Enterite da Noravirus nei bambini ospedalizzati a Palermo

Genetic evolution of rotavirus G-types circulating in Palermo, Italy, over the last fifteen years

High incidence of G9P[8] rotavirus infections in Italian children during the winter season 1999-2000

We report a significant high incidence of infection with G9P[8] rotavirus in Italian children during the winter epidemic season 1999-2000. The study was carried out on 439 children < 4 years hospitalized with acute diarrhea in Palermo. G9P[8] strains constituted 19% of all rotavirus identified and were not associated with more severe forms of gastroenteritis.

Prevalence of cytomegalovirus infection in Italy

SUMMARYBetween 1987 and 1989, the prevalence of antibody to cytomegalovirus (CMV) was determined, by the ELISA method, in serum samples from 1494 apparently healthy subjects, 3–18 years old. Subjects were selected by a systematic cluster sampling from five geographical areas in Italy. The overall prevalence of antibody was 64·2%, increasing from 54·4% in 4–6-year-olds to 73·3% in subjects 17–18 years old (P < 0·01). Prevalence of antibody was significantly higher in females (P < 0·05) and in subjects residing in the South of Italy (P < 0·01). A significant association was found with sociodemographic factors. Subjects belonging to a household with six or more persons had a 1·5-fold …

Viral gastroenteritis in children hospitalised in Sicily, Italy

The aim of the present study was to describe the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of acute viral gastroenteritis in hospitalised Italian children. A total of 215 stool specimens were collected from January to December 2003 from patients hospitalised in Palermo for acute diarrhoea. Samples were tested for group A rotavirus, astrovirus, adenovirus, norovirus, enteropathogenic bacteria, and parasites. Rotaviruses, mostly belonging to types G1-G4, were detected in 25.1% of samples, astrovirus in 7%, adenovirus in 6%, norovirus in 18.6%, and bacterial agents in 17.2%. No parasitic infections were diagnosed. Mixed infections represented 9.8% of all cases. The mean and median ages of chi…

Protective efficacy of the immune response to rotavirus infections

Epidemiologia delle infezioni da Rotavirus di gruppo A a Palermo: evoluzione genetica dei ceppi circolanti isolati dal 1991 al 2004

Confronto di metodiche per la diagnosi di infezione da norovirus in pazienti pediatrici con gastroenterite

Emerging GII.4 norovirus variants affect children with diarrhea in Palermo, Italy in 2006

Although the genetic/antigenic heterogeneity of human noroviruses (NoVs) is impressive, a few genogroup II strains of genotype 4 (GII.4) are dominant worldwide. GII.4 NoVs evolve rapidly and in the last 15 years six epidemic variants have been identified. In 2005-2006, surveillance of sporadic viral gastroenteritis in children in Palermo, Italy, resulted in the detection of NoV strains in 20.9% of the patients admitted to hospital. By restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and sequence analysis of region A in the RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp) gene, 59 NoV strains were successfully characterized. Eighty-one percent of the strains were characterized as GII.4, 14% as GIIb/Hilver…

Identification of a novel VP4 genotype of porcine rotaviruses in piglets in northern Italy

Identification of human rotavirus strains with the P[14] genotype by PCR

ABSTRACT A seminested PCR typing assay has been extended to identify rotavirus strains with the P[14] genotype. The specificity of the method was confirmed by Southern hybridization and by restriction analysis with the enzyme Alu I. One out of four human rotavirus (HRV) strains with unusual subgroup-electropherotype linkage but none out of 50 HRV strains with usual linkage was typed as P[14].

Sequence analysis of the VP7 and VP4 genes identifies a novel VP7 gene allele of porcine rotaviruses, sharing a common evolutionary origin with human G2 rotaviruses

AbstractDuring an epidemiological survey encompassing several porcine herds in Saragoza, Spain, the VP7 and VP4 of a rotavirus-positive sample, 34461-4, could not be predicted by using multiple sets of G- and P-type-specific primers. Sequence analysis of the VP7 gene revealed a low amino acid (aa) identity with those of well-established G serotypes, ranging between 58.33% and 88.88%, with the highest identity being to human G2 rotaviruses. Analysis of the VP4 gene revealed a P[23] VP4 specificity, as its VP8* aa sequence was 95.9% identical to that of the P14[23],G5 porcine strain A34, while analysis of the VP6 indicated a genogroup I, that is predictive of subgroup I specificity. Analysis …

Genetic heterogeneity in the VP7 of group C rotaviruses.

AbstractEvidence for a possible zoonotic role of group C rotaviruses (GCRVs) has been recently provided. To gain information on the genetic relationships between human and animal GCRVs, we sequenced the VP7 gene of 10 porcine strains detected during a large surveillance study from different outbreaks of gastroenteritis in piglets. Four GCRV strains were genetically related to the prototype GCRV porcine Cowden strain. A completely new VP7 genotype included 4 strains (344/04-7-like) that shared 92.5% to 97.0% aa identity to each other, but <83% to human GCRVs and <79% to other porcine and bovine GCRVs. A unique 4-aa insertion (SSSV or SSTI), within a variable region at the carboxy-terminus of…

Nucleotide variation in the VP7 gene affects PCR genotyping of G9 rotaviruses identified in Italy

A modified (aFT9m) and a degenerate (aFT9d) version of the rotavirus G9-specific primer (aFT9) allowed strains that were previously untypable, because of point mutations accumulating at the primer binding site, to be G typed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The strains were collected during 2001-2002 in Italy in hospitals of the Apulia region, from children affected by severe rotavirus-associated enteritis. Using a wide selection of G9 rotaviruses detected worldwide, sequencing of the G9 untypable strains, sequence comparison, and phylogenetic analysis showed that the Italian strains have strong genetic similarity (< or =99.4%) to G9 rotaviruses identified recently in man…

Rotavirus gastroenteritis in Italian children: can severity of symptoms be related to the infecting virus?

The aim of our study was to determine whether the severity of rotavirus gastroenteritis may be related to the different characteristics of infecting viral strains. The severity of clinical symptoms in 401 children with acute rotavirus gastroenteritis was assessed using a scoring system for frequency and duration of vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, as well as the patients' requirements for intravenous rehydration. Rotavirus strains were characterized by determining the electropherotype of their double-stranded RNA, the G type and subgroup by a panel of monoclonal antibodies, and the P type by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Strains with a short electropherotype, G2P[4] type, a…

Molecular analysis of VP7, VP4, VP6 and NSP4 genes of a canine-like human rotavirus strain.

Variability of G2 Rotavirus strains infecting the infantile population in Palermo, Italy, over a period of 12 years (1993-2004).

Molecular Analysis of the VP7, VP4, VP6, NSP4, and NSP5/6 Genes of a Buffalo Rotavirus Strain: Identification of the Rare P[3] Rhesus Rotavirus-Like VP4 Gene Allele

ABSTRACT We report the detection and molecular characterization of a rotavirus strain, 10733, isolated from the feces of a buffalo calf affected with diarrhea in Italy. Strain 10733 was classified as a P[3] rotavirus, as the VP8* trypsin cleavage product of the VP4 protein revealed a high amino acid identity (96.2%) with that of rhesus rotavirus strain RRV (P5B[3]), used as the recipient virus in the human-simian reassortant vaccine. Analysis of the VP7 gene product revealed that strain 10733 possessed G6 serotype specificity, a type common in ruminants, with an amino acid identity to G6 rotavirus strains ranging from 88 to 98%, to Venezuelan bovine strain BRV033, and Hungarian human strain…

Relationships among porcine and human P[6] rotaviruses: Evidence that the different human P[6] lineages have originated from multiple interspecies transmission events

AbstractPorcine rotavirus strains (PoRVs) bearing human-like VP4 P[6] gene alleles were identified. Genetic characterization with either PCR genotyping or sequence analysis allowed to determine the VP7 specificity of the PoRVs as G3, G4, G5 and G9, and the VP6 as genogroup I, that is predictive of a subgroup I specificity. Sequence analysis of the VP8* trypsin-cleavage product of VP4 allowed PoRVs to be characterized further into genetic lineages within the P[6] genotype. Unexpectedly, the strains displayed significantly higher similarity (up to 94.6% and 92.5% at aa and nt level, respectively) to human M37-like P[6] strains (lineage I), serologically classifiable as P2A, or to the atypical…

Prevalence of human rotavirus serotypes in some European countries 1981-1988.

An extended epidemiological survey on the circulation of the 4 established human rotavirus (HRV) serotypes in some European countries was carried out on 831 fecal strains collected from infants and young children with acute non-bacterial gastroenteritis during 1981-88. Typing was done by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and/or solid-phase immune electron microscopy using VP7 type-specific neutralizing monoclonal antibodies. Serotype 1 HRV strains were found to be largely predominant in this period both in Italy and other countries, whereas serotype 4 strains were less common. The number of strains of serotypes 1 and 4 circulating in Europe was equivalent only in 1983-84. Serotype 2 strains…

Genotyping og GII.4 and GIIb Norovirus strains by PCR restriction analysis.

Caliciviridae

Are Human P[14] Rotavirus Strains the Result of Interspecies Transmissions from Sheep or Other Ungulates That Belong to the Mammalian Order Artiodactyla?▿

ABSTRACT A limited number of human G6P[14] rotavirus strains that cause gastroenteritis in humans have been isolated in Europe and Australia. The complete genome sequences were determined for five of these human strains—B10925-97 (isolated in Belgium in 1997), 111/05-27 (Italy, 2005), PA169 (Italy, 1987), MG6 (Australia, 1993), and Hun5 (Hungary, 1997)—and their genetic relatedness to animal rotavirus strains was evaluated by sequencing the complete genome of the sheep rotavirus OVR762 (G8P[14]; Spain, 2002), the guanaco ( Lama guanicoe ) rotavirus strains Arg/Chubut/99 and Arg/Río Negro/98 (G8P[14] and G8P[1], respectively; Argentina, 1999 and 1998), the sable antelope strain RC-18/08 (G6…

Identification of group A porcine rotavirus strains bearing a novel VP4 (P) genotype in Italian swine herds.

ABSTRACT The VP4 gene of a G5 Italian porcine rotavirus strain, 344/04-1, was nontypeable by PCR genotyping. The amino acid sequence of the full-length VP4 protein had low identity (≤76.6%) with the homologous sequences of representative strains of the remaining P genotypes, providing evidence for a novel P genotype.

Monocyte and lymphocyte apoptosis resistance in acute and chronic brucellosis and its possible implications in clinical management.

This study evaluated the level of susceptibility of monocytes and lymphocytes to spontaneously induced and CH11-induced apoptosis in 16 patients with Brucella infection. The expression of some immunological and apoptotic markers was evaluated. Before therapy, monocytes showed a high level of resistance to spontaneously induced or CH11-induced apoptosis in all patients. In patients with acute infection, this resistance persisted for 10-20 days after treatment was initiated, then decreased; in chronically infected patients, it persisted after 45 days of treatment. Lymphocytes were also more resistant to CH 11-induced apoptosis. The level of activated CD8++ T lymphocytes was high in patients w…

Caratterizzazione di rotavirus umani non tipizzabili in Italia: identificazione di rari stipiti P3[9],G6 e P[14],G6 e correlazione con i virus G6 animali.

Distribution of VP7 serotypes and VP4 genotypes among rotavirus strains recovered from Italian children with diarrhea

108 rotavirus strains obtained from children with diarrhea hospitalized in Palermo, Italy, in the years 1990-1994, were examined by seminested PCR to study the relative frequency and distribution of the four most common alleles of the gene 4. Such strains were selected from 344 human rotavirus strains recovered in palermo during those years after characterization by electropherotyping, subgrouping and G serotyping. One hundred and seven of the 108 strains could be classified into P types, the P[8], G1 (38.3%) and the P[8], G4 (52.3%) types being predominant. The unique strain whose P genotype could not be identified showed an unusual combination of long migration electrophoretic pattern and…

G2 rotavirus infections in an infantile population of the South of Italy: variability of viral strains over time.

Rotavirus positive samples collected in Palermo, Italy, during 2002–2004 did not react with the G2 type-specific RV5:3 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and could be identified as G2 only by RT-PCR genotyping. The genetic variation of VP7 and VP4 antigenic proteins was studied in 14 G2 samples including a selection of both those successfully characterized by serotyping and those failing to be serotyped. The phylogenetic analysis performed on partial VP7 sequences showed a temporal clustering of these strains, with those isolated in Palermo in 2003 belonging to the same lineage of G2 MAbs-unreactive strains identified in UK in 1996–1997 and in Bari, Italy, in 2003–2004. A single amino acid substi…

Variabilità genetica di VP7 e VP4 in Rotavirus G4 in bambini palermitani

Reoviridae

Canine-Origin G3P[3] Rotavirus Strain in Child with Acute Gastroenteritis

Infection by an animal-like strain of rotavirus (PA260/97) was diagnosed in a child with gastroenteritis in Palermo, Italy, in 1997. Sequence analysis of VP7, VP4, VP6, and NSP4 genes showed resemblance to a G3P[3] canine strain identified in Italy in 1996. Dogs are a potential source of human viral pathogens.

Genetic variability among serotype G4 human rotavirus strains circulating in Palermo in the period 1985–2003

Genetic Variability among Serotype G4 Italian Human Rotaviruses

ABSTRACT A total of 254 serotype GH rotavirus strains were detected in Palermo, Italy, from 1985 to 2003. Out of 38 serotype G4 strains selected for genetic analysis, 14 were recognized by genotyping as type G9. Strains confirmed to belong to the G4 type showed temporal patterns of genetic evolution in their VP7 and VP4 gene sequences, and the latest Italian G4 strains were distantly related to the reference vaccinal ST3 strain.

Identification of a novel VP4 genotype carried by a serotype G5 porcine rotavirus strain

AbstractRotavirus genome segment 4, encoding the spike outer capsid VP4 protein, of a porcine rotavirus (PoRV) strain, 134/04-15, identified in Italy was sequenced, and the predicted amino acid (aa) sequence was compared to those of all known VP4 (P) genotypes. The aa sequence of the full-length VP4 protein of the PoRV strain 134/04-15 showed aa identity values ranging from 59.7% (bovine strain KK3, P8[11]) to 86.09% (porcine strain A46, P[13]) with those of the remaining 25 P genotypes. Moreover, aa sequence analysis of the corresponding VP8* trypsin cleavage fragment revealed that the PoRV strain 134/04-15 shared low identity, ranging from 37.52% (bovine strain 993/83, P[17]) to 73.6% (po…

Detection of the norovirus variants GGII.4 hunter and GGIIb/hilversum in Italian children with gastroenteritis.

Noroviruses (NoVs) are important enteric pathogens of humans. Although they exhibit an impressive genetic diversity, few NoV strains appear to predominate worldwide. Limited epidemiological data are available on NoV gastroenteritis in Italy. In this study, we assessed the prevalence of human NoV in Italian children with gastroenteritis by using a reverse-transcription nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay specific for the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) on faecal samples collected throughout the 2004 surveillance activity in Palermo, Italy. NoVs were detected in 47% of the stool samples obtained from children <5 years age, admitted to hospital with acute non-bacterial gastroen…

Molecular characterization of the genotype G9 human rotavirus strains recovered in Palermo, Italy, during the winter of 1999-2000

Among the known human rotavirus serotypes, types G1–G4 are ubiquitous and account for &gt;80% of global human rotavirus strains. Since 1994 an increase in reports of G9 serotype isolates has been observed in both developed and developing countries. In the winter season of 1999–2000 we detected the appearance of G9 rotavirus in Palermo, Italy, accounting for 19% of all rotaviruses circulating in our geographical area. Some of these Italian G9 isolates have been submitted to partial sequencing of their VP7 gene. All of them showed complete nucleotide identity suggesting a clonal origin. The Italian VP7 sequences were found to be very closely related to that of other G9 strains recently isolat…

Electropherotyping of human rotaviruses: An epidemiological survey of rotavirus infections in Sicily

An electrophoretic analysis of rotavirus RNA segments was carried out on 522 faecal specimens, obtained from children hospitalized in Sicily in the period 1981/85. One hundred and one viral isolates could be characterized with respect to the electrophoretic pattern of their genomic RNAs. This analysis revealed that in 1981/82 different electropherotypes cocirculated in the infant population. In 1983 one of the patterns became prevalent; in 1984/85 only one electropherotype was detected, both in Palermo and Catania specimens. The serotyping showed that all viral strains with the prevalent electropherotype were subgroup II and serotype 1. These results contrast with the extensive genome varia…

Prevalence of group C rotaviruses in weaning and post-weaning pigs with enteritis.

Diarrheic fecal specimens collected from porcine herds were screened for the presence of group C rotaviruses using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. A total of 188 samples were tested and 54 were positive. When compiled these data with diagnostic results on group A rotaviruses and enteric caliciviruses we found that all but 5 group C rotavirus positive samples contained at least one additional virus. A subset of samples were subjected to nucleotide sequencing. The selected strains showed an unexpectedly wide range of nucleotide sequence heterogeneity (88.6-100%) to each other and to the reference porcine group C rotavirus strain, Cowden. The nucleotide sequen…

Detection of enteric adenoviruses 40 and 41 in stool specimens by monoclonal antibody-based enzyme immunoassays

To examine the role of enteric adenoviruses (Ad40 and Ad41) in children with acute gastroenteritis, we evaluated 273 children with diarrhoea and 137 without enteric symptoms in Palermo, Italy, during an 8-month period. Stools were tested by two home-made monoclonal-based ELISAs to detected genus-specific adenovirus antigen and to type Ad40 and Ad41. Twenty-five samples (6.1%) were found to contain adenovirus, 18 of which were grown in Graham 293 and in HEp-2 cells. Ad40 and Ad41 were detected in 2.6% of children with diarrhoea and in none in the control group, while non-enteric adenoviruses were obtained from both patients (3.2%) and controls (6.5%). Samples containing Ad40 and Ad41 were po…

Human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B genotypes in immunocompetent, immunocompromised, and congenitally infected Italian populations

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) strains, obtained from immunocompetent and immunocompromised Italian hosts, were typed with glycoprotein B (gB) gene restriction analysis. A predominant circulation of HCMV strains with gB type 2 and 3 was detected in both the immunocompetent host with a primary HCMV infection and the immunocompromised host with or without HCMV disease. No association between gB types and subjects with different risks of developing HCMV disease was found. All four gB genotypes were capable of causing congenital infection in Italian babies, with gB type 1 accounting for 50% of the strains examined in symptomatic infants and a remarkable incidence of gB type 4 viruses.

Norovirus in captive lion cub (Panthera leo)

African lions (Panthera leo) are susceptible to viral diseases of domestic carnivores, including feline calici-virus infection. We report the identification of a novel enteric calicivirus, genetically related to human noroviruses of genogroup IV, in a lion cub that died of severe hemorrhagic enteritis.

Isolation of a canine-like human rotavirus strain G3P[3] from a child with acute gastroenteritis hospitalised in Palermo, Italy

Mitochondrial disruption and apoptosis in lymphocytes of an HIV infected patient affected by lactic acidosis after treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy

Aims: Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can induce an increase in lactic acid concentrations that seems to be caused by mitochondrial dysfunction induced by the interaction of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) with DNA polymerase γ in the mitochondria. Mitochondrial alterations have been described in liver and muscle cells of NRTI treated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients. Because lymphocytes are the main target for HIV and because mitochondria are involved in apoptosis, we studied mitochondrial morphology and apoptosis in the lymphocytes of an HIV infected patient with severe lactic acidosis after treatment with stavudine, didanosine, and ind…

Emerging GII.4 norovirus variants affect children with diarrhea in Palermo, Italy in 2006

Although the genetic/antigenic heterogeneity of human noroviruses (NoVs) is impressive, a few genogroup II strains of genotype 4 (GII.4) are dominant worldwide. GII.4 NoVs evolve rapidly and in the last 15 years six epidemic variants have been identified. In 2005–2006, surveillance of sporadic viral gastroenteritis in children in Palermo, Italy, resulted in the detection of NoV strains in 20.9% of the patients admitted to hospital. By restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and sequence analysis of region A in the RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp) gene, 59 NoV strains were successfully characterized. Eighty-one percent of the strains were characterized as GII.4, 14% as GIIb/Hilver…

Rotavirus umani ed animali di genotipo G3 responsabili di gastroenterite infantile a Palermo nel 1993-2005.

I rotavirus di gruppo A sono i più frequenti agenti eziologici di gastroenterite virale sia nell’uomo che in numerose specie animali. Per valutare l’evoluzione di tali virus si è rivelato utile effettuare l’analisi di sequenza dei geni codificanti per le proteine del capside esterno VP7 e VP4, per la proteina del capside interno VP6 e per la proteina non strutturale NSP4. Attualmente sono stati descritti in natura: 15 genotipi G in base a VP7, 27 genotipi P in base a VP4, 4 sottogruppi VP6 e 5 genotipi NSP4. I rotavirus umani appartengono più frequentemente ai genotipi G1P[8], G3P[8] e G4P[8], che si associano con il SGII (VP6 correlato) e NSP4B, ovvero al genotipo G2P[4], associato a SGII …

Parvovirus B19 and ‘cryptogenic’ chronic hepatitis

Immune status towards Epstein-Barr virus in a group of Sicilian children.

The prevalence of antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus-determined antigens was studied in 17 children with acute infectious mononucleosis (IM) and in 263 children hospitalized for diseases unrelated to EBV infection. Antibodies against Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigens (VCA) were observed in 173 patients of the control group (66%), but 58 of them (33,5%) had not yet developed antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus-associated nuclear antigen (EBNA). IgM-specific antibodies were not found in any of the children of the control group but were present in all of the 17 patients with IM. The rates of positivity for IgA anti-VCA and IgG anti-early antigen (EA) were similar in all age groups. Anti-viral…

Electropherotype heterogeneity within serotypes of human rotavirus strains circulating in Italy

Using solid-phase immune electron microscopy, 126 of 129 human rotavirus (HRV) strains could be serotyped directly in stools collected in Italy during the period 1981–1985. Prevalence was 70.5 per cent for serotype 1, and 13.2 per cent for each of serotypes 2 and 4. No serotype 3 strain was detected. In parallel, for 39 of 61 HRV strains tested the electropherotype of genomic RNA was successfully determined. Different electropherotypes were detected among strains of the same serotype, whereas the same electropherotype was found in HRV strains of different serotypes. Serotyping and electropherotyping of HRV strains appear to be complementary to each other, and both should be used in conjunct…

Rare AU-1-like G3P[9] human rotaviruses with a Kun-like NSP4 gene in children with diarrhea in Italy

ABSTRACT Three G3P[9] rotaviruses, detected in children hospitalized with gastroenteritis in Palermo, Italy, were found to be genetically related to strains of either human or feline origin in the VP7, VP4, and VP6 genes. In contrast, in the NSP4 gene the viruses resembled G2P[4] human strains, suggesting a reassortment between AU-1-like and Kun-like strains.

Enterite da Norovirus nei bambini ospedalizzati a Palermo

Evolution of G1 rotavirus strains in Italian children in an 18-year period. Proceedings of the 16th Europen Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID).

Heterogeneity and temporal dynamics of evolution of G1 human rotaviruses in a settled population.

ABSTRACT A rotavirus sample collection from 19 consecutive years was used to investigate the heterogeneity and the dynamics of evolution of G1 rotavirus strains in a geographically defined population. Phylogenetic analysis of the VP7 gene sequences of G1P[8] human rotavirus strains showed the circulation of a heterogeneous population comprising three lineages and seven sublineages. Increases in the circulation of G1 rotaviruses were apparently associated with the introduction of novel G1 strains that exhibited multiple amino acid changes in antigenic regions involved in rotavirus neutralization compared to the strains circulating in the previous years. The emergence and/or introduction of G…

La variante v6 di GII.4 Norovirus identificata a Palermo in bambini con gastroenterite acuta

Genetic characterization of G3 rotaviruses detected in Italian children in the years 1993–2005

International audience; In recent years an apparent increase in the frequency of detection of G3P[8] rotaviruses has been observed worldwide. Similarly, in Italy G3P[8] strains have been detected sporadically and in a scattered fashion over 20 years, whereas in 2003 and 2005 G3P[8] rotavirus activity increased markedly. By analysis of the VP7, VP4, VP6 and NSP4 genes of a selection of G3P[8] rotaviruses detected between 1993 and 2005, a remarkable sequence conservation was observed in the VP7, VP4 and VP6 genes. By converse, after 2002 the Italian G3P[8] strains were found to possess unique mutations in significant regions of the NSP4 protein.

Genotyping of GII.4 and GIIb Norovirus strains by PCR restriction analysis

Chronic Intestinal Infection due to Subgenus F Type 40 Adenovirus in a Patient with AIDS

A case of chronic intestinal infection due to adenovirus type 40 lasting for 13 months in a patient with AIDS is described. Adenovirus particles were detected by electron microscopy in biopsy samples taken from the duodenum 3 months after the onset of diarrhoea. The virus was identified as adenovirus type 40 in stool samples by ELISA monoclonal antibodies to adenovirus group antigen (MAd-g2) and types 40 and 41 (MA 40-1 and MA 41-1). No other enteropathogens were found. These data support a causal relationship between adenovirus 40 and the gastrointestinal symptoms of the patient. This is the first reported case of intestinal infection caused by adenovirus type 40 in a patient with AIDS.

Caratterizzazione di rotavirus umani circolanti a Bari tra il 2001 e 2005: identificazione di virus atipici P[14],G6

Electropherotypes, subgroups and serotypes of human rotavirus strains causing gastroenteritis in infants and young children in Palermo, Italy, from 1985 to 1989.

During 1985-89, an epidemiological survey was conducted in Palermo, Sicily (Southern Italy) on group A human rotavirus (HRV) strains which cause gastroenteritis in infants and young children. Two hundred and thirty eight HRV strains were characterized for subgroup and serotype using monoclonal-antibody-based ELISA systems, and for electropherotype using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Subgroup II strains were largely predominant, constituting 218/238 of the positive stool samples (91.6%). Among the serotypes, 192/238 strains (80.7%) were serotype 1 and 16 strains (6.7%) were serotype 4; serotype 2 circulated intermittently and serotype 3 was nearly absent (only one subgroup I strain was…

Detection of IgM antibodies specific for measles virus by capture and indirect enzyme immunoassays.

Summary During a measles outbreak, 112 serum specimens from 88 hospitalized patients were received in our laboratory for investigation of a morbilliform rash. These specimens (88 acute- and 24 convalescent-phase) were tested for the presence of measles-specific IgM antibodies by a capture EIA (enzyme immunoassay) using peroxidase-conjugated measles virus antigens and by an indirect EIA. Commercially available indirect EIA kits for measles-specific IgM antibodies were also used and compared with our homemade EIAs. Specificity studies included a collection of serum specimens containing rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibodies or IgM antibodies specific to other viruses, and sera from blood d…

Rotavirus and not age determines gastroenteritis severity in children: a hospital-based study.

Background The severity of childhood gastroenteritis is generally believed to be age-related rather than aetiologyrelated. Rotavirus-induced gastroenteritis is more severe than gastroenteritis caused by other enteric pathogens and is also age-related. We thus addressed the question of whether the increased severity of rotavirus-induced gastroenteritis is related to age or to features intrinsic to the agent. Study design In this multicentre, hospital-based, prospective survey, we evaluated the severity of diarrhoea in rotavirus-positive and rotavirus-negative children up to 4 years of age. Severity was assessed with a score in four groups of age-matched children. Results Rotavirus was detect…

Diversity of human rotaviruses detected in Sicily, Italy, over a 5-years period (2001-2005).

It is well known that the death of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) is the pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most common and disabling condition in the expanding elderly population. Nevertheless, the intracellular cascade of events leading to dopamine cell death is still unknown and, consequently, treatment is largely symptomatic rather than preventive. Moreover, the mechanisms whereby nigral dopaminergic neurons may degenerate still remain controversial. Hitherto, several data have shown that the earlier cellular disturbances occurring in dopaminergic neurons include oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, inflammation, mitochondrial dy…

Pre-empitive treatment with ciclofovir for cytomegalovirus antigenemia in autologous bone marrow recipient and CLL patients on therapy with alentuzumab

Assignment of the group A rotavirus NSP4 gene into genotypes using a hemi-nested multiplex PCR assay: a rapid and reproducible assay for strain surveillance studies.

The rotavirus non-structural protein NSP4 has been implicated in a number of biological functions during the rotavirus cellular cycle and pathogenesis, and has been addressed as a target for vaccine development. The NSP4 gene has been classified into six genotypes (A–F). A semi-nested triplex PCR was developed for genotyping the major human NSP4 genotypes (A–C), which are common in human rotavirus strains but are also shared among most mammalian rotavirus strains. A total of 192 previously characterized human strains representing numerous G and P type specificities (such as G1P[8], G1P[4], G2P[4], G3P[3], G3P[8], G3P[9], G4P[6], G4P[8], G6P[4], G6P[9], G6P[14], G8P[10], G8P[14], G9P[8], G9P…

Caratterizzazione molecolare di rari ceppi di rotavirus con specificità G3P[9] in bambini ospedalizzati a Palermo con gastroenterite.

Pre-Emptive Treatment with Cidofovir for Cytomegalovirus Antigenemia in Autologous Bone Marrow Recipient and CLL Patients on Therapy with Alemtuzumab.

Abstract Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients who have undergone severe immunosuppressive therapy. Ganciclovir continues to be the first choice for pre-emptive therapy, but it needs multiple intravenous daily administration for three weeks and may cause myelosuppression. Cidofovir is a non myelotoxic nucleotide analogue effective against CMV; its favourable pharmacokinetic profile allows a once-a-week dosing. We reviewed a database on 110 consecutive Autologous Stem Cell Transplant (ASCT) and that of 15 Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) patients treated with alemtuzumab. All patients were virologically monitored by quantification of pp65 antige…

Genotyping of GII.4 and GIIb norovirus RT-PCR amplicons by RFLP analysis

GII.4 and GIIb/Hilversum norovirus (NoV) strains appear to have a prominent epidemiological role in outbreaks or sporadic cases of human gastroenteritis. Sequence analysis, although laborious, is the reference method used for characterization of noroviruses. In this study a screening test is proposed to characterize GIIb and GII.4 NoVs based on restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of amplicons obtained from the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) region. Virtual analysis of 793 RdRp sequences of GGI and GGII NoVs, retrieved from GenBank, and representative of global geographical origins on a long-time period, permitted the selection of four restriction enzymes, XmnI, Ahd…

Heterogeneity of group A rotaviruses: identification of novel rotavirus strains bearing a VP4 gene unrelated to established VP4 (P) genotypes in piglets with diarrhea

VP7 and VP4 Sequence Analyses of Rotavirus Strains From Italian Children With Viraemia and Acute Diarrhoea

Background: Rotavirus has a high genetic variability. Point mutations, accumulating at a high rate, and genetic reassortment events have been well-documented. Viremia occurs commonly in children with acute rotavirus diarrhoea. However, information on genetic characterization of strains associated with systemic infection is poor. Objective: We evaluated prospectively children hospitalized for acute rotavirus diarrhoea and genotyped strains obtained from blood and stool samples. Nucleotide sequences within the VP4 ad VP7 genes of strains obtained from blood and stool specimens of the same patient were compared. Methods: Study subjects were 11 children admitted with acute rotavirus diarrhoea, …

Molecular characterization of a canine-like human rotavirus strain G3P[3] isolated in Palermo, Italy.

Infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa: relatively frequent isolation of serogroup 12 from clinical specimens.

Serological typing of P. aeruginosa is the most simple and reliable procedure recommended for ≪ in-house ≫ investigations and for studies of suspected outbreaks of infection by this microorganism. It is also a useful procedure in order to know serotype prevalence in a definite geografical area and to obtain indications about the more appropriate composition of polivalent anti-Pseudomonas vaccines. In the present report, we describe the relatively high frequency of isolation of serogroup 12 from patients in Palermo, Italy. Serogroup 12 is very rare in north-Europe and in the USA, and, as a consequence, it is not included in some vaccine preparations. In Palermo, strains belonging to this ser…

Norovirus and gastroenteritis in hospitalized children, Italy

Noroviruses were detected in 48.4% of 192 children (<3 years of age) hospitalized for gastroenteritis in Palermo, Italy, during 2004; predominant genotypes were GGIIb/Hilversum and GGII.4 Hunter. Of children with viral enteritis, 19.6% had a mixed norovirus-rotavirus infection. The severity of infection was lower for norovirus than for rotavirus but increased in co-infection.

Identification of picobirnavirus from faeces of Italian children suffering from acute diarrhea

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of nucleic acid extracted from stool samples of diarrhoeic children revealed in 3 out of 690 (0.43 %) specimens two electrophoretic bands with a migration pattern characteristic of picobirnavirus ds-RNA. In none of the 92 control children were similar bands detected. No other potential enteric pathogens were found in the patients with picobirnavirus infection.

Analisi della variabilità genetica delle proteine capsidiche VP7 e VP4 in Rotavirus umani di tipo G4 circolanti in Sicilia nel periodo 1990-2003

Evidence of genetic variation of capsid protein VP7 in genotype G4 human rotavirus strains circulating in Palermo in the period 1990-2003