Avian trichomoniasis caused by Trichomonas gallinae is a serious protozoan disease worldwide. The domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) is the main host for T. gallinae and plays an important role in the spread of the disease. Based on the internal transcribed spacers of nuclear ribosomal DNA of this parasite, a pair of primers (TgF2/TgR2) was designed and used to develop a PCR assay for the diagnosis of T. gallinae infection in domestic pigeons. This approach allowed the identification of T. gallinae, and no amplicons were produced when using DNA from other common avian pathogens. The minimum amount of DNA detectable by the specific PCR assay developed in this study was 15 pg. Clinical samples from Guangzhou, China, were examined using this PCR assay and a standard microscopy method, and their molecular characteristics were determined by phylogenetic analysis. All of the T. gallinae-positive samples detected by microscopic examination were also detected as positive by the PCR assay. Most of the samples identified as negative by microscopic examination were detected as T. gallinae positive by the PCR assay and were confirmed by sequencing. The positive samples of T. gallinae collected from Guangzhou, China, were identified as T. gallinae genotype B by sequencing and phylogenetic analyses, providing relevant data for studying the ecology and population genetic structures of trichomonads and for the prevention and control of the diseases they cause.
China* ; Columbidae* ; Diagnosis ; DNA ; DNA, Ribosomal ; Ecology ; Genetic Structures ; Genotype ; Methods ; Microscopy ; Parasites ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Trichomonas*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between a new polymorphism (IVS3-20 T>C GenBank accession number: AY463003) in intro 3 of the parkin gene and the risk for Parkinson's disease (PD) in Chinese, particularly the relation between this polymorphism and the age of onset of PD patients.

METHODSPD was diagnosed according to the criteria of Core Assessment Program for Intracerebral Transplantations(CAPIT). All patients and controls were examined by two neurologists and were of the Han ethnic background. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) and sequencing were used to determine the genotype of each subject.

RESULTSA total of 312 PD patients (including 99 early-onset PD patients and 213 late-onset PD patients) and 236 controls were studied. The C/C homozygote was not found in this study. Chi-square analysis revealed that the frequencies of the C allele and T/C genotype were higher in total PD group but were not statistically different from those of the control group (P=0.6350 and 0.6331, respectively). After being stratified by age of onset, the frequency of T/C genotype was significantly higher (OR=3.52, 95%CI 0.97-13.13) in PD group with an onset age at or below 45 years old (7.07%), compared with that in the control group (2.12%). Similarly, C allele was much higher (OR=3.42, 95%CI 0.96-12.57, P=0.0276) in the early-onset PD group (3.90%) than that in the control group (1.06%). The linear trend analysis showed that both the T/C genotype and C allele increased significantly in the PD group with the increase of the onset age [chi-square(trend of Genotypes)=4.414, P=0.036; chi-square(trend of Alleles)=4.344, P=0.037]. On the other hand, there was no difference in the frequencies of allele and genotype between the late-onset PD patients and controls.

CONCLUSIONThe above results suggest that the parkin IVS3-20 T>C polymorphism might be a genetic risk factor for early-onset PD in Chinese.

Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Base Sequence ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Parkinson Disease ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Sex Distribution ; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo analyze the epidemiological characteristics, related risk factors, measures for its control of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

METHODSData on epidemiological features, pathogens and measures for control were collected and analyzed.

RESULTSSince Jan 2003, infectious atypical pneumonia (AP) has become epidemic in Guangzhou city. The first autochthonous case was identified on Jan 2nd. Number of cases started to increase since February and reached peak in the early 10 days of February. Hereafter the epidemic tended to decline in March and since early April, the average number of new cases began to decrease, less than 10 per day. Epidemiological studies revealed that the number of cases aged between 20 and 50 was higher than that below the age of 20. Of the total 966 cases, 429 were males versus 537 females. Geographically, the epidemics covered all 13 districts of Guangzhou, but 95% of the cases concentrated in 7 urban districts. As for professional distribution, health care workers accounted for 28.67% of the total cases. There were 36 deaths, aged from 5 to 89, with half of them older than 60. Out of the victims, 38.9% of them had complications as hypertension, diabetes, heart diseases and COPD etc. Data regarding the clustering features of cases showed that there were 42 families having 2 or more cases in one family, while 277 health workers suffered from SARS were concentrated in 28 hospitals. Only one outbreak took place in a public setting but no outbreak was reported in schools. Relevant research also indicated that SARS could be classified as an air-borne infectious disease, transmitted through aerosol and droplets, but close contact also played an important role in the mode of transmission. The disease was highly infectious, suggesting that people who had close contact with patients in the place with poor ventilation was in greater risk of getting infection. The incubation period ranged from 1 to 11 days (mainly from 3 to 8 days), with an average of 5 days. According to our observation, the following measures might be effective such as: early diagnosis, isolation and treatment provided to the patients, and suspected cases under medical observation should also be put in separate places. Improving ventilation and regular disinfection over air and stuff in hospital wards were also recommended. In order to prevent iatrogenic infection, sense on self-protection among health care workers must be strengthened. Patients were not allowed to be visited by any one other than hospital staff.

CONCLUSIONSARS is a preventable disease and can be under control. It is of great importance to prevent clustered SARS cases and the prevention of iatrogenic infection is essential.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; epidemiology ; Contact Tracing ; Disease Outbreaks ; Family Health ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; epidemiology ; prevention & control

In order to identify the Torque Teno virus (TT virus),a PCR-DHPLC assay was performed in this study.Primers specific were selected according to the characteristics of TT virus nucleic acid sequence to conduct PCR,and PCR products assayed by DHPLC.We analyzed the sensitivity,specificity,repeatability of PCR-DHPLC and applied it preliminarily on clinical detection.The specific testing was performed with TTV,HBV,HCV and HEV,no cross reaction were found,and the PCR-DHPLC assays we developed had good specification and nice repeatability.Sensitivity analysis showed that the developed PCR-DHPLC assays could detect 1.0× 101 copy/μL.Then we detected 32 serum samples by this method,real-time PCR and normal PCR at same time.The results showed that 17 TTV positives results could be observed by PCR-DHPLC for 32 samples,it is consistent with real-time PCR test results and 15 positive by normal RT-PCR.PCR-DHPLC assays showed nice specification,sensitivity,repeatability,and could be used in epidemiological investigation.

OBJECTIVETo study the distribution of Yersinia enterocolitica and its virulence factors in Nantong, Jiangsu.

METHODSYersinia strains were isolated from livestock and poultry. Conventional PCR was used to detect the virulence factors of all strains and strain 0:8 was analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis(PFGE).

RESULTSThe combined isolation rate of Yersinia enterocolitica from livestock and poultry was 31.06% and the gene distribution characters were: 39.57% of them were ail-, ystA- , ystB-, yadA- , virF-; 60.43% were ail- , ystA- , ystB + , yadA- , virF- respectively. The two reference strains from America and Denmark showed similar electrophoresis patterns but were significantly different with O:8 strains isolated from China while the serotypes of Yersinia enterocolitica O:3 and O:9 which were the main epidemic strains in China, were not found in this area.

CONCLUSIONThe pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitis O:3 and O:9 were not found in Nantong,Jiangsu province.

Animals ; Animals, Domestic ; microbiology ; China ; Electrophoresis ; Poultry ; microbiology ; Virulence Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Yersinia enterocolitica ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; pathogenicity

Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Vessel Anomalies ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Fistula ; congenital ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Heart Ventricles ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVEYersinia enterocolitica is an extracellular pathogen and its related antigens interact with the host immune system. We investigated the difference in immunological characteristics between a highly pathogenic and poorly pathogenic strain of Y. enterocolitica.

METHODSWe used SDS-PAGE and western blotting to characterize lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Yersinia outer membrane proteins (Yops), membrane proteins, and whole-cell proteins from poorly pathogenic Y. enterocolitica bio-serotype 2/O:9, isolated from China, and highly pathogenic bio-serotype 1B/O:8, isolated from Japan.

RESULTSThese two strains of Y. enterocolitica had different LPS immune response patterns. Comparison of their Yops also showed differences that could have accounted for their differences in pathogenicity. The membrane and whole-cell proteins of both strains were similar; immunoblottting showed that the 35 kD and perhaps the 10 kD proteins were immunogens in both strains.

CONCLUSIONThe major antigens of the two strains eliciting the host immune response were the LPS and membrane proteins, as shown by comparing protein samples with reference and purified preparations.

Animals ; Antigens, Bacterial ; genetics ; metabolism ; Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; physiology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Yersinia enterocolitica ; classification ; metabolism

China ; epidemiology ; Cholera ; epidemiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo study the epidemiological characteristics and molecular phenotypes of Salmonella by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) in Beijing from 2008 to 2009.

METHODSA total of one hundred thirty-seven isolates recovered from the WHO Global Salmonella Surveillance system and entero clinic surveillance system were identified by biochemical tests and serotyping. The related epidemiological informations were also analyzed. The isolates were further typed by PFGE.

RESULTSThe prevalence of Salmonella from 2008 to 2009 showed obvious seasonal character. High incidence occurred from June to September, and 64.1% (84/131) isolates were recovered in this period. Patients of 18 - 40 year-old were 46.1% (58/128) and 80 patients were male and 40 patients were female with the ratio of 1.57:1. These 137 Salmonella isolates belonged to 20 serotypes, including Enteritidis (46.7%, 64/137) and Typhimurium (17.5%, 24/137) as the dominant serotype. In total, 71 PFGE profiles were identified. Four PFGE patterns of S. Enteritidis isolates (JEGX01.CN0001, JEGX01.CN0003, JEGX01.CN0002, JEGX01.CN0019) and S. Typhimurium pattern of JPXX01.CN0001 were dominant patterns.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of Salmonella from 2008 to 2009 showed distribution characteristics of sex, age and seasons. The numerous PFGE patterns of Salmonella showed diversity of these isolates and different clones existed in Beijing.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bacterial Typing Techniques ; China ; epidemiology ; DNA, Bacterial ; isolation & purification ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; Female ; Food Microbiology ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Typing ; Salmonella ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Salmonella Infections ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Serotyping ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the protective efficacy of plague subunit vaccine, BALB/c mice, guinea pigs and rabbits were used in this study.

METHODSGroups of mice (10 per group), guinea pigs (14 per group) and rabbits (6 per group) were immunized with F1 + rV270 vaccine, EV76 vaccine and alum adjuvant by intramuscular route, respectively. Serum antibody titres of mice, guinea pigs and rabbits were determined by ELISA and the immunized animals were challenged with 10(6) CFU of Y. pestis strain 141 at the 8th week after the primary immunization.

RESULTSThe immunized mice, guinea pigs or rabbits with subunit vaccine developed anti-F1 IgG titre of 41 587.3 +/- 2.1, 11 543.7 +/- 2.1 or 522.4 +/- 22.4 and elicited statistical anti-F1 IgG titre difference among them (F = 17.58, P < 0.01). The immunized mice, guinea pigs or rabbits with subunit vaccine had anti-rV270 IgG titre of 15 748.7 +/- 1.6, 12.6 +/- 1.4 or 1648.0 +/- 5.0 and induced statistical anti-rV270 IgG titre difference among them (F value was 16.34, P < 0.01). There was significant anti-F1 IgG titre difference among mice, guinea pigs and rabbits immunized with EV76 vaccine that developed anti-F1 IgG titre of 913.4 +/- 4.5, 937.0 +/- 2.0 or 342.0 +/- 12.0 (F = 23.67, P < 0.01), whereas the immunized mice, guinea pigs and rabbits with EV76 vaccine developed anti-rV270 IgG titre of 12.0 +/- 1.0, 447.0 +/- 10.0, 40.0 +/- 11.0 and there was no anti-rV270 IgG titre difference between them (F = 2.20, P = 0.1314). The immunized mice with subunit vaccine developed significantly higher anti-F1 IgG titres than immunized guinea pigs and rabbits (q value was 30.57 and 19.04, respectively, P < 0.01), and there were no anti-F1 IgG titre differences between the immunized guinea pigs and rabbits (q = 0.04, P = 0.8485). The immunized mice with subunit vaccine developed significantly higher anti-rV270 IgG titres than immunized guinea pigs and rabbits (q value was 27.10 and 19.49, respectively, P < 0.01), and there were no anti-rV270 IgG titre differences between the immunized guinea pigs and rabbits with the subunit vaccine (q = 0.25, P = 0.6187). The immunized mice with EV76 elicited higher anti-F1 IgG titres than immunized guinea pigs and rabbits (q value was 40.67 and 29.10, respectively, P < 0.01), whereas there was no difference of F1 IgG titer between immunized guinea pigs and rabbits (q = 0.06, P = 0.8098). The immunized mice, guinea pigs and rabbits with subunit vaccine provided 100% (10/10), 86% (12/14) and 100% (5/5) protection against 10(6) CFU Y. pestis of challenge, respectively. The immunized mice, guinea pigs and rabbits with EV76 vaccine gave 100% (6/6), 93% (13/14) and 100% (6/6) protection against 10(6) CFU Y. pestis of challenge respectively.

CONCLUSIONBALB/c mice is the best small animal model for valuation of protective efficacy of plague subunit vaccine. The guinea pigs showed a high individual variation for this purpose. The rabbits can be used as an alternative model for evaluating plague subunit vaccine.

Animals ; Antibodies, Bacterial ; blood ; Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; Immunization ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Models, Animal ; Plague ; prevention & control ; Plague Vaccine ; immunology ; Rabbits ; Vaccines, Subunit ; immunology