Die Bedeutung von Mikrosatellitenalterationen in malignen Tumoren ist trotz intensiver Forschungstätigkeit bisher nicht ausreichend geklärt. Bei Patienten mit einem hereditären nichtpolypösen kolorektalen Karzinom-Syndrom (HNPCC) konnte aber ein möglicherweise kausaler Zusammenhang zwischen einer Keimbahnmutation der Gene, die an dem DNA-"mismatch"-Reparaturmechanismus beteiligt sind, und der Ätiologie dieser Erkrankung nachgewiesen werden. Der Nachweis von Mikrosatelliteninstabilitäten wird zur Identifizierung des HNPCC-Syndroms genutzt. Der Anteil nachgewiesener Mikrosatelliteninstabilitäten bei sporadischen Tumorerkrankungen ist deutlich niedriger als beim HNPCC-Syndrom. Die Mechanismen zur Entstehung von Mikrosatelliteninstabilitäten bei sporadischen Tumor-erkrankungen sind bisher ungeklärt. Der gelungene Nachweis von Mikrosatellitenalterationen im Serum, Fäzes, Urin und Sputum von Tumorpatienten könnte das diagnostische Repertoire erweitern und möglicherweise die frühzeitige Erkennung von Tumorerkrankungen verbessern. Eine auf eine PCR basierende Methode zur Analyse von Mikrosatellitenalterationen in Tumor- und Serumproben wurde in dieser Arbeit etabliert. Drei Mikrosatellitenmarker (AR, ACTBP2, UT762) wurden bei der Untersuchung eingesetzt. Es wurden Tumor- und Serum-DNA mit der DNA von Lymphozyten verglichen und analysiert. Es wurden 43 Patienten mit Bronchialkarzinom untersucht, darunter 16 Patienten mit kleinzelligem und 27 Patienten mit nichtkleinzelligem Bronchialkarzinom. Es wurden bei 5 von 16 (31 %) Patienten mit SCLC und bei 9 von 27 (33 %) Patienten mit NSCLC in mindestens einem Mikrosatellitenlocus eine Mikrosatelliteninstabilität oder ein LOH nachgewiesen. In der Kontrollgruppe mit gesunden Probanden waren keine Mikrosatellitenalterationen nachweisbar. Die unverändert sehr schlechte Prognose von Patienten mit Bronchialkarzinom unterstreicht die Notwendigkeit der Entwicklung einer zuverlässigen und sensitiven Methode zur verbesserten Frühdiagnostik. Dazu wird es notwendig sein, weitere Mikrosatellitenmarker hinsichtlich ihrer Tumorsensitivität und -spezifität an einer ausreichenden Anzahl von Patienten zu testen und die prognostische Bedeutung von Mikrosatellitenalterationen bei Patienten mit einem Bronchialkarzinom zu klären. / Background: Despite intensive research efforts, the significance of microsatellite alterations in malignant tumors is not sufficiently understood. Since a possible causal connection between disease etiology and a germination mutation of the genes, involved in the mismatch repair mechanism, could be demostrated in patients with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), the detection of microsatellite instabilities may be used to identify the so-called HNPCC syndrome. While the amount of proven microsatellite instabilities in sporadic tumor diseases is significantly lower than in the HNPCC syndrome, the mechanisms generating these instabilities have not been clarified yet. Their succesful measurement in serum, feces, urine, and sputum would extend the diagnostic repertory for tumor patients and possibly improve the early detection of neoplastic disease or its recurrence. Results: In this thesis, a PCR-based method was established for the analysis of microsatellite alterations in tumor specimens and serum samples. Three microsatellite markers were employed, including AR, ACTBP2, and UT762. The DNA of tumors and serum was analyzed and compared with the DNA of lymphocytes. Specimens of 43 patients with bronchial carcinoma (16 small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), 27 non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC)) were examined. In 5 of the patients with SCLC (31%) and in 9 of those with NSCLC (33%) a microsatellite instability or a loss of heterozygosity (LOH) was demonstrated in at least one microsatellite locus. The controls, which included samples of serum and lymphocytes of 10 healthy volunteers, did not show any microsatellite alterations. Outlook: The still poor prognosis of patients with bronchial carcinoma warrants further development of sensitive and reliable methods to improve early detection. Beyond this study, further microsatellite markers need to be tested in a sufficient number of patients with respect to sensitivity and specificity of tumor diagnosis. In addition, the prognostic significance of microsatellite alterations in tumor patients requires further investigation.

O vírus do Oeste do Nilo (VON) é um Flavivírus capaz de infectar muitas espécies de vertebrados, incluindo o homem. Embora reconhecida desde 1940, esta virose nunca havia sido descrita nas Américas, onde emergiu nos Estados Unidos ao final da década de 1990, com numerosos casos de meningoencefalite em humanos. Posteriormente, sua transmissão por transfusão de sangue e órgãos foi comprovada, levando à implantação de testes moleculares (NAT) para a triagem de doadores nos EUA e Canadá a partir de 2003. Nos anos seguintes, o VON foi sendo progressivamente detectado em países como México, Panamá e áreas do Caribe, sugerindo sua iminente introdução na América do Sul. De fato, evidências sorológicas foram reveladas em cavalos e aves na Colômbia, Venezuela, Argentina e muito recentemente no pantanal mato-grossense (em cavalos). A vigilância epidemiológica para este agente é de grande importância para a saúde pública, visto o potencial de morbimortalidade deste vírus para humanos. Sendo assim este trabalho tem o objetivo de investigar a presença do RNA do VON em amostras de doadores de sangue, pacientes com meningoencefalite ou febre de origem indeterminada e soros e amostras cerebrais de equinos. Foram analisadas 2.202 doações de sangue do Amazonas (HEMOAM), 3.144 do Mato Grosso do Sul (HEMOSUL); líquido cefalorraquidiano de 51 pacientes com suspeita de meningoencefalite viral (Hospital das Clínicas/FMUSP, São Paulo) e soro de 198 pacientes com síndrome febril aguda, negativos para Dengue e Malária (Fundação de Medicina Tropical de Manaus). Além disto, 293 amostras de soros de equinos da região do Pantanal e 63 biópsias de tecido cerebral de cavalos que foram a óbito por encefalite de etiologia desconhecida. Estas amostras foram submetidas ao teste automatizado cobas TaqScreen WNV (Roche) na plataforma cobas s201 em sistema de pool de 6 unidades (doações de sangue) ou individualmente (pacientes). Todas as amostras apresentaram amplificação satisfatória do controle da reação, porém nenhuma apresentou resultado positivo para a presença do RNA do VON. Embora já exista evidência da exposição de equinos no Brasil ao VON, não parece haver até o momento, disseminação importante deste agente entre humanos e equinos, uma vez que o RNA viral não foi detectado nem em doadores de sangue e nem em equinos, incluindo os de cidades próximas aos locais onde cavalos soropositivos foram encontrados (Corumbá MS). / The West Nile Virus (WNV) is a Flavivirus able to infect many species of vertebrates, including man. Recognized since 1940, this virus had never been described in the Americas, which emerged in the United States at the end of the 1990s, with numerous cases of meningoencephalitis in humans. Later, transmission by transfusion of blood and organs was confirmed, leading to the deployment of molecular testing (NAT) for screening of donors in the U.S. and Canada since 2003. In the following years, WNV has been progressively detected in countries like Mexico, Panama and the Caribbean areas, suggesting their imminent introduction in South America In fact, serological evidence was revealed in horses and birds in Colombia, Venezuela and Argentina and most recently in Pantanal, Mato Grosso (horses). Epidemiological surveillance for this agent is of great importance to public health, given the potential morbidity and mortality of this virus to humans. Therefore this study aims to investigate the presence of WNV RNA in samples of blood donors, patients with meningoencephalitis or fever of unknown origin and serum and brain samples from horses. We analyzed 2202 blood donations from Amazon (HEMOAM), 3144 from Mato Grosso do Sul (HEMOSUL); cerebrospinal fluid of 51 patients with suspected viral encephalitis (Hospital das Clínicas / FMUSP, São Paulo) and serum samples from 198 patients with acute febrile syndrome, negative for Dengue and malaria (Foundation for Tropical Medicine in Manaus). In addition, more 293 serum samples from horses of the Pantanal and 63 biopsies of brain tissue from horses that died of encephalitis of unknown etiology. These samples were subjected to automated cobas TaqScreen WNV test (Roche) on the platform in cobas S201with a system of 6 units pool (blood donations) or individually (patients). All samples showed satisfactory control amplification, but none showed as positive for the presence of RNA VON. Although there is already evidence in horses in Brazil of exposure to WNV, there seems to be far that an important spread of this agent between humans and horses, since the viral RNA was not detected either in blood donors or in horses, including cities near the locations where seropositive horses were found (Corumbá - MS).

A espécie Escherichia coli constitui um grupo de bactérias tipicamente não patogênicas e que fazem parte do trato intestinal de humanos e animais. As amostras são sorotipadas com base em seus antígenos de superfície O (somático), H (flagelar) e K (capsular). O antígeno flagelar correspondente ao filamento é formado pela polimerização da flagelina, codificada pelo gene fliC. O presente trabalho empregou a técnica de PCR-RFLP para analisar os padrões de antígenos flagelares de 112 amostras de EPEC e STEC. Quatorze amostras não amplificaram o gene fliC, 17 tiveram seu antígeno flagelar determinado apenas por PCR-RFLP e 75 amostras tiveram seus antígenos flagelares confirmados por esta técnica. Três antígenos H com padrões irregulares foram clonados e sequenciados. Após o sequenciamento, inserções e remoções de nucleotídeos foram encontradas. Até o momento, poucos estudos utilizam um número abrangente de amostras de STEC e EPEC provenientes de diferentes animais para a determinação do antígeno H empregando a técnica de PCR-RFLP do gene fliC. De acordo com os resultados encontrados neste estudo, podemos concluir que a técnica de PCR-RFLP do gene fliC é mais rápida, menos trabalhosa e mais eficiente que a metodologia de sorotipagem clássica. / The Escherichia coli species consists of a group of typically non-pathogenic bacteria present in the intestinal tract of humans and animals. Strains are serotyped according to their O (somatic), H (flagellar) and K (capsular) surface antigens, in order to distinguish these microorganisms from the non-pathogenic members of the intestinal microbiota. The flagellar antigen corresponding to the filament is formed by the polymerization of the flagellin, codified by the fliC gene. This study employed the PCR-RFLP technique to analyze flagellar antigen patterns from 112 EPEC and STEC strains. Fourteen strains have not amplified the fliC gene, 17 had their flagellar antigen determined only by the PCR-RFLP and 75 strains had their flagellar antigen confirmed by this technique. Three H antigens with irregular patterns were cloned and sequenced. After sequencing, insertions and deletions of nucleotides were discovered. So far, few studies used a significant number of STEC and EPEC strains originated from different animals to determine H antigens employing the PCR-RFLP technique of the fliC gene. According to the findings of this study, we assumed that PCR-RFLP of the fliC gene is faster, less laborious and more efficient than classic serotyping methodology.

Leischmaniasis ist ein ernstzunehmende bedrohliche Erkrankung in vielen Ländern. Epidemien sind nicht unter Kontrolle, Neusbrüche werden in endemischen Ländern registriert. Darüber hinaus gibt es eine zunehmende Anzahl von Krankheitsfällen bei Reiserückkehrern in nicht endemischen Ländern . Für den individuellen Patienten sowie auch allgemein für die epidemiologische Kontrolle ist eine frühe und angemessene Therapie sehr wichtig. Als Voraussetzung ist eine präzise Diagnostik unabdingbar. Die Polymerase Ketten Reaktion (PCR) besitzt das größte Potential für die sensitive und spezies-spezifische Diagnostik der Leischmaniasis. Diese Studie ist in Israel und in der West Bank durchgeführt worden mit dem Ziel, eine sensitive und spezies-spezifische Diagnostik für Leischmaniasis im Land zu etablieren. Drei Arten von Leischmanien sind endemisch, Leishmania major,L.tropica, L.d.infantum, mit neuausbrechenden endemischen Foci in einigen Gegenden des Landes. Israelische Reiserückkehrer aus Zentral- und Südamerika kehren gelegentlich mit Infektionen aus der Neuen Welt zurück (L.braziliensis, L.mexicana Komplex). In dieser Studie wurden vor allem Proben direkt von denHautläsionen entnommen und auf Filter Papiekonserviert. Verschiedene DNA Extraktions- und PCR-Methoden wurden getestet. PCR wurde eingeführt für die Diagnostik von Patienten und auch zur Untersuchung von Infektionsraten bei Reservoirtieren. Ein Hauptziel der Studie war, die Methoden nach Praktikabilität, Zeit- und Kosteneffizienz testen, im Hinblick auf die Einführung der Methoden in klinischen Labors. / Leishmaniasis is a serious health threat in many countries around the world.Epidemics are hardly controlled, new foci are emerging in endemic countries. In addition,through tourism increasing numbers of infections are seen in non endemic countries. Early and adequate treatment is essential for the individual as well as for the control of the disease in general. As a prerequisite precise diagnosis is necessary. Diagnosis by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has the greatest potential for sensitive and species-specific diagnosis of leishmaniasis. This study has been carried out in Israel and the West Bank with the purpose to establish sensitive and species-specific diagnosis of leishmaniasis in the country. Three species of Leishmania are endemic, Leishmania major, L.tropica and L.d.infantumwith emerging foci in many parts of the country. Other species of the New World are occasionally imported by Israeli travelers returning from Central or South America (L.braziliensis and L.mexicana complex). The study focused on dermal lesion scrapings collected from suspected lesions and preserved on filter paper. Different DNA extraction and PCR methods have been tested. PCR was introduced forthe diagnosis of individual patients as well as for epidemiological studies in reservoir animals. It has been a major goal to select time and cost saving methods with regard to the introduction of PCR diagnosis of leishmaniasis to clinical laboratories.

<p>The obligate intracellular bacterium <i>Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cp</i>), a common human pathogen, has been associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The aetiology of non-rheumatic aortic valve sclerosis has, however, not been clarified. In two prospective studies of 42 and 46 patients undergoing surgical valve replacement because of aortic valve stenosis, the presence of <i>Cp </i>DNA could be demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 49% and 35% of the sclerotic valves as compared to 9 % and 0%, respectively, of valves from forensic control cases with no heart valve disease. Some inflammatory and infectious diseases are associated with trace element changes. Eleven of 15 trace elements showed changed concentrations in sclerotic valve tissue compared to control valves in support of an active process in the sclerotic valves. Notable was an increased iron concentration in the patients´ valves suggesting a possible link to <i>Cp</i>. Furthermore, a disturbed trace element balance existed in the patients´ sera, the pattern of which was compatible with ongoing infection. In a prospective study of 38 patients operated on for thoracic aortic aneurysm or dissection, <i>Cp</i> DNA <i>w</i>as detected byPCR in 12 % of the aneurysms and the result was confirmed byelectron microscopy(EM<i>).</i> In none of the dissection patients could <i>Cp </i>be demonstratedin the removed tissues. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) values for doxycycline and azithromycin increased with longer <i>Cp </i>preincubation times when tested in vitro<i>.</i> EMwas performed to visualise the inactivation at a cellular level.Thus, the results demonstrate <i>Cp </i>in the tissues in non-rheumatic aortic valve sclerosis and in thoracic aortic aneurysm but not in aortic dissection.</p>

<p>The objective of this study was to develop and validate a six Non-CODIS miniSTR genotyping system and to determine its suitability for forensic casework in South Africa. In Non-CODIS miniSTR genotyping systems, smaller PCR products are amplified and the primers are positioned as close as possible to the repeat region. For this reason, these systems can be valuable in a variety of scenarios including complex paternity cases, missing persons work, and mass fatality disasters.</p>

<p>Sexual assault is a significant problem facing the South African society. In this context, efficient but also affordable genotyping systems are needed for positive identification of criminals in incidences of sexual violence. The aim of this study was therefore to develop non-commercial Y-STR genotyping systems suitable for sexual assault cases in South Africa. Y-chromosome STR loci constituting the minimal haplotype are still the most widely used loci in investigating sexual assault cases despite the fact that DYS391 and DYS392 have shown low levels of polymorphism in Xhosa populations in Cape Town. The minimal haplotype was, therefore, further investigated in the Cape Muslim population. The Cape Muslim population generally exhibited high GD values among all the South African populations. These values were higher than 0.5 for most loci, and ranged from 0.447 for DYS391 to 0.957 for DYS385. The highest number of alleles in most loci was also recorded in this population. The overall assessment of the minimal haplotype has shown that this system is still a useful in investigating sexual assault case in many South African subpopulations. Therefore the exercise of internal validation of the minimal haplotype system was successfully carried out in the laboratory. iii The properties of additional novel and widely used STRs were also investigated in this study. Loci were successfully sequenced and allele nomenclature was assigned to them according to the ISFG guidelines.</p>

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the power of discrimination and genetic (diversity) parameters in the Y chromosome extended haploytpe markers in populations of Tanzania for forensic and populations studies. Eleven Y chromosome extended haplotype markers were selected for this study, these includes Minimal haplotypes markers i.e. DYS19, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS385a/b, DYS389I/II and two additional markers DYS438 and DYS439. Six populations of Tanzania were investigated under this study. These populations were selected based on the language family categories / Niger Congo (Kuria and Sukuma), Nilo Saharan (Luo and Maasai) and Afro Asiatic (Iraqw and Alagwa).

The obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cp), a common human pathogen, has been associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The aetiology of non-rheumatic aortic valve sclerosis has, however, not been clarified. In two prospective studies of 42 and 46 patients undergoing surgical valve replacement because of aortic valve stenosis, the presence of Cp DNA could be demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 49% and 35% of the sclerotic valves as compared to 9 % and 0%, respectively, of valves from forensic control cases with no heart valve disease. Some inflammatory and infectious diseases are associated with trace element changes. Eleven of 15 trace elements showed changed concentrations in sclerotic valve tissue compared to control valves in support of an active process in the sclerotic valves. Notable was an increased iron concentration in the patients´ valves suggesting a possible link to Cp. Furthermore, a disturbed trace element balance existed in the patients´ sera, the pattern of which was compatible with ongoing infection. In a prospective study of 38 patients operated on for thoracic aortic aneurysm or dissection, Cp DNA was detected byPCR in 12 % of the aneurysms and the result was confirmed byelectron microscopy(EM). In none of the dissection patients could Cp be demonstratedin the removed tissues. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) values for doxycycline and azithromycin increased with longer Cp preincubation times when tested in vitro. EMwas performed to visualise the inactivation at a cellular level.Thus, the results demonstrate Cp in the tissues in non-rheumatic aortic valve sclerosis and in thoracic aortic aneurysm but not in aortic dissection.

<p>The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity of the SLC22A1 gene and to deduce its possible pharmacogenetic implications within the Cape Coloured population of South&nbsp / Africa / a uniquely admixed population of immigrant Europeans, Asians and the indigenous populations. Recent studies have reported an abundance of polymorphic variants within this solute&nbsp / carrier transporter gene encoding for the organic cation transporter 1, as well as evidence linking these variants to an effect on metformin uptake. This study included establishing baseline&nbsp / frequency distribution of previously reported alleles for 20 SNP variants within the SLC22A1 gene, as well as the development of SNaPshot&reg / and Multiplex AS-PCR genotyping assays, and&nbsp / also exploring the possibility of using High-resolution melt (HRM) analysis as a costeffective alternative for SNP genotyping. Ethics clearance was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the&nbsp / University of the Western Cape. Biological samples in the form of buccal (oral) swabs were collected from 132 unrelated voluntary donors from the Cape Coloured population residing in the&nbsp / Cape Metropolitan area. Two SNaPshot&reg / Multiplex Systems were specifically designed for the study,successfully optimized and used for genotyping. Hundred genetic profiles were then generated for a total of 20 SNP variants on SLC22A1 gene, using this primer extension-based genotyping method that enables multiplexing up 10 SNPs. Population genetics data obtained for&nbsp / the investigated SNPs were analysed using various statistical analysis software. Important population genetic parameters were calculated, and possible pharmacogenetics implications were then discussed. Among others, allelic and genotypic frequencies, as well as linkage disequilibrium were determined and compared with world populations. Minor deviation from Hardy- Weinberg equilibrium was observed in the Cape Coloured population. No significantLinkage Disequilibrium between the investigated SNPs was observed in this population. A Multiplex allele specific &ndash / PCR (MAS-PCR) genotyping&nbsp / system was successfully designed and optimized for the genotyping of 10 SNPs from the SLC22A1. This system, also developed specifically for this study, was made of 2 multiplexes each covering 5 SNPs. It is an inexpensive genotyping assay that allows for efficient discrimination of SNP polymorphisms in one reaction tube with standard PCR conditions. A pilot study was&nbsp / conducted to explore the possibility of using High-resolution melt (HRM) analysis as a cost-effective alternative for SNP genotyping. In addition to genotyping, HRM analysis can be used to scan&nbsp / large numbers of samples for novel genetic variations.&nbsp / </p>