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D Romito

Publications and source records attributed to D Romito.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Spreading of autoimmunity from central to peripheral myelin: two cases of clinical association between multiple sclerosis and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.

Demyelinating inflammatory diseases of central and peripheral myelin share similar aetiopathogenesis but rarely occur simultaneously in the same individual. Here we report two clinical cases of temporal association between multiple sclerosis (MS) and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Our finding supports the hypothesis that clinically manifested central and peripheral demyelinating diseases could result from a common pathogenic event characterised by T-cell autoimmunity spreading from central to peripheral myelin.

Autoimmunity↗
PubMed2006

Occurrence of yeasts in cloacae of migratory birds.

Several species of yeast have been reported as pathogens in humans based on increases in immunodeficiency syndromes and as a result of immunosuppressant chemotherapy in cancer treatment. Domestic and wild birds are known to act as carriers of human pathogenic fungi. To gain additional information on the yeasts present in the cloacae of some species of migratory birds, 421 wild birds (24.39% out of 1726 birds caught in Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria) were sampled with the permission of the local judicial authority. The state of conservation of the birds (i.e. post-mortem alterations, colour of the mucosae etc.), along with their age and sex were determined. Samples were collected directly from the cloacae and cultured, and colonies were identified in each positive sample. Yeasts were isolated from 15.7% of the animals sampled, with the highest percentage found in coots (Fulica atra -58.8%) and the lowest in quails (Coturnix coturnix -1.7%). A total of 131 isolates belonging to 15 species of yeast were identified. Rhodotorula rubra was the yeast with the highest number of isolates (28.2%), followed by Cryptococcus albidus (18.4%), Candida albicans (9.2%), Trichosporon cutaneum (8.4%), Candida guilliermondii (6.1%), Candida tropicalis (6.1%) and other species. The present study represents the first survey on the occurrence of yeasts in the cloacae of migratory birds. The prevalence and species of yeasts isolated is discussed on the basis of the ecology, diet, and habitat of the birds.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Role of birds of prey as carriers and spreaders of Cryptococcus neoformans and other zoonotic yeasts.

In the last 20 years, cases of human cryptococcosis, have increased in immunocompromised patients. In several instances, the cases have been associated with the exposure of the patients to bird droppings. In order to investigate birds of prey as potential carriers and spreaders of Cryptococcus neoformans and other yeasts of importance in human infections, 182 swab samples were collected from the cloacae of several species of birds of prey (Group I) and 32 faecal samples from aviaries in which the birds were housed (Group II). Samples were also taken from digestive tract of 60 dead birds (Group III). A total of 454 samples were cultured from which 215 colonies of yeastlike fungi were recovered and identified. Cryptococcusneoformans var. grubii was isolated from three cloacae samples (4.8%) collected from Falco tinnunculus and from one sample (3.1%) obtained from Buteo buteo, as well as from samples collected at the aviaries in which these birds were kept. Overall, 18 samples (9.9%) from Group I, 13 (40.6%) from Group II, 12 crops (20%), three proventriculi (5%) and 12 cloacae (20%) from Group III yielded positive cultures for yeasts. The results indicate that birds of prey and in particular, F. tinnunculus and B. buteo, may act as carriers and spreaders of C. neoformans and other zoonotic yeasts.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

The epidemiology of canine and feline dermatophytoses in southern Italy.

A total of 424 animals (268 dogs and 156 cats) with skin lesions (alopecia and peripheral scaling) were examined from January 1999 to December 2002. Of the 424 samples examined, 99 (23.3%) yielded a positive culture and, in particular, 20.5% of the dog samples and 28.2% of the cat samples. Microsporum canis was the most common dermatophyte isolated from dogs and cats (77.7%), followed by geophilic dermatophyte species (M. gypseum, Trichophyton terrestre). Young dogs and cats, especially those younger than 1 year, showed a statistically significant higher prevalence of M. canis infection than older animals. No statistically significant association was found between infection and sex in cats, while male dogs were more affected by dermatophytes. Among breeds, Yorkshire terriers showed the highest positivity (50%) caused mainly by M. canis (46.6%), while no differences were noticed for cats. A significantly higher prevalence of positive samples was registered in summer and in autumn for cats. The presence of dermatophytes was not associated with itching. The diagnostic value of Wood's lamp fluorescence and microscopic examination proved to be scarce compared with fungal cultures as only 45.5% of the 77 samples that tested positive for M. canis at the cultural examination was positive under Wood's lamp florescence and 53.2% at microscopic examination.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1994

Fits of weeping as an unusual manifestation of reflex epilepsy induced by speaking: case report.

We report the case of a 62-year-old man with no past CNS history who for some weeks had had fits of weeping that lasted from 30" to 3', precede by any aura; sensorium was clear; there were no symptoms of any kind after the paroxysm; in the course of them his facial expression was that of weeping with sobbing and tears, but no corresponding affective-emotional content, as reported by the patient, who was able to converse during these episodes. The fits were easily triggered by speaking. EEG during an episode showed a slight flattening of the trace, high voltage sharp waves at 4-6 c/s appeared, especially over the left hemisphere. CT brainscan and cerebral angiogram revealed a large space-occupying lesion of cystic-necrotic appearance with considerable mass effect and characteristics of glioblastoma. Treatment with barbiturates ended the paroxysmal weeping. We consider that these episodes were simple partial epileptic seizure according to the WHO classification of 1981.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed1993

Effects of therapeutic doses of salbutamol alone and combined with beclomethasone dipropionate on airway responsiveness and cyclic AMP plasma levels in asthmatic patients.

Twelve asthmatic patients received by inhalation for 2 weeks, in a double-blind, cross-over design, beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP; 600 micrograms/day) plus salbutamol (S; 900 micrograms/day), or S (900 micrograms/day) alone. Before and after each treatment course the subjects received intravenous cumulative doses of S up to 200 micrograms. In basal conditions and immediately before the next dose forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and plasma cyclic AMP (cAMP) were measured. BDP+S treatment increased FEV1 basal values (p < 0.05) whereas inhaled S resulted in unsignificant improvement of ventilatory parameters. The slopes of the dose-response curves of FEV1 and plasma cAMP to intravenous S were unaffected by the two treatment courses. Our results suggest that DBP+S, differently from S alone, improves ventilatory function in asthmatic patients and that neither S nor S+BDP seem to affect adrenergic function.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Influence of gastric pH changes on pharmacokinetic of a sustained-release formulation of theophylline.

The effect of magnesium-aluminum-hydroxide antacid (Maalox) on the oral absorption of theophylline anhydrous time-release capsules Somophyllin CRT was studied in eight healthy volunteers. The subjects were given 500 mg of theophylline alone or with 30 ml of antacid in a complete crossover design. Drug serum concentrations were determined by an immunoenzymatic method within 24 hours at frequent intervals. Antacid induced a significant reduction of theophylline serum levels and of the fraction absorbed at 1 and 1.5 hours of the monitoring period (less than 0.05), but no significant differences were found at later sampling time. Maalox did not influence the area under the curve from 0 to 24 hours and the peak concentrations; the time to peak was slightly but significantly longer with antacid (p less than 0.05). Our results indicate that physicochemical factors such as gastrointestinal fluid pH do not influence substantially absorption of the slow-release formulation Somophyllin.

Adult↗