Transcriptomic Analysis of Stimulated Response in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Reveal Potential Biomarkers for Early Diagnosis of Leprosy.

We aimed to identify an unique host transcriptional signature in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in response to antigens to distinguish between patients with leprosy and non-leprosy controls for early diagnosis of the disease. Sixteen individuals were enrolled in the discovery cohort [eight patients with leprosy, comprising four multibacillary (MB) and four paucibacillary (PB); and eight non-leprosy controls, comprising four healthy house contacts (HHCs) and four endemic controls (ECs)]. The differences in the transcriptome response of PBMCs to sonicate antigen were evaluated between leprosy patients and non-leprosy controls, and 12 differentially expressed genes (, , , , , , , , , , and ) were identified.

Molecular characterization of carbapenem-resistant and emergence of tigecycline non-susceptible strains in the Henan province in China: a multicentrer study.

Carbapenem-resistant (CRE) have been responsible for nosocomial outbreaks worldwide and have become endemic in several countries. To better understand the epidemiological trends and characteristics of CRE in the Henan province. We assessed the molecular epidemiological characteristics of 305 CRE strains isolated from patients in 19 secondary or tertiary hospitals in ten areas of the Henan province in China.

Host immune responses induced by specific Mycobacterium leprae antigens in an overnight whole-blood assay correlate with the diagnosis of paucibacillary leprosy patients in China.

Background: Leprosy, caused by Mycobacterium leprae, affects over 200,000 people annually worldwide and remains endemic in the ethnically diverse, mountainous and underdeveloped southwestern provinces of China. Delayed diagnosis of leprosy persists in China, thus, additional knowledge to support early diagnosis, especially early diagnosis of paucibacillary (PB) patients, based on the host immune responses induced by specific M. leprae antigens is needed.

Evaluation of antigen-specific immune responses for leprosy diagnosis in a hyperendemic area in China.

Objective: To evaluate antigen-specific immune responses for leprosy diagnosis in a hyperendemic area in China.

Methods: Eighty-three leprosy patients and 161 non-leprosy controls were enrolled from Hani-yi Autonomous Prefecture of Honghe, Yunnan Province, China. Leprosy patients were divided into multibacillary (MB, n = 38), paucibacillary (PB, n = 23), and post-multi-drug therapy (MDT, n = 22) groups.

Evaluation of novel tools to facilitate the detection and characterization of leprosy patients in China.

Leprosy is the disabling outcome of chronic infection with Mycobacterium leprae. The disease often evades early detection, particularly now that fewer clinicians are able to confidently diagnose the disease following the integration of leprosy control measures within general health services in many countries. Although leprosy is officially eliminated in China, endemic regions remain in some difficult-to-reach, underdeveloped areas in Southwest China.