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S Mansueto - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • role of tlr4 receptor polymorphisms in Boutonneuse Fever
    International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology, 2005
    Co-Authors: Carmela Rita Balistreri, S Mansueto, Giuseppina Candore, Domenico Lio, Giuseppina Colonnaromano, G Di Lorenzo, Pasquale Mansueto, G B Rini, Enrico Cillari, Claudio Franceschi
    Abstract:

    The genetics of the interaction between host and microbes plays an essential role in the survival of the individual and attainment of longevity. The activation of toll-like receptor (TLR)4 plays a key role in natural and clonotypic immune responses. We evaluated whether TLR4 genotype is a component of genetic background protective versus rickettsiosis and whether this background influences longevity. We genotyped for +896A/G TLR4 polymorphism 78 patients affected with Boutonneuse Fever, 78 age-matched controls and 78 advanced age individuals from Sicily. The +869G allele, that attenuates receptor signalling, was significantly overrepresented in patients in comparison with age-matched controls. By analyzing data according to gender, this allele was significantly higher in female patients when compared to advanced age women. Pro-inflammatory responses are programmed to resist fatal infections. So, it is not surprising that the genetic background of people that survive to an advanced age may be protective against infections. However, this seems to occur in women but not in men. In a previous study, the +896G TLR4 allele was overrepresented in advanced age men and underrepresented in men affected by myocardial infarction. Thus, previous and present results tend to agree with the suggestion that men and women may follow different trajectories to reach longevity. For men it might be more important to control atherogenesis, whereas for women it might be more important to control infectious diseases.

  • the acute phase response in sicilian patients with Boutonneuse Fever admitted to hospitals in palermo 1992 1997
    Journal of Infection, 2001
    Co-Authors: Giustina Vitale, S Mansueto, C Mocciaro, G Gambino, G B Rini, A Spinelli, M Affronti, N Chifari, C La Russa, S. La Rosa
    Abstract:

    Abstract Objectives : To study the modifications of some components of the acute phase response (APR) in Sicilian patients with Boutonneuse Fever (BF) caused by Rickettsia conorii . Methods : Sera from 500 Sicilian patients with confirmed BF were studied at the time of diagnosis and every week after treatment, and after recovery for the presence of various inflammatory mediators. Tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin(IL)-6, IL-1α, IL-8, soluble TNF receptors (sTNF-R) and sIL-6R were assayed by commercially ELISA kits. C3, C4, factor B, C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, ceruloplasmin (Cp) and α 1 -antitrypsin (AAT) were assayed by a rate nephelometry. Results : Interferon gamma (IFNγ), IL-6, TNFα, and IL-10 cytokines were significantly modified, whereas IL-1 and IL-8 were not detectable in the blood in any phase of infection. sTNF-RI, sTNF-RII and sIL-6 were significantly increased in the first 2 weeks of infection, but sTNF-R levels were not related to the plasma levels of TNFα, whereas sIL-6 was directly related to serum IL-6 concentrations. C3, C4, factor B and CRP were significantly increased in the first 2 weeks of infection, but afterwards returned to the normal range, even though CRP was still high in the third week and C3 persisted high after the fourth week. Fibrinogen was high only in the first week in relation to the injury to the endothelial cells (ECs). The anti-inflammatory proteins, Cp and AAT, were extremely high in the first 2 weeks of infection acting as a buffer of APR activation. Conclusions : These results suggest that R. conorii is able to elicit, after invasion and proliferation in the ECs, the activation of APR. Further work is required to establish if active inhibitory mechanisms are operating during APR, or if there is a spontaneous decay in the initiation events.

  • modifications of general parameters of immune activation in the sera of sicilian patients with Boutonneuse Fever
    Clinical and Experimental Immunology, 1998
    Co-Authors: S Mansueto, Giustina Vitale, C Mocciaro, G Gambino, Pasquale Mansueto, P Colletti, A Spinelli, M Affronti, N Chifari, Francesco Arcoleo
    Abstract:

    The serum levels of β2-microglobulin (β2-M), soluble HLA class I antigen (sHLA-I), soluble CD4 (sCD4) and CD8 (sCD8) were studied in 98 Sicilian patients with Boutonneuse Fever (BF). In different stages of infection all markers were significantly increased in sera from Sicilian patients with acute BF compared with healthy controls. sCD8 and sHLA-I reached the peak in the second week after the onset of symptoms, whereas sCD4 and β2-M reached the peak in the first week. Afterwards sCD8 decreased to the levels of controls within the third week, the other parameters decreased later and were unmodified until the third week of infection. Significant correlations were found between sCD4 and sCD8 and the sIL-2R, as well as between serum levels of β2-M and sCD8. The reduction of CD3+ and CD4+ and the increase of CD8+ T cells in the blood indicate that these cells are involved in the response to rickettsia, and their activation might be in part responsible for the release of sCD4 and sCD8. Our data suggest that these soluble markers, indexes of immune activation of T cells both in the circulation and the affected tissues, may be used in monitoring BF evolution.

  • alteration of interleukin 2 il 2 and soluble il 2 receptor secretion in the sera and urine of patients with rickettsial Boutonneuse Fever
    The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 1997
    Co-Authors: S Mansueto, Giustina Vitale, G Gambino, Piero Colletti, Fortunato Dancona, Raimondo Graceffa, Francesco La Seta, Vincenzo Pecoraro, Giuseppina Grillo, Piera Richiusa
    Abstract:

    Sera and urine samples from 115 Sicilian patients with Boutonneuse Fever (BF), obtained at the time of diagnosis and after clinical recovery, were analyzed for concentrations of interleukin (IL)-2 and soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R). There were significantly high levels of sIL-2R in the urine and sera of patients with acute BF compared with healthy controls, and the values returned to normal following successful chemotherapy. The data indicate that the sIL-2R urine concentrations correlated directly with the sIL-2R sera levels. In contrast, in all tested sera and urine samples, IL-2 levels were normal. Furthermore, a reduction in IL-2 production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from acute BF patients was also observed. sIL-2R represents an unspecific marker useful to monitor the evolution of BF.

Ik Sang Kim - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • spotted Fever group and typhus group rickettsioses in humans south korea
    Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2005
    Co-Authors: Yeon Joo Choi, Won Jong Jang, Jonghyun Kim, Ji Sun Ryu, Seung Hyun Lee, Kyunghee Park, Hyung Suk Paik, Youngsang Koh, Myung Sik Choi, Ik Sang Kim
    Abstract:

    The presence of the nucleic acid of the spotted Fever group (SPG) and typhus group (TG) rickettsiae was investigated in 200 serum specimens seropositive for SFG rickettsiae by multiplex-nested polymerase chain reaction with primers derived from the rickettsial outer membrane protein B gene. The DNA of SFG, TG, or both rickettsiae was amplified in the 24 serum specimens, and sequence analysis showed Rickettsia conorii, R. japonica, and R. felis in the specimens. R. conorii and R. typhi were found in 7 serum specimens, which indicated the possibility of dual infection in these patients. These findings suggest that several kinds of rickettsial diseases, including Boutonneuse Fever, rickettsialpox, R. felis infection, and Japanese spotted Fever, as well as scrub typhus and murine typhus, are occurring in Korea.

Giustina Vitale - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • the acute phase response in sicilian patients with Boutonneuse Fever admitted to hospitals in palermo 1992 1997
    Journal of Infection, 2001
    Co-Authors: Giustina Vitale, S Mansueto, C Mocciaro, G Gambino, G B Rini, A Spinelli, M Affronti, N Chifari, C La Russa, S. La Rosa
    Abstract:

    Abstract Objectives : To study the modifications of some components of the acute phase response (APR) in Sicilian patients with Boutonneuse Fever (BF) caused by Rickettsia conorii . Methods : Sera from 500 Sicilian patients with confirmed BF were studied at the time of diagnosis and every week after treatment, and after recovery for the presence of various inflammatory mediators. Tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin(IL)-6, IL-1α, IL-8, soluble TNF receptors (sTNF-R) and sIL-6R were assayed by commercially ELISA kits. C3, C4, factor B, C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, ceruloplasmin (Cp) and α 1 -antitrypsin (AAT) were assayed by a rate nephelometry. Results : Interferon gamma (IFNγ), IL-6, TNFα, and IL-10 cytokines were significantly modified, whereas IL-1 and IL-8 were not detectable in the blood in any phase of infection. sTNF-RI, sTNF-RII and sIL-6 were significantly increased in the first 2 weeks of infection, but sTNF-R levels were not related to the plasma levels of TNFα, whereas sIL-6 was directly related to serum IL-6 concentrations. C3, C4, factor B and CRP were significantly increased in the first 2 weeks of infection, but afterwards returned to the normal range, even though CRP was still high in the third week and C3 persisted high after the fourth week. Fibrinogen was high only in the first week in relation to the injury to the endothelial cells (ECs). The anti-inflammatory proteins, Cp and AAT, were extremely high in the first 2 weeks of infection acting as a buffer of APR activation. Conclusions : These results suggest that R. conorii is able to elicit, after invasion and proliferation in the ECs, the activation of APR. Further work is required to establish if active inhibitory mechanisms are operating during APR, or if there is a spontaneous decay in the initiation events.

  • modifications of general parameters of immune activation in the sera of sicilian patients with Boutonneuse Fever
    Clinical and Experimental Immunology, 1998
    Co-Authors: S Mansueto, Giustina Vitale, C Mocciaro, G Gambino, Pasquale Mansueto, P Colletti, A Spinelli, M Affronti, N Chifari, Francesco Arcoleo
    Abstract:

    The serum levels of β2-microglobulin (β2-M), soluble HLA class I antigen (sHLA-I), soluble CD4 (sCD4) and CD8 (sCD8) were studied in 98 Sicilian patients with Boutonneuse Fever (BF). In different stages of infection all markers were significantly increased in sera from Sicilian patients with acute BF compared with healthy controls. sCD8 and sHLA-I reached the peak in the second week after the onset of symptoms, whereas sCD4 and β2-M reached the peak in the first week. Afterwards sCD8 decreased to the levels of controls within the third week, the other parameters decreased later and were unmodified until the third week of infection. Significant correlations were found between sCD4 and sCD8 and the sIL-2R, as well as between serum levels of β2-M and sCD8. The reduction of CD3+ and CD4+ and the increase of CD8+ T cells in the blood indicate that these cells are involved in the response to rickettsia, and their activation might be in part responsible for the release of sCD4 and sCD8. Our data suggest that these soluble markers, indexes of immune activation of T cells both in the circulation and the affected tissues, may be used in monitoring BF evolution.

  • alteration of interleukin 2 il 2 and soluble il 2 receptor secretion in the sera and urine of patients with rickettsial Boutonneuse Fever
    The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 1997
    Co-Authors: S Mansueto, Giustina Vitale, G Gambino, Piero Colletti, Fortunato Dancona, Raimondo Graceffa, Francesco La Seta, Vincenzo Pecoraro, Giuseppina Grillo, Piera Richiusa
    Abstract:

    Sera and urine samples from 115 Sicilian patients with Boutonneuse Fever (BF), obtained at the time of diagnosis and after clinical recovery, were analyzed for concentrations of interleukin (IL)-2 and soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R). There were significantly high levels of sIL-2R in the urine and sera of patients with acute BF compared with healthy controls, and the values returned to normal following successful chemotherapy. The data indicate that the sIL-2R urine concentrations correlated directly with the sIL-2R sera levels. In contrast, in all tested sera and urine samples, IL-2 levels were normal. Furthermore, a reduction in IL-2 production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from acute BF patients was also observed. sIL-2R represents an unspecific marker useful to monitor the evolution of BF.

Yeon Joo Choi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Spotted Fever Group and Typhus Group Rickettsioses in Humans, South Korea
    2013
    Co-Authors: Yeon Joo Choi, Won Jong Jang, Jonghyun Kim, Ji Sun Ryu, Seung Hyun Lee
    Abstract:

    The presence of the nucleic acid of the spotted Fever group (SPG) and typhus group (TG) rickettsiae was investigated in 200 serum specimens seropositive for SFG rickettsiae by multiplex-nested polymerase chain reaction with primers derived from the rickettsial outer membrane protein B gene. The DNA of SFG, TG, or both rickettsiae was amplified in the 24 serum specimens, and sequence analysis showed Rickettsia conorii, R. japonica, and R. felis in the specimens. R. conorii and R. typhi were found in 7 serum specimens, which indicated the possibility of dual infection in these patients. These findings suggest that several kinds of rickettsial diseases, including Boutonneuse Fever, rickettsialpox, R. felis infection, and Japanese spotted Fever, as well as scrub typhus and murine typhus, are occurring in Korea. Human rickettsioses, known to occur in Korea, include mainly scrub typhus, murine typhus, and epidemic typhus. Scrub typhus, caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, a major rickettsial disease in Korea, is transmitted through the bites of mite larvae. An earlier study by Choi and colleagues reported that 34.3 % of febrile hospital patients in autumn were seropositive for the disease (1). Rickettsia typhi, transmitted by the fleas of various rodents, causes murine typhus, which is a milder form of typhus than human typhus (2). The first patient with murine typhus in Korea was reported in 1959. Two cases of murine typhus confirmed by culture were reported since 1988 (3,4), and now>200 cases of murine typhus are presumed to occur annually in South Korea. Epidemic typhus is caused by R

  • spotted Fever group and typhus group rickettsioses in humans south korea
    Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2005
    Co-Authors: Yeon Joo Choi, Won Jong Jang, Jonghyun Kim, Ji Sun Ryu, Seung Hyun Lee, Kyunghee Park, Hyung Suk Paik, Youngsang Koh, Myung Sik Choi, Ik Sang Kim
    Abstract:

    The presence of the nucleic acid of the spotted Fever group (SPG) and typhus group (TG) rickettsiae was investigated in 200 serum specimens seropositive for SFG rickettsiae by multiplex-nested polymerase chain reaction with primers derived from the rickettsial outer membrane protein B gene. The DNA of SFG, TG, or both rickettsiae was amplified in the 24 serum specimens, and sequence analysis showed Rickettsia conorii, R. japonica, and R. felis in the specimens. R. conorii and R. typhi were found in 7 serum specimens, which indicated the possibility of dual infection in these patients. These findings suggest that several kinds of rickettsial diseases, including Boutonneuse Fever, rickettsialpox, R. felis infection, and Japanese spotted Fever, as well as scrub typhus and murine typhus, are occurring in Korea.

David H Walker - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • effect of blocking the cxcl9 10 cxcr3 chemokine system in the outcome of endothelial target rickettsial infections
    American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2004
    Co-Authors: Gustavo Valbuena, David H Walker
    Abstract:

    Rickettsiae cause systemic infections such as Rocky Mountain spotted Fever and Boutonneuse Fever. The main cellular target of these obligately intracellular bacteria is the endothelium. T lymphocytes are the most important effectors of immunity, and the CXCR3 ligands CXCL9 and CXCL10 may play an important role in the T cell-mediated clearance of rickettsiae from the infected vasculature as suggested by recent expression studies. Here we showed that antibody-mediated neutralization of CXCL9 and CXCL10, and CXCR3 gene knockout, had no effect on survival or bacterial loads of mice infected with rickettsiae. We also demonstrated that rickettsiae triggered the endothelial expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 in vivo. These findings suggested that antigenic presentation by endothelial cells together with an endothelial inflammatory phenotype induced by the rickettsial infection may be sufficient to arrest T cells and trigger their anti-rickettsial effector mechanisms without the need for chemokines.