Biomedical subjects

N C Vakalis

Publications and source records attributed to N C Vakalis.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Genotyping of pathogenic Acanthamoebae isolated from clinical samples in Greece--report of a clinical isolate presenting T5 genotype.

Amoebae belonging to the genus Acanthamoeba are potentially pathogenic to humans, causing mainly amoebic keratitis. Pathogenic ability of the 15 known Acanthamoeba genotypes is under investigation. We report that four out of five cases of amoebic keratitis studied in Greece, present T4 sequence type, while the remaining one presents T5 sequence type (Acanthamoeba lenticulata), which is the second most frequent genotype found among environmental samples. Thus, it is confirmed, for the first time to our knowledge, that A. lenticulata can cause keratitis. However the reason that it is under represented in clinical samples compared to environmental ones is unknown.

Acanthamoeba↗

PubMed2003

A single-step, PCR-based method for the detection and differentiation of Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum.

The ability to detect and differentiate between Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax is of great importance for the routine laboratory diagnosis of malaria, donor-blood screening and epidemiological studies. Most PCR-based methods for the discrimination of these two species require nested protocols or an additional hybridization reaction, leading to high labour costs and long turn-around times. A simple, time-effective and yet sensitive and specific technique, based on a multiplex PCR, has now been developed for the simultaneous detection and differentiation of P. falciparum and P. vivax in blood samples. Compared with the 'gold standard' of microscopy, this method had a sensitivity and specificity of 100%, with a detection limit of just one P. falciparum or three P. vivax parasites/microl blood.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Ophthalmic dirofilariasis.

PURPOSE: To report a rare case of ophthalmic dirofilariasis in a 68-year-old man with sudden, intense pain and itching in the left eye. The nematode was located in the eye and recognized as Dirofilaria repens. METHODS: Slit-lamp examination disclosed a moving nematelminth under the bulbar conjunctiva of the left eye. The nematode was surgically removed. RESULTS: The nematelminth surgically removed from the subconjunctival space was identified as D repens on the basis of transverse sections and its macroscopic characteristics. CONCLUSION: It is important to identify the nematode as D repens, based on both its microscopic and macroscopic characteristics, to avoid treatment with anthelminthic agents. The surgical removal of the worm is the sole recommended treatment.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

Human and canine dirofilariasis in Greece.

Human dirofilariasis is a disease which is considered to be rare in Greece, less than 20 cases having been reported prior to 1990. The clinical manifestations were usually subcutaneous nodules, and in only two cases there was ocular dirofilariasis. Eight new cases were recognized in humans during the last six years in Athens, two of which with ophthalmic involvement. Twelve additional cases have been detected but not published in Thessaloniki. In all human cases, the worms were identified as being Dirofilaria repens (D. conjunctivae). The identification was based on the morphological observations of the whole nematodes and on the histological sections of the subcutaneous nodules in the samples. Four different filarial nematodes (D. immitis, D. repens, Dipetalonema reconditum and D. grassii) were recovered from dogs. Infection of dogs with all types of filariae ranges from 12% to 37%. The high incidence of dirofilariasis in dogs is of great interest compared to the low incidence in humans. The occurrence of common host animals and insect vectors makes dirofilariasis a potential danger for public health.

Animals↗