VARIABLE PHENOTYPIC ESPRESSION IN A LIPID ABSORPTION DISORDER DUE TO A MOLECULAR DEFECT IN THE SARA2 GENE

Differential up-regulation of circulating soluble selectins and endothelial adhesion molecules in Sicilian patients with Boutonneuse fever

SUMMARYIn 150 patients with Boutonneuse fever (BF), caused by Rickettsia conorii, we studied the plasma levels of soluble l-selectin (s l-selectin), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and E-selectin (sE-selectin) in various phases of disease to clarify their role in disease evolution. Results indicate that during the acute phase of BF there is a significant increase in the serum levels of s l-selectin, sE-selectin, sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1. s l-selectin and sVCAM-1 returned to normal levels in the third week of disease, whereas sE-selectin and sICAM-1 persisted at significantly high levels even after the third week. The secretion of these sol…

Epidemiological profile of 806 Italian children with hepatitis C virus infection over a 15-year period

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The natural course of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in children is not well understood. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term course of CHC in a large sample of otherwise healthy children. METHODS: From 1990 to 2005, 504 consecutive antihepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive children were enrolled at 12 centers of a national observatory and were followed up retrospectively/prospectively. RESULTS: Putative exposure was perinatal in 283 (56.2%) cases, parenteral in 158 (31.3%), and unknown in 63 (12.5%). At baseline, 477 (94.6%) cases were HCV RNA seropositive, 118 (24.7%) of which were treated with standard interferon alpha. Ten years after putative exposure, the out…