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E Pozio

Publications and source records attributed to E Pozio.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Distribution of Trichinella spiralis larvae in muscles from a naturally infected horse.

Epidemiological investigations conducted during 10 trichinellosis outbreaks between 1975 and 1994 showed that horse-meat was the probable source of infection. Though hundreds of thousands of horses have been examined at abattoirs in America and Europe to detect Trichinella infection by artificial digestion or trichinelloscopy, an infected horse has never been detected during routine analysis, which consists of examining 1 g of tissue muscle from the diaphragm. In November 1996, a naturally infected horse imported from Romania was detected in Southern Italy. The parasite was identified as Trichinella spiralis by random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis. Artificial digestion of tissue samples from 60 different muscles from 13 different sites of the infected horse carcass showed that M. levator Labii maxillaris, M. hyoideus transversus, and M. buccinator were the 3 most infected muscles. Muscles from the tongue, the masseter, and the diaphragm, which have normally been considered the muscles of choice for diagnosis, were the 4th, 6th and 13th most infected muscles, respectively. When comparing body sites, muscle tissues from the head showed the highest level of infection, followed by muscles from the neck. This finding may explain the negative results that have been obtained in the past during routine examination of the diaphragm of horses.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1998

PCR-SSCP of rDNA for the identification of Trichinella isolates from mainland china.

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of the expansion segment 5 (domain IV) of the large subunit of ribosomal DNA was employed to characterize seven isolates of Trichinella from China (A-G), including six of pig origin from regions in Dengxian (A), Tianjin (B), Harbin (D), Baoshan (E), Xinye (F) and Xian (G), and one of canine origin from Changchun (C). Isolates A, D, E, F and G were classified as Trichinella spiralis based on SSCP patterns, while the patterns for isolates B and C were consistent with those of Trichinella nativa or Trichinella T6. The results were supported by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis using five decamer primers and were in accordance with ecological information for the isolates. Single strand conformation polymorphism results also allowed the direct display of mutational sequence variation in the expansion segment among the five isolates of T. spiralis from China, indicating its usefulness for studying population variation within that species.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Trichinella spiralis, T. britovi, and T. nativa: infectivity, larval distribution in muscle, and antibody response after experimental infection of pigs.

The infectivity of Trichinella spiralis, T. nativa, and T. britovi was experimentally compared in pigs. Blood sampling was performed weekly, and muscle juices were obtained at slaughter 10 weeks after inoculation. Muscle larvae were found in all of four pigs inoculated with T. spiralis [mean 190 larvae per gram (lpg)] and in three of four pigs inoculated with T. britovi (mean 7 lpg). No larvae were found in pigs inoculated with T. nativa. For T. spiralis and T. britovi, the neck muscle (m. splenius) appears to be a predilection site in addition to the tongue, the diaphragm, and the jaw. High antibody responses were found in all experimental groups, independent of the antigen used, and even in pigs in which no muscle larvae were recovered. The strong and consistent antibody response found with meat juice indicates the usefulness of this material where a blood sample is not obtainable, e.g. meat samples from wild animals. Immunoblotting (Western blots) on slaughter sera revealed no species specificity when comparing homologous versus heterologous staining.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Identification of a human isolate of Encephalitozoon cuniculi type I from Italy.

A microsporidial strain, obtained from a person with AIDS living in Italy was isolated and cultivated on RK13 (rabbit kidney) cell monolayers. Identification at the species level was performed by immunological and molecular methods. Western blot analysis showed that the human isolate and the Encephalitozoon cuniculi reference strain had similar banding patterns. The small subunit rRNA sequence analysis confirmed the identification of the isolate as E. cuniculi, which is a widespread microsporidian species infecting a wide range of natural hosts, including humans. Moreover, based on the sequence of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer region, this isolate was classified as E. cuniculi type I (rabbit strain), previously reported in six persons with AIDS living in Switzerland. These results provide further information on the geographical distribution of E. cuniculi types.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1998

Trichinellosis in the European union: epidemiology, ecology and economic impact.

Trichinellosis, one of the most widespread helminthic zoonoses, is still endemic in most countries of the European Union. In the past few years, advanced biotechnology has been used to re-examine the taxonomy, epidemiology and life cycles of aetiological agents, providing additional information on the main factors contributing to the maintenance of these parasites in Nature. The old concept that pigs and rats are the main hosts of Trichinella spiralis, as still reported in many books, has been re-evaluated thoroughly. In this review, Edoardo Pozio summarizes the epidemiology and ecology of human and animal trichinellosis, quantifies the economic impact of this zoonosis and suggests methods of controlling this infection that would result in a great reduction in costs.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

First outbreak of human trichinellosis caused by Trichinella pseudospiralis.

This is the first report of an epidemic of human infection with Trichinella pseudospiralis. An outbreak of trichinellosis affecting 59 individuals, of whom one died, occurred in southern Thailand during 1994-1995. The source of this epidemic was raw pork from a wild pig that was distributed to villagers by a local hunter. The most striking clinical features among 50 individuals who could be followed were muscular swelling, myalgia, and asthenia persisting for > 4 months. These were associated with significant elevations of creatine phosphokinase and lactate dehydrogenase levels. All patients had Trichinella-specific IgG antibodies in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Muscle biopsies, performed in six cases, showed nonencapsulated, actively migrating Trichinella larvae. Experimental infection of mice with larvae from human biopsies revealed nonencapsulated muscle larvae consistent with T. pseudospiralis. The identification of muscle larvae from a human specimen by random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis confirmed the causative agent to be T. pseudospiralis. Patients seemed to respond best to treatment with albendazole.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Gastric involvement in AIDS associated cryptosporidiosis.

BACKGROUND: Cryptosporidiosis has been shown to be a common cause of diarrhoea in both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed individuals. There are very few data on the distribution of Cryptosporidium parvum along the gastrointestinal tract. AIMS: To evaluate the location of Cryptosporidium parasites in the digestive tract of patients with AIDS. METHODS: Gastrointestinal localisation of C parvum was studied in 71 patients with AIDS who underwent upper and/or lower endoscopy with biopsy for chronic diarrhoeal illness and/or other gastrointestinal disorders of unexplained origin. RESULTS: Twenty four individuals (33.8%) were positive for C parvum, of which 16 (88.9%) had parasites in the gastric epithelium. Most patients with gastric localisation of C parvum did not show specific symptoms indicating the presence of this parasite in the stomach. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric involvement in AIDS related cryptosporidiosis is more frequent than expected, but no clear correlation between gastric location and related clinical and pathological features was observed.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1998

Short report: identification of the likely etiologic agent of human trichinellosis in Sicily (Italy) between 1933 and 1946.

Larvae of Trichinella sp. collected in 1961 from muscle samples of the last infected domestic pig slaughtered in Sicily (Italy), and preserved in absolute ethyl alcohol until 1997, have been identified as Trichinella spiralis by the polymerase chain reaction. This finding explains the severity of the clinical picture, resulting in death, and the high number of fatal cases (20 of 184, 11%) observed in three Sicilian outbreaks between 1933 and 1945, caused by the consumption of sausages from pigs originating from the same focus of 1961. The relationship between the human outbreaks and the infected pig of 1961 is supported by epidemiologic data that show that Sicily was and is Trichinella-free, with the exception of the above reported focus.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Distribution of sylvatic species of Trichinella in Estonia according to climate zones.

A survey on trichinellosis among sylvatic and domestic animals from Estonia revealed the presence of Trichinella nativa (Tn), Trichinella britovi (Tb), and Trichinella spiralis (Ts). Muscle samples were collected from 776 sylvatic and 1,086 domestic animals. Muscle larvae from 52 of the 74 positive samples were identified, using random-amplified polymorphic DNA analysis; 19 samples showed Tn, 27 samples Tb, and 4 samples Ts. A raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and a red fox (Vulpes vulpes) were infected with both Tn and Tb. Of the 19 animals infected with Tn, 16 (84%) were collected from the central-eastern regions of the country, east of the isotherm -5 C in January. Of the 27 animals infected with Tb, 22 (81%) were collected from the western regions of the country, west of the isotherm -4 C in January. Trichinella spiralis seemed to be present only in a focus (a fur-bearing animal farm) on Hiiumaa Island. These results can be used to support the hypothesis of a relationship between the distribution of Tn and Tb and the environmental temperature; they are also indicative of the importance of long-term survival of muscle larvae in host carcasses in the life cycle of these 2 species. In Estonia, the isotherms -4 and -6 C in January could be considered a thermic barrier for the distribution of Tn and Tb, respectively.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Trichinella britovi in foxes in The Netherlands.

An overall prevalence of 3.9% of Trichinella infection was observed in the fox population in The Netherlands. Random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis of individual muscle larvae demonstrated the presence of Trichinella britovi. This is the first report of T. britovi, etiological agent of sylvatic trichinellosis, in one of the most densely populated countries in Europe and, consequently, the occurrence of cannibalism and scavenger behavior of foxes in areas with a high human population density. The presence of T. britovi in the fox population in these areas appears to be without consequences for commercial pig farming.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Detection of Trichinella spiralis in a horse during routine examination in Italy.

Routine examination for Trichinella infection by artificial digestion of 5-g samples of muscle tissue revealed the presence of muscle larvae in one out of 28 horses imported from Romania to an abattoir in Italy. The parasite, identified as Trichinella spiralis by the polymerase chain reaction, showed a reproductive capacity index of 68 in Swiss mice. Light microscope examination of 200 nurse cell-larva complexes showed that 22% of them were calcified and that the capsules of the non-calcified nurse cells were 17.5-27.5 microns (s = 22.67 microns) thick and had very few cellular infiltrates. The serum samples from the parasitologically positive horse and from three other horses of the same stock, from which Trichinella larvae were not recovered by digestion, showed a low level of positivity as determined by ELISA and Western blot analyses using a crude antigen, whereas negative results were observed in both tests when an excretory-secretory antigen was used. The results, together with data from the literature, suggest that the horse had acquired the infection 8-10 months previously and confirm earlier observation obtained from experimental infections, which showed that muscle worm burden and specific circulating antibodies were lost several months after infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Epidemiological investigation of trichinellosis in Switzerland.

Domestic pigs in Switzerland have been considered Trichinella-free for decades, despite the occurrence of Trichinella in the wildlife cycle. In order to reevaluate the present epidemiological situation, tissue samples from 11226 domestic pigs, 356 wild boars and 452 foxes were examined using the standard artificial digestion method. A simultaneous serological study, extended to include 25239 sera from sows provided by a Swiss pig serum bank, was also undertaken. The results of both studies support the conclusion that Trichinella spp. do not occur within the domestic pig population in Switzerland. Among the fox population, Trichinella was detected in four (0.9%) of the animals tested using the digestion method, and Trichinella britovi was identified as the infecting species by RAPD fingerprint analyses.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Clinical cryptosporidiosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-induced immunosuppression: findings from a longitudinal study of HIV-positive and HIV-negative former injection drug users.

The natural history of cryptosporidiosis was investigated during a waterborne outbreak among 1731 members of a drug rehabilitation community in Italy; 19.6% of the members were positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Demographic and clinical information and pre-outbreak serum samples were available. Clinical data were analyzed, stratifying the study population by HIV serostatus and CD4 cell count. The attack rate of clinical cryptosporidiosis was 13.6% among HIV-negative individuals and 30.7% among HIV-positive individuals, although in the latter, it varied according to CD4 cell count. Clinical symptoms and their duration were also related to CD4 cell count. Chronic symptoms were observed in only 16 individuals (15.4%), who all had <150 CD4 cells at the onset of the illness. Among a systematic sample of 198 individuals, 14.1% already had anti-Cryptosporidium antibodies before the outbreak, and 51.2% developed specific antibodies during the outbreak. The development and clinical manifestations of cryptosporidiosis were strongly influenced by the level of HIV-induced immunosuppression.

Adolescent↗