Dirga Rambe | University of Siena / Università di Siena (original) (raw)

Papers by Dirga Rambe

Internal Publishing Pusat Penerbitan Ilmu Penyakit Dalam, 2012

International Journal of Vaccines & Vaccination, 2016

Journal of Tropical Diseases, 2016

Background: Zika is a mosquito-borne viral disease that produces an illness clinically similar to... more Background: Zika is a mosquito-borne viral disease that produces an illness clinically similar to dengue fever and many other tropical infectious diseases. Currently, there is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for Zika virus infection. This study aimed to review the epidemiology of Zika virus infection and to describe the recent epidemics. Methods: We did a review of articles published up to December 2015 on Zika virus diseases epidemics. Results and discussion: Outbreaks of Zika have occurred not only in Africa, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands but also in South and Central America. Several travel-related Zika virus infections have been reported in countries in Europe and North America. With the increased reporting of Zika virus transmission in the Americas, countries should create and maintain the capacity to identify and confirm cases of Zika virus infection and effective strategies to reduce the mosquitoes that transmit the disease should be established. In a globalized world, infectious diseases can move faster and easier when vectors such as Aedes Egypti mosquito has become naturalized in several parts of the world. Although the natural transmission cycle of zika virus involves mosquitoes, especially Aedes spp, perinatal transmission, potential risk for transfusion-transmitted and sexually transmitted zika virus infections has also been demonstrated. Conclusion: Zika virus infection has probably been underdiagnosed and underreported in disease-endemic settings. Laboratory capacity to confirm suspected zika virus infections should be strengthened to differentiate it from other arboviral dengue-like infections. There is also a need for a vaccine and antiviral therapy to fight this disease. region or the envelope gene [3,14-17]. Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent Zika virus infection [18]. Travelers going to countries where cases of Zika virus infection have been reported are advised to use insect repellents and wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. The study aimed to review the epidemiology of Zika virus infection and to describe the recent epidemics and reported travel-related infection. Materials and Methods The titles of journal articles in English including the terms "zika" or "zika virus" plus "Europe" and "European", "Asia", "America", "Africa", "Australia" plus the names of individual countries were searched. Articles published up to December 2015 were included. The search yielded 76 articles. The official websites of the World Health Organization, US Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), ProMED-mail were also reviewed for relevant information. Results Outbreaks and transmission of Zika virus have been reported in Africa, the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, and in South and Central America.

Journal of Health Research, 2020

Drugs are used essentially to treat illnesses in humans and animals. When metabolized in food ani... more Drugs are used essentially to treat illnesses in humans and animals. When metabolized in food animals, they are harmless, but residues may remain in tissues, meat and milk that can present risks in the food chain. A longterm consequence of drug residues in food of animal origin is the development and emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Generally, increasing the use of antimicrobials in medical and veterinary practice exacerbates AMR. Spread of infection or resistant pathogen or resistance genes in the environment can be explained by the close link between humans, animals, and the environment. The public health and economic impact of AMR have been estimated to be around 100 trillion US dollars each year and food animals are a major reservoir of AMR microorganisms in many low and middle income countries (LMIC). However,due to the lack of data on food-borne pathogens and antimicrobial usage is a challenge in the control of AMR in LMICs where the food industry is heterogeneous,...

Medical Journal of Indonesia

Background: Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease mediated by immunologic mech... more Background: Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease mediated by immunologic mechanisms. Based on the degree of severity, allergic asthma is divided into intermittent asthma and persistent asthma. IgE plays an important role in mediating allergic response in asthma; however, there are no studies on total IgE levels in adult asthmatic patients in Indonesia based on disease severity. This study aimed to determine the difference of serum total IgE levels between adult patients with intermittent and persistent allergic asthmas. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of allergic asthma patients treated at the Allergy-Immunology Division Polyclinic, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta from January to August 2017. The data obtained included the demographic information of the patients, the level of severity of asthma, and the total serum IgE level. The severity level was the independent variable, while the total serum IgE level was the dependent variable. Median difference was analyzed using a Mann-Whitney U test. Results: There were 60 patients included in this study. Based on the degree of severity, 11 patients (18.3%) had intermittent asthma and 49 patients (81.67%) had persistent asthma. The mean (standard deviation) total serum IgE level in all subjects was 42.35 (32.7) IU/ml. Median total serum IgE level was significantly higher in persistent asthma than in intermittent asthma (37 vs. 16 IU/ml; p=0.004). Conclusion: Serum total IgE levels in persistent allergic asthma patients were significantly higher than in intermittent allergic asthma patients. This finding is consistent with a more severe degree of airway inflammation.

Pan African Medical Journal, 2016

Since the initial reports of a link between Zika and microcephaly, researchers across the world b... more Since the initial reports of a link between Zika and microcephaly, researchers across the world began working toward understanding the virus. In a short amount of time, Zika has become a household name, prompting worldwide concern. The virus is spread rapidly by mosquito bites. We currently do not have a vaccine for Zika. But with the recent findings, vaccine companies are mobilizing their resources to expedite efforts to shave years off the typical decade-long process of vaccine development.

Outbreaks of Zika have occurred not only in Africa, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands but also... more Outbreaks of Zika have occurred not only in Africa, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands but also in South and Central America. Several travel-related Zika virus infections have been reported in countries in Europe and North America. With the increased reporting of Zika virus transmission in the Americas, countries should create and maintain the capacity to identify and confirm cases of Zika virus infection and effective strategies to reduce the mosquitoes that transmit the disease should be established. In a globalized world, infectious diseases can move faster and easier when vectors such as Aedes Egypti mosquito has become naturalized in several parts of the world. Although the natural transmission cycle of zika virus involves mosquitoes, especially Aedes spp, perinatal transmission, potential risk for transfusion-transmitted and sexually transmitted zika virus infections has also been
demonstrated.

Staph aureus infections of the bloodstream (bacteremia) and lung (pneumonia) are serious and some... more Staph aureus infections of the bloodstream (bacteremia) and lung (pneumonia) are serious and sometimes fatal. A vaccine that protects against fatal S. aureus infections is desirable to have, but a vaccine that could protect against all S. aureus infections, including soft tissue infections is even better. There are basic research challenges that need to be addressed in order to bring us a step closer towards a S. aureus vaccine.

International Current Pharmaceutical Journal, 2015

Vaccines are some of the most effective tools for the prevention of infectious diseases. Adjuvant... more Vaccines are some of the most effective tools for the prevention of infectious diseases. Adjuvants are included in vaccines for a variety of reasons: to increase the breadth of response, to lower antigen dose, to overcome limited immune response in some populations, or to enable complex combination vaccines. This study aims to review the safety of licensed vaccine adjuvants and describe their mechanism of action. Potential publications for inclusion were identified through a direct search of PubMed/Medline database. Results of online literature searches were supplemented by relevant papers cited in published studies along with the authors' knowledge of published studies. To date, there are 5 licensed vaccine adjuvants in US and Europe: Aluminum salts (EU, US), MF59 (EU), AS03 (EU), AS04 (EU, US), and virosomes (EU). AS03 is not available as an adjuvant in other vaccines but included within the US government's National Stockpile. All vaccines that contain these adjuvants have been proven safe in clinical trials and post-marketing studies, with the exception of the AS03, for which the rare events of narcolepsy have been reported in some countries. Every adjuvant has a complex and often multifactorial immunological mechanism, usually poorly understood in vivo. The safety profile of an adjuvant, including the actual and hypothetical risks, is a critical component that can speed up or impede adjuvant development. The increasing understanding in adjuvant sciences is fundamental to the further development of new adjuvants.

Internal Publishing Pusat Penerbitan Ilmu Penyakit Dalam, 2012

International Journal of Vaccines & Vaccination, 2016

Journal of Tropical Diseases, 2016

Background: Zika is a mosquito-borne viral disease that produces an illness clinically similar to... more Background: Zika is a mosquito-borne viral disease that produces an illness clinically similar to dengue fever and many other tropical infectious diseases. Currently, there is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for Zika virus infection. This study aimed to review the epidemiology of Zika virus infection and to describe the recent epidemics. Methods: We did a review of articles published up to December 2015 on Zika virus diseases epidemics. Results and discussion: Outbreaks of Zika have occurred not only in Africa, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands but also in South and Central America. Several travel-related Zika virus infections have been reported in countries in Europe and North America. With the increased reporting of Zika virus transmission in the Americas, countries should create and maintain the capacity to identify and confirm cases of Zika virus infection and effective strategies to reduce the mosquitoes that transmit the disease should be established. In a globalized world, infectious diseases can move faster and easier when vectors such as Aedes Egypti mosquito has become naturalized in several parts of the world. Although the natural transmission cycle of zika virus involves mosquitoes, especially Aedes spp, perinatal transmission, potential risk for transfusion-transmitted and sexually transmitted zika virus infections has also been demonstrated. Conclusion: Zika virus infection has probably been underdiagnosed and underreported in disease-endemic settings. Laboratory capacity to confirm suspected zika virus infections should be strengthened to differentiate it from other arboviral dengue-like infections. There is also a need for a vaccine and antiviral therapy to fight this disease. region or the envelope gene [3,14-17]. Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent Zika virus infection [18]. Travelers going to countries where cases of Zika virus infection have been reported are advised to use insect repellents and wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. The study aimed to review the epidemiology of Zika virus infection and to describe the recent epidemics and reported travel-related infection. Materials and Methods The titles of journal articles in English including the terms "zika" or "zika virus" plus "Europe" and "European", "Asia", "America", "Africa", "Australia" plus the names of individual countries were searched. Articles published up to December 2015 were included. The search yielded 76 articles. The official websites of the World Health Organization, US Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), ProMED-mail were also reviewed for relevant information. Results Outbreaks and transmission of Zika virus have been reported in Africa, the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, and in South and Central America.

Journal of Health Research, 2020

Drugs are used essentially to treat illnesses in humans and animals. When metabolized in food ani... more Drugs are used essentially to treat illnesses in humans and animals. When metabolized in food animals, they are harmless, but residues may remain in tissues, meat and milk that can present risks in the food chain. A longterm consequence of drug residues in food of animal origin is the development and emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Generally, increasing the use of antimicrobials in medical and veterinary practice exacerbates AMR. Spread of infection or resistant pathogen or resistance genes in the environment can be explained by the close link between humans, animals, and the environment. The public health and economic impact of AMR have been estimated to be around 100 trillion US dollars each year and food animals are a major reservoir of AMR microorganisms in many low and middle income countries (LMIC). However,due to the lack of data on food-borne pathogens and antimicrobial usage is a challenge in the control of AMR in LMICs where the food industry is heterogeneous,...

Medical Journal of Indonesia

Background: Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease mediated by immunologic mech... more Background: Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease mediated by immunologic mechanisms. Based on the degree of severity, allergic asthma is divided into intermittent asthma and persistent asthma. IgE plays an important role in mediating allergic response in asthma; however, there are no studies on total IgE levels in adult asthmatic patients in Indonesia based on disease severity. This study aimed to determine the difference of serum total IgE levels between adult patients with intermittent and persistent allergic asthmas. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of allergic asthma patients treated at the Allergy-Immunology Division Polyclinic, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta from January to August 2017. The data obtained included the demographic information of the patients, the level of severity of asthma, and the total serum IgE level. The severity level was the independent variable, while the total serum IgE level was the dependent variable. Median difference was analyzed using a Mann-Whitney U test. Results: There were 60 patients included in this study. Based on the degree of severity, 11 patients (18.3%) had intermittent asthma and 49 patients (81.67%) had persistent asthma. The mean (standard deviation) total serum IgE level in all subjects was 42.35 (32.7) IU/ml. Median total serum IgE level was significantly higher in persistent asthma than in intermittent asthma (37 vs. 16 IU/ml; p=0.004). Conclusion: Serum total IgE levels in persistent allergic asthma patients were significantly higher than in intermittent allergic asthma patients. This finding is consistent with a more severe degree of airway inflammation.

Pan African Medical Journal, 2016

Since the initial reports of a link between Zika and microcephaly, researchers across the world b... more Since the initial reports of a link between Zika and microcephaly, researchers across the world began working toward understanding the virus. In a short amount of time, Zika has become a household name, prompting worldwide concern. The virus is spread rapidly by mosquito bites. We currently do not have a vaccine for Zika. But with the recent findings, vaccine companies are mobilizing their resources to expedite efforts to shave years off the typical decade-long process of vaccine development.

Outbreaks of Zika have occurred not only in Africa, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands but also... more Outbreaks of Zika have occurred not only in Africa, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands but also in South and Central America. Several travel-related Zika virus infections have been reported in countries in Europe and North America. With the increased reporting of Zika virus transmission in the Americas, countries should create and maintain the capacity to identify and confirm cases of Zika virus infection and effective strategies to reduce the mosquitoes that transmit the disease should be established. In a globalized world, infectious diseases can move faster and easier when vectors such as Aedes Egypti mosquito has become naturalized in several parts of the world. Although the natural transmission cycle of zika virus involves mosquitoes, especially Aedes spp, perinatal transmission, potential risk for transfusion-transmitted and sexually transmitted zika virus infections has also been
demonstrated.

Staph aureus infections of the bloodstream (bacteremia) and lung (pneumonia) are serious and some... more Staph aureus infections of the bloodstream (bacteremia) and lung (pneumonia) are serious and sometimes fatal. A vaccine that protects against fatal S. aureus infections is desirable to have, but a vaccine that could protect against all S. aureus infections, including soft tissue infections is even better. There are basic research challenges that need to be addressed in order to bring us a step closer towards a S. aureus vaccine.

International Current Pharmaceutical Journal, 2015

Vaccines are some of the most effective tools for the prevention of infectious diseases. Adjuvant... more Vaccines are some of the most effective tools for the prevention of infectious diseases. Adjuvants are included in vaccines for a variety of reasons: to increase the breadth of response, to lower antigen dose, to overcome limited immune response in some populations, or to enable complex combination vaccines. This study aims to review the safety of licensed vaccine adjuvants and describe their mechanism of action. Potential publications for inclusion were identified through a direct search of PubMed/Medline database. Results of online literature searches were supplemented by relevant papers cited in published studies along with the authors' knowledge of published studies. To date, there are 5 licensed vaccine adjuvants in US and Europe: Aluminum salts (EU, US), MF59 (EU), AS03 (EU), AS04 (EU, US), and virosomes (EU). AS03 is not available as an adjuvant in other vaccines but included within the US government's National Stockpile. All vaccines that contain these adjuvants have been proven safe in clinical trials and post-marketing studies, with the exception of the AS03, for which the rare events of narcolepsy have been reported in some countries. Every adjuvant has a complex and often multifactorial immunological mechanism, usually poorly understood in vivo. The safety profile of an adjuvant, including the actual and hypothetical risks, is a critical component that can speed up or impede adjuvant development. The increasing understanding in adjuvant sciences is fundamental to the further development of new adjuvants.