A chromosomal DNA fragment of 8992 bp in size that has not been previously identified in Streptococcus agalactiae, was cloned and sequenced from strain 98-D60C. In particular, this 8992-bp fragment contained genes homologous to the sensor histidine kinase gene and the DNA-binding response-regulator gene of Streptococcus pneumoniae, and S. agalactiae bac gene. Structural and genetic features of the 8992-bp fragment were highly similar to those specific for bacterial pathogenicity islands. Analysis of epidemiologically unrelated S. agalactiae strains revealed that this fragment was present only in bac gene-positive strains. The possible origin of the 8992-bp fragment in S. agalactiae and its significance for molecular mechanisms of "bacteria-host" interactions are discussed.

• MeSH
• Antigens, Bacterial genetics   MeSH
• Bacterial Proteins genetics   MeSH
• DNA, Bacterial analysis   MeSH
• Virulence Factors genetics   MeSH
• Genomic Islands genetics   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Molecular Sequence Data MeSH
• Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial genetics   MeSH
• Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid MeSH
• Streptococcus agalactiae * genetics   pathogenicity   MeSH
• Streptococcus pneumoniae genetics   MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Antigens, Bacterial MeSH
• Bacterial Proteins MeSH
• DNA, Bacterial MeSH
• Virulence Factors MeSH

Sera of 426 adult persons were examined to assess the prevalence of SEN virus (SENV) infection in Slovakia and to determine the importance of different risk factors for parenteral transmission. SENV prevalence was determined by the PCR method using primers of SENV-D and SENV-H strains. Positive results were found in 10 of 37 patients with acute hepatitis of unknown etiology, 7 of 38 with acute hepatitis B, 17 of 44 with chronic hepatitis B, 29 of 102 with chronic hepatitis C, 36 of 72 hemodialysis patients, 2 of 33 health care workers and 24 of 100 persons from the control group. The highest prevalence of SENV was among hemodialysis patients, significantly higher than in the groups of health care workers, acute hepatitis B and controls. The lowest prevalence was in health care workers group, significantly lower also in comparison with groups of chronic hepatitis B and C. Among the possible risk factors of virus transmission the average duration of hemodialysis (1.15 vs. 0.50 years), number of surgeries (1.60 vs. 1.10) and transfusions (1.34 vs. 0.94) showed notable differences in terms of SENV infection. Bilirubin and aminotransferase levels did not differ between SENV-positive and -negative groups. No pathogenetic role of SEN virus in liver injury was confirmed.

• MeSH
• Surgical Procedures, Operative adverse effects   MeSH
• Renal Dialysis adverse effects   MeSH
• DNA, Viral analysis   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• DNA Virus Infections epidemiology   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Liver Diseases epidemiology   virology   MeSH
• Statistics, Nonparametric MeSH
• Polymerase Chain Reaction MeSH
• Transfusion Reaction MeSH
• Risk Factors MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Torque teno virus * genetics   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Slovakia epidemiology   MeSH
• Names of Substances
• DNA, Viral MeSH