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S Novati

Publications and source records attributed to S Novati.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Correlates of HIV, HBV, and HCV infections in a prison inmate population: results from a multicentre study in Italy.

A cross-sectional study was undertaken on the correlates of infection for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis viruses B and C (HBV and HCV) in a sample of inmates from eight Italian prisons. A total of 973 inmates were enrolled [87.0% males, median age of 36 years, 30.4% intravenous drug users (IDUs), 0.6% men who have sex with men (MSWM)]. In this sample, high seroprevalence rates were found (HIV: 7.5%; HCV: 38.0%; anti-HBc: 52.7%; HBsAg: 6.7%). HIV and HCV seropositivity were associated strongly with intravenous drug use (OR: 5.9 for HIV; 10.5 for HCV); after excluding IDUs and male homosexuals, the HIV prevalence remained nonetheless relatively high (2.6%). HIV prevalence was higher for persons from Northern Italy and Sardinia. The age effect was U-shaped for HIV and HCV infections; HBV prevalence increased with age. Tattoos were associated with HCV positivity (OR: 2.9). The number of imprisonments was associated with HIV infection, whereas the duration of imprisonment was only associated with anti-HBc. The probability of being HIV-seropositive was higher for HCV-seropositive individuals, especially if IDUs. In conclusion, a high prevalence of HIV, HCV, and HBV infections among inmates was observed: these high rates are in part attributable to the high proportion of IDUs. Frequency of imprisonment and tattoos were associated, respectively, with HIV and HCV positivity. Although it is possible that the study population is not representative of Italy's prison inmate population, the results stress the need to improve infection control measures users was prisons.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

A PCR-RFLP method for the detection and species identification of human microsporidia.

From small subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequences, a pair of PCR primers were designed to amplify a portion of this gene from five species of microsporidia. The amplified fragments encompass polymorphic restriction sites for the Hphl enzyme, resulting in different restriction patterns in the different species. We tested this identification method both on cultured microsporidia and on clinical samples. On cultured microsporidia the expected amplification bands were obtained even when DNA preparations from only ten spores were analysed. On clinical samples, identification of microsporidia was obtained from crude DNA preparations. This method allows for a rapid and easy diagnosis of human microsporidioses.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1996

Direct sequencing of the PCR amplified SSU rRNA gene of Entamoeba dispar and the design of primers for rapid differentiation from Entamoeba histolytica.

Since 1993, strains of Entamoeba histolytica sensu lato have been assigned to 2 species on the basis of clinical, biochemical, immunological and genetic evidence: the pathogenic strains to E. histolytica sensu stricto, the non-pathogenic strains to Entamoeba dispar. Analysis of the gene encoding for the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rDNA) supports the existence of 2 species. However, while 3 whole SSU rDNA sequences are available in the data bases for E. histolytica, only a partial sequence has been published for E. dispar. Here we report a SSU rDNA sequence for E. dispar. Compared to those of E. histolytica, this sequence shows 1.7% nucleotide substitutions. On the basis of our rDNA data, 2 primers were designed to produce polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification from both E. histolytica and E. dispar. Primer specificity for the 2 amoebae was assessed both theoretically against the data bases, and experimentally against a collection of eukaryotic and prokaryotic DNAs. The amplified stretch encompasses a polymorphic Dde I restriction site which allows, after cleavage of the fragment, E. histolytica and E. dispar to be distinguished. The reliability of this method of identification was assessed comparing the results with those based on classic isoenzyme analysis.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Madin Darby canine kidney: a new cell line for Pneumocystis carinii in vitro culture.

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is a highly frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised subjects, particularly in HIV-infected ones. The biology of P. Carinii is poorly understood because of the lack of reliable synthetic media or adequate cell lines to grow this opportunistic pathogen in continuous culture. We reported the suitability of the MDCK (Madin Darby Canine Kidney, ATTC CCL 34) cell line to support the temporary microorganism's growth in vitro and the experimental pharmacological trials, in comparison with the HEL 299 cell line, used as reference standard.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Entamoeba histolytica autochthonous isolates from mentally retarded Italian patients.

A total of 77 mentally retarded male inpatients residing in a psychiatric institution in northern Italy were screened for the presence of stool parasites, Entamoeba histolytica particularly. Parasitological stool examination showed Entamoeba spp. (E. histolytica and/or E. dispar) in 26 cases (33.7%). In vitro culture on Robinson's medium was positive in 16 cases (61.1%); in 11 cases we could stabilize and clone the isolates and proceed to electrophoretic assays. In all cases, patterns of pathogenic zymodemes were found (zymodeme II, 3 isolates; zymodeme XII, 4 isolates; zymodeme XIV, 4 isolates). All isolates were therefore identified as E. histolytica.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Intestinal co-infection by Cyclospora sp. and Cryptosporidium parvum: first report in an AIDS patient.

Cyclospora is recently described new human pathogenic coccidian causing intermittent diarrhoeal enteritis which may persist for weeks or months in immunocompetent subjects, particularly travellers visiting some tropical areas and countries, such as Nepal, the Caribbean, Peru and Mexico. More rarely this enteric pathogen affects immunocompromised humans, namely HIV-infected people or AIDS patients, with some clinical pictures recognized in normal hosts. We describe the first case of Cyclospora sp. and Cryptosporidium parvum associated diarrhoeal enteritis in an adult AIDS patient.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1994

[Furuncular myiasis caused by Cordylobia anthropophaga: description of a case from Tanzania].

We report a case of a tourist, coming back from Tanzania, who presented with a foruncle on the left thigh diagnosed as a bacterial infection, which eventually turned out to be a myiasis foruncle. The patient said he had sat on the ground in short trousers. The lesion was covered with petroleum jelly and the larva was observed migrating from the lesion and subsequently extracted with forceps. The morphology of larval spiracles allowed to characterize the species as Cordylobia anthropophaga. Behaviour of the most common myiasis-producing flies, their life cycle and the way of infection are briefly described. Foruncular myiasis is a typical example of a tropical disease that can be misdiagnosed by clinicians in Western Countries where this pathology is uncommon.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Transmission of Entamoeba histolytica within a family complex.

A limited outbreak of symptomatic intestinal and extraintestinal amoebiasis within a family complex is described. The infection was almost certainly transmitted by a Philippino housemaid, who was an asymptomatic carrier of Entamoeba histolytica infection acquired in her native country. Starch-gel electrophoresis showed isoenzyme patterns characteristic of pathogenic zymodeme XIX in all the amoebic isolates.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

HIV-related Hodgkin's disease. Report of nine cases.

BACKGROUND: The association between lymphoproliferative disease and AIDS is now well known, but only non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (LNH) are surely related to HIV infection. Hodgkin's disease (HD) occurs rarely in HIV seropositives, so it is impossible to establish a connection between AIDS and this neoplasm. METHODS AND RESULT: We describe nine cases of HIV seropositive patients who developed HD in different stages of the HIV infection. We carefully examine clinical course and response to therapy in these patients, above all paying attention to opportunistic infections (OI) and progression to full-blown AIDS. CONCLUSION: Finally, we discuss the possibility of including HD among the definition criteria for AIDS.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗