Background/Aims . Nucleotide diversity may affect the immune regulation of tuberculosis (TB) patients, leading to the individual susceptibility to TB. In recent years, there are a lot of researches on the association of host genetic factors and TB susceptibility which has attracted increasing attention, and the in-depth study of its mechanism is gradually clear. Materials . We made a minireview on the association of many candidate genes with TB based on recent research studies systematically, such as the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) gene, the solute carrier family 11 member 1 (SLC11A1) gene system, the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene, the mannan-binding lectin (MBL) gene, the nitric oxide synthase 2A (NOS2A) gene, the speckled 110 (SP110) gene, and the P2X7 receptor (P2X7) gene. The discovery of these candidate genes could reveal the pathogenesis of TB comprehensively and is crucial to provide scientific evidence for formulating the related measures of prevention and cure. Discussion . The host genes play important roles in the development of TB, and the host genes may become new targets for the prevention and treatment of TB. Effective regulation of host genes may help prevent or even treat TB. Conclusion . This minireview focuses on the association of host genes with the development of TB, which may supply some clues for future therapies and novel drug targets for TB.
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), an emerging high-fatality infectious disease, is caused by a novel bunyavirus. However, a clear natural transmission model has not yet been established. We conducted a cross-sectional study with in-depth investigation of villages to systematically understand the transmission and risk factors among humans, host animals, and vectors. Village residents were interviewed using standardized questionnaires, in which there were confirmed cases of new infections, between August 2012 and May 2013. Serum samples from all villagers and animals, as well as tick specimens, were collected for qRT-PCR and antibody testing. The seropositivity rate among villagers was 8.4% (35/419), which was lower than that among domesticated animals (54.0%, 27/50; χ2 = 81.1, P < 0.05). SFTS viral RNA was most commonly detected among domesticated animals (14.0%), followed by ticks (3.1%) and humans (1.7%; χ2 = 23.1, P < 0.05). The homology of the S gene fragment was 98%. Tick bites were significantly associated with SFTSV infection (Conditional Logistic Regression odds ratio [OR] = 2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0–6.6). We provided systematic evidence on a natural transmission model for SFTSV from reservoir hosts (domesticated animals) to vectors (Haemaphysalis longicornis) to humans, and close contact with SFTS confirmed patients was not found to be a risk factor for natural transmission.
Abstract Background Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is caused by a variety of enterovirus serotypes and the etiological spectrum worldwide has changed since a large scale of outbreaks occurred in 1997. Methods A large number of clinical specimens of HFMD patients were collected in Xiangyang and genotyping was performed by qRT-PCR, conventional PCR amplification and sequencing. Among the 146 CV-A5 detected cases, the complete genome sequences of representative strains were determined for genotyping and for recombination analysis. Results It was found that CV-A5 was one of the six major serotypes that caused the epidemic from October 2016 to December 2017. Phylogenetic analyses based on the VP1 sequences showed that these CV-A5 belonged to the genotype D which dominantly circulated in China. Recombination occurred between the CV-A5 and CV-A2 strains with a breakpoint in the 2A region at the nucleotide 3791. Conclusions The result may explain the emergence of CV-A5 as one of the major pathogens of HFMD. A multivalent vaccine against HFMD is urgently needed to control the disease and to prevent emerging and spreading of new recombinants.
The complete mitogenome sequence of the flea, Ceratophyllus wui (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae), was sequenced. The 18,081 bp long genome has the standard metazoan complement of 37 genes. These genes contain 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and one control region. The nucleotide composition of the C. wui mitogenome was A: 37.72%, T: 38.99%, G: 9.51% and C: 13.78%. The A + T content is 76.71%, showing strong AT skew. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Siphonapteran has sister relationship with Dipteran.
Abstract Background Shigellosis is one of the main diarrhea diseases in developing countries. However, the transmissibility of shigellosis remains unclear. Methods We used the dataset of shigellosis cases reported between January 2005 and December 2017, from Hubei Province, China. A mathematical model was developed based on the natural history and the transmission mechanism of the disease. By fitting the data using the model, transmission relative rate from person to person ( b ) and from reservoir to person ( b w ), and the effective reproduction number ( R eff ) were estimated. To simulate the contribution of b and b w during the transmission, we performed a “knock-out” simulation in four scenarios: A) b = 0 and b w = 0; B) b = 0; C) b w = 0; D) control (no intervention). Results A total of 130,770 shigellosis cases were reported in Hubei province, among which 13 cases were dead. The median annual incidence was 19.96 per 100,000 persons (range: 5.99 per 100,000 persons – 29.47 per 100,000 persons) with a decreased trend (trend χ 2 = 25,470.27, P < 0.001). The mean values of b and b w were 0.0898 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.0851–0.0946) and 1.1264 × 10 − 9 (95% CI: 4.1123 × 10 − 10 –1.8416 × 10 − 9 ), respectively. The “knock-out” simulation showed that the number of cases simulated by scenario A was almost the same as scenario B, and scenario C was almost the same as scenario D. The mean value of R eff of shigellosis was 1.19 (95% CI: 1.13–1.25) and decreased slightly with a Linear model until it decreased to an epidemic threshold of 0.99 (95% CI: 0.65–1.34) in 2029. Conclusions The incidence of shigellosis is still in high level. The transmissibility of the disease is low in Hubei Province. The transmission would be interrupted in the year of 2029.
Background Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp) is a leading cause of bacterial pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis and a major source of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is defined as isolation of Sp from a normally sterile site, including blood or cerebrospinal fluid. The aim of this study is to describe outcomes as well as clinical and epidemiological characteristics of hospitalized IPD case patients in central China. Methods We conducted surveillance for IPD among children and adults from April 5, 2010 to September 30, 2012, in four major hospitals in Jingzhou City, Hubei Province. We collected demographic, clinical, and outcome data for all enrolled hospitalized patients with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) or meningitis, and collected blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for laboratory testing for Sp infections. Collected data were entered into Epidata software and imported into SPSS for analysis. Results We enrolled 22,375 patients, including 22,202 (99%) with SARI and 173 (1%) with meningitis. One hundred and eighteen (118, 3%) with either SARI or meningitis were Sp positive, 32 (0.8%) from blood/CSF culture, and 87 (5%) from urine antigen testing. Of those 118 patients, 57% were aged ≥65 years and nearly 100% received antibiotics during hospitalization. None were previously vaccinated with 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV 7), 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, or seasonal influenza vaccine. The main serotypes identified were 14, 12, 3, 1, 19F, 4, 5, 9V, 15 and 18C, corresponding to serotype coverage rates of 42%, 63%, and 77% for PCV7, PCV10, and PCV13, respectively. Conclusions Further work is needed to expand access to pneumococcal vaccination in China, both among children and potentially among the elderly, and inappropriate use of antibiotics is a widespread and serious problem in China.
Objective: To clarify the age patterns and types of differences so as to provide reference on prevention and interventions of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases, in Hubei province. Methods: We collected the HFMD case information of Hubei province from the Chinese National Notifiable Infectious Disease Reporting System in 2009-2015 while the information on pathogens from the laboratory monitoring system of Center for Disease Control and Prevention at all levels in Hubei province. All the data were stratified by age, disease severity, laboratory confirmation status, and serotypes of enterovirus. Results: There were 495 783 reported HFMD cases from 2009 to 2015, in Hubei province, of which 1 045 were severe with 99 fatal. The annual notification rate was 1 231.0/10(6). HFMD cases were concentrated mainly in 0.5-5 year olds, with highest severity and mortality seen in 6-11 month-olds. The predominated pathogen in mild laboratory-confirmed cases each year, in order during 2009-2015 as: EV71, Cox A16, Cox A16, Cox A16, EV71, Cox A16 and other EV. HFMD showed semiannual peaks in April-June, November-December, and with more cases in the even years than in the odd years. Conclusions: Children aged 0.5 to 5 years with 6 to 11 month-olds in particular, were the focused groups of attention in Hubei province. Our findings provided evidence for the improvement on monitoring program. Targeted intervention approaches should be strengthened to reduce the mortality and morbidity of HFMD in the province.目的: 描述2009-2015年湖北省手足口病的分年龄组、轻症和重症死亡病例的流行病学和病原学特征,为制定手足口病防控策略提供依据。 方法: 利用2009-2015年传染病报告信息管理系统中报告的湖北省手足口病例个案信息和湖北省各级CDC病原学监测的信息;通过对病例年龄、病例类型、临床诊断病例和实验室确诊及不同血清型分层分析。 结果: 2009-2015年湖北省累计报告手足口病495 783例,年均发病率为1 231.0/100万。手足口病高发的年龄段为0.5~5岁,重症和死亡病例发生风险的高发年龄段为6~11月龄。轻症病例2009-2015年的优势病原每年依次是EV71、Cox A16、Cox A16、Cox A16、EV71、Cox A16和其他肠道病毒。发病高峰出现于每年的4-6月和11-12月,偶数年比奇数年发病峰值高。 结论: 2009-2015年湖北省手足口病重点干预人群是0.5~5岁婴幼儿,尤其是发生重症死亡风险高的6~11月龄婴儿。加强对重点人群的监测,有效防控手足口病,减少重症和死亡。.