The sodium-proton exchangers sNHE and NHE1 control plasma membrane hyperpolarization in mouse sperm

Sperm capacitation, crucial for fertilization, occurs in the female reproductive tract and can be replicated in vitro using a medium rich in bicarbonate, calcium, and albumin. These components trigger the cAMP-PKA signaling cascade, proposed to promote hyperpolarization of the mouse sperm plasma membrane through activation of SLO3 K+ channel. Hyperpolarization is a hallmark of capacitation: proper membrane hyperpolarization renders higher in vitro fertilizing ability, while Slo3 KO mice are infertile. However, the precise regulation of SLO3 opening remains elusive. Our study challenges the involvement of PKA in this event and reveals the role of Na+/H+ exchangers. During capacitation, calcium increase through CatSper channels activates NHE1, while cAMP directly stimulates the sperm-specific NHE, collectively promoting the alkalinization threshold needed for SLO3 opening. Hyperpolarization then feeds back Na+/H+ activity. Our work is supported by pharmacology, and a plethora of KO mouse models, and proposes a novel pathway leading to hyperpolarization.

Diabetes and COVID-19: The potential role of mTOR

Diabetes is the most frequent comorbidity among patients with COVID-19. COVID-19 patients with diabetes have a more severe prognosis than patients without diabetes. However, the etiopathogenetic mechanisms underlying this more unfavorable outcome in these patients are not clear. Probably the etiopathogenetic mechanisms underlying diabetes could represent a favorable substrate for a greater development of the inflammatory process already dysregulated in COVID-19 with a more severe evolution of the disease. In the attempt to shed light on the possible etiopathogenetic mechanisms, we wanted to evaluate the possible role of mTOR (mammalian Target Of Rapamycin) pathway in this context. We searched the PubMed and Scopus databases to identify articles involving diabetes and the mTOR pathway in COVID-19. The mTOR pathway could be involved in this etiopathogenetic mechanism, in particular, the activation and stimulation of this pathway could favor an inflammatory process that is already dysregulated in itself, while its inhibition could be a way to regulate this dysregulated inflammatory process. However, much remains to be clarified about the mechanisms of the mTOR pathway and its role in COVID-19. The aim of this review is to to understand the etiopathogenesis underlying COVID-19 in diabetic patients and the role of mTOR pathway in order to be able to search for new weapons to deal with this disease.

Risk of invasive fungal infections among patients treated with disease modifying treatments for multiple sclerosis: a comprehensive review

Introduction: Disease modifying treatments are commonly used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. As different opportunistic infections have been reported, concerns are also raised regarding the risk of invasive fungal infections.Areas covered: Both clinical trials and observational studies on safety and efficacy of diseases modifying treatment for multiple sclerosis were reviewed and data regarding the occurrence of invasive fungal infections were reported. Papers evaluating the following drugs were reviewed: rituximab, ocrelizumab, alemtuzumab, fingolimod, natalizumab, dimethyl fumarate, interferon, glatiramer acetate, cladribine, teriflunomide.Expert opinion: Overall, the occurrence of invasive fungal infections was low, with most infective events reported among patients treated with monoclonal antibodies and fingolimod. Aspergillosis and cryptococcal meningitidis were the most representative fungal infections. Although not common, these infections may be difficult to diagnose and their fatality rate is often high. For this reason, screening protocols for fungal infections must be implemented in the clinical practice when managing patients with MS.

Everything you ever wanted to know about PKA regulation and its involvement in mammalian sperm capacitation

The 3', 5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) dependent protein kinase (PKA) is a tetrameric holoenzyme comprising a set of two regulatory subunits (PKA-R) and two catalytic (PKA-C) subunits. The PKA-R subunits act as sensors of cAMP and allow PKA-C activity. One of the first signaling events observed during mammalian sperm capacitation is PKA activation. Thus, understanding how PKA activity is restricted in space and time is crucial to decipher the critical steps of sperm capacitation. It is widely accepted that PKA specificity depends on several levels of regulation. Anchoring proteins play a pivotal role in achieving proper localization signaling, subcellular targeting and cAMP microdomains. These multi-factorial regulation steps are necessary for a precise spatio-temporal activation of PKA. Here we discuss recent understanding of regulatory mechanisms of PKA in mammalian sperm, such as post-translational modifications, in the context of its role as the master orchestrator of molecular events conducive to capacitation.

Risk factors for candidaemia in hospitalized patients with liver cirrhosis: a multicentre case-control-control study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for candidaemia in patients with liver cirrhosis.

METHODS

This was a case-control-control (1:2:2) study performed in four Italian tertiary centres from 2006 to 2015. Cases were patients with liver cirrhosis developing candidaemia. For every case of candidaemia we enrolled two additional patients undergoing blood cultures for suspected infection yielding isolation of a bacterial pathogen (control A) and two additional patients undergoing blood cultures for suspected infection yielding negative results (control B). Patients were matched according to age, sex and model for end stage liver disease at hospital admission.

RESULTS

During the study period 90 cases, 180 controls A and 180 controls B were included. At multivariate analysis assessed by means of multinomial conditional regression models, factors independently associated with candidaemia were previous (<30 days) acute-on-chronic liver failure (relative risk ratio (RRR) 2.22 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09-4.54), p = 0.046), previous(<30 days) gastrointestinal endoscopy (RRR 2.38 (95% CI 1.19-4.78) p = 0.014), previous(<30 days) antibiotic treatment for at least 7 days (RRR 2.74 (95% CI 1.00-7.48), p = 0.049), presence of central venous catheter (RRR 2.77 (95% CI 1.26-6.09, p = 0.011), total parenteral nutrition (RRR 3.90 (95% CI 1.62-9.40), p = 0.002) at infection onset and length of in-hospital stay >15 days (RRR 4.63 (95% CI 2.11-10.18), p <0.001] Conversely, rifaximin treatment was associated with lower rate of candidaemia (RRR 0.38 (95% CI 0.19-0.77), p = 0.007). Multivariable analysis for 30-day mortality showed that patients with isolation of Candida spp. from blood cultures had worse outcome when compared with controls even though the difference did not reach a statistical significance (hazard ratio 1.64 (95% 0.97-2.75) p = 0.06).

CONCLUSIONS

We identified previous antibiotic use, gastrointestinal endoscopy or acute-on-chronic liver failure and presence of central venous catheter especially for parenteral nutrition as independent factors associated with candidaemia. Surprisingly, chronic rifaximin use was a protective factor.

Efficacy and safety of ceftolozane/tazobactam as therapeutic option for complicated skin and soft tissue infections by MDR/XDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients with impaired renal function: a case series from a single-center experience

INTRODUCTION

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is a known cause of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). Therapeutic options against multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains of PA are limited, especially in patients with impaired renal function. Ceftolozane/tazobactam (C/T) is a novel beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor with powerful anti-PA activity. Thanks to its characteristics, it appears to be the best available anti-pseudomonal drug in many clinical scenarios. A case series of four adult patients followed between January 2018 and May 2019 is reported. All subjects presented complicated SSTIs by MDR- or XDR-PA and were affected by chronic kidney disease.

RESULTS

C/T was used as a monotherapy in three cases and in combination regimen in the remaining case. In two cases, C/T was the first-line option, in the remaining ones was the salvage treatment. All patients were successfully treated without worsening of renal function and without any other adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

C/T may represent a useful option against MDR- and XDR-PA strains responsible of complicated SSTIs in patients affected by impaired renal function.

Metal coordination and peripheral substitution modulate the activity of cyclic tetrapyrroles on αS aggregation: a structural and cell-based study

The discovery of aggregation inhibitors and the elucidation of their mechanism of action are key in the quest to mitigate the toxic consequences of amyloid formation. We have previously characterized the antiamyloidogenic mechanism of action of sodium phtalocyanine tetrasulfonate ([Na₄(H₂PcTS)]) on α-Synuclein (αS), demonstrating that specific aromatic interactions are fundamental for the inhibition of amyloid assembly. Here we studied the influence that metal preferential affinity and peripheral substituents may have on the activity of tetrapyrrolic compounds on αS aggregation. For the first time, our laboratory has extended the studies in the field of the bioinorganic chemistry and biophysics to cellular biology, using a well-established cell-based model to study αS aggregation. The interaction scenario described in our work revealed that both N- and C-terminal regions of αS represent binding interfaces for the studied compounds, a behavior that is mainly driven by the presence of negatively or positively charged substituents located at the periphery of the macrocycle. Binding modes of the tetrapyrrole ligands to αS are determined by the planarity and hydrophobicity of the aromatic ring system in the tetrapyrrolic molecule and/or the preferential affinity of the metal ion conjugated at the center of the macrocyclic ring. The different capability of phthalocyanines and meso-tetra (N-methyl-4-pyridyl) porphine tetrachloride ([H₂PrTPCl₄]) to modulate αS aggregation in vitro was reproduced in cell-based models of αS aggregation, demonstrating unequivocally that the modulation exerted by these compounds on amyloid assembly is a direct consequence of their interaction with the target protein.

Interaction of Cu(i) with the Met-X3-Met motif of alpha-synuclein: binding ligands, affinity and structural features

The identity of the Cu(i) binding ligands at Met-X3-Met site of AcαS and its role into the affinity and structural properties of the interaction were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy. We provide evidence that the source of ligands for Cu(i) binding to the Met-X3-Met site comes from the N-terminal acetyl group and the Met-1, Asp-2 and Met-5 residues. From the study of site-directed mutants and synthetic peptide models of αS we demonstrated the critical role played by Met-1 and Met-5 residues on the binding affinity of the Cu(i) complex, acting as the main metal anchoring residues. While having a more modest impact in the affinity features of Cu(i) binding, as compared to the Met residues, the N-terminal acetyl group and Asp-2 are important in promoting local helical conformations, contributing to the stabilization of these structures by favoring Cu(i) binding.

Clinical and virological characteristics associated with severe acute hepatitis B

To identify early predictors of a severe or fulminant course in patients with acute viral hepatitis B (AVH-B). One hundred and thirty-eight patients with symptomatic acute hepatitis B observed from 1999 to 2012 were enrolled. For each patient, the demographics, risk factors for the acquisition of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, clinical, biochemical and virological data (HBV DNA, HBV DNA sequences) were recorded and analysed. The HBV mutants in the polymerase region were sought in 110 (87%) patients by direct sequencing, and the rtM204V/I mutations also by an allele-specific PCR. AVH-B was severe in 13 (9.4%) of the 138 patients enrolled, fulminant in 6 (4.3%) and with a normal clinical course in 119. The 19 patients with severe or fulminant AVH-B more frequently than the 119 with a normal course stated intravenous drug use (63.2% versus 36.1%, p 0.04) and were HBV-DNA negative (31.6% versus 11.8%, p 0.03) and anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive (57.9% versus 19.3%, p 0.0008); the prevalences of different HBV genotypes and of the rtM204V/I mutant were similar in these three forms of AVH-B. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified a pre-existing HCV chronic infection as the only factor independently associated with a severe or fulminant clinical course of AVH-B (OR 4.89, 95% CI 1.5-15.94, p 0.01). A pre-existing HCV chronic infection was identified as the only factor independently associated with a severe clinical presentation of acute hepatitis B, an association most probably due to the combination of the liver lesions caused by acute hepatitis B and the pre-existing histological abnormalities related to HCV chronic infection.

Daclatasvir: the first of a new class of drugs targeted against hepatitis C virus NS5A

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects about 160 million people worldwide. It is treated with pegylatedinterferon (peg-IFN) and ribavirin, and in the case of patients affected by genotype 1, also with a protease inhibitor (telaprevir or boceprevir). Despite a good success rate, IFN-based combinations are contraindicated in several patients (e.g. decompensated cirrhosis, patients with psychiatric disorders, severe heart diseases or autoimmune disorders) and are associated with frequent adverse events that ultimately reduce their use. Numerous oral drugs are in an advanced phase of clinical development, and in some cases, in IFN-free combinations. This review focuses on preclinical and clinical data regarding daclatasvir (BMS-790052), which is a highly selective HCV NS5A replication complex inhibitor effective against HCV genotypes 1, 2, 3 and 4. In vitro data show that daclatasvir exerts a very potent antiviral effect against several HCV genotypes. Its pharmacokinetics is optimal and allows once-a-day oral administration. Its adverse event profile is good. Clinical data regarding its efficacy in combination with peg-IFN, ribavirin or other direct antiviral agents are impressive (rates of sustained virological response range between 60% and 100% in treatment-naïve patients). The only drawback of this drug appears to be a relatively low genetic barrier to resistance. In conclusion, daclatasvir, especially in combinations with other antiviral agents, is a very promising drug for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C.

Role of interleukin 28-B in the spontaneous and treatment-related clearance of HCV infection in patients with chronic HBV/HCV dual infection

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the role of IL28-B polymorphism in the clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)/HCV coinfection during a long-term follow-up. Thirty-four consecutive patients with HBV surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive/anti-HCV-positive chronic hepatitis were retrospectively enrolled at their first liver biopsy (LB). For all patients, a documented clinical, serological and virological follow-up of at least 3 years (range 3-16 years) after LB and a sample of whole blood for genetic evaluation were available. Of the 24 patients with detectable serum HBV-DNA and HCV-RNA at their first observation, three cleared both HBV-DNA and HCV-RNA, 12 HCV-RNA and five HBV-DNA. Of the seven HBV DNA-positive/HCV RNA-negative patients at enrolment, three cleared HBV-DNA and one remained HBV DNA-positive and became HCV RNA-positive. All three HBV DNA-negative/HCV RNA-positive patients remained unchanged. Compared with the 12 patients with HCV persistence, the 15 patients who cleared HCV were younger, had lower serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), HCV load, and histological activity index (HAI) and fibrosis score, more frequently had IL28-B CC variant, had been receiving an interferon-based treatment and less frequently cleared serum HBV-DNA. To investigate the relationship between the IL28-B variants and clearance of HCV, excluding the confounding effect of interferon-based treatment, the Mantel-Haenszel test was used, which indicated an association between HCV clearance and IL28-B variants (p = 0.009). In chronic HBV/HCV coinfection, a long-term follow-up showed a frequent spontaneous or treatment-related clearance of active replication of one or both viruses and identified the IL28-B CC genotype as an independent predictor of HCV clearance.

A novel promising therapeutic option against hepatitis C virus: an oral nucleotide NS5B polymerase inhibitor sofosbuvir

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the main causes of liver disease worldwide. Its treatment is currently based on the combination of peg-interferon, ribavirin, and, for patients with genotype 1, a protease inhibitor (telaprevir or boceprevir). However, interferon-based combinations are not effective in all patients. Moreover, they are contraindicated in patients who cannot receive interferon (e.g. those with decompensated cirrhosis), and are frequently associated with adverse events. Consequently, there is a need to develop new drugs to treat HCV infection. This review focuses on preclinical and clinical data regarding sofosbuvir (GS-7977), a uridine nucleotide analogue inhibitor of HCV NS5 B polymerase that is effective against HCV genotypes 1,2, 3,4 and 6. Thanks to its excellent pharmacokinetic profile, sofosbuvir can be administered in an oral single daily dose. In vitro it exerts a potent antiviral effect against HCV. Clinical data show that combined with peg-interferon and ribavirin for 12 weeks it yields SVR of about 90% in subjects with HCV genotype 1 and about 100% in patients with HCV genotype 2 or 3. Moreover, sofosbuvir and ribavirin administered for 12 weeks yield similar high SVR rate (84% for genotype 1 and 100% for genotype 2/3 patients) as well as sofosbuvir and daclatasvir (an inhibitor of NS5A) which produce SVR rate of about 100% regardless of genotype or of ribavirin employment. Safety and tolerability of sofosbuvir appear to be excellent. In conclusion, sofosbuvir especially in interferon-free combinations represents a very promising option in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C.

Neurogenic pulmonary edema and variations of hemodynamic volumetric parameters in children following head trauma

BACKGROUND

Currently there is no clear evidence of how changes in hemodynamic parameters are involved in the onset of neurogenic pulmonary edema. Aim of the study has been to correlate the principal variations of the intracranial pressure and volumetric hemodynamic parameters with the variations of extravascular lung water following severe head trauma in children.

METHODS

We studied 28 children, 16 males and 12 females, mean ± SD age 71±29 months (range 24-130 months), admitted for traumatic head injury with Glasgow Coma scale ≤8. All patients received volumetric hemodynamic, and intracranial pressure monitoring following initial resuscitation and every four hours thereafter or whenever a hemodynamic deterioration was suspected. All readings were divided in 2 groups: with intracranial pressure (ICP) >15 mmHg or ≤15 mmHg.

RESULTS

During the cumulative in hospital stay a total 508 sets of measurements were done. In the group with ICP >15 mmHg vs. that with ICP ≤15 mmHg we observed increased Extravascular Lung Water Index (EVLWi) (11.05±2.28 vs. 6.96±0.87 P<0.0001) and pulmonary permeability (8.50±1.19 vs. 5.08±0.90, P<0.0001), and decreased systemic vascular resistances, (1,451±371 vs. 1,602±447 P<0.0001) cerebral perfusion (48.87±18.67 vs. 69.72±11.36 P<0.0001) and PaO2/FiO2 ratio (349±122 vs. 490±96 P<0.0001). There was a significant correlation between EVLWi and pulmonary permeability (R2=0.83, P<0.0001). Fluid overload and cardiac functional index did not change significantly.

CONCLUSION

The increased EVLWi observed in children following severe head trauma seems mainly related with pulmonary vascular permeability which is significantly increased when ICP is >15 mmHg.

[Update on prevention of infections in patients without spleen or with diminished splenic function]

Patients without spleen or with diminished splenic function are at high risk (10-50 times higher than in normal population) of developing life-threatening infections (OPSI). Mortality from OPSI is estimated at 50 to 80% of cases. More frequent causative agents are encapsulated bacteria: Streptococcus Pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b and Neisseria Meningitidis. The risk of OPSI can be reduced by immunizing patients against these pathogens and by prescribing antibiotic prophylaxis. Continuous antibiotic prophylactic for 2-5 years after splenectomy (longer periods might expose the patients to the risk of antibiotic resistance) with penicillin or amoxicillin/clavulanate acid is mandatory. Asplenic individuals should take empirical antibiotic therapy - so called "self-treatment" - and immediate medical consultation in presence of febrile illness. All patients and their parents should be carefully educated about the risk of infections in order to obtain a good long-term compliance with these recommendations.

Pregnancy in a methylmalonic acidemia patient with kidney transplantation: a case report

Presently pregnancy is no more exceptional in women with metabolic diseases. However, it still poses significant medical problems both before and after childbirth. The challenge is even greater if the mother has undergone organ transplantation, because of her metabolic disease. We report on a case of pregnancy in a patient 29-year-old with methylmalonic acidemia cblA type (OMIM 251100) who received a renal transplantation at the age of 17 for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) caused by her primary disease. During pregnancy neither metabolic crises nor renal function changes were observed in the mother, with the only exception of a mild increase of her systemic blood pressure. To the fetus pregnancy was uneventful and during the first 30 months after birth the baby's neuropsychomotor development was normal and there were no episodes of metabolic derangement. This is evidence that methylmalonicacidemia cblA, even when treated with renal transplantation for inherent ESRD, is no contraindication to pregnancy. It is even possible that a functioning transplanted kidney contributes to improve metabolic parameters.

A case of pegylated interferon alpha-related diabetic ketoacidosis: can this complication be avoided?

We report the case of a 42-year-old woman with chronic hepatitis C (genotype 1), who in June 2004 started therapy with pegylated interferon alpha (PEG-IFNalpha) plus ribavirin. Two months later, she discontinued treatment because of polydipsia, polyuria and vomiting leading to a marked dehydration. Biochemical data showed type 1 diabetes mellitus with ketoacidosis, and insulin therapy was started. The patient, who before starting PEG-IFN alpha plus ribavirin therapy tested negative for glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GADAb) and islet cell (ICAb) antibodies, became strongly positive for both autoimmune markers. This case confirms that patients with chronic hepatitis C who do not have baseline markers of pancreatic autoimmunity may develop severe ketoacidosis during treatment with PEG-IFNalpha, as well as with standard IFNalpha. In order to avoid this complication, as no guidelines are available and the pancreatic autoimmunity markers are not routinely analysed, we suggest frequent monitoring (e.g., every one to two weeks) of glycaemic values: e.g., every one to two weeks during the first 3 months (when this complication occurs most frequently) and monthly thereafter so as to identify diabetes at an early stage and before the onset of the appearance of severe ketoacidosis, which is life-threatening.

Treating chronic hepatitis B: today and tomorrow

Three hundred and fifty million people worldwide are estimated to be chronically infected with hepatitis B virus. 15-40% of these subjects will develop cirrhosis, liver failure or hepatocellular carcinoma during their life. The treatment of chronic hepatitis B has improved dramatically over the last decade thanks to the advent of nucleoside/nucleotide analogues and the use of pegylated interferons. However, these agents have increased the complexity of the management of hepatitis B. Five drugs have been approved for chronic hepatitis B treatment: standard interferon-alpha 2b, pegylated interferon-alpha 2a, lamivudine, adefovir dipivoxil, and entecavir. A definite course of standard or pegylated interferon is administered to induce hepatitis B virus clearance. Unfortunately, these agents are not effective in all patients and are associated with not negligible side effects. Nucleoside or nucleotide analogues that inhibit hepatitis B virus polymerase induce on-treatment suppression of viral replication but patients tend to relapse after cessation of treatment. Consequently, these analogues, which are well tolerated, should be used for prolonged periods, even indefinitely. However, prolonged treatment is associated with a high rate of resistance. The following anti-hepatitis B virus drugs are currently undergoing clinical testing: telbivudine, emtricitabine, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, clevudine and thymosin-+/-1. Here we will examine the mechanism of action, efficacy, safety, tolerability and emergence of resistance of agents used to treat chronic hepatitis B. We shall also examine the potential of drugs now being tested and of combination treatment.

Intrahepatic cholestatic jaundice related to administration of ranitidine. A case report with histologic and ultramicroscopic study

Ranitidine may cause liver injuries ranging from transient, subclinical serum transaminases increase every 100-1,000 treated patients to cholestatic hepatitis in less than 1/100,000. Other H2-receptor antagonists are more dangerous: 11 toxic hepatitis cases have been reported as adverse effect after 1 year of marketed ebrotidine. A 75-year-old male with ischemic cardiopathy history was started on an 8 days treatment of oral ranitidine due to pirosis, without any other changes of therapy; 48 h after drug withdrawal, light-coloured stools, dark urine and icteric scleras developed. On hospital admission, 10 days later, physical examination showed slight hepatomegaly and severe jaundice with skin excoriations followed by serum mixed bilirubin further increase and aminotransferases activities mild rise. Total bilirubin peaked at 381.33 mmol/l (5.1-17.1) and progressively returned to normal, after discharge home, in 3 months and now, 1 year later, there is no sign of liver disease. Ultrasonographic biliary anomalies and the most frequent causes of liver damage were excluded. Liver biopsy confirmed ranitidine as the most likely cause of liver toxicity since histological and ultramicroscopical study revealed a drug-induced picture. We report a rare case of intrahepatic cholestasis jaundice related to ranitidine, a widely used drug. Diagnosis would need an ethically unacceptable rechallange test.

[Cystic echinococcosis in humans: our clinic experience]

Echinococcosis in humans is a zoonotic infection caused by larval stages of cestode species of the Echinococcus genus. In cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by Echinococcus granulosus, the liver is the first and the more frequent involved organ, followed by the lung. Heart, spleen, kidney and brain are usually less involved. The finding of a cyst in course of echinococcosis is usually fortuitous, during ultrasound examination, X-ray or CT. The Authors report 4 cases of human CE admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases University of Naples "Federico II". Each case is peculiar both for the organ involved by the cysts and for the symptomatolgy. The abdominal pain, in case 1 caused by gallstones, allowed, by the ultrasound examination, to find several hydatid cysts in the liver, never symptomatic until then. The woman, in case 2, was operated for cysts in the lung, without receiving pharmacological prophylaxis. The same occurred in case 4, in which the lack of prophylaxis caused very serious relapses. In case 3, the young woman underwent an ultrasound examination because of an abdominal pain. A unique large cyst extended only in the spleen. The specific serology for immunoglobulin anti-E. granulosus resulted positive 1:61 (n.v. < 50). The Albendazole therapy caused the disappareance of pain, quickly. Later, the patient was splenectomized. It's not clear why only the spleen was involved and why the anti-E. granulosus serum levels of were increased only a little. The man, in case 4, was admitted with chest pain and electrocardiographic findings of myocardial anterior ischemia. He underwent surgical treatment of three hepatic cysts by E. granulosus, during the previous year. Two-dimensional echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography, and cardiac magnetic resonance revealed a round cystic mass, 6 x 6 mm, located in the middle interventricular septum. The cardiac isoenzymes were in the normal ranges, but the anti-E. granulosus immunoglobulins were positive 1:5120 (n.v. < 64). The patient was treated with Albendazole. This caused the almost simultaneous disappearance of the circular cystic and clinical and electrocardiographic findings of myocardial ischemia. A cardiac hydatid cyst is an uncommon lesion, occurring in about 0.4-2% of patients with echinococcosis. In conclusion, Cystic echinococcosis is a problem in Mediterranean regions because of the high population of stray dogs, favourable conditions created by man and, above all, the illegal slaughtering.

HIV and Hepatitis C Virus: Facts and Controversies

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection occurs in about one-third of HIV-seropositive patients and in about 90% of HIV-positive drug abusers. After the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and the subsequent reduction in mortality from opportunistic infections, HCV-related liver failure has become a frequent cause of death in HIV-positive patients. In HIV-seropositive patients, the course of HCV infection is accelerated and there is evidence that HCV is an important factor for HIV progression. Consequently, it is important to establish the appropriate treatment for HCV infection in HIV-seropositive patients. This review examines the epidemiology, physiopathology, diagnostics and treatment of HIV/HCV coinfection with particular regard to the impact of HAART.

Multivariate discriminant function based on six biochemical markers in blood can predict the cirrhotic evolution of chronic hepatitis

BACKGROUND

Serologic markers have been proposed for monitoring hepatic fibrosis in chronic active liver disease. Because none of these markers, when used singly, is totally satisfactory, we developed and evaluated a multivariate approach.

METHODS

We studied two cohorts of chronic hepatitis (54 patients) and cirrhosis patients (49 patients) to identify a panel of biochemical markers that discriminates between the two diseases. Using multivariate discriminant analysis, we selected a function, based on the concentrations of six biochemical markers (fibronectin, prothrombin, pseudocholinesterase, alanine aminotransferase, manganese superoxide dismutase, and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase). We then prospectively validated this function on a second temporal cohort of patients.

RESULTS

Multivariate discriminant analysis correctly classified 93.7% of patients (94.3% of chronic hepatitis and 92.9% of cirrhosis patients) in the first cohort and 85% of patients (89.5% of chronic hepatitis patients and 81% of cirrhosis patients) in the second cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Discriminant analysis of results of six inexpensive biochemical markers provides a high predictive value for differentiation between liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis. Consequently, these biochemical markers condensed into a multivariate discriminant analysis value for each patient provide information that can be contributory for subsequent options during the evolution of the natural history of chronic hepatitis.

Myasthenia gravis during low-dose IFN-alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis C

We describe the case of a 56-year-old man who had high aminotransferase levels and anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies. He underwent liver biopsy and biochemical screening to evaluate whether he would benefit from interferon (IFN) treatment. The patient was discharged with a diagnosis of HCV-related active chronic hepatitis, skin porphyria, and type 2 diabetes. On December 5, 1995, he began therapy with recombinant IFN-alpha at a dose of 3 MIU three times a week. He stopped this therapy in February 1996 because of asthenia, diplopia, headache, and anxiety. During IFN therapy, he had normal aminotransferase levels and no detectable HCV RNA, a condition that persists to the present. Between March and May 1996, the patient was admitted several times to a neurology clinic, where myasthenia gravis was diagnosed and treatment with pyridostigmine and cyclosporine was initiated. This case and others indicate that caution should be exercised in administering IFN because low doses can be correlated with myasthenia gravis in patients without malignancies.

A case of paracoccidioidomycosis: experience with long-term therapy

We describe long-term therapy for paracoccidioidomycosis occurring in a 61-year-old house-painter from Venezuela. The diagnostic examinations made in South America had shown pulmonary granulomatous lesions and an osteolytic pattern of the left knee that had been considered suspect of malignant disease with an indication for limb amputation. With the aid of fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and culture examination we diagnosed an osteomyelitis by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and initiated therapy with itraconazole, 400 mg per day, reduced to 200 mg per day after 2 months. At the end of 2 years of drug therapy, we observed complete regression of the pulmonary lesions and of the osteolytic area of the left knee. Moreover, we have periodically observed our patient to verify his clinical development and he is still in good health. We suggest that this pathology be considered in differential diagnosis of leprosy, tuberculosis, leishmaniasis, and systemic mycoses, even in non-endemic areas.