Molecular detection and genetic characterization of small rodents associated Bartonella species in Zhongtiao Mountain, China.

The prevalence and molecular characteristics of Bartonella infections in small rodents in the Zhongtiao Mountain, China have been explored. In this study, the liver, spleen and kidney tissues of captured rodents were used for Bartonella spp. detection and identification by combination of real-time PCR of transfer-mRNA (ssrA) gene and traditional PCR and sequencing of citrate synthase (gltA) gene. It was shown that 49.52% of the rodents (52/105) were positive for Bartonella spp.. The infection rate in different gender (χ2 = 0.079, P = 0.778) and tissues (χ2 = 0.233, P = 0.890) of small rodents did not have statistical difference, but that in different small rodents (Fisher's exact test, P < 0.001) and habitats (χ2 = 5.483, P = 0.019) had statistical difference. And, the sequencing data suggests that Bartonella sequences (n = 31) were identified into three species, including 14 of B. grahamii, 3 of B. queenslandensis and 14 of unknown Bartonella species. Phylogenetic analysis showed that B. grahamii sequences were clustered with the isolates from South Korea and China, and B. queenslandensis sequences were mainly closely related to the isolates from China and Thailand. The genetic diversity analysis showed that B. grahamii and B. queenslandensis sequences exhibited noticeable intraspecies diversity. Taken together our data demonstrates the high prevalence and genetic diversity of Bartonella infections in small rodents in the Zhongtiao Mountain, especially a potential novel Bartonella specie was detected, which could benefit the prevention and control of rodent-Bartonella species in this area.

[The study on correlativity between HLA-DQ gene polymorphism and primary Sjogren's syndrome of the Han nationality in Shanxi province].

AIM: To explore the correlativity between HLA-DQ allele and primary Sjogren's syndrome(pSS) of the Han nationality in Shanxi province and to understand the pathogenesis of pSS at the gene level. METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP) technique was used to determine the alleles of HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQB1 of pSS patients and healthy populations, and the difference in their HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQB1 allelic frequencies were analyzed by using chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: (1) The gene frequency of HLA-DQA1*0501 in pSS patients was significantly higher than that in healthy controls(22.0% vs 12.0%, x(2);=7.087, P<0.05, RR=2.068). (2)The gene frequency of HLA-DQA1*0301/2 in pSS patients was significantly lower than that in controls(13.0% vs 24.5%, x(2);=8.681, P<0.05, RR=0.460). (3) The gene frequency of HLA-DQB1*0201 in pSS patients was significantly higher than that in controls(28.5% vs 18.5%, x(2);=5.563, P<0.05, RR=1.756). CONCLUSION: In Han nationality of Shanxi province, HLA-DQA1*0501 and HLA-DQB1*0201 alleles probably are susceptible genes of pSS, while HLA-DQA1*0301/2 allele probably is a protective gene of pSS.