Expression of interferon-gamma- inducible protein-10 and its receptor CXCR3 in chronic pancreatitis.

AIM: The role of CXC chemokine, interferon-gamma-inducible protein-10 and its receptor CXCR3 in pathophysiology of chronic pancreatitis (CP) is not very clear. Hence, this study was carried out to analyze the expression of CXCL10 and CXCR3 in CP tissues. METHODS: Pancreatic tissues from 25 histopathologically graded CP cases (11 alcohol associated CP, 5 confirmed idiopathic and 9 of undefined nature) and 10 normal cases were studied. Tissues were subjected to real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot analysis for CXCL10 and CXCR3 expression. RESULTS: Real-time (RT)-PCR revealed increased expression of CXCL10 (13-fold) and CXCR3 (7-fold) in CP tissue. The immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis of the same showed significant increased protein expression and correlated well with the histopathological grades. The CXCL10 was localized mainly in the cytoplasm of pancreatic acinar cells and expression increased from grade I to grade II and declined in grade III while no expression was recorded in normal. The CXCR3 was expressed strongly at the acinar cell membrane in CP as compared to normal. Further, comparative analysis by semiquantitative RT-PCR analysis was performed for other CXC/CC chemokines (CXCL9, CXCL11, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5) and receptor (CCR5) which revealed their upregulation in the diseased state. CONCLUSION: The existence of CXCL10 and CXCR3 with other CXC/CC chemokine signature in CP is suggestive of their vital role in the progression of chronic inflammation.

Molecular heterogeneity among north Indian isolates of Group A Streptococcus.

AIM: To monitor molecular heterogeneity among the clinical isolates of group A Streptococcus (GAS) from north India by Vir and emm typing. METHODS AND RESULTS: GAS isolates, 31 from pharyngitis and nine from rheumatic fever (RF)/rheumatic heart disease (RHD) patients were differentiated into 16 Vir types (VT). These isolates were further discriminated into 23 emm types. Most of emm types were Vir type specific, except few (7.5%), which revealed different Vir types within same emm type. The most prevalent emm type found was emm 49 (15%) followed by 7.5% of emm 69, emm 71 and emm 75 which were different from emm type distribution reported from south India. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of data revealed 40% heterogeneity by Vir typing and 57.5% by emm typing among GAS isolates which is significant in view of small number of isolates studied. SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The molecular study for the first time demonstrates different emm types prevalent and circulating in northern region of India and such data may help in selection of types for vaccine development.

Association of pyrogenic exotoxin genes with pharyngitis and rheumatic fever/rheumatic heart disease among Indian isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes.

AIM: To monitor the presence of various pyrogenic exotoxin genes in strains of Streptococcus pyogenes isolated in India. METHODS & RESULTS: Isolates recovered from pharyngitis (52) and rheumatic fever (RF)/ rheumatic heart disease (RHD) (8) patients were analysed for the presence of toxin genes, speA, speB and speF, by PCR. The specificity of the products was confirmed by restriction enzyme digestion and Southern hybridization. Among the 60 isolates studied, the incidence of speA, speB and speF were 5(8.3%), 56(93.3%) and 53(88.3%), respectively. The expression of these genes was established in representative isolates by RT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS: Comparative analysis of frequency of the speA, speB and speF genes, among pharyngitis and RF/RHD associated isolates, showed higher incidence in RF/RHD (25%, 100%,100%) as compared to pharyngitis patients (5.8%, 92.3%, 86.5%), respectively. SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY: The presence of the speA gene, which is usually associated with scarlet fever or toxic shock-like syndrome, within few Indian isolates may be indicative of new virulent strains circulating within the Indian community. High distribution of toxin genes among RF/RHD compared to pharyngitis isolates indicate their possible role in increased virulence.