Long-term retrospective assessment of a transmission hotspot for human alveolar echinococcosis in mid-west China.

Background: Human alveolar echinococcosis caused by infection with Echinococcus multilocularis is one of the most potentially pathogenic helminthic zoonoses. Transmission occurs involving wildlife cycles typically between fox and small mammal intermediate hosts. In the late 1980s/early 1990s a large focus of human AE was identified in poor upland agricultural communities in south Gansu Province, China.

Bioinformatic analysis for structure and function of TCTP from Spirometra mansoni.

Objective: To predict structure and function of translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) from Spirometra mansoni by bioinformatics technology, and to provide a theoretical basis for further study.

Methods: Open reading frame (ORF) of EST sequence from Spirometra mansoni was obtained by ORF finder and was translated into amino acid residue by DNAclub. The structure domain was analyzed by Blast.

[Construction and identification of a full-length cDNA library from Spirometra erinaceieuropaei].

The full-length pBluescript II SK cDNA library of adult Spirometra erinaceieuropaei was constructed by using the SMART method. Data showed that 95.5% of the library was recombinant and the titer of the library was 1.

[Dimo-thylidioctyl ammonium bromide-BCG polysaccharide nucleic acid adjuvant enhanced the immunogenicity of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis subunit vaccine].

Objective: To investigate the activity of a novel adjuvant consisting of dimethyldioctyldecyl ammonium bromide (DDA) and BCG polysaccharide nucleic acid (BCG-PSN).

Methods: BCG-PSN was extracted by hot-phenol method, and combined with DDA and Mycobacterium tuberculosis fusion antigen AMM (Ag85B-MPT64(190-198)-Mtb8.4) to formulate the Mycobacterium tuberculosis subunit vaccine.

[Effect of combined pentoxifylline and albendazole against echinococcus multilocularis infection in mice].

Objective: To observe the effect of pentoxifylline (PTX), albendazole (ABZ), and a combination of PTX and ABZ in mice infected with Echinococcus multilocularis (E.M).

Methods: The first part of the experiment was to observe the in vitro effect of PTX on the cultured E.

Serum sIL-2R, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma in alveolar echinococcosis.

Aim: to approach the relationship between alveolar echinococcosis (AE) pathology and level of sIL-2R,TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma in sera and the significance of cytokines in development of AE.

Methods: After 23 patients with AE were confirmed by ELISA and ultrasound, their sera were collected and the concentrations of sIL-2R,TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma were detected by double antibody sandwich. Twelve healthy adults served as controls.

[Kinetic analysis of cytokines and immunoglobulin G subclass in BALB/c mice infected with Echinococcus alveolaris].

Objective: To observe the dynamic change of immune response in mice infected with Echinococcus alveolaris (AE) at difference period of time, and to explore hostalveo's immune regulation.

Methods: The infection lasted and was followed up for 25 weeks. The spleen cells from BALB/c mice infected with AE stimulated with EmAg and ConA or PHA in vitro.

[Study on CD4+ cells deletion mechanism in experimental alveolar echinococcosis].

Objective: To study the possible mechanism of CD4+ T cells deletion in mice with alveolar echinococcosis, particularly on the relationship between Echinococcus multilocularis infection and apoptosis of T lymphocyte subsets.

Methods: BALB/c mice were infected with E. multilocularis and uninfected mice were used as control group.

Combined ultrasound and serologic screening for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis in central China.

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE), caused by Echinococcus multilocularis, is a zoonotic helminthic disease that can mimic malignancy. In the 1970s, foci of the disease were found in central China. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of AE in humans in 2 districts of south Gansu Province, China, by use of ultrasound and Echinococcus serology.