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Dive into the research topics where Orlando Cenciarelli is active.

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Featured researches published by Orlando Cenciarelli.


International Journal of Microbiology | 2015

Ebola Virus Disease 2013-2014 Outbreak in West Africa: An Analysis of the Epidemic Spread and Response

Orlando Cenciarelli; Stefano Pietropaoli; Andrea Malizia; Mariachiara Carestia; F D'Amico; Alessandro Sassolini; Di Giovanni D; S Rea; Gabbarini; Annalaura Tamburrini; Leonardo Palombi; Carlo Bellecci; P. Gaudio

The Ebola virus epidemic burst in West Africa in late 2013, started in Guinea, reached in a few months an alarming diffusion, actually involving several countries (Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Senegal, and Mali). Guinea and Liberia, the first nations affected by the outbreak, have put in place measures to contain the spread, supported by international organizations; then they were followed by the other nations affected. In the present EVD outbreak, the geographical spread of the virus has followed a new route: the achievement of large urban areas at an early stage of the epidemic has led to an unprecedented diffusion, featuring the largest outbreak of EVD of all time. This has caused significant concerns all over the world: the potential reaching of far countries from endemic areas, mainly through fast transports, induced several countries to issue information documents and health supervision for individuals going to or coming from the areas at risk. In this paper the geographical spread of the epidemic was analyzed, assessing the sequential appearance of cases by geographic area, considering the increase in cases and mortality according to affected nations. The measures implemented by each government and international organizations to contain the outbreak, and their effectiveness, were also evaluated.


Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy | 2015

Synergistic Effect of Nitazoxanide with Neuraminidase Inhibitors against Influenza A Viruses In Vitro

Giuseppe Belardo; Orlando Cenciarelli; Simone La Frazia; Jean François Rossignol; M. Gabriella Santoro

ABSTRACT The emergence of drug-resistant influenza A virus (IAV) strains represents a serious threat to global human health and underscores the need for novel approaches to anti-influenza chemotherapy. Combination therapy with drugs affecting different IAV targets represents an attractive option for influenza treatment. We have previously shown that the thiazolide anti-infective nitazoxanide (NTZ) inhibits H1N1 IAV replication by selectively blocking viral hemagglutinin maturation. Herein we investigate the anti-influenza activity of NTZ against a wide range of human and avian IAVs (H1N1, H3N2, H5N9, H7N1), including amantadine-resistant and oseltamivir-resistant strains, in vitro. We also investigate whether therapy with NTZ in combination with the neuraminidase inhibitors oseltamivir and zanamivir exerts synergistic, additive, or antagonistic antiviral effects against influenza viruses. NTZ was effective against all IAVs tested, with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) ranging from 0.9 to 3.2 μM, and selectivity indexes (SIs) ranging from >50 to >160, depending on the strain and the multiplicity of infection (MOI). Combination therapy studies were performed in cell culture-based assays using A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (H1N1), A/WSN/1933 (H1N1), or avian A/chicken/Italy/9097/1997 (H5N9) IAVs; dose-effect analysis and synergism/antagonism quantification were performed using isobologram analysis according to the Chou-Talalay method. Combination index (CI) analysis indicated that NTZ and oseltamivir combination treatment was synergistic against A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (H1N1) and A/WSN/1933 (H1N1) IAVs, with CI values ranging between 0.39 and 0.63, independently of the MOI used. Similar results were obtained when NTZ was administered in combination with zanamivir (CI = 0.3 to 0.48). NTZ-oseltamivir combination treatment was synergistic also against the avian A/chicken/Italy/9097/1997 (H5N9) IAV (CI = 0.18 to 0.31). Taken together, the results suggest that regimens that combine neuraminidase inhibitors and nitazoxanide exert synergistic anti-influenza effects.


Virus Research | 2015

Viral bioterrorism: Learning the lesson of Ebola virus in West Africa 2013-2015.

Orlando Cenciarelli; Valentina Gabbarini; Stefano Pietropaoli; Andrea Malizia; Annalaura Tamburrini; Gian Marco Ludovici; Mariachiara Carestia; Daniele Di Giovanni; Alessandro Sassolini; Leonardo Palombi; Carlo Bellecci; Pasquale Gaudio

Among the potential biological agents suitable as a weapon, Ebola virus represents a major concern. Classified by the CDC as a category A biological agent, Ebola virus causes severe hemorrhagic fever, characterized by high case-fatality rate; to date, no vaccine or approved therapy is available. The EVD epidemic, which broke out in West Africa since the late 2013, has got the issue of the possible use of Ebola virus as biological warfare agent (BWA) to come to the fore once again. In fact, due to its high case-fatality rate, population currently associates this pathogen to a real and tangible threat. Therefore, its use as biological agent by terrorist groups with offensive purpose could have serious repercussions from a psychosocial point of view as well as on closely sanitary level. In this paper, after an initial study of the main characteristics of Ebola virus, its potential as a BWA was evaluated. Furthermore, given the spread of the epidemic in West Africa in 2014 and 2015, the potential dissemination of the virus from an urban setting was evaluated. Finally, it was considered the actual possibility to use this agent as BWA in different scenarios, and the potential effects on one or more nations stability.


Journal of Microbial & Biochemical Technology | 2014

Biological emergency management: The case of ebola 2014 and the air transportation involvement

Orlando Cenciarelli; Stefano Pietropaoli; Liliana Frusteri; Andrea Malizia; Mariachiara Carestia; F D'Amico; Alessandro Sassolini; Daniele Di Giovanni; Annalaura Tamburrini; Leonardo Palombi; Carlo Bellecci; Pasquale Gaudio

The putative spread after the outbreak of the haemorrhagic fever epidemic caused by Ebola virus in West Africa, in the early months of 2014, puts the spotlight on the management of biological risks involving air transportation. Ebola virus is a highly pathogenic agent, causing a haemorrhagic fever defined Ebola HF, characterized by a high fatality. This virus is generally considered to be self-limiting in terms of diffusion; its lethality is in fact so high as to prevent the exit from rural areas where outbreaks generally occur. However, when the virus comes from rural areas and reaches urban places, it is important to assess the risk of spreading even in areas far from the outbreak of origin. Therefore, the development or strengthening of strategies and plans to take action with timely and effective response in order to reduce the consequences of public health emergencies is paramount. During Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa in 2014, World Health Organization focused attention on many airports, stops of main flights coming from Africa; the aviation, due to its nature, has the potential to help boost the global spread of transmissible diseases, since air travel allow to reach the most remote locations in hours. The management of biological emergencies during ordinary operations of airlines and airports represents a real constraint in the event of contrast epidemic situations or endemic outbreaks. An effective response plan should include a careful assessment of the risks and the establishment of procedures to carry on board of aircrafts or on the ground. To ensure that this complex system works correctly, a broad and effective cooperation between the different actors involved is required. On the international level, several documents and recommendations relating to the management of contagious diseases in aeronautical environment have been produced by authoritative agencies. In this paper, after an overview on the international response to public health emergencies in the aviation environment, the attention is focused on emergency response to the Ebola virus crisis in 2014, including an evaluation of the potential dispersion of the pathogen.


Journal of Microbial & Biochemical Technology | 2013

Use of particle counter system for the optimization of sampling ,identification and decontamination procedures for biological aerosols dispersion in confined environment

Michele Pazienza; Maria Serena Britti; Mariachiara Carestia; Orlando Cenciarelli; F D'Amico; Andrea Malizia; Carlo Bellecci; R Fiorito; A Gucciardino; Mariarosa Bellino; Corrado Lancia; Annalaura Tamburrini; Pasquale Gaudio

In a CBRNe (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and explosive) scenario, biological agents hardly allow efficient detection/identification because of the incubation time that provides a lag in symptoms outbreak following their dissemination. The detection of atmospheric dispersion of biological agents (i.e.: toxins, viruses, bacteria and so on) is a key issue for the safety of people and security of environment. Another fundamental aspect is related to the efficiency of the sampling method which leads to the identification of the agent released; in fact an effective sampling method is needed either to identify the contamination and to check for the decontamination procedure. Environmental monitoring is one of the ways to improve fast detection of biological agents; for instance, particle counters with the ability of discriminating between biological and non-biological particles are used for a first warning when the amount of biological particles exceeds a particular threshold. Nevertheless, these systems are not able to distinguish between pathogen and non-pathogen organisms, thus, classical “laboratory” assays are still required to unambiguously identify the particle which triggered the warning signal. In this work, a combination of commercially available equipment for detection and identification of the atmospheric dispersion of biological agents was evaluated in partnership between the Italian Army, the Department of Industrial Engineering and the School of Medicine and Surgery of the University of Rome “Tor Vergata”. The aim of this work, whose results are presented here, was to conduce preliminary studies on the dynamics of biological aerosols fallout after its dispersion, to improve detection, sampling and identification techniques. This will help minimizing the impact of the release of biological agents and guarantee environmental and people safety and security.


Modelling and Simulation in Engineering | 2016

Numerical simulations as tool to predict chemical and radiological hazardous diffusion in case of nonconventional events

J.F. Ciparisse; Andrea Malizia; L.A. Poggi; Orlando Cenciarelli; M. Gelfusa; Mariachiara Carestia; D Di Giovanni; Sandro Mancinelli; Leonardo Palombi; Carlo Bellecci; P. Gaudio

CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulations are widely used nowadays to predict the behaviour of fluids in pure research and in industrial applications. This approach makes it possible to get quantitatively meaningful results, often in good agreement with the experimental ones. The aim of this paper is to show how CFD calculations can help to understand the time evolution of two possible CBRNe (Chemical-Biological-Radiological-Nuclear-explosive) events: (1) hazardous dust mobilization due to the interaction between a jet of air and a metallic powder in case of a LOVA (Loss Of Vacuum Accidents) that is one of the possible accidents that can occur in experimental nuclear fusion plants; (2) toxic gas release in atmosphere. The scenario analysed in the paper has consequences similar to those expected in case of a release of dangerous substances (chemical or radioactive) in enclosed or open environment during nonconventional events (like accidents or man-made or natural disasters).


Journal of Microbial & Biochemical Technology | 2013

Application of Real-Time PCR to Identify Residual Bio-Decontamination of Confined Environments after Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor Treatment: Preliminary Results

Michele Pazienza; Maria Serena Britti; Mariachiara Carestia; Orlando Cenciarelli; F D'Amico; Andrea Malizia; Carlo Bellecci; Pasquale Gaudio; A Gucciardino; Mariarosa Bellino; Corrado Lancia; Annalaura Tamburrini; R Fiorito

This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor (HPV) to remove biological contamination in a confined environment and to evaluate real-time PCR assay as a technique for the evaluation of the decontamination efficiency. Decontamination after the dispersion of biological aerosol is a main issue from a civilian, public health and military perspective. Despite the effectiveness of aggressive substances, eco-friendly but still efficient methods for decontamination are a relevant demand and Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor (HPV) is among the most recent and promising technologies in this field. Another related issue is: when an environment can be considered fully decontaminated? The answer clearly depends on the objectives of the decontamination and this will affect the choice of the methodology. Furthermore, classical microbiological and molecular biology techniques are commonly used to identify biological contamination and residual contamination, but many of them are time consuming and require advanced training for the operators who perform the analysis. This may represent a bottleneck, especially when a quick response to an emergency is needed (i.e. during an unconventional event like CBRNe ones). In this work, a combination of commercially available equipment for detection, identification and decontamination, was evaluated in partnership between the Italian Army, the Department of Industrial Engineering and the School of Medicine and Surgery of the University of Rome “Tor Vergata”. The purpose of this work was to find a setup for equipment and methodologies for detection, identification and decontamination, to implement in case of biological events. Preliminary results show that, despite the death of the microorganisms, nucleic acids are not completely degraded by HPV treatment and, as a consequence, that real-time PCR may be the adequate, quick and easy method to verify the efficiency of bio decontamination when nucleic acid degradation represent the final objective.


Optical Engineering | 2015

Development of a rapid method for the automatic classification of biological agents' fluorescence spectral signatures

Mariachiara Carestia; R. Pizzoferrato; M. Gelfusa; Orlando Cenciarelli; Gian Marco Ludovici; Jessica Gabriele; Andrea Malizia; A. Murari; J. Vega; P. Gaudio

Abstract. Biosecurity and biosafety are key concerns of modern society. Although nanomaterials are improving the capacities of point detectors, standoff detection still appears to be an open issue. Laser-induced fluorescence of biological agents (BAs) has proved to be one of the most promising optical techniques to achieve early standoff detection, but its strengths and weaknesses are still to be fully investigated. In particular, different BAs tend to have similar fluorescence spectra due to the ubiquity of biological endogenous fluorophores producing a signal in the UV range, making data analysis extremely challenging. The Universal Multi Event Locator (UMEL), a general method based on support vector regression, is commonly used to identify characteristic structures in arrays of data. In the first part of this work, we investigate fluorescence emission spectra of different simulants of BAs and apply UMEL for their automatic classification. In the second part of this work, we elaborate a strategy for the application of UMEL to the discrimination of different BAs’ simulants spectra. Through this strategy, it has been possible to discriminate between these BAs’ simulants despite the high similarity of their fluorescence spectra. These preliminary results support the use of SVR methods to classify BAs’ spectral signatures.


Journal of Microbial & Biochemical Technology | 2014

Use of Non-Pathogenic Biological Agents as Biological Warfare Simulants for the Development of a Stand-Off Detection System

Orlando Cenciarelli; Stefano Pietropaoli; Valentina Gabbarini; Mariachiara Carestia; Andrea Malizia; R. Pizzoferrato; Alessandro Sassolini; Daniele Di Giovanni; Francesca Maria Orecchio; Leonardo Palombi; P. Gaudio

Development of new technologies for Biological Warfare Agents (BWA) stand-off detection implies several safeties, logistic and economic drawbacks that involve production of different highly virulent bacteria and viruses, their isolation and characterization under adequate bio-containment and sample preparation for each agent to evaluate the testing method. In order to overcome these difficulties most of the research activities and tests reported so far, are performed using simulants: Biological Agents (BA) which are phylogenetically or structurally related to BWA. The use of the simulants (BWA-S) show, however, some limitations: they can share some of the properties of the biological warfare agents but have different antigens, proteome and genome. In this work, different BWA-S was evaluated for the application in the development and training of stand-off detection systems. This study is the basis for the use of simulants in the development of an Ultraviolet Laser Induced Fluorescence (UV-LIF) based detection systems.


Epidemiology and Infection | 2016

Testing the accuracy ratio of the Spatio-Temporal Epidemiological Modeler (STEM) through Ebola haemorrhagic fever outbreaks

F. Baldassi; F D'Amico; Mariachiara Carestia; Orlando Cenciarelli; Sandro Mancinelli; Francesco Gilardi; Andrea Malizia; D Di Giovanni; P. M. Soave; Carlo Bellecci; P. Gaudio; Leonardo Palombi

Mathematical modelling is an important tool for understanding the dynamics of the spread of infectious diseases, which could be the result of a natural outbreak or of the intentional release of pathogenic biological agents. Decision makers and policymakers responsible for strategies to contain disease, prevent epidemics and fight possible bioterrorism attacks, need accurate computational tools, based on mathematical modelling, for preventing or even managing these complex situations. In this article, we tested the validity, and demonstrate the reliability, of an open-source software, the Spatio-Temporal Epidemiological Modeler (STEM), designed to help scientists and public health officials to evaluate and create models of emerging infectious diseases, analysing three real cases of Ebola haemorrhagic fever (EHF) outbreaks: Uganda (2000), Gabon (2001) and Guinea (2014). We discuss the cases analysed through the simulation results obtained with STEM in order to demonstrate the capability of this software in helping decision makers plan interventions in case of biological emergencies.

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Andrea Malizia

University of Rome Tor Vergata

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Mariachiara Carestia

University of Rome Tor Vergata

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P. Gaudio

University of Rome Tor Vergata

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Leonardo Palombi

University of Rome Tor Vergata

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Carlo Bellecci

University of Rome Tor Vergata

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F D'Amico

University of Rome Tor Vergata

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Alessandro Sassolini

University of Rome Tor Vergata

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C Bellecci

Sapienza University of Rome

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Pasquale Gaudio

University of Rome Tor Vergata

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D Di Giovanni

University of Rome Tor Vergata

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