Molecular characterisation of virulent gene vacA in Helicobacter pylori clinical isolates from patients with gastroduodenal diseases in Assam, India

Background: Helicobacter pylori, the gastric bacterium, is widely known to be one of the most genetically diverse group of organisms whose pathogenesis as well as the diversity in infection outcome may be attributed to a variety of virulent genes. Aim: This study aimed to study the molecular profile of H. pylori vacA gene by determining the phylogenetic relatedness and genetic diversity of the strains isolated in this region with those of other geographical regions. Materials and Methods: A total of twenty H. pylori clinical strains were isolated from randomly selected 100 patients suffering from gastroduodenal diseases as well as endoscopically normal patients in a cross-sectional hospital-based setting from January 2016 to May 2017. VacA signal sequence and mid regions of H. pylori were amplified by polymerase chain reaction followed by DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Results: VacA s1m1 allelic variant was more prevalent in our study, regardless of the clinical outcomes. Phylogenetic analysis of VacA s1 strains revealed clustering of most of the strains. VacA m1 strains clustered with Bangladesh strains which is a country nearest to India. Conclusion: Prevalence of VacA s1m1 strains may account for high risk of transmission of this gastric pathogen and the overall risk of acquiring infection. Phylogenetic analysis results suggests the prevalence of high genetic diversity in our region. Our findings may aid in developing a better understanding of the genetic structure of H. pylori and the pathophysiology of associated diseases, thus facilitating the implementation of various treatment options.

Genetic variability of Aedes aegypti in the Americas using a mitochondrial gene: evidence of multiple introductions

To analyze the genetic relatedness and phylogeographic structure of Aedes aegypti, we collected samples from 36 localities throughout the Americas (Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, Guatemala, US), three from Africa (Guinea, Senegal, Uganda), and three from Asia (Singapore, Cambodia, Tahiti). Amplification and sequencing of a fragment of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 gene identified 20 distinct haplotypes, of which 14 are exclusive to the Americas, four to African/Asian countries, one is common to the Americas and Africa, and one to the Americas and Asia. Nested clade analysis (NCA), pairwise distribution, statistical parsimony, and maximum parsimony analyses were used to infer evolutionary and historic processes, and to estimate phylogenetic relationships among haplotypes. Two clusters were found in all the analyses. Haplotypes clustered in the two clades were separated by eight mutational steps. Phylogeographic structure detected by the NCA was consistent with distant colonization within one clade and fragmentation followed by range expansion via long distance dispersal in the other. Three percent of nucleotide divergence between these two clades is suggestive of a gene pool division that may support the hypothesis of occurrence of two subspecies of Ae. aegypti in the Americas.

Nucleotide Divergence Analysis of IGS Region in Fusarium oxysporum and its formae speciales Based on the Sequence

The intergenic spacer(IGS) sequence of Fusarium oxysporum have been reported to provide reliable information concerning intraspecific variation and phylogeny of fungal species. The eleven strains of Fusarium oxysporum and its formae speciales belonging to section Elegans were compared with sequencing analysis. The direct sequencing of partial IGS was carried out using PCR with primer NIGS1(5'-CTTCGCCTCGATTTCCCCAA-3')/NIGS2(5'-TCGTCGCCGACAGTTTTCTG-3') and internal primer NIGS3(5'-TCGAGGATCGATTCGAGG-3')/NIGS4(5'-CCTCGAATCGATCCTCGA-3'). A single PCR product was found for each strain. The PCR fragments were sequenced and revealed a few within species polymorphisms at the sequence level. The size of partial IGS sequencing of F. oxysporum was divided into three groups; 526~527 bp including F. o. f. sp. chrysanthemi, cucumerinum, cyclaminis, lycopersici, and fragariae; 514~516 bp including F. o. f. sp. lilii, conglutinans, and raphani; 435 bp for F. o. f. sp. cucumerinum from Korea. Sequence analysis of PCR products showed that transitions were more frequent than transversions as well as the average numbers of substitution per site were range 0.41% to 3.54%.