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ABSTRACT: The infection caused by HIV leads to an activation of the immune system, which involves local and systemic oxidative stress. In HIV-positive (HIV+) patients, oxidative damage is the result of HIV infection and its progression through the replication of the virus. We have examined 52 subjects: 26 HIV+ patients, and 26 healthy subjects (NC). Analysis of the parameters of the oxidant/antioxidant status (total antioxidant capacity (TAC), hydroperoxides (free radicals, PRO), thiols as thiolic capacity, TC) was carried out by means of the OXY-Absorbent test, the d-Rom test, and the -SHp test, respectively. Healthy subjects presented the following values: TAC (micromol/ml) 259.5+/-40.5; TC (micromol/l) 434.09+/-18.31; PRO (mg/dl) 54.09+/-7.3; CD4+ cells (cells/ml) 850+/-333. Values of HIV+ patients were the following: TAC 218.73+/-18.55 (ns vs NC; TC 250.88+/-93.11 (p 0.001 vs NC); PRO 110.5+/-23.61 (p 0.0005 vs NC); CD4+ cells 354+/-323.35 (p 0.0005 vs NC). The statistical analysis shows a direct correlation between TAC vs CD4+ cells; an indirect correlation between hydroperoxides vs CD4+ cells; not significant result between thiolic capacity vs CD4+ cells; finally, good correlations between TAC, hydroperoxides, and thiolic capacity vs HIV-RNA. The data obtained have proven that HIV+ patients present a condition of important oxidative stress. We may affi rm that this disease concurs with an increase of extreme stress; a condition in which the antioxidant defences are present, but are insufficient in neutralising the damaging actions of reactive species of oxygen, thus contributing to an acceleration in the natural history of HIV infections.
La Clinica terapeutica 01/2010; 161(1):55-8. · 0.27 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: At the end of 1988 an outbreak of trichinellosis involving 48 persons occurred in a small town in Central Italy, near the Appennine mountains. The epidemic was caused by the ingestion of sausages recently made with wild boar meat. The people affected were mostly relatives and friends of hunters. Trichinella larvae were found in boar meat sausages and in cats fed with raw leftovers and proved to be Trichinella sp. 3 at biochemical typing. This species of parasite is the most frequently isolated species of Trichinella in Italy and other Southern European countries. Clinically the epidemic has shown a typical, uncomplicated febrile course in most patients, but two patients showed signs of cardiac damage and one intense abdominal pain, suggesting an acute abdomen.
European Journal of Epidemiology 04/1992; 8(2):283-8. · 4.71 Impact Factor
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La Clinica terapeutica 10/1984; 110(6):521-8. · 0.27 Impact Factor
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S Coaccioli,
R Del Giorno, G Crapa,
C Sabatini,
A Panaccione,
L Di Cato,
A Lavagna,
G Fatati,
A Paladini,
R Frongillo,
A Puxeddu
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ABSTRACT: Various studies have confirmed the high incidence of skeletal homeostasis modifications in subjects who are carriers of chronic HIV infections, and specific pharmacological treatments, which modify the metabolism and condition both the weight loss and the reshaping of the bones. The presence of a reduction in body mass index seems to contribute to the progressive deterioration of the skeletal framework. The aim of this study was to see whether the presence of HIV-seropositivity could constitute a risk factor for the development of osteoporosis/osteopenia, even in the light of the fact that our group was composed of patients with a concentrated age span well under the limit for both post-menopausal and senile osteoporosis, and with a median age superimposable for both sexes.
Our study involved 26 HIV+ patients with an average duration of infection equal to 6.7 +/- 4.8 years, and a range of seropositive duration between 6 months to 16 years. The prominent ultrasonometrical parameters are as follows: Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation, Speed of Sound, Stiffness Index or Quantitative Ultra-sound Index, Bone Mineral Density, and T-score. The biochemical study was carried out by assessing a marker of neoformation such as seric osteocalcine, and uninary pyridinoline and deoxipyridonoline as resorption markers.
The results confirmed the presence of osteoporosis/osteopenia in 46% of the samples (11%, and 35%, respectively), with a progressive reduction in bone mineral density in relation to the duration of HIV infection. Assessment of the marker for bone metabolism showed a significant increase in osteocalcine in the female population compared to the males, without any significant variations in the normal values.
Extreme variability in the morphological appearance at bone level during the course of HIV infection would lead us to believe that in the genesis of various forms, depending on the mechanisms and the time involved only in the parts defined, other attributable factors are responsible, not only for the progression of the core pathology and the possible interference of hormonal factors (behavioural and/or nutritional) directly correlated with the state of infection, but also for the dismetabolic effects of the antiretroviral drugs.
La Clinica terapeutica 160(6):451-6. · 0.27 Impact Factor
