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Biomedical subjects

V Gasparini

Publications and source records attributed to V Gasparini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Factors influencing hospital infection control policies in Italian hospitals.

A study was undertaken to determine the resources available in Italian hospitals for the control of nosocomial infections and the factors favouring a successful approach. During January-May 2000 a questionnaire about infection control was sent to the hospital health director of all Italian National Health System hospitals treating acute patients and with more than 3500 admissions in 1999. An active programme was defined as a hospital infection control committee (HICC) meeting at least four times in 1999, the presence of a doctor with infection control responsibilities, a nurse employed in infection control and at least one surveillance activity and one infection control guideline issued or updated in the past two years. There was a response rate of 87.5% (463/529). Almost fifteen percent (69/463) of hospitals had an active programme for Infection Control and 76.2% (353/463) had a HICC. Seventy-one percent (330/463) of the hospitals had a hospital infection control physician and 53% (250/463) had infection control nurses. Fifty-two percent (242/463) reported at least one surveillance activity and 70.8% (328/463) had issued or updated at least one guidance document in the last two years. The presence of regional policies [odds ratio (OR) 8.7], operative groups (OR 4.2), at least one full-time nurse (OR 4.6) and a hospital annual plan which specified infection control (OR 2.1) were statistically associated with an active programme in the multivariate analysis.

Cross Infection↗
PubMed1999

IgM antibody response to the hepatitis C virus core protein in intravenous drug users.

To verify whether a solid-phase enzyme immunoassay for serum IgM antibodies to the hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein (IgM anti-HCVcore) might be proposed as a surrogate test for serum HCV RNA, we studied 86 anti-HCV antibody-positive intravenous drug users. Serum HCV RNA was demonstrated by RT-PCR with primers derived from the 5' non-coding and the core region. IgM anti-HCVcore antibodies were found in 62/86 (72%) subjects; circulating HCV RNA was detected by the 5' noncoding assay in 53/86 samples (62%) and by the core region assay in 35/86 samples (41%). IgM anti-HCVcore reactivity was associated with core HCV RNA seropositivity (p < 0.05) but not with 5' noncoding HCV RNA seropositivity (p = NS). Patients infected by HCV type 1a were more-often positive for IgM anti-HCVcore (p < 0.05) and for core HCV RNA (p = 0.005) than patients infected by other HCV genotypes. IgM anti-HCVcore reactivity was significantly more common in subjects positive for core HCV RNA (p < 0.005) and in subjects aged > 30 years (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the IgM anti-HCVcore assay frequently tests positive in intravenous drug users, particularly when infected by HCV 1a, but is not a surrogate of testing for serum HCV RNA.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

A study on the role of the family and other risk factors in HCV transmission.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To understand the intrafamilial transmission and the existing risk factors related to HCV infection in subjects confirmed anti-HCV positive, their sexual partners and household contacts in Friuli, North-East Italy. METHODS: We enrolled all the subjects that were consecutively identified as HCV positive during routine laboratory testing in six health districts and their household contacts. From each subject we obtained a blood sample, demographic data and a medical history including the existence of risk factors for HCV. Antibodies to HCV were detected employing a commercially available second-generation enzyme immunoassay (EIA); positive serum specimens were retested using a second-generation recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA-2). RESULTS: We recruited 743 subjects, 229 first subjects identified as HCV positive and 514 household contacts. There were no statistically significant differences in positivity among household contacts. Analysing intracouple transmission we found no significant differences by gender in couples both with and without parenteral risk factors. We found, both with univariate and multivariate analysis, as statistically significant risk factors in all the subjects: age older than 60, blood transfusions (particularly those performed before 1984), surgical procedures such as abortion and/or uterine curettage, history of HBV infection, intravenous drug use, and tattooing. CONCLUSIONS: Our results stress the low relevance of sexual transmission in the intrafamilial context, the importance of abortion and/or uterine curettage, the important role of blood transfusions in the past, a higher prevalence of HCV infection within a household of a HCV positive member compared to all other existing data in the area.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed1999

Immunoreactivity to putative B-cell epitopes of hepatitis G virus polyprotein in viremic and nonviremic subjects.

The hepatitis G virus (HGV) polyprotein was scanned by computer-aided prediction of antigenicity to search for B-cell epitopes. Four polypeptide sequences, V37D (amino acids [aa] 1685 to 1721), V36S (aa 2102 to 2137), P37R (aa 2156 to 2192), and C40P (aa 2280 to 2319), were identified and synthesized for use in immunoassays. Antibodies to these peptides were searched for in a panel of 239 serum samples, which were also tested for anti-E2 antibodies and HGV RNA. Furthermore, the course of HGV markers was studied prospectively in four patients who had been transfused with HGV RNA-positive blood. There was a negative association between immunoreactivity to V37D and P37R and presence of HGV RNA (2 of 53 and 1 of 53, respectively; P < 0.05); none of the subjects with dual antibody positivity was HGV RNA positive. Anti-V37D and anti-P37R antibodies compared favorably with anti-E2 antibodies as markers of recovery from HGV infection. These results might be useful for the development of new, more sensitive diagnostic assays.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

High prevalence of infection with hepatitis G virus in patients with hepatic and extrahepatic malignancies.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The pathogenic role of hepatitis G virus, the recently discovered blood-borne agent, is controversial. Our aim was to ascertain the prevalence of hepatitis G virus infection in hepatic and in extrahepatic malignancies. METHODS: We studied 166 Italian patients (112 male, 54 female, mean age 61.8+/-9.3, mean+/-SD, range 34-85). One hundred and eighteen had cirrhosis, which was complicated by hepatocellular carcinoma in 66 cases. Forty-eight patients had extra-hepatic malignancies. Circulating HGV RNA was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of both the nonstructural-3 and 5'noncoding regions of the hepatitis G virus genome. Antibodies to the E2 protein of hepatitis G virus were detected by means of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Ongoing HGV infection was detected in 30/66 (46%) patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, 12/52 (23%) patients with cirrhosis, and 14/48 (29%) patients with extrahepatic malignancies (p<0.05). Evidence of exposure to hepatitis G virus (detection of either HGV RNA or anti-E2 antibodies) was found in 46% of patients with cirrhosis, 66% of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, and 39% of patients with extrahepatic malignancies. Serum HGV RNA positivity was associated with a hematocrit value < or = 0.35 and with history of exposure to blood products (p<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Ongoing hepatitis G virus infection is detected at a very high rate in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, but is also fairly common in extrahepatic malignancies. Hepatitis G virus infection in these patients is likely to originate from exposure to blood products, and to persist because of deficient immune surveillance.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Hepatitis A infection: a seroepidemiological study in young adults in North-East Italy.

During the period from January to May 1994, the prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis A virus infection (anti-HAV) was tested by immunoenzyme assay in the serum samples of 620 apparently healthy subjects (81% males, 19% females), from 10 to 29 years old, resident in North-East Italy (Pordenone and surrounding district). The overall prevalence of anti-HAV was 3.7%. There was a significant lower prevalence in the group aged 10-19 than in the one aged 20-29 years (0.7% vs 6%; p < 0.001). Moreover, a significant sex difference was observed for the 20-29 year age group (p < 0.001). Among the various risk factors considered, family size and travelling abroad to endemic areas were significantly associated with HAV infection. Since a valid and effective vaccine against HAV infection has recently become available, anti-HAV vaccination campaigns can feasibly be programmed. However, different geographical regions present different epidemiological situations, so its use should be adapted to each region, with special attention to the cost-effectiveness of the immunisation programme. Our data suggest that in our region such vaccination could initially be proposed to high-risk subjects such as those travelling to endemic areas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Identification of Listeria species by a semi-nested polymerase chain reaction.

Three primers derived from the lap gene were used to distinguish Listeria monocytogenes from L.innocua and other Listeria species. L. monocytogenes and L. innocua yielded a PCR product of 600 and 300 bp, respectively, whereas a typical pattern of three amplimers was observed with L. ivanovii, L. seeligeri and L. welshimeri.

Electrophoresis, Agar Gel↗
PubMed1995

Reactivity to B cell epitopes within hepatitis C virus core protein and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Our aim was to investigate the existence of an association between B cell responsiveness to hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein and progression of liver disease. In fact, the persistence of HCV infection is permitted by avoidance of viral clearance, despite chronic inflammation in the liver; this process ends with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in many patients. On the basis of computerized prediction of antigenicity of the genomic sequence of HCV core protein, three 15-mer peptides (named Q15V, R15P, and G15V) were synthesized to be used as antigens in an enzyme immunoassay. Sera from 97 patients (65 males and 32 females) were tested: 43 patients had mild chronic liver disease (steatofibrosis, chronic persistent, or chronic active hepatitis) and 54 had cirrhosis, which was complicated by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in 19. Seventy-six patients were positive to anti-HCV testing by second generation ELISA and 21 were negative. Rates of positivity for synthetic peptides in anti-HCV-positive versus anti-HCV negative patients were as follows: 53 of 76 and 0 of 21 for anti-Q15V; 41 of 76 and 0 of 21 for R15P; and 67 of 76 and 2 of 21 for G15V. Rates of positivity to anti-Q15V and anti-G15V were similar among diagnostic groups (Pearson's chi 2, 1.97, P > 0.10 and 0.45, P > 0.10), whereas anti-R15P antibodies were detected at a significantly lower rate in patients with HCC (2/13) in comparison to mild chronic liver disease (22/35) and cirrhosis (17/28) (Pearson's chi 2, 9.42, P < 0.01). We conclude that anti-R15P antibodies are uncommon in anti-HCV-positive patients with HCC. During the course of chronic HCV infection, anti-R15P testing might help to identify a subgroup at higher risk to develop HCC.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Identification of four epitopes in hepatitis C virus core protein.

We identified four epitopes in hepatitis C virus core protein by using the algorithm of Jameson and Wolf. G15V (amino acids [aa] 31 to 45) appears to be the immunodominant epitope, since it was able to detect antibodies to the core protein in all 40 patients and in 44 of 45 recombinant immunoblot assay-confirmed positive blood donors. This epitope is associated with a low frequency of false-positive results, as found with 522 negative blood donors. A strong reactivity was also observed with the Q15V epitope (aa 7 to 21), although this was associated with low specificity. Occasional reactivity to the R15P (aa 49 to 63) and P15R (aa 99 to 113) epitopes was observed. Q15V and G15V detected antibodies to core protein earlier than the other two epitopes.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1991

Hepatitis C virus infection in homosexual men: a seroepidemiological study in gay clubs in north-east Italy.

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HIV antibodies was studied in a group of 259 apparently healthy homosexual men of the Veneto Region (Italy). Subjects were recruited between 1987 and 1989 from homosexual men's clubs. Seropositivity was evaluated in relation to main risk factors associated with the lifestyle and sexual behaviours of this population. Serological evaluation revealed an overall prevalence of HCV infection of 18.9% in the study population as a whole, but on breaking the samples down into three subgroups according to optical density (O.D.) values and to the year of sera collection, different seroprevalences were observed. Prevalence of anti-HCV was higher in 1987 and steadily decreased in 1988 and 1989; 4.1% of subjects gave positive results at O.D. greater than 2.0, while 6.2% were positive at O.D. between 0.8 and 2.0 and 9.6% at O.D. between cut-off and 0.8. Anti-HCV positivity was not correlated with HIV nor HBV positivity. No correlation was found between HCV seropositivity and either the type of anogenital intercourse or sexual promiscuity, but the prevalence increased (p = n.s.), as observed for HIV (p less than 0.05) and HBV (p = n.s.), with the number of intercourses per month. Epidemiological and preventive aspects arising from the investigation are discussed herein.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Persistence of poliovirus-neutralizing antibodies 2-16 years after immunization with live attenuated vaccine. A seroepidemiologic survey in the mainland of Venice.

A seroepidemiological survey was conducted on subjects who had received a full vaccination course with live attenuated poliovirus 2-16 years before. For strains 1 and 2 prevalence of seropositives and median values dropped gradually during the first 10 years; strain 3 showed a much earlier decline. Environmental displacement of wild poliovirus by the attenuated, less immunogenic strain might eventually induce a 'gap', should complacency hamper needed vaccination efforts.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1987

Prevalence of poliovirus neutralizing antibodies. A seroepidemiologic survey of vaccinated and unvaccinated women of fertile age.

The Authors tested a group of 232 women of fertile age, living in the Venice mainland, for presence of detectable protective serum antibodies against poliovirus strains 1, 2 and 3, according to vaccination status with living, attenuated poliovirus. Overall, unvaccinated subjects had a slightly higher prevalence of seropositivity as well as higher geometric mean titres than the women who had undergone a full vaccination course fifteen to twenty years before. Particularly worrisome was lack of protection against poliovirus 3, found in 23% of vaccinated and 15% of unvaccinated study participants. Break in herd immunity might end up in localized outbreaks of poliomyelitis, a not too distant possibility in Italy, where a steady flow of immigrants from North Africa and the Near East provide a source of wild poliovirus strains.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Hepatitis B vaccine: immune response in student nurses. A fifteen-month follow-up.

The authors describe a 15-month follow-up of twenty-nine nurse students vaccinated against hepatitis B with Hevac B Pasteur. At three months all subjects were anti-HBs positive, with a geometric mean titre (GMT) of 1187 mIU/ml. At the time of booster dose (T14) GMT had fallen to 380 mIU/ml; after one month (T15) GMT had risen again to 9332 mIU/ml. Such a high antibody level suggests a long lasting protection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

[Assessment of the consumption of alcoholic beverages by the secondary-school student population of Trieste].

The results are reported of an epidemiological survey aimed at assessing alcohol consumption among the secondary school population of Trieste in three different age groups (13-14, 15-16, 18-19). The data obtained on a representative sample of Trieste students reveal an alarming situation as regards alcohol consumption especially among the younger elements, possibly due to peer pressure. Primary prevention involving health education in schools is advocated as a way of halting a worrying trend towards alcoholism even among the very young.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

[Availability, consumption of alcoholic beverages and alcohol-related mortality in Italy].

On the basis of the W.H.O. guide lines the relevant parameters for the study of alcoholism in Italy have been identified. The production and utilization of alcoholic substances is very high, then appears to have reached a plateau about ten years ago. Likewise, consumption has not increased since a few years. Hospital admissions for symptoms related to alcoholism are no more available after the closure of all mental hospitals in 1978. Alcohol-related deaths seem to be stable, as well as cause specific death rates for cirrhosis .

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1984

[Retrospective study of coxsackie B virus infections and congestive cardiomyopathy].

Thirty patients with congestive cardiomyopathy (C.C.) have been studied for the prevalence of neutralizing antibodies to coxsackie B viruses in comparison with age and sex matched controls. Seropositivity toward each antigen was similar in cases and controls: an exception was coxsackie B5 virus, where a significantly seropositivity was found in the control group. As a whole, high antibody titers to any antigen were observed more frequently on sera of cardiopathic patients; however the difference between cases and controls of g.m.t. to each antigen tested was not statistically significant, with the exception of coxsackie B1 virus. The absence of a clear relationship between C.C. and viral infections might be explained through biological as well as epidemiological considerations; of particular relevance, the long duration of cardiac disease (average length 71 months, median 54). Final considerations are offered regarding the methodologic approach for a better understanding of the etiology of this elusive disease.

Adolescent↗