Exploration of the Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of a Novel Antimicrobial Peptide Brevinin-1BW.

Antibiotic resistance has emerged as a grave threat to global public health, leading to an increasing number of treatment failures. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are widely regarded as potential substitutes for traditional antibiotics since they are less likely to induce resistance when used. A novel AMP named Brevinin-1BW (FLPLLAGLAASFLPTIFCKISRKC) was obtained by the Research Center of Molecular Medicine of Yunnan Province from the skin of the Pelophylax nigromaculatus. Brevinia-1BW had effective inhibitory effects on Gram-positive bacteria, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 3.125 µg/mL against Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212) and 6.25 µg/mL against both Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213) but had weaker inhibitory effects on Gram-negative bacteria, with a MIC of ≥100 µg/mL. Studies using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and flow cytometry have revealed that it exerts its antibacterial activity by disrupting bacterial membranes. Additionally, it possesses strong biofilm inhibitory and eradication activities as well as significant lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding activity. Furthermore, Brevinin-1BW has shown a significant anti-inflammatory effect in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. In conclusion, Brevinin-1BW is anticipated to be a promising clinical agent with potent anti-Gram-positive bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

KIR2DL4/HLA-G polymorphisms were associated with HCV infection susceptibility among Chinese high-risk population.

Killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors 2DL4 (KIR2DL4) and the human leukocyte antigen class I-G (HLA-G) display vital parts in immune responses against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We select four potentially functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of KIR/HLA to explore the associations between KIR2DL4/HLA-G genetic variants and HCV infection results. In the present case-control study, a total of 2225 HCV-infected high-risk subjects, including 1778 paid blood donors (PBD) and 447 drug users were consecutively recruited before treatment from 2011 to 2018. KIR2DL4-rs660773, KIR2DL4-rs660437, HLA-G-rs9380142, and HLA-G-rs1707 SNPs were sorted as genotypes in the subdivided groups, involving 1095 uninfected controls subjects, 432 spontaneous HCV clearance subjects and 698 HCV persistent infection subjects. After genotyping experiments using the TaqMan-MGB assay, modified logistic regression was used to calculate the correlation among the SNPs and HCV infection. The SNPs were functionally annotated using bioinformatics analysis. Following adjusting by age, sex, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, IFNL3-rs12979860, IFNL3-rs8099917, and the infection route, the logistic regression analysis discovered that KIR2DL4-rs660773 and HLA-G-rs9380142 were correlated with vulnerability to HCV infection (all p < 0.05). In a locus-dosage way, compared with subjects carrying the rs9380142-AA or rs660773-AA genotypes, subjects with rs9380142-AG or rs660773-AG/GG (all p < 0.05) were more vulnerable to HCV infection; the overall impact of their risk genotypes (rs9380142-AGrs660773-AG/GG) was correlated with an elevated incidence of HCV infection (ptrend < 0.001). In the Haplotype analysis, patients with haplotype AG were more likely to contract HCV compared to those with the highest common AA haplotype (p = 0.002) were higher in susceptibility to infect HCV. The SNPinfo web server estimated that rs660773 is a transcription factor binding site, whereas rs9380142 is a potential microRNA-binding site. In two Chinese high-risk population (PBD and drug uesrs), KIR2DL4 rs660773-G and HLA-G rs9380142-G alleles polymorphisms are related to HCV susceptibility. KIR2DL4/HLA-G pathway genes might affect the innate immune responses by regulating KIR2DL4/HLA-G transcription and translation play a potential role in HCV infection.

MicroRNA-206 inhibits HCV proliferation through depressing ACC1 lipid synthesis signalling pathway.

MicroRNAs are considered to play important roles in cell biological and pathological progress. microRNA-206 (miR-206) was reported to participate in lipogenesis, and lipid droplets were necessary for the life cycle of HCV proliferation. Whether miR-206 was associated with HCV proliferation and the potential mechanism are not clear. In this study, we firstly identified that miR-206 could inhibit HCV proliferation at the RNA and protein level. Bioinformatical prediction of target genes binding to miR-206 was performed to investigate whether inhibiting function was due to a lipogenesis pathway. Then, the acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1) gene was selected as target gene of miR-206. The dual-luciferase reporter assay results showed that luciferase significantly decreased in cells transfected with 3'-UTR of the ACC1 gene and miR-206. The RNA and protein levels of the ACC1 gene and its pathway genes were significantly lower in cells transfected with miR-206 than in controls. Furthermore, the lipid droplet numbers also significantly decreased in cells transfected with miR-206. In conclusion, miR-206 could inhibit HCV proliferation through depressing ACC1 lipogenesis pathway and decreasing the lipid droplet numbers. miR-206 might be used as anti-HCV biochemical drug in the future.

Phylogenetic characteristics of HIV among female cross-border travelers in Yunnan province between 2003 and 2012.

Sexual transmission is currently the main mode of transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In this study, 181 HIV-infected female cross-border travelers entering Yunnan province were recruited between 2003 and 2012. HIV RNAs were extracted from their frozen serum and gag-pol gene sequences were obtained for phylogenetic and recombination analyses. In total, 131 gag-pol gene sequences were obtained successfully, at a rate of 72.4%. The most prevalent subtypes were CRF01_AE, followed by CRF08_BC, subtypes B and C. The other four subjects were classified as undefined subtypes and other recombinants. The subtype distribution of intravenous drug users was significantly different from that of sexually transmitted infections and unknown groups. The genetic distances of subtype B, C, and CRF01_AE strains were all close to the reference sequences from Yunnan province and Southeast Asian countries. Gene diversity and cocirculation of multiple subtypes were observed in female cross-border travelers, and CRF01_AE was the dominant epidemic subtype. The advantages of these subtype preferences for sexual transmission were obvious in HIV infection and transmission among this population. Our findings also suggest that close attention should be given to the HIV infection status of the female migrant population. In addition, a description of their epidemic characteristics is significant for the surveillance and prevention of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in the Yunnan province.

Genetic polymorphisms of the HLA-DP and HLA-DQ genes could influence Hepatitis B virus infection in Yunnan population.

Hepatitis B, caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, is one of the epidemic and infectious hepatitis diseases. The sigle-nucleotide polymorphisms were identified to associate with HBV infection in East Asian population by genome-wide association study (GWAS), but no study in Yunnan HBV population was reported. We recruited 493 HBV patients and 460 general controls to genotype 7 GWAS SNPs, and then, the association study was performed between these SNPs and biochemical features of HBV patients. The results showed that genotype and allele frequencies of SNPs in the HLA-DP (rs3077, 9277535, and 3128917) and HLA-DQ (rs2856718 and 7453920) genes were associated with HBV infection. Significantly different genotyping frequencies were investigated among three HBV subgroups. Genotype AA of rs3130542 (HLA-C) showed significantly higher frequency in subgroup #1 patients than the other two subgroups (#1 vs. #2, p = .02; #1 vs. #3, p = .03). Meanwhile, genotype frequencies of rs3077, rs9277535, and 3128917 (HLA-DP) were significantly different between patients in subgroup #2 and #3. The indirect bilirubin level was significantly lower in patients with genotype CT of rs3077 than patients with genotype CC (p = .009) or TT (p = .016), and it also showed lower level in patients with genotype GT of rs3128917 than patients with genotype GG (p = .015). The direct bilirubin level was higher in patients with genotype TT of rs4821116 (UBE2L3) than patients with genotype CT (p = .010). In summary, we identified the association between GWAS SNPs and HBV infection or biochemical features in Yunnan HBV population.

Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in clinical sputum by a unique gene in MTB strains called Conserved protein TB18.5 (TB18.5).

A rapid and accurate diagnosis increases the treatment effect and decreases the mortality of tuberculosis (TB) patients. The purpose of this study was to establish an accurate, unique, and rapid molecular diagnostic technique to screen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) from clinical sputum. A unique gene in MTB strains called conserved protein TB18.5 (TB18.5) was selected by bioinformatics analysis. Two pairs of primers were designed to amplify TB18.5 using the nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or quantitative real-time PCR. Nine pathogens and the MTB strain were used to determine the specificity of the TB18.5 gene. The sensitivity assay was performed after optimizing the PCR conditions. The correct fragment was amplified when a 10 copy number template was used. A total of 232 sputum samples were collected from TB patients (from 2019 to 2020) to evaluate the accuracy of the molecular method in this study. MTB was first detected using the BACTEC MGIT-960 culture test and the Gene Xpert MTB/RIF assay. Totals of 195 (84.05%), 182 (78.45%), and 162 (69.83%) sputum samples were determined to be infected with MTB using nested PCR, the Gene Xpert MTB/RIF assay, and the BACTEC MGIT-960 culture test, respectively. In summary, a rapid, unique, and sensitive molecular method was established to diagnose TB infection in clinical sputum samples.

Rapid and Simultaneous Detection of Five, Viable, Foodborne Pathogenic Bacteria by Photoinduced PMAxx-Coupled Multiplex PCR in Fresh Juice.

Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae are common foodborne pathogens. In this study, the light-induced PMAxx-coupled multiplex PCR (PMAxx-mPCR) was established to detect the aforementioned five foodborne pathogens in fresh juice at the same time. Moreover, PMAxx pretreatment could effectively distinguish live bacteria from dead bacteria. The optimized PMAxx pretreatment conditions were incubation with a final concentration of 10 µmol/L PMAxx for 10 min and then photolysis for 8 min. After PMAxx pretreatment, the difference in Ct values with or without PMAxx was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. The results showed a significant difference in Ct value before and after PMAxx treatment. Finally, the bacteria-contaminated fresh juice samples treated with PMAxx dye were detected by mPCR. The detection limit of PMAxx-mPCR was 102 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL for E. coli, Shigella, P. aeruginosa, and K. pneumoniae and 103 CFU/mL for S. aureus. Compared with mPCR detection of samples without PMAxx treatment, the proposed method solved the false-positive problem due to dead bacteria. Hence, an accurate and efficient method for the simultaneous detection of five types of pathogenic bacteria was established. This method could be applied to analytical procedures for ensuring food safety.

Genetic Polymorphisms of the IFNLR1 Gene Correlate with HCV Infection and Biochemical Features of Chronic HCV Patients in Yunnan, China.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection could lead to serious liver diseases, but the pathogenic mechanisms were not completely clear. Cytokines play critical roles in infection, and the genetic polymorphisms in the cytokine genes are widely studied in infectious diseases. The variations in the IL28B gene were associated with HCV infection, viral clearance, and biochemical features of patients, but the studies of its receptor (IFNLR1/IL10RB) were rare. In this study, we collected 395 chronic HCV patients and 397 normal controls to investigate the genetic role of the IFNLR1 gene. Eight tagSNPs were genotyped, and the haplotypes were constructed. Genotypes CT (23.80% vs. 17.13%) and TT (75.19% vs. 81.36%) of rs7532146 showed higher and lower frequencies in HCV patients than that in controls (P = .022; P = .039). Haplotypes GGAATCTC (P = .028) and AAAGCCCT (P = .002) were risk factors for HCV infection, but haplotype GAAATCTT (P = .027) played protective role in HCV infection. Moreover, we identified that the ALT level was significantly lower in HCV patients with genotype TT of rs4489498 than those with other genotypes (CC vs. TT: P = .037; CT vs. TT: P = .013). HCV viral load was highest in HCV patients with genotype CC of rs4489498 than in patients with other two genotypes (CC vs. CT: P = .006; CC vs. TT: P = .039). In conclusion, the genotypes and haplotypes in the IFNLR1 gene were associated with HCV infection and biochemical features of Chinese HCV patients.

Genetic variants in IFIH1 and DDX58 influence hepatitis C virus clearance in Chinese Han population.

AIMS: To investigate the association between two RIG-I-like receptor gene polymorphisms and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Chinese Han population. METHODS: The current study genotyped two selected SNPs (IFIH1 rs3747517 and DDX58 rs9695310) using TaqMan allelic discrimination assay to assess their association with the susceptibility and clinical outcome of HCV infection among 3065 participants (1545 non-HCV infection individuals, 568 spontaneous HCV clearance cases, and 952 persistent infection patients). RESULTS: IFIH1 rs3747517 (dominant model: Adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.07-1.68; P = 0.009) and DDX58 rs9695310 (dominant model: Adjusted OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.15-1.78; P = 0.001) were associated with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). And the risk of CHC increased when people were carrying more unfavorable rs3747517-GA/AA and rs9695310-GC/CC genotypes from zero to two with the chronic rates of 56.72%, 59.38%, and 69.01%, respectively (Ptrend < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Genetic variations at IFIH1 rs3747517 and DDX58 rs9695310 were independent predictors of chronic hepatitis C in Chinese Han population.

The distinct epidemic characteristics of HCV co-infection among HIV-1-infected population caused by drug injection and sexual transmission in Yunnan, China.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was frequent in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients in Yunnan province. We studied the epidemic characteristics of HCV in HIV/HCV co-infected patients. Serum from 894 HIV-1 patients was collected, together with basic information and biochemical features. All samples were infected with HIV through injecting drug users (IDUs) and sexual transmission (ST). The NS5B gene was amplified and sequenced to affirm HCV genotype. In total, 202 HIV patients were co-infected with HCV, and most (81.19%) of co-infected patients were IDUs. Genotype 3b was predominant (37.62%) in these samples, and its frequency was similar in patients with IDU and ST. The frequencies of genotypes 1a, 1b, 3a, 6a, 6n, 2a and 6u were 3.96%, 16.34%, 23.76%, 6.93%, 10.40%, 0.50% and 0.50%, respectively. However, genotype 3a showed significantly different frequency in HCV patients with IDU and ST (P = 0.019). When HCV patients were divided into subgroups, the haemoglobin (HGB) level was significantly higher in patients with genotype 3a than in patients with 3b (P = 0.033), 6a (P = 0.006) and 6n (P = 0.007), respectively. Although no difference existed among HCV subgroups, HIV-viral load was identified to be positively correlated with the HGB level and CD4+ cells when dividing HCV/HIV co-infected persons into male and female groups. In conclusion, genotype 3b was the predominant HCV genotype in Yunnan HIV/HCV co-infected persons. The HGB level was higher in patients with genotype 3a than others. HIV-viral load was positively correlated with the HGB level and CD4+ cells in the male or female HCV-infected group.

Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay for Rapid Detection of Hypothetical Protein Gene in Escherichia Coli Clinical Isolates.

BACKGROUND: Escherichia coli is the most common pathogenic bacteria that frequently causes life-threatening opportunistic human infections, diarrhea, and septicemia in immunocompromised hosts. METHODS: This study aimed to establish a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method for the rapid and sensitive detection of a hypothetical protein from an E. coli-specific gene (GenBank ID: 13702648). The gene was obtained through local and online BLAST, and specific primers were designed for this gene. Reaction conditions were optimized at 65ºC for 30 minutes and 80ºC for 2 minutes, whereas the reaction system contained 5.2 mM Mg2+, 8 U of Bst 2.0 DNA polymerase, 1.4 mM deoxyribonucleotide, and 0.2 and 1.6 µM of the outer and inner primers, respectively. The LAMP method was evaluated using 240 strains of E. coli and 150 strains of non-E. coli. RESULTS: Positive reactions were observed on all 240 strains of E. coli while all non-E. coli strains were negative. Plasmids with the specific gene and mice blood with E. coli were used for sensitivity analysis. The detection limit of LAMP was 100 bacterium/reaction. CONCLUSIONS: Results showed that the LAMP targeted to the hypothetical protein (GenBank ID: 13702648) is a fast, specific, sensitive, inexpensive, and suitable method for the detection of E. coli.

Genetic diversity and drug resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Yunnan, China.

BACKGROUND: China is a country with high burden of tuberculosis (TB), especially drug-resistant TB (DR-TB), which is still a serious health problem in Yunnan Province. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is the pathogenic microorganism of TB. The epidemiological characteristics of MTB strains in local areas need to be described. METHODS: A total of 430 clinical MTB isolates were collected from Yunnan Province and genotyped through the method of 24-locus mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number tandem DNA repeats (MIRU-VNTR). RESULTS: The genotypes of the 24 loci showed abundantly genetic diversity, and allelic diversity index (h) of these loci varied from 0.012 to 0.817. Among the 430 strains, 30 clusters and 370 unique genotypes were identified. Beijing family was the predominant lineage (70.47%) in Yunnan MTB strains, and the other lineages contained T family (5.81%), MANU2 (0.70%), LAM (3.26%), CAS (0.23%), New-1 (8.37%), and some unknown clades (11.16%). A total of 74 TB strains were identified as drug resistance through drug susceptibility testing (DST), including 38 multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and 36 single-drug-resistant TB (SDR-TB). The frequency of MDR-TB strains was significantly higher in Beijing family (10.89%) than that in non-Beijing family (3.94%, P = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Although MTB strains showed high genetic diversity in Yunnan, China, the Beijing family was still the dominant strain. A high frequency of MDR-TB strains was recorded in the Beijing family.

High prevalence of HIV-1 transmitted drug resistance among therapy-naïve Burmese entering travelers at Dehong ports in Yunnan, China.

BACKGROUND: The overall success of Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) antiretroviral therapy (ART) was heavily challenged upon the occurrence of drug resistance. Dehong Prefecture witnessed not only the first report of HIV-1 infection but also the experimental adoption of antiviral treatment in China. The transmission and epidemic of HIV-1 in Dehong is impacted by cross-border activities. The characteristics of HIV-1 drug resistance among therapy-naïve Burmese entering travelers in Yunnan and their speculated origin are still not clarified. METHODS: Two hundred ninety-eight HIV-1 infected Burmese entering travelers at Dehong ports were recruited between 2003 and 2012. The partial HIV-1 pol gene fragments were amplified and sequenced for the analysis of drug-resistance mutations (DRMs). Phylogenetic analysis on gag-pol gene was conducted to elucidate phylogenetic and evolutionary characteristics of these drug resistant strains. RESULTS: It was figured out that the occurrence ratio of HIV-1 drug resistance among HIV-1 infected entering travelers from Myanmar was up to 12.8%. The resistant mutations covered several types, including one type of PI mutations (L33F), six types of NRTI mutations and seven types of NNRTI. Close genetic relationship was observed in the phylogenetic analysis on gag-pol gene among the drug resistant strains respectively from Dehong, other Yunnan areas, neighboring provinces (Guangxi) and neighboring countries (Thailand and Myanmar). CONCLUSIONS: The findings in this study revealed that HIV drug resistant locus is spreading from the population who is receiving drug-resistance treatment to the new infectors, which indicates the urgency of surveillance work on drug resistance among the migrant population with high risks of HIV infection.

Completely genomic and evolutionary characteristics of human-dominant G9P[8] group A rotavirus strains in Yunnan, China.

G9P[8] rotavirus A (RVA) has been identified as the predominant genotype circulating in Yunnan, China. To elucidate the molecular characteristics of its genetic composition at the whole-genome level, the genomes of 12 strains isolated from paediatric patients with diarrhoea were fully sequenced and characterized. Eleven of the 12 strains were genotyped as G9-P[8]-I1-R1-C1-M1-A1-N1-T1-E1-H1, which is closely related to the Wa-like genotype 1 constellation. In contrast, one strain was genotyped as G9-P[8]-I1-R1-C1-M1-A1-N2-T1-E1-H1, with the NSP2 gene characterized as a DS-1 like genotype. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis indicated that G9 strains had emerged in 1932 with an estimated average evolutionary rate of 1.63×10-3 substitutions/site/year. Considering the high prevalence and fast evolutionary rate of G9P[8] rotaviruses, our results suggest that G9P[8] RVA should be strictly monitored in China.

Phylogenetic characteristics of HIV-1 among travelers entering China from Myanmar: A retrospective study.

Due to the open policy of the Chinese government, a large number of Burmese individuals enter China at land ports in Yunnan province for travel or business. However, the situation of HIV-1 infection and its phylogenetic characteristics among these travelers remains unclear, which is a potential threat to public health. From January 2003 to December 2012, a total of 1,961 travelers were detected to be positive for HIV-1 infection at land ports between Myanmar and Yunnan province, China. From 1153 (58.8%) Burmese of them, we randomly collected 489 serum samples for HIV-1 subtype/recombinant analysis. Based on successfully obtained 223 gag-RT sequences, 187 of them were genotyped as 2 subtypes and 3 CRFs. CRF01_AE was showed to be the most prevalent genotype (54.3%), followed by subtypes C (13.5%) and B (10.8%). Notably, CRF07_BC (1.3%) and CRF08_BC (4.0%) were mainly distributed in travelers from Shan state and Kachin (91.7%, 11/12), but was not found in travelers from the capital city of Yangon (0/16). Additionally, there were 36 samples (16.1%) were preliminary determined as unique recombinant forms (URFs). The higher HIV-1 infection among entering travelers from Myanmar and its diverse and complex genotypes distribution suggest this bridge population may facilitate the transmission of HIV-1. It is necessary to have the strict monitoring on this population for prevention of HIV-1 cross-border transmission.

The prevalence and genotype distribution of rotavirus A infection among children with acute gastroenteritis in Kunming, China.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of rotavirus A (RVA) infections in children from Kunming, China, and the RVA genotypes present. A total of 16,311 children with acute gastroenteritis were recruited for the study, and 33.1 % (5,394/16,311) were RVA positive. Children under 24 months of age were more susceptible to RVA infection, with an infection rate of 87.4 % (4,712/5,394). The most prevalent genotype was G9P[8] (85/107, 79.4 %), which showed high sequence similarity to G9P[8] strains from other regions of China and neighbouring countries, but not to the licensed vaccine strain LLR. These findings should be useful for the prevention of RVA infections.

Ethnic and geographic variations in HPV prevalence and genotype distribution in north-western Yunnan, China.

The prevalence and genotype distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) vary throughout the world. To assess the prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV among three ethnic groups in two geographic locations in north-western Yunnan, we recruited 522 women in Shangri-le (n = 255) and Lijiang (n = 267). PCR amplification of HPV DNA was performed on cervical cells from these women using two consensus primer systems (MY09/11 and GP5/6). Amplified-HPV DNA was genotyped using the HPV GenoArray test. Geographically, the HPV prevalence was significantly higher (P = 0.002) among Shangri-le women than among Lijiang women. Infections with high-risk (HR)-HPV and with multiple HPV genotypes were also significantly more common (P = 0.001) among women in Shangri-le than women in Lijiang. Additionally, the prevalence of overall, HR-HPV, and single genotype HPV infections was significantly higher (P = 0.001) among Tibetan women than among Naxi and Han women. HPV-16 and HPV-33 were significantly more frequent in Shangri-le women compared with Lijiang (P = 0.006) women. In addition, HPV-16 (9.81%) and HPV-33 (5.88%) were significantly more prevalent in Tibetan women than in Naxi and Han women. Here, for the first time, we highlight the significant variation in the prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV in various populations in the north-western region of Yunnan Province.

Epidemiologic characterization of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in various regions of Yunnan Province of China.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to determine the Human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence and its distribution of genotypes in various regions of Yunnan Province, China. METHOD: In this study, participants were recruited during routine gynecologic examination between Oct 2013 and Feb 2015. A total of 17,898 women were recruited. Polymerase chain reaction was used for detecting the HPV positive samples and HPV geno-array test was used for genotyping. RESULTS: The overall HPV infection rate (19.9 %) among the south-western women was significantly higher (P = 0.001) than that among the north-western (18.0 %), south-eastern (13.3 %), north-eastern (11.1 %) and central women (12.9 %). The high-risk (HR) (18.1 %, P = 0.001) and single genotype (16.7 %, P = 0.001) infection rates among the South-western women were also significantly higher than those of among the north-western (13.9 %, 11.3 %), south-eastern (11.6 %, 10.5 %), north-eastern (9.6 %, 9.1 %) and central women (10.5 %, 10.0 %), respectively. While, the infections with multiple HPV (4.2 %) genotypes were significantly more common (P = 0.001) among women in north-western Yunnan than women in the south-western (1.3 %, 3.1 %), south-eastern (1.7 %, 2.7 %), north-eastern (1.5 %, 2.0 %) and central Yunnan (2.4 %, 2.9 %). A total of 30 HPV genotypes were detected; among them 13 were HR-HPV, 3 were PHR-HPV (Potential High risk), 8 were LR-HPV (Low risk) and six were unclassified. The most common HPV genotypes were HPV-52, 16, 58, 53 in control group, HPV-16, 52, 58, 39 and 53 in CINI (Cervical intraepithelial Neoplasia), HPV-52, 16, 58, 33, 53 and 81 in CINII, HPV16, 58, 18, 52, 81 in CINIII and HPV-16 18, 58, 52 in cervical cancer (CC), respectively. Such variation has also been observed about distribution of HPV genotypes distribution among single and multiple infections. CONCLUSION: This study gives an epidemiological estimate of HPV prevalence and different genotype distribution in various region of Yunnan province and further explains its prevalence in different neoplastic lesions. Overall HPV-16, 52, 58, and 18 are the leading HR-HPV genotypes.

Analysis of Biochemical Features of Hepatitis B Virus Infected Patients in Southwest China.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B is one of the most common infectious diseases in China, and it is necessary to study biochemical indicators of HBV infected patients. METHODS: Biochemical and basic features of 1765 HBV infected patients and 840 general controls were collected and analyzed from Southwest China. RESULTS: A total of 23.5% of the patients were children or young persons (less than 40 years old). The co-infected rate was only 0.3% for those who were co-infected with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) or Treponema pallidum (TPa). Most of patients (1081 individuals) were under convalescent condition, and 4.2% and 34.6% HBV patients were at acute and chronic phase, respectively. The indicators of liver function were significantly different between HBV patients and normal controls. In order to further study the variation of biochemical features in HBV patients in different phase, they were divided into three groups (sample #1: patients in acute infected phase; sample #2: patients in chronic infected phase; and sample #3: patients in convalescent condition). Excluding total protein and globin, all other indicators of liver function were statically different among the three groups. Total protein and albumin gradually decreased from convalescent patients, chronic HBV-infected patients, to acute HBV-infected patients. CONCLUSIONS: Biochemical features could be used to evaluate the progress and therapeutic effects of HBV-infection. Our analysis firstly reported basic and biochemical information of HBV patients in Southwest China.

HIV-1 prevalence and subtype/recombinant distribution among travelers entering China from Vietnam at the HeKou port in the Yunnan province, China, between 2003 and 2012.

The aim of this study was to assess HIV-1 prevalence and the distribution of HIV-1 subtypes among travelers crossing the border at the HeKou land port. Between 2003 and 2012, 22,799 persons were randomly recruited from people entering China from Vietnam. In this crossing border population, a total of 161 (0.71%) travelers were determined as HIV-1-positive. From them, 140 HIV-1-positive serum samples were collected for RNA extraction and subsequent RT-nested PCR amplification of the group-specific antigen (gag)-RT with a length of 2.6 kb. The DNA sequences were analyzed to determine the HIV-1 subtypes/recombinants. We found that the circulating recombinant form 01_AE (CRF01_AE) was the most common HIV-1 subtype, accounting for 49.4% (41/83) of the subtyped 83 samples, followed by CRF08_BC (26.5%, 22/83) and CRF07_BC (7.2%, 6/83). Only 1 sample was classified as subtype C. Thirteen cases could not be clustered into any known subtypes or CRFs and presented as unique recombinant forms (URFs). Of them, 6 recombination patterns were identified. They had distinct structures consisting of fragments of subtypes B, C, CRF01_AE, CRF07_BC and CRF08_BC. Between 2003 and 2012, CRF01_AE and CRE08_BC were shown to be the most prevalent recombinant forms identified each year. But yearly change of each subtype is uncertain regular among in these travelers during the past decade. Understanding the distribution of HIV-1 subtypes/recombinants and how it changes across time among individuals entering China from Vietnam through this land port is crucial to establish strategies for the prevention of HIV cross-border transmission.