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Biomedical subjects

G Ferrario

Publications and source records attributed to G Ferrario.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Effects of recombinant human gamma interferon on intracellular survival of Bordetella pertussis in human phagocytic cells.

Several studies have demonstrated that Bordetella pertussis has the ability to enter and survive intracellularly within human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) and human monocytes/macrophages. The effects of human recombinant gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) on the survival of B. pertussis in PMNL and human monocytes, and on the oxidative burst activity of PMNL and human monocytes in response to B. pertussis were assessed in this study. IFN-gamma partially increased intracellular killing of phagocytosed B. pertussis in human monocytes, as determined by an orange acridine-crystal violet assay. In contrast, IFN-gamma did not enhance intracellular killing of B. pertussis in PMNL. No significant increase of superoxide production was noted in human monocytes in response to B. pertussis when stimulated with various concentrations of IFN-gamma. The partial increase of B. pertussis killing by IFN-gamma within monocytes, together with poor production of superoxide may explain how B. pertussis can survive within human phagocytic cells, and thus cause a more prolonged course of the disease.

Bordetella pertussis↗
PubMed1994

Levels of circulating fibronectin receptor in adult and pediatric patients with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection.

We found a significant increase in fibronectin receptor (FNR) levels in the sera of adult human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected patients, especially in those with AIDS (1,026.9 +/- 583.9 ng/ml; P < 0.0001). In contrast, AIDS patients with neurologic disorders and HIV-1-seropositive patients showed normal levels of FNR in serum. In addition, HIV-1-infected children showed increased levels of FNR in serum (824.4 +/- 333.5 ng/ml; P = 0.03). We suggest that an increase of FNR levels in AIDS patients is related to enhanced expression of FNR on HIV-1-infected cells.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1994

Circulating fibronectin and fibronectin receptor in children with pertussis.

AIM: To determine concentrations of fibronectin and fibronectin receptor in children with pertussis. METHODS: Concentrations of circulating fibronectin and serum fibronectin receptor were detected in eight children affected by pertussis, eight children with acute upper or lower respiratory tract infections, and in 14 healthy control children. The single radial immunodiffusion technique and a solid phase enzyme immunoassay were used to detect circulating serum concentrations of fibronectin and fibronectin receptor. RESULTS: On admission, a significant decrease in fibronectin was detected in children with pertussis (p = 0.0006). Significant and decreased concentrations of fibronectin were also observed in children with upper or lower respiratory tract infections (p = 0.0002). On the other hand, serum fibronectin receptor concentrations were significantly increased in patients with pertussis, whereas patients with upper or lower respiratory tract infections had normal circulating fibronectin receptor concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Fibronectin deficiency in children with pertussis may be related to diffusion and deposition of this protein in bronchial and alveolar spaces to limit infection, while increased fibronectin receptor concentrations are probably the expression of T cell activation and cell-mediated immunity during Bordetella pertussis infection.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1993

Acute-phase proteins and levels of interleukin 1B, interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin 8 in children with pertussis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine serum levels of acute-phase proteins and interleukin 1B, interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin 8 in children with pertussis. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Divisions of Infectious Diseases, Regional Hospital, and Pediatrics, University of Pavia, Varese, Italy. PARTICIPANTS: Eight children with pertussis, six with acute febrile infections, and eight healthy control children matched for sex, age, and time presentation over a 32-month study period. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS/MAIN RESULTS: An immunoenzymatic assay was used to detect serum levels of all cytokines. Normal values of C-reactive protein, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were observed in the serum of patients with pertussis. The mean (+/- SD) detectable levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (65.0 +/- 50.4 pg/mL) and interleukin 6 (32.3 +/- 17.8 pg/mL) were observed in the serum of patients with pertussis. In contrast, a nonsignificant increment of interleukin 1B levels (66.5 +/- 83.7 pg/mL) and interleukin 8 levels (12.7 +/- 17.8 pg/mL) was noted in the serum of the same patients. Increased and significant levels of all four cytokines were noted in most of the serum samples of patients with acute febrile infections. CONCLUSIONS: Acute-phase response is absent in patients with pertussis, whereas detectable and significant serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 6 were observed in some such patients.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMed1993

Cerebrospinal fluid concentration of fibronectin in patients with HIV-1 infection and central nervous system disorders.

AIMS: To evaluate the fibronectin concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid of HIV-1 infected patients with central nervous system disorders. METHODS: Fibronectin was determined by an immunoturbidimetric assay in 41 HIV-1 infected patients with AIDS dementia complex, progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy, and opportunistic infections. RESULTS: A significant decrease in fibronectin concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with AIDS and dementia complex and progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy was observed, as well as in those with opportunistic infections of the central nervous system (p < 0.0001). In particular, a significant decrease in fibronectin concentration in cerebrospinal fluid was observed in patients with cerebral toxoplasmosis and cryptococcal meningitis (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Because fibronectin can bind to several viruses, fungi, and protozoa, it is conceivable to suppose that the consumption of fibronectin in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with neurological disorders may be related to the binding of fibronectin to HIV itself, or to viral proteins, or to organisms responsible for opportunistic infections.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗
PubMed1993

[Myocardial infarct complicated by cardiogenic shock due to acute mitral insufficiency: the diagnosis of papillary muscle rupture by transesophageal echo].

We describe a case of a man with acute myocardial infarction of the inferior wall complicated by cardiogenic shock due to acute mitral regurgitation. Transesophageal echocardiography showed the rupture of the posteromedial papillary muscle. The examination (otherwise difficult) was facilitated by the mechanical ventilation by means of an endotracheal intubation.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1990

Polarization and capping of lymphocytes in HIV infection.

The present study was undertaken to assess the locomotor capacity of lymphocytes from patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection by a polarization assay. In addition, the capping phenomenon of lymphocytes from HIV-infected patients or in vitro preincubation of lymphocytes with HIV-envelope glycoproteins, gp41 and gp120 was evaluated. A significant decrease in polarized lymphocytes from patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was observed. On the other hand, the capping phenomenon either of lymphocytes from AIDS patients or of lymphocytes from healthy donors preincubated with gp41 and gp120 was reduced but not significantly.

Chemotaxis, Leukocyte↗
PubMed1989

IgA mesangial nephropathy associated with renal cell carcinoma.

The authors report the occurrence of proliferative glomerulonephritis with mesangial IgA deposits in a 47-year-old man, heavy smoker, affected with renal cell carcinoma at stage I. The relationship between neoplastic diseases and IgA glomerulonephritis is unresolved. It is possible that IgA mesangial nephropathy may occur as a paraneoplastic disease, but in this patient its association with renal cell carcinoma may be merely fortuitous.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗
PubMed1989

[Cardiomyopathy due to adriamycin: the possibility of its prevention. Monitoring by noninvasive technics].

To prevent delayed cardiomyopathy induced by adriamycin and subsequent severe congestive heart failure, a monitoring schedule with noninvasive techniques to measure cardiac performance (CPK-MB, electrocardiographic, systolic time intervals, echocardiography and quantitative radionuclide angiography) has been used. 15 patients, 33 to 65 years old, with metastatic breast carcinoma, previously treated with a polychemotherapy protocol not including adriamycin have been studied. Monitoring at 0 time allowed to exclude one patient with previous asymptomatic cardiomyopathy and to treat patients at risk with cardiovascular pathology, up to reach and even exceed the dosage of 550 mg/m2. Four of the treated patients showed positive findings of cardiomyopathy at different adriamycin dosage levels: 2 asymptomatic dilatative cardiomyopathies, 1 symptomatic and 1 with congestive heart failure remitted with medical therapy. No patient died because of cardiovascular complications. The results obtained show that of all noninvasive techniques used, only quantitative radionuclide angiocardiography allowed, when employed following an adequate monitoring schedule, to detect reliable findings of moderate and reversible cardiomyopathy thus indicating the appropriate time for drug discontinuation.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of propafenone during acute and chronic administration.

The pharmacokinetics of propafenone and 5-OH-propafenone and their relationship with the antiarrhythmic action and side effects have been studied in 10 patients with stable, frequent, premature ventricular beats (224-928 premature ventricular complexes/h). Observations were made after a single dose of propafenone 300 mg p.o., and after 1 and 3 months (only 5 out of 10 patients) of therapy with 300 mg t.d.s. After 1 month of treatment the plasma elimination half-life of propafenone (6.7 h) was almost twice as long as after a single dose (3.5 h), and the area under the plasma propafenone concentration-time curve (7620 ng.ml-1.h) was significantly larger than after single dose (3522 ng.ml-1.h); this was also true for the metabolite. The ratio of the AUCs of 5-OH-propafenone and propafenone decreased from the single dose (0.63) to 1 month (0.32). These variables remained stable up to 3 months. Eight patients had greater than or equal to 75% reduction of premature ventricular complexes after 3 days of therapy, and in 7 they were completely suppressed; the response was maintained over 1 to 3 months. Side effects were minor and in no case had the drug to be withdrawn or the dose reduced. Thus, the kinetics of propafenone were time-dependent. Its active metabolite did not accumulate greatly during chronic treatment. The lasting antiarrhythmic effect observed in some patients suggests a b.d.s. regimen instead of t.d.s. dosing in selected patients.

Adult↗