Cerebral Toxocariasis as a Cause of Epilepsy: A Pediatric Case.

Toxocarosis is the consequence of human infection by Toxocara spp. larvae and is one of the most common ascarioses, not only in developing countries, but also in the European region, where its prevalence reaches 14%. Due to their particular behavior, children are at higher risk of this parasitic infection, whose clinical features depend on the localization of the Toxocara larvae. Neurotoxocariasis is very uncommon in children and may take different forms depending on the underlying physiopathologic process: immune reaction against the parasite antigens, vasculitis, treatment complications, or, very rarely, brain localization of Toxocara spp. larvae. The association between neurotoxocariasis and the onset of childhood epilepsy has been postulated but is still debated. Moreover, a Toxocara spp. abscess causing epileptic seizures in children has been rarely described, especially in western countries. Hereby we present a 9-year-old patient with a new diagnosis of epilepsy definitely secondary to brain abscess due to the localization of Toxocara canis larvae. Diagnosis was confirmed by neuroimaging and serological test. The successful treatment with albendazole and steroids was documented with a close and long-term clinical and neuroradiological follow-up. Our experience confirms that every case of cryptogenetic epilepsy in children deserves a neuroimaging study and, in case of cystic images, Toxocara serology is mandatory to avoid further unnecessary invasive diagnostic investigations and to set the specific drug therapy.

Longitudinal Changes of Subpubic Arch Angle throughout Pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to assess whether the subpubic arch angle (SPA) changes throughout pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recruited a group of nulliparous women in the first trimester of pregnancy. Each woman was assessed 3 times throughout pregnancy, once per each trimester, by measuring SPA using a recently described highly reproducible three-dimensional transperineal ultrasound (linear reconstruction with contrast enhancement technique; OmniView-volume contrast imaging). Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to study SPA changes during pregnancy. RESULTS: Overall, 97 women were included in the final analysis. SPA increased progressively and significantly (F = 27.824, p < 0.001) from the first to the second trimester (121.8 ± 8.7 vs. 123.5 ± 8.4°, p = 0.01) and from the second to the third trimester (123.5 ± 8.4 vs. 125.3 ± 8.1°, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: SPA width increases progressively but slightly during pregnancy. Although this finding is interesting, the extremely small difference detected is unlikely to be clinically significant.

Amniotic fluid antiphospholipid antibodies: potential role in antiphospholipid syndrome-independent aberrant implantation process.

BACKGROUND: The direct role of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) at maternal-fetal interface has not been fully investigated, especially whether they are involved in physiological and pathological implantation conditions, in an antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)-independent manner. In fact, trophoblast cells and placental endothelial cells at the implantation site express potential aPL targeted-phospholipid antigens (PL Ags); thus, the local production and presence of their specific antibodies, not related to APS (characterized by aPL presence in the peripheral blood), could be a potential marker of aberrant invasion, implantation and fetal-maternal immune tolerance processes. METHODS: Anti-Beta2glycoprotein I (anti-ß2GPI) and anticardiolipin (aCL Ab) antibodies (the most clinically relevant aPL) were detected by immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA), in the amniotic fluid (AF) of 167 women with physiological and complicated common pregnancy conditions, sharing an aberrant implantation process, such as recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), autoimmune hypothyroidism (ahT) and smoking. All women included in the study were negative to peripheral blood aPL. RESULTS: aCL and anti-ß2GPI antibodies were detectable in all the AF samples. RPL, ahT and smoking patients had higher level of anti-ß2GPI Abs (IgM) compared to women with physiological pregnancies (p < 0.0001). Since IgM cannot cross the placenta, their local production in response to maternal-fetal interface stimuli, could be hypothesized. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of aPL in the AF (not related to APS) could reveal a potential clinical significance at maternal-fetal interface in selected pregnancy complications, in which an aberrant implantation process, and in turn an impaired fetal-maternal immune tolerance cross-talk, could occur.

Bartonella spp. associated with rodents in an urban protected area, Buenos Aires (Argentina).

At least 15 of the 30 Bartonella species are involved in human pathologies, and several of them are associated with rodents and their fleas. The aims of this study were detect and molecularly characterize the Bartonella infections in rodents from an urban protected area of ​Buenos Aires City (Argentina). A total of 186 rodents were captured and identified. For PCR of the 16S rRNA fragment, 23.7 % of the samples tested positive, and two groups (GrA and GrB) were identified. Likewise, the comparison between the sequences obtained for the gltA gene determined the presence of three genotypes, closely related to Bartonella spp. detected in sigmodontine rodents and their fleas in the Americas, which form a well-separated clade. The high prevalence of Bartonella in rodents from an urban protected area of ​Buenos Aires city is relevant from a public health perspective.

Effect of chorionic villus sampling on placental volume and vascularization in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of chorionic villus sampling (CVS) on placental volume (PV), perfusion, and vasculature in the first trimester of pregnancy.Method: Uterine artery pulsatility index (PI), PV, vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI), and Vascularization Flow Index (VFI) were serially measured in 38 pregnant women who underwent CVS. Thirty-eight women who did not undergo invasive prenatal diagnosis were recruited as controls.Results: CVS was associated with a mild reduction of PI, a reduction of placental VI, FI, and VFI and with an increase in PV detected one week after the procedure. The outcome of pregnancy was similar between women of the two groups.Conclusion: Our findings showed that CVS is associated with mild placental vascular and morphological changes. However, these changes do not seem to be associated with adverse outcome.

Distinct Leishmania infantum Strains Circulate in Humans and Dogs in the Emilia-Romagna Region, Northeastern Italy.

Human leishmaniasis is an emerging problem in Italy and is on the increase in the Emilia-Romagna region, northeastern part of the country. Nevertheless, studies dealing with the molecular characterization of Leishmania spp. circulating in these areas are limited. In the present work, we explored the genetic polymorphism of Leishmania isolates from 28 cases of canine leishmaniasis and three cases of human visceral leishmaniasis (VL), which occurred in 2013-2014 in the Emilia-Romagna region. The characterization was carried out in comparison with nine human isolates of Leishmania from other VL endemic Italian regions and two reference strains. Nucleic acid from 31 Leishmania-positive phlebotomine sandfly pools, sampled in 2012-2013 in the Emilia-Romagna region, were also evaluated. DNA amplification and sequencing of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer-1 and of a repetitive nuclear region on chromosome 31 were carried out for genotyping. Two size polymorphic targets were also analyzed by PCR, the cpb E/F-gene and the k26-gene. Altogether, the analysis showed the circulation of different Leishmania infantum genotypes in the Emilia-Romagna region: two genotypes found in dogs from public kennels were similar to VL isolates from other Italian regions, whereas a third genotype was detected in VL cases of the Emilia-Romagna region and in all but one of the sandfly pools. The combined molecular tools applied in this study can constitute a helpful support for parasite tracking (e.g., in outbreak investigations) and for a better understanding of the epidemiological evolution of leishmaniasis in northeastern Italy.

Multilocus sequence typing of Dientamoeba fragilis identified a major clone with widespread geographical distribution.

The flagellated protozoan Dientamoeba fragilis is often detected in humans with gastrointestinal symptoms, but it is also commonly found in healthy subjects. As for other intestinal protozoa, the hypothesis that genetically dissimilar parasite isolates differ in their ability to cause symptoms has also been raised for D. fragilis. To date, only two D. fragilis genotypes (1 and 2) have been described, of which genotype 1 largely predominates worldwide. However, very few markers are available for genotyping studies and therefore the extent of genetic variation among isolates remains largely unknown. Here, we performed metagenomics experiments on two D. fragilis-positive stool samples, and identified a number of candidate markers based on sequence similarity to the phylogenetically related species Trichomonas vaginalis. Markers corresponding to structural genes and to genes encoding for proteases were selected for this study, and PCR experiments confirmed their belonging to the D. fragilis genome; two previously described markers (small subunit ribosomal DNA and large subunit of RNA polymerase II) were also included. Using this panel of markers, 111 isolates of human origin were genotyped, all of which, except one, belonged to genotype 1. These isolates had been collected at different times from symptomatic and asymptomatic persons of different age groups in Italy, Denmark, Brazil and Australia. By sequencing approximately 160kb from 500 PCR products, a very low level of polymorphism was observed across all the investigated loci, suggesting the existence of a major clone of D. fragilis with a widespread geographical distribution.

Epidemiology of Imported Leishmaniasis in Italy: Implications for a European Endemic Country.

In the past decade, the number of imported leishmaniasis cases has increased in countries of Western Europe. The trend is associated with increasing travels, ecotourism activity, military operations and immigration. While in endemic countries leishmaniasis is usually well diagnosed, accurate patient history and parasite identification are necessary to distinguish between autochthonous and imported cases. This is particularly important, as new Leishmania species/genotypes may be introduced and transmitted by local phlebotomine vectors without appropriate surveillance, with unpredictable consequences. We report on the surveillance of imported leishmaniasis performed by the Leishmania Identification Reference Centre of Rome from 1986 through 2012, involving health care centres from 16/20 Italian regions. Suspected imported cases were analyzed and conclusions were based on clinical, epidemiological and diagnostic findings. Over the years, different parasite identification methods were employed, including MultiLocus Enzyme Electrophoresis and molecular techniques combining disease diagnosis (SSU rDNA nested-PCR) and Leishmania typing (nuclear repetitive sequence and ITS-1 PCR-RFLPs). A total of 105 imported cases were recorded (annual range: 0-20) of which 36 were visceral (VL) (16 HIV-coinfections) and 69 cutaneous (CL) cases; 85 cases (52 CL) were from the Old World and 20 (17 CL) from the New World. Eight Leishmania species were identified, of which 7 were exotic to Italy. VL importation until 1995 was associated with the spread of Mediterranean Leishmania-HIV co-infections in early 1990s. Following the introduction of HAART treatment, such cases became occasional in Italians but relatively frequent among immigrants. In contrast, a steady increase of CL cases was observed from different areas of the Old and New Worlds, that in recent years included mainly immigrants 'visiting friends and relatives' and Italian tourists. This positive trend likely depends on better diagnosis and reporting; however, we suspect that many CL cases remained unrecognized. Given the relatively low incidence of leishmaniasis importation, the risk of introduction of exotic parasites appears limited, although the detection of anthroponotic species requires attention.

Amebic infections due to the Entamoeba histolytica-Entamoeba dispar complex: a study of the incidence in a remote rural area of Ecuador.

An epidemiologic field study was conducted in the village of Borbòn in Esmeraldas province in northern Ecuador to compare different parasitologic methods in the diagnosis of infection with the Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar complex. The results of two stool antigen detection assays (the Prospect Entamoeba histolytica microplate assay and the E. histolytica II assay) were compared with isoenzyme characterization of the amebic isolates. Nearly all (176 of 178, 98.9%) subjects were positive for intestinal parasites on direct microscopic examination, and cysts and/or vegetative forms morphologically consistent with the E. histolytica/E. dispar complex were recorded in 48 of 178 cases (27%). Culture in Robinson's medium was positive for amebic stocks in 89 (50%) of the 178 samples tested. Of the 37 isolates successfully stabilized, cloned, and characterized by zymodeme analysis, seven (18.9%) showed isoenzyme patterns of E. histolytica, whereas 26 (70.3%) showed patterns of E. dispar. The remaining four strains were identified as Entamoeba coli (three isolates; 8.1%) and Dientamoeba fragilis (one strain; 2.7%).The immunochromatographic tests showed different degrees of sensitivity and specificity when compared with isoenzyme characterization as the reference technique. The microplate assay, which does not discriminate between E. histolytica and E.dispar, showed a sensitivity of 54.5% and a specificity of 94% for both these amebic species. In contrast, the second-generation E. histolytica II test had a sensitivity of 14.3% and a specificity of 98.4% for E. histolytica sensu stricto. Our survey clearly demonstrated that more specific and sensitive diagnostic tests, such as stool antigen detection assays and isoenzyme analysis, are needed to establish the actual worldwide distribution of E. histolytica and E. dispar.

Long-term sonographic and serological follow-up of inactive echinococcal cysts of the liver: hints for a "watch-and-wait" approach.

Human cystic echinococcosis is a chronic, complex and neglected infection. Its clinical management has evolved over decades without adequate evaluation of efficacy. Recent expert opinion recommends that uncomplicated inactive cysts of the liver should be left untreated and solely monitored over time ("watch-and-wait" approach). However, clinical data supporting this approach are still scant and published mostly as conference proceedings. In this study, we report our experience with long-term sonographic and serological follow-up of inactive cysts of the liver. From March 1994 to October 2013, 38 patients with 47 liver cysts, diagnosed as inactive without any previous treatment history, were followed with ultrasound and serology at 6-12 months intervals for a period of at least 24 months (median follow-up 51.95 months) in our outpatient clinic. In 97.4% of patients, the cysts remained inactive over time and in only one case was reactivation of the cyst detected. No complications occurred during the time of monitoring. During follow-up, serology tests for CE were negative at diagnosis or became negative in 74.1% and were positive or became positive in 25.9% of cases. Patients with inactive cysts on ultrasound but positive serological tests were also investigated by CT scan (chest and abdomen) to rule out extra-hepatic cyst localization. This study confirms the importance of a stage-specific approach to the management of cystic echinococcosis and supports the use of a monitoring-only approach to inactive, uncomplicated cysts of the liver. It also confirms that serology plays only an ancillary role in the clinical management of these patients, compared to ultrasound and other imaging techniques. The implications of these findings for clinical management and natural history of cystic echinococcosis are discussed.

Failure of repeated treatment with praziquantel and arthemeter in four patients with acute schistosomiasis.

Schistosomiasis is on the rise but still difficult to treat in international travelers; it should be suspected in patients returning from endemic areas. Praziquantel (PZQ) is not effective and may aggravate symptoms. More recently, combination treatment with artemisinin derivatives have shown promising results. We report four cases of acute schistosomiasis (AS) in which several courses of combined therapy had been necessary to obtain negative serology.

Isolation and genotyping of Acanthamoeba strains from corneal infections in Italy.

Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a corneal disease caused by members of a genus of free-living amoebae and is associated predominantly with contact lens (CL) use. This study reports 16 cases of culture-proven AK diagnosed in northern Italy. Genotype identification was carried out with a PCR assay based on sequence analysis of the 18S rRNA gene, and sensitivity and specificity were evaluated in comparison with traditional parasitological techniques. A 405 bp region of the 18S rRNA gene (ASA.S1) including diagnostic fragment 3 (DF3) was amplified using the genus-specific primers JDP1 and JDP2. Genotype assignment was based on phenetic analysis of the ASA.S1 subset of the nuclear small-subunit rRNA gene sequence excluding the highly variable DF3 region. Phylogenetic analysis was also performed on the sequences obtained. All patients complained of monolateral infection; 11 (68.75%) admitted improper CL disinfection. In 14/16 (87.5 %) subjects, corneal scrapings were stained with calcofluor white and haematoxylin and eosin and, in ten cases (62.5 %), microscopy was positive for Acanthamoeba cysts. In vitro culture on 3 % non-nutrient agar plates was obtained in all cases (100 %), whereas cloning and axenic growth were positive for 14 amoebic stocks (87.5 %). PCR analysis had 100 % sensitivity and specificity compared with in vitro axenic culture, showing positive amplification from 15 isolates. All Acanthamoeba strains belonged to the T4 genotype, the main AK-related genotype worldwide. These results confirmed the importance of a complete diagnostic protocol, including a PCR assay, for the clinical diagnosis of AK on biological samples. Genotyping allowed inclusion of all isolates in the T4 group, thus demonstrating the prevalence of this genotype in northern Italy.

Detection of lead in Zea mays by dual-energy X-ray microtomography at the SYRMEP beamline of the ELETTRA synchrotron and by atomic absorption spectroscopy.

This study is related to the application of the X-ray dual-energy microradiography technique together with the atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) for the detection of lead on Zea mays stem, ear, root, and leaf samples. To highlight the places with lead intake, the planar radiographs taken with monochromatic X-ray radiation in absorption regime with photon energy below and above the absorption edge of a given chemical element, respectively, are analyzed and processed. To recognize the biological structures involved in the intake, the dual-energy images with the lead signal have been compared with the optical images of the same Z. mays stem. The ear, stem, root, and leaf samples have also been analyzed with the AAS technique to measure the exact amount of the hyperaccumulated lead. The AAS measurement revealed that the highest intake occurred in the roots while the lowest in the maize ears and in the leaf. It seems there is a particular mechanism that protects the seeds and the leaves in the intake process.

Actividad antifúngica del aceite esencial de cinco especies de Juniperus de Argentina / Antifungal activities of the essential oil of five species of Juniperus from Argentina

The chemical composition of the leaf oils of five Juniperus species (Juniperus sabina L., Juniperus communis Lam., Juniperus scopulorum Sarg., Juniperus virginiana L., Juniperus chinensis L., Cupressaceae) was determined by co-chromatography with authentic samples, GC-MS and Kováts retention indices. Sabinene was the most abundant component in the oils of Juniperus from western Patagonia Argentina. However, limonene and germacrene B constituted 25.1 percent and 11.5 percent of the oil of J. sabina. J. virginiana showed high concentration of alpha-humulene and limonene (31.4 and 15.9 percent respectively), while isobornyl acetate and germacrene B were also the main compounds of J. chinensis. Essential oils extracted of Juniperus were evaluated in vitro for their efficacy against Fusarium verticillioides, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus, Candida albicans and Rhodotorula infection. Candida albicans was not inhibited for the essential oils of Juniperus. However, F. verticillioides, A. flavus, A. parasiticus and Rhodotorula were inhibited for these oils.

La composición de los aceites esenciales de la hoja de cinco especies de Juniperus (Juniperus sabina L., Juniperus communis Lam., Juniperus scopulorum Sarg., Juniperus virginiana L., Juniperus chinensis L., Cupressaceae), se determinó mediante una co-cromatografía con muestras auténticas de dos columnas de diferente polaridad, CG-EM y los índices de retención de Kovats. El sabineno fue el componente más abundante en los aceites de Juniperus del oeste de la Patagonia Argentina. Sin embargo, el limoneno y el germacreno B son otros componentes importantes del aceite esencial de J. sabina con el 25,1 por ciento y 11,5 por ciento respectivamente. En J. virginiana el alfa-humuleno y el limoneno (con el 31,4 por ciento y 15.9 por ciento respectivamente) mostraron ser también importantes, mientras que el acetato de isobornilo y el germacreno B fueron también los principales componentes de la J. chinensis. Los aceites esenciales extraídos de Juniperus se evaluaron in vitro para determinar su eficacia contra Fusarium verticillioides, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus, Candida albicans y Rhodotorula. Candida albicans no se inhibió por la acción de los aceites esenciales de Juniperus. Sin embargo, F. verticillioides, A. flavus, A. parasiticus y Rhodotorula fueron inhibidos.