Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis In A Referral Center In Rome: 2011- 2016.

PURPOSE: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a major burden to public health in low incidence countries in Europe. The aim of this study was to attempt to have a better insight into the trends of MDR-TB in the metropolitan area of Rome, within the Italian and the foreign-born population, based on microbiological and demographic data. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective study, collecting microbiological data based on phenotypic drug-resistant testing (DST) of TB strains consecutively isolated in a referral hospital in Rome, the capital city of a low TB incidence country, over a 6-year period, and correlated them to the geographical origin of patients. This study was carried out in a referral hospital for patients with drug-resistant TB from the whole region. RESULTS: Drug-resistance data from 926 patients with a microbiological diagnosis of TB from 2011 to 2016 show a 5.5% rate of MDR-TB, mostly occurring in patients born in a single East European country, that has a high incidence of MDR-TB. The strains isolated from these patients frequently carry additional resistances, leading to an increased risk of developing extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB. CONCLUSION: In the great metropolitan area of Rome, MDR-TB more frequently occurs in patients who were born in a single country from Eastern Europe known to have high rates of MDR-TB and long-time residents in Italy. Recent immigrants from non-European countries do not appear to contribute to the rates of MDR-TB reported in this article. This knowledge of local TB trends could help improve the measures of surveillance and prevention of disease.

Clinical evaluation of TRCReady M.TB for rapid automated detection of M. tuberculosis complex in respiratory samples.

SETTING: Timely diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) is essential for effectively controlling and managing the disease. Although international guidelines recommend acid-fast bacilli staining and culture as the 'gold standard', new molecular methods are available to safely and rapidly identify positive samples. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of the newer and fully automated version of a molecular assay for rRNA amplification (TRCReady® M.TB) on 1028 respiratory samples collected from 378 patients for its possible use as a reliable screening method. Results were evaluated using culture as the reference test. RESULTS: Of four diagnostic protocols employed, best results were obtained when TRCReady M.TB was used together with microscopy on the first respiratory sample, followed by microscopy alone on a second one. The sensitivity and specificity were respectively 97% and 100%, with a turnaround time of 24 h. We propose a possible laboratory algorithm for rapid identification of patients with TB. CONCLUSIONS: TRCReady offers the advantages of full automation and avoidance of cross-contamination. As such, it should be considered as a more economical option for TB screening than other commercial assays that are currently available.

Evaluation of a rapid and sensitive RT-qPCR assay for the detection of Ebola Virus.

BACKGROUND: The 2013-2016 Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak showed a lack of diagnostic point-of-care methods. Currently, EBOV diagnosis relies on quantitative reverse-transcription-PCR (RT- qPCR), highly specific and sensitive, but requiring skilled personnel and well-equipped laboratories. In field settings, these factors and others, such as samples' time of collection and transportation, determine a prolonged turnaround-time to final results. In outbreak scenarios, a rapid and transportable method could eliminate issues of cohorting suspected and actual EVD patients for lack of diagnostic certainty. The aim of this study was the field evaluation of the new fast, easy-to-use and reliable RT-qPCR assay and platform for EBOV detection, developed in the framework of the EbolaMoDRAD project by CLONIT S.r.l. and STMicroelectronics S.r.l. STUDY DESIGN: We evaluated its performance during the outbreak and in further studies in the EVD laboratory at the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (PCMH) in Freetown (Sierra Leone) run by Emergency NGO and the Italian National Institute for Infectious Diseases (INMI). The assay was tested on residual aliquots of clinical specimens from EBOV-positive or -negative patients (n=116, EVD prevalence 37%). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Overall, the test was very easy-to-use and the instrument was robust and reliable in field-settings. The sensitivity of the assay was 100% and the specificity was 98.63% (95%CI: 96.34-100.92%). The positive and negative predictive values were 97.73 (95%CI:94.77-100.68%) and 100%, respectively. The high sensitivity and specificity of this new assay indicate that it is promising for laboratory diagnosis, especially in resource-limited settings.

Disorders of branched chain amino acid metabolism.

The three essential branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), leucine, isoleucine and valine, share the first enzymatic steps in their metabolic pathways, including a reversible transamination followed by an irreversible oxidative decarboxylation to coenzyme-A derivatives. The respective oxidative pathways subsequently diverge and at the final steps yield acetyl- and/or propionyl-CoA that enter the Krebs cycle. Many disorders in these pathways are diagnosed through expanded newborn screening by tandem mass spectrometry. Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is the only disorder of the group that is associated with elevated body fluid levels of the BCAAs. Due to the irreversible oxidative decarboxylation step distal enzymatic blocks in the pathways do not result in the accumulation of amino acids, but rather to CoA-activated small carboxylic acids identified by gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis of urine and are therefore classified as organic acidurias. Disorders in these pathways can present with a neonatal onset severe-, or chronic intermittent- or progressive forms. Metabolic instability and increased morbidity and mortality are shared between inborn errors in the BCAA pathways, while treatment options remain limited, comprised mainly of dietary management and in some cases solid organ transplantation.

MRI characteristics of globus pallidus infarcts in isolated methylmalonic acidemia.

BACKGROUND: Bilateral infarcts confined to the globus pallidus are unusual and occur in conjunction with only a few disorders, including isolated methylmalonic acidemia, a heterogeneous inborn error of metabolism. On the basis of neuroradiographic features of metabolic strokes observed in a large cohort of patients with methylmalonic acidemia, we have devised a staging system for methylmalonic acidemia-related globus pallidus infarcts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients with isolated methylmalonic acidemia and neurologic symptoms underwent clinical brain MR imaging studies, which included 3D-T1WI. Infarcted globus pallidus segments were neuroanatomically characterized, and infarct volumes were measured. RESULTS: Globus pallidus infarcts were present in 19 patients; all were bilateral, and most were left-dominant. A neuroanatomic scoring system based on the infarct patterns was devised; this revealed a 5-stage hierarchical susceptibility to metabolic infarct, with the posterior portion of the globus pallidus externa being the most vulnerable. Globus pallidus infarct prevalence by methylmalonic acidemia class was the following: cblA (5/7, 71%), cblB (3/7, 43%), mut(o) (10/22, 45%), and mut- (1/4, 25%). Tiny lacunar infarcts in the pars reticulata of the substantia nigra, previously unrecognized in methylmalonic acidemia, were found in 17 patients, 13 of whom also had a globus pallidus infarct. CONCLUSIONS: The staged pattern of globus pallidus infarcts in isolated methylmalonic acidemia suggests a nonuniform, regionally specific cellular susceptibility to metabolic injury, even for patients having milder biochemical phenotypes. In support of this hypothesis, the delineation of lacunar infarcts in the pars reticulata of the substantia nigra, a tissue functionally and histologically identical to the globus pallidus interna, supports the concept of cell-specific pathology.

Update on transcobalamin deficiency: clinical presentation, treatment and outcome.

Transcobalamin (TC) transports cobalamin from blood into cells. TC deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder usually presenting in early infancy with failure to thrive, weakness, diarrhoea, pallor, anemia, and pancytopenia or agammaglobulinemia. It can sometimes resemble neonatal leukemia or severe combined immunodeficiency disease. Diagnosis of TC deficiency is suspected based on megaloblastic anemia, elevation of total plasma homocysteine, and blood or urine methylmalonic acid. It is confirmed by studying the synthesis of TC in cultured fibroblasts, or by molecular analysis of the TCN2 gene. TC deficiency is treatable with supplemental cobalamin, but the optimal type, route and frequency of cobalamin administration and long term patient outcomes are unknown. Here we present a series of 30 patients with TC deficiency, including an update on multiple previously published patients, in order to evaluate the different treatment strategies and provide information about long term outcome. Based on the data presented, current practice appears to favour treatment of individuals with TC deficiency by intramuscular injections of hydroxy- or cyanocobalamin. In most cases presented, at least weekly injections (1 mg IM) were necessary to ensure optimal treatment. Most centres adjusted the treatment regimen based on monitoring CBC, total plasma homocysteine, plasma and urine methylmalonic acid, as well as, clinical status. Finally, continuing IM treatment into adulthood appears to be beneficial.

Liver-directed adeno-associated virus serotype 8 gene transfer rescues a lethal murine model of citrullinemia type 1.

Citrullinemia type 1 (CTLN1) is an autosomal recessive disorder of metabolism caused by a deficiency of argininosuccinate synthetase. Despite optimal management, CTLN1 patients still suffer from lethal metabolic instability and experience life-threatening episodes of acute hyperammonemia. A murine model of CTLN1 (fold/fold) that displays lethality within the first 21 days of life was used to determine the efficacy of adeno-associated viral (AAV) gene transfer as a potential therapy. An AAV serotype 8 (AAV8) vector was engineered to express the human ASS1 cDNA under the control of a liver-specific promoter (thyroxine-binding globulin, TBG), AAV8-TBG-hASS1, and delivered to 7-10 days old mice via intraperitoneal injection. Greater than 95% of the mice were rescued from lethality and survival was extended beyond 100 days after receiving a single dose of vector. AAV8-TBG-hASS1 treatment resulted in liver-specific expression of hASS1, increased ASS1 enzyme activity, reduction in plasma ammonia and citrulline concentrations and significant phenotypic improvement of the fold/fold growth and skin phenotypes. These experiments highlight a gene transfer approach using AAV8 vector for liver-targeted gene therapy that could serve as a treatment for CTLN1.

Patient risk factors for outer membrane permeability and KPC-producing carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolation: results of a double case-control study.

BACKGROUND: In the 1,200-bed university hospital "Umberto I" in Rome, Italy, we observed a dramatic substitution of a precedingly well-documented Klebsiella pneumoniae clone (ST37) with ertapenem resistance by outer membrane permeability modification (Porin-ER-Kp) with a new K. pneumoniae strain expressing carbapenem resistance due to K. pneumoniae carbapenemase production (KPC-CR-Kp). A case-case-control study was carried out to evaluate risk factors for Porin-ER-Kp and KPC-CR-Kp isolation. METHODS: All patients with hospital-acquired K. pneumoniae isolation between July 2008 and June 2011 were included. Two case groups including patients harbouring KPC-CR-Kp and Porin-ER-Kp were analysed, with a third control group from whom carbapenem-susceptible K. pneumoniae (CS-Kp) were isolated. RESULTS: Forty-four KPC-CR-Kp cases, 39 Porin-ER-Kp cases and 60 CS-Kp controls were analysed. During the 3-year study, a specific Porin-ER-Kp endemic clone (ST37) was substituted by a new KPC-CR-Kp clone (ST512). Breakthrough bacteraemias occurred in 21 out of 26 KPC-CR-Kp group bloodstream infections (BSIs); nine of these developed during carbapenem therapy and seven with colistin and/or tigecycline therapy. In 13 Porin-ER-Kp BSIs, breakthrough bacteraemias developed in eight patients and four during carbapenem therapy. In the multivariable analysis, KPC-CR-Kp isolates were associated with carbapenems [odds ratio (OR) 7.74; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.70-35.2; p < 0.01) and endoscopy (OR 6.71; 95 % CI 1.25-36.0; p < 0.03). Porin-ER-Kp independent risk factors included second-generation cephalosporins (OR 25.7; 95 % CI 3.20-206.8; p < 0.01), carbapenems (OR 19.1; 95 % CI 4.34-83.9; p < 0.001), acute renal failure (OR 7.17; 95 % CI 1.33-38.6; p < 0.03), endoscopy (OR 6.12; 95 % CI 1.46-25.6; p < 0.02) and third-generation cephalosporins (OR 5.3; 95 % CI 1.34-20.9; p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Porin-ER-Kp strains needed major antimicrobial pressure compared to KPC-CR-Kp to express resistance. KPC-CR-Kp substituted Porin-ER-Kp strains, causing more infections. KPC-CR-Kp breakthrough bacteraemia occurred even under therapy with tigecycline or colistin, underlining that an antibiotic stewardship programme is needed urgently.

Gene therapy in a murine model of methylmalonic acidemia using rAAV9-mediated gene delivery.

Methylmalonic acidemia (MMA), an inherited metabolic disorder caused by deficient activity of methylmalonyl-CoA mutase, carries a poor prognosis for long-term survival. While administration of a recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 8 vector (rAAV8) can rescue Mut(-/-) mice from neonatal lethality and provide sustained phenotypic correction, translation of gene therapy to human subjects will likely require multiple rounds of systemic administration and, ideally, the use of a vector that transduces the kidney. To examine the effectiveness of alternative rAAVs in the treatment of MMA, a serotype 9 rAAV expressing the Mut cDNA was constructed and delivered to newborn Mut(-/-) mice (n=11). rAAV9 gene therapy directed hepatic transgene expression within 24 h and effectively rescued the Mut(-/-) mice from lethality, conferred long-term survival, markedly improved metabolism and resulted in striking preservation of renal function and histology. Systemic readministration of the vector at a dose similar to that used in human clinical trials (2.5 × 10(9) GC of rAAV9 per gram) to older, treated Mut(-/-) mice (n=5) lowered circulating metabolites, increased in vivo propionate oxidative capacity and produced transgene expression in the kidney and liver. Our data support the use of an rAAV9 vector in the acute and chronic treatment of MMA, and highlight the renal tropism afforded by this novel serotype.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in non-neutropenic patients: analysis of a 14-month prospective clinical experience.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in severely immunocompromised patients, but recently several authors have reported the occurrence of IPA in liver cirrhosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, most of whom, but not all, were receiving steroid treatment, with a very high mortality rate. The detection of galactomannan performed in respiratory specimens is a new valuable test for the diagnosis of probable IPA, even in non-neutropenic high risk patients. Since the frequency and clinical impact of IPA in non-hematologic patients is not well known, it seemed rational to us to attempt a prospective study evaluating all patients hospitalized in a university hospital for whom an infectious Diseases consultation was required. This 14-month survey in our hospital, using recently recommended diagnostic criteria, seems to suggest an emerging role of IPA in these patients who may have a higher mortality rate than their neutropenic peers, and provides preliminary evidence that early diagnosis and prompt initiation of antifungal therapy may improve the ultimate outcome of their IPA.

Risk factors and clinical significance of ertapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in hospitalised patients.

Ertapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (ER-Kp) is an emerging healthcare-associated pathogen. In order to identify risk factors associated with ER-Kp acquisition, the records of 100 patients from whom K. pneumoniae had been isolated between July 2008 and December 2009 were reviewed. These comprised 38 with ER-Kp (28 infected, 10 colonised) and 62 with ertapenem-susceptible K. pneumoniae (ES-Kp) (43 infected, 19 colonised). Multilocus sequence typing (MSLT) and porin gene investigation performed on 25 ER-Kp strains showed that 24 belonged to the ST37 lineage, expressing a novel OmpK36 variant and not expressing OmpK35. Breakthrough bacteraemia occurred in 13 (52%) of 25 bloodstream infections (BSIs). Among nine ER-Kp BSIs, five were complicated by breakthrough bacteraemia, of which four developed during carbapenem therapy. Among 16 ES-Kp BSIs, breakthrough bacteraemia developed in eight patients (50%), but only one occurred (12%) during carbapenem therapy. Logistic regression analysis showed that carbapenems (odds ratio: 12.9; 95% confidence interval: 3.09-53.7; P < 0.001), second generation cephalosporins (11.8; 1.87-74.4; P < 0.01), endoscopy (5.59; 1.32-23.6; P < 0.02), acute renal failure (5.32; 1.13-25.1; P=0.034) and third generation cephalosporins (4.15; 1.09-15.8; P < 0.01) were independent risk factors for acquisition of ER-Kp. Our findings confirm that prior use of certain antimicrobials, specifically carbapenems and cephalosporins, are primary independent risk factors for colonisation or infection with ER-Kp.

Hydroxocobalamin dose escalation improves metabolic control in cblC.

Cobalamin C (cblC), a combined form of methylmalonic acidaemia and hyperhomocysteinaemia, is recognized as the most frequent inborn error of intracellular cobalamin metabolism. This condition can be detected by expanded newborn screening and can have an acute neonatal presentation that is life-threatening if not suspected and promptly treated. Intramuscular (IM) hydroxocobalamin (OHCbl) is the main treatment for patients with cblC, but formal dosing guidelines do not exist. A clinical improvement and a decrease of plasma methylmalonic acid (MMA) and total homocysteine (tHcy) levels, and an increase in methionine are typically observed after its initiation. It is well recognized that despite treatment, long-term complications such as developmental delay and progressive visual loss, may still develop. We describe the biochemical response of a 13-year-old boy with worsening metabolic parameters despite strict adherence to a conventional treatment regimen. We progressively increased the OHCbl dose from 1 to 20 mg IM per day and observed a dose-dependent response with an 80% reduction of plasma MMA (25 to 5.14 micromol/L; normal range <0.27 micromol/L), a 55% reduction of tHcy (112 to 50 micromol/L; normal range: 0-13 micromol/L) and a greater than twofold increase in methionine (17 to 36 micromol/L; normal range: 7-47 micromol/L). This suggests that higher OHCbl doses might be required to achieve an optimal biochemical response in cblC patients, but it is unknown whether it may slow or eliminate other complications. Future clinical trials to determine the benefits of higher-dose OHCbl therapy in patients with cblC and other disorders of intracellular cobalamin metabolism should be planned.

Enamel defects and salivary methylmalonate in methylmalonic acidemia.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: To characterize enamel defects in patients with methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) and cobalamin (cbl) metabolic disorders and to examine salivary methylmalonate levels in MMA. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Teeth from patients (n = 32) were evaluated for enamel defects and compared with age- and gender-matched controls (n = 55). Complementation class (mut, cblA, cblB and cblC) and serum methylmalonate levels were examined. Primary teeth from two patients were examined by light and scanning electron microscopy and salivary methylmalonate levels from two patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Enamel defects were significantly more prevalent per tooth in the affected group than the control group, across complementation types (P < 0.0001). The mut MMA subgroup had a significantly higher prevalence per individual of severe enamel defects than controls (P = 0.021), and those with enamel defects exhibited higher serum methylmalonate levels than those without (P = 0.017). Salivary methylmalonate levels were extremely elevated and were significantly higher than controls (P = 0.002). Primary teeth were free of enamel defects except for two cblC patients who exhibited severe enamel hypoplasia. One primary tooth from a cblC patient manifested markedly altered crystal microstructure. CONCLUSION: Enamel anomalies represent a phenotypic manifestation of MMA and cbl metabolic disorders. These findings suggest an association between enamel developmental pathology and disordered metabolism.

[Distress influence in fibromyalgia]. / Influenza dello stress nella fibromialgia.

OBJECTIVE: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) is a controversial chronic painful syndrome. Although the aetiology is unknown, FM is frequently correlated with stressors events. Recent studies highlighted the frequent comorbidity with anxiety and depression and a close relationship between stress and pain. METHODS: We evaluated the relevance of stressors events in 23 patients with FM (mean age: 45.7+/-7.4 SD), compared with 18 healthy controls (mean age: 41.7+/-6.4 SD) and 17 patients with dysfunctional syndrome (mean age 40.8+/-6.1). We performed the italian validated rapid assessment of the stress test (VRS) for the assessment of stress. Furthermore, we evaluated the psychological history for a semi-quantitative assessment (IVAS) of the 49 stress-generating events listed in 1994's DSM-IV. RESULTS: The group of "healthy" subjects showed stress values at VRS test (mean: 7.00+/-4.65 SD) significantly lower (p=0.0001) than the patients with "dysfunctional syndrome" (mean 14.82+/-7.69 SD) and those with FM (mean 20.04+/-9.90 SD). The IVAS test, showed higher values in FM subgroup than healthy (p=0.0001) and dysfunctional syndrome (p=0,007). Also, the patients with FM showed a greater gravity to attribute to single stressors events (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Our results emphasize the importance of the perceived stress among the patients with FM, and support the hypothesis that FM could be due to a psycho-neuro-endocrinal response to several stressors events in patients with genetical hyperresponsiveness to stress.

Genetic and genomic systems to study methylmalonic acidemia.

Methylmalonic acidemia (MMAemia) is the biochemical hallmark of a group of genetic metabolic disorders that share a common defect in the ability to convert methylmalonyl-CoA into succinyl-CoA. This disorder is due to either a mutant methylmalonyl-CoA mutase apoenzyme or impaired synthesis of adenosylcobalamin, the cofactor for this enzyme. In this article, we will provide an overview of the pathways disrupted in these disorders, discuss the known metabolic blocks with a particular focus on molecular genetics, and review the use of selected model organisms to study features of methylmalonic acidemia.

Congenital cardiomyopathy and pulmonary hypertension: another fatal variant of cytochrome-c oxidase deficiency.

Biventricular hypertrophy was noted at 24 weeks' gestation in a fetus with isolated cytochrome-c oxidase (COX) deficiency. Shock, caused by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and severe pulmonary hypertension, led to the patient's death on day 6. His phenotype defines a new lethal variant of COX deficiency characterized by prenatal-onset cardiopulmonary pathophysiology.

46,XX, inv(6)(p21.1p23) in a pedigree with hereditary haemochromatosis.

Hereditary haemochromatosis (HFE) is a recessive genetic disease of iron overload which has been shown by linkage analysis to reside on the short arm of chromosome 6, close to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Positional cloning of the putative HFE locus has been hampered, in part, by the lack of a structural alteration on 6p. In this report, we describe a pedigree with HFE which carries a balanced paracentric inversion of chromosome 6, inv(6)(p21.1p23), a rarely reported chromosomal rearrangement in this region. We have determined the inheritance of the chromosome harbouring the inversion, which segregates as an HFE chromosome. Because the HFE locus has been mapped distal to the HLA-F class I locus at 6p21.3, the breakpoints associated with this chromosomal rearrangement may provide a significant genomic landmark for positional cloning of the HFE gene.

Studies of the 6.7 family of dispersed genomic fragments within the MHC class I Region.

Searches for MHC-encoded disease susceptibility genes have led to considerable knowledge of the content of the class I region. In an effort to further understand the nature of the five 6.7 family members previously mapped to this region of the genome, we have further analyzed the cross-reactive members of the family and have observed additional genomic instability within the HLA-A subregion. Such genomic variation may underscore the slower evolutionary rates of the HLA-A allelic family and the extended linkage disequilibrium of markers distal to this locus. Moreover, one of the largest genes associated with a member of the 6.7 family, the 3.8-1 gene found proximal to HLA-B, was found to demonstrate limited, composite similarity to RAG2 and complement C4a gene sequences. A pancreas-specific transcript embedded in a 6.7 cross-reactive fragment was found distal to HLA-H and suggests that the fragments have remained linked to transcriptionally active chromatin comprised of both a major class I gene and a second novel coding sequence since the time of their dispersal. The absence of a 6.7 fragment in the HLA-B subregions of higher nonhuman primates lends credence to the possibility that the great apes have suffered a recent deletion event within this region following the emergence of Homo sapiens.