Evolution of fungemia in an Italian region.

BACKGROUND: Fungemia represents a public health concern. Knowing aetiology and activity of the antifungals is critical for the management of bloodstream infections. Therefore, surveillance on local/international levels is desirable for a prompt administration of appropriate therapy. METHODS: Data on fungi responsible for fungemia and antifungal susceptibility profiles were collected from a laboratory-based surveillance over 2016-2017 in 12 hospitals located in Lombardia, Italy. The trend of this infection in twenty years was analysed. RESULTS: A total of 1024 episodes were evaluated. Rate of candiaemia progressively increased up to 1.46/1000 admissions. C.albicans was the most common species (52%), followed by C. parapsilosis (15%) and C glabrata (13%). As in the previous surveys the antifungal resistance is rare (echinocandins<2%, fluconazole 6%, amphotericin B 0.6%). Fungi other than Candida were responsible for 18 episodes: Cryptococcus neoformans (5 cases), Fusarium spp. (4), Magnusiomyces clavatus (3), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (3), Rhodotorula spp. (2), Exophiala dermatitidis (1). All fungi, except S.cerevisiae, were intrinsically resistant to echinocandins. Some isolates showed also elevated azole MIC. CONCLUSIONS: No particular changes in terms of species distribution and antifungal susceptibility patterns was noted. However, surveillance programs are needed to monitor trends in antifungal resistance, steer stewardship activities, orient empirical treatment.

Epidemic diffusion of KPC carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in Italy: results of the first countrywide survey, 15 May to 30 June 2011.

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are emerging as a public health problem in various settings. In Italy, a rapid and remarkable increase of carbapenem-non-susceptible Klebsiella pneumoniae has been reported since 2010. Here we report on the results of a countrywide cross-sectional survey, carried out from 15 May to 30 June 2011 to investigate the diffusion of CRE in Italy and to characterise the most prevalent resistance mechanisms and their dissemination patterns. CRE were reported from most (23 of 25) participating laboratories, with an overall proportion of 3.5% and 0.3% among consecutive non-duplicate clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae from inpatients (n=7,154) and outpatients (n=6,595), respectively. K. pneumoniae was the most frequent species (proportion of carbapenem-non-susceptible isolates: 11.9%), while a minority of CRE of other species were detected. Carbapenemase production was detected in the majority (85%) of CRE. KPC-type enzymes were by far the most common (89.5% of carbapenemase producers), followed by VIM-1 (9.2%) and OXA-48 (1.3%). KPC-producing K. pneumoniae (KPC-KP) were detected in most centres and contributed majorly to the epidemic dissemination of CRE recently observed in our country. Dissemination of KPC-KP was mostly sustained by strains of clonal complex 258 (ST-258 producing KPC-2 or KPC-3, and ST-512 producing KPC-3), while a minority belonged to ST-101.

Enhanced soluble CD40 ligand contributes to endothelial cell dysfunction in vitro and monocyte activation in patients with diabetes mellitus: effect of improved metabolic control.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Inflammation plays a pathogenic role in the development of accelerated atherosclerosis in diabetes. Soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) is enhanced in diabetes; however, the molecular mechanisms linking sCD40L to accelerated atherosclerosis in diabetes are still unclear. We tested the hypothesis that sCD40L may be involved in the vascular complications in diabetes and exerts its effect by triggering inflammatory reactions on mononuclear and endothelial cells (ECs). METHODS: We studied 70 patients, 40 with type 2 and 30 with type 1 diabetes, with a history or physical examination negative for cardiovascular disease, and 40 non-diabetic and 30 healthy subjects, matched with the type 2 and type 1 diabetic patients, respectively. Plasma and serum sCD40L, and plasma soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, E-selectin and monocyte chemo-attractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were measured. Adhesion molecules and MCP-1 release, the ability to repair an injury in ECs, and O2- generation in monocytes were analysed in vitro after stimulation with serum from patients or controls. RESULTS: Type 2 and type 1 diabetic patients had significantly higher sCD40L levels than controls. Furthermore, high sCD40L was associated with in vitro adhesion molecules and MCP-1 release, impaired migration in ECs and enhanced O2- generation in monocytes. Improved metabolic control was associated with a reduction of plasma sCD40L by 37.5% in 12 type 1 diabetic patients. Furthermore, elevated sCD40L in diabetic patients was significantly correlated with HbA1c levels. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Upregulation of sCD40L as a consequence of persistent hyperglycaemia in diabetic patients results in EC activation and monocyte recruitment to the arterial wall, possibly contributing to accelerated atherosclerosis development in diabetes.

Relationship between reduced BCL-2 expression in circulating mononuclear cells and early nephropathy in type 1 diabetes.

Microalbuminuria is the earliest clinical evidence of diabetic nephropathy, but the mechanisms linking hyperglycemia and kidney complications are not clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether enhanced oxidative stress in patients with microalbuminuria can contribute to diabetic nephropathy development through downregulation of the antiapoptotic gene Bcl-2 that promotes in turn a pro-inflammatory status. We studied 30 patients with type 1 diabetes (15 with and 15 without microalbuminuria) compared to 15 matched healthy controls. Plasma oxidant status, and expression of Bcl-2, activated NF-kB, inducible Nitric Oxide synthase (iNOS), and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 in circulating monocytes were evaluated at baseline and after 8-week oral vitamin E treatment (600 mg b.i.d.). Bcl-2 expression was significantly reduced in microalbuminuric diabetic patients as a consequence of increased oxidant burden secondary to persistent hyperglycemia. Bcl-2 down-regulation was associated with enhanced expression of NF-kB, iNOS and MCP-1, and showed a strong correlation with the albumin excretion rate. Low Bcl-2 expression and high inflammatory status were normalized by vitamin E both in vivo and in vitro. Our study showed that Bcl-2 down-regulation in diabetic patients with poor glycemic control results in the activation of the NF-kB pathway leading to the development of nephropathy. Vitamin E might provide a novel form of therapy for prevention of nephropathy in diabetic patients in which an acceptable glycemic control is difficult to achieve despite insulin therapy.

High preprocedural non-HDL cholesterol is associated with enhanced oxidative stress and monocyte activation after coronary angioplasty: possible implications in restenosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether enhanced oxidant stress in patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is associated with a higher concentration of non-high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol at baseline, and whether this contributes to the inflammatory reaction and luminal renarrowing after PTCA. DESIGN: An ex vivo and in vitro study of 46 patients who underwent PTCA and who had repeat angiograms after six months. Blood samples were collected immediately before PTCA, and at 24 hours, 48 hours, and 15 days after. SETTING: Tertiary referral centre. SUBJECTS: 46 patients (30 male, 16 female; mean (SD) age, 62 (5) years) with stable or unstable angina who underwent elective PTCA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Continuous variable luminal loss as defined by change in minimum lumen diameter during follow up, normalised for vessel size; lag phase of low density lipoprotein to in vitro oxidation; plasma fluorescent products of lipid peroxidation (FPLP); plasma vitamin C and E; interleukin (IL) 1beta secretion from unstimulated monocytes; plasma C reactive protein (CRP). RESULTS: Restenosis occurred in 12 patients (26%). Oxidant stress after PTCA was greater (p < 0.0001 at 15 days) in the patients with restenosis and showed a significant correlation with the preprocedural concentration of non-HDL cholesterol (p < 0.001). Inflammatory reaction (as reflected by IL-1beta production and CRP) and late lumen loss were linearly correlated (p < 0.001) with lag phase and FPLP throughout the study, and inversely (p < 0.05) with vitamin C and E measured at two and 15 days after PTCA. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence for the critical role of cholesterol dependent oxidant stress in the pathophysiology of restenosis after PTCA. The findings raise the possibility that drugs capable of modulating oxidant status might provide a novel form of adjuvant treatment in patients with hypercholesterolaemia undergoing PTCA.

Overexpression of functionally coupled cyclooxygenase-2 and prostaglandin E synthase in symptomatic atherosclerotic plaques as a basis of prostaglandin E(2)-dependent plaque instability.

BACKGROUND: Studies have implicated a role for prostaglandin (PG) E(2)-dependent matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) biosynthesis in the rupture of atherosclerotic plaque. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and PGE synthase (PGES) are coregulated in nucleated cells by inflammatory stimuli. The aim of this study was to characterize the expression of COX-2 and PGES in carotid plaques and to correlate it with the extent of inflammatory infiltration and MMP activity and with clinical features of patients' presentation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Plaques were obtained from 50 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy and divided into 2 groups (symptomatic and asymptomatic) according to clinical evidence of recent transient ischemic attack or stroke. Plaques were analyzed for COX-2, PGES, MMP-2, and MMP-9 by immunocytochemistry and Western blot, whereas zymography was used to detect MMP activity. Immunocytochemistry was used to identify CD68+ macrophages, CD3+ T lymphocytes, and HLA-DR+ cells. The percentage of macrophage-rich areas was larger (P<0.0001) in symptomatic plaques. COX-2, PGES, and MMPs were detected in all specimens; enzyme concentration, however, was significantly higher in symptomatic plaques. COX-2, PGES, and MMPs were especially noted in shoulders of symptomatic plaques, colocalizing with HLA-DR+ macrophages. All symptomatic plaques contained activated forms of MMPs. Finally, inhibition of COX-2 by NS-398 was accompanied by decreased production of MMPs that was reversed by PGE(2). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the colocalization of COX-2 and PGES in symptomatic lesions and provides evidence that synthesis of COX-2 and PGES by activated macrophages is associated with acute ischemic syndromes, possibly through metalloproteinase-induced plaque rupture.

Elevated circulating levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in patients with restenosis after coronary angioplasty.

Inflammation plays a pathogenic role in the development of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a potent chemoattractant of monocytes; however, its role in the pathophysiology of restenosis is still unclear. We set out to investigate the role of MCP-1 in restenosis after PTCA. In addition, we tested the hypothesis that MCP-1 exerts its effect, at least in part, by inducing O(2)(-) generation in circulating monocytes. Plasma levels of MCP-1 were measured before and 1, 5, 15, and 180 days after PTCA in 50 patients (30 males and 20 females, aged 62+/-5 years) who underwent PTCA and who had repeated angiograms at 6-month follow-up. Restenosis occurred in 14 (28%) patients. The MCP-1 level was no different at baseline between patients with or without restenosis. However, after the procedure, restenotic patients, compared with nonrestenotic patients, had statistically significant (P<0.0001) elevated levels of MCP-1. In contrast, plasma levels of other chemokines, such as RANTES and interleukin-8, did not differ between the 2 groups after PTCA. Higher MCP-1 throughout the study was correlated with restenosis. Moreover, increased MCP-1 was significantly correlated with increased monocyte activity, as reflected by enhanced O(2)(-) generation. Finally, multivariate regression analysis showed that the MCP-1 plasma level measured 15 days after PTCA was the only statistically significant independent predictor of restenosis (beta=0.688, P<0.0001). This study suggests that MCP-1 production and macrophage accumulation in the balloon-injured vessel may play a pivotal role in restenosis after PTCA. MCP-1 may induce luminal renarrowing, at least in part, by inducing O(2)(-) release in monocytes. Further understanding of the mechanism(s) by which MCP-1 is produced and acts after arterial injury may provide insight into therapies to limit the progression of atherosclerosis and restenosis after balloon angioplasty.

Intratumoral microvessel density and expression of ED-A/ED-B sequences of fibronectin in breast carcinoma.

The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between intratumoral microvessel density (iMVD) and the presence of cellular fibronectin isoforms, ED-A and ED-B, in order to identify those tumours with a prominent angiogenic phenotype. 91 cases of invasive ductal breast carcinoma were evaluated for TNM, histological grading, percentage of Ki-67+ cells and receptor hormonal status. iMVD was determined as a single microvessel count in a 200 x microscope field from the region of the tumour that appeared to be most densely vascular. When the mean values of iMVD of the various groups were compared, no significant difference was noted (Mann-Whitney test). When tumours were classified as high or low iMVD, based on a cut-off value (99 vessels/0.74 mm2), cases with high iMVD were significantly more numerous in poorly differentiated G3 tumours (P = 0.01, Chi-square test), and in tumours with lymph node metastasis (N0 versus N1 + N2; P = 0.002). The possibility that high iMVD was the expression of prominent vascular neoformation was explored using ED-A and ED-B isoforms of fibronectin as markers of neoformed vessels. ED-A + and/or ED-B + blood vessels were < 10% of total vessels, were detected in approximately 50% of cases independently of iMVD values, and were not more numerous in tumour areas with hot spot vascularisation. Our findings indicate that iMVD and expression of ED-A/ED-B reflect different aspects of tumour-associated angiogenesis.