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Rapid and accurate identification of Salmonella enterica serotypes Typhi and Paratyphi (A, B and C), the causal agents of enteric fever, is critical for timely treatment, case management and evaluation of health policies in low and middle-income countries where the disease still remains a serious public health problem. The present study describes the development of a multiplex assay (EFMAtyping) for simultaneous identification of pathogens causing typhoid and paratyphoid fever in a single reaction by the MeltArray approach, which could be finished within 2.5 h. Seven specific genes were chosen for differentiation of typhoidal and nontyphoidal Salmonella. All gene targets were able to be detected by the EFMAtyping assay, with expected Tm values and without cross-reactivity to other relevant Salmonella serovars. The limit of detection (LOD) for all gene targets was 50 copies per reaction. The LOD reached 10 2 -10 3  CFU/ml for each pathogen in simulated clinical samples. The largest standard deviation value for mean Tm was below 0.5 °C. This newly developed EFMAtyping assay was further evaluated by testing 551 clinical Salmonella isolates, corroborated in parallel by the traditional Salmonella identification workflow, and serotype prediction was enabled by whole-genome sequencing. Compared to the traditional method, our results exhibited 100% of specificity and greater than 96% of sensitivity with a kappa correlation ranging from 0.96 to 1.00. Thus, the EFMAtyping assay provides a rapid, high throughput, and promising tool for public health laboratories to monitor typhoid and paratyphoid fever., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Introduction: Children and adolescents, after natural and man-made disasters, often exhibit various psychological, emotional, and behavioral issues, showing a range of clinical symptoms related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. This review used a network meta-analysis (NMA) approach to compare and rank psychological interventions for PTSD and depression in children and adolescents after exposure to natural and man-made disasters., Methods: Randomized studies of psychosocial interventions for PTSD and depression in children and adolescents exposed to natural and man-made disasters were identified. PTSD and depression symptoms at postintervention and 1-12 month follow-up are the outcomes. The standardized mean differences (SMDs) between pairs of interventions at postintervention and follow-up were pooled. Mean effect sizes with 95% credible intervals (CI) were calculated, and the ranking probabilities for all interventions were estimated using the surface under the cumulative ranking curve. Study quality was assessed with version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2)., Results: In total, 26 studies with 4331 participants were included in this NMA. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) (SMD = - 0.67; 95% CI - 1.17 to - 0.17), exposure therapy (ET) (SMD = - 0.66; 95% CI - 1.11 to - 0.22), and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) (SMD = - 0.62; 95% CI - 0.90 to - 0.34) were significantly more effective for PTSD at postintervention than inactive intervention. EMDR (SMD = - 0.72; 95% CI - 1.11 to - 0.33) and ET (SMD = - 0.62; 95% CI - 0.97 to - 0.27) were associated with a higher reduction in PTSD symptoms at follow-up than inactive intervention. EMDR (SMD = - 0.40; 95% CI - 0.78 to - 0.03) and play therapy (PT) (SMD = - 0.37; 95% CI - 0.62 to - 0.12) were significantly more effective for depression at postintervention than inactive intervention. For all psychological interventions in reducing depression symptoms at follow-up compared with inactive intervention, the differences were not significant., Conclusion: EMDR appears to be most effective in reducing PTSD and depression in children and adolescents exposed to natural and man-made disasters. In addition, ET and CBT are potentially effective in reducing PTSD symptoms at postintervention, while PT is beneficial in managing depression symptoms at the treatment endpoint., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Vibrio furnissii is an emerging human pathogen closely related to V. fluvialis that causes acute gastroenteritis. V. furnissii infection has been reported to be rarer than V. fluvialis, but a multi-drug resistance plasmid has recently been discovered in V. furnissii., Methods: During daily monitoring at a general hospital in Beijing, China, seven V. furnissii strains were collected from patients aged over 14 years who presented with acute diarrhoea between April and October 2018. Genome analysis and comparison were performed for virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes, plasmids and transposon islands, together with phylogenetic analysis. Antimicrobial resistance to 19 antibiotics was investigated using the microbroth dilution method. Virulence phenotypes were investigated based on type VI secretion system (T6SS) expression and using a bacterial killing assay and a haemolysin assay., Results: Phylogenetic analysis based on single-nucleotide polymorphisms revealed a closer relationship between V. furnissii and V. fluvialis than between other Vibrio spp. The seven V. furnissii isolates were in different monophyletic clades in the phylogenetic tree, suggesting that the seven cases of gastroenteritis were independent. High resistance to cefazolin, tetracycline and streptomycin was found in the V. furnissii isolates at respective rates of 100.0%, 57.1% and 42.9%, and intermediate resistance to ampicillin/sulbactam and imipenem was observed at respective rates of 85.7% and 85.7%. Of the tested strains, VFBJ02 was resistant to both imipenem and meropenem, while VFBJ01, VFBJ02, VFBJ05 and VFBJ07 were multi-drug resistant. Transposon islands containing antibiotic resistance genes were found on the multi-drug resistance plasmid in VFBJ05. Such transposon islands also occurred in VFBJ07 but were located on the chromosome. The virulence-related genes T6SS, vfh, hupO, vfp and ilpA were widespread in V. furnissii. The results of the virulence phenotype assays demonstrated that our isolated V. furnissii strains encoded an activated T6SS and grew in large colonies with strong beta-haemolysis on blood agar., Conclusion: This study showed that diarrhoea associated with V. furnissii occurred sporadically and was more common than expected in the summer in Beijing, China. The antibiotic resistance of V. furnissii has unique characteristics compared with that of V. fluvialis. Fluoroquinolones and third-generation cephalosporins, such as ceftazidime and doxycycline, were effective at treating V. furnissii infection. Continua laboratory-based surveillance is needed for the prevention and control of V. furnissii infection, especially the dissemination of the antibiotic resistance genes in this pathogen., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Xanthii Fructus was used in the treatment of rhinitis and related nasal disease. It is the most commonly used chemically active component in compounds formulated for the treatment of rhinitis. However, poisoning, resulting in serious consequences, can easily occur owing to cocklebur overdose, improper processing, or usage without processing., Case Presentation: We reported on a 55-year-old man who experienced allergic rhinitis for 2.5 years. He ingested unprocessed Xanthii Fructus for 2 months as treatment. However, he developed anorexia; nausea; abdominal pain; general weakness; hiccups; oliguria and anuria; significantly elevated serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and creatinine levels; and abnormalities in blood coagulation series. Nutritional support; daily drugs for liver protection, gastric protection, inflammation reduction; fresh plasma; and cryoprecipitate infusion were administered. Continuous venovenous hemodialysis (Prismaflex ST100) was also administered. However, the patient's multiple organ failure gradually worsened, ultimately leading to death., Conclusion: Xanthii Fructus poisoning affects multiple systems, and its clinical manifestations are complex. Therefore, it is easily misdiagnosed and missed. Along with careful inquiry of medical and medication history, early diagnosis and intervention are vital for a successful treatment. It is also important to educate people and create awareness about this poisoning. Therefore, this intractable case has great clinical significance., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are 2 major public health problems. Osteoporosis and CVDs may be linked but the association between lipid profile and osteoporosis is still controversial. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) with osteoporosis., Methods: Using inpatients' and outpatients' electronic medical records (EMR) and dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) database stored at The Second Hospital of Jilin University, we included 481 individuals with complete and valid lipid and bone mineral density (BMD) data in 2017. Serum samples were used to measure TC, LDL-C, HDL-C and TG. Femoral neck and total hip BMD were measured by DXA; osteoporosis was defined as femoral neck or total hip T-score ≤ -2.5. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to test the associations of TC, LDL-C, HDL-C and TG with osteoporosis., Results: The mean age for included individuals was 62.7 years (SD = 8.6 years); 60.1 % of them were female. Each standard deviation (SD) increase in TC (Odds Ratio [OR]: 1.48; 95 % Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.06-2.07) and TG (OR: 1.67; 95 % CI: 1.16-2.39) were associated with increased risk of osteoporosis; LDL-C and HDL-C levels were not associated with osteoporosis. Age, sex and body mass index (BMI) did not interact with the relationships of TC and TG with osteoporosis (all P > 0.10)., Conclusions: Higher TC and TG levels were associated with greater risk of osteoporosis in this cross-sectional study., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Background: Hemolysis of bacteria is an important phenotype used for typing and characterizing strains with specific biomarkers and even a virulence factor in bacterial pathogenesis. In Vibrio cholerae , hemolysin HlyA is responsible for hemolysis of sheep red blood cells, and this hemolytic phenotype is used as a biotyping indicator and considered one of the virulence factors. At the beginning of the seventh cholera pandemic, the El Tor biotype strains of serogroup O1 were distinguished by hemolysis from the sixth pandemic O1 classical biotype strains, whereas during the following epidemics, nonhemolytic El Tor strains appeared, suggesting phenotypic and genetic variations in these strains. This study aimed to investigate the possible mechanisms involved in nonhemolysis of El Tor strains., Results: Five sequence types of hlyA genes were found in the studied O1 El Tor strains isolated during the seventh pandemic. A 4-base deletion in hlyA caused the HlyA protein mutation and non-hemolytic phenotype. Some strains carry wildtype hlyA genes but are still non-hemolytic, and greatly reduced hlyA transcription and blocked secretion of hemolysin were observed in hemolysis tests of the subcellular components and transcription/expression analysis of hlyA ., Conclusions: Mechanisms responsible for nonhemolysis of the epidemic O1 El Tor strains are complex and not only confined to gene mutation but also deficiencies of transcription and extracellular transport of HlyA. Mutations in gene regulation and protein secretion systems of HlyA in the nonhemolytic V. cholerae strains should be areas of concern in future studies., Competing Interests: Competing interestsThe authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Background: Strong laboratory capacity is essential for detecting and responding to emerging and re-emerging global health threats. We conducted a quantitative laboratory assessment during 2014-2015 in two resource-limited provinces in southern China, Guangxi and Guizhou in order to guide strategies for strengthening core capacities as required by the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005)., Methods: We selected 28 public health and clinical laboratories from the provincial, prefecture and county levels through a quasi-random sampling approach. The 11-module World Health Organization (WHO) laboratory assessment tool was adapted to the local context in China. At each laboratory, modules were scored 0-100% through a combination of paper surveys, in-person interviews, and visual inspections. We defined module scores as strong (> = 85%), good (70-84%), weak (50-69%), and very weak (< 50%). We estimated overall capacity and compared module scores across the provincial, prefecture, and county levels., Results: Overall, laboratories in both provinces received strong or good scores for 10 of the 11 modules. These findings were primarily driven by strong and good scores from the two provincial level laboratories; prefecture and county laboratories were strong or good for only 8 and 6 modules, respectively. County laboratories received weak scores in 4 modules. The module, 'Public Health Functions' (e.g., surveillance and reporting practices) lagged far behind all other modules (mean score = 46%) across all three administrative levels. Findings across the two provinces were similar., Conclusions: Laboratories in Guangxi and Guizhou are generally performing well in laboratory capacity as required by IHR. However, we recommend targeted interventions particularly for county-level laboratories, where we identified a number of gaps. Given the importance of surveillance and reporting, addressing gaps in public health functions is likely to have the greatest positive impact for IHR requirements. The quantitative WHO laboratory assessment tool was useful in identifying both comparative strengths and weaknesses. However, prior to future assessments, the tool may need to be aligned with the new WHO IHR monitoring and evaluation framework.

Background: Toxigenic Vibrio cholerae serogroup O1 is the causative pathogen in the sixth and seventh cholera pandemics. Cholera toxin is the major virulent factor but other virulence and virulence-related factors play certain roles in the pathogenesis and survival in the host. Along with the evolution of the epidemic strains, the virulence-related genes also experience variation, gain and loss, and lead to genetic divergence in different strains., Results: In this study, we analyzed the virulence-related gene profiles in the toxigenic serogroup O1 strains isolated from 1923 to 2015, the genomes of which were publicly available. The virulence-related genes of the V. cholerae O1 strains were annotated based on the Virulence Factors Database (VFDB). An average of 230.1 virulence-related genes per strain were identified; significant differences in the average numbers were found between the classical and El Tor biotypes, and increasing trends in the number of virulence-related genes along with the isolation years were observed in the El Tor biotype strains. A total of 176 homologs of virulence-related genes were found from these strains, of which 25 belonged to the core genes, suggesting their conservative and necessary roles in V. cholerae pathogenesis. We described the diversities of the homologs by defining gene sequence type, and illustrated its association with gene duplication; we found that gene duplication clearly increased the complexity of the gene sequence types in the core virulence-related genes. In addition, we provided virulence-related gene profiles whose genetic characteristic depend on the isolation years from the view of gene gain and loss, variation, gene duplication and gene sequence type number., Conclusions: Our study reveals the comprehensive variation dynamics of the virulence-related genes in toxigenic V. cholerae serogroup O1 during epidemics. The increasing trend for the virulence-related genes may suggest the evolutional advantage of strains by gaining virulence-related genes with diverse functional categories.

Background: Of the hundreds of Vibrio cholerae serogroups, O1 and O139 are the main epidemic-causing ones. Although non-O1/non-O139 serogroups rarely cause epidemics, the possibility exists for strains within them to have pathogenic potential., Results: We selected 25 representative strains within 16 V. cholerae serogroups and examined their genomic and functional characteristics. We tentatively constructed a gene pool containing 405 homologous gene clusters, which is well organized and functions in O-antigen polysaccharide (O-PS) synthesis. Our network analysis indicate that great diversity exists in O-PS among the serogroups, and several serogroup pairs share a high number of homologous genes (e.g., O115 and O37; O170 and O139; O12 and O39). The phylogenetic analysis results suggest that a close relationship exists between serogroups O170, O89 and O144, based on neighbor-joining (NJ) and gene trees, although serogroup O159 showed an inconsistent phylogenetic relationship between the NJ tree and the gene tree, indicating that it may have undergone extensive recombination and horizontal gene transfer. Different phylogenetic structures were observed between the core genes, pan genes, and O-PS genes. The virulence gene analysis indicated that the virulence genes from all the representative strains may have their sources from four particular bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, V. vulnificus, Haemophilus somnus and H. influenzae), which suggests that V. cholerae may have exchanged virulence genes with other bacterial genera or species in certain environments. The mobile genetic element analysis indicated that O159 carries nearly complete VSP-II and partial VPI-1 and VPI-2, O170 carries partial VPI-1 and VPI-2, and several non-O1/non-O139 strains contain full or partial VPI-1 and VPI-2. Several genes showing evidence of positive selection are involved in chemotaxis, Na + resistance, or cell wall synthesis, suggestive of environmental adaptation., Conclusions: This study reports on the newly sequenced O159 and O170 genomes and their comparisons with other V. cholerae serogroups. The complicated O-PS network of constituent genes highlights the detailed recombination mechanisms that have acted on the serogroups' genomes. The serogroups have different virulence-related gene profiles, and there is evidence of positive selection acting on other genes, possibly during adaptation to different environments and hosts.

Background: Clinical characteristics (taxonomy, virulence genes and antimicrobial resistance ) of Aeromonas in isolated from extra-intestinal and intestinal infections were investigated to describe epidemiology, associated virulence factors and optimal therapy options., Methods: Clinical samples (n = 115) of Aeromonas were collected from a general hospital in Beijing between the period 2015 and 2017. Taxonomy was investigate by Multilocus phylogenetic analysis (MLPA), 10 putative virulence factors by use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and antimicrobial resistance to 15 antibiotics by use of the microbroth dilution method., Results: The most common species of Aeromonas detected in samples of intestinal tract included; A. caviae (43.9%), A. veronii (35.7%), and A. dhakensis (12.2%). Prevalent species of Aeromonas collected from extra-intestinal infections included; A. hydrophila (29.4%), A. caviae (29.4%), and A. dhakensis (23.5%). A. hydrophila were detected in 1% of stool samples and 29.4% (5/17) of extra-intestinal infections. A. hydrophila strains in extra-intestinal infections were related to malignancy. The most common medical conditions among patients with Aeromonas infections included malignancy and liver-transplant related cholecystitis. Multiple drug resistance (MDR) was prevalent in extra-intestinal isolates (82.3%, 14/17) and was greater than the prevalence in intestinal isolates (30.6%, 30/98) (P < 0.05). Resistant rates of extra-intestinal isolates were 70.6, 35.3, 23.5 and 5.9% for ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and imipenem, respectively, and were higher than found in previous studies. Despite differences in the number and type of virulence genes among samples of Aeromonas, no significant correlation was found between invasion and virulent genes in intestinal or extra-intestinal infections., Conclusions: Overall results of this study support a role for Aeromonas spp. as a potential causative infectious agent of gastroenteritis, and malignancy, liver cirrhosis, post liver transplantation in immunocompromised patients. A. hydrophila was more prevalent in samples of extra-intestinal infections when compared to samples of intestinal infections, and was especially prominent in samples of patients presenting with malignancy. Aeromonas isolates from extra-intestinal samples had high rates of drug resistance but 3rd generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides remain as options to treat severe diarrhea. However, increasing MDR of extra-intestinal infection samples warrants monitoring.

Background: Members of Shewanella species are opportunistic pathogens that are found in marine environments. Currently more than sixty species have been identified, whereas the most commonly clinical cases associated with Shewanella species have involved only two species, i.e., S. algae and S. putrefaciens. We present two cases of pulmonary and bloodstream infections caused by two rare Shewanella spp. strains from patients of gastrointestinal cancer., Case Presentation: Two male patients with a history of gastrointestinal cancer presented to hospital with pulmonary and bloodstream infections, respectively. The infective pathogens of both cases were primarily isolated and identified as Shewanella algae (case I) and Shewanella putrefaciens (case II) by phenotypic features and VITEK 2 system, but they were further confirmed as Shewanella haliotis and Shewanella upenei by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The major bacterial composition of the bronchoalveolar lavage in case I was also identified as Shewanella by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing analysis. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that the two strains had broad susceptibility, but S. haliotis in the case I was resistant to ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin and S. upenei in the case II was intermediate to imipenem, piperacillin/tazobactam and ciprofloxacin., Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first cases of the pulmonary and bloodstream infections caused by Shewanella spp. from clinical patients in mainland China. Shewanella as a potential pathogen in China should not be ignored.

Background: Anthrax is an acute zoonotic infectious disease caused by the bacterium known as Bacillus anthracis. From 26 July to 8 August 2015, an outbreak with 20 suspected cutaneous anthrax cases was reported in Ganquan County, Shaanxi province in China. The genetic source tracking analysis of the anthrax outbreak was performed by molecular epidemiological methods in this study., Methods: Three molecular typing methods, namely canonical single nucleotide polymorphisms (canSNP), multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA), and single nucleotide repeat (SNR) analysis, were used to investigate the possible source of transmission and identify the genetic relationship among the strains isolated from human cases and diseased animals during the outbreak., Results: Five strains isolated from diseased mules were clustered together with patients' isolates using canSNP typing and MLVA. The causative B. anthracis lineages in this outbreak belonged to the A.Br.001/002 canSNP subgroup and the MLVA15-31 genotype (the 31 genotype in MLVA15 scheme). Because nine isolates from another four provinces in China were clustered together with outbreak-related strains by the canSNP (A.Br.001/002 subgroup) and MLVA15 method (MLVA15-31 genotype), still another SNR analysis (CL10, CL12, CL33, and CL35) was used to source track the outbreak, and the results suggesting that these patients in the anthrax outbreak were probably infected by the same pathogen clone., Conclusions: It was deduced that the anthrax outbreak occurred in Shaanxi province, China in 2015 was a local occurrence.

Background: Diarrhea is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality among children less than 5 years of age worldwide, and its causes vary by region. This study aimed to determine the etiologic spectrum, prevalent characteristics and antimicrobial resistance patterns of common enteropathogenic bacteria from diarrheagenic children in Beijing, the capital of China., Methods: Stool samples were collected from 2524 outpatients who were aged 0-5 years in Beijing, China during 2010-2014. Microbiological methods, real-time PCR and antimicrobial susceptibility test were used to identify the bacterial causes and antimicrobial resistance patterns in the isolates., Results: Of the 2524 patients screened, we identified the causes of 269 cases (10.7 %) as follows: diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (4.6 %), Salmonella (4.3 %), Shigella (1.4 %) and Vibrio parahaemolyticus (0.4 %). Atypical EPEC, Salmonella enteritidis, Shigella sonnei and serotype O3:K6 were the most common serogroups or serotypes of the four etiological bacteria. The prevalence of pathogens was correlated with age, season and clinical symptoms. The highest proportion of all causative bacteria was found in children aged 3-5 years and in summer. The clinical symptoms associated with specific bacterial infection, such as fever; abdominal pain; vomiting; and watery, mucus, and bloody stool, were observed frequently in diarrheal patients. Salmonella showed moderate rates of resistance (40-60 %) to ampicillin, nalidixic acid, streptomycin and sulfisoxazole. Resistance to at least three antimicrobials was found in 50 % of isolates. Of the top three serotypes in Salmonella, high-level antimicrobial resistance to single and multiple antibiotics was more common among Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella 1, 4, [5], 12:i:- than among S. enteritidis. More than 90 % of Shigella isolates showed more alarming resistance to most antibiotics, with a widened spectrum compared to Salmonella., Conclusion: Constant antibiotic surveillance is warranted because the bacteria were highly resistant to various antimicrobials. Our study contributes to the strengthening of the existing surveillance system and provides aid for effective prevention and control strategies for childhood diarrhea.

Background: Typhoid fever has caused severe epidemics in many Asian and African countries. The early detection of outbreaks and their sources may promote the prevention and control of typhoid fever, for which effective and timely molecular subtyping techniques are required. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) is routinely used as the molecular typing technique for foodborne and waterborne pathogens. However, maneuverable techniques remain necessary to expedite the experimental procedure and obtain more effective subtyping. The multilocus loci of a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) analysis (MLVA) is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based subtyping method., Methods: MLVA method and PFGE based on Xba I enzyme were applied to the 103 Salmonella Typhi (S. Typhi) isolated from different years and regions. Dendrograms were constructed and analyzed to help understand the data. The Simpson's index of diversity (D value) was calculated to estimate the discriminatory power of MLVA and PFGE. In addition, a set of endogenous 3 bp DNA ladder markers were established to accurately determine the repeat copy number of the VNTR with only a 3 bp repetitive unit, using microfluidics chip-based electrophoresis to generate comparable VNTR data in the public health laboratory network., Results: The established 8-loci MLVA for S. Typhi subtyping had higher discriminatory power than PFGE. In some cases, PFGE could not distinguish the strains isolated over long intervals and with different epidemic provinces. By contrast, 8-loci MLVA distinctly distinguished these strains, and the strains with the same MLVA patterns were from the same or contiguous years and the same province, showing its significance in epidemiological discrimination. The established set of endogenous 3 bp DNA ladder markers improved the accuracy and reproducibility of VNTR analysis using microfluidics chip-based electrophoresis to 100 %., Conclusions: Eight VNTRs can be used for the MLVA analysis of the 103 S. Typhi isolates. MLVA based on the 8-loci had higher discriminatory power than PFGE for S. Typhi subtyping. The 8-loci MLVA is easier for the analysis and interpretation of relationships between strains compared to PFGE.

Background: After the earthquake on 14, April 2010 at Yushu in China, a plague epidemic hosted by Himalayan marmot (Marmota himalayana) became a major public health concern during the reconstruction period. A rapid assessment of the distribution of Himalayan marmot in the area was urgent. The aims of this study were to analyze the relationship between environmental factors and the distribution of burrow systems of the marmot and to predict the distribution of marmots., Methods: Two types of marmot burrows (hibernation and temporary) in Yushu County were investigated from June to September in 2011. The location of every burrow was recorded with a global positioning system receiver. An ecological niche model was used to determine the relationship between the burrow occurrence data and environmental variables, such as land surface temperature (LST) in winter and summer, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) in winter and summer, elevation, and soil type. The predictive accuracies of the models were assessed by the area under the curve of the receiving operator curve., Results: The models for hibernation and temporary burrows both performed well. The contribution orders of the variables were LST in winter and soil type, NDVI in winter and elevation for the hibernation burrow model, and LST in summer, NDVI in summer, soil type and elevation in the temporary burrow model. There were non-linear relationships between the probability of burrow presence and LST, NDVI and elevation. LST of 14 and 23 °C, NDVI of 0.22 and 0.60, and 4100 m were inflection points. A substantially higher probability of burrow presence was observed in swamp soil and dark felty soil than in other soil types. The potential area for hibernation burrows was 5696 km(2) (37.7% of Yushu County), and the area for temporary burrows was 7711 km(2) (51.0% of Yushu County)., Conclusions: The results suggested that marmots preferred warm areas with relatively low altitudes and good vegetation conditions in Yushu County. Based on these results, the present research is useful in understanding the niche selection and distribution pattern of marmots in this region.

Background: Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) is one of the most prevalent Salmonella serotypes that cause gastroenteritis worldwide and the most prevalent serotype causing Salmonella infections in China. A rapid molecular typing method with high throughput and good epidemiological discrimination is urgently needed for detecting the outbreaks and finding the source for effective control of S. Enteritidis infections., Methods: In this study, 194 strains which included 47 from six outbreaks that were well-characterized epidemiologically were analyzed with pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA). Seven VNTR loci published by the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were used to evaluate and develop MLVA scheme for S. Enteritidis molecular subtyping by comparing with PFGE, and then MLVA was applied to the suspected outbreaks detection. All S. Enteritidis isolates were analyzed with MLVA to establish a MLVA database in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China to facilitate the detection of S. Enteritidis infection clusters., Results: There were 33 MLVA types and 29 PFGE patterns among 147 sporadic isolates. These two measures had Simpson indices of 0.7701 and 0.8043, respectively, which did not differ significantly. Epidemiological concordance was evaluated by typing 47 isolates from six epidemiologically well-characterized outbreaks and it did not differ for PFGE and MLVA. We applied the well established MLVA method to detect two S. Enteritidis foodborne outbreaks and find their sources successfully in 2014. A MLVA database of 491 S. Enteritidis strains isolated from 2004 to 2014 was established for the surveillance of clusters in the future., Conclusions: MLVA typing of S. Enteritidis would be an effective tool for early warning and epidemiological surveillance of S. Enteritidis infections.

Vibrio cholerae, which is a serious human intestinal pathogen, often resides and thrives in estuaries but requires major self-regulation to overcome intestinal hyperosmotic stress or high salt stress in water and food. In the present study, we selected multiple O1 and O139 group V. cholerae strains that were isolated from different regions and during different years to study their salt tolerance. Based on the mechanisms that other bacteria use to respond to high salt stress, we selected salt stress-response related genes to study the mechanisms which V. cholerae responds to high salt stress. V. cholerae strains showed salt-resistance characteristics that varied in salt concentrations from 4% to 6%. However, group O1 and group O139 showed no significant difference in the degree of salt tolerance. The primary responses of bacteria to salt stress, including Na(+) exclusion, K(+) uptake and glutamate biosynthesis, were observed in V. cholerae strains. In addition, some sigma factors were up-regulated in V. cholerae strains, suggesting that V. cholerae may recruit common sigma factors to achieve an active salt stress response. However, some changes in gene transcript levels in response to salt stress in V. cholerae were strain-specific. In particular, hierarchical clustering of differentially expressed genes indicated that transcript levels of these genes were correlated with the degree of salt tolerance. Therefore, elevated transcript levels of some genes, including sigma factors and genes involved in peptidoglycan biosynthesis, may be due to the salt tolerance of strains. In addition, high salt-tolerant strains may recruit common as well as additional sigma factors to activate the salt stress response.

Background: Laribacter hongkongensis is a Gram-negative, urease-positive bacillus associated with invasive bacteremic infections in liver cirrhosis patients and fish-borne community-acquired gastroenteritis and traveler's diarrhea. Its mechanisms of adaptation to various environmental niches and host defense evasion are largely unknown. During the process of analyzing the L. hongkongensis genome, a complete urease cassette and two adjacent arc gene cassettes were found. We hypothesize that the urease cassette and/or the arc gene cassettes are important for L. hongkongensis to survive in acidic environment and macrophages. In this study, we tested this hypothesis by constructing single, double and triple non-polar deletion mutants of the urease and two arc gene cassettes of L. hongkongensis using the conjugation-mediated gene deletion system and examining their effects in acidic environment in vitro, in macrophages and in a mouse model., Results: HLHK9∆ureA, HLHK9∆ureC, HLHK9∆ureD and HLHK9∆ureE all exhibited no urease activity. HLHK9∆arcA1 and HLHK9∆arcA2 both exhibited arginine deiminase (ADI) activities, but HLHK9∆arcA1/arcA2 double deletion mutant exhibited no ADI activity. At pH 2 and 3, survival of HLHK9∆arcA1/arcA2 and HLHK9∆ureA/arcA1/arcA2 were markedly decreased (p < 0.001) but that of HLHK9∆ureA was slightly decreased (p < 0.05), compared to wild type L. hongkongensis HLHK9. Survival of HLHK9∆ureA/arcA1/arcA2 and HLHK9∆arcA1/arcA2 in macrophages were also markedly decreased (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01 respectively) but that of HLHK9∆ureA was slightly decreased (p < 0.05), compared to HLHK9, although expression of arcA1, arcA2 and ureA genes were all upregulated. Using a mouse model, HLHK9∆ureA exhibited similar survival compared to HLHK9 after passing through the murine stomach, but survival of HLHK9∆arcA1/arcA2 and HLHK9∆ureA/arcA1/arcA2 were markedly reduced (p < 0.01)., Conclusions: In contrast to other important gastrointestinal tract pathogens, ADI pathway is far more important than urease for acid resistance and intracellular survival in L. hongkongensis. The gene duplication of the arc gene cassettes could be a result of their functional importance in L. hongkongensis.

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-D has been shown to promote lymph node metastasis in several cancers. Although generally overexpressed in ovarian carcinoma, its role in nodal dissemination of this cancer is unclear. To clarify the role of VEGF-D and the underlying molecular mechanisms, we investigated the function of VEGF-D using a mouse xenograft model of ovarian cancer., Methods: Human ovarian serous adenocarcinoma SKOV3 cells were transfected with VEGF-D recombinant plasmid DNA, or with control vectors. The cells were injected subcutaneously into the footpads of nude mice. Tumor growth was evaluated weekly. Draining lymphatics were observed grossly with Evan's blue lymphangiography. Tumoral lymphatics were delineated with both Evan's blue and LYVE-1 immunostaining. Tumor metastases to lymph nodes were evaluated by H&E and CA125/CD40 staining. Expression of VEGF-D in primary tumors and levels of CA125 in involved lymph nodes were examined by immunohistochemistry. Tumor cell apoptosis was analyzed by Hoechst dyeing., Results: Mice bearing VEGF-D overexpressing xenografts showed a significantly higher rate of lymph node metastasis and markedly greater tumor volume compared with the controls. The functional lymphatic vessels were denser and enlarged in marginal and central tumor portions. Additionally, higher CA125 expression was observed in the involved lymph nodes. Mice bearing VEGF-D overexpressing xenografts also exhibited a markedly lower apoptotic index compared with the controls., Conclusions: Our data demonstrate the important role of VEGF-D in promoting lymph node metastasis by increasing tumor lymphangiogenesis, stimulating draining lymphatic vessel formation, and enhancing tumor invasiveness. Our findings show that VEGF-D can be a promising therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.

Background: Vibrio cholerae serogroup O1 has two major serotypes, Ogawa and Inaba, which may alternate among cholera epidemics. The rfbT gene is responsible for the conversion between the two serotypes. In this study, we surveyed the sequence variance of rfbT in the Ogawa and Inaba strains in China over a 48-year (1961-2008) period in which serotype shifts occurred among epidemic years., Results: Various mutation events including single nucleotide, short fragment insertions/deletions and transposases insertions, were found in the rfbT gene of the Inaba strains. Ectopically introducing an intact rfbT could overcome the mutations by converting the Inaba serotype to the Ogawa serotype, suggesting the effects of these mutations on the function of RfbT. Characteristic rfbT mutations were recognized in the Inaba strains among Inaba serotype dominant epidemic years which were separate from the Ogawa dominant epidemics. Three distinguishable mutation sites in rfbT between the classical and the El Tor biotype strains were identified and could serve as biotype-specific biomarkers., Conclusions: Our results provide a comprehensive picture of the rfbT gene mutations among the V. cholerae O1 strains in different epidemic periods, which could be further used as the tracing markers in clonality analysis and dissemination surveillance of the epidemic strains.

Shewanella spp. is infrequently recovered from clinical specimens. Following two outbreaks of food poisoning, eight Shewanella spp. strains were obtained from the fecal specimens of patients, food and food processing-related materials. Tetrodotoxin (TTX) was identified in the culture supernatants of these strains, and the toxin's biological activity was detected using a mouse bioassay. This study suggested that Shewanella strains can colonize and survive in human intestines. The study also raises the issues of the accumulation of TTX produced by Shewanella in food and the possible role of TTX-producing Shewanella in food poisoning.

Background: The use of adenoviral vector for gene therapy is still an important strategy for advanced cancers, however, the lack of the requisite coxsackie-adenovirus receptor in cancer cells and host immune response to adenovirus limit the application of adenoviral vector in vivo., Method: We designed the antiangiogenic gene therapy with recombinant PEDF adenovirus (Ad-PEDF) encapsulated in cationic liposome (Ad-PEDF/Liposome), and investigated the anti-tumor efficacy of Ad-PEDF/Liposome complex on inhibition of tumor metastasis., Results: We found that systemic administration of Ad-PEDF/liposome was well tolerated and resulted in marked suppression of tumor growth, and was more potent than uncoated Ad-PEDF to induce apoptosis in B16-F10 melanoma cells and inhibit murine pulmonary metastases in vivo. After Ad-luciferase was encapsulated with liposome, its distribution decreased in liver and increased in lung. The anti-Ad IgG level of Ad-PEDF/Liposome was significantly lower than Ad-PEDF used alone., Conclusion: The present findings provide evidences of systematic administration of cationic liposome-encapsulated Ad-PEDF in pulmonary metastatic melanoma mice model, and show an encouraging therapeutic effect for further exploration and application of more complexes based on liposome-encapsulated adenovirus for more cancers.

Background: Vibrio fluvialis is considered to be an emerging foodborne pathogen and has been becoming a high human public health hazard all over the world, especially in coastal areas of developing countries and regions with poor sanitation. The distribution of virulence factors, microbiological and molecular epidemiological features of V. fluvialis isolates in China remains to be examined., Methods and Results: PCR targeted at the virulence determinants and phenotype tests including metabolism, virulence and antibiotic susceptibility were performed. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis was used to access the relatedness of isolates. A strain with deletion of the arginine dihydrolase system was first reported and proved in molecular level by PCR. Virulence genes vfh, hupO and vfpA were detected in all strains, the ability to produce hemolysin, cytotxin, protease and biofilm formation varied with strains. High resistance rate to β-lactams, azithromycin and sulfamethoxazole were observed. Twenty-seven percent of test strains showed resistant to two and three antibiotics. PFGE analysis demonstrated great genetic heterogeneity of test V. fluvialis strains., Conclusion: This study evaluated firstly the biological characteristics and molecular epidemiological features of V. fluvialis in China. Some uncommon biochemical characteristics were found. Virulence genes were widely distributed in the isolates from patient and seafood sources, and the occurrence of virulence phenotypes varied with strains. Continued and enhanced laboratory based-surveillance is needed in the future together with systematically collection of the epidemiological information of the cases or the outbreaks.

Background: Some microorganisms can produce pigments such as melanin, which has been associated with virulence in the host and with a survival advantage in the environment. In Vibrio cholerae, studies have shown that pigment-producing mutants are more virulent than the parental strain in terms of increased UV resistance, production of major virulence factors, and colonization. To date, almost all of the pigmented V. cholerae strains investigated have been induced by chemicals, culture stress, or transposon mutagenesis. However, during our cholera surveillance, some nontoxigenic serogroup O139 strains and one toxigenic O1 strain, which can produce pigment steadily under the commonly used experimental growth conditions, were obtained in different years and from different areas. The genes VC1344 to VC1347, which correspond to the El Tor strain N16961 genome and which comprise an operon in the tyrosine catabolic pathway, have been confirmed to be associated with a pigmented phenotype. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of pigment production in these strains., Results: Sequencing of the VC1344, VC1345, VC1346, and VC1347 genes in these pigmented strains suggested that a deletion mutation in the homogentisate oxygenase gene (VC1345) may be associated with the pigmented phenotype, and gene complementation confirmed the role of this gene in pigment production. An identical 15-bp deletion was found in the VC1345 gene of all six O139 pigment-producing strains examined, and a 10-bp deletion was found in the VC1345 gene of the O1 strain. Strict sequence conservation in the VC1344 gene but higher variance in the other three genes of this operon were observed, indicating the different stress response functions of these genes in environmental adaption and selection. On the basis of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis typing, the pigment-producing O139 strains showed high clonality, even though they were isolated in different years and from different regions. Additionally all these O139 strains belong to the rb4 ribotype, which contains the O139 strains isolated from diarrheal patients, although these strains are cholera toxin negative., Conclusion: Dysfunction of homogentisate oxygenase (VC1345) causes homogentisate accumulation and pigment formation in naturally pigmented strains of V. cholerae. The high clonality of these strains may correlate to an environmental survival advantage in the V. cholerae community due to their pigment production, and may imply a potential protective function of melanin in environmental survival of such strains.

Background: Yersinia enterocolitica is an enteric pathogen that invades the intestinal mucosa and proliferates within the lymphoid follicles (Peyer's patches). The attachment invasion locus (ail) mediates invasion by Y. enterocolitica and confers an invasive phenotype upon non-invasive E. coli; ail is the primary virulence factor of Y. enterocolitica. The ferrioxamine receptor (foxA) located on the Y. enterocolitica chromosome, together with its transport protein, transports a siderophore specific for ferric ion. Currently, ail is the primary target gene for nucleic acid detection of pathogenic Y. enterocolitica., Results: The genes ail and foxA in 271 pathogenic and 27 non-pathogenic Y. enterocolitica strains isolated from China and 10 reference strains were sequenced, aligned, compared to the ail and foxA sequences of Yersinia enterocolitica subsp. enterocolitica 8081 (Genbank: NC&#95;008800), and analyzed for sequence polymorphism. The ail from the 282 strains showed 3 sequence patterns: 277 strains of serotypes O:3, O:9 and O:5, 27 with identical nucleic acid sequences formed pattern A1; 4 strains of serotype 1B/O:8 with identical nucleic acid sequences formed pattern A2; and one Chinese isolate 2/O:9 formed pattern A3. In the primary coding region of the foxA ORF (Genebank: X60447 nt 433-1866; nt 28 to 1,461 in the ORF), the sequences formed 3 groups and were further divided into 8 sequence patterns., Conclusion: The ail and foxA loci of pathogenic Y. enterocolitica have been analyzed. The ail sequence was highly conserved among the same serotype strains from different sources; and foxA was highly conserved among the pathogenic strains, although there was some sequence diversity. Fewer strains were used from outside China, which is a limitation of the study.

Background: Vibrio cholerae is the causative agent of cholera. Extensive studies reveal that complicated regulatory cascades regulate expression of virulence genes, the products of which are required for V. cholerae to colonize and cause disease. In this study, we investigated the expression of the key virulence regulator ToxR under different conditions., Results: We found that compared to that of wild type grown to stationary phase, the toxR expression was lower in an aphB mutant strain. AphB has been previously shown to be a key virulence regulator that is required to activate the expression of tcpP. When expressed constitutively, AphB is able to activate the toxR promoter. Furthermore, gel shift analysis indicates that AphB binds toxR promoter region directly. We also characterize the effect of AphB on the levels of the outer membrane porins OmpT and OmpU, which are known to be regulated by ToxR., Conclusions: Our data indicate that V. cholerae possesses an additional regulatory loop that use AphB to activate the expression of two virulence regulators, ToxR and TcpP, which together control the expression of the master virulence regulator ToxT.

Background: Polyethyleneimine (PEI), a cationic polymer, is one of the successful and widely used vectors for non-viral gene transfection in vitro. However, its in vivo application was greatly limited due to its high cytotoxicity and short duration of gene expression. To improve its biocompatibility and transfection efficiency, PEI has been modified with PEG, folic acid, and chloroquine in order to improve biocompatibility and enhance targeting., Results: Poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-Pluronic-Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCFC) was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization, and PCFC-g-PEI was obtained by Michael addition reaction with GMA-PCFC-GMA and polyethyleneimine (PEI, 25 kD). The prepared PCFC-g-PEI was characterized by 1H-NMR, SEC-MALLS. Meanwhile, DNA condensation, DNase I protection, the particle size and zeta potential of PCFC-g-PEI/DNA complexes were also determined. According to the results of flow cytometry and MTT assay, the synthesized PCFC-g-PEI, with considerable transfection efficiency, had obviously lower cytotoxicity against 293 T and A549 cell lines compared with that of PEI 25 kD., Conclusion: The cytotoxicity and in vitro transfection study indicated that PCFC-g-PEI copolymer prepared in this paper was a novel gene delivery system with lower cytotoxicity and considerable transfection efficiency compared with commercial PEI (25 kD).

Background: The nontoxigenic V. cholerae El Tor strains ferment sorbitol faster than the toxigenic strains, hence fast-fermenting and slow-fermenting strains are defined by sorbitol fermentation test. This test has been used for more than 40 years in cholera surveillance and strain analysis in China. Understanding of the mechanisms of sorbitol metabolism of the toxigenic and nontoxigenic strains may help to explore the genome and metabolism divergence in these strains. Here we used comparative proteomic analysis to find the proteins which may be involved in such metabolic difference., Results: We found the production of formate and lactic acid in the sorbitol fermentation medium of the nontoxigenic strain was earlier than of the toxigenic strain. We compared the protein expression profiles of the toxigenic strain N16961 and nontoxigenic strain JS32 cultured in sorbitol fermentation medium, by using fructose fermentation medium as the control. Seventy-three differential protein spots were found and further identified by MALDI-MS. The difference of product of fructose-specific IIA/FPR component gene and mannitol-1-P dehydrogenase, may be involved in the difference of sorbitol transportation and dehydrogenation in the sorbitol fast- and slow-fermenting strains. The difference of the relative transcription levels of pyruvate formate-lyase to pyruvate dehydrogenase between the toxigenic and nontoxigenic strains may be also responsible for the time and ability difference of formate production between these strains., Conclusion: Multiple factors involved in different metabolism steps may affect the sorbitol fermentation in the toxigenic and nontoxigenic strains of V. cholerae El Tor.

Background: The Twin-arginine translocation (Tat) system serves to translocate folded proteins, including periplasmic enzymes that bind redox cofactors in bacteria. The Tat system is also a determinant of virulence in some pathogenic bacteria, related to pleiotropic effects including growth, motility, and the secretion of some virulent factors. The contribution of the Tat pathway to Vibrio cholerae has not been explored. Here we investigated the functionality of the Tat system in V. cholerae, the etiologic agent of cholera., Results: In V. cholerae, the tatABC genes function in the translocation of TMAO reductase. Deletion of the tatABC genes led to a significant decrease in biofilm formation, the ability to attach to HT-29 cells, and the ability to colonize suckling mouse intestines. In addition, we observed a reduction in the output of cholera toxin, which may be due to the decreased transcription level of the toxin gene in tatABC mutants, suggesting an indirect effect of the mutation on toxin production. No obvious differences in flagellum biosynthesis and motility were found between the tatABC mutant and the parental strain, showing a variable effect of Tat in different bacteria., Conclusion: The Tat system contributes to the survival of V. cholerae in the environment and in vivo, and it may be associated with its virulence.

Background: Antibody-based immunotherapy has achieved some success for cancer. But the main problem is that only a few tumor-associated antigens or therapeutic targets have been known to us so far. It is essential to identify more immunogenic antigens (especially cellular membrane markers) for tumor diagnosis and therapy., Methods: The membrane proteins of lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 were used to immunize the BALB/c mice. A monoclonal antibody 4E7 (McAb4E7) was produced with hybridoma technique. MTT cell proliferation assay was carried out to evaluate the inhibitory effect of McAb4E7 on A549 cells. Flow cytometric assay, immunohistochemistry, western blot and proteomic technologies based on 2-DE and mass spectrometry were employed to detect and identify the corresponding antigen of McAb4E7., Results: The monoclonal antibody 4E7 (McAb4E7) specific against A549 cells was produced, which exhibited inhibitory effect on the proliferation of A549 cells. By the proteomic technologies, we identified that ATP synthase beta subunit (ATPB) was the corresponding antigen of McAb4E7. Then, flow cytometric analysis demonstrated the localization of the targeting antigen of McAb4E7 was on the A549 cells surface. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry showed that the antigen of McAb4E7 mainly aberrantly expressed in tumor cellular membrane in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but not in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The rate of ectopic expressed ATPB in the cellular membrane in lung adenocarcinoma, squamous carcinoma and their adjacent nontumourous lung tissues was 71.88%, 66.67% and 25.81% respectively., Conclusion: In the present study, we identified that the ectopic ATPB in tumor cellular membrane was the non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) associated antigen. ATPB may be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for the immunotherapy of NSCLC.

Background: Outbreak of V. parahaemolyticus infections occurred since 1996 was linked to a proposed clonal complex, the pandemic group. The whole genome sequence provides an unprecedented opportunity for dissecting genome plasticity and phylogeny of the populations of V. parahaemolyticus. In the present work, a whole-genome cDNA microarray was constructed to compare the genomic contents of a collection of 174 strains of V. parahaemolyticus., Results: Genes that present variably in the genome accounted for about 22% of the whole gene pool on the genome. The phylogenetic analysis of microarray data generated a minimum spanning tree that depicted the phylogenetic structure of the 174 strains. Strains were assigned into five complexes (C1 to C5), and those in each complex were related genetically and phylogenetically. C3 and C4 represented highly virulent clinical clones. C2 and C3 constituted two different clonal complexes 'old-O3:K6 clone' and 'pandemic clone', respectively. C3 included all the 39 pandemic strains tested (trh-, tdh+ and GS-PCR+), while C2 contained 12 pre-1996 'old' O3:K6 strains (trh+, tdh- and GS-PCR-) tested herein. The pandemic clone (post-1996 'new' O3:K6 and its derivates O4:K68, O1:K25, O1:KUT and O6:K18) might be emerged from the old-O3:K6 clone, which was promoted by acquisition of toxRS/new sequence and genomic islands. A phylogenetic intermediate O3:K6 clade (trh-, tdh- and GS-PCR+) was identified between the pandemic and old-O3:K6 clones., Conclusion: A comprehensive overview of genomic contents in a large collection of global isolates from the microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization data enabled us to construct a phylogenetic structure of V. parahaemolyticus and an evolutionary history of the pandemic group (clone) of this pathogen.

This study was conducted to establish a feasible intraperitoneal xenograft model in nude mice which mimicked the dynamic progression of human ovarian cancer and to explore its potential for preclinical trials. A human ovarian tumor line SKOV3 was originally injected s.c. to develop tumors; then the tumors were harvested and minced into small particles for i.p. inoculation in three groups of nude mice which would be monitored consecutively. The intraperitoneal carcinomatosis and relevant organs were collected for histopathological dynamic comparison and CA125 immunohistochemical staining 7, 21 and 49 days after inoculation. An additional experiment with cisplatin sensitivity test was performed and tumor tissues were observed for apoptosis-Hoechst assay. The intraperitoneal carcinomatosis had a rapid progression which resulted in extensive dissemination on the peritoneal surfaces and invasion into abdominal lymph nodes, livers, pancreas and spleen. Tumor tissues revealed similar morphological features of primary tumor from which SKOV3 derived and part of in vivo tumor mass was positive for CA125. Cisplatin could significantly inhibit the intraperitoneal carcinomatosis growth. This model may provide a valuable platform to study the biological properties of ovarian cancer as well as to test new therapeutic strategies in preclinical trials.