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M Sanguinetti

Publications and source records attributed to M Sanguinetti.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Molecular and epidemiological characterization of vaginal Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolates.

Although vaginitis caused by Saccharomyces cerevisiae is extremely rare, in recent years we have experienced an increasing frequency of S. cerevisiae isolation from the vaginas of fertile-age women. In order to investigate the epidemiology of these vaginal infections, a total of 40 isolates of S. cerevisiae derived from symptomatic and asymptomatic women were characterized by two DNA typing approaches, named ribosomal DNA (rDNA) hybridization and Ty917 hybridization, based on the Southern blotting technique. After transfer, the polymorphic DNA restriction fragments were hybridized with the entire repeat of S. cerevisiae rDNA for one method and with the entire sequence of the Ty917 retrotransposon for the other. After elaboration with computer-assisted analysis, the results of each method showed that Ty917 hybridization is endowed with a discriminatory power higher than that of rDNA hybridization. With the Ty917 hybridization method, all of the S. cerevisiae isolates tested appeared very heterogeneous, with the exception of those collected from individual patients with recurrent vaginitis. This allowed us to exclude a possible common source of infection while the high relatedness among S. cerevisiae sequential isolates from recurrent-vaginitis patients could suggest a pattern of relapse rather than frequent reinfection.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Molecular typing of Candida spp. by random amplification of polymorphic DNA and analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphism of ribosomal DNA repeats.

Random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) using an arbitrary oligonucleotide primer (5'-CGGTGCGACG) and analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphism of ribosomal DNA (rDNA-RFLP) after digestion of genomic DNA with restriction endonuclease EcoRI were investigated as tools for genotypic delineation beyond the species level of 91 Candida clinical isolates and four reference strains including 33 Candida albicans, 19 Candida tropicalis, 22 Candida krusei and 21 Candida (Torulopsis) glabrata. Results indicated that both techniques can be useful for typing isolates of the above species, although showing a variable discriminative potential with different species. As compared to RAPD fingerprinting, the discriminative potential of rDNA-RFLP appeared to be highest for C. albicans and lowest for C. glabrata, being overall similar for C. krusei and identical for C. tropicalis. A comparative analysis of the results obtained with the two typing techniques showed that, except for C. tropicalis, they were able to provide non-redundant information, and that their use in combination could enhance the discriminative potential for delineation among C. glabrata and C. krusei isolates.

Candida↗
PubMed1998

Polymerase chain reaction-reverse cross-blot hybridization assay in the diagnosis of sporotrichoid Mycobacterium marinum infection.

In this paper, we report a patient in whom Mycobacterium marinum sporotrichoid infection was diagnosed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the 16S rRNA gene and subsequent analysis of the amplified product in a reverse cross-blot hybridization assay with mycobacterial species-specific probes. This molecular method allowed us rapidly to detect and identify this organism directly in the patient's lesional skin biopsy rather than in cultures in conventional media. The identification provided by PCR-reverse cross-blot hybridization assay was confirmed by examination of the morphological and biochemical features and by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis of mycolic acid from the clinical isolate, suggesting the validity of our molecular approach.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Oral loading with propafenone: a placebo-controlled study in elderly and nonelderly patients with recent onset atrial fibrillation.

UNLABELLED: The efficacy and safety of propafenone as an oral loading dose (600-mg single oral dose) in converting recent-onset atrial fibrillation (< or = 7 days duration) to sinus rhythm were evaluated in a single-blind, placebo-controlled study according to patients' age. Overall, 240 hospitalized patients, NYHA Class < or = 2 without signs or symptoms of heart failure were enrolled: among patients aged < or = 60 years, 55 were allocated to propafenone treatment and 59 to placebo, respectively, and among patients aged > 60 years, 64 were allocated to propafenone treatment and 62 to placebo, respectively. RESULTS: In each age group, the likelihood of conversion to sinus rhythm was significantly greater after propafenone compared with placebo at 3 and 8 hours. For patients aged < or = 60 years, corresponding odd ratios were 3.78 (95% CI = 1.80-7.92, P = 0.04) at 3 hours and 4.74 (95% CI = 2.12-10.54, P = 0.02) at 8 hours; for patients aged > 60 years odd ratios were 5.03 (95% CI = 2.08-12.12, P = 0.02) at 3 hours and 6.75 (95% CI = 3.28-73.86, P = 0.01) at 8 hours, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that conversion to sinus rhythm within 3 hours was predicted by age < or = 60 years (P = 0.0064) and by propafenone treatment (P < 0.0001), and conversion to sinus rhythm within 8 hours was predicted by age < or = 60 years (P = 0.0467) and by propafenone treatment (P < 0.0001). The occurrence of adverse effects was observed in 14%-16% of propafenone treated patients and in 8% of placebo treated patients without significant differences according to age. In conclusion, in patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation without signs of heart failure, propafenone as a single oral loading dose is effective. It is also effective in selected elderly subjects with a favorable safety profile. Moreover, spontaneous conversion to sinus rhythm appears to occur less frequently in elderly patients.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1998

Conversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm: effects of different drug protocols.

UNLABELLED: In a population of 417 hospitalized patients, the efficacy and safety of different drug regimens administered to convert atrial fibrillation (AF) of recent onset (< or = 7 days duration) to sinus rhythm were evaluated. All patients were in NYHA Class < or = 2, and free of heart failure. They were randomly allocated to treatment with placebo in 121 patients; i.v. amiodarone, 5 mg/kg bolus, followed by 1.8 g/24 hours in 51 patients; i.v. propafenone, 2 mg/kg bolus, followed by 0.0078 mg/kg/min in 57 patients; p.o. propafenone, 600 mg p.o. in a single dose in 119 patients; and p.o. flecainide, 300 mg p.o. in a single dose in 69 patients. All patients were continuously monitored by Holter ECG, and the number of conversions to sinus rhythm was measured at 1, 3, and 8 hours. RESULTS: (1) I.v. propafenone resulted in a higher conversion rate within 1 hour compared with the oral loading regimens of propafenone or flecainide, but the conversion rates at 3 and 8 hours were comparable, approximately 75% at 8 hours; 2) i.v. amiodarone was not different from placebo until 8 hours when it was associated with 57% of conversions; (3) conversion to sinus rhythm at 8 hours was observed in 37% of the placebo treated patients. Serious adverse effects occurred in few patients: two patients treated with flecainide and one treated with i.v. propafenone experienced left ventricular decompensation; one patient treated with placebo and two treated with flecainide had atrial flutter with rapid ventricular response. In conclusion, single-dose, oral loading with propafenone or flecainide are acceptable alternatives to conventional drug regimens in selected hospitalized patients. In addition, the measure of a placebo effect is mandatory in studies of recent-onset AF.

Amiodarone↗
PubMed1998

Routine use of PCR-reverse cross-blot hybridization assay for rapid identification of Mycobacterium species growing in liquid media.

A PCR-reverse cross-blot hybridization assay procedure that is able to rapidly identify 13 species of clinically relevant mycobacteria was evaluated for routine use in the identification of acid-fast isolates growing in BACTEC 460 TB (12B and 13A) and BACTEC 9000 MB (Myco/F) liquid media. Eight of the probes used were already described by Kox et al. (L. F. F. Kox et al., J. Clin. Microbiol. 33:3225-3233, 1995). In addition, we used six other probes specific for M. chelonae, M. malmoense or M. szulgai, M. genavense, M. gordonae, M. terrae, and M. marinum/M. ulcerans that we designed ourselves. This procedure allowed us to identify 459 mycobacterial species directly from broth cultures of 5,466 clinical samples collected over 1 year and processed with the radiometric or nonradiometric BACTEC system. Our results were in agreement with those obtained by conventional identification methods and also with those obtained by mycolic acid analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography. This assay seems to be a reliable procedure for the routine identification of mycobacteria, providing an accurate identification of mycobacterial isolates more rapidly than conventional tests, with remarkable implications for an efficacious specific antimycobacterial therapy.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed1998

Evaluation of the Abbott LCx Mycobacterium tuberculosis assay in comparison with culture methods in selected Italian patients.

A ligase chain reaction (LCR) DNA amplification method for the molecular diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Abbott LCx MTB) was evaluated in comparison with solid and liquid phase culture on 622 selected samples collected in two large Italian hospitals, of which 310 obtained from HIV-1 positive patients and 312 from HIV-negative individuals. The overall prevalence of mycobacteria by culture was 22% (137/622), and the apparent sensitivity and specificity of LCx vs. culture were 87.6% and 98.2%. Of the 26 culture positive/LCx negative samples, 22 were positive for MOTT and 4 for M. tuberculosis. All 9 samples positive by LCx and negative by culture were classified as true positive by clinical criteria. The final values of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for LCx rose to 96.8%, 100%, 100% and 99.2%, respectively. The adjusted sensitivity of culture methods was 89.5% for solid phase and 92.7% for Bactec. In view of the high sensitivity on both smear-positive (100%) and smear-negative (92.4%) samples and of the high negative predictive value, the LCR-based amplification method appears suitable as a routine screening method for the rapid diagnosis of M. tuberculosis in high-risk patients.

DNA, Bacterial↗
PubMed1997

Oral propafenone to convert recent-onset atrial fibrillation in patients with and without underlying heart disease. A randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of oral propafenone in converting recent-onset atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm has been established by controlled trials. However, it is not clear whether the effectiveness of propafenone is affected by the presence or absence of underlying heart disease. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the safety and effectiveness of oral propafenone and the role of underlying heart disease. DESIGN: Randomized, single-blind, controlled study. SETTING: 3 teaching hospitals. PATIENTS: 240 hospitalized patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation. INTERVENTION: Propafenone (one 500-mg oral dose) or placebo. MEASUREMENTS: Conversion rates at 3 and 8 hours. RESULTS: Propafenone was more effective than placebo for converting atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm at 3 hours: Fifty-four of 119 patients (45%) receiving propafenone and 22 of 121 patients (18%) receiving placebo had conversion (P < 0.001). It was also more effective at 8 hours: Ninety-one of 119 patients (76%) receiving propafenone and 45 of 121 patients (37%) receiving placebo had conversion (P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that among patients without heart disease, 78% of those receiving propafenone and 56% of those receiving placebo converted to sinus rhythm within 8 hours (P = 0.02). In those with hypertension, the rate was 70% for those receiving propafenone and 27% for those receiving placebo (P < 0.001); in patients with structural heart disease, the rate was 81% for those receiving propafenone and 17% for those receiving placebo (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Oral loading of propafenone was more effective than placebo for conversion to sinus rhythm within 8 hours and had a favorable safety profile. The rate of spontaneous conversion to sinus rhythm was higher in patients without structural heart disease; this finding has important implications for the assessment of drug effectiveness in recent-onset atrial fibrillation.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1997

Identification of various medically important Candida species in clinical specimens by PCR-restriction enzyme analysis.

A single primer pair amplifying a cytochrome P-450 lanosterol-14 alpha-demethylase (L1A1) gene fragment that encodes a highly conserved region was used to detect yeast DNA in clinical specimens. Positive PCR products were obtained from genomic DNAs of Candida albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, C. guilliermondii, C. krusei, C. (Torulopsis) glabrata, and C. kefyr. No human, bacterial, or parasitic DNA was amplified. The sensitivity was evaluated for C. albicans genomic DNA by using various DNA concentrations (200 pg to 2 fg). The amplified DNAs of Candida species with unknown P-450 L1A1 gene sequences were subcloned and sequenced. Identification at the species level was achieved by digestion of the PCR products with different restriction enzymes. A specific restriction enzyme analysis pattern was determined for each species investigated. Subsequently, we used PCR to detect specific yeast DNA directly with clinical specimens such as blood and bronchoalveolar lavage specimens. After appropriate treatment, the specimens were processed by PCR and the results were compared with those obtained by traditional diagnostic procedures such as cultures and serology. Although preliminary, the PCR results seem to correlate well, at least for blood, with those of antigen detection assays and traditional blood cultures, with a better and earlier detection of candidemia.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1997

Evaluation of a nonradiometric system (BACTEC 9000 MB) for detection of mycobacteria in human clinical samples.

This study was carried out to evaluate the rate of recovery and time required for detection of mycobacteria from pulmonary and extrapulmonary human clinical samples, by using a fluorescence-quenching-based oxygen sensor (BACTEC 9000 MB; Becton Dickinson Microbiology Systems, Sparks, Md.). The results were compared with those obtained by microscopy, conventional culture in Lowenstein-Jensen (LJ) medium, and a BACTEC radiometric system (BACTEC 460 TB; Becton Dickinson). Of the 779 clinical samples processed, 364 from pulmonary sites and 415 from extrapulmonary sites, 62 (7.9%) were positive for mycobacterial isolates; of the positive samples, 59 (95.1%) were detected with the fluorescent BACTEC 9000 MB system, 57 (91.9%) were detected with the radiometric system (BACTEC 460 TB), and 43 (69.3%) were detected with LJ conventional culture. The mean times to detection of all mycobacteria with BACTEC 9000 MB and BACTEC 460 TB were similar (10.3 and 10.0 days, respectively). The results obtained indicate that the nonradiometric BACTEC (BACTEC 9000 MB) system is as efficient as Bactec 460 TB and significantly more efficient than LJ for the rapid recovery of mycobacteria from both pulmonary and extrapulmonary clinical specimens. Though the BACTEC 9000 MB system is recommended for respiratory specimens, we demonstrated that it can be successfully used also for recovery of mycobacteria from clinical specimens from various extrapulmonary sites.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1997

Polymerase chain reaction and reverse cross blot hybridization assay for detection of mycobacterial DNA in lupus vulgaris.

For 5 years, an 83-year-old man had been suffering from slightly itchy erythematous plaques with clearcut margins, located on his left thigh and on his right arm; in addition, on his right auricle there was an erythematous patch with yellowish shadings that had appeared about 3 years before and had progressively spread to the temporal-zygomatic region, the chin and the mandibular arch. These lesions were strongly suggestive of lupus vulgaris; however the conventional bacteriological examinations performed on the biopsy specimen from lesional skin were negative. A diagnosis of lupus vulgaris was achieved through the detection of the 16S rRNA gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a skin biopsy of the patient by means of a polymerase chain reaction followed by a reverse cross blot hybridization, a method which allows the identification of different mycobacterial species in a single hybridization procedure.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Propafenone for conversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation. A controlled comparison between oral loading dose and intravenous administration.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare placebo vs two different regimens of propafenone administration--intravenous administration or short-term oral loading--in converting recent-onset atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm. DESIGN: Single-blind placebo-controlled study. PATIENTS: Eighty-seven patients with atrial fibrillation of recent onset (< or = 7 days' duration) admitted to the hospital without signs of organic heart disease (n = 42) or with systemic hypertension without signs or symptoms of heart failure (n = 45). The patients were assigned randomly to treatment with intravenous propafenone (29 patients), oral propafenone (29 patients), or placebo (29 patients). INTERVENTIONS: Administration of propafenone intravenously (2-mg/kg bolus followed by 0.0078 mg/kg/min) or as short-term oral loading (600 mg orally single dose). Patients were submitted to Holter monitoring and conversion to sinus rhythm was evaluated at 1, 3, and 8 h. RESULTS: Conversion to sinus rhythm was obtained within 1 h in 28% with intravenous propafenone, in 3% with oral propafenone, and in 3% with placebo. At 3 h, the efficacy of intravenous propafenone (41%) and of oral propafenone (55%) were statistically superior to placebo (10% of conversions) and at 8 h either intravenous or oral propafenone were effective in almost two thirds of the patients with a statistical difference vs placebo, whose efficacy was 24%. No major side effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Propafenone as an oral loading dose is an efficacious and fast way of treating atrial fibrillation of recent onset and due to its simplicity of administration and safety can be preferred to the intravenous route.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1995

Development of a yeast retrotransposon-based system useful for screening of potentially active anti-retroviral compounds.

We have developed a new system suitable for easy inexpensive screening of substances potentially active against HIV and other retroviruses. The system evaluates the ability of substances to inhibit the high-frequency induced retrotransposition of the yeast transposable element Ty917, and is based on an engineered version of the retrotransposon which carries a dominant selectable marker useful for scoring transposition events. The system performance was evaluated using two nucleoside analogues of proved anti-HIV activity, 3'-azido-3'deoxythymidine (AZT) and 2',3'-dideoxycytidine (ddC). Both substances were able to inhibit Ty917 transposition and could have been detected as potentially active antiretroviral drugs using the new screening system.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed1994

A controlled study on oral propafenone versus digoxin plus quinidine in converting recent onset atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm.

UNLABELLED: Eighty-seven patients with recent onset atrial fibrillation (< or = 8 days) without clinical signs of heart failure were randomly allocated to one of the following treatments: (i) oral propafenone (600 mg as a loading dose followed after 8 h by 300 mg t.i.d.); (ii) intravenous digoxin as acute scheme (up to 1.125 mg/24 h) followed after 6 h by hydroquinidine chlorhydrate (total dose, 1350 mg); or (iii) placebo. The patients were submitted to Holter monitoring for 48 h. RESULTS: propafenone achieved higher successful conversion rates at 6, 12 and 24 h compared either with placebo (62% vs. 17%, 83% vs. 34%; 86% vs. 55%; P < 0.01, respectively) or with digoxin at 6 h (62% vs. 38%; P < 0.05) and digoxin plus quinidine at 12 h (83% vs. 48%; P < 0.05). At 48 h, a placebo conversion rate of 76% was observed with consequent lack of any significant difference with the active treatments. Mean conversion times within 48 h were 267 +/- 238 min for propafenone, 648 +/- 631 min for digoxin plus quinidine (P < 0.01 vs. propafenone) and 893 +/- 622 min for placebo (P < 0.001 vs. propafenone). Propafenone and digoxin plasma levels were within the therapeutic range. Asymptomatic phases of atrial flutter with > or = 2:1 atrio-ventricular conduction ratio were observed during Holter monitoring, before conversion to sinus rhythm, in four patients treated with propafenone, in one patient taking digoxin plus quinidine and in four patients with placebo.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1992

Genomic studies on killer yeasts belonging to the genus Pichia.

Twenty-four species belonging to the genus Pichia were investigated using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and Southern blot hybridization of their genomic DNA. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Kluyveromyces lactis, Williopsis mrakii and Candida albicans were also included in this study. The RFLP patterns were obtained from digestion of yeast DNA with several restriction endonuclease enzymes, and showed various bands with different mobility; in most isolates, the more deeply stained bands were species-specific. This observation was confirmed by the results obtained from Southern blot hybridization of the EcoRI and XhoI RFLP patterns with P. anomala UCSC 25F DNA, digested with the same enzymes, used as probes. These bands are likely to be ribosomal DNA as shown by hybridization of digested DNA from unrelated yeast species (S. cerevisiae, K. lactis and C. albicans). However, one hybridized band, located at 3.9-4.1 Kb, seems to be peculiar to the Pichia species. Our study confirms the usefulness of molecular tools in studying genetic relatedness among yeasts.

Blotting, Southern↗
PubMed1991

Tricuspid valve incompetence caused by nonpenetrating thoracic trauma.

Tricuspid valve incompetence from ruptured papillary muscle or chordae as a result of nonpenetrating trauma is uncommon. Blunt trauma causing partial detachment of a leaflet from the annulus is very rare. We report the case of a young adult involved in a car accident who had these findings. Operative repair with resuture of the leaflet to the annulus and annuloplasty using a Carpentier ring resulted in complete recovery.

Adult↗