PLASMA LEVELS OF TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR a AND INTERFERON g IN SICILIAN CHILDREN WITH MEDITERRANEAN SPOTTED FEVER

The plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma were measured in 53 consecutive children with serologically confirmed Mediterranean spotted fever and were found to be increased during the acute phase compared with the convalescent phase (tumor necrosis factor-alpha mean 32.17 vs. 4.12 pg/ml, P < 0.0001; interferon-gamma mean 84.17 vs. 2.65 pg/ml, P = 0.0006). Plasma levels of both cytokines were higher in patients with a typical exanthema rather than those with a very mild or no exanthema; tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels were significantly lower in the latter (tumor necrosis factor-alpha 32.17 vs. 9.85 pg/ml, P < 0.0001; interferon-gamma 84.17 vs. 38.14 pg/ml, P = 0…

USO DEI PARAMETRI POSIZIONALI E DELL’ANALISI CITOMETRICA MULTIPARAMETRICA PER IDENTIFICARE I CASI DI LEUCEMIA LINFATICA CRONICA

Fine characterization of immunological mechanisms mediated by the major allergens of Parietaria judaica and by a hypoallergenic hybrid, rPjEDcys.

Allergy is a hypersensitivity disease IgE-mediated, affecting more than 25% of the population. Actually the only curative treatment of allergies is Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy (SIT). Recombinant hypoallergenic allergen derivatives with reduced allergenic activity have been engineered to reduce side effects during SIT. Parietaria judaica (Pj) pollen contains two major allergens, Par j 1 and expressing disulphide bond variants of Par j 1 and Par j 2, was generated. The aim of this research project is to compare the immunological mechanisms activated by the major allergens of Pj and by rPjEDcys. In vitro analysis suggested that rPjEDcys has a reduced allergenity and maintains T cells react…

Characterization of a novel LPS-induced peptide from Ciona intestinalis with immune modulatory activities