Investigation of porcine endogenous retrovirus in the conservation population of Ningxiang pig

Porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) varies between pig breeds. Screening and analysis of PERV in putative pig breeds may provide basic parameters to evaluate the biological safety of xenotransplantation from pigs to humans. In this study, PERV was investigated among the conservation population of the Ningxiang pig. The result revealed that the genotype of PERV distribution was subtype A, 100%; subtype B, 100%; and subtype C, 100%. The env sequences of PERV-A and -B showed 11 clones detected by KpnI and MboI digestion, indicating that there existed multiple variants of PERV-A and -B in the Ningxiang pig. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction results showed that PERV had transcriptional activity in these individuals. In addition, PERV A/C recombinant was detected in most individuals of Ningxiang pig. Because PERV A/C recombinants increase the potential infectious risk, the breed may not be a proper donor for xenotransplantation.

A case of cerebral aspergillosis caused by Aspergillus nidulans. Clinical, pathologic and mycologic identifications

A case of cerebral aspergillosis is reported, the presenting symptom was numbness of right face, which worsened after one year. CT-scan showed two enhanced low-density patches in the anterior and basal parts of right temporal lobe. During operation, an abscess in the deep part of right temporal lobe was revealed. The patient gradually felt amaurosis and oculomotor palsy of right eye. About six months later, she died from intracranial hypertension. Biopsy, as well as autopsy findings suggested fungal infection, and was identified as Aspergillus nidulans, which has probably never been reported in the literature.