Hepatitis B Which ARV regimen should be recommended? Should this

Hepatitis B Which ARV regimen should be recommended? Should this be continued after delivery? What is the preferred mode of delivery for women with HBV coinfection? Should CP-690550 in vitro all infants born to hepatitis B coinfected mothers receive (a) hepatitis B vaccination; (b) hepatitis B immune globulin? Should pregnant women with HBV be vaccinated against HAV? Hepatitis C Which ARV regimen should be recommended? Should this be continued after delivery? What is the preferred mode of delivery

for women with HCV coinfection? Should pregnant women Buparlisib with HCV be vaccinated against HBV and HAV? Is there a place for treating hepatitis C in pregnancy to prevent MTCT of hepatitis C? Should these women be monitored in any additional way compared to those not coinfected? Should the HCV be treated? Study design: SRs, RCTs, observational, risk, economic Population: HIV-positive women Intervention: obstetric delivery and fetal monitoring Comparator: none Outcomes: death, AIDS, non-AIDS

co-morbidities, maternal obstetric morbidity, infant mortality and morbidity, mother-to-child HIV transmission, drug resistance Mode of delivery At what level would a HIV viral load be ‘safe’ for vaginal delivery? When should a CS be performed?

What ART should be given during delivery Obstetric procedures When should VBAC be regarded as ‘safe’? Is it safe to perform ECV, induction of labour, instrumental delivery, episiotomy in HIV-positive Progesterone pregnant women? What fetal monitoring tests should be performed during delivery? Trisomy/anomaly screening tests, amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling Which tests are most appropriate for use in HIV-positive women? What should be the ARV management of a woman requiring amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling who is not yet on ART Ruptured membranes What is the optimum ART and obstetric management for women presenting with both term and preterm ROMs? Study design: SRs, RCTs, observational, risk, economic Population: HIV-exposed infants Intervention: ART and prophylaxis for neonates Comparator: none Outcomes: death, AIDS, non AIDS co-morbidities, infant mortality and morbidity, mother-to-child HIV transmission, drug resistance.

Students who reported suffering from mouth dryness were about 45

Students who reported suffering from mouth dryness were about 4.5 times more likely to develop DE compared with

those who did not (OR = 4.5; 95% CI, 2.75–7.21). The odds of having DE in those with occasional bouts of vomiting were about 3.4 times compared with Trichostatin A concentration those who did not experience vomiting (OR = 3.4; 95% CI, 2.25–5.05). Moreover, dietary habits had also a significant association with DE, keeping the drinks in mouth for a long time increased the risk of DE by 2.7 times compared with those who swallowed the drinks immediately (OR = 2.7; 95% CI, 2.17–3.25). Students who brushed their teeth after drinking soft beverages were 2.2 times more likely to have DE than those who did not brush after having a soft drink (OR = 2.2; 95% CI, 1.34–3.77). Additionally, rinsing the mouth after having a soft drink significantly decreased the probability of having DE (OR = 0.7; 95% CI, 0.57–0.95). The results revealed that lemon juice had harmful effect on teeth; students who drank lemon juice at bedtime were 23 times more likely to selleck products have DE (OR = 23; 95% CI, 2.16–252.06). The odds were almost 18 when lemon was consumed more than twice daily, 8 and 4

when it was consumed only once daily or 2–4 times per week (OR = 18; 95% CI, 8.35–40.84; OR = 7.8; 95% CI, 4.84–12.62; and OR = 4; 95% CI, 2.77–5.72, respectively). On the other hand, the odds were 7.8 times when student had carbonated drinks at bedtime (OR = 7.8; 95% CI, 3.94–15.42). Sour candies were significantly find more associated with DE. Students who consumed sour candies more than twice daily were almost 24 times more prone to have DE than those who did not eat them at all (OR = 24; 95% CI, 12.39–48.33), students who consumed sour candies once daily were about 18 times more likely to have DE than those who did not (OR = 18; 95% CI, 7.99–40.14), for student who consumed sour candies 2–4 time per week, the odds were eight times (OR = 8; 95% CI, 5.46–12.26). Those who consumed it at least once weekly were

about one and a half times more likely to have DE than those who did not eat sour candies at all (OR = 1.5; 95% CI, 1.14–1.91). Logistic regression defined sports beverages as a causative indicator of DE. The odds of having DE increased by the increase in the frequency of beverages consumption; students who drank sports beverages more than two times daily were almost 29 times more prone to have DE than those who did not drink it at all (OR = 29; 95% CI, 9.38–91.23), students who had this drink once daily were about 14 times more likely to have DE than those who did not (OR = 14; 95% CI, 2.95–65.12) and for those who drank sports beverages 2–4 time per week, the odds were nearly 12 times than those who did not (OR = 12; 95% CI, 5.90–25.81).

Students who reported suffering from mouth dryness were about 45

Students using cortisol inhalers as treatment of asthma were about five times more likely to have DE than those who did not (OR = 4.8; 95% CI, 2.26–10.17). Students who reported suffering from mouth dryness were about 4.5 times more likely to develop DE compared with

those who did not (OR = 4.5; 95% CI, 2.75–7.21). The odds of having DE in those with occasional bouts of vomiting were about 3.4 times compared with this website those who did not experience vomiting (OR = 3.4; 95% CI, 2.25–5.05). Moreover, dietary habits had also a significant association with DE, keeping the drinks in mouth for a long time increased the risk of DE by 2.7 times compared with those who swallowed the drinks immediately (OR = 2.7; 95% CI, 2.17–3.25). Students who brushed their teeth after drinking soft beverages were 2.2 times more likely to have DE than those who did not brush after having a soft drink (OR = 2.2; 95% CI, 1.34–3.77). Additionally, rinsing the mouth after having a soft drink significantly decreased the probability of having DE (OR = 0.7; 95% CI, 0.57–0.95). The results revealed that lemon juice had harmful effect on teeth; students who drank lemon juice at bedtime were 23 times more likely to Saracatinib concentration have DE (OR = 23; 95% CI, 2.16–252.06). The odds were almost 18 when lemon was consumed more than twice daily, 8 and 4

when it was consumed only once daily or 2–4 times per week (OR = 18; 95% CI, 8.35–40.84; OR = 7.8; 95% CI, 4.84–12.62; and OR = 4; 95% CI, 2.77–5.72, respectively). On the other hand, the odds were 7.8 times when student had carbonated drinks at bedtime (OR = 7.8; 95% CI, 3.94–15.42). Sour candies were significantly Cyclin-dependent kinase 3 associated with DE. Students who consumed sour candies more than twice daily were almost 24 times more prone to have DE than those who did not eat them at all (OR = 24; 95% CI, 12.39–48.33), students who consumed sour candies once daily were about 18 times more likely to have DE than those who did not (OR = 18; 95% CI, 7.99–40.14), for student who consumed sour candies 2–4 time per week, the odds were eight times (OR = 8; 95% CI, 5.46–12.26). Those who consumed it at least once weekly were

about one and a half times more likely to have DE than those who did not eat sour candies at all (OR = 1.5; 95% CI, 1.14–1.91). Logistic regression defined sports beverages as a causative indicator of DE. The odds of having DE increased by the increase in the frequency of beverages consumption; students who drank sports beverages more than two times daily were almost 29 times more prone to have DE than those who did not drink it at all (OR = 29; 95% CI, 9.38–91.23), students who had this drink once daily were about 14 times more likely to have DE than those who did not (OR = 14; 95% CI, 2.95–65.12) and for those who drank sports beverages 2–4 time per week, the odds were nearly 12 times than those who did not (OR = 12; 95% CI, 5.90–25.81).

5 On the other hand, tropical endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) which

5 On the other hand, tropical endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) which is due to hypereosinophilia is mostly FK866 molecular weight observed during the first 6 months of microfilaraemia.6,7 However, EMF cannot be worked out in this context because eosinophilia has low incidence in chronical form of parasitic infections. Treatment of loiasis is based on the use of the microfilaricidal and macrofilaricidal drug DEC, of which sometimes repeated courses are required. Ivermectin

can be administered prior to DEC, especially when microfilaremia is high (>2/µL). Both drugs may cause fatal encephalopathy but in conditions with high microfilaremia. Conversely, microfilaremia was low in our patient even before Ivermectin treatment. We could not find an explanation to the encephalopathy that occurred in our patient. In conclusion, we described a case of atypical loiasis presenting with a chronic pleuroperitoneal effusion in a 50-year-old woman from Central Africa. Loiasis has to be kept in mind when facing patients with chronic pleuroperitoneal effusion. The authors state they have no conflicts of interest to declare. “
“Background.

Infectious diarrhea is an important problem among travelers and deployed US military overseas causing substantial morbidity due to acute illness and may result in burdensome postinfectious sequelae. Methods. The nonsystemic antibiotic rifaximin was evaluated for prevention of travelers’ diarrhea (TD) VX-809 chemical structure in a US Pembrolizumab cost military and civilian adult beneficiary population in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. In all, 100 volunteers deployed to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, received rifaximin 1,100 mg once daily or placebo for 2 weeks, and participants were followed daily for 2 weeks. Results. In an intention

to treat analysis (n = 95), TD (based on subjects meeting case definition or early treatment) developed in 6.3% (3 of 48) of the rifaximin group compared with 19.2% (9 of 47) in the placebo group (Fisher’s exact test p = 0.07). Rifaximin provided 67% (95% confidence interval, −13% to 91%, p = 0.07) protection against TD. Rifaximn 1,100 mg once daily was well tolerated with no observed differences in adverse events, whether solicited or unsolicited among the two treatment groups. Conclusions. Rifaximin may represent an option among military personnel on deployment for prevention of TD with supportive future studies that consider deployment length, settings, and operational situations where widespread use of chemoprophylaxis may increase force health protection without undue risk during critical deployments. Historically and in modern times, infectious diarrhea among deployed US war fighters has posed a significant health threat despite advances in field preventive measures.

Given the efficacy of HBV vaccines, vaccination in travelers to r

Given the efficacy of HBV vaccines, vaccination in travelers to regions with a moderate to high prevalence of HBV should be considered. Although it is clear that

travelers are at risk of HCV infection, the incidence of HCV infection in travelers needs to be characterized further. selleck screening library Unfortunately, no vaccine exists to prevent HCV infection, so prevention relies on education and behavioral modification to avoid high-risk activities. A challenge for health practitioners is that many travelers have poor knowledge and perception of the risk of infections while traveling, poor uptake of preventative health measures including vaccines, and poor rates of adherence to health recommendations.[82] Raising awareness about HBV and HCV infection and improving access to pre-travel advice are critical to help prevent acquisition of these viral infections in travelers, particularly in the current era of increasing medical tourism. The authors state that they have no conflicts Belinostat of interest. “
“Background. Evidence-based guidelines to prevent travelers’ thrombosis (TT) are still missing. We wanted to know whether travelers perceive the risk of TT, how they and their physicians cope with this in daily life, and whether recommended thrombosis

prophylaxis (TP) was actually performed. Methods. A standardized questionnaire (Q1) asking for age, gender, travel habits, and the assessment of the risk of TT was given to randomly incoming travelers seeking for travel medicine advice prior to long haul travel. A second questionnaire (Q3) focusing on the actually performed TP was answered by these travelers after return. The physician Baricitinib assessed travelers’ thrombosis risk (TR) and gave specific recommendations for TP in questionnaire Q2. Besides analysis of age, gender, the awareness of the risk of TT, travelers’ TR, duration, and kind of travel, we compared performed and recommended TP and analyzed the influence of relevant factors on TP.

Result. A total of 315 travelers (43.3% male, aged 43.2 ± 15.9 y) took part in this survey. We received responses from 275, 309, and 248 travelers who answered Q1, Q2, and Q3, respectively. Travelers (91.6%) were aware of the risk of TT which was significantly higher among travelers aged 60 years and older. Travelers’ TR had a significant influence on recommended and performed TP (p < 0.001). We found a moderate agreement between recommended and performed TP (kappa coefficient = 0.54). More travelers than recommended performed a specific TP (49.6% vs 39.8%) which was mainly done by the intake of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Conclusions. Travelers are well aware of the risk of TT and are compliant to perform at least the recommended TP for which physicians predominantly consider travelers’ TR.

Indeed, selective serotonin (5-HT) re-uptake inhibitors, which in

Indeed, selective serotonin (5-HT) re-uptake inhibitors, which increase 5-HT transmission, enhance adult neurogenesis in the dentate ICG-001 ic50 gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus. However, the consequences of 5-HT depletion are still unclear as studies using neurotoxins that target serotonergic neurons reached contradictory conclusions on the role of 5-HT on DG cell proliferation. Here, we analysed two genetic models of 5-HT depletion, the Pet1−/− and the VMAT2f/f; SERTcre/+ mice, which have, respectively, 80 and 95% reductions in hippocampal 5-HT. In both models, we found unchanged cell proliferation of the neural precursors in the DG subgranular zone,

whereas a significant increase in the survival of newborn neurons was noted 1 and 4 weeks

after BrdU injections. This pro-survival trait was phenocopied pharmacologically with 5-HT synthesis inhibitor PCPA treatment in adults, indicating that this effect was not developmental. Furthermore, a 1-week administration of the 5-HT1A receptor agonist Opaganib 8-OH-DPAT in Pet1−/− and PCPA-treated mice normalised hippocampal cell survival. Overall, our results indicate that constitutive 5-HT depletion does not alter the proliferation of neural precursors in the DG but promotes the survival of newborn cells, an effect which involves activation of postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors. The role of 5-HT in selective neuronal elimination points to a new facet in its multiple effects in controlling neural circuit maturation. “
“The investigation of impulsivity as a

core marker of several major neuropsychiatric disorders has been greatly influenced by the therapeutic efficacy of drugs that block the reuptake of dopamine and noradrenaline in the brain. As a result, research into the neural mechanisms of impulsivity has focused on the catecholamine systems as the loci responsible for the expression of impulsive behaviour and the primary mechanism of action of clinically effective drugs for attention-deficit Fenbendazole hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, abnormalities in the catecholamine systems alone are unlikely to account for the full diversity and complexity of impulsivity subtypes, nor can they fully explain co-morbid brain disorders such as drug addiction. Here we review the lesser-studied role of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in impulsivity, a major target of the dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems in the prefrontal cortex and striatum, and consider how abnormalities in this inhibitory neurotransmitter might contribute to several forms of impulsive behaviour in humans and experimental animals. Our analysis reveals several promising leads for future research that may help inform the development of new therapies for disorders of impulse control. “
“Because of its great genetic potential, the mouse (Mus musculus) has become a popular model species for studies on hearing and sound processing along the auditory pathways.

This is likely to result from impaired immune responses, as refle

This is likely to result from impaired immune responses, as reflected in a higher rate of vaccine failure to most immunizations [1]. Before highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was available, chickenpox recurred frequently [2–4], and HIV-infected patients were more likely to have bacterial superinfections, pneumonia, cerebellitis and encephalitis following VZV infection [5,6]. More recently, Bekker et al. [7] reported the frequent loss of antibodies elicited by wild-type infections or immunizations in HAART-treated children. Similarly, several HIV-infected children of the Swiss Mother & Child Nutlin-3a cost HIV (MoCHiV) cohort had undetectable anti-VZV immunoglobulin

G (IgG) levels despite previously confirmed VZV infection. This observation is intriguing: the persistence

Ixazomib purchase of VZV humoral immunity is generally life-long [8], as community re-exposure and endogenous viral reactivation both contribute to reactivate anti-VZV memory responses and maintain humoral immunity [9]. This suggests limitations in the capacity of HIV-infected children to generate, maintain and/or reactivate immune memory. In Switzerland, where VZV immunization is only recommended for nonimmune adolescents, VZV is endemic and seroprevalence reaches 95% before 15 years of age [10]. Until 2008, a single dose of VZV vaccine was recommended; since then, two doses have been recommended [11]. For HIV-infected children with normal CD4 cell counts, even before adolescence,

immunization with VZV vaccine is recommended. However, this recommendation is mostly ignored. To determine whether the waning of anti-VZV antibodies in HIV-infected children resulted from impaired primary responses, accelerated antibody loss and/or failure to reactivate anti-VZV memory responses, we assessed anti-VZV IgG antibodies in sera prospectively collected over a 10-year period in HIV-infected children, compared with HIV-infected adults and age-matched noninfected healthy children. We also assessed the kinetics of anti-VZV antibodies over time, and measured their avidity, a useful marker of antigen-specific memory B cell maturation [12]. Blood samples from HIV-1-infected children were prospectively collected on a yearly basis between 1997 and 2008. All HIV-infected children Bupivacaine of the Swiss MoCHiV cohort, in which almost all HIV-infected children in Switzerland are followed, were enrolled through six referral centres. Inclusion criteria were being HIV-positive, belonging to the MoCHiV cohort, and having at least two frozen serum samples ≥1 year apart. Exclusion criteria included age <1 year to avoid misinterpretation as a consequence of the presence of maternal antibodies, and serum samples drawn within 12 months of the administration of intravenous immunoglobulins. HIV-1-infected adults were enrolled in one centre.

, 2006) An elegant pathway has been proposed for heme acquisitio

, 2006). An elegant pathway has been proposed for heme acquisition by S. aureus involving the sequential, and direct, transfer of heme from IsdA, IsdB, and IsdH to IsdC (Mazmanian et al., 2003). This is supported by substantial amounts of in vitro data demonstrating the potential for heme transfer between the proteins (Grigg et al., 2007; Liu

et al., 2008; Muryoi et al., 2008; Villareal et al., 2011). Thus, despite the in vitro capability of heme transfer, the system does not appear from our studies to be a physiological requirement for heme uptake. Such redundancy may allude to other heme acquisition mechanisms. Staphylococcus aureus likely encounters heme-containing proteins during infection through the secretion of hemolysins lysing erythrocytes (Bernheimer et al., 1968). A range of proteins linked via sortase to the cell wall may be involved in heme acquisition as a srtA mutant is unable to use PF-02341066 mouse heme as iron source (Mazmanian et al.,

2003). Also S. aureus has an array of alternative iron acquisition systems, including two major siderophores (Hammer & Skaar, 2011). The above data do not support a clear role of IsdA, IsdB, and IsdH in iron acquisition by S. aureus. In order to determine their combined function in pathogenesis, the well-established murine model of sepsis was used. The strain RAD001 Newman background was used as this has been the subject of many studies in this model (Palmqvist et al., 2002; Barbagelata et al., 2011). Figure 4 shows the bacterial load in murine kidneys 7 days postinfection.

There is no statistically significant difference (P = 0.484) between Newman and AFH0013 (∆isdABH) strains. Both sets of animals were infected with the same number of cells (1.5 × 107 CFU) determined by serial dilution in PBS and plating on tryptic soy agar. Figure 4 also shows the percentage weight loss of the two groups of mice over the course of the experiment. Interestingly, there is a significant difference in body weight between animals infected with AFH013 and its isogenic parent. At all time points, AFH013-infected animals demonstrate a decrease in the loss of weight. This is the first time that the triple isd mutant has been used in a pathogenesis study. Our Amobarbital results are potentially at odds with previous studies using single (isdA, isdB, isdH) and a double isdBH mutant, which suggested a role of the gene products in infection (Torres et al., 2006; Cheng et al., 2009; Kim et al., 2010). The differences may be due to the details of the animal models used. This current study highlights the fact that combined IsdA, IsdB, and IsdH do not have an important role in bacterial burden in our model. Of course, all animal models are imperfect as S. aureus has evolved primarily in the human environment. We have previously found that IsdA is required for survival on human skin (Clarke et al., 2007) and nasal colonization in a cotton rat model (Clarke & Foster, 2006).

PCA aims to quantify the variability within a sample set resultin

PCA aims to quantify the variability within a sample set resulting from particular components within the samples. The components of samples, in this case bands within each DGGE profile, are ranked and similarities identified. The resulting scatter plot shows these relationships graphically, where groupings along the two-component axes represent similarity. Separation along axis 1 is indicative of higher variability than that along axis 2. Diesel-degrading site isolates were

subcultured Talazoparib mw on M9 and diesel agar as above, transferred to M9 broth containing 1 g L−1 diesel and grown at room temperature for 48 h. Although the hydrocarbons are not entirely water soluble at this concentration, it was chosen to reflect that found at the RAD001 nmr study site. These cultures were then used to inoculate triplicate M9 broths containing one of 11 carbon sources (nine n-alkanes, C13–C21; naphthalene; and diesel) at 1 g L−1 and for 1 week at room temperature, agitated at 100 r.p.m. The increase in biomass was quantified by measuring OD600 nm at the start and the end of the week. A reading of OD600 nm is frequently used in studies characterizing the physiology of hydrocarbon utilization (Peng et al., 2007;

Zeinali et al., 2007; Bouchez-Naitali & Vandecasteele, 2008; Binazadeh et al., 2009; Isaza & Daugulis, 2009). OD600 nm readings of negative controls containing only hydrocarbons were subtracted from the final reading to allow for any OD600 nm difference caused by factors other than microbial growth. The two main aims of the study were to ascertain to what extent site organisms were able to utilize diesel fuel constituents and to investigate whether there

was any carbon source preference or specificity among the organisms. In order to address the latter aim, the diesel-degrading consortium used in the remediation system at the study site was cultured on the diesel constituents C-X-C chemokine receptor type 7 (CXCR-7) separately in order to identify the communities responsible for the utilization of each compound. The subsequent DGGE profiles and their corresponding PCA scatter plot clearly showed community variation according to the carbon source. This was seen in the scatter plot through the separation along the axes (Fig. 2). Specifically, three distinct groups emerged during PCA analyses of DGGE profiles. The community profiles indicated that despite the uniform diversity present within the starting consortium inocula, consistent enrichment occurred for subpopulations that were dependent upon carbon source type. The DGGE community profile of the site-derived multispecies consortium (data not shown here) used as the inoculum showed a very diverse community with little hierarchy. Overall, three distinct sets could be identified, which all derived from the diesel-degrading consortium obtained from the study site: naphthalene utilizers, mid-chain alkane (C13–C18) utilizers, and long-chain alkane (C19–C21) utilizers.

As shown in Table 2, mutations in mefE-mel of the serotype 6B str

As shown in Table 2, mutations in mefE-mel of the serotype 6B strains S15 and S125 resulted in a significant decrease in TEL-MIC to the level of ATCC 49619 (<0.015 μg mL−1), which is used as a standard drug-susceptible strain. EM-MICs were also reduced to the level of ATCC 49619 (<0.5 μg mL−1). It is therefore concluded that mefE-mel is the determinant solely responsible for reduced TEL susceptibility and EM resistance in these clinical isolates. The mefE-mel mutation in strain S88 (TEL-MIC 1 μg mL−1), harboring both mefE-mel and ermB, resulted in a moderate reduction in TEL-MIC to 0.12 μg mL−1. Independent disruption of

S88 ermB resulted in a similar effect on TEL susceptibility (MIC 0.12 μg mL−1). In GW-572016 contrast, disruption of both the mefE-mel and the ermB determinants further reduced TEL-MIC to the level of ATCC 49619 (MIC<0.015 μg mL−1). Similar results were obtained when the mutants were constructed independently from strains S120 and

S43, which carry both mefE-mel and ermB elements. Taken together, the results suggest that reduced TEL susceptibility (TEL-MIC 1 μg mL−1) in S. Temozolomide pneumoniae may be caused by the acquisition of the mefE-mel element only and conferred additionally by the ermB element. The disruption of ermB resulted in drastic decreases in resistance to EM; MIC declined from >512 to 4 μg mL−1. However, the mefE-mel mutations did not significantly affect resistance. Additional mefE-mel mutations

in the ermB mutants reduced EM-MICs to the level of ATCC (MIC 0.5 μg mL−1). These results suggest that ermB is a predominant mechanism for high resistance to EM in the pneumococcal isolates harboring both ermB and mefE-mel determinants, although the efflux assembly confers low-level resistance. Sequence analyses of the five isolates revealed no mutations in 23S rRNA gene domains II or V. There were no mutations in the L4 ribosomal protein from any isolate, except that from strain S43, in which the S20N mutation was found (data not shown). No mutations were found in the L22 ribosomal protein from any isolate. It has been demonstrated that the mefE and mel carried by mega may be a part of Tn2009, a composite element in which mega is integrated into a Tn916-like transposon carrying tetM (Franke & Clewell, 1981; Del Grosso et al., 2004). The presence of tetM has been examined Niclosamide in isolates S15, S36, S89, S105 and S125, which express tetracycline resistance (MICs 16 μg mL−1), using PCR with the primers TETM1 and TETM2 (Del Grosso et al., 2004). This primer set produced an amplicon of approximately 2.0 kb, indicating the presence of tetM. The linkage between mefE-mel and tetM in these strains was investigated by Southern hybridization based on the restriction cleavage map constructed from the sequence (accession number AF376746). In these five isolates, mefE-mel and tetM were in close proximity, as shown in Tn2009 (data not shown).