OBJECTIVETo study the distribution of DC-SIGN/DC-SIGNR alleles among drug user (DUs) populations with or without HIV/HCV infection in Shenzhen, and to evaluate the role of these alleles in the construction of genetic resistance to HIV or HCV and screen out the anti-HIV/HCV gene in Shenzhen.

METHODSAll 500 DU blood samples were collected from Shenzhen Detoxification Center, including 313 from injected drug users (IDUs). All samples were screened for HIV and HCV antibody by means of ELISA. The genomic DNA were extracted and amplified by PCR. The neck domain repeat regions of DC-SIGN/DC-SIGNR were sequenced directly from the PCR products to confirm the amplification for some samples and all positive PCR products were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis.

RESULTSOf 500 samples, 97 were found HIV positive, all of which were IDUs and HCV positive. The total positive rate of HCV among all HIV negative DU was 57.57% (232/403), and it was 63.89% (138/216) among IDUs; in comparing to the 50.26% (94/187) of DUs with other manners there showed significant difference (chi(2) = 7.61, P = 0.0058). Among HIV + DUs, there was a higher proportion of patient with the DC-SIGNR 5/6 and 5/8 (Fisher's exact, P = 0.043 and P = 0.034) with statistical significance; there was no statistically significant difference between HCV + and HCV-DUs and no significant difference between IDUs and other DUs for the DC-SIGNR polymorphism.

CONCLUSIONThe results might indicate that DC-SIGN/DC-SIGNR polymorphism might not influence the susceptibility to HCV. Genotype 5/6 might probably have a relation with HIV infection, but still need further investigation for the low frequency.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Alleles ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; genetics ; Drug Users ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; HIV Infections ; genetics ; HIV-1 ; Hepacivirus ; Hepatitis C ; genetics ; Humans ; Lectins, C-Type ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the distribution and the drug resistance pattern of pathogenic bacteria isolated from pediatric cases suffering from wounds infection following the Wenchuan earthquake.

METHODSOf the ninety-eight injured children, 50 had wound infection diagnosed by clinical examination. Specimens for culture were collected from the fifty injured children and the results of bacterial identification and antibiotic resistance were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTSIn the fifty injured children with wound infection, microbial growth was detected in 31 (62.0%) and 21 children suffered from mixed infections (the infection rate was 67.7%). Ninety-nine pathogens were isolated, gram positive bacteria accounted for 16.16% (16 strains), Gram negative bacteria accounted for 81.82% (81 strains), and fungus 2.02% (2 strains). Staphylococcus aureus (5 strains, 5.05%), Enterococcus faecalis (3 strains, 3.03%) and Enterococcus faecium (2 strains, 2.02%) were the primary Gram-positive bacteria identified and Gram-negative infections typically included Acinetobacter baumanii (27 strains, 27.27%), Enterobacter cloacae (18 strains, 18.18%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13 strains, 13.13%). Acinetobacter baumanii was the most common organism isolated from wounds. Duration of being szeged and complications had a significant association with wound infection with Acinetobacter baumanii. Drug sensitivity tests displayed that the isolated bacteria were highly resistant to common antibiotics. One strain of Acinetobacter baumanii-calcoaceticus complex and six strains of Acinetobacter baumanii were resistant to all common antibiotics including imipenem/cilastatin. Vancomycin-resistant Gram-positive bacteria were not identified.

CONCLUSIONFollowing the Wenchuan earthquake disaster, wound infection profiles of pediatric patients were significantly different, Acinetobacter baumanii was the main common organism isolated from wounds in contrast to the previous low isolation rate. The isolated bacteria were highly and multiple drug resistant and it was difficult to treat. Knowing the distribution and the drug resistance pattern of pathogen is of paramount importance in guiding the clinical treatment.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Disasters ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Earthquakes ; Female ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Male ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Wound Infection ; microbiology ; Wounds and Injuries ; microbiology

BACKGROUNDEpstein-Barr virus (EBV) commonly infects the general population and has been associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), which has a high incidence in certain regions. This study aimed to address how EBV variations contribute to the risk of NPC.

METHODSUsing logistic regression analysis and based on the sequence variations at EBV-encoded RPMS1, a multi-stage association study was conducted to identify EBV variations associated with NPC risk. A protein degradation assay was performed to characterize the functional relevance of the RPMS1 variations.

RESULTSBased on EBV-encoded RPMS1 variations, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the EBV genome (locus 155391: G>A, named G155391A) was associated with NPC in 157 cases and 319 healthy controls from an NPC endemic region in South China [P < 0.001, odds ratio (OR) = 4.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.71-7.37]. The results were further validated in three independent cohorts from the NPC endemic region (P < 0.001, OR = 5.20, 95% CI 3.18-8.50 in 168 cases vs. 241 controls, and P < 0.001, OR = 5.27, 95% CI 4.06-6.85 in 726 cases vs. 880 controls) and a non-endemic region (P < 0.001, OR = 7.52, 95% CI 3.69-15.32 in 58 cases vs. 612 controls). The combined analysis in 1109 cases and 2052 controls revealed that the SNP G155391A was strongly associated with NPC (P(combined) < 0.001, OR = 5.27, 95% CI 4.31-6.44). Moreover, the frequency of the SNP G155391A was associated with NPC incidence but was not associated with the incidences of other EBV-related malignancies. Furthermore, the protein degradation assay showed that this SNP decreased the degradation of the oncogenic RPMS1 protein.

CONCLUSIONSOur study identified an EBV variation specifically and significantly associated with a high risk of NPC. These findings provide insights into the pathogenesis of NPC and strategies for prevention.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; complications ; epidemiology ; virology ; Female ; Genetic Association Studies ; Genome, Viral ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; virology ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Pilot Projects ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Risk Assessment ; methods ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Viral Proteins ; genetics