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Biomedical subjects

G Ambrogio

Publications and source records attributed to G Ambrogio.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Postheparin plasma diamine oxidase values in the follow up of patients with small bowel Crohn's disease.

Measurement of postheparin plasma diamine oxidase (PHD) activity has been proposed to assess mucosal integrity in several diseases of the small intestine. In Crohn's disease, PHD values identify a group of patients with predominantly small bowel mucosal damage. To determine the role of mucosal involvement in the progression of small bowel Crohn's disease and whether different PHD values can predict different outcomes the changes in PHD values in 41 patients with small bowel Crohn's disease admitted consecutively to our department were investigated. The test was performed during periods of active disease and after either medical or surgical treatment had resulted in improvement. PHD values were significantly lower than in normal subjects (normal range 3.7-7.7 U/ml). In 35 patients with active disease (Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI) greater than 150) two groups were identified by choosing a cut off value of 2 U/ml: 93% of the 15 patients with PHD values lower than 2 U/ml (mean (SD) 1.36 (0.46) U/ml) relapsed at least once in the following year, while only the 20% of the 20 whose values were higher than 2 U/ml (mean (SD) 3.69 (1.50)) relapsed in the same period. The data were statistically significant (Yates's corrected chi 2 = 15.63; p less than 0.0001). The positive and negative predictive values of the test were 93% and 80%, respectively. During relapses, PHD values were consistently lower than previous values, and increased significantly after effective medical or surgical treatment. In the six patients in whom there were no changes in disease activity (CDAI persistently less than 150), there was no change in PHD values. This test may be useful for identifying Crohn's disease patients who are likely to relapse. Furthermore, the data indicate that mucosal damage is common in active small bowel Crohn's disease and improves at least in part after treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

[Serological indices of autoimmunity in an Italian case-load of chronic active HBsAg positive and negative hepatitis].

In South Italy chronic hepatitis is characterized by high frequency of HBsAg positivity, male prevalence and infrequent presence of clinical signs of autoimmunity. To clarify some etiologic aspects of HBsAg negative chronic hepatitis, immunofluorescent tests for ANA, AMA, SMA and for liver membrane antibody (LMA) were performed on the sera of 116 consecutive non alcoholic patients with histological pattern of chronic active hepatitis (42 HBsAg+, 35 antiHBV+ and 39 negatives for all HBV markers). ANA, AMA and SMA positivity did not differentiate the three groups of patients. LMA was detectable in the sera of a relatively few number of cases; no difference was found between HBsAg positive and negative patients (21% and 18% respectively). On the contrary strong association (p less than 0.0005) was found between LMA positivity and activity of the disease, as evaluated on the basis of transaminases and IgG serum levels. These results indicate that autoimmune chronic hepatitis is rare in our geographical area and they suggest that LMA positivity is not a specific test of autoimmune liver diseases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Acute viral hepatitis in childhood: etiology and evolution.

A study of 164 consecutive patients (97 males, 67 females; aged 3-11 years) with acute hepatitis was done. Hepatitis A was the most frequent etiologic type. It occurred in 82.7% of the 3-5-year age group, and in 72.2% and 57.2% of the 6-8- and 9-11-year age groups, respectively. Non-A, non-B hepatitis was rather infrequent (4.3%). Hepatitis B occurred in 13.7% of the 3-5-year age group and reached 39.6% in the 9-11-year age group. While all hepatitis A and non-A, non-B cases recovered within a relatively short time, hepatitis B patients recovered more slowly; two cases recovered 1 year after the onset of symptoms. Chronicity was demonstrated in 23.8% of hepatitis B patients 2 years after the onset of the disease. HBsAg clearance was slower in children than in adults. At 4 months, only 59% of patients had serum converted, and a chronic carrier state occurred in 13 of 42 subjects followed for up to 2 years (three healthy carriers and 10 with chronic hepatitis of various types). Our data show that persistence of HBeAg positivity does not always lead to chronicity in children. Of the eight patients HBeAg-positive 1 year after the onset of symptoms, two recovered.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A randomized comparison of metoclopramide and domperidone on plasma aldosterone concentration and on spironolactone-induced diuresis in ascitic cirrhotic patients.

The effect of metoclopramide and domperidone, two dopamine antagonists, administered to cirrhotic patients with ascites and secondary hyperaldosteronism, was examined to evaluate the changes in plasma aldosterone levels and in spironolactone-induced diuresis. In 15 patients with ascites and secondary hyperaldosteronism, the intravenous administration of 10 mg metoclopramide significantly increased plasma aldosterone levels (23%, p less than 0.01). This effect was observed when an equivalent dose of domperidone was administered. In 20 ascitic patients treated with spironolactone (300 mg per day), the administration of metoclopramide (20 mg) significantly reduced urinary output (24%, p less than 0.001) and urinary sodium (35%, p less than 0.001) while simultaneously increasing urinary potassium (24%, p less than 0.001) and plasma aldosterone (40%, p less than 0.001). This effect was not observed with domperidone in an equivalent dose. Therefore, it is recommended that metoclopramide should be avoided during diuretic therapy in cirrhotic patients with ascites. In these circumstances, domperidone is preferred.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The significance of the HBe system in an area highly endemic for hepatitis B virus.

A group of 164 consecutive patients with chronic liver disease and 60 healthy HBsAg carriers were investigated in an area highly endemic for hepatitis B virus (HBV). Eighty-two of the 164 patients (50%) were found to be HBsAg-positive and only 39 (24%) had no HBV markers. A statistically significant correlation was found in the HBsAg-positive patients between the HBe system, their age and the time which had elapsed since their acute episode. Thus, the prevalence of HBeAg decreased with increasing age and with increasing time since their acute episodes. Furthermore, a statistically significant correlation was found between the presence of HBeAg and active chronic liver disease. Of the patients with chronic active hepatitis with or without cirrhosis, all patients below the age of 13 years were HBsAg-positive and 72% were also HBeAg-positive. The data suggest that the HBeAg-positivity in HBsAg carriers is of limited duration and that the seroconversion from HBeAg to anti-HBe is related to a histologically less active or inactive stage of the disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

T and B lymphocytes in patients with chronic active liver disease and in healthy HBsAg carriers.

E-rosette and surface Ig tests were used to study circulating T and B lymphocytes in 65 patients with chronic active liver disease (CALD), 15 healthy HBsAg carriers and 30 healthy controls. No significant variation in B lymphocytes was observed in CALD and in healthy HBsAg carriers. On the other hand, the absolute number and the percentage of T lymphocytes were significantly decreased in CALD, especially in cases negative for HBV infection markers.

B-Lymphocytes↗