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Biomedical subjects

V Borghi

Publications and source records attributed to V Borghi.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Heterosexual transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus: a seroepidemiological study.

The transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was studied in 647 subjects who presented no apparent risk factors for the infection other than having had promiscuous heterosexual relations, heterosexual relations with people with an elevated risk of infection, or heterosexual relations with people infected by human immunodeficiency virus. Thirty subjects were found to be seropositive for anti-human immunodeficiency virus antibodies. The elevated risk factors included being the habitual partner of a person at risk of infection or of a person who was infected by human immunodeficiency virus, or being the partner of a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The transmission of the virus was verified in 13 of 284 subjects (4.57%) who had had heterosexual intercourse three or more times with persons at risk and in 16 of 101 subjects (15.84%) who had had heterosexual intercourse three or more times with persons who were seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus antibodies. No significant correlation between human immunodeficiency virus infection and a history of sexually transmitted infections, nor between human immunodeficiency virus infection and female subjects was found. These data suggest that the epidemic of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome can also spread through heterosexual relations, even if the possibility of becoming infected in this way seems at the moment limited to particular risk behaviors.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

HIV infection in children born to seropositive mothers: a laboratory and clinical follow-up study.

Several serological techniques may be used for the detection of HIV infection, however, in the case of infants, there are no methods that are effective prior to the loss of maternal antibodies. Thus, in such cases, a completed series of serological and virological assay of HIV antibodies should be performed in follow-up studies. Twenty children living in Modena (Italy) were studied since 1985. Seven of these children were of ages ranging from 3 to 10 years. Only one of them was found to be seropositive for HIV. The remaining 13 children were studied from birth. Six had lost maternal antibodies to HIV at a median age of 15.1 months. Four showed decreasing levels of the anti-body by Western blotting. HIV antigen was detected in serum samples from 2 children. The data reported stress the need for longitudinal studies that could lead to reliable methods of diagnosing HIV infections in newborns.

Child↗
PubMed1989

Detection of serum HIV-Ag related to the major core protein (p24) in persons at risk for AIDS.

A commercial enzyme immunoassay was utilized for the detection of the human immunodeficiency virus antigen (p24) in serum samples from persons at risk for AIDS. The test demonstrated sensitivity to 20 pg/ml of serum antigen. The results obtained showed 14.63% of the subjects (Ss) with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy or asymptomatic Ss, and 69.23% of the Ss with AIDS related complex (ARC) or AIDS to be positive for HIV-Ag. In addition, there were no false-positives in the control serum samples collected from seronegative individual. The close correlation observed between HIV-Ag presence and advanced stages of the disease, stresses the diagnostic importance of this viral marker and its usefulness in the follow-up of Ss with HIV infection.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMed1988

Comparison between enzyme-linked immunosorbent and I.F. assays in the serological diagnosis of HIV infections.

A rapid, sensitive indirect immunofluorescence assay based on the use of acetone-fixed virus producing MOLT T4/LAV cells was adapted for the detection of anti-HIV antibodies. At the same time, 1486 serum samples, collected by the AIDS Surveillance and Study Centre of Modena, were tested by ELISA and IFA: the percentage of agreement of both assays was of 99.66%. Such datum suggested that IFA could be used as a serological assay for screening and confirmatory purposes.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1984

[Tuberculous lymphadenitis. Apropos of a non-typical histological picture].

The case is presented of a young Somali with acute lymphadenitis. Whereas histological examination indicated abscessing granulomatous lymphadenitis, bacteriological studies revealed the presence of M. tuberculosis in the pus taken from the lymph node. Hence the aetiological diagnosis contradicted the morphological picture.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Plasmids in Streptococcus faecalis subsp. zymogenes: transferability and molecular properties.

Seven strains of Streptococcus faecalis subsp. zymogenes were studied. Plasmids originally harboured by these bacteria, codifing for drug resistance, hemolysin and gelatinase activity, were transferred to a recipient strain ( JH2 -2) by conjugation. Studies on bacteria in mating showed the formation of protoplasmatic bridges between donors and recipients; these bridges should provide for the passage of genetic material. Kinetics of acquisition of the transferable resistance were carried out in liquid medium. Plasmids harboured in donor and transconjugant strains, responsable for antibiotic-resistance, for hemolysin and gelatinase activity, were analyzed later by agarose gel electrophoresis. These analysis permitted us to demonstrate the presence of many plasmids, some conjugative with a high molecular weight and others small and non-conjugative.

Conjugation, Genetic↗
PubMed1984

Conjugal plasmids in group D streptococci.

159 strains of group D streptococci isolated from clinical specimens were examinated for plasmids content. Our objective was to study some characters carried by plasmids: drug-resistance, hemolysins and bacteriocin activity. 73,6% of the strains were antibiotic resistant and in 69% of these, the drug-resistance was transferable by conjugation. In mating of S. faecalis subsp. zymogenes strains we could also isolate three different types of transconjugants in hemolytic activity. The interpretation of this observation was facilitated by the research of bacteriocin activity. We also classified the bacteriocins found in our strains into different types.

Bacteriocin Plasmids↗
PubMed1982

R factors in group D streptococci: classification by compatibility.

Antibiotic transferable resistance determined by R-factors is largely distributed among the enterococci. Over a two year period, 106 strains of D streptococci have been tested. Transferable resistance has been detected in 45 strain (57.7% of the resistant strains). The compatibility group of 24 plasmids has been determined: 12 belong to the group I; 4 belong to the group II; only one to the group III; one belongs to compatibility group IV; k R-factors have attributed to a new group V and the other two are not classifiable in any of the described groups.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An observational study on patients treated or not for acute HIV infection.

BACKGROUND: A vast majority of HIV-infected subjects who experience HIV acute seroconversion actually receive treatment. Open questions are how can we identify patients who will be slow progressors or long-term non progressors, and, as a consequence, do not require treatment. METHODS: An observational retrospective study on patients who experienced acute HIV seroconversion from August 1995 to June 2001, who are still alive and followed as outpatients at the Clinic of Infectious Diseases of Modena, Italy. RESULTS: Twelve patients were studied. Five patients (45.4%) were treated during acute seroconversion, while 7 were not treated. Two of these seven subjects received antiretroviral treatment 12 and 26 weeks after acute seroconversion. All the untreated patients were in good viro-immunological condition 6 months after seroconversion, and 2 of them also after 3 and 7 years. Patients who were treated showed a significant daily increase in CD4/CD8 T cell ratio with longer time spent on therapy (0.04% increase per day longer on antiretroviral therapy, p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that treatment during primary HIV infection should not be considered in all patients. Randomized clinical trials enrolling patients with an asymptomatic primary HIV infection, with a high CD4 count and low HIV plasma viremia are needed to evaluate the indications for treatment in this subgroup of patients. On the other hand, this study confirms the good viro-immunological response obtained after treating patients during primary HIV infection.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Polymerase chain reaction for the diagnostic identification of HIV infection].

The Acquired Immune deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is now a worldwide social problem. Routine diagnostic procedures to identify infected individuals are based on the presence of antibodies against viral epitopes in the serum. There is nevertheless impelling need to detect directly the virus in people infected by HIV, independently of a serological response. In this study we describe the procedure which allows amplification of a specific segment of the HIV genome, through the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), in infected individuals. This new approach represents a precious tool towards the diagnosis of HIV infection, it can be easily and quickly carried out on a large scale and will be capable of identifying HIV infected subjects before the development of antibodies.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗