北京地区人群诺瓦克样病毒血清抗体水平调查

为了解诺瓦克样病毒在我国人群行情况。采用间接酶联免疫吸附法,分别以重组杆状病毒表达的Ｎｏｒｗａｌｋ（ｒＮＶ）和Ｍｅｉｘｃｏ（ｒＭＸ）病毒样颗粒为抗原,检测了北京地区１１０９份不同年龄人群血清标本中的特异性ＩｇＧ抗体。     

Transforming Region of Group A, B, and C Adenoviruses: DNA Homology Studies with Twenty-Nine Human Adenovirus Serotypes

The 31 human adenovirus (Ad) serotypes form five groups based upon DNA genome homologies: group A (Ad12, 18, 31), group B (Ad3, 7, 11, 14, 16, 21), group C (Ad1, 2, 5, 6), group D (Ad8, 9, 10, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22-30), and group E (Ad4) (M. Green, J. Mackey, W. Wold, and P. Rigden, Virology, in press). Group A Ads are highly oncogenic in newborn hamsters, group B Ads are weakly oncogenic, and other Ads are nononcogenic. However, most or all Ads transform cultured cells. We have studied the homology of Ad5, Ad7, and Ad12 transforming restriction endonuclease DNA fragments with DNAs of 29 Ad types. Ad5 HindIII-G (map position 0-7.3), Ad7 XhoI-C (map position 0-10.8), and Ad12 (strain Huie) EcoRI-C (map position 0-16) and SalI-C (map position 0-10.6) fragments were purified, labeled in vitro (nick translation), and annealed with DNAs of Ad1 to Ad16, Ad18 to Ad24, and Ad26 to Ad31. Hybrids were assayed by using hydroxylapatite. Ad5 HindIII-G hybridized 98 to 100% with DNAs of group C Ads, but only 1 to 15% with DNAs of other types. Ad7 XhoI-C fragment hybridized 85 to 99% with DNAs of group B Ads, but only 6 to 21% with DNAs of other types. Ad12 (Huie) EcoRI-C hybridized 53 to 68% with DNAs of five other Ad12 strains, 53% with Ad18 DNA, 56% with Ad31 DNA, but only 3 to 13% with DNAs of other types. In vitro-labeled Ad12 (Huie) SalI-C hybridized 35 to 71% with DNAs of 6 other Ad12 strains, 44% with Ad18 DNA, 52% with Ad31 DNA, but only 2 to 7% with DNAs Ad7, Ad2, Ad26, or Ad4. When assayed using S-1 nuclease, SalI-C annealed 17 to 44% with DNAs of group A Ads. The melting temperatures of the hybrids of Ad5 HindIII-G with all group C Ad DNAs were 84 degrees C in 0.12 M sodium phosphate (pH 6.8). The melting temperature of the Ad12 (Huie) EcoRI-C hybrid with Ad12 (Huie) DNA was 83 degrees C, but was only 71 to 77 degrees C with DNAs of other group A Ads. Thus, group C and group B Ads both have very homologous transforming regions that are not represented in DNAs of non-group C Ads or non-group B Ads, respectively. Similarily, group A Ads have unique but less homologous transforming regions. These different transforming nucleotide sequences may be reflected in the different oncogenic properties of group A, B, and C Ads.     

Seroepidemiology of spotted fever group rickettsiae in small field rodents in Japan.

To clarify the geographic distribution of spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae in Japan, small field rodents captured in endemic and nonendemic areas were screened for anti-SFG rickettsia antibodies by the immunofluorescence test. Among total 716 specimens tested, 73-75% of rodents were antibody-positive against Rickettsia japonica and/or Rickettsia montana, showing different degree of antibody-positive proportions among each species of the rodents. Interestingly, these profiles were not different in the rodents from each endemic and nonendemic areas, indicating that the SFG rickettsiae are prevailing in the wider areas where patients have not been found yet.     

Isolation and identification of adenovirus in hospitalized children, under five years, with acute respiratory disease, in Havana, Cuba

Nine Adenovirus (Ad) strains isolated in Cuba, from 128 nasopharingeal swab specimens of children below five years old, with acute respiratory diseases, during 1996 and 1997, were studied by restriction enzyme analysis of genomic DNA with two endonucleases BamH I and Sma I. All different fragment patterns were compared with the respective prototypes. The identified adenoviruses were Ad 1 (n=4), Ad 2 (n=1) and Ad 6 (n=4). Males were more frequently infected than females. The analysis of the occurrence of these Adenovirus strains of subgenus C revealed that Ad 1 and Ad 6 were the predominant serotypes in 1996 and in 1997, respectively.     

Molecular epidemiology of adenovirus infection among pediatric population with diarrhea in Asia

A total of 3,577 fecal specimens from infants and children with acute gastroenteritis in Japan, Korea and Vietnam during 1998 and 2001 were tested for adenovirus by the ELISA method. Of these, adenovirus was detected in 158 (4.4%). The detection rate of adenovirus was highest in Korea (8.7%, 20/231) followed by 5.0% (100/1,991) in Japan and 2.8% (38/1,355) in Vietnam. All adenoviruses were further serotyped by PCR-RFLP. The diversity of adenovirus serotypes including Ad2, 3, 5, 8, 31, 40 and 41 was demonstrated. Worth of note was a decrease in the rate of isolation of Ad40 (7.6%, 12/158) and a concomitant increase of Ad41 (63.9%, 101/158) to become the predominant serotype. Another interesting feature of the study was the presence of Ad3 (4.0% and 30%) and Ad8 (8.0% and 20%) in Japan and Korea, respectively, which is mainly associated with keratoconjunctivitis worldwide. Our result underscored the importance of adenovirus in association with acute gastroenteritis in Asian countries.     

Envelope cross-reactivity between human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2 detected by different serological methods: correlation between cross-neutralization and reactivity against the main neutralizing site.

A total of 70 human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and 42 HIV-2 antibody-positive serum samples, collected from groups of individuals in which only one type of HIV prevails, were tested for cross-reactivity against HIV-2 and HIV-1 proteins by Western blot (WB) (immunoblot), radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIPA), neutralization analysis, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with as antigen synthetic peptides representing selected parts of the envelope (env) glycoproteins. Cross-reactions against the env glycoproteins were observed by WB in 10% (7 of 70) and by RIPA in 40% (28 of 70) of the HIV-1 antibody-positive serum samples and by WB in 29% (12 of 42) and by RIPA in 48% (20 of 42) of the HIV-2 antibody-positive serum samples. Testing by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay against a 36-amino-acid peptide (Cys-301-Cys-336) of the external glycoprotein of strain HTLV-IIIB of HIV-1 (HIV-1HTLV-IIIB) (known to represent a dominating, linear neutralizing site) showed type-specific reactions in 67% (38 of 57) of HIV-1 antibody-positive serum samples. Type-specific reactions against a homologous 35-amino-acid peptide of strain SBL-6669 of HIV-2 (HIV-2SBL-6669) were found in 75% (30 of 40) of HIV-2 antibody-positive serum samples, and these reactions were correlated to neutralization against HIV-2SBL-6669. Cross-reactions against these peptides were seen in 23% (13 of 57) and 33% (13 of 40) of the HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibody-positive serum samples, respectively. These cross-reactions were correlated to cross-neutralization against HIV-1HTLV-IIIB and HIV-2SBL-6669. Cross-neutralization against one heterotypic virus strain was demonstrated in 16% (9 of 57) of HIV-1 antibody-positive serum samples and in 22% (5 of 22) of HIV-2 antibody-positive serum samples, but no correlation was found between cross-neutralization and env cross-reactivity in WB or RIPA.     

Enteric adenovirus type 41 isolates: cloning, physical maps and diversity in restriction enzyme cleavage pattern.

Adenovirus (Ad) type 40 and 41 DNAs were directly extracted from stool specimens of children with gastroenteritis. Two new strains of Ad41, Sanekata and Ehime strain, were cloned and their restriction maps were constructed. The left terminal end of the cloned Ad41 genome, EcoRI-E fragment of the Sanekata strain and EcoRI-F fragment of the Ehime strain, had transforming ability in rat 3Y1 cells. Only one of the 35 isolates of Ad40 tested showed a different restriction profile, while three different restriction profiles were found in DNAs from Ad41 isolates.     

Fiber Swap between Adenovirus Subgroups B and C Alters Intracellular Trafficking of Adenovirus Gene Transfer Vectors

Following receptor binding and internalization, intracellular trafficking of adenovirus (Ad) among subgroups B and C is different, with significant amounts of Ad serotype 7 (Ad7) (subgroup B) virions found in cytoplasm during the initial hours of infection while Ad5 (subgroup C) virions rapidly translocate to the nucleus. To evaluate the role of the fiber in these differences, we examined intracellular trafficking of Ad5, Ad7, and Ad5f7 (a chimeric vector composed of the Ad5 capsid with the fiber replaced by the Ad7 fiber) by conjugating Ad capsids directly with Cy3 fluorescent dye, permitting the trafficking of the capsids to be examined by fluorescence microscopy. The human lung carcinoma cell line A549 was infected with Cy3-conjugated viruses for 10 min followed by a 1-h incubation. Ad5 virions rapidly translocated to the nucleus (within 1 h of infection), while Ad7 virions were widely distributed in the cytoplasm at the same time point. Interestingly, chimeric Ad5f7 virions behaved similarly to Ad7 but not Ad5. In this regard, the percentages of nuclear localization of Ad5, Ad7, and Ad5f7 at 1 h following infection were 72% +/- 4%, 32% +/- 6%, and 38% +/- 2%, respectively. Consistent with these observations, fluorescence in situ hybridization demonstrated that most of the Ad5 DNA was detected at the nucleus after 1 h, but at the same time point, DNA of Ad7 and Ad5f7 was distributed in both the nucleus and cytoplasm. Quantification of the kinetics of Ad genomic DNA delivery to the nucleus using a fluorogenic probe-based PCR assay (TaqMan PCR) demonstrated that the percentages of nuclear association of Ad5 DNA and Ad5f7 DNA at 1 h postinfection were 80% +/- 13% and 43% +/- 1%, respectively. Although it has been generally accepted that Ad fiber protein mediates attachment of virions to cells and that fibers dissociate during endocytic uptake, these data suggest that in addition to mediating binding to the cell surface, fiber likely modulates intracellular trafficking as well.     

Effectiveness of the 2012/13 Trivalent Live and Inactivated Influenza Vaccines in Children and Adolescents in Saxony-Anhalt,Germany: A Test-Negative Case-Control Study

A live attenuated influenza vaccine has been available in Germany since the influenza season 2012/13, which is approved for children aged 2-17 years. Using data from our laboratory-based surveillance system, we described the circulation of influenza and non-influenza respiratory viruses during the influenza season 2012/13 in Saxony-Anhalt. We estimated the effectiveness of live and inactivated trivalent influenza vaccines in preventing laboratory-confirmed cases among children and adolescents. From week 40/2012 to 19/2013, sentinel paediatricians systematically swabbed acute respiratory illness patients for testing of influenza and 5 non-influenza viruses by PCR. We compared influenza cases and influenza-negative controls. Among children aged 2-17 years, we calculated overall and vaccine type-specific effectiveness against laboratory-confirmed influenza, stratified by age group (2-6; 7-17 years). We used multivariable logistic regression to adjust estimates for age group, sex and month of illness. Out of 1,307 specimens, 647 (35%) were positive for influenza viruses and 189 (15%) for at least one of the tested non-influenza viruses. For vaccine effectiveness estimation, we included 834 patients (mean age 7.3 years, 53% males) in our analysis. Of 347 (42%) influenza-positive specimens, 61 (18%) were positive for A(H1N1)pdm09, 112 (32%) for A(H3N2) and 174 (50%) for influenza B virus. The adjusted overall vaccine effectiveness including both age groups was 38% (95% CI: 0.8-61%). The adjusted effectiveness for inactivated vaccines was 37% (95% CI: -35-70%) and for live vaccines 84% (95% CI: 45-95%). Effectiveness for the live vaccine was higher in 2-6 year-old children (90%, 95% CI: 20-99%) than in children aged 7-17 years (74%, 95% CI: -32-95%). Our study of the strong influenza season in 2012/13 suggests a high preventive effect of live attenuated influenza vaccine especially among young children, which could not be reached by inactivated vaccines. We recommend the use of live attenuated influenza vaccines in children unless there are contraindications.     

A block in release of progeny virus and a high particle-to-infectious unit ratio contribute to poor growth of enteric adenovirus types 40 and 41 in cell culture.

The fastidious enteric adenovirus (FEAd) types 40 (Ad40) and 41 (Ad41) are found in stool specimens of infants and young children in association with gastroenteritis. Although they can be isolated routinely from clinical specimens by using 293 cells, they are propagated with variable success in cell lines which support the replication of other adenovirus serotypes. HeLa cells are generally considered to be nonpermissive for the replication of FEAds, but in this study, Ad40 and Ad41 grew to comparable titers in individual 293 and HeLa cells. However, virus was not efficiently released from infected HeLa cells and thus did not undergo multiple cycles of infection in HeLa cell cultures. The block in virus release was not overcome in KB18 cells which, like 293 cells, constitutively express proteins encoded by the E1B region of a subgroup C adenovirus (in this case Ad2). Moreover, it was apparent from these studies that Ad40 and Ad41 have particle-to-infectious unit ratios several orders of magnitude greater than that for Ad5, even in 293 cells which express the E1A and E1B proteins of Ad5 and are considered to be permissive for replication of the FEAds. Neither the block in release of progeny virus nor the high particle-to-infectious unit ratio is explained solely by the defect in expression of the E1B 55K protein identified by Mautner et al. (V. Mautner, N. MacKay, and V. Steinthorsdottir, Virology 171:619-622, 1989; V. Mautner, N. MacKay, and K. Morris, Virology 179:129-138, 1990).     

Prolonged lymphopenia, lymphoid depletion, and hypoprolactinemia in children with nosocomial sepsis and multiple organ failure

Lymphopenia and lymphoid depletion occur in adults dying of sepsis. Prolactin increases Bcl-2 expression, suppresses stress-induced lymphocyte apoptosis, and improves survival from experimental sepsis. We hypothesized that prolonged lymphopenia, lymphoid depletion, and hypoprolactinemia occur in children dying with sepsis and multiple organ failure (MOF). Fifty-eight critically ill children with and 55 without MOF admitted to a university hospital pediatric intensive care unit were enrolled in a prospective, longitudinal, observational clinical study. Prolactin levels and absolute lymphocyte count were measured on days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21. Lymph node, thymus, and spleen autopsy specimens were examined for lymphoid depletion, with immunohistochemical staining for CD4, CD20, and CD21 and for lymphoid apoptosis. Prolonged lymphopenia (absolute lymphocyte count < 1000 for >7 days) occurred only in children with MOF (29 vs 0%, p < 0.05) and was associated independently with nosocomial infection (odds ratio (OR), 5.5, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.7-17, p < 0.05), death (OR, 6.8, 95% CI, 1.3-34, p < 0.05), and splenic and lymph node hypocellularity (OR, 42, 95% CI, 3.7-473, p < 0.05). Lymphocyte apoptosis and ante/postmortem infection were observed only in children with lymphoid depletion. Prolonged hypoprolactinemia (>7 days) was more common in children with MOF (17 vs 2%, p < 0.05) and was associated independently with prolonged lymphopenia (OR, 8.3, 95% CI, 2.1-33, p < 0.05) and lymphoid depletion (OR, 12.2, 95% CI, 2.2-65, p < 0.05). Prolonged lymphopenia and apoptosis-associated depletion of lymphoid organs play a role in nosocomial sepsis-related death in critically ill children. Prolonged hypoprolactinemia is a previously unrecognized risk factor for this syndrome.     

Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity detects type- and strain-specific antigens among human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2 and simian immunodeficiency virus SIVmac isolates.

Human cell lines were infected with different strains of human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2 (HIV-1 and HIV-2) as well as with a simian immunodeficiency virus SIVmac isolate and used as targets in an antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) assay. Sera from HIV-1- or HIV-2-infected subjects provided the antibody, and lymphocytes from normal donors provided the effector cells. About 60% of HIV-1 antibody-positive sera mediated ADCC when tested against any given HIV-1 isolate-infected target cell (human T-cell lymphotropic virus type IIIB, B40, A2587), and about 75% of HIV-2 antibody-positive sera mediated ADCC when tested against target cells infected with HIV-2 isolates (lymphadenopathy-associated virus type 2 and SBL-6669) or simian immunodeficiency virus from macaques. Within each type, individual sera showed different reactivity patterns, and the probability that a serum was ADCC positive was higher when it was tested against several strains. When the ADCC reactivity of sera against different strains was compared, diversity as detected by ADCC appeared to be greater among HIV-1 strains than among HIV-2 strains. For HIV-1, 54 to 67% of the sera gave concordant ADCC reactions, whereas for HIV-2 and SIVmac, 91% of the sera gave concordant results. Almost no strain-specific differences were seen between SBL-6669 and lymphadenopathy-associated virus type 2. As we determined previously, HIV-1 and HIV-2 did not cross-react in ADCC. The results indicated that HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibody-positive sera mediate both strain- and type-specific ADCC. HIV-2 antibody-positive sera seem to mediate ADCC with broader reactivity and to a higher frequency compared with HIV-1 antibody-positive sera.     

Gametocytaemia in Senegalese children with uncomplicated falciparum malaria treated with chloroquine, amodiaquine or sulfadoxine + pyrimethamine

Plasmodium falciparum gametocytaemia was studied in 266 Senegalese children (median 4 years, range 0.5-16) with uncomplicated malaria treated with chloroquine (CQ), amodiaquine (AQ) or sulfadoxine + pyrimethamine (SP). The proportion of resistant infections in vivo to these drugs was 44%, 16% and 7%, respectively. Gametocytes were counted by microscopy in thick smears on days 0, 4, 7 and 14 after treatment. There was a peak of gametocytaemia one week after treatment; on days 0, 7 and 14 the gametocyte prevalences were 35%, 73% and 63%, and the geometric means of gametocyte densities were 1.3, 12.5 and 5.6/microliter of blood. Three factors were found to influence gametocytaemia: treatment, efficacy of treatment, and duration of symptoms before treatment. Gametocyte prevalence and density significantly appeared higher in children treated with SP than with CQ, and higher with CQ than with AQ. Gametocyte prevalence and density were higher in resistant than in sensitive infections. The period between the appearance of the first clinical symptoms and treatment was positively and significantly linked to gametocyte prevalence and density on days 0 and 4. Early treatment with AQ, against sensitive infection, was followed by the lowest gametocytaemia. By contrast, treatment with SP against resistant infection was followed by the highest gametocytaemia. No clear relationship was observed between the density of asexual stages on day 0 and the gametocytaemia at any day between days 0 and 14. The epidemiological significance of post-therapeutic gametocytaemia and its possible role in the spread of resistant parasites are underlined. Solutions are proposed in order to avoid or reduce this gametocytaemia.     

Protective Efficacy in Sheep of Adenovirus-Vectored Vaccines against Bluetongue Virus Is Associated with Specific T Cell Responses

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an economically important Orbivirus of the Reoviridae family that causes a hemorrhagic disease in ruminants. Its control has been achieved by inactivated-vaccines that have proven to protect against homologous BTV challenge although unable to induce long-term immunity. Therefore, a more efficient control strategy needs to be developed. Recombinant adenovirus vectors are lead vaccine candidates for protection of several diseases, mainly because of their potency to induce potent T cell immunity. Here we report the induction of humoral and T-cell mediated responses able to protect animals against BTV challenge by recombinant replication-defective human adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) expressing either VP7, VP2 or NS3 BTV proteins. First we used the IFNAR^(-/-) mouse model system to establish a proof of principle, and afterwards we assayed the protective efficacy in sheep, the natural host of BTV. Mice were completely protected against BTV challenge, developing humoral and BTV-specific CD8⁺- and CD4⁺-T cell responses by vaccination with the different rAd5. Sheep vaccinated with Ad5-BTV-VP2 and Ad5-BTV-VP7 or only with Ad5-BTV-VP7 and challenged with BTV showed mild disease symptoms and reduced viremia. This partial protection was achieved in the absence of neutralizing antibodies but strong BTV-specific CD8⁺ T cell responses in those sheep vaccinated with Ad5-BTV-VP7. These data indicate that rAd5 is a suitable vaccine vector to induce T cell immunity during BTV vaccination and provide new data regarding the relevance of T cell responses in protection during BTV infection.     

Thyroid autoimmunity in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Effect of age, gender and HLA type

Type 1 diabetes is often associated with additional autoimmune phenomena. However, data reported on the frequency of thyroid autoimmunity differ vastly. Therefore, the prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies was evaluated at a large pediatric diabetes center in Southern Germany. 2,305 determinations (TPO and TG, ELISA) were performed in 495 patients with type 1 diabetes (234 boys, 261 girls; age at last measurement: 15.4 +/- 0.3 years, duration of diabetes 7. 5 +/- 0.2 years). The prevalence of elevated thyroid antibodies increased dramatically with age: from 3.7% in patients less than 5 years of age up to 25.3% in the age group 15-20 years (p < 0.0001). For children older than 10 years, girls were significantly more affected than boys (p < 0.0001). Thyroid autoimmunity tended to be more prevalent in the subgroup of patients with the HLA type DR3/DR4 compared to patients with other HLA types (p = 0.08). In children older than 10 years, basal TSH concentrations were significantly elevated in antibody-positive patients (p < 0.05). In conclusion, thyroid autoimmunity is prevalent in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Adolescent girls and young women are especially affected. Yearly routine determinations of thyroid antibodies are therefore recommended.     

2004年冬至2005年春引起北京地区儿童肺炎的腺病毒基因特点分析

为了解北京地区腺病毒的流行毒株,从北京儿童医院收集25份儿童肺炎患者的痰洗液标本(2004年冬到2005年春),患者的年龄在2个月到2岁,临床表现以持续高热、咳喘和气促为主。对25份标本分别用Hep-2细胞进行了病毒分离培养、腺病毒属特异性引物PCR扩增以及PCR产物的序列测定分析。结果发现25份标本中有9份PCR扩增阳性,其中2份病毒培养物观察到典型的细胞病变;将9份PCR阳性产物纯化后进行序列测定,结果7份标本核苷酸序列完全一致,同源性100%,并与GenBank发表的序列相比较,发现与腺病毒7型最为接近,同源性皆为99.7%;2份与腺病毒3型最接近,同源性为99.6%。结果表明,此次病毒分离株为腺病毒B亚群。北京儿童医院2004年12月至2005年3月腺病毒引起的肺炎主要以7型和3型为主,7型占优势,与国内其它地区的情况相似。     

Sequence of the DNA-binding protein gene of a human subgroup B adenovirus (type 7). Comparisons with subgroup C (type 5) and subgroup A (type 12)

The adenovirus type 7 (Ad7) single-stranded DNA-binding protein (DBP) structural gene has been sequenced and located between 66.7 and 62.3 map units. This region codes for a protein that contains 517 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular mass of 58,240 daltons. We compared the Ad7 amino acid sequence with those reported for the Ad5 (Kruijer, W., van Schaik, F.M.A., and Sussenbach, J.S. (1981) Nucleic Acids Res. 9, 4439-4457) and Ad12 (Kruijer, W., van Schaik, F.M.A., Speijer, J.G., and Sussenbach, J.S. (1983) Virology 128, 140-153) DNA-binding proteins. A greater amount of amino acid sequence homology was found in the carboxyl-terminal DNA-binding domain of the molecule. This homology is 61% between Ad7 and Ad5 and 49% when Ad12 was included in the comparison. The NH2-terminal domain of DBP retained a 49% homology between Ad7 and Ad5 and a 23% homology for all three serotypes. The greatest difference between the Ad7 and Ad5 DBPs is the absence, in the Ad7 protein, of 12 amino acids located between the two functional domains in the Ad5 protein (amino acids 151-162). In addition, three regions of high amino acid conservation between Ad5, Ad7, and Ad12 consisting of 9 (178-186), 9 (322-330), and 12 (464-475) consecutive amino acids (numbers refer to Ad5) in the DNA-binding portion of the molecule were revealed. These three regions contain a centrally located basic amino acid (183, 326, and 470) as well as an aromatic amino acid residue (181, 324, and 469). Since basic and aromatic amino acids have been implicated in other single-stranded DNA-binding protein/DNA interactions (Anderson, R.A., Nakashima, V., and Coleman, J.E. (1975) Biochemistry 14,907-917; Kowalczykowski, S.C., Lonberg, N., Newport, J.W., and von Hippel, P.H. (1981). J. Mol. Biol. 145, 75-104), these three conserved regions may represent DBP/DNA contact points.     

Antigenic and genomic characterization of adenovirus associated to respiratory infections in children living in Northeast Brazil

From January to December 1998, nasopharyngeal aspirates were obtained from 482 children with acute respiratory infections attended in emergence department and wards of a teaching hospital in the city of Salvador, Brazil. The samples were tested for the presence of adenovirus by isolation in tissue culture and indirect immunofluorescence assay. Eleven adenoviruses were detected by both methods in the same clinical samples. Infections by adenovirus were observed during seven months of the year without association with rainy season. Genome analysis was performed on these 11 isolates. Species C was represented by serotypes 1, 2 and 5. Within species B, only serotype 7 (Ad7) was detected. Two genomic variants of Ad1, two variants of Ad2, one of Ad5, and one of Ad7 (7h) were identified. This is the first study of molecular epidemiology of adenovirus associated to acute respiratory infections in children living in Northeast Brazil, and contributes to a better understanding of adenovirus infections in the country.     

长春和北京地区引起婴幼儿肺炎的3型与7型腺病毒的分子流行病学研究

对长春和北京地区连续12年(1976年冬至1988年春)引起小儿肺炎的3、7型腺病毒102株标本,进行了限制性内切酶核酸电泳图谱分析。56株7型腺病毒经BamHⅠ、BclⅠ、BglⅠ、XbaⅠ、SmaⅠ、HindⅢ分析后,表现为两个基因组型——Ad7 b和Ad7 d。46株3型腺病毒被Bg1 Ⅱ、BamHⅠ酶解后,表现为 3个基因组型——Ad 3Ⅰ、Ad 3Ⅱ、Ad 3Ⅲ。各基因组型的分布情况是:56株7型腺病毒中,43株为Ad 7 b(76.8％),流行于1976年冬至1986年春;13株是Ad 7 d(23.2％),出现于1982年,与Ad 7 b共同流行;1986年～1988年分析的5株病毒都是Ad 7d。43株3型腺病毒中,Ad3Ⅰ42株(91.0％),分布于12年中;Ad 3Ⅱ、Ad 3Ⅲ各2株,散在分布。此结果表明,国内这12年中引起小儿肺炎的3型腺病毒至少有3个基因组型,7型腺病毒至少有两个基因组型。Ad3Ⅰ和Ad7 b是流行优势基因组型。但自80年代初开始出现Ad7 d以来,有逐年增多的趋势,最近两年的标本又都是Ad7 d,很可能它将取代Ad7 b而成为流行的优势基因组型.     

Prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis Infection among Preschool Children in Kindergartens of Taipei City, Taiwan in 2008

The prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis infection among preschool children was reported to be low based on a 5-year screening program in Taipei City, Taiwan. The Taipei City government intended to terminate the E. vermicularis screening program among preschool children. Thus, we were entrusted with confirming whether pinworm infections among preschool children in Taipei City had truly declined. From each of 12 administrative districts 2-3 kindergartens were randomly selected for investigation. In total, 4,349 children were examined, of which 2,537 were boys and 1,812 were girls. The cellophane tape adhered to a glass slide was used, and all examinations were done by certified medical technologists. Results indicated that the overall prevalence rate of pinworm infections was 0.62% (27/4,349). Although the infection rate was higher among boys (0.67%, 17/2,537) than in girls (0.55%, 10/1,812), no significant difference was found (χ² = 0.399, P = 0.62). According to the administrative district, the infection rate ranged from no positive cases of E. vermicularis infection in the Xinyi, Zhongzhen, and Wanhua Districts (0%; 0/299, 0/165, and 0/358, respectively), to 0.26% (1/131) in Songshan District, with the highest rate of 1.88% (7/373) in Wenshan District. Because the overall infection rate (0.62%, 27/4,349) in the present study was unchanged compared to that (0.40%, 197/49,541) previously reported in 2005, we propose that regular pinworm screening and treatment programs should be continued in some parts of Taipei City.