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  1. Article ; Online: Simultaneous detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and resistance to Rifampicin and Isoniazid by MDR/MTB ELITe MGB® Kit for the diagnosis of tuberculosis.

    Francesco Bisognin / Giulia Lombardi / Chiara Finelli / Maria Carla Re / Paola Dal Monte

    PLoS ONE, Vol 15, Iss 5, p e

    2020  Volume 0232632

    Abstract: The MDR/MTB ELITe MGB® Kit on the ELITe InGenius® platform (ELITechGroup SpA, Italy) is the first system for simultaneous detection of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBc) genome and the main mutations responsible for resistance to Isoniazid ( ... ...

    Abstract The MDR/MTB ELITe MGB® Kit on the ELITe InGenius® platform (ELITechGroup SpA, Italy) is the first system for simultaneous detection of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBc) genome and the main mutations responsible for resistance to Isoniazid (inhA, katG) and Rifampicin (rpoB), from decontaminated and heat inactivated samples. In this study we compared the performance of the MDR/MTB ELITe MGB® Kit (ELITe) with culture in 100 pulmonary and 160 extra-pulmonary samples. The sensitivity and specificity of ELITe compared to culture for pulmonary samples were 98.0% and 98.0% respectively; for extra-pulmonary samples the overall sensitivity was 86.3% (80% for urine, 85% for biopsy and gastric aspirate and 95% for cavitary fluid) and specificity was 100%. Genotypic Isoniazid and Rifampicin susceptibility typing was feasible in 96% of sputum MTBc-positive samples and 43% of extra-pulmonary samples; all samples were found to be drug susceptible by phenotypic and ELITe (100% agreement). Detection of mutations in the rpoB, kat G or inhA genes was evaluated on 300 spiked samples (60 per biological matrix) and all resistance profiles were correctly identified by ELITe. Molecular agreement between ELITe and Xpert was 98.0% and 93.3% for pulmonary and extra-pulmonary samples, respectively. In conclusion, our results provide evidence to support the use of MDR/MTB ELITe MGB® Kit in combination with ELITe InGenius® for the diagnosis of MTBc and the detection of Rifampicin and Isoniazid resistance-related mutations in both pulmonary and extra-pulmonary samples. This system simplifies the laboratory workflow, shortens report time and is an aid in choosing appropriate therapeutic treatment and patient management.
    Keywords Medicine ; R ; Science ; Q
    Language English
    Publishing date 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  2. Article ; Online: Effect of Sugars on Chlamydia trachomatis Infectivity

    Giacomo Marziali / Antonella Marangoni / Claudio Foschi / Maria Carla Re / Natalia Calonghi

    Pathogens, Vol 9, Iss 298, p

    2020  Volume 298

    Abstract: Background. Previous works suggest that sugars can have a beneficial effect on C. trachomatis (CT) survival and virulence. In this study, we investigated the effect of different sugars on CT infectivity, elucidating some of the molecular mechanisms ... ...

    Abstract Background. Previous works suggest that sugars can have a beneficial effect on C. trachomatis (CT) survival and virulence. In this study, we investigated the effect of different sugars on CT infectivity, elucidating some of the molecular mechanisms behind CT-sugar interaction. Methods. CT infectivity was investigated on HeLa cells after 2 hour-incubation of elementary bodies (EBs) with glucose, sucrose, or mannitol solutions (0.5, 2.5, 5.0 mM). The effect of sugars on EB membrane fluidity was investigated by fluorescence anisotropy measurement, whereas the changes in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure were examined by cytofluorimetric analysis. By means of a Western blot, we explored the phosphorylation state of Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) in HeLa cells infected with EBs pre-incubated with sugars. Results. All sugar solutions significantly increased CT infectivity on epithelial cells, acting directly on the EB structure. Sugars induced a significant increase of EB membrane fluidity, leading to changes in LPS membrane exposure. Especially after incubation with sucrose and mannitol, EBs led to a higher FAK phosphorylation, enhancing the activation of anti-apoptotic and proliferative signals in the host cells. Conclusions. Sugars can increase CT infectivity and virulence, by modulating the expression/exposure of chlamydial membrane ligands. Further in-depth studies are needed to better understand the molecular mechanisms involved.
    Keywords Chlamydia trachomatis ; sugars ; mannitol ; sucrose ; glucose ; elementary bodies ; Medicine ; R
    Language English
    Publishing date 2020-04-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher MDPI AG
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  3. Article ; Online: There is a Role in Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Conjunctiva and Tears

    Federico Bernabei, Piera Versura, Giada Rossini, Maria Carla Re

    a comprehensive review.

    2020  

    Abstract: Data on the involvement of the ocular surface and its relationship with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are still minimal and not univocal. The respiratory tract is the structure most affected by COVID-19, and the serious form of the disease is ... ...

    Abstract Data on the involvement of the ocular surface and its relationship with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are still minimal and not univocal. The respiratory tract is the structure most affected by COVID-19, and the serious form of the disease is characterized by severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome and hypercoagulation. However, accumulating evidence shows that other organs could be reached by the virus, thus causing further comorbidities. To date, the exact route / routes of transmission of COVID-19 are still unclear. The respiratory tract is probably not the only route of transmission for this viral infection and some authors have also speculated that COVID-19 droplets, or infected hands, could contaminate the conjunctiva, which could therefore represent the initial site of an infection spread. Theoretically, the role of the ocular surface, a biological site still relatively unexplored, appears scientifically relevant in understanding the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome - Coronavirus – 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the current literature in order to elucidate the potential role of tear and conjunctival sampling to detect SARS-CoV-2 for the diagnosis of COVID-19 and to monitor patients during follow-up.
    Keywords COVID-19 ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Conjunctiva ; Tears ; covid19
    Language English
    Publishing country it
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  4. Article ; Online: La superficie oculare come porta di ingresso all’infezione da SARS-CoV-2

    Federico Bernabei, Giada Rossini, Maria Carla Re, Piera Versura

    2020  

    Abstract: La standardizzazione e la validazione di un metodo per il rilevamento del SARS-CoV-2 sulla superficie oculare potrebbero essere utili per implementare il processo di diagnosi e il monitoraggio del decorso della malattia nel tempo. ...

    Abstract La standardizzazione e la validazione di un metodo per il rilevamento del SARS-CoV-2 sulla superficie oculare potrebbero essere utili per implementare il processo di diagnosi e il monitoraggio del decorso della malattia nel tempo.
    Keywords SARS-Cov-2 ; congiuntiva ; lacrime ; diffusione ; covid19
    Language Italian
    Publishing country it
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  5. Article ; Online: Population Structure of Listeria monocytogenes in Emilia-Romagna (Italy) and Implications on Whole Genome Sequencing Surveillance of Listeriosis

    Erika Scaltriti / Luca Bolzoni / Caterina Vocale / Marina Morganti / Ilaria Menozzi / Maria Carla Re / Stefano Pongolini

    Frontiers in Public Health, Vol

    2020  Volume 8

    Abstract: The population structure of human isolates of Listeria monocytogenes in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, from 2012 to 2018 was investigated with the aim of evaluating the presence of genomic clusters indicative of possible outbreaks, the proportion of cluster- ... ...

    Abstract The population structure of human isolates of Listeria monocytogenes in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, from 2012 to 2018 was investigated with the aim of evaluating the presence of genomic clusters indicative of possible outbreaks, the proportion of cluster-associated vs. sporadic isolates and different methods and metrics of genomic analysis for use in routine surveillance. In the 2012–2018 period the notification rate of confirmed invasive cases in Emilia-Romagna was 0.91 per 100,000 population per year, more than twice the average rate of EU countries. Out of the total 283 cases, 268 (about 95%) isolates were typed through whole genome sequencing (WGS) for cluster detection with methods based on core-genome multi-locus sequence typing and single nucleotide polymorphisms. Between 66 and 72% of listeriosis cases belonged to genomic clusters which included up to 27 cases and lasted up to 5 years. This proportion of cluster-associated cases is higher than previously estimated in other European studies. Rarefaction analysis, performed by reducing both the number of consecutive years of surveillance considered and the proportion of isolates included in the analysis, suggested that the observed high proportion of cluster-associated cases can be ascribed to the long surveillance duration (7 years) and the high notification and typing rates of this study. Our findings show that a long temporal perspective and high surveillance intensity, intended as both exhaustiveness of the system to report cases and high WGS-typing rate, are critical for sensitive detection of possible outbreaks within a WGS-based surveillance of listeriosis. Furthermore, the power and complexity of WGS interpretation emerged from the integration of genomic and epidemiological information in the investigation of few past outbreaks within the study, indicating that the use of multiple approaches, including the analysis of the accessory genome, is needed to accurately elucidate the population dynamics of Listeria monocytogenes.
    Keywords Listeria monocytogenes ; genomic epidemiology ; surveilance ; whole genome sequencing ; cgMLST ; SNPs ; Public aspects of medicine ; RA1-1270
    Subject code 630
    Language English
    Publishing date 2020-09-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  6. Article ; Online: Autochthonous Cases of Mucosal Leishmaniasis in Northeastern Italy

    Valeria Gaspari / Irene Zaghi / Giovanni Macrì / Annalisa Patrizi / Nunzio Salfi / Francesca Locatelli / Elena Carra / Maria Carla Re / Stefania Varani

    Microorganisms, Vol 8, Iss 588, p

    Clinical Management and Novel Treatment Approaches

    2020  Volume 588

    Abstract: Mucosal leishmaniasis (ML) is a rare clinical variant of tegumentary leishmaniasis in Mediterranean Europe. Here we report on three autochthonous cases of head and neck ML in patients living in Northeastern Italy. Patients presented with non-specific, ... ...

    Abstract Mucosal leishmaniasis (ML) is a rare clinical variant of tegumentary leishmaniasis in Mediterranean Europe. Here we report on three autochthonous cases of head and neck ML in patients living in Northeastern Italy. Patients presented with non-specific, long-standing symptoms of upper respiratory tract involvement, mimicking other diseases. Parasitological diagnosis was reached by histopathology, immunohistochemistry and molecular biology on tissue specimens. Leishmania infantum was identified by molecular typing in all three cases. All patients reached a complete remission with protracted multivalent antileishmanial drugs; in one case, a novel approach of combined medical and endoscopic surgical treatment was carried out. High clinical suspicion led to a prompt diagnosis and deployment of a multivalent treatment. ML should be considered in the differential diagnosis of nasal, oral, and pharyngolaryngeal lesions in endemic areas. A prompt diagnosis is mandatory to establish a correct management; different antileishmanial medications as well as endoscopic surgical options may be required to reach a complete remission.
    Keywords head and neck mucosal leishmaniasis ; novel ways of administration of anti-leishmanial drugs ; endoscopic surgical treatment ; Biology (General) ; QH301-705.5
    Language English
    Publishing date 2020-04-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher MDPI AG
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  7. Article ; Online: Improvement of Mycobacterium tuberculosis detection by Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra

    Francesco Bisognin / Giulia Lombardi / Donatella Lombardo / Maria Carla Re / Paola Dal Monte

    PLoS ONE, Vol 13, Iss 8, p e

    A head-to-head comparison on Xpert-negative samples.

    2018  Volume 0201934

    Abstract: BACKGROUND:The new Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra assay (Ultra, Cepheid, Sunnyvale, USA) is a cartridge-based automated diagnostic test that can simultaneously identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTB) and resistance to Rifampicin (RIF). With respect to the ...

    Abstract BACKGROUND:The new Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra assay (Ultra, Cepheid, Sunnyvale, USA) is a cartridge-based automated diagnostic test that can simultaneously identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTB) and resistance to Rifampicin (RIF). With respect to the previous version Xpert MTB/RIF assay (Xpert), IS6110/IS1081 repetitive elements probes have been added allowing the detection of lower MTB load, defined by the new semi-quantitative category "trace" with indeterminate RIF resistance. The aim of this study was to evaluate performance of the new version Ultra on Xpert-negative, but TB culture-positive clinical samples. METHODS:The de-identified frozen samples (-20 °C) collected over a 4-year period (February 2014-October 2017), which had previously resulted smear-negative, Xpert-negative but MTB culture-positive, were analyzed with Ultra. The de-frosted samples were loaded into the cartridge using the same process as the previous version, according to manufacturer's instruction. RESULTS:During the study period 382 MTB culture-positive samples were archived: 314 resulted Xpert-positive and 68 Xpert-negative. Thirty-one of the 68 Xpert-negative samples resulted positive with Ultra, with an overall improvement in MTB detection of 45.6%. Out of 36 Xpert-negative respiratory samples, 18 resulted Ultra-positive with the following semi-quantitative loads: "low"(n = 1), "very low"(n = 11), "trace"(n = 6), with an improvement in MTB detection of 50%. The best performance was achieved on bronchoalveolar lavage specimens (53.8%). Out of 32 Xpert-negative non-respiratory samples, 13 resulted Ultra-positive with the following semi-quantitative loads: "very low"(n = 7), "trace"(n = 6), with an improvement in MTB detection of 40.6%. The best performance was achieved on biopsies (55.6%) and lymph nodes (50%). The new category "trace" detected 12 out of the 31 Ultra-positive MTB samples; in the remaining 19 samples RIF susceptibility was determined with 100% concordance with the phenotypic susceptibility test. The mean time to ...
    Keywords Medicine ; R ; Science ; Q
    Subject code 630
    Language English
    Publishing date 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  8. Article ; Online: The lower respiratory tract microbiome of critically ill patients with COVID-19

    Paolo Gaibani / Elisa Viciani / Michele Bartoletti / Russell E. Lewis / Tommaso Tonetti / Donatella Lombardo / Andrea Castagnetti / Federica Bovo / Clara Solera Horna / Marco Ranieri / Pierluigi Viale / Maria Carla Re / Simone Ambretti

    Scientific Reports, Vol 11, Iss 1, Pp 1-

    2021  Volume 11

    Abstract: Abstract COVID-19 infection may predispose to secondary bacterial infection which is associated with poor clinical outcome especially among critically ill patients. We aimed to characterize the lower respiratory tract bacterial microbiome of COVID-19 ... ...

    Abstract Abstract COVID-19 infection may predispose to secondary bacterial infection which is associated with poor clinical outcome especially among critically ill patients. We aimed to characterize the lower respiratory tract bacterial microbiome of COVID-19 critically ill patients in comparison to COVID-19-negative patients. We performed a 16S rRNA profiling on bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples collected between April and May 2020 from 24 COVID-19 critically ill subjects and 24 patients with non-COVID-19 pneumonia. Lung microbiome of critically ill patients with COVID-19 was characterized by a different bacterial diversity (PERMANOVA on weighted and unweighted UniFrac Pr(> F) = 0.001) compared to COVID-19-negative patients with pneumonia. Pseudomonas alcaligenes, Clostridium hiranonis, Acinetobacter schindleri, Sphingobacterium spp., Acinetobacter spp. and Enterobacteriaceae, characterized lung microbiome of COVID-19 critically ill patients (LDA score > 2), while COVID-19-negative patients showed a higher abundance of lung commensal bacteria (Haemophilus influenzae, Veillonella dispar, Granulicatella spp., Porphyromonas spp., and Streptococcus spp.). The incidence rate (IR) of infections during COVID-19 pandemic showed a significant increase of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CR-Ab) infection. In conclusion, SARS-CoV-2 infection and antibiotic pressure may predispose critically ill patients to bacterial superinfection due to opportunistic multidrug resistant pathogens.
    Keywords Medicine ; R ; Science ; Q
    Subject code 610 ; 616
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-05-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Nature Portfolio
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  9. Article ; Online: Pre-Pregnancy Diet and Vaginal Environment in Caucasian Pregnant Women

    Margherita Dall’Asta / Luca Laghi / Sara Morselli / Maria Carla Re / Sara Zagonari / Giulia Patuelli / Claudio Foschi / Maria Federica Pedna / Vittorio Sambri / Antonella Marangoni / Francesca Danesi

    Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, Vol

    An Exploratory Study

    2021  Volume 8

    Abstract: Vaginal microbes and their metabolic products have crucial functions, affecting local immunity development and maternal-fetal health. The composition of the vaginal microbiome can vary in response to various factors, including body mass index (BMI), and ... ...

    Abstract Vaginal microbes and their metabolic products have crucial functions, affecting local immunity development and maternal-fetal health. The composition of the vaginal microbiome can vary in response to various factors, including body mass index (BMI), and diet. In this study we get new insights into the vaginal ecosystem of Caucasian women (n = 24) at the first trimester of pregnancy, assessing whether pre-pregnancy diet can affect the structure of the vaginal environment in terms of bacterial composition and vaginal metabolite concentration. We characterized 1) the vaginal bacterial composition (Nugent score), 2) the vaginal metabolic profiles (1H-NMR spectroscopy), and 3) the dietary nutrient intake by means of a validated food frequency questionnaire. Pre-pregnancy BMI was negatively related to vaginal health status, indicating that women who begin pregnancy overweight/obese have a greater occurrence of vaginal dysbiosis during pregnancy. A lactobacilli-dominated vaginal microbiota was negatively associated with higher pre-pregnancy intake of animal-sourced protein. Conversely, a higher pre-pregnancy consumption of total carbohydrates and sugars seemed to be a protective factor for vaginal health. The vaginal environment of BV-women was characterized by higher levels of biogenic amines and organic acids, whereas higher levels of phenylpropionate and diverse amino acids were fingerprints of a healthy vaginal status. A significant association between a higher pre-pregnancy BMI and several dysbiosis-related vaginal metabolites was also found. Our study shed light on the role of pre-pregnancy BMI and diet on the vaginal environment during pregnancy, underlining the importance of limiting protein intake from animal foods to maintain a healthy lactobacilli-dominated microbiota.
    Keywords vaginal microbiome ; vaginal metabolome ; diet ; nutrient intake ; pregnancy ; women’s health ; Biology (General) ; QH301-705.5
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-07-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  10. Article ; Online: An Italian pediatric case series of Maldive-imported dengue fever

    Arianna Dondi / Francesca Gottardi / Marianna Fabi / Luciano Attard / Giada Rossini / Maria Carla Re / Marcello Lanari

    Emergency Care Journal, Vol 15, Iss

    2019  Volume 1

    Abstract: Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease frequently imported in Europe, where autochthonous outbreaks are potential since recent spreading of the vector. Primary infections usually produce a selflimited febrile syndrome. Secondary infections with different ... ...

    Abstract Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease frequently imported in Europe, where autochthonous outbreaks are potential since recent spreading of the vector. Primary infections usually produce a selflimited febrile syndrome. Secondary infections with different serotype, especially in children, may lead to a severe shock syndrome with plasma leakage and hemorrhagic features. We report a case series of 4 children infected with viral serotype 3 during a journey to the Maldive Islands, who developed symptoms after returning to Italy. Once diagnosed, they were admitted to hospital, followed with clinical and laboratory monitoring and treated supportively; they developed no complications. Dengue endemic areas are popular touristic destinations. Vector eradication may be incomplete where tourist resorts share water tanks with local dwellings. Diagnostic tests should be available in our hospitals for early recognition of cases. Awareness of a primary infection may help prevent re-exposure, avoiding a reinfection with a potentially severe clinical course.
    Keywords Dengue ; Pediatric ; Infectious disease ; Arbovirus ; Tropical disease ; Medicine (General) ; R5-920
    Subject code 610
    Language English
    Publishing date 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher PAGEPress Publications
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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