Molecular Identification of Capnocytophaga spp. via 16S rRNA PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis

Capnocytophaga spp. have been implicated as putative periodontal pathogens associated with various periodontal diseases. Although the genus is known to contain five human oral isolates, accurate identification to species level of these organisms recovered from subgingival plaque has been hampered by the lack of a reliable method. Hence, most studies to date have reported these isolates as Capnocytophaga spp. Previous attempts at identification were based on biochemical tests; however, the results were inconclusive. Considering the differing virulence features of the respective isolates, it is crucial to identify these isolates to species level. The universal and conservative nature of the 16S rRNA gene has provided an accurate method for bacterial identification. The aim of this study was to identify Capnocytophaga spp. via restriction enzyme analysis of this gene (16S rRNA PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism). The results (backed up by 16S rRNA gene sequencing) showed that this method reliably identifies all named Capnocytophaga spp. to species level

The relationship between birthweight and brachio-femoral pulse wave velocity in early infancy: findings from a British birth cohort (Baby VIP study).

BACKGROUND: In adults, pulse wave velocity (PWV) is regarded as a predictor of cardiovascular disease.(1) However, associations in infants are not well established. One study has linked neonatal aortic PWV, at 1-3 days, with birthweight and maternal blood pressure.(2) AIM: To examine the relationship between infant brachio-femoral PWV and size at birth. METHODS: Baby VIP study recruited 362 newborn babies from the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, including 64 small for gestational age (SGA) (18%). PWV was measured non-invasively from each baby at a follow-up home visit 2-6 weeks after recruitment, using the Vicorder kit. Birthweight and other covariables were collected from the delivery and antenatal medical notes. Individualised birthweight centiles were calculated using the GROW-Centile calculator taking into account maternal weight, height, parity, ethnicity, gestational age and baby's sex.(3) RESULTS: Mean birthweight was 3329 g (standard deviation [sd] 632). Mean infant PWV was 6.7 m/s (sd 1.3). In univariable analysis, SGA babies had, on average, lower PWV by 0.4 m/s (95% confidence interval 0.0, 0.9, P = 0.04). This association persisted after adjusting for pregnancy factors including maternal smoking, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, blood pressure at booking and 36 weeks, and infant factors including type of feeding, baby's age, position and whether asleep or awake at the time of measurement (0.5 m/s lower, 0.1, 0.9, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: This study has demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of measuring PWV in early infancy. SGA was associated with a lower PWV. These findings support the evidence linking SGA with cardiovascular indicators, even very early in life

Natural history and antithrombotic treatment of incidentally detected splanchnic vein thrombosis: findings from the ISTH registry.

status: publishe