Prevalence of human papilloma virus type 5 DNA in lesional and non-lesional skin scales of Italian plaque-type psoriatic patients: association with disease severity.

Human papilloma virus type 5 (HPV-5) has been associated closely with psoriatic skin in Polish patients, while findings from other countries have indicated a more limited prevalence. The results of the present study, in which a type-specific nested PCR was used, indicated that scales of plaque-type psoriatic skin from 54 Italian patients had a high prevalence (74.1%) of HPV-5 DNA in lesional areas, and a reduced prevalence (33.

Residual risk of HIV-1 transmission: the case of a seroconverter.

In the present report we describe the case of a repeat blood donor infected with HIV-1. In January 2000 the donor was found to be repeatedly reactive to HIV1/2 antibodies and HIV-1 RNA screening tests. The donation was confirmed to be HIV-1 positive by Western blot.

[Screening for HIV-1 infection targeted to women at a center for sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Comparison between 2 periods of 5 years of work].

Objective: To determine changes over time in the proportion of individuals requesting HIV-1 testing represented by women and in the HIV-1 prevalence among women attending a centre for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in Rome Italy.

Methods: We analysed the computerised clinical records of all women undergoing HIV-1 testing in two five-year periods (i.e.

Heterogeneity of oral isolates of Candida albicans in HIV-positive patients: correlation between candidal carriage, karyotype and disease stage.

Opportunist infections involving Candida albicans often develop in HIV-positive patients and oral lesions tend to become more frequent as the disease progresses. Previous studies have shown contrasting results concerning the variability of the pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) subtypes of C. albicans observed in HIV-positive patients.

Risk factors for HTLV-I and II in individuals attending a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases.

Background: To date, few studies have provided information on risk factors for human t-lymphotropic viruses (HTLV) types I and II in European countries. In particular, few data are available from published studies conducted in STD centers.

Goals: To identify risk factors for HTLV-I and HTLV-II infection and to better distinguish the epidemiologic patterns of the two viruses in Italy.

Incidence and determinants of hepatitis C virus infection among individuals at risk of sexually transmitted diseases attending a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 testing program.

Background: The role of sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is still not completely understood, partly because of the lack of longitudinal studies among cohorts of HCV-negative individuals who engage in at-risk sexual behavior.

Goals: To evaluate the incidence of HCV infection in a population at risk for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and to identify factors associated with HCV seroconversion.

Study Design: A retrospective longitudinal study was carried out on a cohort of consecutive attendees of a voluntary HIV-1 testing and counseling program in a large STD center in Rome.

[Anti-Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies in chronic erythema migrans, benign lymphadenosis cutis, scleroderma and scleroatrophic lichen].

Fiftyone patients with a diagnosis of erythema chronicum migrans (ECM), lymphadenosis cutis benigna (LABC), systemic progressive sclerosis, localized scleroderma and lichen sclerosus et atrophicans were investigated in order to obtain serological evaluation of Borrelia burgdorferi circulating antibodies. In addition sera from 9 patients with pellagroid erythema, prurigo and panniculitis were performed: in these dermatoses there was no evidence of a possible borrelia relationship. Indirect immunofluorescence assay was used for serologic testing.

Hepatitis B and Delta virus infection among heterosexuals, homosexuals and bisexual men.

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) infection rates were estimated in patients attending a venereal disease outpatient clinic: 759 heterosexuals and 154 homosexual-bisexual men. The anti-HBc prevalence was higher in homo-bisexual men (68.8 per 100) than in heterosexuals (41.

Genital herpes infection in outpatients attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic in Italy.

Prevalence of Herpes Simplex, type 2, specific antibodies was estimated in sexually transmitted disease outpatients: 783 heterosexuals and 158 homosexual-bisexuals. The anti-HSV-2 prevalence rates were 69% in the homosexual-bisexuals and 35% in the heterosexuals. In both groups positive association with age of anti-HSV-2 prevalence was found: only in the homosexual-bisexuals negative association with education level was detected.