The genome sequence of Xanthomonas oryzae pathovar oryzae KACC10331, the bacterial blight pathogen of rice

The nucleotide sequence was determined for the genome of Xanthomonas oryzae pathovar oryzae (Xoo) KACC10331, a bacterium that causes bacterial blight in rice (Oryza sativa L.). The genome is comprised of a single, 4 941 439 bp, circular chromosome that is G + C rich (63.7%). The genome includes 4637 open reading frames (ORFs) of which 3340 (72.0%) could be assigned putative function. Orthologs for 80% of the predicted Xoo genes were found in the previously reported X.axonopodis pv. citri (Xac) and X.campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) genomes, but 245 genes apparently specific to Xoo were identified. Xoo genes likely to be associated with pathogenesis include eight with similarity to Xanthomonas avirulence (avr) genes, a set of hypersensitive reaction and pathogenicity (hrp) genes, genes for exopolysaccharide production, and genes encoding extracellular plant cell wall-degrading enzymes. The presence of these genes provides insights into the interactions of this pathogen with its gramineous host

Importance of reciprocal balance of T cell immunity in Mycobacterium abscessus complex lung disease.

Little is known about the nature of the host immune response to Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABC) infection. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether alterations in serum immunomolecule levels after treating MABC lung disease patients with antibiotics can reflect the disease-associated characteristics.A total of 22 immunomolecules in 24 MABC lung disease patients before and after antibiotic therapy were quantitatively analyzed using a multiplex bead-based system.In general, the pre-treatment levels of T helper type 1 (Th1)-related cytokines, i.e., interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-12, and Th2-related cytokines, i.e., IL-4 and IL-13, were significantly decreased in patients compared with control subjects. In contrast, the pre-treatment levels of Th17-related cytokines, i.e., IL-17 and IL-23, were significantly increased in MABC patients. Interestingly, significantly higher levels of IFN-γ-induced protein (IP)-10 and monokine induced by IFN-γ protein (MIG) were detected in patients with failure of sputum conversion at post-treatment compared to patients with successful sputum conversion.Reduced Th1 and Th2 responses and enhanced Th17 responses in patients may perpetuate MABC lung disease, and the immunomolecules IP-10 and MIG, induced through IFN-γ, may serve as key markers for indicating the treatment outcome

The levels of Th1 immunity-related cytokines between controls and patients at pre-treatment.

<p>The data are presented as box-and-whisker plots with the median, interquartile range, and minimum to maximum values. In comparison of patients and controls, Wilcoxon’s two sample test or independent two sample t-test is used.</p

Baseline characteristics of the 24 study patients with MABC lung disease.

<p>MABC: <i>M. abscessus</i> complex; IQR: interquartile ranges; DM: diabetes mellitus; TB: tuberculosis; CRP: C-reactive protein; ESR: erythrocyte sedimentation rate.</p><p>Categorical variables were denoted as the No. of patients (%).</p><p>Continuous variables were denoted as median values (IQR).</p><p>Baseline characteristics of the 24 study patients with MABC lung disease.</p

The levels of Th2 immunity-related cytokines between controls and patients at pre-treatment.

<p>The data are presented as box-and-whisker plots with the median, interquartile range, and minimum to maximum values. In comparison of patients and controls, Wilcoxon’s two sample test or independent two sample t-test is used.</p

Overall comparison of serum immunomolecule levels in patients with MABC lung disease during antibiotic therapy.

<p>The data are presented as median values (IQR).</p>a<p>Significance of the differences between pre- and post-treatment in patients. To compare pre- and post-treatment conditions, the paired t-test or Wilcoxon’s signed rank test was used. NS, not significant.</p><p>Overall comparison of serum immunomolecule levels in patients with MABC lung disease during antibiotic therapy.</p

The post-treatment levels of IP-10 and MIG in patient subgroups according to sputum culture conversion [successes (<i>n</i> = 15) <i>versus</i> failures (<i>n</i> = 9)].

<p>The data are presented as box-and-whisker plots with the median, interquartile range, and minimum to maximum values. To compare two subgroups, Wilcoxon’s two-sample test was used. *, <i>P</i><0.05 for the results of the comparisons in patient subgroups according to sputum culture conversion.</p