Genetic diversity of Korean Bacillus anthracis isolates from soil evaluated with a single nucleotide repeat analysis

Bacillus (B.) anthracis, the etiological agent of anthrax, is one of the most genetically monomorphic bacteria species in the world. Due to the very limited genetic diversity of this species, classification of isolates of this bacterium requires methods with high discriminatory power. Single nucleotide repeat (SNR) analysis is a type of variable-number tandem repeat assay that evaluates regions with very high mutation rates. To subtype a collection of 21 isolates that were obtained during a B. anthracis outbreak in Korea, we analyzed four SNR marker loci using nucleotide sequencing analysis. These isolates were obtained from soil samples and the Korean Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The SNR analysis was able to detect 13 subgenotypes, which allowed a detailed evaluation of the Korean isolates. Our study demonstrated that the SNR analysis was able to discriminate between strains with the same multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis genotypes. In summary, we obtained SNR results for four SNR marker loci of newly acquired strains from Korea. Our findings will be helpful for creating marker systems and help identify markers that could be used for future forensic studies.

Genetic populations of Bacillus anthracis isolates from Korea

Bacillus (B.) anthracis is the pathogen that causes fatal anthrax. Strain-specific detection of this bacterium using molecular approaches has enhanced our knowledge of microbial population genetics. In the present study, we employed molecular approaches including multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) and canonical single-nucleotide polymorphism (canSNP) analysis to perform molecular typing of B. anthracis strains isolated in Korea. According to the MLVA, 17 B. anthracis isolates were classified into A3a, A3b, and B1 clusters. The canSNP analyses subdivided the B. anthracis isolates into two of the three previously recognized major lineages (A and B). B. anthracis isolates from Korea were found to belong to four canSNP sub-groups (B.Br.001/2, A.Br.005/006, A.Br.001/002, and A.Br.Ames). The A.Br.001/002 and A.Br.Ames sub-lineages are closely related genotypes frequently found in central Asia and most isolates were. On the other hand, B. anthracis CH isolates were analyzed that belonged to the B.Br.001/002 sub-group which found in southern Africa, Europe and California (USA). B.Br.001/002 genotype is new lineage of B. anthracis in Korea that was not found before. This discovery will be helpful for the creation of marker systems and might be the result of human activity through the development of agriculture and increased international trade in Korea.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Simulating Chalazion in the Upper Eyelid

Carcinoma of the lids has the highest incidence of any malignant ocular tumor. It is most frequent in men over 50 years of age. The majority of lid carcinoma are of the basal cell type, the remaining consist of squamous cell carcinomas and meibomian gland carcinomas. Basal cell carcinoma is much more common in the lower lid; squamous cell carcinoma in the upper lid. Squamous cell carcinoma grows slowly and painlessly, and may be present for months before it is noted. It may occlude meibomian ducts and produce an inflammatory element which may confuses the clinical picture. A 57 years old man with bronchogenic carcinoma was referred for eye consultation and found to have a small painless nodule on right upper lid that was thought to be chalazion. Palpation of preauricular, submaxillary or cervical node was negative. This small nodule was excised radically for microscopic examination to rule out a probable metastatic lesion from bronchogenic carcinma. Histopathologically, this tumor was reported not to be a secondary but to be a primary squamous cell carcinoma on right upper lid.

Kayser-Fleischer Ring in Wilson's Disease

Wilson's disease is a familial disease characterized by coarsely nodular cirrhosis of the liver, sometimes associated with progressive damage to the nervous system, and the appearance of a coloured ring in the cornea. Wilson's disease is an inborn error of copper metabolism in which the synthesis of ceruloplasmin, with which copper forms a table compound in the blood, is diminished and there is an increased absorption of copper from the gastrointestinal tract together with an increased output in the urine. The Kayser-Fleischer ring is originally described by Kayser(1902) and later by Fleischer(1903). The colours of Kayser-Fleischer ring is seen, varing from rub by red to bright green or an 1lltramarine blue. sometimes interspersed with yellow or smoky shade of brown. The ring starts dose to the limbus as a sharp line just where the endothelial pattern begins to be seen distinctly, extends over a breadth of I to 3mm.. and gradually fades away towards the center of the cornea. Harry et al(1970) described that electron microscopy showed the presence of electron dense deposits of varing size lying mainly in Descmet's membrane and confirmed that the deposits were copper. A 14 year old korean boy with Wilson's disease was found to have Kayser-Fleischer ring in the cornea(ou) and greenish brown pigments on the anterior surface of the lens (ou). In about 16 months after the administration of penicillamine(chelating agent), greenish brown pigments on the anterior surface of the lens (ou) were disappeared remaining Kayser Fleischer ring unchanged.