Alessandra Sensini

Bio: Alessandra Sensini is an academic researcher from University of Perugia. The author has contributed to research in topics: Ureaplasma urealyticum & Mycoplasma hominis. The author has an hindex of 10, co-authored 18 publications receiving 441 citations.

Prevalence of cervical colonization by Ureaplasma parvum, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis and Mycoplasma genitalium in childbearing age women by a commercially available multiplex real-time PCR: An Italian observational multicentre study.

Abstract: Background Mycoplasmas are frequently isolated from the genital tract. New molecular PCR-based methods for the detection of mycoplasmas can better define the real epidemiology of these microorganisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of mycoplasmas in a population of childbearing age women by means of PCR. Methods This 21-month multicentre observational study was conducted at four Italian clinical microbiology laboratories. Women reporting symptoms of vaginitis/cervicitis, or with history of infertility, pregnancy, miscarriage or preterm birth were included. Detection of Ureaplasma parvum, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma genitalium was performed from cervical swabs by means of a commercially available multiplex real-time PCR. Results a total of 1761 women fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. The overall prevalence was: U. parvum 38.3%, U. urealyticum 9%, M. hominis 8.6% and M. genitalium 0.6%. The proportion of foreign patients positive for U. parvum was significantly higher compared to Italian patients (37% vs 30.1%, p = 0.007) and also for overall mycoplasma colonization (53.4% vs 45.8%, p = 0.011). The number of symptomatic patients positive for M. hominis was significantly higher than that of negative controls (2.9% vs 1%, p = 0.036). A significant positive trend in mycoplasma colonization was found in relation to the pregnancy week for U. urealyticum ( p = 0.015), M. hominis ( p = 0.044) and for overall mycoplasma colonization ( p = 0.002). Conclusion multiplex RT-PCR can be a valuable tool to evaluate the real epidemiology of cervical mycoplasma colonization.

Multidisciplinary approach to prostatitis.

Abstract: The modern clinical research on prostatitis started with the work of Stamey and coworkers who developed the basic principles we are still using. They established the segmented culture technique for localizing the infections in the males to the urethra, the bladder, or the prostate and to differentiate the main categories of prostatitis. Such categories with slight modifications are still used according to the NIH classification: acute bacterial prostatitis, chronic bacterial prostatitis, Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) and asymptomatic prostatitis. Prostatic inflammation is considered an important factor in influencing both prostatic growth and progression of symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis. Chronic inflammation/neuroinflammation is a result of a deregulated acute phase response of the innate immune system affecting surrounding neural tissue at molecular, structural and functional levels. Clinical observations suggest that chronic inflammation correlates with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and an history of clinical chronic prostatitis significantly increases the odds for prostate cancer. The NIHNIDDK classification based on the use of the microbiological 4- glasses localization test or simplified 2-glasses test, is currently accepted worldwide. The UPOINT system identifies groups of clinicians with homogeneous clinical presentation and is used to recognize phenotypes to be submitted to specific treatments. The UPOINTS algorithm implemented the original UPOINT adding to the urinary domains (U), psycho-social (P), organspecific (O), infection (I), neurological (N), muscle tension and tenderness (T) a further domain related to sexuality (S). In fact sexual dysfunction (erectile, ejaculatory, libido loss) has been described in 46-92% of cases with a high impact on the quality of life of patients with CP/CPPS. Prostatic ultrasound represents the most popular imaging test in the work-up of either acute and chronic prostatitis although no specific hypo-hyperechoic pattern has been clearly associated with chronic bacterial prostatitis and CPPS. Use of a digital-processing software to calculate the extension of prostatic calcification area at ultrasound demonstrated a higher percentage of prostatic calcification in patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis. Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging (mpMRI) is the current state-of-the art imaging modality in the assessment of patients with prostate cancer although a variety of benign conditions, including inflammation, may mimic prostate cancer and act as confounding factors in the discrimination between neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions. Bacteria can infect prostate gland by: ascending the urethra, reflux of urine into the prostatic ducts, direct inoculation of bacteria through inserted biopsy needles or hematogenous seeding. Enterobacteriaceae are the predominant pathogens in acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis, but an increasing role of Enterococci has been reported. Many strains of these uropathogens exhibit the ability to form biofilm and multidrug- resistance. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) agents, in particular Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma genitalium, have been also considered as causative pathogens of chronic bacterial prostatitis. On the contrary the effective role in genital diseases of other "genital mycoplasmas" is still a much debated issue. Sexually Transmitted Infections agents should be investigated by molecular methods in both patient and sexual partner. "Next generation" investigations, such as cytokine analysis, cytological typing of immune cells could help stratifying the immune response. Epigenetic dysregulation of inflammatory factors should be investigated according to systemic and compartment-specific signals. The search for biomarkers should also include evaluation of hormonal pathways, as measurement of estrogen levels in semen. Antimicrobials are the first line agents for the treatment of bacterial prostatitis. The success of antimicrobial treatment depends on the antibacterial activity and the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the drug which must reach high concentrations in prostate secretion and prostate tissue. Acute bacterial prostatitis can be a serious infection with a potential risk for urosepsis For iInitial treatment of severely ill patients, intravenous administration of high doses of bactericidal antimicrobials, such as broad-spectrum penicillins, third-generation cephalosporins or fluoroquinolones, is recommended in combination with an aminoglycoside. Use of piperacillin-tazobactam and meropenem is justified in presence of multiresistant gramnegative pathogens. The antibiotic treatment of chronic prostatitis is currently based on the use of fluoroquinolones that, given for 2 to 4 weeks, cured about 70% of men with chronic bacterial prostatitis. For the treatment of Chlamydial prostatitis macrolides were shown to be more effective than fluoroquinolones, whereas no differences were observed in microbiological and clinical efficacy between macrolides and tetracyclines for the treatment of infections caused by intracellular pathogens. Aminoglycosides and fosfomycin could be considered as a therapeutic alternative for the treatment of quinolone resistant prostatitis. Use of alpha-blockers in CP/CPPS patients with urinary symptoms and analgesics +/- non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), in presence of pain demonstrated a reduction of symptoms reduction and an improvement of quality of life, although long term use of NSAID is limited by side effect profile. However, the multimodal therapeutic regimen by contemporary use of alphablockers, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory showed a better control of prostatitis symptoms than single drug treatment. Novel therapeutic substances for the treatment of pain, such as the cannabinoid anandamide would be highly interesting to test. An alternative for the treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome is phytotherapy, as primary therapy or in association with other drugs. Quercetin, pollen extract, extract of Serenoa repens and other mixtures of herbal extracts showed a positive effect on symptoms and quality of life without side effects. The association of CP/CPPS with alterations of intestinal function has been described. Diet has its effects on inflammation by regulation of the composition of intestinal flora and direct action on the intestinal cells (sterile inflammation). Intestinal bacteria (microbiota) interacts with food influencing the metabolic, immune and inflammatory response of the organism. The intestinal microbiota has protective function against pathogenic bacteria, metabolic function by synthesis of vitamins, decomposition of bile acids and production of trophic factors (butyrate), and modulation of the intestinal immune system. The alteration of the microbiota is called "dysbiosis" causing invasive intestinal diseases pathologies (leaky gut syndrome and food intolerances, irritable bowel syndrome or chronic inflammatory bowel diseases) and correlating with numerous systemic diseases including acute and chronic prostatitis. Administration of live probiotics bacteria can be used to regulate the balance if intestinal flora. Sessions of hydrocolontherapy can represent an integration to this therapeutic approach. Finally, microbiological examination of sexual partners can offer supplementary information for treatment.

Breastfeeding and transmission of cytomegalovirus to preterm infants. Case report and kinetic of CMV-DNA in breast milk

Abstract: Background Breastfeeding has a major impact on CMV epidemiology. Postnatal CMV reactivation's incidence during lactation is nearby the maternal seroprevalence. Although perinatal CMV infection has practically no consequences in term newborn, it may cause, in some cases, a severe symptomatic disease in preterm newborns. The aims of the present study are to evaluate the rate and clinical expression of CMV infection breast milk transmitted in preterm infants and to check the safety of the freezing treated breast milk.

Functionally Defective High-Density Lipoprotein: A New Therapeutic Target at the Crossroads of Dyslipidemia, Inflammation, and Atherosclerosis

Abstract: High-density lipoproteins (HDL) possess key atheroprotective biological properties, including cellular cholesterol efflux capacity, and anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. Plasma HDL particles are highly heterogeneous in physicochemical properties, metabolism, and biological activity. Within the circulating HDL particle population, small, dense HDL particles display elevated cellular cholesterol efflux capacity, afford potent protection of atherogenic low-density lipoprotein against oxidative stress and attenuate inflammation. The antiatherogenic properties of HDL can, however be compromised in metabolic diseases associated with accelerated atherosclerosis. Indeed, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes are characterized not only by elevated cardiovascular risk and by low HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels but also by defective HDL function. Functional HDL deficiency is intimately associated with alterations in intravascular HDL metabolism and structure. Indeed, formation of HDL particles with attenuated antiatherogenic activity is mechanistically related to core lipid enrichment in triglycerides and cholesteryl ester depletion, altered apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) conformation, replacement of apoA-I by serum amyloid A, and covalent modification of HDL protein components by oxidation and glycation. Deficient HDL function and subnormal HDL-C levels may act synergistically to accelerate atherosclerosis in metabolic disease. Therapeutic normalization of attenuated antiatherogenic HDL function in terms of both particle number and quality of HDL particles is the target of innovative pharmacological approaches to HDL raising, including inhibition of cholesteryl ester transfer protein, enhanced lipidation of apoA-I with nicotinic acid and infusion of reconstituted HDL or apoA-I mimetics. A preferential increase in circulating concentrations of HDL particles possessing normalized antiatherogenic activity is therefore a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of common metabolic diseases featuring dyslipidemia, inflammation, and premature atherosclerosis.

Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines,2021

Abstract: These guidelines for the treatment of persons who have or are at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were updated by CDC after consultation with professionals knowledgeable in the field of STIs who met in Atlanta, Georgia, June 11-14, 2019. The information in this report updates the 2015 guidelines. These guidelines discuss 1) updated recommendations for treatment of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Trichomonas vaginalis; 2) addition of metronidazole to the recommended treatment regimen for pelvic inflammatory disease; 3) alternative treatment options for bacterial vaginosis; 4) management of Mycoplasma genitalium; 5) human papillomavirus vaccine recommendations and counseling messages; 6) expanded risk factors for syphilis testing among pregnant women; 7) one-time testing for hepatitis C infection; 8) evaluation of men who have sex with men after sexual assault; and 9) two-step testing for serologic diagnosis of genital herpes simplex virus. Physicians and other health care providers can use these guidelines to assist in prevention and treatment of STIs.

Endothelial dysfunction in young patients with rheumatoid arthritis and low disease activity

Abstract: Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Endothelial dysfunction represents the earliest stage of atherosclerosis. Objective: To evaluate the influence of chronic inflammatory state on endothelial function in patients with RA by measuring endothelial reactivity in young patients with RA with low disease activity …

Effect of Testing for IgG Avidity in the Diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Pregnant Women: Experience in a US Reference Laboratory

Abstract: The usefulness of testing for IgG avidity in association with Toxoplasma gondii was evaluated in a US reference laboratory. European investigators have reported that high-avidity IgG toxoplasma antibodies exclude acute infection in the preceding 3 months. In this US study, 125 serum samples taken from 125 pregnant women in the first trimester were chosen retrospectively, because either the IgM or differential agglutination (AC/HS) test in the Toxoplasma serologic profile suggested or was equivocal for a recently acquired infection. Of 93 (74.4%) serum samples with either positive or equivocal results in the IgM ELISA, 52 (55.9%) had high-avidity antibodies, which suggests that the infection probably was acquired before gestation. Of 87 (69.6%) serum samples with an acute or equivocal result in the AC/HS test, 35 (40.2%) had high-avidity antibodies. Forty women were given spiramycin, to prevent congenital transmission, and 7 (17.5%) had high-avidity antibodies. These findings highlight the value of testing a single serum sample obtained in the first trimester of pregnancy for IgG avidity.