Overall migration and kinetics of release of antioxidant compounds from citrus extract-based active packaging

Overall migration (OM) tests were conducted on an antioxidant active packaging prepared by coating plasma pretreated and untreated polyethylene terepthalate (PET) trays with a citrus extract. The release of antioxidant compounds into food simulants was measured to permit their subtraction from OM values in line with active packaging legislation. The results demonstrated the compliance of the packaging with the limit for OM for plastic material in contact with food. The validity of the procedure for OM in aqueous food simulants was questioned, with the loss of volatile compounds during evaporation of the simulant resulting in an underestimation of total compounds released. The study showed a total release of 75% of the citrus extract coating into water and 25% into oil, which decreased to 45 and 12.5%, respectively, following plasma pretreatment of the trays.

Severe pneumonia after intravesical BCG instillation in a patient with invasive bladder cancer: case report and literature review

We present here the case of a 66 year old man with a severe bilateral community acquired pneumonia secondary to dissemination after an intravesical instillation of bacilllus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). Diagnosis was based on positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in bronchoalveolar lavage and on the finding on transbronchial biopsy of non necrotising granulomas histopathologically similar to the granulomas found in bladder biopsies. These findings were confirmed using a validated real time PCR assay demonstrating the presence of the BCG genome in transbronchial and bladder biopsies.

[Epidemiological, social and public health aspects of tuberculosis in Ferrara in the 19th century]

Our first study of tuberculosis in Ferrara during the nineteenth century, whose results have been recently published, focused on disease treatment. Here we present the descriptive analysis of mortality, with the following results being attained: two behavioural patterns are detected with regard to the onset of disease, before and after 1850; TB is a specific disease that affects all parts of the body in all age groups: childhood, and active and passive populations; there are no significant differences with regard to gender; as regards the occupations performed by the deceased, those related to industry and agriculture and to various other activities and services are those with the highest mortality; tuberculosis has a seasonal pattern; summer and autumn are the periods of greatest prevalence (hot weather and humidity are factors that affect the respiratory system); among the forms of tuberculosis it can be observed that up to the year 1850 people died in Ferrara either of pulmonary tuberculosis or TB localised in other areas; from 1851 onward there appears to have been a dramatic change, with a decrease in unspecific diagnosis but the appearance of disease manifestations in its various clinical forms.

Redescription of the male of Ixodes festai Rondelli, 1926 (Ixodida: Ixodidae) on specimens from Sardinia (Italy)

Ixodes festai Rondelli, 1926 is a poorly known bird parasite tick. Its immature forms have not been described yet, while the adult forms only insufficiently, especially the male. In this note the presence of the male of Ixodes festai for the first time in Sardinia (Italy) is reported and a detailed redescription is provided. Morphometric data as well as photographs performed both with optical and electron microscope (ESEM FEI Quanta 200) are also shown.

Argas (Persicargas) persicus (Oken, 1818) (Ixodida: Argasidae) in Sicily with considerations about its Italian and West-Mediterranean distribution

Recently, in the province of Trapani (Western Sicily), some overwintering specimens of the argasid tick Argos (Persicargas) persicus (Oken, 1818) were observed and collected. Morphological and genetic analysis were utilized in order to reach a definitive identification. The species was found in two semi-natural sites where, having been found repeatedly, its presence does not appear accidental. Moreover the characteristics of the Sicilian findings seem to exclude a human-induced spread. This record, the first regarding Sicily and South Italy, is discussed together with the previous doubtful citations for Italy. These findings revalue not only all the old citations for Italy but also the hypothesis that the Mediterranean distribution of this argasid is of a natural origin.

Molecular detection of Parachlamydia-like organisms in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis

The presence of Chlamydia-like organism DNA was investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 27 patients previously found positive for Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA: 12 with multiple sclerosis (MS), grouped according to clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence of disease activity, 8 with other inflammatory neurological disorders and 7 with non-inflammatory neurological disorders. PCR evidence of Chlamydia-like organisms in CSF was observed only in two relapsing-remitting MS patients with clinical and MRI disease activity. These findings suggest a possible association between C. pneumoniae and Chlamydia-like organism brain infections as a cofactor in MS development.

Clinical and diagnostic management of toxoplasmosis in the immunocompromised patient

With the advent of the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the natural course of HIV infection has markedly changed and opportunistic infections including toxoplasmosis have declined and modified in presentation, outcome and incidence. However, TE is a major cause of morbidity and mortality especially in resource-poor settings but also a common neurological complication in some countries despite the availability of HAART and effective prophylaxis. In most cases toxoplasmosis occurs in brain and toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE) is the most common presentation of toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised patients with or without AIDS. The need of a definitive diagnosis is substantial because other brain diseases could share similar findings. Rapid and specific diagnosis is thus crucial as early treatment may improve the clinical outcome. Classical serological diagnosis is often inconclusive as immunodeficient individuals fail to produce significant titres of specific antibodies. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has a high diagnostic value in the acute disease, but like many 'in-house' PCR assays, suffers from lack of standardization and variable performance according to the laboratory. Molecular diagnosis of toxoplasmosis can be improved by performing real-time PCR protocols. This article summarises the clinical manifestations, diagnostic procedures and management strategies for this condition.

Detection of parvovirus B19 and Chlamydophila pneumoniae in a patient with atypical sarcoidosis

We present an elderly female patient with fever, aplastic anemia, arthralgic symptoms and atypical pneumonia. Serological and clinical findings suggested Parvovirus B19 and Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection. These supposed infections delayed the recognition of underlying sarcoidosis which definitive diagnosis was reached through a lung biopsy and histological demonstration of nonnecrotizing granulomas containing giant cells and noncaseating epithelioid cells. The present case highlights the potential difficulty to diagnose sarcoidosis in the presence of unusual infections which may complicate the course of this disease.

Survey of 2-ethylhexanoic acid in baby food

A solid-phase microextraction method was developed and used to perform a survey of 2-ethylhexanoic acid (2-EHA) in 63 samples of baby food from 13 European Union countries, as well as from Norway and Switzerland. The levels of 2-EHA did not exceed 3.4 mg kg(-1). The concentrations of 2-EHA in 53 samples (84%) were in the range between <0.1 and 0.5 mg kg(-1). Ten samples showed the presence of the compound in the range between 0.5 and 3.4 mg kg(-1). An exposure assessment showed that the intake of 2-EHA does not exceed the tolerable daily intake (TDI) for infants of 6-12 months of age except one occurrence when taking the worst-case food consumption data available and the highest level of contamination of the survey. In the other cases, the levels of 2-EHA are at 13-fold below the TDI.

Aedes albopictus in Sardinia: reappearance or widespread colonization?

The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) was first discovered in the South of Sardinia in October 1994, in a tyre depot not far from Cagliari-Elmas airport. Insecticide treatment was thought to have successfully eradicated the mosquito, but in 1996 and 1997 new breeding sites were discovered, a few at some distance from the first. More recently two sites have been reported in the heart of the city of Cagliari. It is not known whether the mosquito has spread from the first breeding place discovered, where treatment may not have been definitive, or whether they have been newly introduced. The recent sighting of Ae. albopictus in Olbia in the Northeast of the island tends to suggest the latter. Cagliari and Olbia are actually Sardinia's two largest sea ports of entry.

Plasminogen activator production in a rat model of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia

Several studies have indicated that the serine protease urokinase-plasminogen-activator (uPA) is an important factor in host defense against pulmonary pathogens. To gain a better insight into the role of uPA in Pneumocystis carinii (P. carinii) pneumonia (PCP), we evaluated PA production in alveolar macrophages (AMs) obtained from rats with steroid-induced PCP. Treatment with cortisone acetate favored PCP in 91% of rats. In the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples of immunosuppressed rats both with and without PCP, we observed a decrease in uPA activity as well as a decrease in cell number. Urokinase-PA production by AMs was reduced in rats treated with cortisone alone. However, an increase in cell-associated uPA was observed in rats with PCP. This increase appears to be produced in response to P carinii infection. In fact, when AMs obtained from untreated healthy or immunosuppressed uninfected rats were challenged with P carinii, a significant increase in PA activity in cell lysates was observed, though a lower response was obtained in cortisone-treated animals. Our results suggest that healthy AMs respond to the presence of P carinii with an increase in uPA production and that this response in immunodepressed rat-AMs is partially impaired.

Efficacy of a novel reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for detecting Toxoplasma gondii bradyzoite gene expression in human clinical specimens

A reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay, was performed to evaluate the transcription degree of bradyzoite- or tachyzoite-specific genes of Toxoplasma gondii on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens from AIDS patients with toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE), and to distinguish an asymptomatic latent infection from a reactivated disease. This method was compared with nested DNA amplification (n)-PCR. The mRNA expression of the representative T. gondii cystic matrix (MAG1) or bradyzoite-specific (SAG4) genes was investigated on CSF obtained from AIDS patients with first episode (no. 11) or relapse (no. 8) of TE. The mRNA expression of tachyzoite-specific (SAG1) gene was also studied. New designed oligonucleotide primers and probes, which identify a 212 bp fragment inside to the open reading MAG1 sequence, were employed in both RT-PCR and n-PCR assays. Oligo-dT primed cDNA synthesis appeared a suitable method for subsequent analysis by n-PCR. RT-PCR has been shown to be more sensitive and specific than n-PCR. MAG1 and SAG4 gene expression was detected in 8 (100%) and 6 (75%) patients with TE relapses, respectively, while SAG1 detected 7 (63%) patients with TE first episode. These findings suggest that RT-PCR method is able to identify the bradyzoite stage of T. gondii especially in patients who are at risk for TE relapse.

Study on immunobiology in ectoparasites of public health interest: Rhipicephalus sanguineus

The recently defined range of Mediterranean Spotted Fever (MSF) in Sardinia coincides with that of the widely studied Rickettsia conorii vector, the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus. This tick is major vector of disease in humans, domestic and wild animals. Characteristic features of the vector with respect to their seasonal activity, abundance as well as incidence of human-tick contact and how these factors influence the incidence of MSF were studied. This paper also looks at host, pathogen and tick vector interactions, re-examining some of the immunobiological parameters involved. However, the primary objective of this research is to develop a strategy that will allow better and safer tick control.

Assessment of HIV-intrathecal humoral immune response in AIDS-related neurological disorders

Intrathecal synthesis of IgG directed to HIV antigens was investigated by antibody specific index (ASI), affinity-mediated immunoblot (AMI) and Western blot (WB) assay in a group of 88 AIDS patients of which 28 with HIV-associated neurological disorders (HAND), 13 without associated neurological disorders (WAND) and 47 with non-HIV-associated neurological disorders (non-HAND). CD4+ count was above 50 cells/mm3 (CD4+>50) in 30 and below 50/mm3 (CD4+<50) in 58 patients, respectively. A significantly higher frequency for CSF complete anti-gag profile (p<0.001), and for HIV-specific oligoclonal patterns ("mixed" pattern=p<0.01) was observed in HAND as compared to patterns from the other clinical groups. A decrease in complete anti-env, anti-pol and anti-gag reactivity was present in CSF of patients with CD4+<50 as compared to those with CD4+>50. Our findings suggest that AIDS appears to be characterized by an anti-HIV intrathecal humoral immune response which is principally directed to env products with a prevalence of oligoclonal patterns and CSF complete anti-gag profile in HIV-associated neurological involvement.