Evidence of hepatitis C virus-specific interferon gamma-positive T cells in health care workers in an infectious disease department.

Background: Few studies are available on possible hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific T-cell immune response in health care workers (HCWs) involved in the care of patients with HCV infection. We aimed to investigate whether a HCV-specific interferon (IFN)-gamma T-cell response, known to be involved in infection resolution, was present in those HCWs involved in the management of patients with persistent HCV infection.

Methods: Our study involved 30 subjects, classified as group A (20 consecutive patients, 16 males and 4 females, with histologically proven chronic hepatitis), or group B (10 HCWs, 7 males and 3 females, with at least 7 years of health care experience and HCV-RNA and anti-HCV negative).

Increase of granzyme B-positive cells in ascitic fluid of patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) occurs as a direct consequence of bacteria entering ascitic fluid (AF) from the intestinal lumen trough in several ways, including the hematogenous and mesenteric lymph nodes route. There are few studies on the cytokine profile of ascitic-derived mononuclear cells of patients with SBP, particularly on granzyme B (GZB). The aim of the present study was to verify whether patients with SBP have GZB-positive cells, whether they are increased in patients with aseptic ascites, and their trend after antibiotic treatment.

Cystic nephroma: report of a case and review of the literature.

Cystic nephroma is a rare benign cystic renal tumor, which has been only recently recognized as an exclusively adult histological entity. We present a case of cystic nephroma, together with clinical, radiological, histopathological and immunohistochemical findings. The histopathological differential diagnosis and immunohistochemical features that are potentially useful for refining this tumor are discussed.

Impaired function of CD4+/CD25+ T regulatory lymphocytes characterizes the self-limited hepatitis A virus infection.

Background And Aim: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) causes a transient illness leaving permanent protection against reinfection. Few data are available on the regulatory mechanisms involved in the CD4+ T helper activation. We aimed to investigate the frequency and function of CD3+/CD4+/CD25+ T cells with regulatory function (Tregs) during acute HAV infection.