An unusual presentation of pulmonary aspergilloma and review of available literature.

INTRODUCTION: Aspergilloma is a non-invasive form of pulmonary aspergillosis usually presenting as a clump of mold in pre-existing cavitary lung disease. Aspergillus related lung diseases have been classified into four types, whose manifestation is often related to previous lung diseases and host immunologic status. CASE REPORT: Cases of cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis without any evidence of pre-existing cavities, are rarely reported. We present here a case of pulmonary aspergillosis in which cavity formation appeared apparently after the establishment of infection. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of atypical presentations and the importance of recognizing these unusual cases of pulmonary aspergilloma is discussed.

Protective role of IL-18 in host defenses against group B Streptococcus.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of IL-18, a member of the IL-1 family, in group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection. Both in a neonatal and adult model of GBS infection, IL-18-deficient animals were significantly more susceptible to infection than WT animals. The lack of IL18 was associated with a marked reduction in IFN-γ-levels after bacterial stimulation but did not play a significant role in the recruitment of PMN to sites of GBS infection. Collectively, our data document a fundamental function of IL-18 signaling in boosting the host immune responses against GBS infection.

In vitro activity studies of doripenem and two other carbapenems tested against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other non-fermentative bacilli.

Over the past decade, an increasing prevalence of infections caused by non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria has been reported in many countries. Among these bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii have been associated with high mortality and treatment failures. Treatment options for multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii infections are limited to carbapenems in most cases. The mechanisms of carbapenem resistance have been identified in P. aeruginosa and other Gram-negative non-fermenters, including enzyme production, overexpression of efflux pumps, porin deficiencies, and target- site alterations. This article reviews the in vitro activity of doripenem and compares it with that of imipenem and meropenem against a large collection of non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli, obtained in worldwide surveillance studies between 2000 and 2010. A detailed examination of the available data demonstrate that doripenem has more potent in vitro antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter species compared to other carbapenems. Furthermore, doripenem has a limited ability to select for carbapenem-resistant mutants in vitro.

Molecular detection of Bartonella henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae in clinical samples of pet cats from Southern Italy.

Bartonella henselae is considered an emerging pathogen of veterinary and medical interest that can be occasionally transmitted to humans. Cats are considered to be the only reservoir host for B. henselae. In this study, we used a nested-PCR assay to investigate the prevalence of B.henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae DNA in peripheral blood samples, fine needle lymph node aspirate specimens and oral swabs from 85 cats in order to develop an easy diagnostic strategy for the selection of infection-free cats that are being considered as pets, especially for immunocompromised patients. Overall, molecular analysis showed that 71 cats (83.5%) tested PCR positive for the presence of B. henselae DNA. PCR amplification of DNA B. henselae produced positive products from lymph node aspirate specimens (62/85; 72.9%) similar to those obtained from blood samples (60/85; 70.6%) and higher than those from oral swabs (51/85; 60%) of cats. No PCR product was obtained for B. clarridgeiae. The simultaneous analysis of three different clinical samples in our study increased the diagnostic possibilities for B. henselae infection in the examined cats from 60-72.9% to 83.5%. Lymph node aspirates were found to be the most effective clinical samples for the detection of B. henselae and blood samples were the next best. Oral swab samples were used in this study with good results when considered in combination with blood and/or lymph node aspiration. The use of nested-PCR assay on these three clinical samples may enhance the diagnostic sensitivity for bartonellosis in cats irrespective of the clinical status of animals.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor modulates the production of TNF alpha by differentiated U937 cells infected with Leishmania major.

In this work, the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) during interaction of human phagocytes with the intracellular parasite Leishmania major was further investigated. The human monocytic cell line U937, differentiated with a combination of 1 alpha, 25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (VD) and retinoic acid (RA), or with granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was used. Differentiated U937 cells were infected with Leishmania major promastigotes, and TNF alpha was assayed in cell culture supernatants. It was found that the cytokine was produced only by U937 cells differentiated with VD/RA and further incubated with GM-CSF and LPS or interferon gamma (IFN gamma). L. major induced TNF alpha production only in the presence of GM-CSF. No direct relationship was found, however, between production of TNF alpha and resistance of differentiated U937 cells to infection with L. major.

Generation of superoxide anion and candidacidal activity by lipopolysaccharide-treated macrophages from patients affected by neoplasia.

Macrophages, derived from in vitro cultured monocytes from both healthy donors and patients affected by metastatic breast cancer, treated or not with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS), were tested for phagocytosis and intracellular killing of Candida albicans and superoxide anion release. We found a marked impairment in intracellular killing closely linked to the lack of superoxide production in macrophages from patients affected by neoplasia treated or not with LPS. On the other hand, the LPS treatment significantly enhanced the phagocytic activity of all the macrophage populations tested, except for phagocytes obtained from patients affected by neoplasia and differentiated in autologous serum.

Modulation of the intrinsic antiviral activity by Escherichia coli endotoxin in macrophages from patients with neoplasia.

Macrophages from patients with breast cancer showed an impairment of their antiviral activity. The capability to hinder herpes simplex virus type 2 replication of macrophages from healthy donors and from patients with breast cancer was compared to the in-vitro treatment with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The LPS showed a dose-dependent effect on the different macrophage populations studied. Nevertheless, macrophages from healthy donors appeared to be more sensitive to LPS in comparison with macrophages from the patients under our observation. On these cells LPS treatment was not able to modify the antiviral property, when these macrophages were differentiated in autologous serum.

Screening of tetanus antibodies with the aid of dot-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Dot-ELISA). Validation of the results using standard ELISA and passive hemagglutination test.

A Dot-ELISA is described that lends itself to the screening of large series of sera in relation to tetanus antibodies. A threshold of 0.06 I.U. per ml has been chosen as representing the protective tetanus antibody level. Two hundred and fifty-four sera were assayed by conventional ELISA, passive hemagglutination test and Dot-ELISA. The results obtained using concurrently these 3 techniques were in agreement with one another and permitted us to ascribe the same sera as tested by the various techniques to the same group of sera containing a non protective antitetanus antibody level and to the same group of sera-containing a protective level. It is suggested that Dot-ELISA should be used for the assessment of the tetanus immune status of populations.

A dot-ELISA intended for the specific and simultaneous detection of antibodies directed to antigens derived from Toxoplasma gondii, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, and type 1 and type 2 herpesviruses.

A procedure for the routine and simultaneous laboratory detection of IgG antibodies produced in humans in the course of various infectious diseases is described. The procedure, based on dot-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), used single nitrocellulose strips onto which several antigens were dotted in close proximity. Optimal conditions were specified that allowed the unequivocal and simultaneous detection of IgG antibodies specifically directed against Toxoplasma gondii, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 antigens. This technique has proved to be simultaneously specific, sensitive, and reliable, and it has been applied to prenatal screening of sera from pregnant women. It is suggested that this technique should also be used for the screening of large numbers of sera under field trial conditions.

A dot-ELISA for the detection of IgG antibodies to mumps and varicella viruses.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using nitrocellulose strips (dot-ELISA) for the routine laboratory detection of IgG antibodies to mumps and varicella viruses is described. The virus antigens are dotted onto nitrocellulose strips, and the dotted strips are incubated with the sera to be tested. The bound antibodies are revealed using enzyme-labeled antihuman IgG antibodies. Reliable results are obtained when the assay is carried out at 37 degrees C. The reported data indicate that the dot-ELISA can reliably be used for the detection of IgG antibodies to mumps and varicella viruses in human sera.

Interferon release by LPS-treated macrophages from patients affected by neoplasia.

Concerning the modulatory role of LPS on immunocompetent cells, the production of interferon by macrophages primed with human gamma interferon (HUIFN gamma), was studied. In particular the production of IFN from primed macrophages of patients affected by breast cancer, differentiated in presence of autologous serum or in serum from healthy donors, was compared with the IFN production from macrophages of healthy donors. The levels of endotoxin-induced IFN were enhanced by priming macrophages with HUIFN gamma. The "in vitro" treatment with Escherichia coli LPS restores the interferon production of primed macrophages, obtained from patients affected by breast cancer, differentiated in presence of serum from healthy donors. Moreover, LPS treatment of primed macrophages from patients, differentiated in autologous serum, did not influence the interferon production of these cells. Nevertheless, primed macrophages from healthy donors appeared to be more sensitive to LPS treatment in comparison with primed macrophages from patients affected by breast cancer.

Dot-enzyme immunoassay for visual detection of Brucella melitensis antibodies.

An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, using antigen coupled to paper, has been adapted for the detection of Brucella melitensis antibodies. Optimum conditions were achieved by incubation of 1 ml of diluted serum with a single piece of paper coated with purified Brucella antigens for a period of one hour, and by addition of a goat anti-human enzyme conjugate antibody for one hour again. Under these conditions 80 human sera were examined and the results obtained were compared with Wright agglutination test.

Rapid dot-immunobinding for detecting antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in human serum.

A modified dot-immunobinding assay is described for the rapid, specific and reliable screening of human sera for Toxoplasma gondii immunity status. This simple, rapid and sensitive assay proved to be a practical diagnostic technique since it can be performed in 3 hours employing a small amount of antigen (0.3 micrograms/microliters).

Evaluation of anti-Listeria monocytogenes antibodies by ELISA.

A new ELISA test using the purified Listeria monocytogenes-derived antigen LM 84 Ag is described together with its application in the diagnosis of listeriosis. Fifty-seven human sera were titrated by the ELISA and the complement fixation method and compared for specificity and sensitivity. The problem of possible cross-reactions with other antigens is discussed.

[Evaluation of anti-HAV IgG on 2 samples of closed populations]. / Valutazione di IgG anti-HAV su due campioni di popolazione "chiusa".

The authors have carried out an epidemiologic research about the diffusion of antibody to hepatitis A antigen in the inhabitants of Ginostra, fraction of Stromboli, and Alicudi Islands (Eolie's arcipelago). We have examined by ELISA 86 human sera. We have detected a percentage of positivity about 82 and 70.6% for two populations. A critic examination of the results with parameters auxiliary (sex, age), showed significant differences of positivity about two different sexs and ages.