Search results for " fever"

IL-1 Superfamily Member (IL-1A, IL-1B and IL-18) Genetic Variants Influence Susceptibility and Clinical Course of Mediterranean Spotter Fever

2022

Mediterranean Spotted Fever (MSF) is one of the most common spotted fever Rickettsioses. Most cases of MSF follow a benign course, with a minority of cases being fatal. The severity of the infection depends on bacterial virulence, dose and host factors such as effective immune response and genetic background. Herein, we reported data on typing by competitive allele-specific PCR of functionally relevant polymorphisms of genes coding for MyD88 adapter-like (Mal/TIRAP) protein (rs8177374), interleukin(IL)-1 cluster (IL-1A rs1800587, IL-1B rs16944 and rs1143634) and IL-18 (rs187238), which might be crucial for an efficient immune response. The results enlighten the role that IL-1 gene cluster v…

Epidemiology of Q fever in Italy and in other Mediterranean countries

1987

Abstract The history of Q fever in Italy may be divided into three periods: epidemic in character after the Second World War, endemic occurrence from 1960 to 1980, and sporadic occurrence at present. Clinical symptoms are unspecific, and diagnosis must be confirmed by serology and isolation of the causative agent. The reported incidence is consequently underestimated. Results are reported of a seroepidemiologic survey in animals and humans in the Italian region and western Sicily. In the Mediterranean area several epidemic foci are still present. The need of further studies to evaluate the incidence of Q fever and to shed more light upon the epidemiology of Coxiella burnetii infections is s…

Immunoglobulin M seropositivity for Toscana virus in a random population sample in Sicily.

2012

Summary Objectives High Toscana virus (TOSV) antibody seropositivity rates have been documented in the last decade, especially in the Mediterranean area. It is unclear if these rates are associated with a recent or past exposure to the virus. This is of importance, as primary infection can cause neurologic complications, especially in adults. The aim of the present study was to assess the current active TOSV circulation in western Sicily. Methods A cross-sectional seroprevalence study was conducted on 271 individuals aged 4–92 years, sampled from the general population of a small city. Each participant completed a self-administered questionnaire and provided serum, which was analyzed for th…

Seroprevalence of and risk factors for Toscana and Sicilian virus infection in a sample population of Sicily (Italy).

2011

Summary Objective The present study aimed to assess seroprevalence of and risk factors for Toscana (TOSV) and Sicilian (SFSV) virus infections in a sample of Sicilian subjects. Methods A cross-sectional seroepidemiological study was conducted on 271 individuals. Each participant completed a self-administrated questionnaire and provided a serum sample which was analyzed for the presence of IgG specific anti-TOSV and anti-SFSV viruses. Results Overall, 90 subjects (33.2%) were positive for TOSV IgG, 25 (9.2%) were positive for SFSV IgG and 11 (4%) were positive for both the viruses. A higher risk for TOSV seropositivity was found in participants who were older (adjOR = 1.02 per year; 95% CI =…

Association between antifungal prophylaxis and rate of documented bacteremia in febrile neutropenic cancer patients.

2001

Published data have suggested a correlation between antifungal prophylaxis and bacteremia in febrile neutropenia. This correlation was investigated among 3002 febrile neutropenic patients enrolled in 4 trials during 1986-1994. Globally, 1322 patients (44%) did not receive antifungal prophylaxis; 835 (28%) received poorly absorbable antifungal agents and 845 (28%) received absorbable antifungal agents. The rates of bacteremia for these groups were 20%, 26%, and 27%, respectively (P=.0001). In a multivariate model without including antifungal prophylaxis, factors associated with bacteremia were: age, duration of hospitalization, duration of neutropenia before enrollment, underlying disease, p…

Could the recent zika epidemic have been predicted?

2017

AbstractGiven knowledge at the time, the recent 2015-2016 zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic probably could not have been predicted. Without the prior knowledge of ZIKV being already present in South America, and given the lack of understanding of key epidemiologic processes and long-term records of ZIKV cases in the continent, the best related prediction was for potential risk of an Aedes-borne disease epidemic. Here we use a recently published two-vector capacity model to assess the predictability of the conditions conducive to epidemics of diseases like zika, chikungunya or dengue, transmitted by the independent or concurrent presence of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. We compare the potenti…

A case of spotted fever rickettsiosis in a human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient.

2013

Q fever in Europe: current aspects of aetiology, epidemiology, human infection, diagnosis and therapy.

1987

Il s'agit d'une zoonose. Elle est en general asymptomatique bien que des decouvertes nouvelles aussi bien chez l'homme que chez l'animal mettent en evidence des syndromes cliniques associes en particulier des maladies chroniques graves

Infección por Coxiella burnetii (fiebre Q)

2010

In spite of being described over 60 years, Q fever is still a little known disease. The exact prevalence is also unknown, but probably the number of cases of Q fever is underestimated. There is much variation in the clinical presentation, including severe forms with a poor prognosis. Acute cases often present as an asymptomatic infection, flu-like syndrome, pneumonia or hepatitis. Presumably, host factors play an important role in the development of chronic disease, which may present as endocarditis with negative blood culture. The diagnosis of Q fever should be considered in cases of fever of unknown origin, especially if the subject has been in contact with mammals suspicious to be infect…

Israeli Spotted FeverRickettsiain SicilianRhipicephalus sanguineusTicks

2003

To the Editor: Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) is endemic in Italy, where it is a reportable disease. From 1992 to 1998, the Italian Ministry of Health was notified of approximately 8,500 cases of human rickettsioses presumed to be MSF. MSF occurs more commonly in some central (Lazio) and southern (Sardinia, Sicily, and Calabria) regions (1,2); in 1998, an average of 8.8 cases occurred for every 100,000 persons in Sicily, compared with the national average of 1.6 cases per 100,000 persons. Rickettsia conorii has been thought to be the only pathogenic Rickettsia of the spotted fever group in Sicily (3,4) or the western Mediterranean area. Recently, three different spotted fever group ricke…