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Venturini S, Orso D, Cugini F, Martin F, Boccato C, De Santi L, Pontoni E, Tomasella S, Nicotra F, Grembiale A, Tonizzo M, Grazioli S, Fossati S, Callegari A, del Fabro G, Crapis M. Home management of COVID-19 symptomatic patients: a safety study on COVID committed home medical teams. Infez Med 2022; 30:412-417. [PMID: 36148166 PMCID: PMC9448320 DOI: 10.53854/liim-3003-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
To reduce the overburden in the hospital, during the COVID-19 pandemic, some "COVID Committed Home Medical Teams" (CCHTs) were created in Italy. These units consist of a small pool of general practitioners who aim to evaluate all patients with COVID-19 who require a medical examination directly at home. After the first visit (which can end with patient hospitalisation or home management), CCHTs periodically monitor the patients' clinical conditions and vital signs (usually a revaluation every 24-48 hours, except for a sudden worsening). However, this strategy - which reduces the pressure on hospitals - has never been evaluated for patient safety. Our study aims to determine whether a home-based monitoring and treatment strategy for non-severe COVID-19 patients was safe as direct hospital admission by the emergency department. We conducted a retrospective observational study about 1,182 patients admitted to the hospital for COVID-19 between September 2020 and April 2021, confronting in-hospital and 30-day mortality in both CCHT-referred (n=275) and directly admitted by emergency department (n=907). Patients assessed by the CCHT had lower in-hospital and 30-day mortality (18% vs 28%, p=0.001; and 20% vs 30%, p=0.002); but, in the propensity score matching comparison, there was no characteristic between the two groups turned out significantly different. CCHT did not correlate with in-hospital or 30-day mortality. CCHT is a safe strategy to reduce hospital overburden for COVID-19 during pandemic surges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Venturini
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASFO “Santa Maria degli Angeli” Hospital of Pordenone, Italy
| | - Daniele Orso
- Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, ASUFC “Santa Maria della Misericordia” University Hospital of Udine, Italy
| | - Francesco Cugini
- Department of Emergency Medicine, ASUFC Hospital of San Daniele, Udine, Italy
| | - Francesco Martin
- Committed Home Medical Teams; ASFO “Santa Maria degli Angeli” Hospital of Pordenone, Italy
| | - Cecilia Boccato
- Committed Home Medical Teams; ASFO “Santa Maria degli Angeli” Hospital of Pordenone, Italy
| | - Laura De Santi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, ASFO “Santa Maria degli Angeli” Hospital of Pordenone, Italy
| | - Elisa Pontoni
- Department of Emergency Medicine, ASFO “Santa Maria degli Angeli” Hospital of Pordenone, Italy
| | - Silvia Tomasella
- Department of Emergency Medicine, ASFO “Santa Maria degli Angeli” Hospital of Pordenone, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Nicotra
- Department of Emergency Medicine, ASFO “Santa Maria degli Angeli” Hospital of Pordenone, Italy
| | - Alessandro Grembiale
- Department of Medicine, ASFO “Santa Maria degli Angeli” Hospital of Pordenone, Italy
| | - Maurizio Tonizzo
- Department of Medicine, ASFO “Santa Maria degli Angeli” Hospital of Pordenone, Italy
| | - Silvia Grazioli
- Department of Medicine, ASFO “Santa Maria degli Angeli” Hospital of Pordenone, Italy
| | - Sara Fossati
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASFO “Santa Maria degli Angeli” Hospital of Pordenone, Italy
| | - Astrid Callegari
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASFO “Santa Maria degli Angeli” Hospital of Pordenone, Italy
| | - Giovanni del Fabro
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASFO “Santa Maria degli Angeli” Hospital of Pordenone, Italy
| | - Massimo Crapis
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASFO “Santa Maria degli Angeli” Hospital of Pordenone, Italy
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2
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Venturini S, Avolio M, Fossati S, Callegari A, De Rosa R, Basso B, Zanusso C, Orso D, Cugini F, Crapis M. Antimicrobial Stewardship in the Covid-19 Pandemic. Hosp Pharm 2022; 57:416-418. [PMID: 35898252 PMCID: PMC9310298 DOI: 10.1177/00185787221075190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
During COVID-19 pandemic, implementing and maintaining an antimicrobial stewardship protocol obtained both low rates of MDR microorganisms and low antimicrobial use in an 800-bed hospital network in northern Italy. Infectious diseases specialist consulting was crucial to maintain this protocol active.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Venturini
- Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital Pordenone, Pordenone, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
| | - Manuela Avolio
- Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital Pordenone, Pordenone, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
| | - Sara Fossati
- Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital Pordenone, Pordenone, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
| | - Astrid Callegari
- Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital Pordenone, Pordenone, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
| | - Rita De Rosa
- Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital Pordenone, Pordenone, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
| | - Barbara Basso
- Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital Pordenone, Pordenone, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
| | - Chiara Zanusso
- Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital Pordenone, Pordenone, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
| | - Daniele Orso
- Santa Maria della Misericordia University Hospital, Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
| | | | - Massimo Crapis
- Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital Pordenone, Pordenone, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
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3
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Esposito S, Pagliano P, De Simone G, Pan A, Brambilla P, Gattuso G, Mastroianni C, Kertusha B, Contini C, Massoli L, Francisci D, Priante G, Libanore M, Bicocchi R, Borgia G, Maraolo AE, Brugnaro P, Panese S, Calabresi A, Amendola G, Savalli F, Geraci C, Tedesco A, Fossati S, Carretta A, Santantonio T, Cenderello G, Crisalli MP, Schiaroli E, Rovere P, Masini G, Ferretto R, Cascio A, Colomba C, Gioè C, Tumbarello M, Losito AR, Foti G, Prestileo T, Buscemi C, Iaria C, Iacobello C, Sonia S, Starnini G, Ialungo A, Sapienza M. Epidemiology, aetiology and treatment of skin and soft tissue infections: final report of a prospective multicentre national registry. J Chemother 2022; 34:524-533. [DOI: 10.1080/1120009x.2022.2075170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Silvano Esposito
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Pasquale Pagliano
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Giuseppe De Simone
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Angelo Pan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituti Ospitalieri of Cremona, Cremona, Italy
| | - Paola Brambilla
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituti Ospitalieri of Cremona, Cremona, Italy
| | - Gianni Gattuso
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantova, Italy
| | - Claudio Mastroianni
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University, Latina, Italy
| | - Blertha Kertusha
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University, Latina, Italy
| | - Carlo Contini
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Infectious Diseases and Dermatology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Massoli
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Infectious Diseases and Dermatology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Daniela Francisci
- Infectious Diseases Clinic, University Hospital “S. Maria”, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Giulia Priante
- Infectious Diseases Clinic, University Hospital “S. Maria”, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Marco Libanore
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, S. Anna University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Roberto Bicocchi
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, S. Anna University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Guglielmo Borgia
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Albert Enrico Maraolo
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Brugnaro
- Infectious Diseases Department, Ospedale Civile “SS. Giovanni e Paolo”, Venice, Italy
| | - Sandro Panese
- Infectious Diseases Department, Ospedale Civile “SS. Giovanni e Paolo”, Venice, Italy
| | - Alessandra Calabresi
- Emergency Department, Hospital “Santi Antonio e Biagio e C. Arrigo”, Alessandria, Italy
| | - Giovanni Amendola
- Emergency Department, Hospital “Santi Antonio e Biagio e C. Arrigo”, Alessandria, Italy
| | | | - Consuelo Geraci
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital of Trapani, Trapani, Italy
| | - Andrea Tedesco
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital Fracastoro San Bonifacio, Verona, Italy
| | - Sara Fossati
- Infectious Diseases Unit, University Hospital of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Anna Carretta
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital “Ospedali Riuniti” of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Teresa Santantonio
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital “Ospedali Riuniti” of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | | | | | - Elisabetta Schiaroli
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Giulia Masini
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Legnago Hospital, Verona, Italy
| | - Roberto Ferretto
- Infectious Diseases Unit, “Alto Vicentino” Santorso Hospital, Vicenza, Italy
| | - Antonio Cascio
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Universita degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Claudia Colomba
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Universita degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Claudia Gioè
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Universita degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Mario Tumbarello
- Institute of Infectious Diseases, Foundation Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Cattolica del Sacro Cuore University, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Raffaella Losito
- Institute of Infectious Diseases, Foundation Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Cattolica del Sacro Cuore University, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Foti
- Infetious Diseases Unit, “Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli” Hospital, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | | | | | - Chiara Iaria
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Arnas Civico Hospital, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Sofia Sonia
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Cannizzaro Hospital, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Anna Ialungo
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Belcolle Hospital, Viterbo, Italy
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Venturini S, Reffo I, Sagnelli V, Avolio M, Fossati S, Callegari A, DE Rosa R, Pellis T, Nadalin G, Crapis M. COVID-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis. A real problem? Minerva Anestesiol 2022; 88:314-315. [PMID: 35410106 DOI: 10.23736/s0375-9393.21.16214-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Venturini
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital, Azienda per i Servizi Sanitari Friuli Occidentale, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Ingrid Reffo
- Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Santa Maria dei Battuti Hospital, Azienda per i Servizi Sanitari Friuli Occidentale, San Vito al Tagliamento, Pordenone, Italy -
| | - Vincenzo Sagnelli
- Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital, Azienda per i Servizi Sanitari Friuli Occidentale, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Manuela Avolio
- Unit of Microbiology, Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital, Azienda per i Servizi Sanitari Friuli Occidentale, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Sara Fossati
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital, Azienda per i Servizi Sanitari Friuli Occidentale, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Astrid Callegari
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital, Azienda per i Servizi Sanitari Friuli Occidentale, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Rita DE Rosa
- Unit of Microbiology, Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital, Azienda per i Servizi Sanitari Friuli Occidentale, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Tommaso Pellis
- Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital, Azienda per i Servizi Sanitari Friuli Occidentale, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Gabriella Nadalin
- Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Santa Maria dei Battuti Hospital, Azienda per i Servizi Sanitari Friuli Occidentale, San Vito al Tagliamento, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Massimo Crapis
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital, Azienda per i Servizi Sanitari Friuli Occidentale, Pordenone, Italy
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Venturini S, Cugini F, Orso D, Crapis M, Fossati S, Callegari A, Pontoni E, De Santi L, Arcidiacono D, Lugano M, Vetrugno L, Bove T. Acute kidney injury and single-dose administration of aminoglycoside in the Emergency Department: a comparison through propensity score matching. G Ital Nefrol 2021; 38:38-03-2021-07. [PMID: 34169695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: According to the Surviving Sepsis Campaign, aminoglycosides (AG) can be administered together with a β-lactam in patients with septic shock. Some authors propose administering a single dose of an AG combined with a β-lactam antibiotic in septic patients to extend the spectrum of antibiotic therapy. The aim of this study has been to investigate whether a single shot of AG when septic patients present at the Emergency Department (ED) is associated with acute kidney injury (AKI). Methods: We retrospectively enrolled patients based on a 3-year internal registry of septic patients visited in the Emergency Department (ED) of Pordenone Hospital. We compared the patients treated with a single dose of gentamicin (in addition to the β-lactam) and those who had not been treated to verify AKI incidence. Results: 355 patients were enrolled. The median age was 71 years (IQR 60-78). Less than 1% of the patients had a chronic renal disease. The most frequent infection source was the urinary tract (31%), followed by intra-abdominal and lower respiratory tract infections (15% for both). 131 patients received gentamicin. Unmatched data showed a significant difference between the two groups in AKI (79/131, 60.3% versus 102/224, 45.5%; p=0.010) and in infectious disease specialist's consultation (77/131, 59% versus 93/224, 41.5%; p=0.002). However, after propensity score matching, no significant difference was found. Conclusion: Our experience shows that a single-shot administration of gentamicin upon admission to the ED does not determine an increased incidence of AKI in septic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Venturini
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASFO Hospital of Pordenone, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Francesco Cugini
- Department of Emergency Medicine, ASUFC Hospital of San Daniele, San Daniele (UD), Italy
| | - Daniele Orso
- Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy; Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, ASUFC Hospital of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Massimo Crapis
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASFO Hospital of Pordenone, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Sara Fossati
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASFO Hospital of Pordenone, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Astrid Callegari
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASFO Hospital of Pordenone, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Elisa Pontoni
- Department of Emergency Medicine, ASFO Hospital of Pordenone, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Laura De Santi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, ASFO Hospital of Pordenone, Pordenone, Italy
| | | | - Manuela Lugano
- Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy; Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, ASUFC Hospital of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Luigi Vetrugno
- Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy; Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, ASUFC Hospital of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Tiziana Bove
- Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy; Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, ASUFC Hospital of Udine, Udine, Italy
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Venturini S, Orso D, Cugini F, Crapis M, Fossati S, Callegari A, Pellis T, Tomasello DC, Tonizzo M, Grembiale A, D'Andrea N, Vetrugno L, Bove T. Artificial neural network model from a case series of COVID-19 patients: a prognostic analysis. Acta Biomed 2021; 92:e2021202. [PMID: 33988146 PMCID: PMC8182608 DOI: 10.23750/abm.v92i2.11086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM There is a need to determine which clinical variables predict the severity of COVID-19. We analyzed a series of critically ill COVID-19 patients to see if any of our dataset's clinical variables were associated with patient outcomes. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the data of COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU of the Hospital in Pordenone from March 11, 2020, to April 17, 2020. Patients' characteristics of survivors and deceased groups were compared. The variables with a different distribution between the two groups were implemented in a generalized linear regression model (LM) and in an Artificial Neural Network (NN) model to verify the "robustness" of the association with mortality. RESULTS In the considered period, we reviewed the data of 22 consecutive patients: 8 died. The causes of death were a severe respiratory failure (3), multi-organ failure (1), septic shock (1), pulmonary thromboembolism (2), severe hemorrhage (1). Lymphocyte and the platelet count were significantly lower in the group of deceased patients (p-value 0.043 and 0.020, respectively; cut-off values: 660/mm3; 280,000/mm3, respectively). Prothrombin time showed a statistically significant trend (p-value= 0.065; cut-off point: 16.8/sec). The LM model (AIC= 19.032), compared to the NN model (Mean Absolute Error, MAE = 0.02), was substantially alike (MSE 0.159 vs. 0.136). CONCLUSIONS In the context of critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU, lymphocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, and lengthening of prothrombin time were strictly correlated with higher mortality. Additional clinical data are needed to be able to validate this prognostic score.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Venturini
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASFO Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital of Pordenone, Pordenone, Italy.
| | - Daniele Orso
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy; Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, ASUFC Santa Maria della Misericordia University Hospital of Udine, Udine, Italy.
| | - Francesco Cugini
- Department of Emergency Medicine, ASUFC Hospital of San Daniele, Udine, Italy.
| | - Massimo Crapis
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASFO Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital of Pordenone, Pordenone, Italy.
| | - Sara Fossati
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASFO Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital of Pordenone, Pordenone, Italy.
| | - Astrid Callegari
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASFO Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital of Pordenone, Pordenone, Italy.
| | - Tommaso Pellis
- Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, ASFO Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital of Pordenone, Pordenone, Italy.
| | - Dario Carmelo Tomasello
- Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, ASFO Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital of Pordenone, Pordenone, Italy.
| | - Maurizio Tonizzo
- Department of Internal Medicine, ASFO Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital of Pordenone, Pordenone, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Grembiale
- Department of Internal Medicine, ASFO Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital of Pordenone, Pordenone, Italy.
| | - Natascia D'Andrea
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy; Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, ASUFC Santa Maria della Misericordia University Hospital of Udine, Udine, Italy.
| | - Luigi Vetrugno
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy; Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, ASUFC Santa Maria della Misericordia University Hospital of Udine, Udine, Italy.
| | - Tiziana Bove
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy; Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, ASUFC Santa Maria della Misericordia University Hospital of Udine, Udine, Italy.
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7
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Venturini S, Orso D, Cugini F, Crapis M, Fossati S, Callegari A, Pellis T, Tonizzo M, Grembiale A, Rosso A, Tamburrini M, D'Andrea N, Vetrugno L, Bove T. Classification and analysis of outcome predictors in non-critically ill COVID-19 patients. Intern Med J 2021; 51:506-514. [PMID: 33835685 PMCID: PMC8250466 DOI: 10.1111/imj.15140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Background Early detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2)‐infected patients who could develop a severe form of COVID‐19 must be considered of great importance to carry out adequate care and optimise the use of limited resources. Aims To use several machine learning classification models to analyse a series of non‐critically ill COVID‐19 patients admitted to a general medicine ward to verify if any clinical variables recorded could predict the clinical outcome. Methods We retrospectively analysed non‐critically ill patients with COVID‐19 admitted to the general ward of the hospital in Pordenone from 1 March 2020 to 30 April 2020. Patients' characteristics were compared based on clinical outcomes. Through several machine learning classification models, some predictors for clinical outcome were detected. Results In the considered period, we analysed 176 consecutive patients admitted: 119 (67.6%) were discharged, 35 (19.9%) dead and 22 (12.5%) were transferred to intensive care unit. The most accurate models were a random forest model (M2) and a conditional inference tree model (M5) (accuracy = 0.79; 95% confidence interval 0.64–0.90, for both). For M2, glomerular filtration rate and creatinine were the most accurate predictors for the outcome, followed by age and fraction‐inspired oxygen. For M5, serum sodium, body temperature and arterial pressure of oxygen and inspiratory fraction of oxygen ratio were the most reliable predictors. Conclusions In non‐critically ill COVID‐19 patients admitted to a medical ward, glomerular filtration rate, creatinine and serum sodium were promising predictors for the clinical outcome. Some factors not determined by COVID‐19, such as age or dementia, influence clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Venturini
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASFO Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital of Pordenone, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Daniele Orso
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy.,Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, ASUFC Santa Maria della Misericordia University Hospital of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Francesco Cugini
- Department of Emergency Medicine, ASUFC Hospital of San Daniele, Udine, Italy
| | - Massimo Crapis
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASFO Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital of Pordenone, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Sara Fossati
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASFO Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital of Pordenone, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Astrid Callegari
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASFO Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital of Pordenone, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Tommaso Pellis
- Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, ASFO Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital of Pordenone, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Maurizio Tonizzo
- Department of Internal Medicine, ASFO Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital of Pordenone, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Alessandro Grembiale
- Department of Internal Medicine, ASFO Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital of Pordenone, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Alessia Rosso
- Department of Internal Medicine, ASFO Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital of Pordenone, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Mario Tamburrini
- Department of Pneumology, ASFO Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital of Pordenone, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Natascia D'Andrea
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy.,Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, ASUFC Santa Maria della Misericordia University Hospital of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Luigi Vetrugno
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy.,Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, ASUFC Santa Maria della Misericordia University Hospital of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Tiziana Bove
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy.,Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, ASUFC Santa Maria della Misericordia University Hospital of Udine, Udine, Italy
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8
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Granata G, Petrosillo N, Adamoli L, Bartoletti M, Bartoloni A, Basile G, Bassetti M, Bonfanti P, Borromeo R, Ceccarelli G, De Luca AM, Di Bella S, Fossati S, Franceschini E, Gentile I, Giacobbe DR, Giacometti E, Ingrassia F, Lagi F, Lobreglio G, Lombardi A, Lupo LI, Luzzati R, Maraolo AE, Mikulska M, Mondelli MU, Mularoni A, Mussini C, Oliva A, Pandolfo A, Rogati C, Trapani FF, Venditti M, Viale P, Caraffa E, Cataldo MA. Prospective Study on Incidence, Risk Factors and Outcome of Recurrent Clostridioides difficile Infections. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10051127. [PMID: 33800334 PMCID: PMC7962640 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10051127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Limited and wide-ranging data are available on the recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (rCDI) incidence rate. Methods: We performed a cohort study with the aim to assess the incidence of and risk factors for rCDI. Adult patients with a first CDI, hospitalized in 15 Italian hospitals, were prospectively included and followed-up for 30 d after the end of antimicrobial treatment for their first CDI. A case–control study was performed to identify risk factors associated with 30-day onset rCDI. Results: Three hundred nine patients with a first CDI were included in the study; 32% of the CDI episodes (99/309) were severe/complicated; complete follow-up was available for 288 patients (19 died during the first CDI episode, and 2 were lost during follow-up). At the end of the study, the crude all-cause mortality rate was 10.7% (33 deaths/309 patients). Two hundred seventy-one patients completed the follow-up; rCDI occurred in 21% of patients (56/271) with an incidence rate of 72/10,000 patient-days. Logistic regression analysis identified exposure to cephalosporin as an independent risk factor associated with rCDI (RR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1–2.7, p = 0.03). Conclusion: Our study confirms the relevance of rCDI in terms of morbidity and mortality and provides a reliable estimation of its incidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Granata
- Clinical and Research Department for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy; (G.G.); (E.C.); (M.A.C.)
| | - Nicola Petrosillo
- Clinical and Research Department for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy; (G.G.); (E.C.); (M.A.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0655-170-432
| | - Lucia Adamoli
- Infectious Diseases ISMETT IRCCS, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (L.A.); (A.M.D.L.); (A.M.)
| | - Michele Bartoletti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Alma Mater Studiorum”, IRCCS S. Orsola Teaching Hospital, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.B.); (F.F.T.); (P.V.)
| | - Alessandro Bartoloni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy; (A.B.); (G.B.); (F.L.)
| | - Gregorio Basile
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy; (A.B.); (G.B.); (F.L.)
| | - Matteo Bassetti
- Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, 16126 Genoa, Italy; (M.B.); (D.R.G.); (M.M.)
- Infectious Diseases Unit, San Martino Polyclinic Hospital—IRCCS, 16132 Genoa, Italy
- Infectious Diseases Clinic, Department of Medicine University of Udine and Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy;
| | - Paolo Bonfanti
- Department of Infectious Diseases, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza—University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy;
| | | | - Giancarlo Ceccarelli
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (A.O.); (M.V.)
| | - Anna Maria De Luca
- Infectious Diseases ISMETT IRCCS, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (L.A.); (A.M.D.L.); (A.M.)
| | - Stefano Di Bella
- Infectious Diseases Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste, 34128 Trieste, Italy; (S.D.B.); (S.F.); (R.L.)
| | - Sara Fossati
- Infectious Diseases Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste, 34128 Trieste, Italy; (S.D.B.); (S.F.); (R.L.)
| | - Erica Franceschini
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy; (E.F.); (C.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Ivan Gentile
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (I.G.); (A.E.M.)
| | - Daniele Roberto Giacobbe
- Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, 16126 Genoa, Italy; (M.B.); (D.R.G.); (M.M.)
- Infectious Diseases Unit, San Martino Polyclinic Hospital—IRCCS, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Enrica Giacometti
- Infectious Diseases Clinic, Department of Medicine University of Udine and Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy;
| | | | - Filippo Lagi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy; (A.B.); (G.B.); (F.L.)
| | | | - Andrea Lombardi
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (A.L.); (M.U.M.)
| | | | - Roberto Luzzati
- Infectious Diseases Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste, 34128 Trieste, Italy; (S.D.B.); (S.F.); (R.L.)
| | - Alberto Enrico Maraolo
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (I.G.); (A.E.M.)
| | - Malgorzata Mikulska
- Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, 16126 Genoa, Italy; (M.B.); (D.R.G.); (M.M.)
- Infectious Diseases Unit, San Martino Polyclinic Hospital—IRCCS, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Mario Umberto Mondelli
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (A.L.); (M.U.M.)
| | - Alessandra Mularoni
- Infectious Diseases ISMETT IRCCS, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (L.A.); (A.M.D.L.); (A.M.)
| | - Cristina Mussini
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy; (E.F.); (C.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Alessandra Oliva
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (A.O.); (M.V.)
| | | | - Carlotta Rogati
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy; (E.F.); (C.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Filippo Fabio Trapani
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Alma Mater Studiorum”, IRCCS S. Orsola Teaching Hospital, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.B.); (F.F.T.); (P.V.)
| | - Mario Venditti
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (A.O.); (M.V.)
| | - Pierluigi Viale
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Alma Mater Studiorum”, IRCCS S. Orsola Teaching Hospital, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.B.); (F.F.T.); (P.V.)
| | - Emanuela Caraffa
- Clinical and Research Department for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy; (G.G.); (E.C.); (M.A.C.)
| | - Maria Adriana Cataldo
- Clinical and Research Department for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy; (G.G.); (E.C.); (M.A.C.)
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Cataldo M, Granata G, Caraffa E, Adamoli L, Borromeo R, Fossati S, Franceschini E, Giacobbe D, Giacometti E, Lagi F, Lombardi A, Oliva A, Pandolfo A, Trapani F, Petrosillo N. Recurrence of Clostridioides difficile infection: A multicenter study on incidence and risk factors. Int J Infect Dis 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.09.718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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10
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Giacobbe DR, Saffioti C, Losito AR, Rinaldi M, Aurilio C, Bolla C, Boni S, Borgia G, Carannante N, Cassola G, Ceccarelli G, Corcione S, Dalla Gasperina D, De Rosa FG, Dentone C, Di Bella S, Di Lauria N, Feasi M, Fiore M, Fossati S, Franceschini E, Gori A, Granata G, Grignolo S, Grossi PA, Guadagnino G, Lagi F, Maraolo AE, Marinò V, Mazzitelli M, Mularoni A, Oliva A, Pace MC, Parisini A, Patti F, Petrosillo N, Pota V, Raffaelli F, Rossi M, Santoro A, Tascini C, Torti C, Trecarichi EM, Venditti M, Viale P, Signori A, Bassetti M, Del Bono V, Giannella M, Mikulska M, Tumbarello M, Viscoli C. Use of colistin in adult patients: A cross-sectional study. J Glob Antimicrob Resist 2019; 20:43-49. [PMID: 31207379 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2019.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to assess colistin use in a country endemic for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDR-GNB). METHODS Colistin prescription patterns were evaluated in 22 Italian centres. Factors associated with use of colistin in combination with other anti-MDR-GNB agents were also assessed. RESULTS A total of 221 adults receiving colistin were included in the study. Their median age was 64 years (interquartile range 52-73 years) and 134 (61%) were male. Colistin was mostly administered intravenously (203/221; 92%) and mainly for targeted therapy (168/221; 76%). The most frequent indications for colistin therapy were bloodstream infection and lower respiratory tract infection. Intravenous colistin was administered in combination with at least another anti-MDR-GNB agent in 80% of cases (163/203). A loading dose of 9 MU of colistimethate was administered in 79% of patients receiving i.v. colistin and adequate maintenance doses in 85%. In multivariable analysis, empirical therapy [odds ratio (OR) = 3.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24-8.53;P = 0.017] and targeted therapy for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales infection (OR = 4.76, 95% CI 1.69-13.43; P = 0.003) were associated with use of colistin in combination with other agents, whilst chronic renal failure (OR = 0.39, 95% CI 0.17-0.88; P = 0.024) was associated with use of colistin monotherapy. CONCLUSION Colistin remains an important option for severe MDR-GNB infections when other treatments are not available. Despite inherent difficulties in optimising its use owing to peculiar pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic characteristics, colistin was mostly used appropriately in a country endemic for MDR-GNB.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carolina Saffioti
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Ospedale Policlinico San Martino-IRCCS, Genoa, Italy
| | - Angela Raffaella Losito
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Rinaldi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Infectious Diseases Unit, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Caterina Aurilio
- Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, Department of Women, Children, General and Specialistic Surgery, L. Vanvitelli University of Campania, Naples, Italy
| | - Cesare Bolla
- SC Malattie Infettive, ASO SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy
| | - Silvia Boni
- Divisione di Malattie Infettive, Ospedale Sant'Andrea, La Spezia, Italy
| | - Guglielmo Borgia
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Novella Carannante
- First Division of Infectious Diseases, Cotugno Hospital, AORN dei Colli, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cassola
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Galliera Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Ceccarelli
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Corcione
- Department of Medical Sciences, Infectious Diseases, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Daniela Dalla Gasperina
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Dentone
- Medical Department, Infectious Diseases Unit, Sanremo Hospital, Imperia, Italy
| | - Stefano Di Bella
- Infectious Diseases Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Di Lauria
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Marcello Feasi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Galliera Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Fiore
- Department of Anaesthesiological, Surgical and Emergency Sciences, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Naples, Italy
| | - Sara Fossati
- Infectious Diseases Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Erica Franceschini
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Andrea Gori
- University of Milan and Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Guido Granata
- Clinical and Research Department for Infectious Diseases, Severe and Immunedepression-Associated Infections Unit, National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Grignolo
- Divisione di Malattie Infettive, Ospedale Sant'Andrea, La Spezia, Italy
| | - Paolo Antonio Grossi
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | | | - Filippo Lagi
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Enrico Maraolo
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Maria Mazzitelli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, 'Magna Graecia' University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | | | - Alessandra Oliva
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy; IRCCS INM Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Maria Caterina Pace
- Department of Anaesthesiological, Surgical and Emergency Sciences, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Parisini
- SC Malattie Infettive, ASO SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy
| | - Francesca Patti
- Medical Department, Infectious Diseases Unit, Sanremo Hospital, Imperia, Italy
| | - Nicola Petrosillo
- Clinical and Research Department for Infectious Diseases, Severe and Immunedepression-Associated Infections Unit, National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Pota
- Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, Department of Women, Children, General and Specialistic Surgery, L. Vanvitelli University of Campania, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Raffaelli
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Marianna Rossi
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Antonella Santoro
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Carlo Tascini
- First Division of Infectious Diseases, Cotugno Hospital, AORN dei Colli, Naples, Italy
| | - Carlo Torti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, 'Magna Graecia' University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Enrico Maria Trecarichi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, 'Magna Graecia' University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Mario Venditti
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Viale
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Infectious Diseases Unit, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessio Signori
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Matteo Bassetti
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine and Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata, Udine, Italy
| | - Valerio Del Bono
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera S. Croce e Carle, Cuneo, Italy
| | - Maddalena Giannella
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Infectious Diseases Unit, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Malgorzata Mikulska
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Ospedale Policlinico San Martino-IRCCS, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mario Tumbarello
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Viscoli
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Ospedale Policlinico San Martino-IRCCS, Genoa, Italy
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Esposito S, De Simone G, Pan A, Brambilla P, Gattuso G, Mastroianni C, Kertusha B, Contini C, Massoli L, Francisci D, Priante G, Libanore M, Bicocchi R, Borgia G, Maraolo AE, Brugnaro P, Panese S, Calabresi A, Amendola G, Savalli F, Geraci C, Tedesco A, Fossati S, Carretta A, Santantonio T, Cenderello G, Crisalli MP, Schiaroli E, Rovere P, Masini G, Ferretto R, Cascio A, Colomba C, Gioè C, Tumbarello M, Losito AR, Foti G, Prestileo T, Buscemi C, Chiara I, Iacobello C, Sonia S, Starnini G, Ialungo A, Sapienza M. Epidemiology and Microbiology of Skin and Soft Tissue Infections: Preliminary Results of a National Registry. J Chemother 2018; 31:9-14. [PMID: 30508410 DOI: 10.1080/1120009x.2018.1536320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) represent a wide range of clinical conditions characterized by a considerable variety of clinical presentations and severity. Their aetiology can also vary, with numerous possible causative pathogens. While other authors previously published analyses on several types of SSTI and on restricted types of patients, we conducted a large nationwide surveillance programme on behalf of the Italian Society of Infectious and Tropical Diseases to assess the clinical and microbiological characteristics of the whole SSTI spectrum, from mild to severe life-threatening infections, in both inpatients and outpatients. Twenty-five Infectious Diseases (ID) Centres throughout Italy collected prospectively data concerning both the clinical and microbiological diagnosis of patients affected by SSTIs via an electronic case report form. All the cases included in our database, independently from their severity, have been managed by ID specialists joining the study while SSTIs from other wards/clinics have been excluded from this analysis. Here, we report the preliminary results of our study, referring to a 12-month period (October 2016-September 2017). During this period, the study population included 254 adult patients and a total of 291 SSTI diagnoses were posed, with 36 patients presenting more than one SSTIs. The type of infection diagnosed, the aetiological micro-organisms involved and some notes on their antimicrobial susceptibilities were collected and are reported herein. The enrichment of our registry is ongoing, but these preliminary results suggest that further analysis could soon provide useful information to better understand the national epidemiologic data and the current clinical management of SSTIs in Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvano Esposito
- a Department of Infectious Diseases , University of Salerno , Salerno , Italy
| | - Giuseppe De Simone
- a Department of Infectious Diseases , University of Salerno , Salerno , Italy
| | - Angelo Pan
- b Department of Infectious Diseases , Istituti Ospitalieri of Cremona , Cremona , Italy
| | - Paola Brambilla
- b Department of Infectious Diseases , Istituti Ospitalieri of Cremona , Cremona , Italy
| | - Gianno Gattuso
- c Department of Infectious Diseases , Carlo Poma Hospital , Mantova , Italy
| | - Claudio Mastroianni
- d Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases , Sapienza University , Latina , Italy
| | - Blerta Kertusha
- d Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases , Sapienza University , Latina , Italy
| | - Carlo Contini
- e Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Infectious Diseases and Dermatology , University of Ferrara , Ferrara , Italy
| | - Lorenzo Massoli
- e Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Infectious Diseases and Dermatology , University of Ferrara , Ferrara , Italy
| | - Daniela Francisci
- f Infectious Diseases Clinic, University Hospital "S. Maria" , University of Perugia , Perugia , Italy
| | - Giulia Priante
- f Infectious Diseases Clinic, University Hospital "S. Maria" , University of Perugia , Perugia , Italy
| | - Marco Libanore
- g Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases , S. Anna University Hospital , Ferrara , Italy
| | - Roberto Bicocchi
- g Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases , S. Anna University Hospital , Ferrara , Italy
| | - Guglielmo Borgia
- h Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Section of Infectious Diseases , University of Naples Federico II , Naples , Italy
| | - Alberto Enrico Maraolo
- h Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Section of Infectious Diseases , University of Naples Federico II , Naples , Italy
| | - Pierluigi Brugnaro
- i Infectious Diseases Department , Ospedale Civile "SS. Giovanni e Paolo" , Venice , Italy
| | - Sandro Panese
- i Infectious Diseases Department , Ospedale Civile "SS. Giovanni e Paolo" , Venice , Italy
| | - Alessandra Calabresi
- j Emergency Department , Hospital "Santi Antonio e Biagio e C. Arrigo" , Alessandria , Italy
| | - Giovanni Amendola
- j Emergency Department , Hospital "Santi Antonio e Biagio e C. Arrigo" , Alessandria , Italy
| | | | - Consuelo Geraci
- k Infectious Diseases Unit , Hospital of Trapani , Trapani , Italy
| | - Andrea Tedesco
- l Infectious Diseases Unit , Hospital Fracastoro San Bonifacio , Verona , Italy
| | - Sara Fossati
- m Infectious Diseases Unit , University Hospital of Trieste , Trieste , Italy
| | - Anna Carretta
- n Department of Infectious Diseases , University Hospital "Ospedali Riuniti" of Foggia , Foggia , Italy
| | - Teresa Santantonio
- n Department of Infectious Diseases , University Hospital "Ospedali Riuniti" of Foggia , Foggia , Italy
| | | | | | - Elisabetta Schiaroli
- p Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases , University of Perugia , Perugia , Italy
| | | | - Giulia Masini
- q Infectious Diseases Unit , Legnago Hospital , Verona , Italy
| | - Roberto Ferretto
- r Infectious Diseases Unit , "Alto Vicentino" Santorso Hospital , Vicenza , Italy
| | - Antonio Cascio
- s Infectious Diseases Unit , Università degli Studi di Palermo , Palermo , Italy
| | - Claudia Colomba
- s Infectious Diseases Unit , Università degli Studi di Palermo , Palermo , Italy
| | - Claudia Gioè
- s Infectious Diseases Unit , Università degli Studi di Palermo , Palermo , Italy
| | - Mario Tumbarello
- t Institute of Infectious Diseases , Foundation Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Cattolica del Sacro Cuore University , Rome , Italy
| | - Angela Raffaella Losito
- t Institute of Infectious Diseases , Foundation Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Cattolica del Sacro Cuore University , Rome , Italy
| | - Giuseppe Foti
- u Infetious Diseases Unit , "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli" Hospital , Reggio Calabria , Italy
| | - Tullio Prestileo
- v Infectious Diseases Unit , Arnas Civico Hospital , Palermo , Italy
| | - Calogero Buscemi
- v Infectious Diseases Unit , Arnas Civico Hospital , Palermo , Italy
| | - Iaria Chiara
- v Infectious Diseases Unit , Arnas Civico Hospital , Palermo , Italy
| | | | - Sofia Sonia
- w Infectious Diseases Unit , Cannizzaro Hospital , Catania , Italy
| | - Giulio Starnini
- x Infectious Diseases Unit , Belcolle Hospital , Viterbo , Italy
| | - Anna Ialungo
- x Infectious Diseases Unit , Belcolle Hospital , Viterbo , Italy
| | - Mauro Sapienza
- y UOC Medicina Interna , Ospedale Umberto I , Enna , Italy
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Crovetti G, Carabelli A, Berti E, Guizzardi M, Fossati S, De Filippo C, Bertani E. Photopheresis in Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma: Five-Year Experience. Int J Artif Organs 2018. [DOI: 10.1177/039139880002300109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- G. Crovetti
- Photopheresis Department, St. A. Abate Hospital, Gallarate
| | - A. Carabelli
- Photopheresis Department, St. A. Abate Hospital, Gallarate
| | - E. Berti
- Institute of Dermatological Science, IRCCS Maggiore Policlinico Hospital, University of Milano - Italy
| | - M. Guizzardi
- Institute of Dermatological Science, IRCCS Maggiore Policlinico Hospital, University of Milano - Italy
| | - S. Fossati
- Institute of Dermatological Science, IRCCS Maggiore Policlinico Hospital, University of Milano - Italy
| | - C. De Filippo
- Photopheresis Department, St. A. Abate Hospital, Gallarate
| | - E. Bertani
- Photopheresis Department, St. A. Abate Hospital, Gallarate
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Bluyssen PM, Roda C, Mandin C, Fossati S, Carrer P, de Kluizenaar Y, Mihucz VG, de Oliveira Fernandes E, Bartzis J. Self-reported health and comfort in 'modern' office buildings: first results from the European OFFICAIR study. Indoor Air 2016; 26:298-317. [PMID: 25727348 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2014] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In the European research project OFFICAIR, a procedure was developed to determine associations between characteristics of European offices and health and comfort of office workers, through a checklist and a self-administered questionnaire including environmental, physiological, psychological, and social aspects. This procedure was applied in 167 office buildings in eight European countries (Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, and Finland) during the winter of 2011-2012. About 26 735 survey invitation e-mails were sent, and 7441 office workers were included in the survey. Among respondents who rated an overall comfort less than 4 (23%), 'noise (other than from building systems)', air 'too dry', and temperature 'too variable' were the main complaints selected. An increase of perceived control over indoor climate was positively associated with the perceived indoor environment quality. Almost one-third of office workers suffered from dry eyes and headache in the last 4 weeks. Physical building characteristics were associated with occupants' overall satisfaction (acoustical solutions, mold growth, complaints procedure, cleaning activities) and health (number of occupants, lack of operable windows, presence of carpet and cleaning activities). OFFICAIR project provides a useful database to identify stressors related to indoor environmental quality and office worker's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- P M Bluyssen
- Section Climate Design, Department of Architectural Engineering & Technology, Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - C Roda
- Section Climate Design, Department of Architectural Engineering & Technology, Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - C Mandin
- CSTB (Scientific and Technical Centre for Building), Marne-la-Vallée, France
| | - S Fossati
- "L. Sacco" Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - P Carrer
- "L. Sacco" Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Y de Kluizenaar
- Department of Urban Environment and Safety, TNO (The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research), Delft, The Netherlands
| | - V G Mihucz
- Cooperative Research Centre of Environmental Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - J Bartzis
- University of Western Macedonia, Kozani, Greece
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14
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D'Alcamo A, Omeri E, Urso P, Fossati S, Coggiola M, Levizzani G, Musti M, Carrer P. [Assessment of comfort and health status of Call Center's workers]. G Ital Med Lav Ergon 2011; 33:348-350. [PMID: 23393873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Call Centers are workplaces in which there are a lot of occupational health hazards. METHODS The aim of the study was to investigate Call Center operators' health status, using: "Ambiente/Salute" questionnaire, VHI questionnaire, health surveillance data analysis. RESULTS "Negative" Microclimate rating: 68%; "negative" noise rating: 51%. "Negative" eye symptoms rating: 30%; "negative" postural disorders rating: 21%. "Negative" VHI value (over the limit of 30): 6%. CONCLUSIONS It's necessary to develop and validate an appropriate health surveillance protocol
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Affiliation(s)
- A D'Alcamo
- Dipartimento di Medicina del Lavoro, Azienda Ospedaliera L. Sacco, Università degli Studi di Milano.
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15
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Hozbor D, Mooi F, Flores D, Weltman G, Bottero D, Fossati S, Lara C, Gaillard M, Pianciola L, Zurita E, Fioriti A, Archuby D, Galas M, Binsztein N, Regueira M, Castuma C, Fingermann M, Graieb A. Pertussis epidemiology in Argentina: trends over 2004–2007. J Infect 2009; 59:225-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2009.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2009] [Revised: 07/14/2009] [Accepted: 07/17/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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16
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Fossati S, Cam J, Meyerson J, Mezhericher E, Romero IA, Couraud PO, Weksler BB, Ghiso J, Rostagno A. Differential activation of mitochondrial apoptotic pathways by vasculotropic amyloid-beta variants in cells composing the cerebral vessel walls. FASEB J 2009; 24:229-41. [PMID: 19770225 DOI: 10.1096/fj.09-139584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is an age-associated condition and a common finding in Alzheimer's disease in which amyloid-beta (Abeta) vascular deposits are featured in >80% of the cases. Familial Abeta variants bearing substitutions at positions 21-23 are primarily associated with CAA, although they manifest with strikingly different clinical phenotypes: cerebral hemorrhage or dementia. The recently reported Piedmont L34V Abeta mutant, located outside the hot spot 21-23, shows a similar hemorrhagic phenotype, albeit less aggressive than the widely studied Dutch E22Q variant. We monitored the apoptotic events occurring after stimulation of human brain microvascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells with nonfibrillar structures of both variants and wild-type Abeta40. Induction of analogous caspase-mediated mitochondrial pathways was elicited by all peptides, although within different time frames and intensity. Activated pathways were susceptible to pharmacological modulation either through direct inhibition of mitochondrial cytochrome c release or by the action of pan- and pathway-specific caspase inhibitors, giving a clear indication of the independent or synergistic engagement of both extrinsic and intrinsic mechanisms. Structural analyses of the Abeta peptides showed that apoptosis preceded fibril formation, correlating with the presence of oligomers and/or protofibrils. The data support the notion that rare genetic mutations constitute unique paradigms to understand the molecular pathogenesis of CAA.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Fossati
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
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17
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Balza E, Sassi F, Ventura E, Parodi A, Fossati S, Blalock W, Carnemolla B, Castellani P, Zardi L, Borsi L. A novel human fibronectin cryptic sequence unmasked by the insertion of the angiogenesis-associated extra type III domain B. Int J Cancer 2009; 125:751-8. [PMID: 19479996 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.24473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Enrica Balza
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genova, Italy
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18
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Ventura E, Sassi F, Fossati S, Parodi A, Blalock W, Balza E, Castellani P, Borsi L, Carnemolla B, Zardi L. Use of uteroglobin for the engineering of polyvalent, polyspecific fusion proteins. J Biol Chem 2009; 284:26646-54. [PMID: 19632988 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m109.025924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
We report a novel strategy to engineer and express stable and soluble human recombinant polyvalent/polyspecific fusion proteins. The procedure is based on the use of a central skeleton of uteroglobin, a small and very soluble covalently linked homodimeric protein that is very resistant to proteolytic enzymes and to pH variations. Using a human recombinant antibody (scFv) specific for the angiogenesis marker domain B of fibronectin, interleukin 2, and an scFv able to neutralize tumor necrosis factor-alpha, we expressed various biologically active uteroglobin fusion proteins. The results demonstrate the possibility to generate monospecific divalent and tetravalent antibodies, immunocytokines, and dual specificity tetravalent antibodies. Furthermore, compared with similar fusion proteins in which uteroglobin was not used, the use of uteroglobin improved properties of solubility and stability. Indeed, in the reported cases it was possible to vacuum dry and reconstitute the proteins without any aggregation or loss in protein and biological activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Ventura
- Laboratory of Recombinant Therapeutic Proteins, Advanced Biotechnology Centre, Istituto G Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
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Viana RJS, Nunes AF, Castro RE, Ramalho RM, Meyerson J, Fossati S, Ghiso J, Rostagno A, Rodrigues CMP. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid prevents E22Q Alzheimer's Abeta toxicity in human cerebral endothelial cells. Cell Mol Life Sci 2009; 66:1094-104. [PMID: 19189048 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-009-8746-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The vasculotropic E22Q mutant of the amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptide is associated with hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis Dutch type. The cellular mechanism(s) of toxicity and nature of the AbetaE22Q toxic assemblies are not completely understood. Comparative assessment of structural parameters and cell death mechanisms elicited in primary human cerebral endothelial cells by AbetaE22Q and wild-type Abeta revealed that only AbetaE22Q triggered the Bax mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. AbetaE22Q neither matched the fast oligomerization kinetics of Abeta42 nor reached its predominant beta-sheet structure, achieving a modest degree of oligomerization with a secondary structure that remained a mixture of beta and random conformations. The endogenous molecule tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) was a strong modulator of AbetaE22Q-triggered apoptosis but did not significantly change the secondary structures and fibrillogenic propensities of Abeta peptides. These data dissociate the pro-apoptotic properties of Abeta peptides from their distinct mechanisms of aggregation/fibrillization in vitro, providing new perspectives for modulation of amyloid toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J S Viana
- iMed.UL, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
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20
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Mortara L, Balza E, Sassi F, Castellani P, Carnemolla B, De Lerma Barbaro A, Fossati S, Tosi G, Accolla RS, Borsi L. Therapy-induced antitumor vaccination by targeting tumor necrosis factor alpha to tumor vessels in combination with melphalan. Eur J Immunol 2008; 37:3381-92. [PMID: 18022863 DOI: 10.1002/eji.200737450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of tumor-bearing mice with mouse (m)TNF-alpha, targeted to tumor vasculature by the anti-ED-B fibronectin domain antibody L19(scFv) and combined with melphalan, induces a therapeutic immune response. Upon treatment, a highly efficient priming of CD4+ T cells and consequent activation and maturation of CD8+ CTL effectors is generated, as demonstrated by in vivo depletion and adoptive cell transfer experiments. Immunohistochemical analysis of the tumor tissue demonstrated massive infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells 6 days after treatment and much earlier in the anamnestic response to tumor challenge in cured mice. In fact, the curative treatment with L19mTNF-alpha and melphalan resulted in long-lasting antitumor immune memory, accompanied by a mixed Th1/Th2-type response and significant in vitro tumor-specific cytolytic activity. Finally, the combined treatment reduced the percentage and absolute number of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in the tumor-draining lymph nodes of mice responding to therapy, and this was associated with the establishment of protective immunity. These findings pave the way for alternative therapeutic strategies based on the targeted delivery of biological and pharmacological cytotoxic compounds that not only kill most of the tumor cells but, more importantly, trigger an effective and long-lasting antitumor adaptive immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Mortara
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
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21
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22
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Faraco G, Fossati S, Bianchi ME, Patrone M, Pedrazzi M, Sparatore B, Moroni F, Chiarugi A. High mobility group box 1 protein is released by neural cells upon different stresses and worsens ischemic neurodegeneration in vitro and in vivo. J Neurochem 2007; 103:590-603. [PMID: 17666052 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2007.04788.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 182] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
High mobility group proteins are chromatin binding factors with key roles in maintenance of nuclear homeostasis. The evidence indicates that extracellularly released high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein behaves as a cytokine, promoting inflammation and participating to the pathogenesis of several disorders in peripheral organs. In this study, we have investigated the expression levels and relocation dynamics of HMGB1 in neural cells, as well as its neuropathological potential. We report that HMGB1 is released in the culture media of neurons and astrocytes challenged with necrotic but not apoptotic stimuli. Recombinant HMGB1 prompts induction of pro-inflammatory mediators such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-1beta, and tumor necrosis factor alpha, and increases excitotoxic as well as ischemic neuronal death in vitro. Dexamethasone reduces HMGB1 dependent immune glia activation, having no effect on the protein's neurotoxic effects. HMGB1 is expressed in the nucleus of neurons and astrocytes of the mouse brain, and promptly (1 h) translocates into the cytoplasm of neurons within the ischemic brain. Brain microinjection of HMGB1 increases the transcript levels of pro-inflammatory mediators and sensitizes the tissue to the ischemic injury. Together, data underscore the neuropathological role of nuclear HMGB1, and point to the protein as a mediator of post-ischemic brain damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Faraco
- Department of Preclinical and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Florence, Italy
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23
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Abstract
Embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells, stem cells of teratocarcinoma, represent an excellent model to study the developmental mechanisms that, inappropriately reactivated, can drive tumorigenesis. EC cells are very aggressive, and grow rapidly when injected into adult syngeneic mice. However, when injected into blastocysts, they revert to normality, giving rise to chimeric animals. In order to study the ability of postimplantation embryonic environment to "normalize" tumorigenic cells, and to study their homing, we transplanted F9, Nulli-SCC1, and P19 EC cells into 8 to 15-day allogenic CD1 mouse embryos, into allogenic CD1 newborns, and into syngeneic adult mice, and evaluated tumor formation, spreading, and homing. We found that, although at all embryonic stages successful transplantation occurred, the chances of developing tumors after birth increased with the time of injection of EC cells into the embryo. In addition, using enhanced green fluorescent protein-expressing F9 cells, we demonstrated that the cells not giving rise to tumors remained latent and could be tracked down in tissues during adulthood. Our data indicate that the embryonic environment retains a certain ability to "normalize" tumor cells also during post-implantation development. This could occur through yet unknown epigenetic signals triggering EC cells' differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simonetta Astigiano
- S.S. Animali Transgenici, Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy.
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24
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Baldini M, Gallazzi M, Orsatti A, Fossati S, Leonardi P, Cantalamessa L. Treatment of benign nodular goitre with mildly suppressive doses of L-thyroxine: effects on bone mineral density and on nodule size. J Intern Med 2002; 251:407-14. [PMID: 11982740 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2796.2002.00977.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate (i) the demineralizing effect of L-thyroxine (LT4) therapy at doses mildly inhibiting serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in patients with benign nodular goitre; (ii) the efficacy of treatment on nodule size. DESIGN Cross-sectional study comparing euthyroid women with nodular goitre treated with LT4 for > or = 2 years (52 +/- 32 months, range 24-138, median 42) and a matched group with untreated goitre. SUBJECTS A total of 89 female outpatients (53.3 +/- 9 years; 36 pre- and 53 postmenopausal), 43 treated and 46 untreated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Bone mineralization was measured with total body and regional mineralometry [dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)], and indirectly evaluated with biochemical parameters (alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin). Efficacy of LT4 therapy was assessed by measuring the nodule size during ultrasonography. The adequacy of the treatment was evaluated on the basis of serum TSH levels. RESULTS No significant differences were found at DEXA for total body and regional mineralization (P > 0.05 for all comparisons) in treated and untreated patients, both in pre- and postmenopausal states. Evaluation of the nodule size during the ultrasound scan showed a reduction of > or = 30% in 11 of 43 treated patients (26%) versus none of the untreated, an unchanged size in 29 treated patients (67%) versus 18 untreated, an increase of nodules and/or new nodule development in three treated patients (7%) versus 28 untreated (61%). CONCLUSIONS L-thyroxine (LT4) treatment at doses slightly suppressing TSH does not significantly affect bone mineralization, nor does it represent a risk factor for osteoporosis, even in postmenopausal patients. The efficacy of this therapeutic schedule on goitre size is comparable with the effects previously reported with suppressive doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Baldini
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Milan, Italy
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25
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Trabattoni D, Fossati S, Biasin M, Boasso A, Rizzardini G, Maseratti R, Clerici M. Functional analysis of HIV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in antiviral-treated- and-naive patients: a preliminary report. J BIOL REG HOMEOS AG 2002; 16:25-9. [PMID: 12003169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
HIV-specific CTL functions were analyzed in HIV-infected individuals who did or did not receive antiretroviral therapy (ART). Results showed that gp 160 (env)-stimulated perforin- and granzyme-expressing CTL, as well as perforin and granzyme-specific mRNA, were reduced in treated patients whereas TNFalpha was increased in ART-treated compared to naive individuals. Reduction of perforin and granzyme-expressing cells was not secondary to impaired IFNgamma production. A defect of CTL is observed in ART-treated individuals; this defect is not dependent on impaired Th cell function. These results reinforce the need for immunomodulants to successfully approach therapy of HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Trabattoni
- Chair of Immunology, Disp Lita Vialba, Universiy of Milan, Italy
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26
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Lukwiya M, Rizzardini G, Trabattoni D, Piconi S, Saresella M, Declich S, Fossati S, Clerici M. Evaluation of immune activation in HIV-infected and uninfected African individuals by single-cell analysis of cytokine production. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2001; 28:429-36. [PMID: 11744830 DOI: 10.1097/00042560-200112150-00004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Immune activation has been observed in HIV-infected and uninfected Africans, among whom it is thought to modify interaction between the immune system and HIV. To characterize this phenomenon accurately, in-depth immunologic analyses were performed in a rural African population. Freshly drawn peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of HIV-infected African (from Gulu, Uganda) and Italian antiviral-naive patients and those of uninfected Ugandan and Italian study subjects were analyzed. Individuals were matched for age and sex and determined to be free from parasitic infections. Intracellular cytokines were measured in mitogen (M)- and gp160 peptides + staphylococcal enterotoxin B and alpha CD28 (env)-stimulated T lymphocytes. Interferon (IFN)-gamma-producing CD8(+) T cells were quantified in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results showed that M-stimulated production of interleukin (IL)-10 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha increases in CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells of African infected patients and uninfected study subject; and that env-stimulated IL-10 and TNF-alpha production is increased in CD8(+) T lymphocytes of African HIV-infected patients. M- and env-stimulated IFN-gamma-producing CD8(+) T cells were reduced in African participants and not increased by preincubation with alpha IL-10 monoclonal antibody. This is the first set of data that has reported immune activation in rural Africa by single-cell analysis of cytokine production. These results help in defining the immunologic background to be considered in the design of therapeutic and vaccine-based approaches to HIV infection in an African setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Lukwiya
- St. Mary's Lacor Hospital, Gulu, Uganda
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27
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Clerici M, Saresella M, Trabattoni D, Speciale L, Fossati S, Ruzzante S, Cavaretta R, Filippi M, Caputo D, Ferrante P. Single-cell analysis of cytokine production shows different immune profiles in multiple sclerosis patients with active or quiescent disease. J Neuroimmunol 2001; 121:88-101. [PMID: 11730945 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-5728(01)00431-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients were stimulated with myelin basic protein (MBP) together with anti-CD28 monoclonal antibody and staphylococcal enterotoxin B to optimize cytokine production by antigen-specific cells. Type 1 (IL-2, IL-12, IFNgamma) and pro-inflammatory (TNFalpha, IL-1beta, IL-6) cytokines were augmented in CD4+, CD8+, and CD14+ cells of acute MS patients and of patients undergoing disease reactivation. These cytokines were reduced in IFNbeta-treated and in stable MS patients; type 2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) were increased in these patients. Similar immune profiles are seen in MS patients in whom remission is naturally or pharmacologically (IFNbeta) achieved. Cytokine alterations are particularly evident in CD14+ cells, underlying their critical role in the modulation of the immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Clerici
- Cattedra di Immunologia, Università degli Studi di Milano, DISP LITA Vialba, Via G.B. Grassi, 74, 20157, Milan, Italy.
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28
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Boneschi V, Brambilla L, Berti E, Ferrucci S, Corbellino M, Parravicini C, Fossati S. Human herpesvirus 8 DNA in the skin and blood of patients with Mediterranean Kaposi's sarcoma: clinical correlations. Dermatology 2001; 203:19-23. [PMID: 11549794 DOI: 10.1159/000051697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kaposi's sarcoma is a multifocal lympho-angioproliferative disease that appears in elderly subjects of Mediterranean origin (classical form), young Africans and immunodepressed patients (as a result of organ transplantation or AIDS). In 1994, DNA sequences of a new human herpesvirus, called HHV-8, were detected in skin lesions and peripheral blood of patients with AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma by confirmational display analysis and polymerase chain reaction. OBJECTIVE As HHV-8 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells is detected in about 50% of Mediterranean Kaposi's sarcoma patients and its presence fluctuates in time in the same patient, maybe its detection correlates with the clinical behaviour of the disease. METHODS By using routine and nested polymerase chain reaction we evaluated the presence of HHV-8-specific DNA sequences in the skin lesions, perilesional healthy skin and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a group of 40 HIV-negative patients with Mediterranean Kaposi's sarcoma. RESULTS HHV-8 DNA sequences have been found in 40/40 (100%) lesional skin of Mediterranean Kaposi's sarcoma, in 35/40 (85%) perilesional apparently normal skin and in 24/40 (60%) peripheral blood monuclear cell samples. The results of polymerase chain reaction on peripheral blood monuclear cells were positive in 41% of the patients with slowly evolving disease as opposed to 74% of those with rapidly evolving disease, and in 47.6% of the patients with stage I-II disease as opposed to 73.6% of those with stage III-IV. CONCLUSION The detection of HHV-8 in peripheral blood monuclear cells seems to correlate with the more aggressive stages and the rapid evolution behaviour of Mediterranean Kaposi's sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Boneschi
- Institute of Dermatology, State University, IRCCS, Ospedale Maggiore, Milan, Italy.
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29
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Clerici M, Saresella M, Colombo F, Fossati S, Sala N, Bricalli D, Villa ML, Ferrante P, Dally L, Vigano' A. T-lymphocyte maturation abnormalities in uninfected newborns and children with vertical exposure to HIV. Blood 2000; 96:3866-71. [PMID: 11090071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-mediated immunity and T-lymphocyte maturation are impaired in HIV-infected children. These abnormalities would be detected in HIV-uninfected offspring of HIV women (seroreverters [SR]) if HIV or its soluble proteins could cross the placental barrier. Immunophenotypic analyses were performed in 20 healthy HIV-uninfected newborns of HIV-infected mothers (SR), and in 14 healthy newborns of HIV-negative women (UC). The same analyses were performed in 3 groups of older children: SR (n = 41); UC (n = 15); and HIV-infected children (n = 25). Antigen-specific cells were evaluated with ELISpot and fluorimetric analyses; IL-7 serum concentration was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results showed that in SR newborns: (1) the CD4/CD8 ratio was reduced, (2) CD4(+) and CD8(+) naive T-cell percentages were decreased, (3) percentage of activated CD8(+) T cells was increased, and (4) percentages of CD3(+)/4(-)/8(-) (DN) and DN/25(-)/44(+) were augmented. These abnormalities were partially retained in older SR children. CD4(+) and CD8(+) HIV-specific cells were detected in a portion of newborn SRs but not in older SRs. Serum IL-7 was augmented both in newborn and older SRs. Cell-mediated immunity and T-cell maturation are altered even in HIV-uninfected newborns of HIV-infected mothers; these abnormalities persist over time. The biologic significance of these observations and potential subsequent clinical events should be investigated in larger cohorts of seroreverters. (Blood. 2000;96:3866-3871)
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Affiliation(s)
- M Clerici
- Cattedra di Immunologia, Università di Milano, DISP LITA Vialba, Milano, Italy.
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Clerici M, Cogliati M, Rizzardini G, Colombo F, Fossati S, Rhodes J, Bray D, Piconi S. In vitro immunomodulatory properties of tucaresol in HIV infection. Clin Immunol 2000; 97:211-20. [PMID: 11112360 DOI: 10.1006/clim.2000.4937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The immunomodulatory properties of tucaresol (compound 589C80) were tested on in vitro antigen- and mitogen-stimulated proliferation and cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of HIV-infected individuals and healthy controls (HC). Results showed that tucaresol: (1) increases influenza A virus-, gp 160 peptide-, and HLA alloantigen-stimulated proliferation as well as interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon gamma (IFN gamma) production by PBMC of HIV-infected individuals with higher CD4 counts (>500/microl) but had only a marginal immunomodulatory effect on PBMC of patients with lower CD4 counts (<500/microl); (2) did not modify IL-10 production; (3) augmented CD25 expression on mitogen-stimulated T cells of HC but not of HIV-infected individuals; and (4) marginally increased CTL activity. The immunomodulatory properties of tucaresol were confirmed by PCR analyses; additional data showed that tucaresol costimulated CD3-dependent triggering of T cells and that this stimulation was independent of CD28 costimulation. The immunomodulatory effects of tucaresol on T cell functions are characterized by a bell-shaped dose response curve; the action of the compound is optimal in the 100 to 300 microM range. Analyses of mitogen-stimulated apoptosis demonstrated that the lack of effect of tucaresol at higher doses is not the result of increased cell death, suggesting a role of functional impairment. These data confirm that tucaresol can stimulate T helper cell function and enhance the production of type 1 cytokines, thus eliciting cell-mediated immunity, and warrant its potential utility in the therapy of HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Clerici
- Cattedra di Immunologia, Universita' degli Studi di Milano, DiSP LITA Vialba, Via G.B. Grassi 57, 20154, Milan, Italy.
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31
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Affiliation(s)
- L Brambilla
- Institute of Dermatology, State University, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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Crovetti G, Carabelli A, Berti E, Guizzardi M, Fossati S, De Filippo C, Bertani E. Photopheresis in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: five-year experience. Int J Artif Organs 2000; 23:55-62. [PMID: 12118838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) includes several lymphoproliferative disorders involving mature T-lymphocyte proliferation initially confined to the cutis. These affections, after variable periods, may progress to the blood, limph nodes and visceral organs. Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most frequent form of CTCL and has an indolent clinical course. The therapy of CTCL depends on the stage of the disease and the patient's general conditions. For advanced cases it includes chemotherapy, retinoids, and interferon-alpha. Since 1987 extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP), a novel immunomodulatory approach based on apheresis and photoirradiation of leukocytes, has been successfully introduced for the treatment of advanced CTCL. It can prolong survival of patients with erythrodermic CTCL without significant side effects. OBJECTIVE To review our five-year experience with ECP in CTCL. METHODS Since June 1994, 33 CTCL patients have been recruited for ECP, using two different regimens: two procedures on two consecutive days at four-week intervals for six months, or at two-week intervals for three months with progressive tapering in the second three-month period for the more severe forms. Six patients received ECP with IFN-alpha. ECP was done using the photopheresis UVAR system and UVAR XTS (Therakos, West Chester, Pa) and always with 8-MOP liquid formulation injected directly into the buffy coat bag. Lymphocytes in peripheral blood were immunophenotypically characterized for each patient and every ECP session. RESULTS All patients tolerated ECP well, without significant side effects. Thirty patients are clinically evaluable (at least three ECP cycles). A favourable clinical response was obtained in 80.9% (16/21) of MF patients (complete response 33%, partial response 47.6%) and in 66% (6/9) of patients in the Sézary's syndrome phase (complete response 33.3%, partial response 33.3%). Five of the six patients given IFN-alpha as adjunctive therapy had a PR and one a CR. Four patients are in CR without therapy at follow-ups of 46, 20, 10 and 8 months. There have been no changes in the peripheral lymphocyte immunophenotype during the follow-up. In 19/30 patients the CD95 antigen, correlated with cellular apoptosis, was expressed and was frequently associated with a good clinical response. CONCLUSIONS In our experience ECP achieved favourable clinical responses in 73% of patients, in monotherapy or in combination with IFN-alpha, without significant side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Crovetti
- Photopheresis Department, St. A. Abate Hospital, Gallarate, Italy.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The concomitant occurrence of more than one primary neoplasm in the same individual has led researchers to seek possible common etiopathogenetic factors. Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a multicentric neoplasm of vascular origin and perhaps viral etiology. Four forms of KS are known: classic or Mediterranean, endemic or African, posttransplant, and epidemic or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-associated KS. In its classic form KS mainly affects elderly people and often has a long and indolent course that occasionally allows other malignancies to appear. Previous studies of the possible association between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) negative KS and lymphoproliferative disorders (LDs) have produced discordant results. METHODS To verify a possibly significant association between HIV negative KS and LDs, data relating to 250 evaluable Italian patients with HIV negative KS were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS Of the 250 KS patients, only 6 (2.4%) were found to have had an LD: 2 with Hodgkin lymphoma, 1 with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, 1 with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, 1 with acute promyelocytic leukemia, and 1 with B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia. CONCLUSIONS No significant association was found between HIV negative KS and LDs in the patient population in the current study. The authors believe that age, LD, or therapy-related immunodepression played a role in the cases in which KS appeared after the LD by determining the passing to the lytic phase of the herpes-virus HHV8 already present in anatomic sites of latency/persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Fossati
- Institute of Dermatology, State University, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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34
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Coffin B, Fossati S, Flourié B, Lémann M, Jouet P, Franchisseur C, Jian R, Rambaud JC. Regional effects of cholecystokinin octapeptide on colonic phasic and tonic motility in healthy humans. Am J Physiol 1999; 276:G767-72. [PMID: 10070055 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.1999.276.3.g767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess in nine healthy subjects the effects of CCK octapeptide (CCK-8) on colonic tonic activity, measured by a barostat, and phasic activity, measured by manometry. On 2 consecutive days, recordings were performed in the unprepared proximal and distal colons during intravenous infusion of saline and CCK-8 at 5, 20, and 40 ng. kg-1. h-1. In the proximal colon CCK-8 induced, at the 20 and 40 ng. kg-1. h-1 doses, a tonic relaxation with an increase in barostat bag volume to 156 +/- 25 and 157 +/- 19% of basal (P < 0.01) and a decrease in phasic activity to 72 +/- 7 and 76 +/- 7% of basal (P < 0.01). In the distal colon, CCK-8 induced, at the 20 and 40 ng. kg-1. h-1 doses, a tonic relaxation (increase in intrabag volume to 133 +/- 12 and 149 +/- 15%, respectively; P < 0.01), whereas phasic activity increased (128 +/- 8 and 132 +/- 6%, respectively; P < 0.01). Effects of CCK-8 on tonic and phasic activities are different according to the colonic segment. Because meals induce colonic tonic contraction, our results suggest that CCK, as a hormone, is not an important mediator of the response of the colon to feeding in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Coffin
- Services de Gastro-entérologie, Hôpital Saint-Lazare and Hôpital Saint-Louis, 75475 Paris, France.
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Abstract
We report the case of a patient with Kaposi's sarcoma after kidney transplantation. Despite the discontinuation of azathioprine and a reduction in the cyclosporin dosage, the disease continued to evolve, and antineoplastic treatment became necessary. After 14 cycles of vinorelbine chemotherapy, there was a 75% regression of the initial lesions, despite the continuation of cyclosporin A.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Brambilla
- Institute of Dermatology, University of Milan, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore, Italy
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36
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Affiliation(s)
- L Brambilla
- Institute of Dermatology, University of Milan, Italy
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37
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Brambilla L, Labianca R, Boneschi V, Fossati S, Dallavalle G, Finzi AF, Luporini G. Mediterranean Kaposi's sarcoma in the elderly. A randomized study of oral etoposide versus vinblastine. Cancer 1994. [PMID: 7954250 DOI: 10.1002/1097-0142(19941115)74:10<2873::aid-cncr2820741021>3.0.co;2-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This Phase III trial was performed to compare the roles of oral etoposide and intravenous (i.v.) vinblastine in the treatment of Mediterranean Kaposi's Sarcoma (MEKS) in elderly patients with severe disease (Stages II, Ac/B, III, and IV). PATIENTS AND METHODS Sixty-five patients were randomized to receive either oral etoposide (60 mg/m2 on Days 1-3 during the first course; 60 mg/m2 on Days 1-4 during the second course, and 60 mg/m2 on Days 1-4 during the second course, and 60 mg/m2 on Days 1-5 during the third course; the courses were recycled every 3 weeks) or an i.v. bolus of vinblastine (3 mg/m2 weekly for 3 weeks, and then 6 mg/m2 every 3 weeks). RESULTS No significant difference between the two drugs was observed in terms of response rates (etoposide, 73.5% vs. vinblastine, 58%; P = 0.3), duration of response, or survival (median not yet reached at a median follow-up of 38 months). Side effects of both treatments were limited, although myelotoxicity was more evident in the vinblastine arm. CONCLUSIONS Although it is feasible and well tolerated, the oral administration of etoposide at these doses and in this regimen does not appear superior to vinblastine in the treatment of MEKS. Further evaluation of a more intensive schedule in large cooperative clinical trials is needed to establish the role of this drug in comparison with reference treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Brambilla
- Institute of Dermatology, State University, Milan, Italy
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Abstract
BACKGROUND This Phase III trial was performed to compare the roles of oral etoposide and intravenous (i.v.) vinblastine in the treatment of Mediterranean Kaposi's Sarcoma (MEKS) in elderly patients with severe disease (Stages II, Ac/B, III, and IV). PATIENTS AND METHODS Sixty-five patients were randomized to receive either oral etoposide (60 mg/m2 on Days 1-3 during the first course; 60 mg/m2 on Days 1-4 during the second course, and 60 mg/m2 on Days 1-4 during the second course, and 60 mg/m2 on Days 1-5 during the third course; the courses were recycled every 3 weeks) or an i.v. bolus of vinblastine (3 mg/m2 weekly for 3 weeks, and then 6 mg/m2 every 3 weeks). RESULTS No significant difference between the two drugs was observed in terms of response rates (etoposide, 73.5% vs. vinblastine, 58%; P = 0.3), duration of response, or survival (median not yet reached at a median follow-up of 38 months). Side effects of both treatments were limited, although myelotoxicity was more evident in the vinblastine arm. CONCLUSIONS Although it is feasible and well tolerated, the oral administration of etoposide at these doses and in this regimen does not appear superior to vinblastine in the treatment of MEKS. Further evaluation of a more intensive schedule in large cooperative clinical trials is needed to establish the role of this drug in comparison with reference treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Brambilla
- Institute of Dermatology, State University, Milan, Italy
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Affiliation(s)
- L Brambilla
- 2nd Department of Dermatology, University of Milan, Italy
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Abstract
We treated a 13-year-old girl who had annular erythematous lesions with central atrophic areas, which had been present on her trunk and limbs for 4 months. Histological examination revealed patchy dermal lymphohistocytic infiltration with multinucleated giant cells which were phagocytosing elastic fibers, causing them to disappear. The active border of the lesions regressed after intradermal injection of corticosteroids. The classification of the disease and its differential diagnosis from the usual granuloma annulare, inflammatory anetoderma, O'Brien's actinic granuloma, and Convit's disease are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Boneschi
- Second Department of Dermatology, University of Milan, Italy
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41
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Abstract
22 patients affected by locally aggressive or generalized form of Kaposi's Mediterranean sarcoma were treated with oral etoposide (VP16) as single-drug therapeutic regimen. Of the 17 evaluable patients, 10 were pretreated with other chemotherapeutic regimens. VP16 was administered at the dose of 100 mg daily for 3-5 days every 3 weeks for 3 times during induction, then every 4 weeks for 10-12 times during maintenance. Hematological (35.2%) and gastrointestinal (64.7%) toxicities were always mild and swiftly reversible. Good percentages of objective responses were achieved in both nonpretreated (85.6%) and pretreated (70%) patients. The chemotherapeutic regimen employed, the way of drug administration, the results as well as the comparison to another study with vinblastine are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Brambilla
- Second Department of Dermatology, University of Milan, Italy
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Brambilla L, Boneschi V, Fossati S, Della Bella L, Negri M. [Recurrence of Kaposi's sarcoma at the site of a graft for radiodermatitis ulcer]. GIORN ITAL DERMAT V 1987; 122:655-7. [PMID: 3448000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Fossati S. [Discipline or liberalization of abortion? Proposal for the Fortuna law: its function and applicability in Italy]. Minerva Ginecol 1973; 25:364-70. [PMID: 4732982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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44
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Fossati S. [Urethrotrigonorrhaphy with transposition of the urethral meatus by Colombino's method in the omnicomprehensive generical management of stress incontinence. Personal case report and short and long-term results]. Minerva Ginecol 1972; 24:410-9. [PMID: 4677675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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45
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Fossati S. [Normal course of a pregnancy exposed, in the second month, to mechanical maneuvers and actinic irradiation]. Minerva Ginecol 1971; 23:912-6. [PMID: 4332685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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46
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Fossati S. [Some programmatic notes for the establishment of sex education in Italy]. Minerva Ginecol 1971; 23:686-9. [PMID: 5131895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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47
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Fossati S. [Apparent influence of parenteral medroxyprogesterone acetate on the course and recurrence of psoriasis]. Minerva Ginecol 1970; 22:993-5. [PMID: 5508775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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48
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Fossati S. [2 cases of ampulla tubae pregnancies, 1 associated with uterine pregnancy and the other with an infraligamentary soft myoma simulating uterine pregnancy in the left horn of a double-horned uterus with a single cervix]. Minerva Ginecol 1970; 22:657-63. [PMID: 5481338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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49
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Fossati S. [Birth control. Problem of the gynecologist from the medical, moral and religious point of view]. Minerva Ginecol 1970; 22:664-8. [PMID: 5529709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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50
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Fossati S. [Theoretical and technical considerations and evaluation of a proposed variation for improvement of the results of the traditional method of posterior vaginal plastic surgery]. Minerva Ginecol 1969; 21:1116-20. [PMID: 5404421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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