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G Filice

Publications and source records attributed to G Filice.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

[Protocols for the diagnostic verification of lymph node toxoplasmosis].

The protocol we have fixed for the diagnosis of lymphonodal toxoplasmosis includes a precise succession of tests: 1) specific repeated serological tests (I.H.A.T., I.F.A.T., IgM--I.F.A.T. on total serum and on pure IgM fraction); 2) lymphonodal biopsy for histological examination and biological test (isolation procedure in mouse). We have evaluated the effectiveness of our protocol in 20 cases that we observed during 1980.

Adolescent↗

Antigen detection in the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis. Utility in controlled, blinded trials.

Two blinded, controlled trials were done to evaluate the usefulness of fungal antigen detection for the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis. Detection of Aspergillus fumigatus carbohydrate by radioimmunoassay was compared with antibody detection by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and with diagnostic microbiologic and histopathologic procedures. In the first trial, antigenemia was detected in 4 of 6 leukemic patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, but not in 8 acute leukemic controls or in 24 normal controls. Fungal antigenemia persisted for 8 to 75 days in 4 patients and seroconversion occurred at the onset of pulmonary infiltrates in 3. Antibody to A. fumigatus was detected in 2 of the 6 patients with aspergillosis, but also in 2 leukemic controls and 6 normal controls. Aspergillus species were identified in four of seven bronchoscopies done in 5 patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Prospective nasal cultures grew Aspergillus species in 4 of the 6 patients with invasive aspergillosis, but in only 1 patient was this information available before a histologic diagnosis was made. In a second trial, antigenemia was detected in 2 patients with invasive aspergillosis, and in 1 with possible invasive aspergillosis, but not in 9 controls. This study indicates that the radioimmunoassay for A. fumigatus antigen is a highly specific and moderately sensitive serodiagnostic test for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Prospective nasal cultures grew Aspergillus species in 4 of the 6 patients with invasive aspergillosis, but in only 1 patient was this information available before a histologic diagnosis was made. In a second trial, antigenemia was detected in 2 patients with invasive aspergillosis, and in 1 with possible invasive aspergillosis, but not in 9 controls. This study indicates that the radioimmunoassay for A. fumigatus antigen is a highly specific and moderately sensitive serodiagnostic test for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.

Acute Disease↗

Comparison between the complement fixation test LBCF-H100-TTE, IHAT and IgM-IFAT performed on pure IgM fractions in acute acquired and congenital toxoplasmosis.

The use of a gel filtration method allowed us to obtain pure IgM fractions to be tested for specific Toxoplasma serology. The good correlation found in our series between IgM-IFAT and LBCF-H100-TTE performed on pure IgM fractions suggests that LBCF-H100-TTE may be another useful serological test for detection of IgM antibodies although false negative results might occur when LBCF-H100-TTE is performed on IgM fractions of cord sera.

Acute Disease↗

A new complement fixation test for toxoplasmosis. Comparison with other serological methods.

A new complement fixation test for toxoplasmosis has been compared with the classical test indirect immunofluorescence test (IFAT) and indirect haemoagglutination test (IHAT). Neither false positive or negative results were obtained with LBCF-H100-TTE. Notably these values correlate well with IFA titers. Furthermore LBCF-H100-TTE shows the highest titers in acute cases and its time course is practically superimposable to IFAT. The differences obtained performing these different tests on the preferential detection of different antigen antibodies systems by these 3 tests are discussed.

Complement Fixation Tests↗

Reliability of IgM-IFA and IgM-IHA tests on pure IgM fractions obtained by a simple gel filtration method in acquired and congenital toxoplasmosis.

We have devised a rapid and inexpensive gel filtration method to separate IgM fractions from small amounts of serum. These fractions have been titrated with IgM-IFAT and IgM-IHAT, and their titers have been compared with those obtained on whole serum. The results show that the separation of IgM from IgG allows detection of IgM antibodies in many cases of acquired toxoplasmosis, especially in cases of congenital toxoplasmosis. False positive results due to the presence of rheumatoid factors are also avoided. The IHA test performed on IgM fractions is constantly negative.

Adult↗

Congenital toxoplasmosis: a serologic screening of 963 mothers and their children at birth.

An investigation carried out according to a predetermined serologic screening sought to evaluate the prevalence, level, and quality of fluorescent anti-Toxoplasma antibodies in a population sample of a certain district. The most important issues concern the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis for the above-mentioned subjects, the level of serotiter for expected risk, and the features of our screening protocol as regards thoroughness and the possibility of early diagnosis.

Adolescent↗

Toxoplasmosis and pregnancy: the prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis.

Programs to prevent congenital toxoplasmosis based on the evaluation of serologic tests can be performed at three periods: 1. before pregnancy (serologic, epidemiologic screening of "at risk" women); 2. during pregnancy (detection by seroconversion); 3. at delivery (diagnosis of evident or latent congenital infection). The screening devices, the IHA, IFA, and IgM-IFA tests, should be performed first and after 3 weeks possibly repeated. During pregnancy the observation of seroconversion or, in any case, an increase in serologic titer at the second blood withdrawal and, at delivery, high serologic titers are signs of fetal risk. The significance of the data has furthermore to be evaluated by specific IgM quantification on pure serologic fractions and by in vivo isolation of Toxoplasma gondii from amniotic fluid, placenta, or the newborn CSF, blood, and/or tissue. This data may suggest the necessity of therapeutic termination of pregnancy or application of a specific chemoprophylaxis/chemotherapy.

Abortion, Habitual↗

A comparative ultrastructural study of the low virulent strain PV-C1/81 and RH strain cultured in A9, Vero, SIRC cell lines.

A human Toxoplasma strain, isolated in mice from bioptic lymphoglandular tissue, has been cultured in vitro in continuous cell lines. Its presence in some parastized cells, with parasitophorous vacuoles surrounded by a cyst-like wall and filled with a cystozoite-like clone, was observed by electron microscopy. These characteristic and constant features were confined in different cell line cultures and are suggested as possible markers of low virulent strains.

Animals↗

Immuno-electron microscopic localization of antigenic sites for specific immunoglobulins G and M on Toxoplasma gondii surface.

The results of immuno-electron microscopic reaction obtained with anti-IgG and/or anti-IgM ferritin conjugated sera after the inter-reaction of RH strain with specific IgG and/or IgM immunosera, confirm: 1) antigenic sites for specific immunoglobulins both IgG and IgM localization on superficial membrane of pellicular complex; 2) the saturation of common antigenic surface sites due to the competition between IgG and IgM; 3) the competitive prevalence of IgG even if IgM concentration is relatively high in unfractioned immunosera. The practical application of such results is discussed in relation to the specific tests for IgM evidentiation during primary response.

Animals↗

Kinetics of IgM and IgG antibodies in mice experimentally infected with cystogenic strain of Toxoplasma gondii.

Mice were infected with a "cystogenic" strain of T. gondii and sera obtained at different times were tested using DT and IFAT (cell wall antibodies tests) and IHAT (performed with extractive cytoplasmic antigen). We found different kinetics of DT- and IFAT- versus IHAT-titers: IHAT is negative during the early phase of the experimental infection when DT and IgM-IFAT are already positive. Furthermore IgM antibodies were never found against cytoplasmic antigens by the IHAT method. At weekly intervals after the experimental infection a biological test was also performed using samples of different organs. We found that one week after the infection only the brain was constantly positive in the biological test. The antibody pattern was similar in every positive test irrespective of the source and size of the material used for the inoculum. These data suggest that the result of a biological test may be available earlier (already after 7 days) if a test for antibodies against cell wall antigens is performed on the IgM fraction of the mouse serum.

Animals↗

Immunodiffusion and agglutination tests for Candida in patients with neoplastic disease: inconsistent correlation of results with invasive infections.

A serological study of candidiasis was conducted with use of (1) sera sent to the laboratory by clinicians who suspected infections due to various organisms including Candida species, and (2) sera available in our serum bank from patients with candidiasis proven at autopsy and from those with documented candidemia. With this population of patients, we were able to evaluate both potential false-negative and false-positive results. Microimmunodiffusion and slide agglutination tests were used. In many cases, serial specimens were available for measurement of rises or falls in titers of agglutinating antibody. Sera from less than one-half of the patients with disseminated or invasive gastrointestinal candidiasis exhibited positive immunodiffusion reactions, titers of agglutinating antibody of greater than 1:16, or fourfold rises in titer of agglutinins. Sera from several patients with pharyngitis due to Candida and from several who were only colonized with Candida or for whom clinical or cultural evidence of candidiasis was lacking showed positive immunodiffusion reactions or agglutinin titers of greater than 1:16, and some showed fourfold rises in titer. Conversions from negative to positive immunodiffusion reactions were not consistently correlated with invasive candida infection. Using the methods described, we have not found immunodiffusion tests and titers of agglutinating antibody to be reliable indicators of invasive candida infection, since false-positive as well as false-negative reactions occur. Greater specificity for invasiveness as well as greater sensitivity in immunosuppressed patients are necessary before these tests can become important adjuncts to the evaluation of patients with suspected invasive candidiasis.

Adolescent↗