Investigation of hematologic findings related to brucellosis in Anatolian region

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the prevalence of hematologic findings and the relationship between hemogram parameters and brucellosis stages in patients.

METHODS

This multi-center study included patients older than 16 years of age who were followed up with a diagnosis of brucellosis. Patients' results, including white blood cell, hemoglobin, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, mean platelet volume, platelet and eosinophil counts were analyzed at the initial diagnosis.

RESULTS

In this study 51.3% of the patients diagnosed with brucellosis were male. The age median was 45 years for female and 41 years for male. A total of 55.1% of the patients had acute brucellosis, 28.2% had subacute, 7.4% had chronic and 9% had relapse. The most common hematologic findings in brucellosis patients were anemia (25.9%), monocytosis (15.9%), eosinopenia (10.3%), and leukocytosis (7.1%). Pancytopenia occurred in 0.8% of patients and was more prominent in the acute phase. The acute brucellosis group had lower white blood cell, hemoglobin, neutrophil, eosinophil, and platelet counts and mean platelet volume, and higher monocyte counts compared to subacute and chronic subgroups.

CONCLUSION

It was noteworthy that in addition to anemia and monocytosis, eosinopenia was third most prominent laboratory findings in the study. Pancytopenia and thrombocytopenia rates were low.

Prognostic Significance of NLR, LMR, PLR, and CRP-Albumin Ratio in Lower Extremity Cellulitis: A Hospitalization and Recurrence Analysis

Cellulitis, an inflammatory disease of the skin and subcutaneous tissue caused by bacterial agents, frequently causes lower-extremity wounds. Many new biomarkers have been introduced to aid the diagnosis of inflammatory diseases. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the risk of recurrence of lower-extremity cellulitis wounds and the factors determining the need for hospitalization. Demographic characteristics and underlying diseases of the patients, white blood cell count, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, lymphocyte and monocyte counts at admission, white blood cell count at admission, platelet count, total protein, albumin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin level, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and CRP/albumin ratio were evaluated. Of the 132 patients with lower extremity cellulitis wounds, the median age was 56 years (range, 20-96 years), and 88 (66.7%) were male. Diabetes mellitus was the most commonly associated systemic disease. The most common symptom (97%) was a rash. Of the patients, 80 (60.6%) were hospitalized and 52 (39.4%) were treated as outpatients. Seventeen (12.9%) patients had recurrent cellulitis. While comorbidities and increased lesion size increased the risk in patients with recurrent cellulitis, median platelet count (P = .010), D-dimer level (P = .036), and CRP-Alb ratio (P = .019) were higher. Particularly increased lesion size, platelet count, total protein, and CRP levels should be a warning to clinicians in terms of the need for hospitalization and the risk of recurrence in patients with cellulite. In our study, PLR and CRP/albumin ratios were found to be high in these patient groups, and determining the usefulness of new biomarkers through new studies will give us a new perspective in clinical practice.

Understanding clinical outcomes and factors influencing mortality in intensive care unit patients with COVID-19-associated candidemia

BACKGROUND

During the COVID pandemic, research has shown an increase in candidemia cases following severe COVID infection and the identification of risk factors associated with candidemia. However, there is a lack of studies that specifically explore clinical outcomes and mortality rates related to candidemia after COVID infection.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this international study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and identify factors influencing mortality in patients who developed candidemia during their COVID infection.

PATIENTS/METHODS

This study included adult patients (18 years of age or older) admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and diagnosed with COVID-associated candidemia (CAC). The research was conducted through ID-IRI network and in collaboration with 34 medical centres across 18 countries retrospectively, spanning from the beginning of the COVID pandemic until December 2021.

RESULTS

A total of 293 patients diagnosed with CAC were included. The median age of the patients was 67, and 63% of them were male. The most common Candida species detected was C. albicans. The crude 30-day mortality rate was recorded at 62.4%. The logistic regression analysis identified several factors significantly impacting mortality, including age (odds ratio [OR] 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.07, p < .0005), SOFA score (OR 1.307, 95% CI 1.17-1.45, p < .0005), invasive mechanical ventilation (OR 7.95, 95% CI 1.44-43.83, p < .017) and duration of mechanical ventilation (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.96-0.99, p < .020).

CONCLUSIONS

By recognising these prognostic factors, medical professionals can customise their treatment approaches to offer more targeted care, leading to improved patient outcomes and higher survival rates for individuals with COVID-associated candidemia.

Molecular Characterization of Giardia intestinalis and Cryptosporidium spp. Detected in Humans in Ağrı, Türkiye

Background

We aimed to determine the prevalence of Giardia intestinalis and Cryptosporidium spp. in patients who admitted hospital with diarrhea and to gain information about the transmission of these parasites in Ağrı, Türkiye.

Methods

This study included 184 patients who applied to Ağrı-Diyadin State Hospital, Türkiye in 2022. The immunochromatographic card test was used for detection of the G. intestinalis and Cryptosporidium spp. Nested PCR-RFLP analysis of the COWP gene and sequence analysis of the gp60 gene were used to genotype and subtype Cryptosporidium spp., whereas Nested PCR and sequence analyses of β-giardin gene were used genotype G. intestinalis.

Results

Of the 184 stool specimens examined, 12 (14.29%) and 7 (3.80%) were positive for G. intestinalis and Cryptosporidium spp., respectively. The Cryptosporidium species were identified as C. parvum belonging to the IId sub-type family. The G. intestinalis were identified assemblages A.

Conclusion

Assemblage A, which is associated with diarrhea, is responsible for giardiasis and C. parvum IId subtype, often found in sheep, goats and cattle, is responsible for cryptosporidiosis in Ağrı, Türkiye.

A Ruptured Cystic Echinococcosis in the Gallbladder and Intra/Extrahepatic Biliary Tract, Radiological and Surgical Imaging Findings

Cystic echinococcosis is a common parasitic infestation that can still cause serious complications in endemic areas. Intrabiliary rupture is a well-defined complication, but rupture into the gallbladder is rare. The disease may present with cholecystitis and cholangitis. Clinicians and radiologists working in the emergency room will find the management of the disease much easier if they become familiar with the clinical and radiological findings of the cyst. In this article, a 28-year-old male admitted to the emergency department with acute abdominal pain who was examined for suspected acute cholecystitis and diagnosed with a rupture of the hydatid intra/extrahepatic bile ducts and gallbladder is presented. Our aim is to present the clinical findings and surgical images of the case (ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging) and compare them with the literature.

Bibliometric Analysis of the Publications on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Published Between 2012-2022

Objective

This study aimed to conduct a bibliometric analysis of the global scientific output related to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) between 2012 and 2022.

Materials and Methods

The Web of Science database was searched for articles on MERS-CoV published between 2012 and 2022 for bibliometric analysis. The parameters such as publication year, publication type, funding agencies, research institutions, journals, impact factors, language, and citation numbers of articles were analyzed.

Results

We included 1475 articles on MERS-CoV from 86 countries. The United States was the most published country on MERS-CoV, with 487 articles. The Saudi Ministry of Health (7.53%), King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (6.92%), and The Egyptian Knowledge Bank (6.64%) were the most published institutions. The researchers who published the most on MERS-CoV were from Saudi Arabia. One thousand two hundred six funding agencies funded publications on MERS-CoV, most of which were funded by agencies from the United States.

Conclusion

MERS-CoV remains important because no treatment and no vaccine have been found since it was first detected, and accordingly, it continues to affect the world with new outbreaks and high mortality rates. In addition, experiences with MERS-CoV during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have guided new research on COVID-19, so scientific interest in MERS-CoV is still ongoing.

Investigation of Giardia spp., Cryptosporidium spp. and Cyclospora cayetanensis in Samples Collected from Different Spring Waters Iğdır, Türkiye

OBJECTIVE

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the physical and chemical properties of different spring waters and parasitic factors with different methods.

METHODS

This study was carried out on 69 water samples collected from different spring waters in and around Iğdır Province in April and June 2021. The samples were analyzed by native-Lugol, modified acid-fast staining, and nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR). In addition, altitude (meter) and pressure (mmHg) measurements were made at the point where the water samples were taken.

RESULTS

One or more parasites were detected in 27.5% of the 69 water samples examined. Only C. cayetanensis was found in 13% of the samples, only Cryptosporidium spp. in 10.1%, only Giardia spp. in 1.4%, only C. cayetanensis and Giardia spp. in 1.4%, only C. cayetanensis, Cryptosporidium spp., and Giardia spp. in 1.4%. Only Giardia spp. cyst (4.3%) was detected by the direct examination method. While C. cayetanensis and Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were detected in 8.7% and 7.2% of the samples by the modified acid-fast staining method, C. cayetanensis was detected in 15.9% and Cryptosporidium spp. was detected in 11.6% of the samples by nPCR. When the C. cayetanensis and Cryptosporidium spp. positivity rates were compared according to the characteristics of the water, there was no statistical difference between the altitude, salinity, pH, mmHg, and temperature (kelvin) values, but a significant correlation was found between the amount of dissolved oxygen and Cryptosporidium spp. positivity (p=0.047).

CONCLUSION

Cryptosporidium spp., C. cayetanensis, and G. intestinalis are important waterborne pathogens that can cause epidemics. It is our belief that in order to reduce the risk of contamination of these parasitic factors with spring waters, public awareness should be raised, infrastructures should be improved, and new water treatment techniques, such as ultraviolet, ozonation and monitoring systems, should be used.

Monitoring spatio-temporal changes in wetlands with harmonized image series in Google Earth Engine

Study of rapidly changing lakes and wetlands with remote sensing methods is critical for understanding the climatic and anthropogenic effects. However, most of the studies search for the change of water body in specific time periods. Although this approach reduces the workload related to downloading and processing a large number of satellite images in computer environment, it actually causes ignoring some critical changes that occurred out of specified time periods. On the other hand, this situation reduces the data volume and the limited data causes problems for the management of water resources.  The Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform allows the opportunity to rapidly and practically process large-scale temporal data without downloading. In this study, areal changes in Lake Akşehir in Türkiye, from 1985 to 2020, were calculated and mapped by the GEE as a case. In order to calculate the changes, the Landsat 5 TM, 7 ETM + and 8 OLI&TIRS images were harmonized and created annual mosaics. The Normalized difference water index (NDWI) and the automated water extraction index (AWEI) were applied to these annual mosaics. By this approach, the change in the water area representing a shrank by 87% on average (according to the calculations 91% for the NDWI and 83% for the AWEI) from 1985 to 2020 was assessed practically and rapidly on annual mosaics created from all images between the studied period, instead of assessment based on images taken on only one date in the chosen years as in previous studies. Such an approach will provide time and labour savings and provide more meaningful and uninterrupted data for studies about changes in other wetland areas.

Our endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) experience in pediatric patients in a training and research hospital

Background

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was first applied in 1976 in children for diagnosing and treating pancreaticobiliary diseases based on experience with adult patients. Its application was limited initially but has become widespread in recent years with technical developments. This study evaluated the efficacy, indications, and complications of the ERCP's diagnostic and therapeutic use in pediatric patients.

Case Series

We evaluated retrospectively the files of 16 pediatric patients aged 5-18 years who underwent ERCP between January 2015 and June 2022 in the Endoscopy Unit of Prof. Dr. Cemil Taşçıoğlu City Hospital. We recorded and analyzed the demographic data, admission complaints, pre-procedure diagnostic tests, ERCP findings, and early and late post-procedure complications. Five of the 16 patients (31 %) who underwent ERCP were male, 11 (69 %) were female, and their mean age was 12.7 ± 5.44. We utilized as a diagnostic tool the Fujifilm ED-580XT duodenoscope with a 13.4 mm outer diameter and a 4.4 mm diameter channel connected to a Fujinon Eluxeo 6000 light source, not specifically designed for children but in use for adult patients. While biochemistry and ultrasonography were conducted for all patients before the procedure, only ten patients (62 %) underwent magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. Indications for performing ERCP included suspected biliary pathology (8 patients, 50 %), pancreatitis attack (6 patients, 38 %), bile leakage after cholecystectomy (one patient, 6 %), and mass lesion in the ampulla (one patient, 6 %). Seven patients (44 %) underwent cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis 4-6 weeks after the ERCP (one cholecystectomy was performed in another center). In one of the patients, ERCP was performed for diagnostic-only purposes, while in fifteen patients was performed for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes (partial sphincterotomy and stent placement). While none of the patients had complications in the early post-procedure period, one experienced an acute pancreatitis episode in the late post-procedure period.

Conclusion

With the increase in endoscopists' experience and technological developments in different age groups, ERCP is a safe and effective method for diagnosing and treating pancreaticobiliary diseases in children. HIPPOKRATIA 2022, 26 (4):152-156.

Investigation of Intestinal and Blood Parasites in People Returning to Turkey with a History of Traveling Abroad During the Pandemic

OBJECTIVE

To investigate intestinal and blood parasites in people who have a history of traveling abroad during the Coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic and returning to Turkey.

METHODS

In this study, 104 patients with gastrointestinal system and/or fever complaints who had traveled abroad during the pandemic period and returned to Turkey were included. Parasitic agents were investigated by taking blood and stool samples from the patients. Additionally, urine samples were obtained from patients with hematuria or dysuria with the suspicion of schistosomiasis. A direct microscopic examination, the Crypto-Giardia immunochromatographic test, and ELISA methods were used in the examination of the stool samples. In order to detect Plasmodium species, blood samples were examined by preparing both the rapid diagnostic test and thick drop and thin smear preparations.

RESULTS

One or more parasite species were detected in 38 (38.5%) of 104 patients included in the study. While intestinal parasites were detected in 16 (32%) of 50 patients who traveled to Iran and 16 (33.3%) of 48 patients who traveled to Northern Iraq, blood parasites were not found. Schistosoma mansoni was detected in all 5 of the patients with a history of traveling to Sudan. Plasmodium falciparum was detected in 1 patient who traveled to the African continent.

CONCLUSION

It is vital to take precautions to prevent parasitic diseases, such as malaria and schistosomiasis, during travels to African countries. During travels to neighboring countries of Turkey, such as Northern Iraq and Iran, hygiene should be paid attention to, so as to prevent contracting intestinal parasitic diseases. In addition, it was concluded that people who plan to travel abroad should have information about the endemic parasitic diseases of the country that they are going to.

Evaluation of seroprevalence and clinical and laboratory findings of patients admitted to health institutions in Gümüşhane with suspicion of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever

Background/aim

To determine the seroprevalence and evaluate clinical findings and laboratory results of patients prediagnosed with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Gümüşhane.

Materials and methods

Included in the cross-sectional study were 362 patients (162 female, 200 male) between 0 and 94 years of age, who were followed up after receiving a preliminary diagnosis of CCHF between January 2011 and December 2019. Anamnesis, age, sex, clinical findings, laboratory results, epidemiological and clinical evaluations, severity criteria, risk factor reviews, and a comparison of the suspected negative cases with positive cases were analyzed retrospectively. Patients included in the study were evaluated as RNA-positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or IgM-positive by ELISA.

Results

Of the 362 patients admitted to health institutions with a preliminary diagnosis of CCHF, 242 were diagnosed as CCHF-positive (66.9%). Moreover, 196 of those CCHF-positive patients (81%) were admitted to health institutions during the summer months. Statistical analyses revealed a significant relationship between the incidence of CCHF and patients who had been in contact with animals, lived in rural areas, and had engaged in farming and animal husbandry. In addition, fever, headache, diffuse bodily pain, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, fever of 38 °C or higher, tachycardia, elevated ALT/AST, creatine kinase (CK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia were detected in the CCHF-positive patients. Significant relations were found between this disease and these symptoms. However, there was no significant relationship between the statistical evaluation of the disease and bloody diarrhea, bodily bruises, rash, unconsciousness, gingival bleeding, hypotension, epistaxis, petechiae, splenomegaly, ecchymosis, hematuria, maculopapular rash, gastrointestinal system complaints, anemia, or elevation of the international normalized ratio and activated partial thromboplastin time duration, separately.

Conclusion

Of the 362 patients, 66.9% (242) of those who received a preliminary diagnosis of CCHF were indeed CCHF-positive in Gümüşhane. It was concluded that CCHF remains an important endemic disease in Gümüşhane. In addition, elevated ALT/AST, CK, and LDH levels, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia in patients presenting with headache, fever, fever of 38 °C or higher, generalized body pain, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, and tachycardia will play a pivotal role in the preliminary diagnosis of CCHF.

[Evaluation of the reproductive potential of Encephalitozoon intestinalis in four different cell line]

Microsporidia are parasites that can cause infections in many vertebrate and invertebrate organisms and produce small spores resistant to environmental conditions. As they are obligate intracellular parasites, axenic cultures cannot be performed. The aim of this study was to investigate the reproductive potential of the parasite in human colon epidermal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2), human monocytic (U937), African green monkey renal epithelial (VERO) and human kidney epithelial (HEK-293) cell lines of tissue and organs where the parasite is located by following the culture of the parasites and the amount of spores for six weeks. RPMI-1640 medium was used for the cultivation of U937 cells, while DMEM was used for other cell lines and the immature U937 cells were stimulated with Phorbol-12-Myristate-13-Acetate before infection. All of the host cell groups were infected with freshly collected Encephalitozoon intestinalis spores in ratio 1:30 and free spores in the culture media were removed after overnight incubation at 37°C under 5% CO2 condition for parasite invasion. The first release of the spores from the infected cells was observed and recorded by following for six weeks. Furthermore, the spore density released from each cell groups was evaluated by measuring the parasite load by Thoma cell counting chamber and quantified by real-time PCR. As a result of the study, it was observed that four cell lines could be infected by E.intestinalis and the spore production can be maintained for six weeks. It was observed that the monolayer macrophages and CaCo-2 cells, started to be detached from the culture flasks in few days following the parasite invasion, thus decreasing the number of host cells. After 1-2 weeks, HEK-293 cells were also detached from the surface, thus negatively affected the pure spore production by contaminating the media with dead host cell suspension. Spores started to appear in VERO cell media at the end of the second week after initial infection, while it took longer time for other cells to start releasing spores. Over the course of six weeks, the VERO cell line had the highest spore-producing potential among the other cell lines. In conclusion, this study compared the potential for reproduction of E.intestinalis in three human cell lines and monkey originated VERO cell line. This study demonstrated that cells derived from the tissues or organs where Microsporidia species causes disseminated infections could be infected by the parasitic spores in vitro. Additionally, the parasite can survive and propagate longer than six weeks. The authors believe that the results of this study will contribute to the further studies related to the parasite in the area of genetics, pharmacology, biochemistry, immunology and eradication studies.

Evaluation of four commercial DNA extraction kits for the detection of Microsporidia and the importance of pretreatments in DNA isolation

Microsporidia are obligate intracellular parasitic protozoa infecting the wide variety of hosts and are commonly known as a cause of chronic diarrhea particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Molecular-based tests have high sensitivity and specificity in disease diagnosis. However, these tests' performance relies on the isolation of DNA in a good concentration. The standard procedures of commercial DNA extraction kits are usually insufficient for this purpose due to the tough walls of spores. This study aimed to test the significance of pretreatments by glass beads and freeze-thawing processes in DNA isolation from microsporidia spores. The parasite was cultured in growing Vero cells and seven serial dilutions were prepared from the collected spores. DNA purification was performed according to different tissue kits and stool kit procedures with and without any pretreatment. Concentration of isolated DNA samples were evaluated by real-time PCR. As a result of this study, the detectable amount of spores is minimum 10 spores in each 100 μ! sample according to the different tissue kits' standard protocols. However, according to the DNA stool mini kit, the detectable amount of spores was found to be 1,000 spores/100 μl of stool sample when pretreated with both the freeze-thawing and glass beads methods.In conclusion, the current study demonstrated that further pretreatments are an essential process for DNA extraction from the stool specimens in order to avoid possible false negativity in the diagnosis of microsporidiosis.

[Investigation of potentially pathogenic free-living amoebae and their in vivo pathogenicity in water supplies of Turkey]

Free-living amoebae (FLA) are found widely in soil and water in the nature. Among them in which potentially pathogenic for humans and animals are known as "potential pathogenic free-living amoebae (PPFLA)". PPFLA are characterized as the causes of clinical manifestations leading to death especially in immunosuppressed people. Four genus of PPFLA (Acanthamoeba, Naegleria, Balamuthia and Sappinia) are known to be pathogenic to humans. The aims of this study were to investigate the presence of PPFLA in the water supplies in Turkey and to determine their in vivo pathogenicity. A total of 664 water samples were collected from the ponds, rivers, streams and wells found in provinces located at different regions (central, western, eastern and southeastern regions) of Turkey. These samples were initially inoculated in the monoxenic culture media and evaluated by both microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in terms of the presence of FLA. The samples identified as positive were then cultured in axenic media, the growth of amoebae that were confirmed microscopically, were than studied with PCR for molecular characterization. The isolates that were found positive by PCR from axenic cultures were inoculated intranasally to immunocompetent and immunodeficient (athymic) [BALB/c Rag2(-/-) gamma(c)(-/-)] BALB/c mice followed by the evaluation on the 21st day by histopathological and molecular methods to investigate their in vivo pathogenicity. In our study, 143 water samples were detected as positive in monoxenic cultures and 41 of them were detected as positive in axenic cultures. Twenty of 41 samples detected as positive in axenic culture could be continued in culture for three months. As a result of PCR using primers common to SYA, only nine have been identified from 20 samples as positive. According to the result of the PCR with specific primers, all (n= 9) were positive for Acanthamoeba sp., eight for Sappini sp. and five for Balamuthia mandrillaris, while none was observed Naegleria fowleri. Histopathologic examination revealed that both groups of mice that were infected with the nine isolates had normal brain tissue sections; but haemorrhages and mononuclear cell proliferation were determined in four immunocompetent and seven athymic animal lung sections. When the presence of parasites in tissue samples were evaluated by real-time PCR, Balamuthia was detected in at least one blood, lung, brain or nasal mucosa sample of the four immunocompetent mice, Sappinia sp. in four and Acanthamoeba sp. in seven immunocompetent mice infected with nine isolates. Additionally, seven Balamuthia sp., seven Sappinia sp. and eight Acanthamoeba sp. were detected in immunodeficient mice. In this study, B. mandrillaris and Sappinia sp. were the first isolated potentially pathogenic amoebae from water supplies located at different parts of Turkey. As a result awareness and precautions against suspicious water supplies used for drinking, daily use and swimming purposes should be treated more carefully.

[Cloning DNA Vaccine Candidate SAG1 Gene of Toxoplasma gondii]

OBJECTIVE

Toxoplasma gondii, which is observed in our country and worldwide, can cause mortality and is an important public health problem because of engaging babies from pregnant women. An effective vaccine against toxoplasmosis has not yet been developed. SAG1 protein is released from the bradyzoites and tachyzoites stages of T. gondii and is important at the pathogenesis of the disease. This study aimed to clone a promising DNA vaccine candidate, SAG1 gene, of T. gondii.

METHODS

T. gondii genomic DNA was isolated from tachyzoites of T. gondii. SAG1 gene was amplified with specific primers and then cloned into the pJET1.2 vector. Recombinant plasmids were transformed into Escherichia coli cells. The presence of recombinant plasmids was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening. Following the purification of the recombinant plasmid from positive colonies, cloning was confirmed by PCR, restriction enzyme assays, and DNA sequence analysis.

RESULTS

After PCR with SAG1 gene-specific primers, 1010-bp PCR products were obtained. Recombinant plasmid, which was transformed into competent E. coli cells, was verified by PCR screening. Moreover, PCR verified that the recombinant plasmids contained the SAG1 gene. The DNA sequence was analyzed, and the DNA sequence was obtained.

CONCLUSION

One of the promising DNA vaccine candidates against toxoplasmosis, SAG1 gene, has been cloned.

[Cloning of Blastocystis sp subtype 3 small-subunit ribosomal DNA]

OBJECTIVE

Different sub-types or genetic variations of Blastocystis sp. are thought to play a role in the differential symptoms caused by the parasite or asymptomatic cases. In this study, it was aimed to clone a fragment of SSUrDNA gene of Blastocystis from a patient in order to define its phylogenetic subtype.

METHODS

In this study, DNA isolation from the stool of a Blastocystis infected patient was performed. Blastocystis specific primers were used to amplify a SSUrDNA genomic fragment. The amplified DNA fragment was cloned into a plasmid and sequenced using plasmid specific primers. The obtained DNA sequence was analyzed using BLAST and a phylogenetic tree was constructed using the software MEGA.

RESULTS

It was found that the Blastocystis isolate in our study is subtype 3.

CONCLUSION

Cloning and sequencing of the target genomic region is suggested for phylogenetic analysis studies.