High Frequency of <i>Chlamydia trachomatis</i> Mixed Infections Detected by Microarray Assay in South American Samples

<div><p><i>Chlamydia trachomatis</i> is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide. Based on sequence variation in the <i>omp</i>A gene encoding the major outer membrane protein, the genotyping scheme distinguishes 17 recognized genotypes, i.e. A, B, Ba, C, D, Da, E, F, G, H, I, Ia, J, K, L1, L2, and L3. Genotyping is an important tool for epidemiological tracking of <i>C</i>. <i>trachomatis</i> infections, including the revelation of transmission pathways and association with tissue tropism and pathogenicity. Moreover, genotyping can be useful for clinicians to establish the correct treatment when LGV strains are detected. Recently a microarray assay was described that offers several advantages, such as rapidity, ease of standardization and detection of mixed infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the DNA microarray-based assay for <i>C</i>. <i>trachomatis</i> genotyping of clinical samples already typed by PCR-RFLP from South America. The agreement between both typing techniques was 90.05% and the overall genotype distribution obtained with both techniques was similar. Detection of mixed-genotype infections was significantly higher using the microarray assay (8.4% of cases) compared to PCR-RFLP (0.5%). Among 178 samples, the microarray assay identified 10 <i>omp</i>A genotypes, i.e. D, Da, E, F, G, H, I, J, K and L2. The most predominant type was genotype E, followed by D and F.</p></div

Type and origin of samples included in this study.

<p>Type and origin of samples included in this study.</p

Distribution of <i>C</i>. <i>trachomatis</i> genotypes according to type of sample.

<p>Distribution of <i>C</i>. <i>trachomatis</i> genotypes according to type of sample.</p

Characteristic of samples with mixed <i>omp</i>A genotype or conflicting results between genotyping methodologies.

<p>Characteristic of samples with mixed <i>omp</i>A genotype or conflicting results between genotyping methodologies.</p

<i>C</i>. <i>trachomatis</i> genotype distribution according to genotyping technique.

<p><i>C</i>. <i>trachomatis</i> genotype distribution according to genotyping technique.</p

Assessing advantages of sequential boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) in an oral cancer model with normalized blood vessels

Background. We previously demonstrated the therapeutic success of sequential boron neutron capture therapy (SeqBNCT) in the hamster cheek pouch oral cancer model. It consists of BPA-BNCT followed by GB-10-BNCT 24 or 48 hours later. Additionally, we proved that tumor blood vessel normalization with thalidomide prior to BPA-BNCT improves tumor control. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and explore potential boron microdistribution changes in Seq-BNCT preceded by tumor blood vessel normalization. Material and Methods. Tumor bearing animals were treated with thalidomide for tumor blood vessel normalization, followed by Seq-BNCT (ThSeq-BNCT) or Seq-Beam Only (ThSeq-BO) in the window of normalization. Boron microdistribution was assessed by neutron autoradiography. Results. ThSeq-BNCT induced overall tumor response of 100%, with 87 (4)% complete tumor response. No cases of severe mucositis in dose-limiting precancerous tissue were observed. Differences in boron homogeneity between tumors pre-treated and not pre-treated with thalidomide were observed. Conclusion. ThSeq-BNCT achieved, for the first time, response in all treated tumors. Increased homogeneity in tumor boron microdistribution is associated to an improvement in tumor control