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Biomedical subjects

G F Bagnato

Publications and source records attributed to G F Bagnato.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Rheumatic symptoms in patients with human immunodeficiency virus are related to levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha but not to viral load.

Infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can lead to osteoarticular involvement, usually in the late stages. The pathogenesis of these symptoms has usually been attributed to viral load or to dysregulated cytokine production. We evaluated the presence of rheumatic symptoms and levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha viral load and CD4 count in 46 patients with HIV from southern Italy. The prevalence of rheumatic symptoms was 23.9%; CD4 count and viral load presented no statistically significant differences between patients with rheumatic symptoms and patients without osteoarticular involvement, whereas TNF-alpha levels were increased in HIV patients with arthralgias compared with those in patients without arthralgias (p = 0.02). Evidence that TNF-alpha is increased in patients with osteoarticular or soft tissue involvement is a clear index of the pivotal role this cytokine plays in the pathogenesis of these manifestations.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Ultrasonography in the early diagnosis of psoriasis-associated enthesopathy.

The aim of the present study was to detect entheseal abnormalities by means of ultrasonography (US) in patients with psoriasis. We evaluated 24 patients with psoriasis who underwent clinical and ultrasonographic examination of both lower limbs at the calcaneal insertions of the Achilles tendons and at the flexor and extensor tendons of all fingers of the hand. Fourteen patients with psoriatic arthritis were used as controls. US was performed using a real-time scanner (ATL SDI 3000) with a 5-12 MHz linear array transducer. Longitudinal and transverse scans of the talocrural joints, Achilles tendons and both the flexor and extensor tendons of the fingers of both hands were obtained at rest and during active and passive movements. On clinical examination no entheseal site was abnormal, but on US examination 33% of patients showed abnormalities. In particular, six psoriasis patients (25%) who were asymptomatic showed effusion around the extensor tendon of the first digit of the left hand and around the extensor tendon of the third and fourth digits of both hands; two patients (8.3%) showed a hypoechoic nodular formation of the flexor tendon sheath of the left hand. We conclude that entheseal abnormalities not detected at clinical examination were present in 33% of patients with psoriasis who underwent US examination. Therefore, we suggest the routine use of ultrasonography in the early diagnosis and in treatment and follow-up of patients with tendon enthesopathy, since these factors may have implications for therapy.

Achilles Tendon↗
PubMed2000

Unusual polyarthritis as a unique clinical manifestation of coeliac disease.

This report describes a patient who presented with an unusual polyarthritis accompanied by myalgia, fever and anxiety. After extensive clinical and serological evaluation, duodenal biopsy and serological tests provided evidence for the diagnosis of coeliac disease (CD). The patient was promptly put on a gluten-free diet, which led to an improvement in the clinical abnormalities.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Bronchial hyperresponsiveness in subjects with gastroesophageal reflux.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and asthma has been widely studied in the last years. GER may interfere with airway reactivity and aggravate or even induce asthma. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) in patients with GER disease with a view to judging the potential influence of GER on BHR. METHODS: 30 patients with GER disease and no clinical evidence of asthma and 30 normal subjects underwent a methacholine bronchial challenge. The methacholine concentration that caused a 20% fall in the FEV(1) (PC20) was used to assess bronchial responsiveness. RESULTS: In the GER group 11 subjects of the 30 studied showed a PC20 methacholine equal to or less than 8 mg/ml while in the control group only 2 subjects had a PC20 methacholine equal to or less than 8 mg/ml (p < 0.01; ANOVA test). CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with GER had a greater increase in airway reactivity when inhaling methacholine compared to disease-free normal subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

A controlled study on the effectiveness of loratadine in combination with flunisolide in the treatment of nonallergic rhinitis with eosinophilia (NARES).

BACKGROUND: Nonallergic rhinitis with eosinophilia (NARES), accounting for some 15% of perennial rhinitis, is a nasal disorder whose main features are eosinophil counts in nasal smear higher than 10% and negative IgE tests. The mainstay of treatment is topical corticosteroids. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the adjunctive effect of loratadine, a non-sedating antihistamine with anti-allergic activity, on nasal symptoms and eosinophil counts in nasal secretions in patients with NARES. METHODS: Thirty patients with NARES were divided in two groups, half receiving flunisolide two 25 microg puffs per nostril morning and night plus loratadine 10 mg u.i.d. and half the same doses of flunisolide plus placebo, according to a double-blind fashion, for 3 weeks. The effectiveness of the treatment in the two groups was evaluated by comparing symptom scores and eosinophil counts, and safety was assessed by comparing the adverse effects. RESULTS: The loratadine treated group had better results both in nasal symptoms, with a decrease in sneezing (P < 0.000001) and rhinorrhoea (P < 0.006), respectively, corresponding with 73.4% and 66.7% with respect to 46.6% and 26.7% in the control group, and in eosinophil counts which decreased by 20% compared with 14.3% in patients treated with placebo and flunisolide. As to safety, only nasal irritation in two patients, one in each group, was reported. CONCLUSION: Loratadine improves the effectiveness of flunisolide in treatment of NARES with no change in safety, and with no sedation.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Ethylene oxide allergy in dialysis patients.

DESIGN OF STUDY: Two groups of patients undergoing long-term dialysis were studied in order to evaluate the importance of ethylene oxide (EtO) in causing allergic reactions during dialysis. The first group of 50 subjects had never shown any hypersensitivity reactions related to dialysis, whereas the second group of 20 subjects had previously complained of reactions. All the patients underwent a prick test with a standard kit of aeroallergens in order to assess the presence of atopy (in doubtful cases a RAST test was carried out with the same aeroallergens). A blood sample for the investigation of EtO specific IgE antibodies was taken from all the patients; the immunoenzymatic method was used. RESULTS: Sensitivity to EtO is significantly higher in the group of patients with previous allergic reactions during dialysis (55 vs 6% in the control group).

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Acute cardiovascular effects of salmeterol in subjects with stable bronchial asthma.

The airway response and cardiovascular effects of salmeterol (SM) and salbutamol (SB) given as a single dose from metered-dose inhalers were studied in 10 patients with mild asthma. In a double-blind, randomized, cross-over, placebo-controlled study, the subjects received SM 100 micrograms (four puffs, 25 micrograms per actuation), SB 200 micrograms (four puffs, 50 micrograms per actuation) or placebo (P) (four puffs). SM caused a greater and longer lasting increase of peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) value than SB and P. There was no significant difference either with P or the study drugs in heart rate, PR interval, QT interval corrected for heart rate (QTc), incidence of ventricular and supraventricular ectopics, and in echocardiogram evaluation. These findings show that at dosages based on those used in clinical practice salmeterol causes cardiovascular effects comparable to those induced by salbutamol and confirm the favourable cardiac safety profile of this drug.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1995

Gastric mucosal mast cells in atopic subjects.

Intragastral allergen provocation under endoscopic control (IPEC) allows direct observation of gastric mucosa reactions after contact with inhalant allergens that reach the stomach. We selected patients with proved atopy to Parietaria but without clinical and endoscopic signs of gastric disease, and we tested them with the specific inhalant allergen during IPEC, recording gastric macroscopic reaction and mucosal mast-cell changes in biopsy specimens. All atopic patients showed visible changes in gastric mucosa quantified as IPEC score. Mast-cell numbers detected in atopic patients (135.4 +/- 102.6/mm2 of stromal area) were significantly higher than in nonatopic subjects (59.8 +/- 25.4/mm2; P < 0.03) and were positively correlated to atopic IPEC score (P < 0.01). In addition, 6/12 atopics who had both higher mast-cell counts and IPEC score showed an intraepithelial distribution of gastric mast cells which displayed ultrastructural features of partial degranulation. It is likely that changes observed in our patients with allergy to Parietaria reflect a subclinical activation of mast cells in the gastric mucosa.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Long-term treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis with ofloxacin in a subject with liver cirrhosis.

We report on the clinical case of a patient suffering from active pulmonary tuberculosis associated with liver cirrhosis, which limited the use of the major antituberculosis drugs. The patient was treated with a 12 month ofloxacin and ethambutol therapy. At completion of the therapy, the lung cavity disappeared with a considerable reduction of the lung infiltration, as seen in the chest radiograph. At the same time, a positive to negative conversion of the sputum was noted. The only significant side-effect was hyperuricaemia.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1994

High serum levels of soluble CD8 in insulin-dependent diabetes.

In type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus (IDDM) CD8+ T cells represent the majority of lymphocytes which infiltrate the pancreatic islets during beta cell destruction. Soluble CD8 antigen (sCD8) has been shown to correlate with CD8 cell subset activation. In this study we measured by ELISA sCD8 levels in sera from: 33 newly diagnosed IDDM patients; 29 type 1 diabetics with duration of disease more than 1 year; 37 healthy siblings of IDDM patients; 19 healthy controls. Sera from both groups of IDDM patients and from healthy siblings exhibited soluble CD8 mean levels significantly higher than controls (P = 0.0001, P < 0.003, P < 0.03 respectively). Soluble CD8 levels above the normal range (mean +/- 2 s.d. of controls) were found in a percentage of newly diagnosed subjects (54.5%) significantly higher than in subjects with a long-standing duration of disease (6.9%, P < 0.0005) and healthy siblings (16.2%, P < 0.002). Our results suggest that the raised levels of soluble CD8 near to diabetes onset may indicate the activation of CD8+ T cells probably responsible for the autoimmune beta cell destruction.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Studies of delayed hypersensitivity responses in children in an industrialized region of Italy.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of chronic exposure to chemical pollutants on cell mediated immune responses in a pediatric population living in Priolo, an industrialized area of Italy, by means of skin test (Multitest CMI). The results suggest that children living in Priolo display significantly lower delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response than those seen in an age-matched and socioeconomically similar group of children living in Taormina, a nonindustrialized area. The lowered incidence of DTH scores in Priolo is not due to the number of positive skin test responses to individual antigens, but rather to the size of individual reactions.

Child↗
PubMed1989

[Systemic cardiorespiratory effects induced by doxofylline].

The authors evaluated the clinical effectiveness and tolerability of doxofylline, a new methyl-xanthinic derivative with peculiar pharmacodynamic properties. 13 patients affected with chronic obstructive lung disease (mean age +/- 54 years) were studied. Doxofylline (200 mg) and theophylline (240 mg) were randomly administered by intravenous route in 60'. Arterial haemogasanalysis, FEV1 and ECG data were obtained after the infusion. Doxofylline proved to possess an equal therapeutic efficacy in comparison to theophylline, with a better clinical tolerability. In conclusion, doxofylline is a new and effective drug for the treatment of bronchostructive disorders.

Cardiovascular System↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of inhaled glutathione on airway response to 'Fog' challenge in asthmatic patients.

OBJECTIVE: We report on the effect of glutathione, an antioxidant compound on the airway response to the ultrasonically nebulised distilled water (UNDW, 'fog') challenge. METHODS: 12 subjects with mild-to-moderate bronchial asthma underwent double-blind, cross-over pretreatment, administered 30 min earlier, in a randomised order with inhaled glutathione (G) (600 mg), sodium cromoglycate (SCG) (20 mg) and placebo (P), followed by the challenge. RESULTS: After P pretreatment UNDW challenge caused a mean 20.41% decrease in FEV-1 (p < 0.05), after G, a mean 6.04% fall in FEV-1 (p = n.s.), and after SCG a mean 5.99% fall in FEV-1 (p = n.s.). CONCLUSIONS: G significantly attenuated 'fog'-induced falls in FEV-1 (p < 0.001 compared with P) and showed a protective effect on UNDW-induced bronchoconstriction.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Non invasive assessment of cardiac function in patients with bronchial asthma (BA) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

BACKGROUND: Most respiratory diseases involve the heart and can lead to acute or chronic pulmonary heart in the most serious cases. The common pathogenetic element is pulmonary arterial hypertension which es secondary to the resistance of the pulmonary circulation together with hypertrophy and/or dilatation of the right ventricle, caused mainly by chronic hypoxia. METHODS AND RESULTS: In order to verify the effects induced on pulmonary circulation and right heart by BA or COPD the cardiac function was assessed by mono and bidimensional Doppler echocardiography in 10 patients with BA (group A), 10 with COPD (group B) and 10 healthy control subjects (group C). At the M-mode echocardiography examination no significant difference was observed among the three study groups. By Doppler pw the peak velocity of early tricuspidal flow (VmaxE) was significantly higher in the group A when compared to the group B (p = 0.03). No subject had pulmonary hypertension. The pulmonary acceleration time (PAT) using pw Doppler technique was similar in groups A and B but it was significantly different when compared to group C (p = 0.006:A vs C; p = 0.03:B vs C). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest in patients either with BA or COPD, an early involvement of the right heart even if they had a clinical stable condition and no pulmonary hypertension.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Urticaria in a tattooed patient.

We present a case of urticaria in a tattooed patient due to hypersensitivity to the cobalt chloride contained in the blue ink used for tattoo. The patch test with the series of International Contact Dermatitis Research Group was positive only for chloride cobalt. Cobalt is believed to be responsible for contact urticaria through a non-immunological mechanism. On reviewing the literature we have found no report of contact urticaria to cobalt in tattooed patients.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Urticaria from Trichomonas vaginalis infection.

We report the case of a 32-year-old woman who had pruritic urticarial skin lesions associated with episodes of arthralgia. The first site affected by the eruption was the inside surface of the thighs; the patient also reported the presence of leukorrhea. The woman had previously been treated with H1 antagonist with moderate and transitory results; skin lesions reappeared just after the interruption of the treatment. Her biochemical data showed increased levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, blood eosinophilia and hypocomplementemia. Antinuclear antibodies, rheumatoid factor, cryoglobulins and serological diagnosis for hepatitis or mononucleosis viruses resulted negative. Considering the initial site of the cutaneous features and the presence of leukorrhea, we requested a vaginal smear and a culture of the cervical secretion, which revealed the presence of a Trichomonas infection. Furthermore, the SDS-PAGE revealed the presence of a molecular mass of 230,000 Da (230-kDa) in the serum, which indicated a Trichomonas surface protein. The following treatment with oral metronidazole caused the eradication of the Trichomonas infection after 3 weeks and subsequently the resolution of the urticarial clinical features. We wish to underline that in the presence of a case of urticaria vasculitis syndrome which seems to be without cause, it is important to investigate every diagnostic suspicion scrupulously.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Tolerability of doxofylline in the maintenance therapy of pediatric patients with bronchial asthma.

A retrospective open study was performed to ascertain the tolerability of doxofylline in pediatric patients with bronchial asthma or airway obstruction complicating acute bronchitis. The study population included 806 patients aged between 3 and 16 years. Doxofylline (200 mg sachets) was administered at daily doses ranging from 100 to 400 mg. The percentage of patients reporting side effects was 11%. The percent of patients reporting moderate side effect was 5%, the others being mild. The percent of patients reporting adverse event very likely due to doxofylline was 6%. The percent of patient drop-outs related to side effects was 5%.

Adolescent↗