kidney and liver and Caroli's disease are stressed.
Child↗
[Fungal infections in pediatric oncology].
The clinical charts of cancer patients with documented fungal infections hospitalized at G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Italy, from 1980 to 1990 were reviewed. Thirty-seven episodes developing in 37 patients were identified, based on microbiological and/or histological documentation. Patients' age ranged from 3 months to 18 years (median 7 years). Twenty patients were treated for hematological malignancy and 17 had solid tumor. Seven patients (3 with leukemia and 4 with solid tumours), developed mycosis after bone marrow transplantation procedure. A history of neutropenia in the month preceding the documentation of fungal infection was present in 76% of cases (28 of 37). However, only 16 of 28 (55%) of these patients were still neutropenic at time of diagnosis. In 40% of the cases the fungal infection developed as primary infection not preceded by any febrile and/or infectious episode. Fungemias without evident organ localization accounted for the 40% of episodes with a mortality rate of 20%. The other 22 cases (60%) were classified as invasive mycoses; 9 of these patients died (41%). Mortality was higher among patients with mold infection (5 of 7, 72%), than in those with yeast infection (7 of 29.24%). Molds infections and invasive mycoses were virtually absent in the first part of our period of observation (1980-84), but emerged in the second period (1985-90) when also the incidence rate of fungal disease increased (from 2.67/10,000 person/day to 5.93), probably in relation with extensive construction works and with the implementation of a bone marrow transplantation program.
Adolescent↗
[Sepsis related to a permanent central venous catheter in children with neoplastic disease: practical implications of a continuous surveillance of the etiology].
Indwelling central venous catheter-related bacteremias are an important complication in patients with cancer. In general they are due to Staphylococcus aureus and Candida, while bacteremias caused by Gram-negatives are less common and often related to infusate contaminans. We describe a survey of etiological surveillance of Broviac catheter-related infections at G. Gaslini Children's Hospital of Genoa, Italy. In the period 1989-1992 an increase of Broviac catheter-related bacteremias due to Gram-negatives was demonstrated as compared with previous years (1985-1988). At home parental management was suspected as an important risk factor, since this complication was frequently due to infusate contaminants and no epidemic cluster or positive surveillance culture was observed in the Hospital. Therefore at home management was changed, especially regarding heparin storage. The subsequent, prospective follow-up from July 1993 to December 1995 showed a significant decrease in catheter-related bacteremias due to Gram-negatives (P = 0.003, chi-square test). In conclusion, a strict control on at home catheter management procedures must be maintained in order to reduce the risk of indwelling central venous catheter-related infections in children with cancer.
Bacteremia↗