scholarly journals Identification of a Novel Astrovirus (Astrovirus VA1) Associated with an Outbreak of Acute Gastroenteritis

2009 ◽  
Vol 83 (20) ◽  
pp. 10836-10839 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stacy R. Finkbeiner ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
Susan Ruone ◽  
Christina Conrardy ◽  
Nicole Gregoricus ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The etiology of a large proportion of gastrointestinal illness is unknown. In this study, random Sanger sequencing and pyrosequencing approaches were used to analyze fecal specimens from a gastroenteritis outbreak of unknown etiology in a child care center. Multiple sequences with limited identity to known astroviruses were identified. Assembly of the sequences and subsequent reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends generated a complete genome of 6,586 nucleotides. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that this virus, named astrovirus VA1 (AstV-VA1), is highly divergent from all previously described astroviruses. Based on RT-PCR, specimens from multiple patients in this outbreak were unequivocally positive for Ast-VA1.

BMC Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raziyeh Khalesi ◽  
Ehsan Razmara ◽  
Golareh Asgaritarghi ◽  
Ali Reza Tavasoli ◽  
Yasser Riazalhosseini ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The present study aimed to determine the underlying genetic factors causing the possible Warburg micro syndrome (WARBM) phenotype in two Iranian patients. Case presentation A 5-year-old female and a 4.5-year-old male were referred due to microcephaly, global developmental delay, and dysmorphic features. After doing neuroimaging and clinical examinations, due to the heterogeneity of neurodevelopmental disorders, we subjected 7 family members to whole-exome sequencing. Three candidate variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing and allele frequency of each variant was also determined in 300 healthy ethnically matched people using the tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system-PCR and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. To show the splicing effects, reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and RT-qPCR were performed, followed by Sanger sequencing. A novel homozygous variant—NM_012233.2: c.151-5 T > G; p.(Gly51IlefsTer15)—in the RAB3GAP1 gene was identified as the most likely disease-causing variant. RT-PCR/RT-qPCR showed that this variant can activate a cryptic site of splicing in intron 3, changing the splicing and gene expression processes. We also identified some novel manifestations in association with WARBM type 1 to touch upon abnormal philtrum, prominent antitragus, downturned corners of the mouth, malaligned teeth, scrotal hypoplasia, low anterior hairline, hypertrichosis of upper back, spastic diplegia to quadriplegia, and cerebral white matter signal changes. Conclusions Due to the common phenotypes between WARBMs and Martsolf syndrome (MIM: 212720), we suggest using the “RABopathies” term that can in turn cover a broad range of manifestations. This study can per se increase the genotype-phenotype spectrum of WARBM type 1.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Tang ◽  
Mohan Liu ◽  
Ting Wei ◽  
Lin Deng ◽  
Yueyang Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Next-generation sequencing (NGS) and whole exome sequencing (WES) have identified many potential disease-causing loci and genetic mutations of high myopia(HM). However, these known genes can only explain the heritability of a small proportion of HM patients. A large proportion of variants have yet to be discovered. Herein we aimed to investigate the genetic characteristics of HM through a Chinese HM family(the inheritance pattern unknown) . Methods We performed WES on the parent-offspring trio and identified mutations by Sanger sequencing. All the members in this family were sequenced to validate phenotype co-segregated with candidate genes via Sanger sequencing as well. Besides, mutations detected were further evaluated in a cohort of 110 sporadic high myopia controls and 200 unrelated ethically-matched controls. And reverse transcription PCR(RT-PCR) was applied to measure the mRNA expression levels of GPR157 in the 4-week-old KM mice. Results A novel heterozygous nonsense mutation, c.859C>T (p.Arg287*) of GPR157 gene, was detected in the proband and her father by WES. And this disease-associated mutation was not found in 310 control individuals. For the family under study, HM was classified as autosomal dominant inheritance with reduced penetrance. And RT-PCR results showed GPR157 was abundantly expressed in the eye. Conclusion The hybrid nonsense mutation of the GPR157 gene identified in this study may constitute a novel genetic cause of HM. Keywords :high myopia, WES, GPR157


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yousef A. Fouad ◽  
Tougan Taha Abdelaziz ◽  
Anas Askoura ◽  
Mohamed Ibrahim Saleh ◽  
Mohammad S. Mahmoud ◽  
...  

Objective: To determine if there was an increase in the rate of cases presenting with rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) to a tertiary care center during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the characteristics of the presenting cases.Methods: Retrospective observational study reviewing ROCM cases presenting from March 25 until September 25, 2020. Cases fulfilling the clinical, radiological, and pathological/microbiological criteria for diagnosis with ROCM were included. The number of cases presenting during the designated interval, their COVID-19 status, comorbidities, and clinical presentation were analyzed. The number of cases during the corresponding interval in the previous 3 years was used as reference to detect if there was a recent spike.Results: Of the 12 ROCM cases identified, 5 had a concurrent positive reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) test result for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), 1 had a prior positive result, and 6 did not have concurrent nor prior positive test results. Nine of the 12 cases had poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, and 2 cases had a hematological malignancy. All cases had orbital invasion, and eight cases had cerebral invasion. The number of cases identified during the interval is much higher than the numbers presenting in the prior 3 years during equivalent intervals (range, one to two cases) than those reported in the literature in different settings in the pre-pandemic era.Conclusions: There is an increased rate of ROCM cases presenting to our center during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a preliminary report, and further studies are needed to corroborate the findings and explain possible underlying links.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Man Yu ◽  
Tao Zhou ◽  
Yuanhua Wu ◽  
Mengnan An

ABSTRACT The complete genome sequence of a Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) isolate obtained from Northeast China was determined by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). Phylogenetic analysis showed that the virus isolate is closely related to Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, and U.S. isolates.


2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiawei Wang ◽  
Ying Zhai ◽  
Weizhen Liu ◽  
Amit Dhingra ◽  
Hanu R. Pappu ◽  
...  

Cherry virus A (CVA) ( Capillovirus, Betaflexiviridae ) is widely present in cherry-growing areas. We obtained the complete genome of a CVA isolate (CVA-TA) using small RNA deep sequencing, followed by overlapping reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The newly identified 5′-untranslated region (5′-UTR) from CVA-TA may form additional hairpin and loop structures to stabilize the CVA genome.


Author(s):  
J. R. Hully ◽  
K. R. Luehrsen ◽  
K. Aoyagi ◽  
C. Shoemaker ◽  
R. Abramson

The development of PCR technology has greatly accelerated medical research at the genetic and molecular levels. Until recently, the inherent sensitivity of this technique has been limited to isolated preparations of nucleic acids which lack or at best have limited morphological information. With the obvious exception of cell lines, traditional PCR or reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) cannot identify the cellular source of the amplified product. In contrast, in situ hybridization (ISH) by definition, defines the anatomical location of a gene and/or it’s product. However, this technique lacks the sensitivity of PCR and cannot routinely detect less than 10 to 20 copies per cell. Consequently, the localization of rare transcripts, latent viral infections, foreign or altered genes cannot be identified by this technique. In situ PCR or in situ RT-PCR is a combination of the two techniques, exploiting the sensitivity of PCR and the anatomical definition provided by ISH. Since it’s initial description considerable advances have been made in the application of in situ PCR, improvements in protocols, and the development of hardware dedicated to in situ PCR using conventional microscope slides. Our understanding of the importance of viral latency or viral burden in regards to HIV, HPV, and KSHV infections has benefited from this technique, enabling detection of single viral copies in cells or tissue otherwise thought to be normal. Clearly, this technique will be useful tool in pathobiology especially carcinogenesis, gene therapy and manipulations, the study of rare gene transcripts, and forensics.


2020 ◽  
Vol 110 (1) ◽  
pp. 106-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avijit Roy ◽  
Andrew L. Stone ◽  
Gabriel Otero-Colina ◽  
Gang Wei ◽  
Ronald H. Brlansky ◽  
...  

The genus Dichorhavirus contains viruses with bipartite, negative-sense, single-stranded RNA genomes that are transmitted by flat mites to hosts that include orchids, coffee, the genus Clerodendrum, and citrus. A dichorhavirus infecting citrus in Mexico is classified as a citrus strain of orchid fleck virus (OFV-Cit). We previously used RNA sequencing technologies on OFV-Cit samples from Mexico to develop an OFV-Cit–specific reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) assay. During assay validation, OFV-Cit–specific RT-PCR failed to produce an amplicon from some samples with clear symptoms of OFV-Cit. Characterization of this virus revealed that dichorhavirus-like particles were found in the nucleus. High-throughput sequencing of small RNAs from these citrus plants revealed a novel citrus strain of OFV, OFV-Cit2. Sequence comparisons with known orchid and citrus strains of OFV showed variation in the protein products encoded by genome segment 1 (RNA1). Strains of OFV clustered together based on host of origin, whether orchid or citrus, and were clearly separated from other dichorhaviruses described from infected citrus in Brazil. The variation in RNA1 between the original (now OFV-Cit1) and the new (OFV-Cit2) strain was not observed with genome segment 2 (RNA2), but instead, a common RNA2 molecule was shared among strains of OFV-Cit1 and -Cit2, a situation strikingly similar to OFV infecting orchids. We also collected mites at the affected groves, identified them as Brevipalpus californicus sensu stricto, and confirmed that they were infected by OFV-Cit1 or with both OFV-Cit1 and -Cit2. OFV-Cit1 and -Cit2 have coexisted at the same site in Toliman, Queretaro, Mexico since 2012. OFV strain-specific diagnostic tests were developed.


1995 ◽  
Vol 311 (1) ◽  
pp. 293-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Tomita ◽  
H Itoh ◽  
N Ishikawa ◽  
A Higa ◽  
H Ide ◽  
...  

A cDNA encoding mouse intestinal trefoil factor (mITF) was successfully cloned and sequenced from the small intestine of C57BL/6 mouse by using the combination of reverse transcription-PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA ends methods. The gene was, similar to rat and human ITFs, mainly expressed in the small and large intestine. The mITF expression was up-regulated during the recovery phase after depletion of goblet cells in acetic acid-induced colitis. On the other hand, the expression in the jejunum was not altered, while goblet cell hyperplasia was induced by Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection. These results suggest that the mITF expression did not simply correlate with the number of goblet cells. The mITF may play an important role in the maintenance and repair of mucosal function of the rectum. Additionally, the mITF in the jejunum may play a role in alteration of the physicochemical nature of goblet cell mucins, thereby affecting the establishment of intestinal helminths.


2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (18) ◽  
pp. 6506-6514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Aubert ◽  
Thierry Naas ◽  
Claire Héritier ◽  
Laurent Poirel ◽  
Patrice Nordmann

ABSTRACT IS1999 and a point mutant derivative, IS1999.2, have been described inserted upstream of emerging antibiotic resistance genes bla VEB-1 and bla OXA-48. 5′ Rapid amplification of cDNA ends experiments revealed that expression of these β-lactamase genes was driven by the outward-directed promoter, Pout, located in the IS1999 elements. These findings led us to study IS1999-mediated gene mobilization. Thus, the transposition properties of IS1999 and of IS1999-based composite transposons, made of two copies of IS1999 in different orientations, were investigated. IS1999 or IS1999-based composite transposons were capable of transposing onto the conjugative plasmid pOX38-Gen. Sequence analysis of the insertion sites revealed that IS1999 inserted preferentially into DNA targets containing the consensus sequence NGCNNNGCN. Transposition was more efficient when at least one left inverted repeat end was located at an outside end of the transposon. The transposition frequency of IS1999.2 was 10-fold lower than that of IS1999, and transposition frequencies of the putative natural transposon, Tn1999, were below detection limits of our transposition assay. This reduced transposition frequency of IS1999.2-based elements may result from a lower transcription of the transposase gene, as revealed by reverse transcription-PCR analyses.


2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 540-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carine Barreau ◽  
Elizabeth Benson ◽  
Helen White-Cooper

Post-meiotic transcription is widespread in mammalian spermatogenesis, but is generally believed to be absent from Drosophila spermatogenesis. Genes required during meiosis, in early spermatids or later in spermiogenesis are typically transcribed in primary spermatocytes in Drosophila. Their mRNAs are then stored in the cytoplasm until the protein product is needed. Recently, using in situ hybridization, we identified 17 Drosophila genes, collectively named ‘comets’ and ‘cups’, whose mRNAs are most abundant in, and localize to the distal ends of, elongating spermatids. Using a single-cyst quantitative RT–PCR (reverse transcription–PCR) assay, we confirmed this unusual expression pattern and conclusively demonstrate the existence of post-meiotic transcription in Drosophila spermatids. We found that transcription of comets and cups occurs just before protamines can be detected in spermatid nuclei.


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