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M Chironna

Publications and source records attributed to M Chironna.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

A simple method to detect HIV-1 protein specificity of IgG intrathecal synthesis in HIV-1 infection.

There is currently no simple method to detect the antigen specificity of anti-HIV-1 IgG intrathecal synthesis (IS). Fifty-seven pairs of serum and corresponding CSF from 29 HIV-1 seropositive patients were adjusted to an identical concentration of total IgG and tested by a commercial HIV-1 Western Blot (WB) assay. IgG IS to a given HIV-1 protein was demonstrated when the corresponding band was present in CSF but absent or significantly less represented in serum. A total anti-HIV-1 IS was defined as the presence of an IS to one or more HIV-1 antigens. Our WB analysis of CSF and serum, compared with conventional mathematical formulas, showed a higher sensitivity in demonstrating anti-HIV-1 IgG IS. Moreover, the method disclosed which HIV-1 proteins represent the target of IgG IS. This procedure is easy to perform and therefore may represent a valuable tool to study central nervous system (CNS) involvement by HIV-1 during different stages of infection.

Antibody Specificity↗
PubMed1992

In vitro production of HIV-1 specific antibodies from "at risk" seronegative subjects.

We investigated a group of well characterized seronegative subjects "at risk" for HIV-1 infection including heterosexual partners of HIV-1 infected subjects and intravenous drug abusers. Pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were studied for their ability to produce antibodies against HIV-1 structural proteins in vitro. Viral activity by means of HIV-1 isolation from PBMCs and presence of serum p24 antigen were also tested. In 7/42 cases (16.6%) HIV-1 immunoreactive specific antibodies were found, mostly directed against the envelope proteins (gp 120/160). Remarkably, none of these in vitro antibody producers yielded HIV-1 isolation in cell cultures or had detectable serum levels of p24 antigen.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMedDate not supplied

High level of immunity against poliomyelitis in Albanian refugees in southern Italy.

BACKGROUND: The Apulia region (Southern Italy) may be considered a "border region" which, due to its position, has to face daily arrivals of refugees, especially from Albania. When the exodus of Albanians took place in 1991, a seroepidemiologic study revealed a low seroimmunity to poliomyelitis. In 1996, a large outbreak of paralytic poliomyelitis occurred in Albania. The aim of the study was to evaluate the poliomyelitis immunization level in a sample of Albanian refugees who arrived in the Apulia region between April and May 1997. METHODS: Blood samples were obtained, after informed consent and on a voluntary basis, from 667 subjects housed in seven refugee camps in the Apulia region. Titration of neutralizing antibodies to the three polioviruses was carried out. RESULTS: The findings showed that Albanian refugees had adequate levels of immunity to all polioviruses (95% for poliovirus type 1, 98.6% for poliovirus type 2 and 91.4% for poliovirus type 3). Moreover, a high immunization rate was found in all age groups irrespective of the areas of origin of the refugees and their socioeconomic conditions. CONCLUSION: Our findings show that Albanian refugees in Apulia region have adequate levels of immunity against polioviruses and confirm the effectiveness of mass vaccination campaigns with OPV conducted by WHO in Albania following an outbreak of poliomyelitis in 1996.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Comparative evaluation of 2 epidemiologic surveillance systems of hepatitis A].

Epidemiological surveillance represents an important tool for the prevention of hepatitis A. In Italy, the surveillance of hepatitis A is based on the routine notification system of infectious diseases (from 1996 it was replaced by SIMI, Computerised System of Infectious Diseases) and on SEIEVA (Epidemiological Integrated System of Acute Viral Hepatitis). From 1997 to 2000 the two surveillance systems have been compared in Puglia region to evaluate match rate, completeness and sensitivity. A total of 7.018 records from SIMI and 4.413 from SEIEVA have been analyzed. During this period, the 37.0% of cases notified to SIMI match SEIEVA records whereas the 58.8% of cases reported to SEIEVA match cases notified to SIMI. Therefore, the match rate between the two systems was 29.0%. The sensitivity of SIMI and SEIEVA resulted 79.4% and 49.9% respectively. The comparison of the two surveillance systems allowed to recognise problems in local organisation. Therefore, a more adequate training should be supplied to workers involved in the surveillance activities.

Hepatitis A↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Anti-HEV seroprevalence in the area of Lecce].

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the causative agent of an enterically transmitted viral hepatitis associated with inadequate hygienic conditions. Hepatitis E is endemic in developing countries where it occurs both in sporadic and epidemic form. Outbreaks have been reported in different areas of the world. The aim of the present work was to assess the seroprevalence of HEV infection in the general population and in different risk groups in the area of Lecce. The presence of anti-HEV antibodies was ascertained by qualitative ELISA (Abbott HEV EIA) and Western Blot (Recomblot HEV IgG/IgM, Mikrogen). The prevalence of anti-HEV in the general population was 2.9% while in intravenous drug users, hemodialized patients and immigrants the seroprevalence rates were 0.7%, 4.3% and 15.3% respectively. Our data show a circulation of HEV at low level in the area of Lecce which is endemic for hepatitis A. Higher seroprevalence rates were found in hemodialized patients and remarkably in immigrants coming from endemic areas like Turkey.

Adolescent↗