Association of chemotactic chemokine ligand 5 rs2107538 polymorphism with tuberculosis susceptibility: A meta-analysis

A meta-analysis was carried out in this study by summarizing relevant research to evaluate the relationship between rs2107538 polymorphism in the chemotactic chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) gene and tuberculosis (TB) susceptibility. Published studies were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, and CNKI databases using the keywords ‘CCL5’, ‘TB’, and ‘polymorphism’. Nine studies involving 2584 patients with TB and 2265 controls were included in the current meta-analysis. The combined results suggested that the CCL5 rs2107538 polymorphism was correlated with TB susceptibility (recessive model: OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.02–2.07). Subgroup analysis according to race indicated that such correlation could be detected in Caucasians (CT versus CC: OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.20–1.95; dominant model: OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.25–1.99), but not in East Asian, South Asian, and South African populations. In conclusion, the results of our meta-analysis suggest that CCL5 rs2107538 polymorphism might contribute to the risk of TB, especially in Caucasians. Well-designed studies with more subjects will be required for further validation of these results.

Aphelenchoides spp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchida) and Panagrolaimus leperisini (Nematoda: Rhabditida) found associated with grass seeds in the Telperion Nature Reserve, South Africa

As part of the South African Plant-Parasitic Nematode Survey (SAPPNS), an extensive nematode diversity survey was conducted in the Telperion Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa. During this survey, samples of grass seeds were collected. Some of these seeds yielded specimens of the genera Aphelenchoides, Aphelenchus and Panagrolaimus. Identified species include Aphelenchoides africanus, A. besseyi, A. lichenicola, A. rutgersi, A. spicomucronatus and Panagrolaimus leperisini. Four of these species are new records for South Africa and the South African populations of these species are described in this paper.