SUMMARY -We detected the cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and granulocyte macrophage-CSF (GM-CSF) by ELISA in the CSF and serum of 30 HIV-infected patients classified as AIDS dementia complex (ADC), and 20 subjects with other neurological diseases (OND). We have found a high incidence of detectable IL-6 and GM-CSF in the CSF of ADC patients compared with OND patients. No statistical differences were observed between both groups for serum IL-6 and GM-CSF levels. These results suggest an intrathecal synthesis of these cytokines and a possible involvement in the pathogenesis of ADC.KEY WORDS: AIDS dementia complex, cerebrospinal fluid, cytokines (interleukin-6, granulocyte-macrophage-CSF). Interleucina-6 e granulócito-macrófago-CSF no líquido eefalorraquidiano de pacientes infectados por HIV tom comprome t imento do sistema nervoso central.RESUMO -Detectamos as citocinas interleucina-6 (IL-6) e granulócito-macrófago-CSF (GM-CSF) por ELISA no LCR e soro de 30 pacientes infectados por HIV classificados como tendo AIDS-demência complexo (ADC) e de 20 pacientes com outras doenças neurológicas (OND). Encontramos elevada incidência de IL-6 e GM-CSF detectável no LCR de pacientes com ADC, em relação aos pacientes com OND. Diferenças estatísticas não foram observadas entre os dois grupos de pacientes para níveis de IL-6 e GM-CSF no soro. Esses resultados sugerem síntese intratecal dessas citocinas e sua possível participação na patogenia da ADC. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: AIDS-demência complexo, líquido cefalorraquidiano, citocinas (interleucina-6, granulócito-macrófago-CSF).Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF) are polypeptide substances produced by monocytes/macrophages and other cell types. IL-6 is a cytokine that promotes differentiation of B-cells to antibody-secreting cells. IL-6 works synergistically with IL-1 to promote B-cell growth, and it has a wide variety of biological activities including mediation of fever and the acute phase response of inflammation 5.The GM-CSF stimulate the production of both granulocytes and macrophages in cultures of human and murine bone marrow cells. Little is known of the pattern of IL-6 and GM-CSF production in human nervous diseases 4. Several studies have suggested a possible role in the pathogenesis of AIDS dementia complex (ADC), but the mechanism of this disease is unclear.In the present study we assayed the IL-6 and GM-CSF in paired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum from ADC patients, using a sensitive, specific and non-cross reactive ELISA.

Typhoid fever is endemic in the Neapolitan area, where its yearly incidence rate largely exceeds the corresponding national figure. During the period from January to June, 1990, a matched case-control study was carried out in order to identify risk factors of the disease in this area; 51 subjects (mean age 27.2 years) with typhoid fever were compared with 102 controls matched with respect to age, sex and educational level. Consumption of raw shellfish was reported by 76.5% of the cases, as opposed to 19.6% of the controls (P < 0.01). Subjects who had eaten this food item had a 13.3-fold risk (C.I. 95% = 5.5 - 32.8) of contracting typhoid fever. In contrast, no risk was found to be associated with consumption of cooked shellfish, raw vegetables, ice-cream, non-potable water, or unpasteurized milk. The risk factor identified in this study shows that hazardous dietary habits and inadequate sewage treatment facilities, combined with lack of sanitation in the harvesting and marketing of shellfish, play a major role in the endemicity of typhoid fever in the Neapolitan area.

No abstract

No abstract

During the cholera epidemic in 1973, nine contact carriers of Vibrio cholerae El Tor serotype Ogawa were identified in a family from Naples as well as six others coming from different parts of the city or its surroundings. All the subjects were admitted to the quarantine ward of the ‘Cotugno Hospital’ (Naples) in which they remained continuously for 14 or 16 days. During this time these bacteriologically confirmed carriers were treated orally with a long-acting sulphonamide (sulphamethoxypyrazine, Kelfizine). Coprocultural examinations carried out on each patient on average 7 times after the treatment over a period of 6 months, proved the absence of V. cholerae. Serological tests also showed high levels of agglutinating and vibriocidal anticholera Ogawa antibodies in two unvaccinated carriers.