Employees and housewives comprised find more around 70% in our study group. Patients with a yearly income below NT$400 000 (US$12 000) comprised 71%. (The annual average GNP of Taiwan in 2003 was around US$ 12 000.) (Table 1) Forty-four percent of the patients indicated that they felt stress pressure from their life. The onset of first symptom occurred at the age of 37.6 years (ranging from 18 to 81 years).

The duration of urgency/frequency was 62 months (ranging from 9 to 396 months). The duration of pain was 46 months (ranging from 9 to 492 months). The average daily voiding frequency was 16 times (ranging from 9 to 50 times), including 3.7 times (ranging from 1 to 18 times) during sleeping time. While 94% had frequency and complaint, 80% suffered from pain, 53% had nocturia, 10% associated with incontinence. Forty-seven

percent of the IC patients in the study complained that their symptoms were persistent in nature. Eighty-three percent of the pain with a full urinary bladder was the prominent pain characteristic followed by 74% of pain relief after voiding. Forty-five percent reported pain when their urinary Selleck DMXAA bladders were not full. Forty percent had burning pain during voiding. Fifty-four percent of the IC patients in the study complained the type of pain was a full sensation, followed by 32% of soreness, 22% of sharp, 21% of stabbing, 11% of spasms, 8% of dull, and 4% of throbbing. Fifty-two percent of patients pointed to the pain at the lower abdomen area, 23% at suprapubic, 22% at vagina,

14% at left low abdomen, 12% at right low abdomen, 11% at left flank area, 10% at right flank area, 9% at inguinal area, and 8% at low back area (Table 2). The factors that aggravated interstitial cystitis symptoms were screened. Resminostat Among the factors, 44% of the patients indicated that stress was the factor most frequently encountered, followed by 31% of urinary tract infection. Beverages such as tea and coffee were the most frequent fluid that would aggravate IC symptoms. Oranges and pineapple were the most noted fruit that made IC symptoms worse (Table 3). The most associated diseases were recurrent urinary tract infection (28%), migraine headache (24%), neurodermatitis (21%), and hay fever/allergic rhinitis (20%). The family history of the IC patients in this study were hypertension (18%), diabetes mellitus (14%), hay fever/allergic rhinitis (11%), heart disease (18%), urinary stone (10%), migraine headache (7%), neurodermatitis (7%) (Table 4). Thirteen percent of female patients had the history of hysterectomy and 15% had tube ligation. The average of doctor visitation was 3.2 doctors (1–37) and traditional doctor 1.3 doctors (0–10) before diagnosis. Eleven percent had a history of anti-depression or anti-anxiety drug intake. Five percent had an allergic drug intake. The average number of the children from married patients discussed was 1.9 persons. Sixty percent of these children were normally delivered.

After one wash with PBS, slides were analyzed by fluorescent microscopy using a Nikon eclipse E400 microscope (Nikon, Tokyo, Japan) with a ×20 or ×60 plan objective. For flow cytometry evaluation, staining was performed

without DAPI. Cells were analyzed GSI-IX using BD FACSCalibur software (Becton Dickinson, San Jose, CA, USA). A plasmid containing the human NF-κB promoter upstream to the luciferase reporter gene, kindly provided by Y. Ben-Neriah (The Hebrew University), was purified using the Qiagen EndoFree Plasmid Kit (Qiagen, Düsseldorf, Germany) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Highly purified plasmid DNA, 3 μg, was used to electroporate 0.5–2×106 DC, which were introduced with the Human Dendritic Cell Nucleofector Kit (Amaxa Biosystems, Cologne, Germany). Cells then were incubated

for varying times, under varying conditions, as indicated. The iDC were then harvested, washed, and lysed. Luciferase activity was measured by the Floustar luminometer, using the Luciferase Assay Kit (Promega, Madison, WI, USA). Statistical significance was assessed using the JNK signaling pathway inhibitors Student’s t-test for unpaired data comparisons unless indicated otherwise. Kolmogorov−Smirnov analysis was used for flow cytometry analysis. The authors wish to thank Shifra Fraifeld for her editorial assistance with the preparation of this article. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no financial or commercial conflict of interest. “
“MHC class I-restricted CD8 T-lymphocyte epitopes comprise anchor motifs, T-cell Y-27632 molecular weight receptor (TCR) contact residues and the peptide backbone. Serial variant epitopes with substitution of amino acids at either anchor motifs or TCR contact residues have been synthesized for specific interferon-γ responses to clarify the TCR recognition mechanism

as well as to assess the epitope prediction capacity of immunoinformatical programmes. CD8 T lymphocytes recognise the steric configuration of functional groups at the TCR contact side chain with a parallel observation that peptide backbones of various epitopes adapt to the conserved conformation upon binding to the same MHC class I molecule. Variant epitopes with amino acid substitutions at the TCR contact site are not recognised by specific CD8 T lymphocytes without compromising their binding capacity to MHC class I molecules, which demonstrates two discrete antigen presentation events for the binding of peptides to MHC class I molecules and for TCR recognition. The predicted outcome of immunoinformatical programmes is not consistent with the results of epitope identification by laboratory experiments in the absence of information on the interaction with TCR contact residues.

Following transplantation, only prednisone and azathioprine were given. Their outcome was compared with a group of HLA-identical living recipients (n = 53) and a group of one-or two haplotype-mismatched living donor recipients (n = 54) treated with triple immunosuppression and induction therapy. Permanent T cell crossmatch sensitization occurred in 11 of the 163 patients (7%). Actual one- and five-year graft survivals were 94%, PXD101 100%, 100% and 72%, 85% and 71% for DST-treated groups with one HLA haplotype mismatched donors

(n = 121), two HLA haplotype mismatched related donors (n = 14) and two haplotype-mismatched unrelated donors, respectively. This was comparable to the HLA identical group. No lymphoproliferative or CMV disease was seen in the DST group. In a retrospective paediatric study (Leone

et al.13), the results SB203580 price of DST plus post-transplant immunosuppression with prednisone and azathioprine were compared with a routine triple immunosuppression group. All received haploidentical grafts. Three of 24 patients treated with DST had circulating cytotoxic antibodies to the donor. There was no difference in graft or patient survival at 1 year or in mean rejection episodes. However, there was less hospitalization and less severe rejection during the first 3 months in the cyclosporine (non-DST) group. Given the equivalent graft survival and the risk of recipient sensitization, the authors concluded that routine triple immunosuppression is preferable. Anderson et al.14 administered donor-specific whole blood or buffy

coat in conjunction with azathioprine immunosuppression in 163 patients. Transient sensitization occurred in 2% and permanent sensitization in 7%. Over the 10 year duration, DST + azathioprine graft survival was similar to the HLA-identical sibling transplantation. The CMV sepsis rate was 2% and there was no occurrence of lymphoproliferative neoplasms. Please refer to the enclosed evidence tables. Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative: There is some evidence that Morin Hydrate donor-specific transfusion with living donor transplantation improves survival, but the decision to perform donor-specific transfusion must still be made on a case-by-case basis. Blood transfusions can induce antibodies to histocompatibility leukocyte antigens that can reduce the success of kidney transplantation; thus, transfusions generally should be avoided in patients awaiting a renal transplant. UK Renal Association: No recommendation. Canadian Society of Nephrology: No recommendation. European Best Practice Guidelines: No recommendation. International Guidelines: No recommendation. No recommendation. Fiona Mackie has no relevant financial affiliations that would cause a conflict of interest according to the conflict of interest statement set down by CARI.

After washing twice with PBS-T as above, 105 MNCs from either EAMG or CFA control rats were added for 24 h at 37°C. Wells were then emptied and incubated with a rabbit antirat IgG (1:400) overnight at 4°C followed by an incubation with a biotinylated antirabbit IgG (1:500; Dakopatts, Copenhagen, Denmark) for 2 h at

RT followed by an incubation with an avidin-biotin peroxidase complex (1:200) for 1 h at RT. After peroxidase staining, the red-brown immunospots corresponding to cells secreting nAChR–IgG antibodies were counted in a blinded fashion using a dissection microscope. The numbers of antibody-secreting cells per 105 MNCs are shown. Lymphocytes from either EAMG or CFA https://www.selleckchem.com/products/PF-2341066.html control rats were plated in 96-well round-bottom microtiter plates (Nunc, Copenhagen, Denmark) in triplicate (200 μL containing 4 × 105 cells). The AChR R97–116 peptide (10 μg/mL), myelin basic protein (MBP) 68–86 peptide (10 μg/mL, YGSLPQKSQRSQDENPV, Sangon Ltd, China), Con A (5 μg/mL), or CGS21680 (30 nM, Tocris, UK) were added in triplicate to respective wells. Wells used as negative controls received PBS only. Cells were incubated for 72 h followed by the

addition of 0.5 μCi 3H-thymidine (China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing, PR China) during the last 12 h of culture. Cells were harvested onto glass-fiber filters to assay incorporation of radioactivity using a liquid β-scintillation counter (Perkin-Elmer, Wellesley, CAL-101 mouse MA, USA). The results were expressed as mean counts per minute

± SD. Rat splenocytes from either EAMG or CFA control rats were harvested and B cells separated using magnetic beads as instructed by the manufacturer (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN, USA) or irradiated (750 cGy). Negatively selected cells consisted on average of greater than 90% B cells determined by FACS. A total of 400,000 B cells were cultured in U-bottom 96-well plates wells with 100,000 irradiated splenocytes, AChR R97-116 (10 μg/mL), or lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 5 μg/mL, as positive control) in the presence or absence of CGS21680 (30 nM) for 72 h. Supernatants were collected to detect anti-AChR IgG secretion or 0.5μ Ci/well see more 3H-thymidine was added to each well during the last 12 h to measure proliferation as described above. FACS analysis was carried out as described previously [[12]] to detect intracellular cytokines synthesis with some modifications. Lymphocytes from either EAMG or CFA control rats were incubated with AChR R97-116 (10 μg/mL) for 72 h, and during the last 4–5 h, cells were incubated with 50 ng/mL phorbol myristate acetate, 500 ng/mL ionomycin, and Brefeldin A (1:1000). Cells were then stained with antirat CD3 to set the gate and then incubated with FITC-conjugated antirat-CD4 or with PerCP-eFluor710-conjugated anti-rat-CD25 for 20 min at 4 °C.

Efficient responses to the fungus require a complex network of immunological mechanisms. Together with alveolar macrophages and neutrophils, which constitute a primary line of innate cellular defence against A. fumigatus,1,2 the crucial role of the adaptive immunity has been extensively demonstrated.3 Indeed, besides the well-characterized protective role of T helper type 1 (Th1) lymphocytes,4–7 the newly described regulatory T cells and interleukin-17 (IL-17) -producing cells (Th17) represent important mediators of the inflammatory and anti-inflammatory

signaling pathway host responses against A. fumigatus.8 However, dendritic cells (DCs) also play a fundamental function in initiating and modulating the specific immune responses upon recognition of A. fumigatus.5,9,10 After internalization of A. fumigatus conidia, DCs mature and acquire the capacity to polarize

naive T cells and, in turn, to promote a protective response.9 In keeping with these findings, in vivo results on the migration of lung DCs into lymphoid organs, where they drive an appropriate T-cell response to fungal antigens,11 have brought DCs centre stage as promising targets for intervention in immunotherapy and fungal vaccine development.12 In addition, it is important FK228 ic50 to consider several studies that have recently pointed to DCs and type I interferons (IFNs) as special players in the immune response tailored to combat tumours and infections.13–15 Indeed, although the anti-microbial properties of these cytokines have not been fully characterized yet, type I IFNs represent important immunomodulators of the innate, as well as the adaptive, arm of the immune system. Type I IFN can promote

the differentiation of human blood monocytes into DCs and contribute to their maturation.16,17 This leads to the generation of DCs able to stimulate a primary human antibody response, a Th1 proliferation,18 and a cross-priming of CD8 T cells against viral antigens.19 In addition, one crucial outcome of type I IFN-induced effects is the ability to directly stimulate IFN-γ production in natural killer and T cells,20–22 which in turn promotes the development of a cell-mediated immune response. Based on these immunoregulatory properties, in this work the expression and the Molecular motor capacity of type I IFN, namely IFN-β, to modulate the T-cell polarizing capacity of A. fumigatus-infected DCs was investigated in an attempt to evaluate the effects induced by this cytokine on anti-fungal immunity. Although the phagocytosis of the fungus was not affected by IFN-β treatment, the maturation induced by A. fumigatus infection was enhanced in IFN-β-primed DCs, as evaluated by analysing the immunophenotype and the release of pro-inflammatory and regulatory cytokines. Accordingly, IFN-β endowed DCs with potent Th1 polarizing capacity because an enhanced IFN-γ production in T cells co-cultured with A. fumigatus-infected DCs was observed in the presence of IFN-β.

28 These findings prompted us to investigate the effects of B7-H3-transduced tumour cells on anti-tumour immunity, because STA-9090 mw CD8+ T cells are the major effector cells in most cases of tumour eradication. In this study, we examined mechanisms of enhanced anti-tumour immunity induced by tumour-associated B7H3 and the involvement of its TLT-2 receptor. Female C3H/HeN, DBA/2, BALB/c, C57BL/6 (B6) and BALB/c nude mice were purchased from Japan SLC (Hamamatsu, Japan), Charles River Japan (Tokyo, Japan) and CLEA Japan (Tokyo, Japan). Chicken ovalbumin (OVA)257–264-specific TCR transgenic OT-I mice

were generously provided by Dr William R. Heath (The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Victoria, Australia).30 Mice were 6–10 weeks of age at the start of the experiments. All experiments were approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee of Tokyo Medical and Dental University. The T lymphoma EL4, OVA-expressing

EL4 (E.G7), plasmacytoma J558L, mastocytoma P815 and melanoma B16 cell lines were cultured in RPMI-1640, supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and 10 μg/ml gentamicin. A squamous cell carcinoma SCCVII cell line was maintained BAY 80-6946 datasheet in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium with 10% fetal bovine serum and 10 μg/ml gentamicin. Anti-B7-H3 [MIH32 and MIH35, both rat immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a), κ] and anti-TLT-2 mAb (MIH47, rat IgG2a, κ and MIH49, rat IgM, κ) were generated as described previously.28 These mAbs were biotinylated or conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), according to a standard protocol. Peridinin-chlorophyll-protein complex-carbocyanin 5.5 (PerCP-Cy5.5) -conjugated-anti-CD4 (GK1.5), anti-CD8 (53-6.72), and anti-CD3 (145-2C11); FITC-conjugated anti-CD45 (3F11.1); anti-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I (SF1-1.1, 36-7-5 and AF6-88.5 for Kd, Kk and Kb, respectively); phycoerythrin-conjugated isothipendyl anti-CD8 (53-6.72),

anti-CD25 (PC61), anti-CD69 (H1.2F3), anti-CD54 (YN1/1.7.4), anti-CD80 (1G10) and anti-CD86 (GL1) mAbs; and appropriate fluorochrome-conjugated isotype control immunoglobulins were used. All fluorochrome-conjugated antibodies except FITC were obtained from eBioscience (San Diego, CA) or BD-Pharmingen (San Diego, CA). Culture supernatant from the 2.4G2 hybridoma (anti-CD16/CD32 mAb) was used to block Fc-mediated binding. Phycoerythrin-streptavidin or allophycocyanin-streptavidin was used for the biotinylated mAbs. Cells were stained and analysed using a fluorescence-acitvated cell sorter (FACSCalibur; BD Biosciences, Sparks, MD) and the CellQuest (BD Biosciences) or flowJo (TreeStar, Ashland, OR) software. Mouse B7-H3 complementary DNA28 was inserted into the pMKITneo, pMXC and pMXs-neo (kindly provided by T. Kitamura) expression vectors.

The yeast species were identified by morphological features and commercial characterisation kits. From 54% of the specimens, we isolated 122 strains representing 29 yeast species. Debaryomyces hansenii, Candida lambica and Candida krusei were the most frequently isolated species. We found a plethora of yeasts in birds living in proximity to humans, whereas birds living in more remote areas were colonised with a lower number of fungal species. “
“Dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum canis is a heterogeneous disease with variable clinical manifestations. M. canis is a zoophilic dermatophyte and the most frequent fungi isolated from dogs, cats and children in

Brazil. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic variability of M. canis isolates from INK 128 chemical structure different animal species using two microsatellite markers, namely, McGT(13) and McGT(17), and to correlate the results with the clinical and epidemiological patient data in Brazil. The study included a global set of 102 M. canis strains, including 37 symptomatic cats, 35 asymptomatic cats, 19 human patients with tinea, 9 asymptomatic dogs and 2 symptomatic dogs. A total of 14 genotypes were identified, and 6 large populations were distinguished. There was no correlation between Roxadustat these multilocus genotypes and the clinical and epidemiological data, including the source, symptomatology, clinical picture, breed, age, sex, living

conditions and geographic location. These results demonstrate that the use of microsatellite polymorphisms is a reliable method for the differentiation of M. canis strains. However,

we were Selleckchem ZD1839 unable to demonstrate a shared clinical and epidemiological pattern among the same genotype samples. “
“The aim of this study was to evaluate oral epithelial cells of the oral mucosa infected by Candida albicans using exfoliative cytology. Oral smears were collected from clinically normal-appearing mucosa by liquid-based exfoliative cytology of 60 individuals (30 patients with oral candidiasis and 30 healthy controls matched for age and gender) and analysed for morphologic and cytomorphometric technique. Morphologically, candida-infected epithelial cells exhibited nuclear enlargement, perinuclear rings, discrete orangeophilia, and cytoplasmic vacuoles. The cytomorphometric analysis demonstrated that the cytoplasmic area (CA) of the epithelial cells was diminished in patients undergoing candidiasis as compared to the non-infected controls. In addition, there was an augmentation in nuclear area (NA) and NA/CA area ratio. This study revealed that oral mucosa of patients undergoing candidal infection exhibited significant changes in the size and shape of the oral epithelial cells. “
“Fusarium species are common hyaline soil saprophytes and plant pathogens that are opportunistic fungal pathogens of immunocompromised patients.

The proportion of patients with Hb values within the unit target range also increased from 46% to 56% (P = 0.25) between the first and last years of the project. These changes were also associated with reduced erythropoietin drug use down to 0.44 μg/kg per week. Implementation of a treatment protocol for anaemia management in haemodialysis patients was associated with greater consistency with guideline evidence and lower drug use. Achieving such guideline recommendations for ferritin targets in more than 50% of patients appears

feasible. “
“Different strategies are being tried to induce transplant tolerance in clinical settings; however, none of them are both safe and effective. Mesenchymal stem cells have been found to be Ferroptosis inhibitor potent immunomodulators and immunosuppressants. We discuss in this review different sources of mesenchymal stem cells and the potent role of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells in induction of transplant tolerance including when to use them and how to use them for achieving the Utopian dream of transplant tolerance. It is a well known fact that our skin regenerates completely every month and blood is also replaced every few days. The search for the reason for this self renewal led to the search for the root of innovativeness of the body/organism, which was identified as ‘stem cell’ (SC).

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) was originally described by Friedenstein and co-workers in their seminal work in 1960s and 1970s while plating bone marrow (BM) cells on Petri dishes.[1] They identified these cells as non-hematopoietic SC from BM adhering to the culture plates and having the Oxalosuccinic acid click here ability to grow colonies from single cells. These cells appear elongated, fibroblastoid under microscope with small body and few thin elongated processes. MSC can be derived from other sources like umbilical cord and liver. MSC need to have certain characteristics fulfilled like adherence to plastic under standard culture conditions; they must express CD105, CD73 and CD90 and must not express CD34, CD45,

CD11a, CD19 or CD79a, CD14 or CD11b and histocompatibility locus antigen (HLA)-DR. They must differentiate into osteocytes and adipocytes under certain specific stimuli.[2, 3] Their role in the field of organ transplantation became important due to their proliferating potential and plasticity without being immunogenic. In addition, their failure to recognize MHC antigen proved to be advantageous in their preferential role as immunomodulators and immunosuppressors in transplant immunology. The general characteristics of MSC from different sources are the same; however, there is a difference in certain features. Sakaguchi et al. generated MSC from synovium, adipose tissue and BM and found that synovium was superior to the other two sources, especially in terms of chondrogenesis; however, the number of cell yield was highest in BM compared to others.[4] Kern et al.

Co-localisation of AIRE with cytoskeletal filaments was also observed in some cells as previously been reported in Aire-transfected cell lines 36–38. All non-transduced cell lines failed to stain for AIRE, suggesting that the endogenous AIRE expression was

lacking or at undetectable levels (Fig. 1B). AIRE expression, as assessed by flow cytometry was maintained in GFP+ cells even after several passages in cell culture (Fig. 1C). GFP+ cells continued to grow well in culture without any obvious adverse effect on doubling time or survival. Having established this panel of AIRE-expressing cell lines, we asked whether AIRE expression was sufficient to activate the expression of a panel of TRA; thus, potentially mimicking the role of AIRE in the thymus. The TRA selected Carfilzomib supplier for quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) represented autoantigens associated with defined autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes (Ins2), EAE/MS (Mbp, Mog, Plp1), autoimmune gastritis (Atp4a), hypothyroidism (Nalp5), uveitis (Rbp3) and Sjögren’s syndrome (Spt1). Spna2 (α-fodrin) was included as a negative control, and although identified as a target autoantigen

in Sjögren’s syndrome-like pathology in Aire−/− mice, its expression in the thymus is independent of AIRE 18. Corroborating immunofluorescence studies, Aire transcript levels in transduced cell lines were at least 10 000-fold above non-transduced cells (Fig. 2A). As predicted, Spna2 expression was unaltered across the cell lines. We observed that the level of TRA mRNA modulation check details was not consistent across the different cell lines. The transduced thymic derived cell lines (B6TEA and 427.1) expressed a greater number of TRA in comparison with other cell lines tested; however, the expression of specific TRA differed

between these lines Liothyronine Sodium (Fig. 2A). For example, Mog was highly upregulated in transduced 427.1 cells but was unaltered in B6TEA cells, whereas the expression of another myelin antigen gene, Mbp, was upregulated in B6TEA, but was unaffected in 427.1 cells. Further highlighting this heterogeneity was the observation that Atp4a displayed higher expression in B6TEA and 427.1 thymic epithelial cell lines compared with the macrophage (J774 and RAW267.4) and fibroblast lines (Fig. 2A). Given the relatively high expression of Mog we observed in 427.1 cells we examined these cells for MOG protein expression using an anti-MOG specific monoclonal antibody 29. Aire-transduced cells expressing GFP (and thus AIRE) were specifically reactive with the anti-Mog monoclonal antibody, confirming that the expression of AIRE in these cells promotes MOG expression (Fig. 2B). Non-transduced 427.1 did not display any MOG reactivity, and staining of control cells (NIH/3T3) transduced with retrovirus encoding Mog demonstrates the specificity of the anti-Mog monoclonal antibody in transduced (GFP+) cells (Fig. 2B).

Of note, these occurrences are likely polygenic, pertaining to genes such as the genes of human leucocyte antigen (HLA), KIR and class cytokine receptor [12]. NK cells can play a crucial role in the innate response to infection by lysis of infected cells and by secretion of proinflammatory cytokines (such as IFN-γ) that

promote phagocytic clearance of microbes [13]. NK cell activity is regulated by an extensive repertoire of regulatory receptors. The most polymorphic receptors belong to the KIR family [14]. A number of studies implicated KIR diversity in susceptibility CSF-1R inhibitor to both infectious and non-infectious diseases [14, 15]. KIR genes provide activating or inhibitory learn more signals to regulate the activation of NK cells and T cells and play an important role in anti-micro-organism immunity [15]. The combination of maternal and paternal haplotypes with distinct gene content produces diversity among individuals in their KIR gene content profile (KIR genotype), which may influence the individuals’ immunity and susceptibility or resistance to diseases. Interestingly, several clinical studies have shown associations between diseases and KIR genotypes. For example, individuals with KIR genotype A/A were reported to relatively protect against chronic inflammatory diseases [16,

17], and individuals with genotype A/B were significantly more likely to remain seronegative than those with genotype A/A among long-term HIV-exposed subjects [18]. However, the role of overall KIR genotype in patients with syphilis remains unclear up to now. The objective of this study was to examine whether the KIR genotypes and haplotypes influence susceptibility or resistance to syphilis. Therefore, we analysed KIR genes in a Chinese Han population of 190 patients with syphilis and 192 healthy controls by means of polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific

primers (PCR–SSP). Patients and controls.  One hundred and ninety unrelated patients with syphilis, who were diagnosed at Jinan Hospital of Dermatosis, were enrolled as the case group. The diagnosis of syphilis was based on the criteria for syphilis of the Health Ministry of the People’s Republic of China (WS 273-2007). The toluidine red unheated serum test CYTH4 (TRUST) and the T. pallidum particle agglutination assay test (TPPA) were performed for all patients. Both TRUST and TPPA were positive for the patients, and the TRUST titre ranged from 1:4 to 1:128. Of these patients, 108 were men and 82 were women, and their ages ranged from 19 to 55 years, with an average age of 34 years. Meanwhile, 192 healthy subjects were from Chinese marrow donors consisted of 159 men and 33 women, and their ages ranged from 18 to 44 years, with an average age of 28 years. Both TRUST and TPPA were negative for all controls.