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Abstract: The complete nucleotide sequence of the cryptic plasmid pRS4 (3550 bp) from Pediococcus pentosaceus RS4 was determined. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of three open reading frames (ORFs). The putative protein coded by ORF 1 showed 93% identity with the mobilization protein of Lactobacillus casei plasmid pLC88 and 94% identity with a sequenced fragment of the mobilization protein of P. damnosus plasmid pF8801, suggesting a common origin for these three mobilization proteins. The putative protein coded by ORF 2 showed 92% identity with the replication protein of L. plantarum plasmid pWCFS101, a plasmid that replicates via the rolling circle (RC) mechanism, suggesting a similar replication mechanism for pRS4. Supporting this hypothesis, a putative double strand origin (dso) and a region with palindromic sequences that could function as single strand origin (sso), were detected in pRS4. A function could not be assigned to ORF 3. Since ORF 1 exhibits high identity with L. casei plasmid pLC88 but lower identity (58%) with other Lactobacillus plasmids, and ORF 2 exhibits high identity with the L. plantarum plasmid pWCFS101 but lower identity (55–58%) with other Lactobacillus plasmids (including pLC88), two independent cassettes, from different sources, seem to be involved in the structure of pRS4. Plasmids derived from pRS4 containing the chloramphenicol resistance gene were successfully electrotransformed in L. plantarum, L. casei, P. pentosaceus, and Pediococcus acidilactici, suggesting that pRS4 could be used as a cloning vector for lactic acid bacteria. To our knowledge pRS4 is the first RC-replicating plasmid of P. pentosaceus that has been completely sequenced and used as cloning vector. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Two strains of Oenococcus oeni, RS1 (which carries the plasmid pRS1) and RS2 (which carries the plasmids pRS2 and pRS3), were grown in the presence of different curing agents and at different temperatures. Sublethal temperature together with acriflavine generated all possible types of cured strains, i.e., lacking pRS1 (from strain RS1), and lacking pRS2, pRS3, or both (from strain RS2). Sublethal temperature together with acridine orange only generated cured strains lacking pRS3. These results suggest that acriflavine is a better curing agent than acridine orange for O. oeni, and that pRS3 is the most sensitive to these curing agents. We also observed spontaneous loss of pRS2 or both pRS2 and pRS3 by electroporation. The ability to cure O. oeni strains of plasmids provides a critical new tool for the genetic analysis and engineering of this commercially important bacterium. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An improved method for the electrotransformation of Lactobacillus plantarum CECT 220 (ATCC 8014) with plasmid DNA isolated from Escherichia coli is described. The two main modifications with respect to existing methods are: (i) isolation of plasmid DNA from E. coli JM110 grown in minimal medium and (ii) in vitro modification of the DNA by cell-free extracts of the host L. plantarum. Optimal electrotransformation was obtained with exponentially growing cells of L. plantarum concentrated to 6x10(9) cfu ml-1, with electric pulses of 13 kV cm-1 in cuvettes with 1 mm inter-electrode distance. We consider that this method constitutes a useful tool for routine manipulation of L. plantarum, and can probably be extended to other lactic acid bacteria.

Background and Objective: In liver transplant recipients the most frequent infection is that produced by cytomegalovirus (CMV). One of the methods to reduce the incidence of that infection is the CMV pp65 antigenemia-guided preemptive therapy with intravenous ganciclovir., Patients and Method: Liver transplant recipients were tested for CMV antigenemia at days 14, 28, 45, 60, 90 and 180 postransplantation and when clinically indicated. Patients showing > 50/200.000 leukocytes received ganciclovir 5 mg/kg/12 h for 14 days. Risk factors for active CMV disease where studied., Results: 182 CMV seropositive patients where included in the study. 16 patients with > 50/200.000 leukocytes received ganciclovir as preemptive therapy. CMV disease appeared in 9/182 patients (4.9%): 2/16 who received PT and 7/166 among those who did not receive preemptive therapy. The only factor associated with increased incidence of CMV disease was to have missing samples for CMV antigenemia during the follow up (p < 0.0042; OR = 8,17; 95% CI, 1.94-34.36)., Conclusions: Ganciclovir antigenemia-guided preemptive therapy is associated with a low incidence of CMV disease. Bad adherence to the protocol of antigenemia samples increases the risk for CMV disease.