重组结核杆菌分泌融合蛋白活性鉴定及应用

目的研究融合表达结核分枝杆菌分泌蛋白CFP10-ESAT-6或ESAT-6-CFP10免疫学特性.方法将一个柔性的氨基酸接头插入原核表达载体pET32c（＋）中,构建pET32c（＋）-linker.PCR法扩增CFP10、ESAT-6基因.将CFP10克隆入改建的载体pET32c（＋）的linker前,ESAT-6克隆入linker后,构建CFP10-ESAT-6融合基因;或将ESAT-6克隆入改建载体pET32c（＋）的linker前,CFP10克隆入linker后,构建ESAT-6-CFP10融合基因,分别转化大肠埃希菌XL1-blue,抽提质粒,酶切鉴定;在大肠埃希菌BL21中表达,通过Western blot分析其抗原性.结果 2个目的基因分别被按顺序成功克隆入载体pET32c（＋）的linker前或后.重组质粒pET32c（＋）-CFP10-ESAT-6或pET32c（＋）-ESAT-6-CFP10靶基因的测序结果与预计序列完全一致.融合蛋白在BL21菌中高效表达.Western blot分析表明,融合蛋白与活性肺结核患者血清能发生特异性免疫反应.结论成功地构建了多抗原基因DNA质粒;pET32c（＋）-CFP10-ESAT-6或pET32c（＋）-ESAT-6-CFP10质粒在BL21菌中能高效表达rCFP10-ESAT-6或rESAT-6-CFP10融合蛋白,该蛋白兼具CFP10和ESAT-6两种蛋白的抗原性.     

重组结核分枝杆菌特异性分泌抗原融合蛋白的活性鉴定及初步应用

目的：融合表达结核分枝杆菌分泌蛋白CFP10-ESAT-6或ESAT-6-CFP10，研究其免疫学特性，为结核病的血清学诊断提供物质基础。方法：将一个柔性的氨基酸“接头”插入原核表达载体pET32c（＋）中，构建pET32c（＋）-linker。PCR法扩增CFP10、ESAT-6基因。将CFP10克隆入改建的载体pET32e（＋）的linker前，ESAT-6克隆入linker后，构建CFP10-ESAT-6融合基因；或将ESAT-6克隆入改建的载体pET32c（＋）的linker前，CFP10克隆入linker后，构建ESAT-6-CFP10融合基因，分别转化大肠杆菌XL1-blue，抽提质粒，酶切鉴定；在大肠杆菌B121中表达，通过Western blot分析其抗原性。结果：两个目的基因分别被按顺序成功克隆入载体pET32c（＋）的linker前或后。重组质粒pET32c（＋）-CFP10-ESAT-6或pET32c（＋）-ESAT-6-CFP10靶基因的测序结果与预计序列完全一致。融合蛋白在B121菌中高效表达。Western blot分析表明，融合蛋白与活动性肺结核患者血清能发生特异性免疫反应。结论：成功地构建了多抗原基因DNA质粒；pET32e（＋）-CFP10-ESAT-6或pET32c（＋）-ESAT-6-CFP10质粒在B121菌中能高效表达rCFP10-ESAT-6或rESAT-6-CFP10融合蛋白，该蛋白兼具CFP10和ESAT-6两种蛋白的抗原性。本研究为rCFP10-ESAT-6或rESAT-6-CFP10融合蛋白在结核病血清学诊断中应用奠定了基础。     

结核分枝杆菌特异性分泌抗原克隆和融合表达及抗原性鉴定

目的融合表达结核分枝杆菌分泌蛋白CFP 10-ESAT-6或ESAT-6-CFP 10，研究其免疫学特性，为结核病的血清学诊断提供物质基础。方法将一个柔性的氨基酸“接头”插入原核表达载体pET32c（＋）中，构建pET32c（＋）-linker。PCR法扩增CFP 10、ESAT～6基因。将CFP 10克隆入改建的载体pET32c（＋）的linker前，ESAT-6克隆入linker后。构建CFP 10-ESAT-6融合基因；或将ESAT-6克隆入改建的载体pET32c（＋）linker前，CFP 10克隆入linker后，构建ESAT-6-CFP 10融合基因，分别转化大肠杆菌XL 1—blue，抽提质粒，酶切鉴定；在大肠肝菌BL21中表达，通过Westernblot分析其抗原性。结果二个目的基因分别被按顺序成功克隆入载体pET32c（＋）的linker前或后。重组质粒pET32c（＋）-CFP 10-ESAT-6或pET32c（＋）-ESAT-6-CFPl0靶基因的测序结果与预计序列完全一致。融合蛋白在BL21菌中高效表达。Westernblot分析表明，融合蛋白与活动性肺结核患者血清能发生特异性免疫反应。结论成功地构建了多抗原基因DNA质粒；pETB2c（＋）-CFP 10-ESAT-6或pET32c（＋）-ESAT-6-CFP10质粒在BL21菌中能高效表达rCFP10-ESAT-6或rESAT-6-CFP 10融合蛋白，该蛋白兼具CFP 10和ESAT-6二种蛋白的抗原性。本研究为rCFP 10-ESAT-6或rESAT-6-CFP10融合蛋白在结核病血清学诊断的中应用奠定了基础。     

ESAT-6/CFP-10融合蛋白的抗原性分析及其对诊断结核临床应用价值

目的 分析ESAT-6/CFP-10融合蛋白作为结核抗原的特性,并探讨以其作为抗原的酶联免疫斑点实验(ELISPOT)在结核诊断中的应用价值.方法 以ESAT-6/CFP- 10融合蛋白为刺激抗原的EIISPOT法(ESAT-6/CFP-10-ELISPOT)检测经结核特异性抗原刺激后分泌γ干扰素的效应T淋巴细胞数量方法,测定65例单纯结核病患者,16例HIV/结核双重感染患者,20例HIV感染患者,32例非结核呼吸道疾病患者,30名健康体检者外周血单个核细胞中结核菌抗原特异的T淋巴细胞的频率.结果 ESAT-6/CFP- 10-ELISPOT与结核菌素皮肤试验(TST)在所有81例结核患者中的比较,ESAT-6/CFP- 10-ELISPOT阳性率98.8％,TST阳性率为56.8％;ESAT-6/CFP-10-ELISPOT在涂阳结核组、涂阴结核组、HIV/结核双重感染组阳性率分别为100.0％、97.1％、100.0％,其敏感性远高于痰涂片检查,且各组结果差异无统计学意义;20例HIV感染组有1例阳性,非结核呼吸道疾病患者组与健康对照组均为阴性,提示ESAT-6/CFP- 10-ELISPOT方法的特异度为98.8％.结论 ESAT-6/CFP-10融合蛋白可以很好的刺激效应T淋巴细胞分泌γ干扰素,适合作为结核诊断中的特异性抗原,因而可以用于ELISPOT的检测,ESAT-6/CFP- 10-ELISPOT对结核诊断有应用价值.     

ESAT-6 and CFP-10 can be combined to reduce the cost of testing for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, but CFP-10 responses associate with active disease

Commercial tests measuring IFN-gamma responses to ESAT-6 and CFP-10 are available for diagnosing Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Measures that minimize cost and complexity will facilitate their application in less-developed countries. We investigated whether overlapping peptides representing both ESAT-6 and CFP-10 are required to detect M. tuberculosis infection in a high TB-burden country, and whether they can be combined in a single pool. ESAT-6 and CFP-10 peptides were compared in IFN-gamma enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) in 183 HIV-negative smear-positive TB cases and 1673 HIV-negative household contacts. Separate peptide pools for each antigen were compared with a combined pool in 498 contacts. Forty per cent of responsive contacts recognized both antigens, 51% only ESAT-6 and 10% only CFP-10, whereas 56% of responsive cases recognized both antigens, 30% only ESAT-6 and 13% only CFP-10. Accordingly, CFP-10 response rates were higher for TB cases (odds ratio 2.409, P<0.001). Low purified protein derivative response rates indicated that responses to CFP-10 only were non-specific in contacts. Agreement between peptides in separate versus combined pools was good (kappa=0.758, r=0.840). Therefore a combined ESAT-6/CFP-10 peptide pool provided maximum sensitivity and efficiency, but CFP-10 was mainly required to detect active disease.     

结核分支杆菌抗原ESAT-6真核表达质粒在COS-7中的表达

目的 探讨结核分支杆菌早期分泌性抗原靶ESAT—6基因真核表达重组质粒在真核细胞(COS—7)中的表达。方法 用LipofectAMINE^TM2000介导真核表达重组质粒pcDNA3．1( )—ESAT—6转染真核细胞COS—7，72h后，通过RT—PCR和Western Blotting试验鉴定ESAT—6基因在COS—7中的表达。结果 通过RT—PCR从转染了pcDNA3．1( )—ESAT—6的006—7中检测到目的基因mRNA的转录；Western Blotting试验鉴定在转染pcDNA3．1( )—ESAT—6的COS—7的细胞裂解上清液中有ESAT—6基因的表达蛋白。结论 结核杆菌早期分泌性蛋白ES—AT—6真核表达重组质粒能够在真核细胞COS—7中表达ESAT—6蛋白，为进一步研究其特性及为结核病的诊断、重组疫苗应用和免疫效应检测打下了基础。     

Immunogenicity and efficacy analyses of EPC002, ECA006, and EPCP009 protein subunit combinations as tuberculosis vaccine candidates

Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death from infectious diseases worldwide, and developing a new TB vaccine is a priority for TB control. Combining multiple immunodominant antigens to form a novel multicomponent vaccine with broad-spectrum antigens to induce protective immune responses is a trend in TB vaccine development. In this study, we used T-cell epitope-rich protein subunits to construct three antigenic combinations: EPC002, ECA006, and EPCP009. Fusion expression of purified protein EPC002f (CFP-10-linker-ESAT-6-linker-nPPE18), ECA006f (CFP-10-linker-ESAT-6-linker-Ag85B), and EPCP009f (CFP-10-linker-ESAT-6-linker-nPPE18-linker-nPstS1) and recombinant purified protein mixtures EPC002m (mix of CFP-10, ESAT-6, and nPPE18), ECA006m (mix of CFP-10, ESAT-6, and Ag85B), and EPCP009m (mix of CFP-10, ESAT-6, nPPE18, and nPstS1) were used as antigens, formulated with alum adjuvant, and the immunogenicity and efficacy were analyzed using immunity experiments with BALB/c mice. All protein-immunized groups elicited higher levels of humoral immunity, including IgG and IgG1. The IgG2a/IgG1 ratio of the EPCP009m-immunized group was the highest, followed by that of the EPCP009f-immunized group, which was significantly higher than the ratios of the other four groups. The multiplex microsphere-based cytokine immunoassay revealed that EPCP009f and EPCP009m induced the production of a wider range of cytokines than EPC002f, EPC002m, ECA006f, and ECA006m, which included Th1-type (IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α), Th2-type (IL-4, IL-6, IL-10), Th17-type (IL-17), and other proinflammatory cytokines (GM-CSF, IL-12). The enzyme-linked immunospot assays demonstrated that the EPCP009f- and EPCP009m-immunized groups had significantly higher amounts of IFN-γ than the other four groups. The in vitro mycobacterial growth inhibition assay demonstrated that EPCP009m inhibited Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) growth most strongly, followed by EPCP009f, which was significantly better than that of the other four vaccine candidates. These results indicated that EPCP009m containing four immunodominant antigens exhibited better immunogenicity and Mtb growth inhibition in vitro and may be a promising candidate vaccine for the control of TB.     

Functional analysis of XRCC4 mutations in reported microcephaly and growth defect patients in terms of radiosensitivity

Non-homologous end joining is one of the main pathways for DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair and is also implicated in V(D)J recombination in immune system. Therefore, mutations in non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) proteins were found to be associated with immunodeficiency in human as well as in model animals. Several human patients with mutations in XRCC4 were reported to exhibit microcephaly and growth defects, but unexpectedly showed normal immune function. Here, to evaluate the functionality of these disease-associated mutations of XRCC4 in terms of radiosensitivity, we generated stable transfectants expressing these mutants in XRCC4-deficient murine M10 cells and measured their radiosensitivity by colony formation assay. V83_S105del, R225X and D254Mfs^*68 were expressed at a similar level to wild-type XRCC4, while W43R, R161Q and R275X were expressed at even higher level than wild-type XRCC4. The expression levels of DNA ligase IV in the transfectants with these mutants were comparable to that in the wild-type XRCC4 transfectant. The V83S_S105del transfectant and, to a lesser extent, D254Mfs^*68 transfectant, showed substantially increased radiosensitivity compared to the wild-type XRCC4 transfectant. The W43R, R161Q, R225X and R275X transfectants showed a slight but statistically significant increase in radiosensitivity compared to the wild-type XRCC4 transfectant. When expressed as fusion proteins with Green fluorescent protein (GFP), R225X, R275X and D254Mfs^*68 localized to the cytoplasm, whereas other mutants localized to the nucleus. These results collectively indicated that the defects of XRCC4 in patients might be mainly due to insufficiency in protein quantity and impaired functionality, underscoring the importance of XRCC4’s DSB repair function in normal development.     

Screening for tuberculosis among 2381 household contacts of sputum-smear-positive cases in The Gambia

Contact investigation is a key component of tuberculosis (TB) control in developed, but not developing, countries. We aimed to measure the prevalence of TB among household contacts of sputum-smear-positive TB cases in The Gambia and to assess the sensitivity of an enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay in this regard. Household contacts of adult smear-positive TB patients were assessed by questionnaire, purified protein derivative (PPD) skin test, ELISPOT assay, physical examination, chest X-ray and sputum/gastric aspirate. Thirty-three TB cases were identified from 2174 of 2381 contacts of 317 adult smear-positive pulmonary TB patients, giving a prevalence of 1518/100000. The cases identified tended to have milder disease than those passively detected. The sensitivity of ESAT-6/CFP-10 ELISPOT test as a screening test for TB disease was estimated as 71%. Fifty-six per cent of contacts with a PPD skin test result >or=10mm induration had detectable responses to ESAT-6/CFP-10 by ELISPOT; 11% with a negative PPD skin test (<10mm) had a positive ESAT-6/CFP-10 response. Active screening for TB among contacts of TB patients may have a role in TB control in The Gambia. These individuals are a high-risk group, and the disease identified is less advanced than that found through passive case detection. An ELISPOT assay was relatively insensitive as a screening test for TB.     

结核分枝杆菌模拟抗原的筛选及初步应用

目的 通过对甲期分泌抗原-6(ESAT-6)及培养基滤过蛋白-10(CFP-10)肽库的结核分枝杆菌模拟抗原的筛选,旨在建立一个临床鉴别诊断结核分枝杆菌感染的新方法.方法 基于蛋白ESAT-6和CFP 10的序列,随机设计合成一组1 9肽库,通过γ-干扰素释放试验筛选特异性结核分枝杆菌抗原模拟多肽,并研究确立其工作浓度.结果 经过多轮筛选获得3条特异性模拟多肽,分别是P1MG、P8NV、P11LD,灵敏度分别为93.3％、90.0％、80.0％,特异性均＞90.0％;工作浓度均为2 μg/ml;将3种模拟多肽等浓度混合作为刺激原,初步临床验证试验表明,其灵敏度为95.3％,特异性为96.2％.结论 基于蛋白ESAT-6和CFP-10的序列设计、筛选、制备的混合型模拟多肽抗原,有望建立一种临床结核分枝杆菌鉴别诊断的新方法.     

优化T-SPOT. TB在区分脊柱结核与其他脊柱感染中的诊断效能

目的 探讨结核感染T细胞斑点试验(T-SPOT.TB)在脊柱结核(STB)鉴别诊断中的效能,并通过受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线最佳截断值优化诊断效能。方法 收集2010年1月—2019年5月某院脊柱感染患者的临床资料,包括术前T-SPOT.TB检测结果、白细胞计数、C-反应蛋白、血沉、降钙素原和结核抗体等相关数据,根据诊断标准进行临床诊断,分析T-SPOT.TB在术前诊断STB与其他脊柱感染中的灵敏度和特异度,评价优化后的T-SPOT.TB指标的诊断效能。结果 共纳入132例患者,其中78例(59.09%)为STB,54例(40.91%)为非结核脊柱感染。T-SPOT.TB在鉴别诊断STB方面的灵敏度为67.68%,特异度为66.67%。单因素logistic回归分析显示,与非结核脊柱感染比较,T-SPOT.TB检测诊断STB的OR值为4.188(95%CI:1.847～9.974,P<0.001)。优化T-SPOT.TB评价指标,通过绘制ROC曲线,确定ESAT-6、CFP-10、CFP-10+ESAT-6在STB和非结核脊柱感染鉴别诊断中的最佳截断值,分别为12.5、19.5...     

结核感染T淋巴细胞γ干扰素释放试验在骨关节结核诊断中的应用

目的探讨结核感染T淋巴细胞γ干扰素释放试验(斑点试验,T-SPOT.TB)在骨关节结核中的应用价值。 方法回顾性分析2016年1月至2018年3月在我院骨外科行T-SPOT.TB检测的127疑似骨关节结核感染病例,分析T-SPOT.TB在骨关节结核中的诊断性能;比较在不同部位骨关节结核的阳性率差异;同时比较以早期分泌抗原靶6 (early secreted antigenic target 6,ESAT-6)和培养滤液蛋白10 (culture filtrate protein 10,CFP-10)诊断骨关节结核的阳性率差异。 结果T-SPOT.TB检测的正确率、灵敏度、特异度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值分别为86.61%(110/127)、83.33%(35/42)、88.24%(75/85)、77.78%(35/45)、91.46%(75/82);且在不同类型骨关节结核的阳性率差别无统计学意义(χ²=1.72,P>0.05);单独以ESAT-6和CFP-10抗原的点数诊断骨关节结核阳性率为69.04%、61.90%,差异无统计学意义(χ²=0.27,P>0.05),两者联合诊断阳性率(83.33%)均高于ESAT-6和CFP-10抗原单独诊断的阳性率,差异有统计学意义(χ²=4.16、7.11,P<0.05)。 结论T-SPOT.TB在骨关节结核诊断中具有重要的应用价值,值得临床推广。     

结核杆菌ESAT-6蛋白酵母双杂交诱饵载体的构建及自激活检测

目的构建结核杆菌ESAT-6蛋白酵母双杂交诱饵载体,并检测其自激活作用。方法用PCR技术特异性扩增结核分枝杆菌H37Rv株的ESAT-6基因,将其克隆入酵母双杂交诱饵质粒pGBKT7中,用PCR、限制性酶切鉴定及序列测定,获得质粒pGBKT7-ESAT-6。用PEG/LiAc法将其转入酵母AH109b中,经表型筛选检测其自激活作用。结果获得了无自激活作用的诱饵载体pGBKT7-ESAT-6。结论ESAT-6无自激活作用,可用酵母双杂交方法钓取与之相互作用的分子。     

Vaccinia virus proteins activate human dendritic cells to induce T cell responses in vitro

The mechanisms of protection elicited by smallpox vaccine in humans have not been delineated. Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most potent of professional antigen presenting cells which on activation modulate both innate and adaptive immune responses. Immunogenic proteins of vaccinia virus have been identified with protein microarray technology. We have investigated the effect of three most immunogenic proteins, D8L, D13L, and H3L on human monocyte-derived DCs with a view to understand the mechanisms underlying the immunogenicity of these proteins. Our data show that all three proteins activate and mature DCs, induce secretion of cytokines IL-12p70, IL-10, TNF-alpha, IL-6 from DCs, and rVV protein-loaded DCs induce secretion of IFN-gamma and proliferation of T cells with selective expansion of effector memory T cells. Overall D13L and H3L proteins are more immunogenic than D8L. Taken together data suggest that these peptides are highly immunogenic and can modulate an effective innate and adaptive response in humans in vitro.     

RD1/ESX-1分泌系统与结核分枝杆菌的毒力和致病性

结核分枝杆菌(MTB)全基因序列测定的完成和比较基因组学的发展,使得对MTB毒力和致病机制的认识不断深入,近年发现RDI区在MTB的致病机制中充当重要角色,而RDI区编码的ESX-1蛋白组成的分泌转运系统与MTB的毒力关系密切.此文主要从MTB RD1/ESX-1蛋白分泌转运系统对ESAT-6/CFP-10分泌输出的影响,探讨其与MTB的毒力和致病机制的关系.     

Recombinant human parainfluenza virus type 2 vaccine candidates containing a 3' genomic promoter mutation and L polymerase mutations are attenuated and protective in non-human primates

Previously, we identified several attenuating mutations in the L polymerase protein of human parainfluenza virus type 2 (HPIV2) and genetically stabilized those mutations using reverse genetics [Nolan SM, Surman S, Amaro-Carambot E, Collins PL, Murphy BR, Skiadopoulos MH. Live-attenuated intranasal parainfluenza virus type 2 vaccine candidates developed by reverse genetics containing L polymerase protein mutations imported from heterologous paramyxoviruses. Vaccine 2005;39(23):4765-74]. Here we describe the discovery of an attenuating mutation at nucleotide 15 (15(T-->C)) in the 3' genomic promoter that was also present in the previously characterized mutants. We evaluated the properties of this promoter mutation alone and in various combinations with the L polymerase mutations. Amino acid substitutions at L protein positions 460 (460A or 460P) or 948 (948L), or deletion of amino acids 1724 and 1725 (Delta1724), each conferred a temperature sensitivity (ts) phenotype whereas the 15(T-->C) mutation did not. The 460A and 948L mutations each contributed to restricted replication in the lower respiratory tract of African green monkeys, but the Delta1724 mutation increased attenuation only in certain combinations with other mutations. We constructed two highly attenuated viruses, rV94(15C)/460A/948L and rV94(15C)/948L/Delta1724, that were immunogenic and protective against challenge with wild-type HPIV2 in African green monkeys and, therefore, appear to be suitable for evaluation in humans.     

Global variation in SARS-CoV-2 proteome and its implication in pre-lockdown emergence and dissemination of 5 dominant SARS-CoV-2 clades

SARS-CoV-2 is currently causing major havoc worldwide with its efficient transmission and propagation. To track the emergence as well as the persistence of mutations during the early stage of the pandemic, a comparative analysis of SARS-CoV-2 whole proteome sequences has been performed by considering manually curated 31,389 whole genome sequences from 84 countries. Among the 7 highly recurring (percentage frequency≥10%) mutations (Nsp2:T85I, Nsp6:L37F, Nsp12:P323L, Spike:D614G, ORF3a:Q57H, N protein:R203K and N protein:G204R), N protein:R203K and N protein: G204R are co-occurring (dependent) mutations. Nsp12:P323L and Spike:D614G often appear simultaneously. The highly recurring Spike:D614G, Nsp12:P323L and Nsp6:L37F as well as moderately recurring (percentage frequency between ≥1 and <10%) ORF3a:G251V and ORF8:L84S mutations have led to4 major clades in addition to a clade that lacks high recurring mutations. Further, the occurrence of ORF3a:Q57H&Nsp2:T85I, ORF3a:Q57H and N protein:R203K&G204R along with Nsp12:P323L&Spike:D614G has led to 3 additional sub-clades. Similarly, occurrence of Nsp6:L37F and ORF3a:G251V together has led to the emergence of a sub-clade. Nonetheless, ORF8:L84S does not occur along with ORF3a:G251V or Nsp6:L37F. Intriguingly, ORF3a:G251V and ORF8:L84S are found to occur independent of Nsp12:P323L and Spike:D614G mutations. These clades have evolved during the early stage of the pandemic and have disseminated across several countries. Further, Nsp10 is found to be highly resistant to mutations, thus, it can be exploited for drug/vaccine development and the corresponding gene sequence can be used for the diagnosis. Concisely, the study reports the SARS-CoV-2 antigens diversity across the globe during the early stage of the pandemic and facilitates the understanding of viral evolution.     

Comparison of immunogenicity and protective efficacy of genital herpes vaccine candidates herpes simplex virus 2 dl5-29 and dl5-29-41L in mice and guinea pigs

A replication-defective herpes simplex virus (HSV)-2 vaccine, dl5-29, which is deleted for two essential early genes, UL5 and UL29, is highly immunogenic and protective in mice and guinea pigs. In a prior study, a derivative of HSV-2 dl5-29 termed dl5-29-41L, which has an additional deletion in UL41 (that encodes the virion-host shut-off protein), was more immunogenic and protective against challenge with wild-type HSV-2 in mice when compared with dl5-29. To determine if deletion of UL41 improves the efficacy of dl5-29 in protecting guinea pigs from HSV-2, animals were immunized with dl5-29, dl5-29-41L, or PBS. The geometric mean neutralizing antibody titers from the dl5-29 and dl5-29-41L recipients were comparable (10(1.97) and 10(2.19), respectively, p=0.15). After intravaginal challenge with wild-type HSV-2, the dl5-29-41L and dl5-29 recipients shed similar titers of HSV-2 from the vagina. Mean acute disease severity scores, numbers of recurrences during 3 months after infection, and latent viral loads in sacral ganglia were similar for dl5-29 and dl5-29-41L (all p values >0.05). dl5-29 and dl5-29-41L completely protected mice from lethal challenge with HSV-2 and induced virus-specific CD8(+) T cells in the spleens of the animals. Thus, dl5-29 was as immunogenic and protective as dl5-29-41L under these conditions. dl5-29 was at least 250,000-fold less virulent than parental virus by intracranial inoculation in healthy mice, and caused no disease in SCID mice. Both dl5-29-41L and dl5-29 are equally effective and immunogenic in guinea pigs, and dl5-29 is very safe in immunocompromised animals.     

利福霉素耐药结核分枝杆菌rpoB突变与利福布丁耐药水平的关系

目的研究利福霉素耐药结核分枝杆菌 rpoB基因突变与利福布丁耐药水平的相关性。方法倍比稀释法测定64株利福霉素耐药及6株敏感菌株对利福布丁的最低抑菌浓度(MIC),并分析其对异烟肼的耐药情况。同时对rpoB全基因扩增后测序,分析rpoB突变位点和突变性质与利福布丁MICs高低及多重耐药的关系。结果6株敏感株rpoB未突变,MICs为 0.25～0.50 mg/L。64株耐药株rpoB突变率为100％。37株利福布丁高度耐药(MICs≥4 mg/L)株中,S531L突变27株,H526R突变和Y389C突变各2株,S531W、H526Y、Q513K、V176F、D516Y联合Q253R突变与D516G联合L511P突变各1株。17株中度耐药 (MICs 2～4 mg/L) 株中,S531L突变16株,D516G联合L511P和S509R突变1株。10株低度耐药（MICs 0.25～1 mg/L）株中,L533P、H526L、H526S、D516V、D516Y单点突变各2株。93.75％(60/64)的利福霉素耐药株对异烟肼耐药。结论检测rpoB突变即可初步筛选多重耐药结核分枝杆菌;中、高水平利福布丁耐药株以S531L突变占绝对优势,rpoB突变位点及突变类型与利福布丁耐药水平有一定相关性。     

Evaluation of cell-mediated immune responses to two BCG vaccination regimes in young children in South Korea

Children in South Korea are vaccinated with either BCG Pasteur vaccine intradermally (ID), or with BCG Tokyo vaccine given by multipuncture device (MP). Data from a recent national survey indicated that in children under 6 years old, 31.1% had received the ID vaccine and 64.5% the MP vaccine. To compare the T cell responses induced by the two vaccines, children aged 3-7 were recruited and tested for tuberculin skin test reactivity and for in vitro IFN-γ responses to mycobacterial antigens. DTH responses were not significantly different in children vaccinated by either the ID or MP vaccines. PPD-induced IFN-γ was measured in supernatants of 6-day diluted whole blood cultures. IFN-γ production to PPD was not significantly different in the two vaccine groups, although there is a trend that the MP group gives a higher proportion of IFN-γ positivity than the ID group. In addition, when IFN-γ responses to the antigens ESAT-6 and CFP-10 were assessed in the 6-7 year old group, there was no significant difference between the two vaccine groups. Thus, there was no evidence that the increasing use of MP vaccination has reduced protection against M. tuberculosis in young children in South Korea, based on immunogenicity as assessed by DTH and IFN-γ responses to PPD, and also equivalent frequency of responses to ESAT-6 and CFP-10.