Vertebral osteomyelitis due to in a diabetic patient. A case report and literature review.

Staphylococci are the most frequent cause of vertebral osteomyelitis, but infections due to unusual pathogens are also reported. We describe a rare case of spondylodiscitis due to . A 74-year-old diabetic male was evaluated for fever and back pain.

CD8CD28CD127CD39 regulatory T-cell expansion: A new possible pathogenic mechanism for HIV infection?

Background: HIV-associated immunodeficiency is related to loss of CD4 T cells. This mechanism does not explain certain manifestations of HIV disease, such as immunodeficiency events in patients with greater than 500 CD4 T cells/μL. CD8CD28CD127CD39 T cells are regulatory T (Treg) lymphocytes that are highly concentrated within the tumor microenvironment and never analyzed in the circulation of HIV-infected patients.

Relationship between innate immunity, soluble markers and metabolic-clinical parameters in HIV+ patients ART treated with HIV-RNA<50 cp/mL.

Introduction: The persistence of immune activation and inflammation in HIV patients with HIV-RNA (VL) undetectable causes many co-morbidities [1-3]. The aim of this study is to correlate monocytes (m) and NK cell activation levels, soluble markers and oxidative stress with clinical, biochemical and metabolic data in HIV-1 infected patients with VL≤50 copies (cp)/mL on antiretroviral therapy.

Materials And Methods: Multicentre, cross-sectional study in patients with VL≤50 cp/mL and on antiretroviral therapy by at least six months.

Epidemiological and clinical features of hepatitis delta in HBsAg-positive patients by HIV status.

Background: The epidemiology of HBV-associated hepatitis has changed in recent years, especially after the introduction of anti-HBV vaccination, with a consequent decrease in the incidence of HDV-associated hepatitis. However, HDV remains of concern in non-vaccinated people and in immigrants. The aim of this retrospective survey has been to assess prevalence and clinical characteristics of HDV infection in Liguria, a region in Northern Italy, in both HIV-positive and negative patients.

Therapeutic management of chronic hepatitis B in clinical practice: a region-wide survey.

Goals: To characterize the clinical and treatment pattern in a large population of hepatitis B virus (HBV) patients managed at tertiary referral centers in clinical practice.

Background: Successful treatment, either with interferon (IFN) or nucleos(t)ide analogs (NUCs), of chronic HBV infection is associated with improved long-term patient outcome. However, in clinical practice, the actual management of these patients is not well characterized, and data regarding treatment pattern in this setting are lacking.

Natural killer cells in HIV controller patients express an activated effector phenotype and do not up-regulate NKp44 on IL-2 stimulation.

Control of HIV replication in elite controller (EC) and long-term nonprogressor (LTNP) patients has been associated with efficient CD8(+)cytotoxic T-lymphocyte function. However, innate immunity may play a role in HIV control. We studied the expression of natural cytotoxicity receptors (NKp46, NKp30, and NKp44) and their induction over a short time frame (2-4 d) on activation of natural killer (NK) cells in 31 HIV controller patients (15 ECs, 16 LTNPs).

Prosthetic joint infections due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis: A report of 5 cases.

Introduction: Tubercular infection of prosthetic joint arthroplasty is sporadically described, but its incidence is rising. Misdiagnosis is common because of disparate clinical presentation.

Presentation Of Case: We describe 1 hand, 2 hip and 2 knee prosthetic-joint infections due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis in patients without a previous history of tuberculosis.

Clinical and virological survey of patients with hepatitis B surface antigen in an Italian region: clinical considerations and disease burden.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in an Italian region, Liguria (1,572,000 inhabitants), by means of a network of 12 referral centers for liver diseases. All patients with HBV surface antigen followed throughout 2006 were included. Personal data, infectious status with risk factors, other non-infectious risk factors for liver disease, clinical status, and treatment were the questionnaire.

A significant proportion of patients with chronic hepatitis B who are candidates for antiviral treatment are untreated: A region-wide survey in Italy.

Background: Between 350 and 400 million people worldwide have chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, and in Italy this figure is 1% to 2% in the general population. In clinical practice, however, it is not known how many patients chronically infected by HBV and eligible for antiviral therapy are not treated.

Aim: To characterize the clinical picture of untreated HBV patients, and to assess whether current experts' recommendations for treatment are actually applied.

[Non-tubercular vertebral osteomyelitis: diagnosis and therapy of 45 patients from a single Italian centre].

Aim Of The Study: to evaluate the episodes of non-tubercular spondylodiskitis diagnosed between 1998 and 2002 at the Ospedale S. Corona, Pietra Ligure (SV).

Methods: perspective evaluation of vertebral osteomyelitis classified as spontaneous or iatrogenic if associated with procedures on the spinal cord, with detection of associated risk factors, localization, aetiology and treatment.

[Non-tubercular vertebral osteomyelitis: diagnosis and therapy of 45 patients from a single Italian centre].

Aim Of The Study: to evaluate the episodes of non-tubercular spondylodiskitis diagnosed between 1998 and 2002 at Ospedale S. Corona, Pietra Ligure (SV).

Methods: prospective evaluation of vertebral osteomyelitis classified as spontaneous or iatrogenic if associated with procedures on the spinal cord, with detection of associated risk factors, localization, etiology and treatment.