Comparative analyses of the complete genome sequences of Pierce's disease and citrus variegated chlorosis strains of Xylella fastidiosa

Xylella fastidiosa is a xylem-dwelling, insect-transmitted, gamma-proteobacterium that causes diseases in many plants, including grapevine, citrus, periwinkle, almond, oleander, and coffee. X. fastidiosa has an unusually broad host range, has an extensive geographical distribution throughout the American continent, and induces diverse disease phenotypes. Previous molecular analyses indicated three distinct groups of X.fastidiosa isolates that were expected to be genetically divergent. Here we report the genome sequence of X. fastidiosa (Temecula strain), isolated from a naturally infected grapevine with Pierce's disease (PD) in a wine-grape-growing region of California. Comparative analyses with a previously sequenced X.fastidiosa strain responsible for citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC) revealed that 98% of the PD X.fastidiosa Temecula genes are shared with the CVC X. fastidiosa strain 9a5c genes. Furthermore, the average amino acid identity of the open reading frames in the strains is 95.7%. Genomic differences are limited to phage-associated chromosomal rearrangements and deletions that also account for the strain-specific genes present in each genome. Genomic islands, one in each genome, were identified, and their presence in other X.fastidiosa strains was analyzed. We conclude that these two organisms have identical metabolic functions and are likely to use a common set of genes in plant colonization and pathogenesis, permitting convergence of functional genomic strategies.

Genotyping of Epstein-Barr virus in Brazilian Burkitt's lymphoma and reactive lymphoid tissue - Type A with a high prevalence of deletions within the latent membrane protein gene

Both Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) types A and B are found in endemic Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) occurring in equatorial Africa. We studied 17 cases of Brazilian BL previously demonstrated to be EBV-positive to determine the EBV type as well as the presence of a characteristic 30 bp deletion within the 3' end of the latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1) gene that may be important to the pathogenesis of several EBV-associated neoplasms. All case in which the age was known were children. We found type A EBV in 13 of 14 (93%) evaluable cases, and type B in one case. The LMP-1 deletion was found in 12 of 15 (80%) evaluable cases, including the one case of type B EBV, and a similar high prevalence (59%) of the deletion was detected in EBV-positive normal and reactive lymphoid tissues from individuals from the same geographic region. The high proportion of cases associated with type A EBV suggests that immunodeficiency is not an important factor in the pathogenesis of Brazilian BL, in contrast to endemic African BL. The presence of the LMP-1 deletion in a high prevalence in the normal population in this region is unexplained.

Frequency of coronary artery disease in patients with renal artery stenosis without clinical manifestations of coronary insufficiency

Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (RAS) and coronary artery disease (CAD) arise from the same multiple risk factors. The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency of previously undiagnosed CAD in patients with angiographically confirmed RAS, by conducting coronary arteriography in the same setting. of 57 consecutive patients referred for renal arteriography on clinical grounds during a 14-month period, 28 had no RAS and 6 had RAS, but previously documented CAD. of the remainder 23 patients. 17 (74%; CI 56%-92%) had both RAS and CAD (7 single vessel, 4 two-vessel, and 7 multivessel disease). The clinical characteristics, such as age, blood pressure (BP) levels, signs of heart failure, were no different between those with and without CAD, although the 4 diabetic patients, the 4 patients with fundoscopic findings of grade III retinopathy, 11 of 14 with peripheral arterial disease, and 7 of 8 patients with prior stroke belonged in the CAD group. None developed complications as a result of the two consecutive procedures. The data suggest that in patients with RAS the frequency of silent CAD is high and cannot be predicted on clinical grounds alone, therefore coronary angiography should be routinely recommended in the same setting.

Neuropathy of Gastrointestinal Chagas' Disease: Immune Response to Myelin Antigens

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)