Utilizzazione di una sonda genomica per l'¿dentificazione di trofozoiti di Entamoeba histolytica da coltura xenica.

Viene descritta una tecnica di ibridazione non radioattiva per l'identificazione di trofozoiti di Entamoeba histolytica da coltura xenica di Robinson

New uses for old drugs. Auranofin, a clinically established antiarthritic metallodrug, exhibits potent antimalarial effects in vitro: Mechanistic and pharmacological implications

The clinically established gold-based antiarthritic drug auranofin (AF) manifests a pronounced reactivity toward thiol and selenol groups of proteins. In particular, AF behaves as a potent inhibitor of mammalian thioredoxin reductases causing severe intracellular oxidative stress. Given the high sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum to oxidative stress, we thought that auranofin might act as an effective antimalarial agent. Thus, we report here new experimental results showing that auranofin and a few related gold complexes strongly inhibit P. falciparum growth in vitro. The observed antiplasmodial effects probably arise from direct inhibition of P. falciparum thioredoxin reductase. The above findings and the safe toxicity profile of auranofin warrant rapid evaluation of AF for malaria treatment in animal models

Epidemiologia molecolare della malaria d\u2019importazione in Italia : l\u2019impiego di marcatori genetici e di saggi di sensibilit\ue0 in vitro nello studio della clorochino-resistenza in Plasmodium falciparum

La diffusione della farmacoresistenza di Plasmodium falciparum, in particolar modo la clorochina-resistenza, rappresenta uno dei maggiori ostacoli al controllo della malaria. Numerosi studi hanno dimostrato che in P. falciparum la clorochino-resistenza \ue8 correlata alla presenza di specifiche mutazioni puntiformi nel gene pfcrt. Nel nostro studio abbiamo analizzato 120 isolati di P. falciparum relativi a casi di malaria importata in Italia per valutare la frequenza nel gene pfcrt delle mutazioni 76T e 220S. Inoltre, su 25 isolati plasmodiali \ue8 stata valutata la correlazione tra la presenza delle mutazioni e il livello di resistenza in vitro alla clorochina. I risultati del nostro studio hanno mostrato un\u2019alta frequenza delle mutazioni 76T (65,8%) e 220S (60%) negli isolati analizzati ed una significativa associazione tra le mutazioni nel gene pfcrt e la resistenza in vitro alla clorochina (Pearson\u2019s test: p< 0,001). Lo screening molecolare dei casi importati pu\uf2 fornire un utile strumento per le attivit\ue0 di sorveglianza e per monitorare lo sviluppo e la diffusione della farmaco-resistenza nelle aree endemiche

A large outbreak of giardiasis in a municipality of the bologna province, north-eastern italy, november 2018 to april 2019

Giardiasis, the disease caused by the flagellate Giardia duodenalis (syn. G.lamblia, G. intestinalis), is the most commonly reported among the five food-and waterborne parasitic diseases under mandatory surveillance in 24 EU countries. From November 2018 to April 2019, an outbreak of giardiasis occurred in a municipality of the Bologna province, in north-eastern Italy. Microscopy and immunochromatography identified cysts and antigens, respectively, of the parasite in stool samples of 228 individuals. Molecular typing of 136 stool samples revealed a vast predominance (95%) of G. duodenalis assemblage B. Investigations into potential sources indicated tap water as the most likely vehicle of infection, although cysts were not detected in water samples. Control measures mostly aimed at preventing secondary transmission by informing citizens about the outbreak, and by treatment of patients with anti-parasitic drugs. This is the first documented human outbreak of giardiasis in Italy; its investigation has highlighted the difficulties in the timely detection and management of this parasite, which is often overlooked as a cause of human gastroenteritis. The long and variable incubation time, absence of specific symptoms and a general lack of awareness about this pathogen contributed to delay in diagnosis