Increase of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Decrease of MCP-1 and Some Updated Epidemiology Aspects of Cystic Echinococcosis Human Cases in Calabria Region.

We aim to investigate some of the pathogenetic mediators of the human echinococcosis and to obtain updated epidemiological findings on cases of echinococcosis in Calabria, Southern Italy. Echinococcosis diagnosis was based on imaging, serological investigations, and molecular assay. Indeed, real-time PCR indicated the presence of G2/G3 genotypes of Echinococcus granulosus complex. Regarding pathogenesis, a relevant novel tool of immune depression should be deemed the reduced level of serum MCP-1. Also, we found a previously unreported VEGF, possibly associated with neovascularization requested by the parasite cyst metabolism. Cytokine profiles suggest a bias of the immunity toward Th2 and Treg responses. Nitric oxide levels exhibited a significant decrease one week after therapy versus basal level measured before surgery and/or chemotherapy. An increase of serum total IgE class and IgG4 subclass was found in Echinococcus-positive patients versus controls. Our data demonstrated an endemic spreading, at least in the province of Catanzaro and neighboring Calabria territories, for such parasitosis with the novel issue of the number of female overcoming male cases. In conclusion, the novel findings of this study were the increased VEGF and the reduced serum MCP-1 in the studied cases, as well as the number of Echinococcus-infected females overcoming the infected males.

Depression of lymphocyte activity during cutaneous leishmaniasis: a case report.

Skin leishmaniasis includes lesions of different appearance, shape, and severity, spanning from alarming diffuse lesions to an asymptomatic course. Moreover, aspecific presentation, as well as challenging differential diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis, may request more in-depth investigations on the intriguing and complex pathogenesis of such infection. A 7-year case of worsening cutaneous leishmaniasis in the left frontoparietal region of the scalp, achieving omolateral eyebrow, in a 68-year-old male patient prompted us to address the immunity profile of peripheral blood lymphocytes. An increase of regulatory CD19+/CD38bright/CD24bright B cell lymphocytes was observed at the front of normal levels of other lymphocytes subpopulations, including CD4+/CD25bright T cells. The total IgG and IgM, as well as proinflammatory subclasses of IgG, were below the normal range. However, IgG4 subclass was found normal. In conclusion, our data may indicate inhibition of humoral immunity associated with an increase of lymphocyte B-regulatory subpopulation.

Soluble CD14 Subtype-A New Biomarker in Predicting the Outcome of Critically Ill Septic Patients.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the role of presepsin (soluble CD14 subtype, sCD14-ST) in predicting the outcome of critically ill septic patients in parallel with procalcitonin and C-reactive protein. METHODS: This study was an observational, prospective study that enrolled 58 surgical and medical intensive care unit patients with suspected sepsis. All studied subjects were retrospectively stratified into survivors and nonsurvivors based on 28 days survival and according to microbiological results in blood culture positive and negative groups. Plasma and serum samples from each patient were collected at admission (T-0), after 24-48 hours (T-1) and after 7 days (T-2). Statistics were obtained using Student׳s t test and ANOVA, as well as Bonferroni post hoc test. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was also performed. RESULTS: Presepsin levels were significantly higher at T-0 (P = 0.0007), at T-1 (P < 0.0001) and at T-2 (P < 0.0001) in nonsurvivors versus survivors at the same time point. Presepsin concentrations were significantly increased at T-0 (P = 0.0073), T1 (P = 0.0111) and T2 (P = 0.0167) in patients with positive blood cultures in comparison to patients with negative cultures at the same time. For all time periods evaluated, presepsin data from nonsurviving and surviving individuals were subjected to ROC analysis that demonstrated an excellent accuracy and significant area under the ROC curve (P < 0.0001). Results of multivariate analysis indicated presepsin as a predictive independent variable among prognosis markers at T-0 (P = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Presepsin revealed an optimal prognostic performance in patients with severe sepsis and provided interesting diagnostic value. Prediction of outcome in critically ill patients is crucial to optimize management decisions and level of treatment.

A case report of Schistosoma haematobium infection in a pregnant migrant raises concerns about lack of screening policies.

Pregnant women with urinary schistosomiasis should be treated, but screening is not implemented in migrants. We report herein a case of a migrant diagnosed late into pregnancy, after diagnosis was made in her husband. Praziquantel was safe and effective. Schistosomiasis should be considered in pregnant women from endemic countries.

TRAF6-mediated ubiquitination of NEMO requires p62/sequestosome-1.

The atypical protein kinase C-interacting protein p62/sequestosome-1 (p62) has emerged as a crucial molecule in a variety of cellular functions due to its involvement in various signaling mechanisms. p62 has been implicated in the activation of NF-κB in TNFα-stimulated cells and has been shown to be activated in response to interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß). Here we demonstrate that p62 interacts with NEMO, the regulatory subunit of the complex responsible for activation of NF-κB transcription factor. Depletion of p62 obtained through a short interfering RNA targeting p62 mRNA abrogated TRAF6 capacity to promote NEMO ubiquitination and severely impairs NF-κB activation following IL-1ß stimulation. Together, these results indicate that p62 is an important intermediary in the NF-κB activation pathways implemented through non-degradative ubiquitination events.