Oral immunizations with Bacillus subtilis spores displaying VP19 protein provide protection against Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV) infection in grouper.

Disease caused by Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV) results in major economic losses in the global grouper aquaculture industry. Vaccination is considered to be the most effective way to protect grouper from SGIV. In this study, the spores of Bacillus subtilis (B.subtilis) WB600 were utilized as the vehicle that the VP19 protein was displayed on the spores surface. To further investigate the effect of oral vaccination, the grouper were orally immunized with B.s-CotC-19 spores. After challenged, the survival rate of grouper orally vaccinated with B.s-CotC-19 spores was 34.5% and the relative percent survival (RPS) was 28.7% compared to the PBS group. Moreover, the viral load in the tissues of the B.s-CotC-19 group was significantly lower than that of the PBS group. The histopathological sections of head kidney and liver tissue from the B.s-CotC-19 group showed significantly less histopathology compared to the PBS group. In addition, the specific IgM levels in serum in the B.s-CotC-19 group was higher than those in the PBS group. In the hindgut tissue, the immune-related gene expression detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) exhibited an increasing trend in different degrees in the B.s-CotC-19 group, suggesting that the innate and adaptive immune responses were activated. These results indicated that the oral administration of recombinant B.subtilis spores was effective for preventing SGIV infection. This study provided a feasible strategy for the controlling of fish virus diseases.

Surface display of major capsid protein on Bacillus subtilis spores against largemouth bass virus (LMBV) for oral administration.

Largemouth bass virus (LMBV) infections resulting in enormous loss are becoming an increasing problem in the largemouth bass industry. Oral vaccination is considered to be an effective and economical measure because of the advantages of non-invasion, no size limitation, lower cost and easily-operated. Based on Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) spores, this study successfully constructed the CotC-LMBV recombinant B. subtilis spores and its protective efficacy and immune responses were evaluated. After challenged, the survival rate of largemouth bass orally vaccinated with CotC-LMBV spores was 53.3% and the relative percent survival (RPS) was 45.0% compared to the PBS group. In addition, the specific IgM level in serum in the CotC-LMBV group was significantly higher than in the control groups. In the spleen, the immune-related genes expression detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) exhibited an increasing trend in different degrees in the CotC-LMBV group, suggesting that innate and adaptive immune responses were activated. This study indicated that oral administration of CotC-LMBV recombinant spores could stimulate an effective immune response and enhance fish immunity against LMBV infection. Therefore, oral vaccination could be an effective approach for the prevention of largemouth bass virus disease.

Features of developmental functions and autistic profiles in children with fragile X syndrome.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we investigated the developmental functions and autistic profiles in children with Fragile X syndrome (FXS). In addition, we established the relationships between developmental and autistic profiles in these children. METHODS: The medical records of 12 children with FXS, aged 2 to 7 years, were collected. Fifteen children with autism, without FXS, who were age- and sex-matched were selected as the comparison group. All children underwent assessments of developmental functions according to the Chinese Child Development Inventory (CCDI), and autistic profiles according to the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Differences in genders between the two groups were determined with the Fisher's exact test. Differences in developmental functions (CCDI) and autistic profiles (CARS) between the two groups were compared using Mann-Whitney U test and Bonferroni adjustment. The Spearman's rho correlation was used to determine the relationship of developmental functions and autistic profiles. RESULTS: All developmental functions in children with FXS were better than those with autism except for gross motor, fine motor and expressive language functions. Children with FXS had the worst expressive language function (56% Development Quotient, DQ) as compared with other developmental functions (> 70% DQ). The major difference between the children with FXS and those with autism was personal social function with a difference of 33% DQ. The average total CARS score were lower in children with FXS (average score, 28) than children with autism (average score, 34). Spearman's correlation demonstrated the CARS total score were negatively correlated with all developmental functions, except for gross motor function. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the FXS children had multifaceted and disproportional development patterns in motor, speech and social domains when compared with the autism children without FXS. The developmental functions were inversely correlated with autistic profiles. Therefore, when applying comprehensive assessment, we were able to identify the special developmental features in children with FXS.