Analysis of entire hepatitis B virus genomes reveals reversion of mutations to wild type in natural infection, a 15 year follow-up study.

It has been reported that some mutations in the genome of hepatitis B virus (HBV) may predict the outcome of the virus infection. However, evolutionary data derived from long-term longitudinal analysis of entire HBV genomes using next generation sequencing (NGS) remain rare. In this study, serum samples were collected from asymptomatic hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers from a long-term prospective cohort. The entire HBV genome was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced using NGS. Twenty-eight time series serum samples from nine subjects were successfully analysed. The Shannon entropy (Sn) ranged from 0 to 0.89, with a median value of 0.76, and the genetic diversity (D) ranged from 0 to 0.013, with a median value of 0.004. Intrahost HBV viral evolutionary rates ranged from 2.39E-04 to 3.11E-03. Double mutations at nt1762(A â†’ T) and 1764(G â†’ A) and a stop mutation at nt1896(G â†’ A) were seen in all sequences from subject BO129 in 2007. However, in 2019, most sequences were wild type at these positions. Deletions between nt 2920-3040 were seen in all sequences from subject TS115 in 2007 and 2013 but these were not present in 2004 or 2019. Some sequences from subject CC246 had predicted escape substitutions (T123N, G145R) in the surface protein in 2004, 2013 and 2019 but none of the sequences from 2007 had these changes. In conclusion, HBV mutations may revert to wild type in natural infection. Clinicians should be wary of predicting long-term prognoses on the basis of the presence of mutations.

High prevalence of Clonorchis sinensis infection in Guangxi, Southern China.

BACKGROUND: Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs), such as hookworm, roundworm and whipworm, and food-borne trematodiases, including Clonorchis sinensis, remain a public health problem worldwide, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the current prevalence of these parasites in Guangxi, China, which is located in a subtropical region. METHODS: A cross-sectional study and a 4-year longitudinal surveillance study were carried out. Stool samples were collected and examined microscopically for parasite eggs using the modified Kato-Katz thick smear method. RESULTS: The study subjects selected using stratified random cluster sampling for the cross-sectional study and longitudinal surveillance study numbered 15,683 and 24,429, respectively. In the cross-sectional study, hookworm, roundworm, whipworm, pinworm, C. sinensis, and tapeworm were found. The total prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) was 6.4% (95% CI, 6.0-6.8). The prevalences of C. sinensis, hookworm, roundworm, whipworm, and pinworm were 10.6%, 4.2%, 0.3%, 0.3%, and 1.8%, respectively. The prevalence of C. sinensis in males (14.0%, 95% CI, 13.3-14.8) was significantly higher than in females (7.2%, 95% CI, 6.7-7.8) (P = 0.0001). The prevalence also was significantly higher in the medical worker group (20.8%, 95% CI, 12.9-28.7) than in all other occupational groups (10.5%, 95% CI, 10.0-11.0) (P = 0.0001). The prevalence of hookworm in females (5.3%, 95% CI, 4.8-5.8) was significantly higher than in males (3.0%, 95% CI, 2.6-3.3) (P = 0.0001). In the longitudinal surveillance study, the prevalence of C. sinensis and STHs in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 were 12.0%, 6.0%, 11.0%, and 10.0% and 2.6%, 2.8%, 1.5%, and 1.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Adult male and occupation of and medical workers are risk factors for infection with C. sinensis and hookworm. The prevalence rate of C. sinensis remains high while those of the other STHs are decreasing, suggesting that enhanced health education should be focused on C. sinensis in Guangxi.

TLR2 signal influences the iNOS/NO responses and worm development in C57BL/6J mice infected with Clonorchis sinensis.

BACKGROUND: Although the responses of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and associated cytokine after Clonorchis sinensis infection have been studied recently, their mechanisms remain incompletely understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) signals on iNOS/nitric oxide (NO) responses after C. sinensis infection. We also evaluated the correlations between iNOS responses and worm development, which are possibly regulated by TLR2 signal. METHODS: TLR2 wild-type and mutant C57BL/6 J mice were infected with 60 C. sinensis metacercariae, and the samples were collected at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days post-infection (dpi). The total serum NO levels were detected using Griess reagent after nitrate was reduced to nitrite. Hepatic tissue samples from the infected mice were sliced and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) to observe worm development in the intrahepatic bile ducts. The iNOS mRNA transcripts in the splenocytes were examined by real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and iNOS expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Developing C. sinensis juvenile worms were more abundant in the intrahepatic bile ducts of TLR2 mutant mice than those of TLR2 wild-type mice. However, no eggs were found in the faeces of both mice samples. The serum levels of total NO significantly increased in TLR2 mutant mice infected with C. sinensis at 30 (t (5) = 2.595, P = 0.049), 60 (t (5) = 7.838, P = 0.001) and 90 dpi (t (5) = 3.032, P = 0.029). Meanwhile, no changes occurred in TLR2 wild-type mice compared with uninfected controls during the experiment. The iNOS expression in splenocytes showed unexpected higher background levels in TLR2 mutant mice than those in TLR2 wild-type mice. Furthermore, the iNOS mRNA transcripts in splenocytes were significantly increased in the TLR2 wild-type mice infected with C. sinensis at 30 (t (5) = 5.139, P = 0.004), 60 (t (5) = 6.138, P = 0.002) and 90 dpi (t (5) = 6.332, P = 0.001). However, the rising of iNOS transcripts dropped under the uninfected control level in the TLR2 mutant mice at 120 dpi (t (5) = -9.082, P < 0.0001). Both total NO and iNOS transcripts were significantly higher in the TLR2 mutant mice than those in the TLR2 wild-type mice at 30 (t (5) = 3.091/2.933, P = 0.027/0.033) and 60 dpi (t (5) = 2.667/6.331, P = 0.044/0.001), respectively. In addition, the remarkable increase of iNOS expressions was immunohistochemically detected in the splenic serial sections of TLR2 wild-type mice at 30 and 60 dpi. However, the expressions of iNOS were remarkably decreased in the splenocytes of both TLR2 wild-type and mutant mice at 120 dpi. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that TLR2 signal plays an important role in the regulation of iNOS expression after C. sinensis infection. TLR2 signal is also beneficial to limiting worm growth and development and contributing to the susceptibility to C. sinensis in which the iNOS/NO reactions possibly participate.

[Establishment of Duplex PCR for Identifying Metagonimus yokogawai and Haplorchis taichui].

OBJECTIVE: To develop a duplex PCR method for identifying Metagonimus yokogawai and Haplorchis taichui. METHODS: ITS1 sequences of M. yokogawai and H. taichui, as well as those of their homologous species were obtained from GenBank, and two sets of specific primer pairs for M. yokogawai and H. taichui were designed accordingly using Primer Premier 5.0 software. PCR reaction system and conditions were optimized. The established duplex PCR method was applied in a pool of M. yokogawai, H. taichui, and 17 related species to examine its specificity. Sensitivity was evaluated through serial dilutions of plasmids containing their specific sequences. Finally, the duplex PCR was applied to identify M. yokogawai and H. taichui among trematodes collected from the viscera of 47 cats and 40 dogs to test its practicality. RESULTS: The duplex PCR method amplified target sequences of M. yokogawai and H. taichui, generating 648 bp and 279 bp products, respectively. No cross reaction was found with the following 17 related species: Haplorchis pumilio, Clonorchis sinensis, Pharyngostomum cordatum, the metacercaria of Metorchis sp. and Exorchis sp., Echinochasmus liliputanus, Echinochasmus perfoliatus, Echinostoma friedi, Hypoderaeum conoideum, Holostephanus sp., Diplodiscus sp., Anisakis sp., Metorchis orientais, Paragonimus westermani, Watsonius watsoni, Notocotylus sp. and Hysterothylacium sp, indicating a high specificity of this method. The detection limits for DNAs of M. yokogawai and H. taichui were 1.49 x 10(-1) pg and 1.14 x 10(-1) pg, suggesting a good sensitivity for this method. Further, the duplex PCR successfully identified M. yokogawai and H. taichui from cat and dog viscera, with no cross amplification of other trematodes. CONCLUSION: The duplex PCR is effective in identifying Metagonimus yokogawai and Haplorchis taichui.

[Ultrastructural observation on nymphal Armillifer sp. by scanning electron microscopy and phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rRNA].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the ultrastructure of nymphal Armillifer sp. isolated from Macaca fascicularis by using scanning electron microscope (SEM), and analyze the phylogenetic relationships based on 18S rRNA gene sequences. METHODS: The parasite samples stored in 70% alcohol were fixed by glutaraldehyde and osmium peroxide. Ultrastructural characters of those samples were observed under SEM. Amplification and sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene were performed following the extraction of total genome DNA. Sequence analysis was performed based on multiple alignment using ClustalX1.83, while phylogenetic analysis was made by Neighbor-Joining method using MEGA4.0. RESULTS: The nymphs were in cylindrical shape, the body slightly claviform tapering to posterior end. Abdominal annuli were gradually widened from anterior to posterior parts, the 12th-13th abdominal annuli of which were similar in width. The annuli ranged closer in the front half body, whereas in the latter part there were certain gaps between them. The circular-shaped mouth located in the middle of head ventrally. Folds were seen in inner margin of the mouth with a pair of curved hooks on both sides above it which practically disposed in a straight line. Two pairs of large sensory papillae were observed symmetrically over the last thoracic annulus of cephalothoraxs lying below the outer hook, and the first abdominal annulus was near the median ventral line. The number of abdominal annuli was 29, not including 2 incomplete terminal annuli. Rounded sensory papillae were fully distributed on the body surface, except the dorsal side of head and the ventral part of the terminal annulus. Agglomerate-like anus opening was observed at the end of ventral abdominal annuli and distinctly sub-terminal. These morphological features demonstrated that the nymphs were highly similar with that of Armillifer moniliformis Diesing, 1835. A fragment of 18SrRNA gene (1 836 bp) sequences was obtained by PCR combined with sequencing, and was registered to the GeneBank database with an accession number HM048870. The phylogenetic tree indicated that A. moniliformis, A.agkistrodon and A.armillatus were at the same clade with a bootstrap value at 95%, and A. moniliformis and A. agkistrodon were solo at a clade with a bootstrap value of 75%. CONCLUSION: The nymphs isolated from Macaca fascicularis are identified as A. moniliformis temporarily.