应用改良的实时TaqMan荧光定量 RT-PCR技术检测口蹄疫病毒及其3D基因转录水平

将改良的实时TaqMan荧光定量RT-PCR技术应用于口蹄疫病毒感染体内和体外的定量检测以及其3D基因转录水平分析.结果表明对样品中口蹄疫病毒基因组RNA的检测灵敏度可达l0个基因拷贝,可同时检测病毒正负链复制水平且重复性较好,所测口蹄疫病毒3D基因转录水平可高达6.9×104拷贝/μL;与实时SYBR GreenⅠ染料RT-PCR技术比较,改良的实时TagMan荧光定量RT-PCR技术检测灵敏度高6.7倍.以上结果证实,改良的实时TaqMan荧光定量RT-PCR技术在病毒检测和基因表达水平分析方面有更高的灵敏度和特异性.     

基于16S rRNA和RubisCO基因对嗜酸硫杆菌的系统发育及多样性北大核心CSCD

【目的】明确不同地理来源的Acidithiobacillus spp.种群是否表现出显著的地域性和异域物种形成;为了解微生物谱系地理、多样性维持机制和微生物分子地理学提供基础数据。【方法】采用16S r RNA基因、核酮糖-1,5-二磷酸羧化酶/加氧酶(Rubis CO)功能基因序列同源性分析构建相应的系统发育树,分析Acidithiobacillus spp.种群的遗传多样性。【结果】从3个不同的地域分离到35株菌聚为5大类群,其中菌株YNTR4-15可能是铁氧化细菌(Leptspirillum ferrooxidans),菌株HBDY3-3被鉴定为另一铁氧化细菌(Leptospirillum ferrodiazotrophum);有4株可能是Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans;6株是Acidithiobacillus ferridurans,其余菌株均被鉴定为Acidithiobacilus ferrooxidan。对26株代表性菌株的Rubis CO I型cbb L基因和II型cbb M基因的分析,发现19株菌具有双拷贝cbb L基因,分别为cbb L1和cbb L2基因;7株菌只检测到了cbb L1。cbb L1和cbb L2基因都有3个序列型;而cbb M基因是单拷贝。Rubis CO基因的密码子偏爱性不强。【结论】分离自3个地域的菌株16S r RNA/Rubis CO基因存在序列差异,Acidithiobacillus spp.种群存在显著的遗传多样性。嗜酸硫杆菌分离菌株基于16S r RNA基因的系统发育树和Rubis CO基因的发育树不一致。     

基于EMA-qPCR的茄科青枯菌活体检测技术的建立

【目的】利用特异性核酸染料叠氮溴乙锭(Ethidium monoazide bromide, EMA)与实时荧光定量PCR技术相结合, 建立一种能有效区分青枯菌死活细胞的检测方法。【方法】样品DNA制备前经EMA渗透预处理, 再进行实时荧光定量PCR特异扩增菌体DNA。【结果】终浓度为2.0 mg/L的EMA能有效排除1.0×107 CFU/mL灭活青枯菌细胞DNA的扩增, 对活细胞和不可培养状态(Viable but non-culturable, VBNC)活菌的DNA扩增均没有影响。当每个定量PCR反应体系中的活细胞在5.0×100?5.0×104 CFU范围内时, 扩增Ct值与定量PCR反应体系中活细胞CFU对数值呈良好的负相关性(R2=0.992 5)。比较EMA-qPCR法和平板计数法对经过不同温度短期保存的青枯菌检测结果发现, 待检样品可在24 °C与4 °C冷藏条件下短期保存。【结论】本研究建立的EMA-qPCR方法能有效检测青枯菌VBNC细胞和有效区分死活菌, 避免或减少青枯菌PCR检测的假阳性和假阴性。     

猪IGF-I基因荧光定量PCR标准曲线的建立

目的建立用荧光定量PCR方法检测猪IGF-Ⅰ基因表达量的标准曲线.方法根据自己克隆的猪IGF-Ⅰ(GenBankNo.DQ784687)基因mRNA序列,设计合成引物和探针,采用Taqman探针荧光定量RT-PCR的检测方法,构建检测猪IGF-Ⅰ基因表达量的标准曲线.结果由pMD-18TIGF-Ⅰ所构建的标准曲线线性关系良好(反应体系中含1×102～1×106拷贝猪IGF-Ⅰ基因分子时,扩增反应Ct值与拷贝数的对数呈线性关系)、灵敏度高(可检测出低于10个拷贝/μL的样品)、特异性强、准确可靠.结论成功构建了用荧光定量RT-PCR方法检测猪IGF-Ⅰ基因表达量的标准曲线.     

产肌醇酿酒酵母基因工程菌的构建

【目的】过表达酿酒酵母肌醇合成关键酶基因INO1,促进肌醇合成,构建能够分泌肌醇的基因工程菌株。【方法】构建r DNA介导的INO1基因多拷贝整合表达载体p URIH,电转化酿酒酵母Y01菌株,构建工程菌株YI2-1和YI2-2,荧光定量PCR方法分析INO1基因表达量。敲除Kan MX抗性基因,HPLC检测重组菌发酵液中肌醇含量。【结果】获得INO1基因过表达菌株YI2-1和YI2-2,YI2-1的INO1基因表达量是出发菌Y01的16.235倍。敲除Kan MX抗性基因的菌株命名为YI2-1△KP,初步检测YI2-1△KP产肌醇量为627 mg/L。【结论】r DNA介导的INO1基因多拷贝整合表达载体p URIH能够有效地过表达目的基因;过表达菌株合成的肌醇不仅能满足自身的需要,而且能够向胞外分泌,具有潜在的工业应用价值。     

禾本科植物内生真菌研究20：基于NRPS5基因的我国东部早熟禾亚科植物内生真菌系统发育学分析

【背景】冷季型禾草-Epichloae真菌内生共生体在我国广泛存在,Epichloae内生真菌具有遗传多样性。【目的】选取来自江苏、山东和安徽等6省共8地的早熟禾亚科植物中的21个Epichlo?sp.菌株,检测菌株的NRPS5基因;分析不同宿主内Epichlo?属内生真菌NRPS5基因多样性。【方法】提取Epichlo?spp.菌株DNA,利用特异性引物对菌株中NRPS5基因进行PCR检测和序列分析,并基于NRPS5基因构建最大简约法系统发育树。【结果】NRPS5基因可能广泛分布于我国东部冷季型禾本科植物Epichloae内生真菌中。在同种内生真菌和同一宿主(除鹅观草)中的不同种内生真菌中NRPS5基因相对保守,但不同宿主的内生真菌其碱基序列差异大,与宿主植物采集地点、采集时间和子座的有无均无相关性,NRPS5基因的差异主要与宿主植物有关。这说明NRPS5基因序列比较保守,推测属于NRPS蛋白的功能核心区。【结论】NRPS5基因序列相对保守,可作为真菌遗传多样性分析的一种辅助手段。     

添加有扩增内标的沙门氏菌荧光定量PCR 检测体系的建立与评价

【目的】建立添加有扩增内标(IAC,Internal amplification control)的沙门氏菌EvaGreen荧光定量PCR检测体系,提高PCR检测可靠性。【方法】通过比较已有沙门氏菌属细菌的基因组序列,筛选沙门氏菌属特异检测靶点,设计特异引物;再用复合引物法构建扩增内标,优化参数,建立沙门氏菌内标PCR检测体系,利用特异性和灵敏度实验评价体系的检测性能。【结果】筛选得到的新特异靶点基因编码III型分泌系统蛋白(ssaQ)。针对该基因设计特异引物(SsaQ6),建立了添加有扩增内标的常规PCR和EvaGreen荧光定量PCR检测体系;二者对151株沙门氏菌和34株非沙门氏菌的检测符合率均达100%,对基因组DNA的检测下限达14.9拷贝/PCR和2.76拷贝/PCR;人工污染牛奶样品(初始染菌量:4-6 cfu/10 mL),増菌10 h和8 h后分别可检出沙门氏菌。【结论】本研究发掘的新靶点基因ssaQ特异性强,基于这一新靶点建立的添加有扩增内标的EvaGreen荧光定量PCR比常规内标PCR的检测限更低,重复性更好,快速方便,在12 h内即可得出检测结果,并且定量准确,有利于推进沙门氏菌PCR检测方法的标准化应用。     

甲型流感病毒流行毒株检测和分型基因芯片的研制

【目的】研制一种可同时对甲型流感病毒H1N1、H1N2、H3N2、H5N1和H9N2等5种流行亚型进行检测和分型的基因芯片。【方法】根据National Center for Biotechnology Information中Influenza Virus Resource数据库,针对H1N1、H1N2、H3N2、H5N1和H9N2等5种亚型甲型流感病毒的HA和NA基因设计46条特异性寡核苷酸探针和1条质控探针,点制成基因芯片。利用通用引物扩增流感病毒HA和NA基因,使用Klenow酶对扩增产物进行荧光标记和片段化,将标记后产物和芯片杂交,清洗、扫描后根据荧光信号判定检测结果。用18株不同种属来源的甲型流感病毒分离毒株和186份咽拭子对芯片特异性、敏感性和临床应用进行初步评价。【结果】所有18株分离毒株均能被芯片准确检测并分型,芯片检测灵敏度能达约1×104个病毒基因拷贝。同时8份咽拭子检测结果为H1N1阳性,4份咽拭子为H3N2阳性。【结论】研究表明该芯片具有较高的特异性和灵敏度,可为甲型流感病毒的监测提供一种有效的方法。     

降雨对秦皇岛西浴场细菌总数和可培养菌群组成的影响

【目的】研究降雨条件对浴场细菌总数和优势菌群组成的影响。【方法】2014年8月强降雨前后采集秦皇岛西浴场3个站位的海水样品,采用荧光显微镜计数法和平板计数法分别对细菌总数和可培养细菌总数进行计数;对群落结构组成进行分析,并对可培养细菌进行鉴定。【结果】雨前3个站位细菌总数和可培养细菌总数平均值分别为5.6×10~9 CFU/L和8.3×10~7 CFU/L,雨后分别为9.2×109 CFU/L和2.1×10~8 CFU/L。在可培养菌群中,变形菌门(Proteobacteria,雨前占80%,雨后占73%)是主要的微生物类群,其次为拟杆菌门(Bacteroides,雨前占12%,雨后占13%)、厚壁菌门(Firmicutes,雨前占7%,雨后占11%)等;肠杆菌属(Enterobacter spp.,21株)、海杆菌属(Marinobacter spp.,13株)、弓形菌属(Arcobacter spp.,13株)、假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas spp.,10株)、芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus spp.,10株)和弧菌属(Vibrio spp.,6株)为雨前可培养细菌优势属,而雨后可培养细菌优势属为肠杆菌属(22株)、海杆菌属(21株)、芽孢杆菌属(14株)、不动杆菌属(Acinetobacter spp.,11株)、假单胞菌属(9株)和弓形菌属(5株)等。【结论】降雨对细菌总数有显著的影响,同时降雨后浴场微生物群落结构发生了改变。     

不同生境微生物转化H2/CO2产乙酸及其在合成气发酵中应用

【目的】合成气发酵对大力开发可再生资源和促进国家可持续发展具有重要意义,研究旨在探究不同生境微生物转化H2/CO2产乙酸及其合成气发酵的潜力。【方法】采集剩余污泥、牛粪、产甲烷污泥和河道底物样品在中温(37 °C)条件下生物转化H2/CO2气体,将来源于牛粪样品的H2/CO2转化富集物用于合成气发酵,通过454高通量技术和定量PCR技术分析复杂微生物群落的组成,GC气相色谱法检测气体转化产生的挥发性脂肪酸(VFAs)浓度。【结果】牛粪和剩余污泥微生物利用H2/CO2气体生成乙酸、乙醇和丁酸等,最高乙酸浓度分别为63 mmol/L和40 mmol/L,明显高于河道底物和产甲烷污泥样品的最高乙酸浓度3 mmol/L和16 mmol/L。牛粪和剩余污泥微生物中含有种类多样化的同型产乙酸菌,剩余污泥中同型产乙酸菌主要为Clostridium spp.、Sporomusa malonica和Acetoanaerobium noterae,牛粪中则为Clostridium spp.、Treponema azotonutricium和Oxobacter pfennigii。【结论】同型产乙酸菌的丰富度和数量两个因素都对复杂微生物群落转化H2/CO2产乙酸效率至关重要;转化H2/CO2得到的富集物可用于合成气发酵产乙酸和乙醇,这为基于混合培养技术的合成气发酵提供了依据。     

Incubation of water samples containing amoebae improves detection of legionellae by the culture method.

Some protozoans isolated from aquatic habitats, including domestic water supplies, can support the intracellular replication of autochthonous legionellae in vitro. We studied the effect of incubating water samples containing amoebae on the sensitivity of culture for legionellae. Samples collected during investigations of legionellosis epidemics and shown by conventional culture procedures to contain amoebae, but not legionellae, were incubated at 35 degrees C and replated. Legionellae were recovered from 59 of 144 such samples. Species isolated included L. pneumophila, L. anisa, L. bozemanii, L. gormanii, L. micdadei, L. rubrilucens, L. sainthelensi, L. steigerwaltii, and an unnamed species. Acanthamoeba polyphaga, Acanthamoeba hatchetti, a Rosculus sp., Hartmannella vermiformis, and Vahlkampfia spp. were among the autochthonous amoebae identified. Legionellae were recovered by this procedure from only 3 of 63 samples that were negative for amoebae by conventional culture procedures. These results show that water samples negative for legionellae, but positive for amoebae, by standard culture techniques should be incubated and replated to maximize the sensitivity of culture for legionellae.     

Incubation of water samples containing amoebae improves detection of legionellae by the culture method.

Some protozoans isolated from aquatic habitats, including domestic water supplies, can support the intracellular replication of autochthonous legionellae in vitro. We studied the effect of incubating water samples containing amoebae on the sensitivity of culture for legionellae. Samples collected during investigations of legionellosis epidemics and shown by conventional culture procedures to contain amoebae, but not legionellae, were incubated at 35 degrees C and replated. Legionellae were recovered from 59 of 144 such samples. Species isolated included L. pneumophila, L. anisa, L. bozemanii, L. gormanii, L. micdadei, L. rubrilucens, L. sainthelensi, L. steigerwaltii, and an unnamed species. Acanthamoeba polyphaga, Acanthamoeba hatchetti, a Rosculus sp., Hartmannella vermiformis, and Vahlkampfia spp. were among the autochthonous amoebae identified. Legionellae were recovered by this procedure from only 3 of 63 samples that were negative for amoebae by conventional culture procedures. These results show that water samples negative for legionellae, but positive for amoebae, by standard culture techniques should be incubated and replated to maximize the sensitivity of culture for legionellae.     

Differences in isoenzyme patterns of axenically and monoxenically grown Acanthamoeba and Hartmannella

Axenically and monoxenically grown Acanthamoeba castellanii, Acanthamoeba polyphaga and different isolates of Hartmannella vermiformis strains were examined by polyacrylamide isoelectric focusing in the pH range 3–10. Isoenzyme patterns of acid phosphatase (AP), propionyl esterase (PE), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI) and phosphoglucomutase (PGM) were compared. Zymograms were used to reveal differences in typical isoenzyme patterns between axenically and monoxenically grown amoebae and to compare axenically grown A. castellanii, A. polyphaga and H. vermiformis. Comparison of zymograms for AP, PE and MDH between axenically grown Acanthamoeba and Hartmannella strains revealed different isoenzyme patterns. Acanthamoeba showed strong bands for ADH and extremely weak bands for GPI and PGM, while Hartmannella lacked ADH but possessed bands for GPI and PGM.\par Comparison of zymograms from axenically and monoxenically grown amoebae revealed a lower intensity and even lack of typical isoenzyme bands in lysates from monoxenic cultures. The observed changes in typical isoenzyme patterns induced by the bacterial substrate can influence the correct isoenzymatic typing of different strains in clinical and phylogenetic studies.     

Free-living freshwater amoebae differ in their susceptibility to the pathogenic bacterium Legionella pneumophila

Legionella pneumophila is known as a facultative intracellular parasite of free-living soil and freshwater amoebae, of which several species have been shown to support the growth of the pathogenic bacteria. We report for the first time the behaviour of two strains (c2c and Z503) of the amoeba Willaertia magna towards different strains of L. pneumophila serogroup 1 and compared it with Acanthamoeba castellanii and Hartmannella vermiformis , known to be L. pneumophila permissive. In contrast to the results seen with other amoebae, W. magna c2c inhibited the growth of one strain of Legionella ( L. pneumophila , Paris), but not of others belonging to the same serogroup ( L. pneumophila , Philadelphia and L. pneumophila , Lens). Also, the different L. pneumophila inhibited cell growth and induced cell death in A. castellanii, H. vermiformis and W. magna Z503 within 3–4 days while W. magna c2c strain remained unaffected even up to 7 days. Electron microscopy demonstrated that the formation of numerous replicative phagosomes observed within Acanthamoeba and Hartmannella is rarely seen in W. magna c2c cocultured with L. pneumophila . Moreover, the morphological differences were observed between L. pneumophila cultured either with Willaertia or other amoebae. These observations show that amoebae are not all equally permissive to L. pneumophila and highlight W. magna c2c as particularly resistant towards some strains of this bacterium.     

The pathogenesis of Acanthamoeba keratitis

Free-living amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba produce a progressive, blinding infection of the corneal surface. The pathogenesis of Acanthamoeba keratitis involves parasite-mediated cytolysis and phagocytosis of corneal epithelial cells and induction of programmed cell death. Acanthamoeba spp. elaborate a variety of proteases which may facilitate cytolysis of the corneal epithelium, invasion of the extracellular matrix, and dissolution of the corneal stromal matrix.     

Novel Chlamydiales strains isolated from a water treatment plant

Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular bacteria infecting free-living amoebae, vertebrates and some invertebrates. Novel members are regularly discovered, and there is accumulating evidence supporting a very important diversity of chlamydiae in the environment. In this study, we investigated the presence of chlamydiae in a drinking water treatment plant. Samples were used to inoculate Acanthamoeba monolayers ( Acanthamoeba co-culture), and to recover autochthonous amoebae onto non-nutritive agar. Chlamydiae were searched for by a pan-chlamydia 16S rRNA gene PCR from both Acanthamoeba co-cultures and autochthonous amoebae, and phylotypes determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Autochthonous amoebae also were identified by 18S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing. From a total of 79 samples, we recovered eight chlamydial strains by Acanthamoeba co-culture, but only one of 28 amoebae harboured a chlamydia. Sequencing results and phylogenetic analysis showed our strains belonging to four distinct chlamydial lineages. Four strains, including the strain recovered within its natural host, belonged to the Parachlamydiaceae ; two closely related strains belonged to the Criblamydiaceae ; two distinct strains clustered with Rhabdochlamydia spp.; one strain clustered only with uncultured environmental clones. Our results confirmed the usefulness of amoeba co-culture to recover novel chlamydial strains from complex samples and demonstrated the huge diversity of chlamydiae in the environment, by identifying several new species including one representing the first strain of a new family.     

Development of a real-time PCR assay for quantification of Acanthamoeba trophozoites and cysts

Free-living amoebae have been found to be a reservoir for various pathogenic bacteria in aquatic environments. For example, the Acanthamoeba genus renders possible the intracellular multiplication of Legionella pneumophila, which is responsible for legionellosis. It consequently matters to quantify Acanthamoeba cells and thereby enhance our assessment of the risk of contamination. The classical microbiological method of quantification relies on amoebae growth and most probable number calculation. We have developed a real-time PCR assay based on a TaqMan probe that hybridizes onto 18S rDNA. This probe is specific to the Acanthamoeba genus. The assay was successful with both the trophozoite and the cyst forms of Acanthamoeba. Highly sensitive, it proved to permit detection of fewer than 10 cells, even those that are not easily cultivable, such as the cyst forms.     

Detection of infectious rotavirus in naturally contaminated source waters for drinking water production

Aims:  To assess chlorine susceptibility of Legionella pneumophila grown from two amoebic hosts, Acanthamoeba castellanii and Hartmannella vermiformis .
Methods and Results:  After being released from amoebae, Leg. pneumophila were chlorinated at 2 and 5 mg l⁻¹ for 5 min–24 h. Bacterial culturability and cytoplasmic membrane deterioration were quantified by culture assay on BCYEα agar and BacLight stains coupled with a fluorescent microscope, respectively. Chlorination reduced the culturability of Leg. pneumophila by 2·93–4·59 log CFU ml⁻¹ and damaged cellular membrane by 53·8–99·2%. Moreover, cells released from H. vermiformis exhibited significantly lower degrees in culturability reduction ( P  = 0·0008) and membrane deterioration ( P  < 0·0001) when compared with those from A. castellanii . The amoebic genus is the most significant parameter affecting cytoplasmic membrane integrity of chlorinated Legionella ( P  < 0·0001), followed by free chlorine concentration ( P  = 0·042).
Conclusions:  Legionella pneumophila replicated from H. vermiformis possess greater chlorine resistance than the cells from A. castellanii .
Significance and Impact of the Study:  This study shows the heterogeneity of amoebae-grown Leg. pneumophila in chlorine susceptibility, which should be considered in the control of legionellae proliferation, particularly in the systems where H. vermiformis is dominant, e.g. hot water plumbing.     

Isolation and identification of Acanthamoeba species from thermal spring environments in southern Taiwan

Acanthamoeba species are free-living amoebae found in a range of environments. Within this genus, a number of species are recognized as human pathogens, potentially causing Acanthamoeba keratitis, granulomatous amoebic encephalitis, and chronic granulomatous lesions. In this study, 60 water samples were taken from four thermal spring recreation areas in southern Taiwan. We detected living Acanthamoeba spp. based on culture-confirmed detection combined with the molecular taxonomic identification method. Living Acanthamoeba spp. were detected in nine (15%) samples. The presence or absence of Acanthamoeba spp. in the water samples depended significantly on the pH value. The most frequently identified living Acanthamoeba genotype was T15 followed by T4, Acanthamoeba spp., and T2. Genotypes T2, T4, and T15 of Acanthamoeba, are responsible for Acanthamoeba keratitis as well as granulomatous amoebic encephalitis, and should therefore be considered a potential health risk associated with human activities in thermal spring environments.     

Molecular Survey of the Occurrence of Legionella spp., Mycobacterium spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Amoeba Hosts in Two Chloraminated Drinking Water Distribution Systems

The spread of opportunistic pathogens via public water systems is of growing concern. The purpose of this study was to identify patterns of occurrence among three opportunistic pathogens (Legionella pneumophila, Mycobacterium avium, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) relative to biotic and abiotic factors in two representative chloraminated drinking water distribution systems using culture-independent methods. Generally, a high occurrence of Legionella (≥69.0%) and mycobacteria (100%), lower occurrence of L. pneumophila (≤20%) and M. avium (≤33.3%), and rare detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (≤13.3%) were observed in both systems according to quantitative PCR. Also, Hartmanella vermiformis was more prevalent than Acanthamoeba, both of which are known hosts for opportunistic pathogen amplification, the latter itself containing pathogenic members. Three-minute flushing served to distinguish distribution system water from plumbing in buildings (i.e., premise plumbing water) and resulted in reduced numbers of copies of Legionella, mycobacteria, H. vermiformis, and 16S rRNA genes (P < 0.05) while yielding distinct terminal restriction fragment polymorphism (T-RFLP) profiles of 16S rRNA genes. Within certain subgroups of samples, some positive correlations, including correlations of numbers of mycobacteria and total bacteria (16S rRNA genes), H. vermiformis and total bacteria, mycobacteria and H. vermiformis, and Legionella and H. vermiformis, were noted, emphasizing potential microbial ecological relationships. Overall, the results provide insight into factors that may aid in controlling opportunistic pathogen proliferation in real-world water systems.