Gene expression profile and long noncoding RNA analysis in Candida albicans insoluble ß-glucan-stimulated CD14+ monocytes and THP-1 cells.

Emerging evidence suggests that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in disease development. However, the roles of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of Candida albicans (C. albicans) remain unclear. Our study aimed to investigate and characterize the mRNA and lncRNA transcriptomes of CD14+ monocytes and THP-1 cells stimulated with insoluble ß-glucan by RNA-seq. We identified a total of 10788 differentially expressed (DE) mRNAs and 2021 DE lncRNAs in CD14+ monocytes, while 3349 DE mRNAs and 291 DE lncRNAs were observed in THP-1 cells. A total of 808 DE mRNAs and 51 DE lncRNAs overlapped between the two groups. We examined five collectively DE mRNAs and lncRNAs in both cells using quantitative real-time PCR, validating the reliability of the RNA-seq results. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses revealed that the 808 DE mRNAs were mostly enriched in the inflammatory response and NF-kappa B signaling pathway, respectively. Next, lncRNA-mRNA coexpression analysis was performed for the 51 DE lncRNAs and the 808 DE mRNAs in the two groups. We chose the common network pairs of the two groups to construct the coexpression network and revealed 97 network pairs comprising 8 dysregulated lncRNAs and 60 dysregulated mRNAs. We found that lncRNA lnc-CCL3L3-1:1 might be involved in the NF-kappa B signaling pathway in C. albicans infection. In conclusion, the aberrantly expressed lncRNAs might play a role in the pathogenesis of C. albicans infection and could be used as therapeutic targets in the future.

[Clinical features and TTC21B genotype of a child with nephronophthisis type 12].

Nephronophthisis (NPHP) is a group of autosomal recessive tubulointerstitial cystic kidney disorders. This article reports a case of NPHP type 12 caused by TTC21B mutations. The girl had an insidious onset, with moderate proteinuria, renal dysfunction, stage 2 hypertension, situs inversus, and short phalanges when she visited the hospital for the first time at the age of 3 years and 6 months. The renal lesions progressed to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) before she was 4 years old. Urine protein electrophoresis showed glomerular proteinuria. There were significant increases in urinary ß2-microglobulin and α1-microglobulin. Gene detection revealed two compound heterozygous mutations, c.1552T>C (p.C518R) and c.752T>G (p.M251R), in the TTC21B gene, which came from her father and mother respectively. The c.752T>G mutation was a novel mutation. It is concluded that besides typical tubular changes of NPHP, marked glomerular damage is also observed in patients with TTC21B gene mutations.

[Analysis on the application of three methods for malaria diagnosis].

Objective: To test the usage of microscopic examination, antigen detection(rapid dignostic test, RDT) and nucleic acid test(PCR) for detection of malaria cases. Methods: The blood test results for malaria and suspected malaria cases during 2012-2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Taking the confirmed cases as a gold standard, the three methods were compared in aspects of diagnosis indices, specificity of identification species, and cost effectiveness. Results: A total of 212 samples were included, each analyzed with the three methods. Based on the results of the three tests, 167(78.8%) were determined to be positive for malaria, and 45 negative (21.2%). Of the positive samples, 120(71.9%) were infected with Plasmodium falciparum,22(13.2%) with P. vivax,17(10.2%) with P. ovale, 6 (3.6%) with P. malariae, and 2(1.2%) with mixed infections. The method of PCR had the highest diagnostic efficiency (96.2%,204/212), followed by RDT (93.2%,192/206; P > 0.05 vs. PCR) and the microscopic method (88.2%,187/212; P < 0.05 vs. RDT and PCR). Similarly, the PCR method had the highest overall coincidence rate to the confirmed cases (95.3%,202/212), followed by RDT (93.2%,192/206) and microscopy (88.2%,187/212; P < 0.05 vs. PCR). As to the identification specificity among species, the PCR method(95.6%, 43/45) was superior to microscopy (91.1%, 41/45; P > 0.05 vs. PCR) and RDT (68.9%, 31/45; P < 0.05 vs. PCR). As to the identification of a particular species (P. falciparum), RDT performed best (100%,116/116), followed by PCR (93.3%,112/120) and microscopy (84.2%,101/120). Based on the comprehensive evaluation on 14 indicators including if it is a diagnostic criterion, equipment and technical requirement, diagnostic performance, time cost, and the need of technical training and promotion, we found that the RDT method had the highest score(37 of 42), while microscopy and PCR were scored 26 and 27, respectively. Conclusion: Under the falciparum malaria-dominated epidemiological situation, PCR and RDT show a higher detection efficiency, PCR and microscopy perform better in species identification, and RDT has the highest cost-effectiveness.

Distribution and prognosis of uncommon metastases from non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: According to the literature and our experience, the most common sites of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) metastases include the brain, bone, liver, adrenal glands, contralateral lung and distant lymph nodes. Metastases to other organs are relatively rare. There have been numerous case reports and a few small case series of uncommon metastases derived from NSCLC. METHODS: We defined all organs except the common metastatic sites mentioned above as uncommon sites of metastasis. Patients with uncommon metastases among 2,872 consecutive NSCLC patients with stage IV disease at the Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute (GLCI) from 2006 to 2012 were included in this study. The diagnosis of uncommon metastases was based on pathology or imaging studies. RESULTS: Uncommon metastases were diagnosed in 193 cases at anatomical sites such as the soft tissue, kidney, pancreas, spleen, peritoneum, intestine, bone marrow, eye, ovary, thyroid, heart, breast, tonsil and nasal cavity. Uncommon metastases were identified as independent poor prognostic factors through a multivariate analysis with a HR (hazard ratio) of 1.29 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09-1.52, P < 0.01]. Those patients who received systemic therapy plus local treatment had a better survival rate than did those who received systemic therapy only (P < 0.01); all patients received best supportive care. CONCLUSIONS: Metastases to the above mentioned sites are infrequent. The presentation of uncommon metastases tends to indicate a poor outcome, and selected patients may benefit from local treatment.

[Clinical and genetic analysis of Dent disease in 4 Chinese children].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical features and gene mutations of 4 Chinese children with Dent disease. METHODS: The clinical and laboratory data of 4 children with Dent disease were analyzed retrospectively. Genetic testing of the 4 cases was carried out. RESULTS: All of 4 cases were boys. The first impression of Cases 1-3 was Fanconi syndrome. Proteinuria was presented as the first impression in Case 4. All 4 boys presented with low-molecular weight proteinuria (LMWP) and hypercalciuria, including 3 cases with hematuria, 1 case with kidney stones, 2 cases with nephrocalcinosis, 3 cases with hypophosphatemia, and 3 cases with rickets. Mutations of the CLCN5 gene were revealed in three patients (Cases 1, 2 and 4), including exon 6-7del, c.785_787de l(p.263del Leu) and c.1039 C>T (p.Arg347Term). The first two gene mutations had never reported before. CONCLUSIONS: Urine protein electrophoresis should be carried out for patients with proteinuria. Dent disease should be taken into consideration when patients with Fanconi syndrome have hypercalciuria, nephrocalcinosis or kindey stones. Genetic analyses are needed for a definite diagnosis.

Lung cancer treatment disparities in China: a question in need of an answer.

BACKGROUND: Substantial progress has been made in the treatment of malignancies in the People's Republic of China in recent years. The goal of this study was to identify the extent to which national treatment guidelines are being used to customize patient care in lung cancer and to analyze the reasons for treatment disparities. METHODS: Patient characteristics and treatments were investigated retrospectively for the period from October 2004 to January 2013 using the outpatient database of the Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute (GLCI) in China. RESULTS: A total of 2,535 outpatients with lung cancer were studied in this retrospective analysis. The treatment disparity was 45.3%. Overall, 20.6% of patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were overtreated, and 20.1% of stage II patients were undertreated. Only 19.6% of stage IIIA patients and 30.7% of stage IIIB patients underwent the recommended combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, respectively. For advanced NSCLC, the greatest treatment disparity appeared in the second-line setting and beyond. Patients who were positive for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and receiving EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors experienced significant prolongation of survival compared with patients who were EGFR negative or whose EGFR mutation status was unknown (hazard ratio: 0.79; p = .037). The treatment disparities were significantly larger among patients aged younger than 65 years and in patients from developing regions compared with patients aged 65 years and older and from developed regions, respectively (p < .001, p = .046). The difference in treatment disparity was statistically significant between GLCI and other hospitals (p < .001). CONCLUSION: This retrospective study of a large number of patients from an outpatient oncology database demonstrated large disparities in the treatment of lung cancer in China. It is important to develop a new guideline for recommendations that are based on resource classification.

Evaluation of partially purified soluble egg antigens in colloidal gold immunochromatography assay card for rapid detection of anti-Schistosoma japonicum antibodies.

Shistosomiasis is one of the important parasitic diseases in developing countries and especially remains a threat to public health in China. Many immunodiagnostic kits have shown cross-reactions with other parasitic diseases and need large volumes of serum for the tests. In this study, we evaluated partially purified soluble egg antigen (SEA) in a colloidal gold immunochromatography assay (GICA) card kit for rapid detection of anti-Schistosoma japonicum antibodies using 5 microl of serum. Partially purified SEA from S. japonica was purified by Sephacryl S-300 chromatography. The optional reaction system and detection level of GICA using partially purified SEA were established by improving conjugated concentration and formulation of sample buffer and labeled solution. GICA showed 93.7% sensitivity in detecting schistosomiasis patients, 97.6% specificity in healthy population and patients with other parasitic diseases and a Youden's index value of 0.91. Cross-reaction with other parasitic diseases, such as paragonimiasis (1 case) and toxoplasmosis (1 case) is significantly lower compared to using crude SEA. Partially purified SEA in GICA is practical for detection of schistosomiasis in the field as it requires a small volume of serum, has high sensitivity, and has low cross-reaction rate.

Rare manifestation of familial vitreous amyloidosis caused by Gly103Arg transthyretin.

AIM: To identify and analyze the genotype of the patients with special ocular manifestations of familial vitreous amyloidosis (FVA) in a Chinese Han family. METHODS: Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) surgery was performed on a 52-year-old Chinese woman presented with vitreous amyloidosis and progressive visual impairment, without evidence of cardiac, renal, gastrointestinal, central nervous system or peripheral nervous system dysfunction. During the surgery, the patient presented with a gray-white dense and thick cotton wool-like change in the vitreous body, accompanied by complete retinal detachment. Additionally, hard, free and movable yellow-white deposits were observed in the posterior pole and surrounding retina, the vitreous and subretinal deposits were examined by Congo red staining and immunohistochemical pathological examination, and whole exome sequencing was performed on blood samples from the patient and her cousin. RESULTS: During the operation, it was discovered that there was a complete detachment of the retina and a significant amount of hard, free-floating yellow-white deposits were observed beneath the posterior pole and surrounding retina. This is an exceedingly rare ocular manifestation. Pathological examination of the vitreous and subretinal deposit specimens revealed positive Congo red staining, as well as elevated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in vascular endothelial cells within the sediment specimens upon immunohistochemical examination. The patient and her cousin both exhibited a heterozygous mutation in Glyl03Arg within the transthyretin (TTR) gene, resulting in a substitution of glycine (Gly) at position 103 with arginine (Arg). CONCLUSION: FVA may present with various ocular manifestations, but panretinal detachment is a rare occurrence. In cases where retinal detachment persists for an extended period of time, amyloid deposits may form under the retina through retinal tears, leading to subretinal deposits that can impede retinal reattachment and negatively impact visual prognosis. Elevated levels of VEGF in the eyes of FVA patients may indicate an overexpression state, necessitating careful postoperative follow-up. The heterozygous mutation Gly103Arg may represent a unique pathogenic site in Chinese individuals.

[Reactive epitope analysis of agB subunit antigens of Echinococcus granulosus by using synthetic peptides].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze reactive epitope of three subunit antigens AgB1, AgB2 and AgB4 of Echinococcus granulosus by using synthetic peptides. METHODS: Five synthetic peptides, KK36, RK30, B4-1, B4-2, and B4-3, derived from the sequences of AgB1, AgB2, and AgB4 subunit of E. granulosus, and the three recombinant subunits were used for the detection of serum antibodies by ELISA. A panel of 209 serum samples from patients with cystic echinococcosis (115), alveolar echinococcosis (54), cysticercosis (22), and healthy persons (18) was used in the study. The diagnostic efficiency of the recombinant subunits and peptides for serum detection was estimated and compared using receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curve. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of peptides KK36 and RK30 in patients with cystic echinococcosis were 89.2% and 62.5%, 85.0% and 59.4%, respectively. Their diagnostic efficiency (84.8% and 80.4%) was similar to AgB1 and AgB2 antigen (84.5% and 81.2%). The ROC curves of peptides KK36 and RK30 were well fitted by that of recombinant subunit AgB1 and AgB2. For the three peptides derived from AgB4 subunit, serum detection indicated that the diagnostic efficiency of B4-1, B4-2 and B4-3 were 49.4%, 57.9%, and 77.4%, respectively. Peptides B4-3 showed best reactivity and B4-2 also showed certain reactivity to the sera from patients with cystic echinococcosis. CONCLUSION: Peptides KK36 and RK30 contain the reactive epitope region of AgB1 and AgB2 subunits. B4-2 and B4-3 contain partial region of the reactive epitope of AgB4. The epitope region of AgB4 may be in the central and back part.

[Investigation on contamination of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in drinking water and environmental water in Shanghai].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the contamination status of Cryptosporidium sp. and Giardia lamblia in drinking water, source water and environmental water in Shanghai. METHODS: All water samples collected from drinking water, source water and environmental water were detected by a procedure of micromembrane filtration, immune magnetic separation (IMS), and immunofluorescent assay (IFA). RESULTS: Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts were not found in 156 samples of the drinking water including finished water, tap water, or pipe water for directly drinking in communities. Among 70 samples either source water of water plants (15 samples), environmental water from Huangpu River(25), canal water around animal sheds(15), exit water from waste-water treatment plants(9), or waste water due to daily life(6), Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in 1(6.7%), 2(8.0%), 7(46.7%), 1(11.1%), and 1(16.7%) samples, respectively; and Giardia cysts were detected in 1(6.7%), 3(12.0%), 6 (40.0%), 2(22.2%), and 2(33.3%), respectively. The positive rate of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts was 17.1% (12/70) and 20.0% (14/70), respectively. CONCLUSION: No Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts have been detected in drinking water, but found in source water and environmental water samples in Shanghai.

Cerebellopontine Angle Tumors Are Associated with a Greater Incidence of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumors are associated with a greater incidence of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (IAs). METHODS: Patients with intracranial tumors (ITs) undergoing computed tomography angiography and magnetic resonance imaging were enrolled in an observational cohort study that prospectively collected age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, cerebral arteriosclerosis, tumor type, tumor location, hydrocephalus, smoking, alcohol intake, CPA tumor size, cerebral aneurysms, and cerebral arteriosclerosis. Patients with the coexistence of IA and ITwere classified as group II, whereas the others with IT as group I. RESULTS: We included 1218 patients with IT for analysis. The incidence of IA was 7.1% (86/1218). A total of 31% of patients with aneurysms had CPA tumors. In a multivariate logistic regression model, a greater incidence of IA was found in female patients (odds ratio [OR] 1.726, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.050-2.836, P=0.031) and in patients with CPA tumors (OR 3.002, 95% CI 1.822-4.947, P=0.000) after adjustment for tumor type, cerebral arteriosclerosis, and age. In female patients, CPA tumors were a unique independent risk factor of a greater incidence of IA (OR 2.270, 95% CI 1.194-4.317, P=0.012). Furthermore, cerebral arteriosclerosis was a unique independent risk factor of IA in patients with CPA tumors (OR 7.626, 95% CI 2.928-19.860, P=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: These data support the hypothesis that CPA tumors are associated with a greater incidence of unruptured IAs, especially in female patients. Cerebral arteriosclerosis contributed to elevated risk of IA in patients with CPA tumors.

Clinical features and prognosis of patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura associated with systemic lupus erythematosus: a review of 25 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical features of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) associated with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Their diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis were also discussed. METHODS: A total of 25 TTP-SLE pediatric patients were included in this study. Their clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, disease activity, and renal biopsy were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The median age of the patient cohort was 14 years old. Nine patients were first diagnosed with SLE, followed by the diagnosis of TTP-SLE, whereas 15 patients were diagnosed with TTP and SLE concurrently. All the 25 TTP-SLE patients had decreased platelet count and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia. Fever, rash, edema and neurological symptoms were the main clinical symptoms. Fragmentation of erythrocytes on blood smear and increased LDH were found in all patients. Nineteen patients (76%) had impaired renal function. Renal biopsy showed that most of the patients had lupus nephritis class IV (20%) and TMA (20%). 13 patients (52%) were treated with glucocorticoids in combination with immunosuppressive agent, and 10 patients (40%) were treated with plasma exchange combined with glucocorticoids plus immunosuppressive agent. One patient died due to lung infection; others had disease remission. Fifteen patients had follow-up regularly, and their conditions were stable. CONCLUSION: Patients with TTP-SLE often had moderate to severe lupus disease activity. Testing of LDH level and blood smear should be performed when kidney and neurological symptoms arise in children with SLE. The use of combination therapy, glucocorticoids plus immunosuppressive agent, provided satisfactory clinical outcome. Patients with refractory TTP-SLE will also need plasma exchange therapy.

[Effect of IgG3 antibody purified from sera of Microtus fortis against Schistosoma japonicum].

IgG3 antibody reaction to soluble antigens prepared from schistosomula (SSA), adult worms (SAWA) and eggs (SEA) in laboratory-bred Microtus fortis (Mf), BALB/c mice and Kunming (Km) mice challenged by cercariae of Schistosoma japonicum was detected by indirect ELISA. The effect of purified IgG3 antibody on in vitro killing schistosomula and protecting mice from infection of S. japonicum was evaluated. The IgG3 antibody level in Mf against SSA and SAWA increased significantly by 79.6 percent and 49.6 percent after the fourth week of challenge infection, but no significant increase in BALB/c mice. Purified IgG3 antibody from laboratory-bred Mf and wild Mf effectively killed schistosomula, and that of the wild Mf induced higher worm-reduction rate. The death rate of schistosomula due to IgG3 antibody purified from sera of laboratory-bred Mf and wild Mf was 2.35 and 5.88 times as high as that of Km mice respectively. The results suggest that IgG3 antibody from Microtus fortis may play an important role in immunity against S. japonicum.

Novel Role of ER Stress and Mitochondria Stress in Serum-deprivation Induced Apoptosis of Rat Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

The poor survival of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) compromises the efficacy of stem cell therapy. Growth factor deprivation is one of the important factors that have challenged the survival of donor MSCs in cell therapy. In this study, the aim was to evaluate the effect of serum deprivation on the cell death of MSCs and to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Apoptosis of MSCs was evaluated with Hoechst 33342/PI staining. Signaling pathways involved in serum-deprivation induced apoptosis were analyzed using Western blotting. The results revealed that serum deprivation induced apoptosis in MSCs within 72 h of treatment. Serum deprivation was shown to lead to protein expression alterations in Bax, Bcl-2, casepase-3, casepase-8, GRP78, and CHOP during experiments. The data suggested that the mitochondria death pathway, the extrinsic apoptotic pathway and the endoplastic reticulum(ER) stress pathway were all involved in MSCs apoptosis. The increase in expression of CHOP and the simultaneous decrease in Bcl-2 expression suggest a synergistic effect in apoptosis induction in both the mitochondrion and the ER.

[Screening of mimic epitopes of Toxoplasma gondii antigen by phage-displayed peptide library].

Specific antibodies purified from sera of rabbit infected with Toxoplasma gondii were used to immunoscreen the 12-mer and 7-mer phage random peptide libraries. By 3 rounds of screening, 70 clones were picked out randomly to test the specificity and 43 were found positive by ELISA. 23 of the 43 positive clones showing strong reaction in ELISA were picked out for sequencing. Clone A7 was selected as mimic antigen in ELISA test after analysis of the 23 short peptide sequences. 23 out of 47 sera from rabbits infected with Toxoplasma gondii were ELISA positive by A7 mimic antigen with a positive rate of 68.1%, and 10 of 155 sera from healthy persons showed false positive with a specificity of 93.5%. The primary result suggests that mimic antigen may have a potential use in diagnose of toxoplasmosis.

Comparison of surgical and endovascular approaches in the management of multiple intracranial aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the outcomes and safety of endovascular compared with surgical clipping for multiple intracranial aneurysms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 98 patients with 260 multiple intracranial aneurysms were treated with endovascular, surgical clipping, combined treatment, and observation. Data were retrospectively studied following treatment and at follow-up. RESULTS: In the endovascular group, 44 aneurysms were treated with coils only and 29 aneurysms were treated with stent deployment. The complete occlusion rate was 65%, and the total complication rate was 12% with no permanent deficit. After angiographic follow-up for 1-90 (mean 62) months, the total recurrence rate was 18.3%. In the clipping group, 65 aneurysms were clipped. The complete occlusion rate was 90.8%, and the complication rate was 10.9% with 1 permanent deficit. After follow-up for 11-71 (mean 49) months, the angiographic recurrence rate was 1.5%. In the combination group, 20 aneurysms were treated endovascularly. The complete occlusion rate was 78.9%, and the complication rate was 15.8% with no permanent deficit. Twenty-eight aneurysms were treated surgically with the complete occlusion rate of 89.3%, the complication rate of 20% and 3 permanent deficits. After follow-up for 1-93 (mean 58) months, the angiographic recurrence rate was 33.3% for embolization and 3.6% for clipping. Seventy-four aneurysms for observation had 2.7% regrowth rate within 1-3 years. CONCLUSION: Endovascular embolization has an accepted complication rate but no neurological deficits compared with surgical clipping and may be a better approach for multiple intracranial aneurysms than surgical clipping.

[Investigation on Entamoeba histolytica infection in diarrhea patients from general hospitals in Shanghai City].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the status of Entamoeba histolytica infection in diarrhea patients in general hospitals, so as to provide the evidences for the prevention and control of the disease. METHODS: The diarrhea patients in intestinal disease clinics of 3 general hospitals in Shanghai City were chosen as the investigation objectives, and their fecal and blood samples were collected, and then were detected by the normal saline direct smear method and iodine solution staining, immunochromatographic method and ELISA respectively to understand the infection status of E. histolytica, and the characteristics of the infected persons were analyzed. RESULTS Totally 1 015 fecal samples were detected, and among which 36 positive ones were detected by parasitological examinations, with a general positive rate of 3.55%. There were no statistically significant differences among the positive rates of patients from the three hospitals (P > 0.05), nor between or among those of the patients with different sexes, ages, occupations and education levels (all P > 0.05). The positive rate of E. histolytica in bloody purulent stools was higher than those in loose stools and watery stools (both P < 0.01). The peak period of infection was from July to September. Among the 36 infected people detected by parasitological examination, 88.90% of them complained about abdominal pain, and the red blood cells and leucocyte cells were found in the stool samples of 75.00% and 22.23% of the cases, respectively. The positive rates of E. histolytica were 8.18% (83/1 015) and 7.12% (48/675) respectively when detected by the immunochromatographic method and ELISA. CONCLUSIONS: Summer and autumn are the high risk seasons for E. histolytica infection, and the surveillance should be strengthened in this period. The positive rate of E. histolytica in samples of bloody purulent stools is high, and the combined application of several detection methods can increase the detection rate.

[A rapid procedure to purify serum IgG from Microtus fotis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the procedure to purify IgG antibodies from Microtus fotis serum. METHODS: IgG antibodies from sera of three groups of Microtus fotis were purified by protein G or protein A affinity chromatography, their purity and binding capacity were compared. RESULTS: The protein G affinity chromatography was more efficient than protein A affinity chromatography. The antibodies isolated from protein G affinity chromatography showed a higher purity and better activity than that from protein A affinity chromatography monitored by SDS-PAGE and ELISA. The ability of the purified IgG to bind the second antibodies were 8.5 times and 3.1 times that of non-IgG proteins and unpurified sera, respectively. CONCLUSION: The protein G affinity chromatography is a rapid, convenient and reliable procedure for Microtus fotis serum IgG purification.