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S Recchia

Publications and source records attributed to S Recchia.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Experimental model of type IV Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus) infection in mice with early development of septic arthritis.

We have established an experimental murine model to gain insight into the pathogenicity and clinical features of type IV group B streptococcus (GBS) infections. Adult CD-1 mice were challenged intravenously with 10(7) type IV GBS cells, inducing systemic invasion. Most of the animals were able to clear the infection from the blood, brain, and lungs within 2 weeks and from the spleen and liver within 1 month. However, the animals were unable to clear the microorganism from the joints and kidneys during the 60-day observation period. About 80% of the mice challenged intravenously with type IV GBS manifested early septic arthritis, which evolved from an acute exudative synovitis to permanent lesions characterized by irreversible joint damage and ankylosis. Induction of persistent septic arthritis was dependent on the number and viability of microorganisms inoculated and was unrelated to the strain of type IV GBS and the growth phase of the inoculum. Type-specific antibodies of both immunoglobulin M and G classes could be detected by agglutination and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay from days 7 and 14, respectively; immunoglobulin G antibodies persisted for more than 40 days. Complexes of antibodies and group- and type-specific antigens were detected in mouse sera 24 h after infection and persisted up to day 22. These results were obtained an experimental model of type IV GBS chronic infection with early development of septic arthritis, which could be useful in future studies of pathogenicity and immune mechanisms involved in the host resistance to this microorganism.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Endoscopic ultrasonography in eosinophilic infiltration of gastric wall.

The case of a young man with eosinophilic gastroenteritis with primary muscularis propria involvement in the antrum and distal ileum is presented. Initial diagnosis was based uniquely on indirect clinical and radiological findings since endoscopic and histologic data had been misled by the depth of eosinophilic infiltration. In order to directly prove the diagnosis, full-thickness operative biopsy would have been necessary but was avoided on ethical grounds. Valuable information was gained through Endoscopic Ultrasonographic (EUS) study of the antrum which showed an asymmetrical thickening of the outer hypoechoic layer of the wall corresponding to the muscularis propria. The overall thickness of the antrum amounted to 0.6 cm, clearly distinct from the 0.2 cm value in uninvolved areas. Subserosal involvement was also appreciated in spite of the absence of ascites; superficial layers, mucosa and submucosa, appeared uninvolved. The patient was restudied 6 months later when symptom-free: at this time, blood eosinophilia persisted and the EUS picture was unchanged. These observations suggest that peripheral blood eosinophilia along with eosinophilic infiltration of the gastric wall are stable conditions, unrelated to symptoms. Endoscopic ultrasonography is of value in ascertaining muscular involvement in eosinophilic gastroenteritis.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Percutaneous transhepatic sphincterotomy].

The authors describe the technique employed for percutaneous transhepatic sphincterotomy as performed on 3 patients with common bile duct (CBD) stones. In all patients, previous endoscopic attempt had failed for anatomical reasons (Billroth II gastric resection or partial gastric resection with Brown anastomosis), and the ampulla could not be correctly incannulated with the sphincterotome. In all patients endoscopy was useful to check the position of the diathermic loop inserted percutaneously. Complete and immediate success was obtained in all 3 cases. No major complications occurred during transhepatic treatment. To date, 1 recurrence has been observed, and the patient has been retreated with bilioplasty. All patients were followed after 5-6 months with US, plain X-rays of the abdomen and blood tests (gamma Gt, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubinemia). The authors suggest that percutaneous transhepatic sphincterotomy be employed electively in patients with biliary tree diseases in case the endoscopic approach failes.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Possible virulence marker for Streptococcus agalactiae (Lancefield Group B).

Mouse passage of a stock strain of each of the serotypes Ia, Ib, Ia/c, II and III of Streptococcus agalactiae was followed by increased virulence. The change was associated with an increased content of sialic acid and also with the appearance of an antigen common to all passaged strains. This antigen was subsequently detected in all but one of 12 strains isolated from infected babies or diabetic adults, but in none of 12 organisms recovered from carriers.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy with a 2.8 mm fiberscope.

The authors describe their initial experience with a 2.8 mm (8.5F) fiberscope. The instrument, used to refine interventional radiology maneuvers of the intra- and extra-hepatic bile ducts, caused no additional discomfort to the 18 patients treated. The fiberscope permitted differentiation between different causes of biliary stenosis in the few cases where doubt persisted after percutaneous cholangiography. Brushing was also performed wherever necessary. The color, and thus the composition, of bile duct stones could also be determined. This has helped us to plan the therapy with methyl-tert-butyl-ether (MTBE) in patients with cholesterol stones. Compared with traditional fiberscopes (diameter of 5mm or more) the new instrument is easier to use, and allows more peripheral ducts to be reached, but is expensive and has a smaller field of view and fewer possibilities for therapeutic applications.

Bile Duct Diseases↗
PubMed1988

[Use of a high-frequency pulsed hydro jet in the percutaneous treatment of biliary tract calculi].

A new system (Broxo Jet) is described for bile duct washing to complete mechanical maneuvers during nonsurgical treatment of intra- and extrahepatic calculi. The device is connected either to a percutaneous biliary drainage catheter or to a fibroscope, and provides a high-frequency pulsating water jet. Seven patients with intra- and extrahepatic bile duct stones were treated with this new technique. Complete resolution was observed in 4/7 cases. The water jet allows the mobilization of even the biggest stones and the elimination of stone debris, as well as the removing of fibrin and necrotic tissue fragments tightly attached to bile duct walls in subacute cholangitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

[A rare complication in the suppression of a porto-systemic shunt in disabling encephalopathy].

The authors describe an uncommon complication in a case of side-to-side portacaval shunt which was suppressed due to disabling portal-systemic encephalopathy; the patient was treated by esophageal transection with esophagogastric devascularization and nonoperative secondary occlusion of the shunt by external elastic traction on a Silastic catheter surrounding the anastomosis: a stenosis of the caval vein under traction required another operation in order to close the shunt.

Brain Diseases↗
PubMed1987

[Percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy with an 8.5 French endoscopic catheter. Technic and preliminary results].

The authors describe their preliminary personal experience in bile duct endoscopy with a very small diameter catheter (8.5 F) much less traumatic than traditional choledochoscope (15 F). The CE can be reutilized after sterilization; an angiographic guide wire up to 0.042" can be introduced in the operating channel. The CE was used in 3 patients with uncertain cholangiographic diagnosis. Instrument introduction is facilitated when simple technical manoeuvres are followed; there were no difficulties in report interpretation. An experienced interventional radiologist and an endoscopist are needed to handle the instrument. Cytologic sample, biopsy and gallstone lithotomy instruments will increase diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities of the system: for this a wider CE use in the immediate future to complete interventional radiology manoeuvres can be expected.

Bile Duct Diseases↗
PubMed1985

Patients with chronic renal failure are not at a risk of developing chronic peptic ulcers.

This study reports the endoscopic and histological aspects of gastrointestinal mucosa in a consecutive series of 249 patients with chronic renal failure on conservative hemodialysis, who were awaiting renal transplantation. At endoscopy the mucosa was normal in 54.2% of the cases and revealed gross inflammatory changes in 34.1%. Duodenal ulcers were found in 11.2% of patients with only one gastric ulcer. Of the 28 duodenal ulcers, 16 were active and 12 inactive lesions. Gastric biopsies sampled from 44 non-ulcer patients showed signs of chronic gastritis in 29.6%, atrophic gastritis in 18.2, and reported normal in 52.3% of the cases. The above findings were not affected by the ages of patients or by the total duration of hemodialysis treatment. It is concluded that patients with chronic renal failure share the same risk of developing chronic peptic ulcers as the general population. Moreover, the overall endoscopic and histological appearance of the mucosa in these patients appears not to differ from data reported in the general population.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Hepatitis B virus replication and clinical outcome in carriers of HBsAg. Perspectives of treatment with DNA inhibitors.

HBV-DNA was measured by the spot hybridization technique in serial serum samples obtained from 47 HBsAg carriers followed up for a mean of 4 years. The levels of HBV-DNA were compared to the conventional HBV serology and immunopathology to determine the relation of active HBV replication to the outcome of hepatitis and the suitability of Italian HBsAg carriers for treatment with DNA inhibitors. HBV-DNA was found in 26 carriers (53%) and persisted with comparable serum levels in 24 of them throughout the follow up. The occurrence rate of an unfavorable outcome as determined by histological evidence of cirrhosis was 6% versus 44% (p less than 0.01) in carriers with active viral infection (greater than 1 ng/ml of HBV-DNA) and in patients with absent or low levels of viral DNA (less than 1 pg/ml), respectively. Progression of the liver disease could not be predicted on the basis of active HBV replication and was presumably related to factors other than synthesis of HBV. In many patients with inactive viral infection a primary pathogenic factor was the HBV-associated delta, an agent with a putative RNA genome against which DNA inhibitors have no rationale and possibly no effects. The majority of Italian carriers do not appear suitable for treatment with DNA inhibitors and they should be considered for a different therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Chronic hepatitis in carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen, with intrahepatic expression of the delta antigen. An active and progressive disease unresponsive to immunosuppressive treatment.

To assess the characteristics of chronic hepatitis in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers with intrahepatic delta antigen, the hepatic histologic findings of 137 patients were reviewed; 101 patients were followed for 2 to 6 years. The predominant liver disease was chronic active hepatitis in 93 patients or cirrhosis in 32; minor forms of chronic persistent or lobular hepatitis were seen in 12 patients. Eight of the 26 patients with an initial diagnosis of cirrhosis died during the follow-up period. Cirrhosis developed in 31 of 75 patients (41%) without nodular regeneration seen in the first biopsy specimen; 5 of these patients died. Treatment with prednisone or azathioprine did not induce histologic amelioration of delta hepatitis or prevent cirrhosis. Chronic HBsAg hepatitis with intrahepatic expression of the delta antigen is an active, progressive disease unresponsive to conventional immunosuppressive treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

A solid-phase enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for detection of HBeAg and anti-HBe.

A sensitive, reproducible and easily performed enzyme immunoassay (EIA) based on a sandwich technique is described for serological detection of HBeAg and anti-HBe. EIA appears to be 600 times more sensitive than immunodiffusion and counterimmunoelectrophoresis and its performance compares well with available radioimmunoassays.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1980

Trypsin-like immunoreactivity in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis.

Elevated serum and urine amylase and serum lipase values are not always diagnostic of an acute pancreatitis, on the account of the extrapancreatic production of these enzymes. A diagnostic improvement can be made by using the CAm/CCr ratio, but this index too is abnormal in some non pancreatic diseases. Since trypsin measurement seems to be more specific in the evaluation of pancreatic condition, serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity has been measured in 28 patients with acute pancreatitis, 95 patients with a wide spectrum of gastroenterological diseases and in 30 patients with severe chronic renal failure. 85 normal subjects were used as controls. Abnormally high serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity (TLI) values were detected in 100% of patients with acute pancreatitis, without any overlap with normal controls. TLI values above the upper normal limit were also found in 70% of patients with severe renal damage, while none of the patients with liver disease, biliary disease, peptic ulcer an inflammatory bowel disease had elevated TLI levels. In 29 patients with hyperamylasemia due to extra-pancreatic diseases serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity was always within the normal range. It is concluded that the determination of serum TLI is a sensitive and reliable tool in the diagnosis of an acute pancreatic inflammation, providing that a severe renal failure is excluded.

Acute Disease↗