Undetectable phospho-STAT1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with chronic hepatitis C who do not respond to interferon-alpha therapy.

Background: Recent studies have suggested that phosphorylated signal transducers and activators of transcription 1 (STAT1) plays an important role in interferon (IFN)-mediated biological functions, including antiviral activity. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that suppressors of the cytokine signal 1 (SOCS1) negatively regulates IFN activities.

Aims: To investigate the involvement of phospho-STAT1 in the response to IFN-alpha therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C and to evaluate the negative regulatory effect of SOCS1 on STAT1 activation.

Helicobacter pylori active infection in patients with acute coronary heart disease.

Objectives: To evaluate the possible role of the active Helicobacter pylori infection as a trigger factor in acute coronary heart disease (CHD).

Methods: Forty patients with acute coronary syndromes, 40 patients with infections other than H. pylori (control group A) and 40 healthy subjects (control group B), pair matched for age, sex and CHD risk factors were studied.

Hymenolepis diminuta infection in a child living in the urban area of Rome, Italy.

We report a case of Hymenolepis diminuta infection in an Italian child affected by tuberous sclerosis. Praziquantel is the drug of choice for the treatment of H. diminuta infection.