Metagenomic next-generation sequencing in the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis: A case report.

BACKGROUND: The clinical symptoms and imaging manifestations of neurocysticercosis (NCC) are very different, and the difficulty and delay of clinical diagnoses may lead to an increase in mortality and disability. Rapid and accurate pathogen identification is important for the treatment of these patients. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is a powerful tool to identify pathogens, especially in infections that are difficult to identify by conventional methods. CASE SUMMARY: A 43-year-old male patient was admitted due to a recurrent headache for a few months. Imaging examinations showed hydrocephalus and cystic lesions, which were considered to be a central nervous system infection, but no etiology was found by routine examination. mNGS of the cerebrospinal fluid revealed high Taenia solium reads, and the positive results of a cysticercosis antibody test confirmed the infection. Combined with the patient's clinical manifestations, the etiological evidence, and the imaging manifestation, the patient was finally diagnosed with NCC and he was prescribed dexamethasone, albendazole, neurotrophic drugs, and intracranial pressure reduction therapy. The headaches disappeared after anti-parasite treatment, and no associated symptoms recurred prior to the three- and six-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: As an accurate and sensitivity detection method, mNGS can be a reliable approach for the diagnosis of NCC.

Influence of polymorphisms in the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway genes on hepatocellular carcinoma risk in a Chinese Han population.

The Wnt/ß-catenin pathway plays a vital role in initiating and sustaining hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, few studies have investigated polymorphisms in the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway genes in the Chinese Han population. The aim of the present retrospective study was to investigate the correlations between polymorphisms of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway genes (CTNNB1 and WNT2) and HCC susceptibility, development, and progression.Twenty tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms were chosen from HapMap data and genotyped in 320 patients with HCC, 320 chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients without HCC (N-HCC, including 95 liver cirrhosis, 164 chronic hepatitis B, and 61 asymptomatic HBV carriers), and 320 healthy controls. Associations between polymorphisms in the 2 Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway genes (CTNNB1 and WNT2) and HCC susceptibility, development, and progression were investigated.Genotype AA (P = 0.002, odds ratio [OR] = 2.524) and allele A (P = 0.0003, OR = 1.613) of the WNT2 rs4730775 polymorphism were associated with HCC susceptibility compared with healthy controls. Genotype GA (P = 0.001, OR = 0.567) and allele A (P = 0.002, OR = 0.652) of rs3864004, and genotype AG (P = 0.0004, OR = 0.495) and allele G (P = 0.001, OR = 0.596) of rs11564475 in the CTNNB1 gene were correlated with HCC compared with N-HCC patients. These findings were consistent in dominant and recessive models. Multidimensionality reduction analysis revealed that interactions among rs3864004, rs11564475, and rs4730775 were significantly associated with HCC compared with N-HCC patients. The polymorphism rs4135385 of CTNNB1 genotype GA was associated with a higher risk for Stage III + IV HCC (modified Union for International Cancer Control) (P = 0.001, OR = 2.238).Genetic polymorphisms in the WNT2 and CTNNB1 genes were closely associated with HCC risk and progression in a Chinese Han population.

[Expression, purification and identification of St. Louis encephalitis virus-like particles in eukaryotic cells].

OBJECTIVE: To express St. Louis encephalitis virus-like particles in mammalian cells, it will provide a prerequisite for further immunological diagnostic studies. METHODS: 293T-cell were transiently transfected with recombinant PreM-E plasmid. Expression and antigenicity of the purified protein were determined by transmission electron microscope (TEM), Western-Blot, immunofluorescence assay and ELISA. RESULTS: Recombinant subviral particles, about 50 nm in diameter, were observed by TEM in the supernatant of transfected cells. The results of Western-Blot, IFA and ELISA showed the recombinant proteins retained immunoreactivity similar to those of native virus proteins. CONCLUSION: St. Louis encephalitis virus-like particles has good antigenicity and physical appearance. It will provide a prerequisite for further immune diagnostic reagent.