Aeromonas sobria Induced Sepsis Complicated with Necrotizing Fasciitis in a Child with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Aeromonas species are gram negative and able to induce systemic diseases (i.e., gastrointestinal, respiratory, and cardiovascular, diseases, in addition to infection of brain and soft tissues). In this study, we describe the development of necrotizing fasciitis in a young immunocompromised girl, with a low response to drug treatment and who died after some months

Humoral immunity induced by mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in Nursing Home Residents previously infected with SARS-CoV-2

Background: Nursing home (NH) residents suffered the greatest impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Limited data are available on vaccine-induced immunity and on the protection ensured by a prior infection in this population. Aims: The present study aims to monitor antibody levels and their persistence over a 6-month period in NH residents according to the history of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: We measured anti-trimeric Spike IgG antibody levels in a sample of 395 residents from 25 NHs in 6 Italian Regions at study enrolment (prior to the first dose of vaccine, T0) and then after 2 (T1) and 6 months (T2) following the first vaccine dose. All participants received mRNA vaccines (BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273). Analyses were performed using log-transformed values of antibody concentrations and geometric means (GM) were calculated. Results: Superior humoral immunity was induced in NH residents with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. (T0: GM 186.6 vs. 6.1 BAU/ml, p < 0.001; T1: GM 5264.1 vs. 944.4 BAU/ml, p < 0.001; T2: GM 1473.6 vs. 128.7 BAU/ml, p < 0.001). Residents with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection receiving two vaccine doses presented significantly higher antibody concentration at T1 and T2. A longer interval between previous infection and vaccination was associated with a better antibody response over time. Discussion: In a frail sample of NH residents, prior SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with a higher humoral response to vaccination. Number of vaccine doses and the interval between infection and vaccination are relevant parameters in determining humoral immunity. Conclusions: These findings provide important information to plan future immunization policies and disease prevention strategies in a highly vulnerable population

Ship detection in SAR imagery: a comparison study

This paper presents a ship-detection study with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images acquired at two different frequencies: X- and C-band. The detection procedure relies on a novel algorithm based on the likelihood functions of both canonical ship target and sea clutter. Spaceborne images were acquired over the same area in the Solent Channel in UK at approximately the same time on the 7th June 2016. Here, datasets are compared in terms of probability of detection (PD), probability of false alarm (PFA) and Target-to-Clutter Ratio (TCR). Detection maps are validated with Automatic Identification System (AIS) data when available and preliminary results show a higher TCR for the X-band SAR image

The Role of a Rapid Prevention of <i>Ralstonia pickettii</i> Growth during Dialysis in a Frail Patient

Ralstonia pickettii is an opportunistic bacillus found in Pseudomonas species, with the ability to induce systemic infections. We report the case of a 69-year-old man, with a clinical history of myeloma, Type IIdiabetes, renal failure (grade IV), and colon cancer, that developed a severe bacterial infection, with acute asthenia and a fever, that appeared at the end of dialysis. Using theMALDI-TOF technology, the bacillus Ralstonia pickettii was identified, and an antimicrobial treatment was quickly started with a rapid microbiological remission

Comparison between two diagnostic system such analyzer I and RAD 120 for the determination of IgG and IgM for HSV-1 and HSV-2

Herpes Simplex Virus (Herpesviridae family, Alphaherpesviridae subfamily) induces latent infections, which could reactivate in conjunction with decreases in cell-mediated response. Features biologic and antigenic of Herpes Simplex virus are characterized from HSV-1 e HSV-2. Seronegative women can contract primary infection from seropositive partners. Seronegative women may acquire primary infection from an infected partner. Prevention is done paying attention to the risk of HSV2 in the planning and gravidnza pportune neonatal infection prevention measures (clinical examination of the birth canal at the beginning of labor). Disease prevention is performed by planning preventive measures to avoid neonatal infection. Infection occurs through direct contact with herpetic lesions or biological fluid infect. HSV-1 is usually acquired about 5 years, whether HSV-2 is contracted between 14 and 30 years by sexual contact, both can be asymptomatic and be transmitted to the partner or to the newborn during the delivery through the contact with infected secretion. The baby infected 85% of cases acquired the infection to step into the birth canal, through contact with infected secretions. The intrauterine infection is proven in 5-8% of cases; in the 8-10% of cases postnatal infection the disease spreading occurs through breast milk or herpes skin lesions.The assessment of immune status can be evaluated by different serological methods, for determinate the presence of IgG and / or IgM anti-HSV-1 and anti-HSV-2. Aim of this work is the comparison between two diagnostic systems such Analyzer I (Euroimmun) and RAD 120 (Radim) for the determination of IgG and IgM anti-HSV-1 and anti-HSV-2. Between July 2009 - December 2009 n. 182 samples have been tested with Analyzer I, automated ELISA system automatic, and system Rad 120, final fluorescent determination. From the obtained results we conclude that both the methods perform quit well

Comparison of Allplex™ 2019-nCoV and TaqPath™ COVID-19 Assays

The clinical presentation of COVID-19 is non-specific, and to improve and limit the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, an accurate diagnosis with a robust method is needed. A total of 500 nasopharyngeal swab specimens were tested for SARS-CoV-2. Of these, 184 samples were found to be positive with Allplex™ 2019-nCoV Assay, which is fully automated. All the positive samples were retested with TaqPath™ COVID-19 CE-IVD RT-PCR Kit (after this, referred to as TaqPath™ COVID-19), semi-automated. The comparison of RT-qPCR for SARS-CoV-2 genes target points shows only one target point in common, the N gene. Therefore, the N gene was used to compare both assays. We noticed different Ct values between the tests. Therefore, samples were divided into four groups depending to the Ct value results: (1) Ct 35. TaqPath™ COVID-19 Kit reconfirmed the results obtained from Allplex™ 2019-nCoV Assay. In conclusion, both the Allplex™ 2019-nCoV assay and TaqPath™ COVID-19 tests accurately confirm the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Even if TaqPath™ COVID-19 has a semi-automated workflow, it does not introduce bias in the diagnostic screening of SARS-CoV-2, and it supports the indirect identification of variants of concern to undergo sequencing

Comparison of Allplex&trade; 2019-nCoV and TaqPath&trade; COVID-19 Assays

The clinical presentation of COVID-19 is non-specific, and to improve and limit the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, an accurate diagnosis with a robust method is needed. A total of 500 nasopharyngeal swab specimens were tested for SARS-CoV-2. Of these, 184 samples were found to be positive with Allplex&trade; 2019-nCoV Assay, which is fully automated. All the positive samples were retested with TaqPath&trade; COVID-19 CE-IVD RT-PCR Kit (after this, referred to as TaqPath&trade; COVID-19), semi-automated. The comparison of RT-qPCR for SARS-CoV-2 genes target points shows only one target point in common, the N gene. Therefore, the N gene was used to compare both assays. We noticed different Ct values between the tests. Therefore, samples were divided into four groups depending to the Ct value results: (1) Ct &lt; 25, (2) Ct 25&ndash;30, (3) Ct 30&ndash;35, (4) Ct &gt; 35. TaqPath&trade; COVID-19 Kit reconfirmed the results obtained from Allplex&trade; 2019-nCoV Assay. In conclusion, both the Allplex&trade; 2019-nCoV assay and TaqPath&trade; COVID-19 tests accurately confirm the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Even if TaqPath&trade; COVID-19 has a semi-automated workflow, it does not introduce bias in the diagnostic screening of SARS-CoV-2, and it supports the indirect identification of variants of concern to undergo sequencing

Sieroprevalenza di infezione da HBV e HCV tra pazienti in dialisi

The aim of the present study was to investigate the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV among dialysis patients in the Lamezia Terme (CZ) area during the period 1999-2002. Sera from 63 patients in haemodialysis (HD) and 10 patients in peritoneal dialysis (PD) were analyzed with a follow-up every three months for HBsAg, HBcAb, HBsAb, anti-HCV and anti-HIV (Elisa Test,AxSYM,Abbott);we analyzed reactive sera for anti-HCV by using supplemental test (RIBA Test, Ortho); we also looked for viremia (RT-PCR Amplicor, Roche Diagnostics) and HCV genotypes (Inno-Lipa HCV II, Innogenetics).The results show that, among the HD patients, 3 were HBsAg positive (Chronic Infection) and 7 HBcAb and HBsAb positive/HBsAg negative (Passed Infection); 14 individuals were anti-HCV positive. No patients in PD were positive for HBV and HCV markers.The prevalence of chronic HBV infection was 4.8% (instead of 3% in other Dialysis Units), that of anti-HCV positive was 22% (in others 24%- 33%); among anti-HCV positive patients, the HCV-RNA prevalence was 79% (instead of 80%); the most recurrent HCV genotype was 2a/2c (instead of 1b in general population).These findings lead us to hypothesize that the environmental transmission in the dialysis setting is tightly correlated to the risk of HBV and HCV infection

Detection of Gardnerella vaginalis, Candida spp. and Trichomonas vaginalis DNA in symptomatic women

While vaginitis caused by Trichomonas vaginalis is now less frequent, fungal Candida spp. infections are frequently found and the bacterial vaginosis is one of the most common vaginal diseases caused by anaerobic microorganisms such as Gardnerella vaginalis. Purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of a rapid molecular test for the diagnosis of vaginitis/bacterial vaginosis in symptomatic women. In our clinic, between January 2008 - June 2009, we admitted 1592 (388 were pregnant) symptomatic women with a specific request to test them for fungi, Trichomonas and Gardnerella on vaginal fluid. The samples were tested with the kit Affirm (Becton Dickinson) that provides results in 40 minutes and allows the simultaneous identification of the DNA of Gardnerella vaginalis, Candida spp. and Trichomonas vaginalis. One hundred and eight out of 388 pregnant women were positive only for Gardnerella; 53 for Candida and Gardnerella; 59 were positive only for Candida and 10 for Trichomonas. As to the remaining 1204 not pregnant patients, 356 were positive only for Gardnerella; 98 for Candida and Gardnerella, 143 were positive only for Candida and 21 for Trichomonas.A simultaneous positivity for Trichomonas and Candida or for Trichomonas and Gardnerella has not been observed in any case. Molecular testing is obviously more sensitive and specific than culture method and microscopic research, especially for the detection of Gardnerella. It also enables differential diagnosis between bacterial vaginosis and vaginitis and therefore allows a targeted therapeutic intervention

Polyoma BK virus infection in renal transplant recipients

Several studies reported a correlation between the human Polyomavirus BK (BKV) and interstitial nephritis (PVN: Polyoma Virus Nephropaty) in renal transplant recipients in whom immunosuppressive treatment is thought to facilitate or induce reactivation of the virus. In the present study we monthly evaluated the presence of BKV-DNA in plasma and urine of 29 kidney transplant recipients. We used a nested PCR for BKV-DNA screening in plasma and urine and a quantitative assay Real Time PCR in case of a positive screening result. The viral DNA has been detected in 48% of the patients samples: only in urine of six patients; in plasma of four and in both of two. Immunosuppressive therapy has been decreased in positive patients. The kidney loss occurred just in the two patients with high viral load in plasma and urine. The definitive diagnosis of BKV Nephropaty requires allograft biopsy though biomolecular test for BKV-DNA in urine (viruria) and in plasma (viremia) could be very important non-invasive method for the early diagnosis of PVN