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Santino I, Sessa R, Pantanella F, Tomao P, Di Renzi S, Martini A, Nicoletti M, Del Piano M. Detection of Different Borrelia Burgdorferi Genospecies in Serum of People with Different Occupational Risks: Short Report. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2009; 22:537-41. [DOI: 10.1177/039463200902200232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study is aimed at applying a previously described PCR-based method to detect B. burgdorferi sensu lato and different Borrelia genospecies in total DNA preparations of serum samples collected from people with different occupational risks for tick bite and with serological evidence of borreliosis. Among the seropositive samples, the PCR for B. burgdorferi confirmed the positivity in 65% of the forestry workers and in 60% of the subjects living in the same area. None of the seronegative subjects belonging to the control group showed the presence of B. burgdorferi sensu lato DNA. Results on genospecies distribution show that B. afzelii was the predominant species, followed by B. garinii and finally by B. valaisiana.
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Sessa R, Cipriani P, Di Pietro M, Schiavoni G, Santino I, Del Piano M. Chlamydia Pneumoniae and Chronic Diseases with a Great Impact on Public Health. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2008; 21:1041-3. [DOI: 10.1177/039463200802100431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia pneumoniae is recognised as a common cause of respiratory tract infections and has recently been implicated in several extrapulmonary chronic diseases, with great impact on public health, such as atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. The involvement of C. pneumoniae in such diseases may be correlated to characteristic features of this pathogen, including intracellular growth and ability to induce persistent forms. C. pneumoniae persistent forms are inherently more suited to evade the host immune response and are more difficult to eradicate by antibiotics. Our preliminary experimental findings show that interaction of C. pneumoniae with macrophages and/or T cells characterized by interference with TNF-α production, and redox state, culminates in the induction of T cell apoptosis and survival of infected macrophages. Based on our evidence, the poor cooperation between T cells and macrophages could lead to an inappropriate immune response against C. pneumoniae that may therefore promote the development of extrapulmonary chronic diseases.
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Putignani L, Sessa R, Petrucca A, Manfredini C, Coltella L, Menichella D, Nicoletti M, Russo C, Cipriani P. Genotyping of Different Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Morphotypes Arising from the Lower Respiratory Tract of a Patient Taken to an Intensive Care Unit. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2008; 21:941-7. [DOI: 10.1177/039463200802100418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen and an ubiquitous environmental bacterium. Fifty-seven days after hospitalization, we isolated three distinct P. aeruginosa morphotypes (smooth, rough and mucoid) from the lower respiratory tract of a patient admitted to a Cardiology Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Moreover, a group of nine colony variants, arising from the three P. aeruginosa isolates growing in laboratory growth media, were also isolated. The resulting 12 isolates were characterised for antibiotic resistance profile and subjected to genotypic analysis by fluorescent-Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (f-AFLP) and automated repetitive extragenic palindromic-PCR (rep-PCR) fingerprinting. The three smooth, rough and mucoid morphotypes presented different antibiotic resistance profiles and genotyping analysis showed that they belonged to distinct clones, indicating that at day 57 after the admission the patient was simultaneously colonized by three distinct P. aeruginosa isolates. On the other hand, the nine colony variants presented heterogeneous antibiotic resistance profiles and clustered together with the three parental isolates. The understanding of the link between genotype plasticity and antibiotic resistance may contribute to improving our knowledge of this life-threatening pathogen.
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Sessa R, Santino I, Di Pietro M, Schiavoni G, Ripa C, Galdiero M, Iannone M, Izzo L, Mingazzini PI, Bolognese A, Del Piano M. No evidence of involvement of Chlamydia pneumoniae in lung cancer by means of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2008; 21:415-20. [PMID: 18547487 DOI: 10.1177/039463200802100221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia pneumoniae, an obligate intracellular pathogen, is well-known as etiological agent of acute respiratory infections; the repeated or prolonged exposure to chlamydial antigens may promote the persistence of C. pneumoniae in the respiratory tract leading to chronic diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. The predilection of C. pneumoniae to cause respiratory tract infections combined with its persistent nature suggest that it might play a role in lung cancer. The aim of our study is to evaluate the involvement of C. pneumoniae in pathogenesis of lung cancer. We therefore investigated the presence of C. pneumoniae DNA in tumor lung tissues by using real-time PCR assay. Simultaneously, tumor and healthy tissues from the same patient with primary carcinoma lung were analyzed. C. pneumoniae DNA was not detected in a single lung tumor tissue by means of an highly sensitive, and specific real-time PCR assay based on FRET hybridization probes. In conclusion, this study does not support the involvement of C. pneumoniae in the pathogenesis of lung cancer, suggesting that further investigations are needed to clarify other potential causative factors for the development of this malignancy.
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Nicoletti M, Santino I, Petrucca A, Del Chierico F, Cannavacciuolo S, Casalino M, Sessa R, Cipriani P. Evaluation by Real-Time PCR of the Expression of S. Flexneri Virulence-Associated Genes ospB and phoN2 under Different Genetical Backgrounds. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2008; 21:707-14. [DOI: 10.1177/039463200802100325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Under conditions of activated type III secretion Shigella flexneri up-regulates the expression of numerous genes, including the virulence plasmid (pINV)-encoded ospB and phoN2 genes. ospB and phoN2 are virulence-associated genes which are part of a bicistronic transcriptional unit encoding OspB, a protein (effector) of unknown function secreted by the type III secretion (TTS) apparatus, and PhoN2 (apyrase or ATP-diphosphohydrolase), a periplasmic protein involved in polar IcsA localization on the surface of S. flexneri. In this work we used real-time PCR to measure transcription of ospB and phoN2 of wild-type S. flexneri strain M90T as well as of derivative mutants impaired in definite virulence traits. The results obtained confirmed and extended previous reports indicating that the expression of ospB and phoN2 genes is modulated in a virB-dependent, mxiE-independent manner under conditions of non-activated secretion, while their expression is considerably induced in a mxiE-dependent manner under conditions of activated secretion. That the expression of the ospB-phoN2 operon is up-regulated in condition of activated secretion, indicates that probably the expression of these two genes might be important, especially during the later stages of infection of S. flexneri.
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Cardelli P, Ferraironi M, Amodeo R, Tabacco F, De Blasi RA, Nicoletti M, Sessa R, Petrucca A, Costante A, Cipriani P. Evaluation of neutrophil CD64 expression and procalcitonin as useful markers in early diagnosis of sepsis. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2008; 21:43-9. [PMID: 18336730 DOI: 10.1177/039463200802100106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Quantitation of neutrophil CD64 expression and procalcitonin (PCT) levels in blood samples have been recently proposed as useful tools for early detection of sepsis. To determine the usefulness of these tests, we analyzed blood samples of 112 patients, admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU), presenting clinical symptoms of sepsis, as well as of 50 healthy controls. At the end of the study, a retrospective analysis showed that only 52 of the 112 ICU-patients presented a real sepsis (positive blood culture). The results obtained indicated that of the 52 patients with sepsis, 50 and 49 presented levels of neutrophil CD64 expression >or= 2398 molecules per cell (cut-off determined by receiver operator characteristic analysis) and PCT levels >0.5 ng/ml (cut-off suggested by the manufacturer), respectively. However, the neutrophil CD64 test showed higher specificity in detecting sepsis since 5 out of the 60 ICU-patients without sepsis (negative blood culture), presented CD64 expression levels >or= 2398 molecules per cell, PCT levels >or= 0.5 ng/ml were shown in 27 patients. Moreover, while none of the 50 healthy controls presented a neutrophil CD64 level higher than the cut-off value, 5 patients presented PCT levels >or= 0.5 ng/ml. In conclusion, our data seem to indicate that the quantitation of CD64 expression could be taken into consideration as a sensitive and specific test for early diagnosis of sepsis.
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Santino I, Berlutti F, Pantanella F, Sessa R, Del Piano M. Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato DNA by PCR in serum of patients with clinical symptoms of Lyme borreliosis. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2008; 283:30-5. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2008.01134.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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Sessa R, Di Pietro M, Schiavoni G, Petrucca A, Cipriani P, Zagaglia C, Nicoletti M, Santino I, del Piano M. Measurement of Chlamydia pneumoniae bacterial load in peripheral blood mononuclear cells may be helpful to assess the state of chlamydial infection in patients with carotid atherosclerotic disease. Atherosclerosis 2007; 195:e224-30. [PMID: 17575984 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2007.04.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2007] [Revised: 04/16/2007] [Accepted: 04/27/2007] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chlamydia pneumoniae has been repeatedly associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. We investigated the pattern of distribution of C. pneumoniae among patients with carotid atherosclerotic disease evaluating chlamydial load in carotid plaque, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and lymph node from same patient. METHODS AND RESULTS Thirty carotid plaques, 30 PBMC and 30 lymph nodes were examined by real-time PCR assay. C. pneumoniae DNA was detected, in carotid plaques, PBMC and lymph nodes in 11 patients; in carotid plaques and PBMC in five patients; in PBMC and lymph nodes in four patients; in lymph nodes in two patients; and in PBMC only in one patient. C. pneumoniae DNA in PBMC significantly coincided with the presence of the respective DNA in carotid plaque (p=0.0001) and lymph node (p=0.02). A higher chlamydial load was detected in PBMC than in lymph nodes and carotid plaques. More than 90% of patients with carotid plaques, PBMC and lymph nodes positive to C. pneumoniae were symptomatic, smokers, hypertensives, dyslipidemics and showed carotid plaques with rupture on the surface, hemorrhage and thrombosis. CONCLUSION The measurement of chlamydial load in PBMC may be helpful in the future to assess the state of C. pneumoniae infection and the risk of developing sequelae.
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Sessa R, Schiavoni G, Borriello G, Zagaglia C, Marinelli F, del Piano M, Pozzilli C. Real time PCR for detection of Chlamydophila pneumoniae in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with multiple sclerosis. J Neurol 2007; 254:1293-5. [PMID: 17460814 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-006-0504-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2006] [Revised: 11/01/2006] [Accepted: 11/05/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Ferrini AM, Mannoni V, Aureli P, Salvatore G, Piccirilli E, Ceddia T, Pontieri E, Sessa R, Oliva B. Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil possesses potent anti-staphylococcal activity extended to strains resistant to antibiotics. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2006; 19:539-44. [PMID: 17026838 DOI: 10.1177/039463200601900309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Melaleuca alternifolia Cheel essential oil (TTO) and its major component terpinen-4-ol were examined against a large number of clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus to establish their anti-staphylococcal activities. Classic and established procedures were used to study M.I.C., time-kill curves, synergism and mutational frequency. The anti-staphylococcal activity of terpinen-4-ol and TTO were superior to those of antibiotics belonging to the major families (all the tested drugs are for topical use or included in ointments, eye drops or used during surgery); terpinen 4-ol and TTO were active against strains resistant to mupirocin, fusidic acid, vancomycin, methicillin and linezolid. TTO and terpinen-4-ol were bactericidal as revealed by time-kill curves; the frequency of mutational frequency to TTO was < 2.9 x 10 9. The study demonstrates good anti-staphylococcal activity of TTO and terpinen-4-ol against a large number of S.aureus isolates and suggests the possible application of these agents for topical treatment of staphylococcal infections. This is the first extensive study on the anti-staphylococcal activity of TTO. The results suggest that this compound may have application as a topical agent for the control of superficial staphylococcal infections, including activity against organisms resistant to antibiotics which can be used, or are specific, for topical use.
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Santapaola D, Del Chierico F, Petrucca A, Uzzau S, Casalino M, Colonna B, Sessa R, Berlutti F, Nicoletti M. Apyrase, the product of the virulence plasmid-encoded phoN2 (apy) gene of Shigella flexneri, is necessary for proper unipolar IcsA localization and for efficient intercellular spread. J Bacteriol 2006; 188:1620-7. [PMID: 16452446 PMCID: PMC1367242 DOI: 10.1128/jb.188.4.1620-1627.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The role in virulence of the Shigella flexneri ospB-phoN2 operon has been evaluated. Here we confirm that OspB is an effector and show that apyrase, the product of phoN2, may be a virulence factor, since it is required for efficient intercellular spreading. Apyrase may be important in a deoxynucleoside triphosphate-hydrolyzing activity-independent manner, suggesting that it may act as an interaction partner in the process of IcsA localization.
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Sessa R, Di Pietro M, Schiavoni G, Galdiero M, Cipriani P, Romano S, Zagaglia C, Santino I, Faccilongo S, Del Piano M. Chlamydia pneumoniae in asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2006; 19:111-8. [PMID: 16569349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023] Open
Abstract
We evaluated, in 415 patients with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis: (i) the prevalence of C. pneumoniae DNA in atherosclerotic carotid plaques and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC); (ii) the distribution of C. pneumoniae in atherosclerotic carotid plaques and PBMC from the same patients; (iii) the correlation between circulating anti-chlamydial antibodies and the presence of C. pneumoniae DNA. Overall, 160 atherosclerotic carotid plaques and 174 PBMC specimens from patients with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis were examined by ompA nested touchdown PCR for presence of C. pneumoniae. In addition, C. pneumoniae DNA was detected in 81 specimens of atherosclerotic carotid plaque and PBMC obtained from the same patients. C. pneumoniae DNA was found in 36.9% of atherosclerotic carotid plaques and in 40.2% of PBMC specimens examined (P=NS). With regard to 81 patients, C. pneumoniae DNA was detected in 27.2% of atherosclerotic carotid plaques and in 44.4% of PBMC specimens(P=0.05). In 18 patients, the presence of C. pneumoniae DNA in PBMC specimens and atherosclerotic carotid plaques coincided (P=0.005). No statistically significant association was found between anti-C. pneumoniae antibodies (IgG and IgA) and positive PCR results. In conclusion, our results suggest that the detection of C. pneumoniae DNA in PBMC specimens seems to be a first-choice method to identify the patients at risk for endovascular chlamydial infection.
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Sessa R, Di Pietro M, Schiavoni G, Santino I, Del Piano M. Could Chlamydia Pneumoniae Be Considered an Infectious Risk Factor for Inflammatory Diseases Such as Atherosclerosis ? EUR J INFLAMM 2005. [DOI: 10.1177/1721727x0500300301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia pneumoniae, a Gram-negative intracellular obligate bacteria, is recognised as a common cause of upper respiratory tract infections, and accounts for ∼10% of community-acquired pneumonia. In recent years, chronic and persistent infection with C. pneumoniae has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is regarded as a chronic inflammatory disease that results from complex interactions between a variety of cell types such as endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, monocytes/macrophages and inflammatory mediators. Involvement of C. pneumoniae in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis has been supported by findings from seroepidemiologic studies, direct detection of chlamydial DNA, experimental animal and in vitro studies, and antibiotic intervention trials. The spectrum of cell biological, animal, and human clinical data suggests that C. pneumoniae may be considered an infectious risk factor for atherosclerosis but further studies are needed to clarify the etiopathogenetic role of C. pneumoniae in atherosclerotic vessel walls.
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Petrucca A, Cipriani P, Sessa R, Teggi A, Pustorino R, Santapaola D, Nicoletti M. Burkholderia cenocepacia vaginal infection in patient with smoldering myeloma and chronic hepatitis C. Emerg Infect Dis 2005; 10:1957-9. [PMID: 15550207 PMCID: PMC3328987 DOI: 10.3201/eid1011.040127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We report a case of a vaginal infection caused by a strain of Burkholderia cenocepacia. The strain was isolated from vaginal swab specimens from a 68-year-old woman with smoldering myeloma and chronic hepatitis C virus infection who was hospitalized for abdominal abscess. Treatment with piperacillin/tazobactam eliminated B. cenocepacia infection and vaginal symptoms.
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Sessa R, Di Pietro M, Ratanarat R, Rassu M, Ronco C. Chlamydia pneumoniae as risk factor of cardiovascular disease in dialysis patients. Int J Artif Organs 2005; 28:3-7. [PMID: 15742303 DOI: 10.1177/039139880502800102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Sessa R, Di Pietro M, Schiavoni G, Nicoletti M, Soda G, Nardoni S, Bosco D, Santino I, Cipriani P, Del Piano M. Detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae in atherosclerotic coronary arteries. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2005; 17:301-6. [PMID: 15461864 DOI: 10.1177/039463200401700310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia pneumoniae has recently been associated with the development of coronary heart diseases by sero-epidemiological studies and by direct detection of the organism in atherosclerotic tissues. The aim of our study was to employ a semi-nested PCR approach to investigate the presence of C. pneumoniae in both normal and atherosclerotic coronary arteries of humans obtained at autopsy. Moreover, we have evaluated the role of infection with C. pneumoniae in relation to the extent of coronary atherosclerosis. One hundred and eighty coronary artery specimens were collected at autopsy from 60 consecutive subjects (three arterial segments from each subject). Atherosclerosis in each arterial segment was graded histologically by the Stary classification. Thirty normal coronary arteries were also taken at autopsy as control. PCR results evidenced the presence of C. pneumoniae DNA in atherosclerotic coronary arteries in 19 (31.7%) of 60 subjects examined, while none of the 30 subjects with non-atherosclerotic tissues was positive (p=0.001). Moreover, of the 180 atherosclerotic specimens examined, C. pneumoniae DNA was detected in 3.4% (2/59) of mild atherosclerotic lesions, and in 14.0% (17/121) of advanced atherosclerotic lesions (p=0.05). Our results demonstrate that the presence of C. pneumoniae DNA may be associated with the severity of coronary atherosclerosis.
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Santino I, Cammarata E, Franco S, Galdiero F, Oliva B, Sessa R, Cipriani P, Tempera G, Del Piano M. Multicentric study of seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophila in high-risk groups in regions of central and southern Italy. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2004; 17:219-23. [PMID: 15171823 DOI: 10.1177/039463200401700214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of B. burgdorferi and A. phagocytophila in populations of workers from 4 Italian regions, known to be exposed to tick bites. A total of 712 serum samples collected were divided as follows: 387 samples were obtained from workers at risk for tick bites and 325 from individuals that were not considered to be at risk of ticks bites and served as the control group. Antibodies against B. burgdorferi were found in 29 (7.5%) of the 387 risk workers and in 4 (1.2%) of the 325 control group. Antibodies reactive with the HGE agent were found in 22 (5.7%) of the 387 risk workers and in 3 (0.9%) of the 325 control group. Antibodies to both B. burgdorferi and A. phagocytophila were found in 1.6% of the forestry workers confirming the possibility of coinfection or concurrent infection. The present finding show significant differences between seroprevalence of the risk workers and that of the people with no risk for tick exposure.
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Cellini A, Scoarughi GL, Poggiali P, Santino I, Sessa R, Donini P, Cimmino C. Stringent control in the archaeal genus Sulfolobus. Res Microbiol 2004; 155:98-104. [PMID: 14990261 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2003.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2003] [Accepted: 11/11/2003] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Six Archaea belonging to the phylum Euryarchaeota were previously analyzed with respect to stringent control. Only one of the strains studied was shown to possess Bacteria-like stringent control over stable RNA accumulation; ppGpp and pppGpp production was totally lacking in all Archaea analyzed. To broaden our knowledge of stringent control in the Archaea, we examined here the accumulation of stable RNA and the production of ppGpp and pppGpp under amino acid starvation in three species of the genus Sulfolobus belonging to the Crenarchaeota, an archaeal phylum distant from the Euryarchaeota. In these species the accumulation of sRNA was arrested when aminoacylation of tRNA was inhibited by pseudomonic acid. Furthermore, stringent control of stable RNA accumulation was relaxed by some protein synthesis inhibitors that do not interfere with aminoacylation of tRNA, a feature typical of bacterial stringent control. Neither ppGpp nor pppGpp could be detected during growth or under amino acid starvation, and the intracellular GTP levels did not decrease in the course of the stringent response. These results show that: (1) stringency is widespread in wild-type thermoacidophilic archaea; (2) in the crenarchaeal species analyzed here SC depends on the deaminoacylation of tRNA; (3) in the strains analyzed ppGpp is not produced during normal growth nor during the stringent reaction; it is therefore not an effector either of SC over sRNA synthesis or of growth control. (p)ppGpp appears to be completely absent from the Archaea and thus constitutes an additional feature that distinguishes the Bacteria from the Archaea.
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Romano S, Penco M, Fratini S, Di Pietro M, Sessa R, Del Piano M, Fedele F, Dagianti A. Chlamydia pneumoniae infection is associated with coronary artery disease but not implicated in inducing plaque instability. Int J Cardiol 2004; 95:95-9. [PMID: 15159045 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2003.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2002] [Revised: 05/21/2003] [Accepted: 05/24/2003] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many authors have shown an association between Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) infection and coronary artery disease. However, whether C. pneumoniae infection plays an important role in triggering an acute coronary event remains to be elucidated. METHODS Sixty-four consecutive patients with unstable angina (group A), 56 consecutive patients with stable exertional angina (group B) and 74 control subjects (group C) were studied. The IgM, IgG and IgA anti-C. pneumoniae titers were assessed (microimmunofluorescence test Labsystem), values > or =1:16, > or =1:32 and > or =1:16 being respectively considered positive. RESULTS IgM antibodies were found in 10.9% of group A and 12.5% of group B patients, whereas no subject of group C showed IgM titers (A vs. B, p=ns; C vs. A and B, p<0.05). Positive IgG titers were found in 76.6%, 82% and 44.6% in groups A, B and C, respectively (A vs. B, p=ns; C vs. A and B, p<0.05). Positive IgA titers were found in 62.5%, 61% and 31.1% in groups A, B and C, respectively (A vs. B, p=ns; C vs. A and B, p<0.05). Acute infection was observed in 10.9% and 12.5% of patients in groups A and B, respectively (p=ns); reinfection in 17% and 11%; no patient of the control group had signs of acute infection or reinfection. Chronic infection was observed in 34.4% and 37.5% in group A and B, respectively (p=ns). CONCLUSION C. pneumoniae infection is associated with coronary artery disease, but no difference in serology is present between unstable and stable angina. Therefore, it does not seem implicated in triggering an acute coronary event.
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Petrucca A, Cipriani P, Valenti P, Santapaola D, Cimmino C, Scoarughi GL, Santino I, Stefani S, Sessa R, Nicoletti M. Molecular characterization of Burkholderia cepacia isolates from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients in an Italian CF center. Res Microbiol 2003; 154:491-8. [PMID: 14499935 DOI: 10.1016/s0923-2508(03)00145-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria of the Burkholderia cepacia complex consist of a number of closely related genomic species (genomovars) potentially pathogenic for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, collectively referred to as the B. cepacia complex. The genomovar status and epidemiological relatedness of B. cepacia complex strains recovered from CF patients, attending a CF Center at the University Hospital "Policlinico Umberto I" of Rome, were investigated using 16S rRNA PCR-RFLP, recA PCR-RFLP, genomovar-specific PCR, and RAPD. Forty-seven isolates identified as B. cepacia by commercial systems were repeatedly recovered from 19 CF patients. The taxonomy approach used in this study showed that 17 of the 19 patients were colonized by B. cepacia complex strains. Genomovar III (11 strains) was the most prevalent genomovar. Two strains of genomovar I, one B. stabilis (genomovar IV), one B. multivorans (genomovar II), and 4 strains of B. anthina (genomovar VIII) were also identified. This is the first report of multiple patient colonization by B. anthina in a CF center. The epidemiological and genetic relatedness as well as the presence of molecular markers associated with virulence and transmissibility of the B. cepacia complex strains were determined and probable patient-to-patient spread was observed.
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Santino I, Iori A, Nicoletti M, Valletta S, Cimmino C, Scoarughi GL, Santapaola D, Sessa R, Del Piano M. Prevalence of Borrelia Burgdorferi sensu lato genomospecies and of the human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) agent in Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in the area of Monti Lepini, Italy. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2003; 16:105-8. [PMID: 12797900 DOI: 10.1177/039463200301600203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are obligate hematophagous arthropods that are parasites in every class of vertebrates in most regions of the world. They are also considered to be important vectors for the transmission of human infectious diseases. In the present study we used polymer chain reaction (PCR) amplification analysis to determine the prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi and Ehrlichia phagocytophila, the agents of, respectively, Lyme borreliosis and human granulocytic ehrlichiosis, among ticks inhabiting the area of Monti Lepini, a wild area located in the Latium Region of Italy. A total of 141 I. ricinus ticks (125 nymphs and 16 adults) were collected in the studied area. Total DNAs were extracted from I. ricinus nymphs (pooled in groups of five) and from individual adults. The DNA samples were examined for the presence of B. burgdorferi sensu lato and E. phagocytophila by PCR using two specific pairs of oligonucleotides that specifically amplify distinct DNA regions of the 16S rRNA genes of the two species. The prevalence of vectors infected with B. burgdorferi s. l. was 16% in pooled nymphs samples, and 12.5% in adult ticks, while E. phagocytophila was found only in pooled nymphs samples (8%). Three genomospecies were identified, namely Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia garinii, and Borrelia valaisiana, in samples found positive for B. burgdorferi s. l. No sample was found positive for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto.
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Sessa R, Di Pietro M, Schiavoni G, Santino I, Benedetti-Valentini F, Perna R, Romano S, del Piano M. Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA in patients with symptomatic carotid atherosclerotic disease. J Vasc Surg 2003; 37:1027-31. [PMID: 12756349 DOI: 10.1067/mva.2003.200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We evaluated the correlation between the presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae in atherosclerotic carotid plaques, lymph nodes, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and symptomatic carotid atherosclerotic disease. METHODS Fifty-one consecutive patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy were enrolled; 18 of the 51 patients had symptomatic disease, whereas 33 had asymptomatic disease. Detection of C pneumoniae DNA in atherosclerotic carotid plaques, lymph nodes, and PBMCs was performed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). C pneumoniae antibodies were measured with a microimmunofluorescence test. RESULTS C pneumoniae DNA in atherosclerotic carotid plaques was detected in 44.4% of patients with symptomatic disease and in 30.3% of those with asymptomatic disease (P =.48). C pneumoniae DNA in lymph nodes was detected in 33.3% of patients with symptomatic disease and 18.2% of those with asymptomatic disease (P =.19). Prevalence of C pneumoniae DNA in PBMCs was significantly higher in patients with symptomatic disease (72.2%) compared with those with asymptomatic disease (30.3%) (P =.01). Serologic results support the association between C pneumoniae DNA in PBMCs and symptomatic carotid atherosclerotic disease, because seropositivity for anti-chlamydial immunoglobulin (Ig) A antibodies was significantly higher in PCR-positive PBMCs in patients with symptomatic disease compared with patients with asymptomatic disease (P =.02). CONCLUSIONS Detection of C pneumoniae in PBMCs shows that C pneumoniae may be associated with symptomatic carotid atherosclerotic disease. Although we believe there is need for standardization of PCR methods and for assessing sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of the tests, we suggest that presence of C pneumoniae DNA in PBMCs is a valid surrogate marker of risk for endovascular chlamydial infection. Only long-term cohort studies and interventional trials will clarify the etiopathogenic role of C pneumoniae.
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Scoarughi GL, Santino I, Sessa R, Cimmino C, Donini P. Effect of amino acid starvation on glucose transport in two archaeal organisms. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2003; 218:47-50. [PMID: 12583896 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2003.tb11496.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
When protein synthesis is arrested by amino acid starvation, Escherichia coli wild-type strains show stringent control (SC) over stable RNA (sRNA) accumulation as well as a large number of other growth-related processes. One of the events under SC is transport of metabolites. Thus, under amino acid starvation, E. coli fails to accumulate the non-metabolizable glucose analog alpha-methyl-D-glucoside, whereas isogenic relaxed strains continue to take up this glucose analog. Unlike the Bacteria, most wild-type archaeal strains show relaxed control of sRNA accumulation, although a number of stringent strains have been identified. In order to determine whether stringency in the Archaea affects physiological events different from sRNA accumulation, transport of glucose analogs was examined under amino acid starvation in two stringent archaeal strains, Haloferax volcanii and Sulfolobus acidocaldarius. The experiments were performed with 2-deoxy-D-glucose, which was shown to be transported, but metabolized very limitedly. Unlike E. coli, H. volcanii and S. acidocaldarius continued to transport 2-deoxy-D-glucose under amino acid starvation. Thus, in both Archaea glucose analog transport is not under SC, as it is in E. coli.
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Santino I, Grillo R, Nicoletti M, Santapaola D, Speziale D, Sessa R, Fadda G, Del Piano M. Prevalence of IgG antibodies against Borrelia Burgdorferi s.l. and Ehrlichia Phagocytophila in sera of patients presenting symptoms of Lyme disease in a central region of Italy. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2002; 15:245-248. [PMID: 12575927 DOI: 10.1177/039463200201500313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence (seroprevalence) of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi and Ehrlichia phagocytophila among patients resident in Lazio, a region of central Italy. Of a sample of 1,050 patients, which presented clinical manifestations related to Lyme disease, 34 (3.2%) were Borrelia-seropositive (Lyme index value >/= 1.2). The sera of 25 out of the 34 patients that were Borrelia-positive were also analysed for the presence of antibodies against E. phagocytophila and 3 (12%) were found Ehrlichia-positive (titres >1:64). No Ehrlichia positive samples were found among sera of 250 Borrelia-negative patients. Since both B. burgdorferi s.l. and Ehrlichia species share the same tick vector (Ixodes ricinus), our results indicate that concurrent transmission of these microbial pathogens might have been occurred among the patients included in this study.
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Fontana R, Lo Cascio G, Giacobone E, Romero E, Cipriani P, Sessa R, Franchino L. Resistance surveillance in Italy: four-year results from the MYSTIC program. J Chemother 2002; 14:323-31. [PMID: 12420847 DOI: 10.1179/joc.2002.14.4.323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
The MYSTIC program is an international, multicenter surveillance study that compares the activity of meropenem, in centers that are prescribers, with that of imipenem, ceftazidime, piperacillin/tazobactam, ciprofloxacin and gentamicin. These Italian data are from 3 centers (neutropenia, cystic fibrosis and intensive care units). A total of 2,072 (238 Gram-positive and 1,834 Gram-negative) aerobic microorganisms were collected during the study. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (33.4%) was the most isolated species followed by Escherichia coli (14.4%). All except one Enterobacteriaceae strain isolated were fully susceptible to meropenem. Moreover, the activity of meropenem against Enterobacteriaceae was about eight-fold greater than that of imipenem and four- to eight-fold more active than that of ceftazidime. Meropenem was highly active against non-fermentative Gram-negative microorganisms, exceeding the activity of most of the other antimicrobial agents tested. Moreover, meropenem showed increasing activity during the 4 years of study (starting from 86.2% in 1997 to 94.0% in 2000). In conclusion, our results indicate that meropenem has excellent potency and spectrum of activity despite being prescribed for the treatment of seriously ill patients, and appears to be a reliable option for the initial empirical treatment of serious nosocomial infections.
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