On April 7, 2024, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research) released the Surveillance Plan for Schistosoma japonicum Infection in Wild Rats (2024 Edition). This plan serves as a follow-up technical document to the Actions for Accelerating the Progress towards Elimination of Schistosomiasis in China (2023-2030) jointly issued by multiple government sections in June 2023. The plan attempts to specify the surveillance content of wildlife infection sources from Schistosoma japonicum in the national surveillance and early warning response actions, and aims at guiding the schistosomiasis control sections at all levels in endemic areas to scientifically and systematically conduct the monitoring tasks. In this paper, we interpreted the background and purpose, surveillance content and methods, and data management of the plan.

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of imported dengue fever cases in China for scientific evidences to plan prevention and control measures for this infection. Methods Imported dengue fever cases in China from 2005 to 2023 were collected from the Information System for Disease Prevention and Control in China. Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the temporal, spatial and demographic characteristics of imported cases. Software R was used to draw the hotspot chart and Sankey map. Results From 2005 to 2023, a total of 14 376 imported dengue fever cases were reported nationwide. The overall numbers of cases showed a rapid upward trend (except for 2020-2022). The trend in the number of affected counties (cities/districts) was basically consistent with that in the number of cases. The imported cases were generally distributed in 1 454 counties (cities/districts) of 293 cities in 30 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government). The provinces with a higher number of imported cases included Yunnan (5 778 cases, 40.19%), Guangdong (2 634 cases, 18.32%), Fujian (1 165 cases, 8.10%), Zhejiang (1 105 cases, 7.69%), Sichuan (469 cases, 3.26%) and Hunan (457 cases, 3.18%). The infections were mainly imported from Myanmar (5 260 cases, 36.59%), Cambodia (3 830 cases, 26.64%), Thailand (996 cases, 6.93%), Philippines (615 cases, 4.28%), Malaysia (552 cases, 3.84%), Laos (527 cases, 3.67%), Indonesia (428 cases, 2.98%) and Vietnam (416 cases, 2.89%). The imported cases pictured seasonally, and were concentrated in summer and autumn, waved between June and November nationwide. The peak period of imported cases was from August to November in Yunnan Province, and from June to October in Guangdong, Fujian, and Zhejiang provinces. The ratio of Chinese and foreign cases was 4.23∶1. The male to female ratio of the cases was 2.01∶1. The age of the victims was mainly in 21-50 years (10 967 cases, 76.29%). The main occupations of the patients were farmers/migrant workers (4 268 cases, 29.69%), commercial services staff (2 667 cases, 18.55%) and housework & unemployment (1 894 cases, 13.71%). Conclusion Imported dengue fever in China presented seasonal characteristics, mainly from Myanmar and Cambodia and imported into Yunnan and Guangdong. The infections affected more males than females, with age group and occupational aggregation characteristics. The findings suggest that dengue fever prevention and control should be carried out in key populations according to time and place.

Objective To understand the density and seasonal fluctuation of Aedes mosquitoes, vectors of dengue fever, in Chongqing area for scientific basis to formulate corresponding prevention and control strategies for dengue fever. Methods The results of Aedes vector surveillance were collected from 39 districts (counties) in Chongqing area from 2019 to 2023. The surveillance was monthly conducted every year from April to November. The adult and juvenile Aedes vector mosquitoes were monitored in different habitats across the city by double-layer tent method and Breitau index method, respectively. The data of dengue fever cases reported in Chongqing area in the corresponding periods were collected through China Disease Prevention and Control Information System and analyzed. Results From 2019 to 2023, the average net lure index of adult mosquitoes was 1.63 mosquitoes / (net·h), and the net lure index were 2.23, 1.82 and 0.83 mosquitoes / (net·h), respectively, for residential areas, old tire dump/scrap station/construction sites and park/bamboo forests. The average Braito index of mosquito larvae was 5.25, and the average annual Braito index were 66.77 and 20.64, respectively for waste dumps and hospitals. The annually Braito index were relatively lower in residential areas (4.38), parks (4.12) and construction sites (2.46). From 2019 to 2023, a total of 1 539 cases of dengue fever were reported in Chongqing area, including 269 imported cases and 1 270 local infections. Cases were mainly reported in 2019 (168 imported cases and 1 243 local cases) and 2023 (95 imported cases and 27 local cases). All local infections were concentrated between August and November. The number of imported cases was correlated with the number of local infections (r=0.857, P<0.05). Conclusion The surveillance and control of Aedes vector in residential areas, hospitals, waste dumps and other habitats should be intensified in Summer and Autumn to control the mosquito vector density within the transmission risk threshold. Meanwhile, the possibility of local cases or even spot clusters caused by imported cases should be prevented.

Objective To understand the incidence and seasonal epidemic characteristics of dengue fever in China, so as to provide a reference for dengue fever monitoring, early warning and scientific prevention and control. Methods Data on the number of reported dengue cases and incidence rate in China from 2012 to 2021 were collected through the official website of the National Health Commission and the Data-Center of China Public Health Science. The seasonal distribution characteristics of dengue were observed using concentration and circular distribution methods. Results In total, 92 046 cases of dengue fever were reported in China from 2012 to 2021, and the annual reported incidence ranged in between 0.003/100 000 and 3.405/100 000. Dengue fever prevailed in unimodal distribution fashion. The results of concentration analysis showed that the overall M value was 0.858 from 2012 through 2021, indicating that the incidence of dengue fever was highly seasonal. The seasonality of dengue fever was not significant or weak in 2021 (M=0.130), whereas in 2014, dengue fever looked strongly seasonal (M=0.937), and appeared obvious seasonality in other years (M=0.700-0.839). The circular distribution method showed that the r value, \stackrel{-}{\alpha } value and s value were 0.857, 266.467° and 31.770°, respectively (Z=67 798.697, P＜0.05). The epidemic peaked between August 24 and October 27, and the peak day was at September 25. Conclusion The incidence of dengue fever in China has strong seasonal characteristics, with the peak of the epidemic arriving at autumn. The findings suggest that attention should be paid to surveillance over the mosquitos and dengue fever alerts in autumn.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors for elderly patients with dengue fever complicated with acute kidney injury (AKI) for reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment of the elderly patients with dengue fever. Methods Elderly patients with dengue fever treated in Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, were included from January 2013 to December 2019, and compared for the clinical characteristics of patients in AKI group and non-AKI group. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors for dengue fever complicated with AKI. Results A total of 423 elderly patients with dengue fever were included, of whom 30 (7.09%) were complicated with AKI. The age of the patients in the AKI and non AKI group was 76 (68, 82) years, and 69 (63, 77) years, respectively. The difference was significant (Z=3.100, P<0.05). The scoring on Chalson's comorbidity index (CCI) less than 3 accounted for 19 cases in the AKI group (63.33%) and 334 cases in the non-AKI group (84.99%), with statistical significance (χ²=7.709, P<0.05). In laboratory indicators, there were statistical significance in blood potassium levels [3.46 (3.11, 3.79) mmol/L vs. 3.28 (2.98, 3.58) mmol/L], C-reactive protein levels [6.35 (3.78, 28.17) mg/L vs. 2.50 (0.88, 5.93) mg/L], and hematocrit [37.40 (33.58, 41.00)% vs. 39.70 (36.60, 42.45)%] between the AKI group and the non AKI group (Z=2.038, 3.866, -2.186, respectively, all P<0.05). The distribution of severe cases in the AKI and non-AKI groups [(15 cases, 50.00%) vs. (21 cases, 5.34%)] and the duration of hospitalization [7.5 (5,10) days vs. 5 (4,7) days] exhibited significant differences (χ²=65.765, Z=-3.802, P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the age [OR=1.068, 95% CI: (1.020, 1.119)], C-reactive protein levels [OR=1.014, 95% CI: (1.004, 1.025)], and CCI score ≥3 points [OR=2.672, 95% CI: (1.176, 6.069)] were independent risk factors for elderly dengue fever patients complicated with AKI. Conclusion Elderly dengue fever patients have a high incidence of AKI, which may lead to poor prognosis. The risks of developing AKI can be added in the patients who are older, have elevated CRP levels, and higher CCI scores. Our findings suggest that early detection and active prevention of AKI in elderly dengue fever patients are important in clinical practice to improve the prognosis.

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of public health emergencies of infectious diseases in the border areas of Yunnan Province in recent years for reference for the prevention and control of the infectious diseases in border areas. Methods The data of public health emergencies of infectious diseases in the border areas of Yunnan Province from 2018 to 2022 were retrieved through the Subsystem of Public Health Emergency Management under the Information System for Disease Prevention and Control in China, and analyzed by descriptive epidemiological methods concerning the temporal and regional distribution. Results In total, 179 public health emergencies of infectious diseases were reported in 25 counties (cities) in the border areas of Yunnan Province from 2018 to 2022, which accounted for 20.53% of the total reported incidents. A total of 14 877 cases and 1 death were reported. Majority of the cases were general incidents (Level Ⅳ) (110 cases, 61.45%), and the main type of cases was Class B infectious diseases (77 cases, 43.02%). Twelve types of diseases were involved, with the top three being novel coronavirus infections (64 cases, 35.75%), chickenpox (42 cases, 23.46%) and influenza (26 cases, 14.53%). The highest incidence of the emergencies appeared between April and July (71 cases, 39.66%), and September and December (65 cases, 36.31%). High incidence occurred in schools (96 cases, 53.63%), in which primary schools accounted for 55.21% (53/96). There were 11 outbreaks caused by imported infectious diseases, of which 7 were from Myanmar (63.64%). The median duration of infectious disease events was 14 (4, 35) days, and the longest duration was 153 days. Conclusion The infectious diseases incidents in the border areas of Yunnan Province are mainly Class B infections diseases, and schools are the key places for prevention and control. At the same time, monitoring and prevention should be strengthened in the high incidence seasons.

Objective To understand the contamination status of aflatoxins B₁ (AFT B₁) in the peanuts on the market in Hefei area, and conduct a dietary exposure risk and health risk assessment of AFT B₁ for reference to develop relevant control measures. Methods The peanut samples were obtained across 9 counties/districts in Hefei City by random sampling method between 2022 and 2023, and subjected to determination of the concentration of AFT B₁ using isotope dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Additionally, questionnaire response was made in the residents in Hefei area to understand consumption status for the nuts that represented the peanut consumption quantity. Finally, the exposure to AFT B₁ through peanuts among different populations with distinct characteristics was analyzed to estimate the margin of exposure (MOE) and the risk of liver cancer development. Results AFT B₁ was detected in the 79 aliquots of peanuts sampled in Hefei area between 2022 and 2023. The detection rate was 45.57% (36/79), and 13.92% (11/79) of the positive samples exceeded the China national tolerance limit. The nut consumption was (4.61±6.12) g/d for males, and (5.21±6.44) g/d for females, which had no significant difference between genders (t=1.279, P>0.05). The daily nut consumption was (4.90±6.28), (3.53±5.66) and (3.90±6.14) g/d, respectively for population aged 6-17 and 18-59 years as well as those over 60 years. The difference was significant (F=7.134, P<0.01). The estimated daily intake (EDI) was 1.70, 0.99 and 1.04 ng/(kg·d), respectively for population aged 6-17, 18-59 and over 60 years, the MOE was 236, 403 and 385, the liver cancer risk from this exposure was 0.04, 0.03 and 0.03 cancer patient per 100 000 person every year. Upon restricted dietary exposure to AFT B₁, the MOE was 7 003, 11 961 and 11 438, the cancer risk arising from AFT B₁ intake can be decreased to 0.001 5, 0.000 8 and 0.000 9 cancer patient per 100 000 persons every year, respectively for the population group aforementioned. Conclusion AFT B₁ was highly detected in the peanuts on the market in Hefei City, which suggests that full actions should be taken to continuously monitor contamination of AFT B₁ in the peanuts, and relevant authorities shall also take more effective control measures to ensure food security for the residents in Hefei City.

Objective To analyze the drug resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Jining area for scientific evidences to develop rational medication regimen in clinic for tuberculosis. Methods Sputum and lavage fluid as well as other samples were harvested from TB patients in Jining Public Health Medical Center from 2018 to 2023. All samples were cultured, and phenotypic drug sensitivity test was conducted on the isolates with positive results of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. The drug resistance against rifampin (RFP), isoniazid (INH), ethambutol (EMB), streptomycin (Sm), amikacin (Am), kanamycin (Km), and levofloxacin (LFX), together with the demographic characteristics of drug-resistant patients, was analyzed. Results In total, 3 348 isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were obtained, with a total drug resistance rate of 23.33% (781/3 348). The single drug resistance rate, rate of multidrug resistance, poly resistance rate, pre extensive drug resistance rate and extensive drug resistance rate were 13.02% (436/3 348), 6.69% (224/3 348), 3.61% (121/3 348), 1.31% (44/3 348), and 0.53% (18/3 348), respectively. The drug-resistance was most seen in males (72.60%, 567/781), farmers (76.70%, 599/781), and patients aged between 20 and 39 years (35.21%, 275/781). There was no significant change in the overall drug resistance rate, single drug resistance rate, rate of multi-drug resistance, poly resistance rate and extensive multi drug resistance rate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from 2018 to 2023 (all P>0.05). The resistance rate prior to occurrence of extensive drug resistance showed a fluctuating upward trend (P<0.05). The top three single drug resistance rates were Sm (18.91%, 633/3 348), INH (13.59%, 455/3 348) and LFX (10.27%, 344/3 348). In terms of the composition of drug resistance spectrum, single drug resistance was dominated by INH (13.19%, 103/781) and Sm (38.03%, 297/781), and the combination of INH+Sm showed the highest multidrug resistance (25.10%, 196/781). Combined multidrug resistance was dominated respectively by RFP+INH+Sm (6.66%, 52/781) and RFP+INH+EMB+Sm (6.91%, 54/781). Extensive drug resistance occurred most in the early stage was associated with combination of RFP+INH+EMB+Sm+LFX (2.18%, 17/781) and RFP+INH+EMB+Sm+LFX+Km+Am (0.90%, 7/781). Conclusion The drug resistance rate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Jining area still remains at a higher level, and there is no room for optimism in prevention and control of drug resistance in this area, for which standardized use of anti-tuberculosis drugs in clinic should be further strengthened in order to reduce the incidence of drug resistance.

Objective To understand the epidemic of hand, foot and mouth Disease (HFMD) in Anhui Province, and analyze the genetic types and the genetic evolution of the VP1 coding region of coxsackievirus A16 (CV-A16). Methods The data on the incidence of HFMD in Anhui Province were retrieved from the China Information System for Disease Prevention and Control from 2021 through 2023, and statistics was conducted regarding the incidence and composition of each enterovirus serotype of HFMD. The throat swab samples were collected from HFMD patients, and from which CV-A16 strains were isolated. Then the VP1 region of CV-A16 was amplified and sequenced. The genotype/sub genotype of CV-A16 strands was identified by using enterovirus online typing tool, MegAlign Pro sequence alignment software was used to compare the homology of nucleotides and amino acids. The phylogenetic tree of VP1 gene was constructed by biological software MEGA 6.0 Software, and the mutation at amino acid of VP1 gene was analyzed. Results A total of 155 640 HFMD cases were reported in Anhui Province from 2021 to 2023. The annual reported incidence was 84.83 /100 000. Between 2021 and 2023, a total of 12 643 laboratory confirmed cases of HFMD were reported in 16 cities in Anhui area, in which CV-A16 associated cases accounted for 18.16% (2 296/12 643). The annual constituent ratio of CV-A16 for each year was 25.81% (1 127/4 366), 33.69% (782/2 321) and 6.50% (387/5 956), respectively. Seventy-two CV-A16 strains were isolated from HFMD cases in Anhui Province from 2021 to 2023, in which 58 strains were associated with genetic subtypes of B1a and 14 from B1b, respectively accounting for 80.56% and 19.44%. The nucleotide and amino acid homology with the CV-A16 prototype strain G-10 was 73.80%-76.20% and 90.60%-92.30%. The B1a and B1b genotypes consisted of 4 sub-clusters and 3 sub-clusters in genetic evolution. A total of 72 VP1 gene sequences were compared with the prototype strain and 26 amino acid sites were mutated. Conclusion The main prevalent gene subtypes of HFMD CV-A16 in Anhui area from 2021 to 2023 were involved in B1a and B1b, and B1a was predominant. Our findings suggest that monitoring of CV-A16 epidemic strains should be strengthened in Anhui Province.

Objective To investigate the effects of adult-worm excretory-secretory protein (AES) and the excretory-secretory antigen of eggs (ESA) of Schistosoma japonicum on the mice with type Ⅰ diabetes, and preliminarily explore the mechanisms of the antigens in the mice. Methods Twenty-four male KM mice were randomized to groups of blank control, PBS, AES and ESA (n= 6 in each group). Mice in the blank control were free of any intervention, whereas those in PBS, AES and ESA groups were injected with streptozotocin (STZ) solution to prepare type Ⅰ diabetes model. After successful modeling, the mice were immunized subcutaneously with PBS, AES or ESA, respectively, at multiple points in the abdomen, once a week, for 4 consecutive weeks. The blood glucose of mice was detected 1 week after immunization intervention and continued for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks of immune intervention, the serum levels of IL-4 and IFN-γ were measured by ELISA, and the pathological changes of pancreatic tissue were detected by HE staining. Results Compared with the PBS group, the blood glucose levels of mice in the AES and ESA groups showed a decreasing trend from the 2^nd week after immunization, and the blood glucose levels of mice in the ESA group were lower than those in the AES group. The difference in blood glucose levels was significant between the groups at the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th weeks after immunization (F=1 214.00, 1 055.00, 683.64, all P<0.05), and the serum IL-4 and IFN-γ levels were significantly different between groups (F=146.84, 21.11, both P<0.05). The serum IL-4 level in ESA group [(61.45±6.14) pg/mL] was higher than that in PBS group [(21.96±3.98) pg/mL] and AES group [(49.31±3.19) pg/mL], yet the IFN-γ level [(129.48±36.75) pg/mL] was lower than that in PBS group [(316.43±66.38) pg/mL] and AES group [(212.09±70.89) pg/mL], with statistical difference (all P<0.05). Pancreatic islet atrophy, decrease in number and vacuole-like degeneration were observed in mice in PBS group, whereas pancreatic islet atrophy appeared slight in mice in ESA group, and the severity of pathological changes in the pancreatic tissues was moderate between PBS and ESA group. Conclusion The ESA of Schistosoma japonicum has a certain protective effect on mice with type Ⅰ diabetes. The mechanism may be that after ESA stimulation, Th1 response is inhibited, while Th2 response is enhanced, which is manifested by the increase of IL-4 and the decrease of IFN-γ, eventually alleviating the pathological damage to pancreatic tissues to a certain extent.

Objective To investigate the infection status of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) in patients with stomach discomfort in Xuancheng Central Hospital, and evaluate the accuracy of fecal sample detection for Hp infection and the precision treatment effect after drug resistance gene testing combined with fecal Hp nucleic acid and drug resistance gene tests. Methods Patients with stomach discomfort admitted to the Gastroenterology Department in a hospital were included from January to December 2023. All patients underwent screening with carbon-13 urea breath test (¹³C-UBT) and rapid urea test (RUT). Then the patients with double positive or double negative findings were included as study subjects, and undergone fecal Hp DNA detection. The consistency between the findings of fecal Hp detection and ¹³C-UBT+RUT detection was analyzed. Patients with positive fecal Hp and with voluntary intention to receive resistance gene testing (experimental group) were given precision treatment based on the test results, and Hp infected victims who did not undergo resistance gene testing (control group) were treated with conventional quadruple therapy regimen. Finally, the clinical prognosis was compared between the experimental group and the control group. Results Among the 446 patients included in the study, 170 were detected as Hp double positive by ¹³C-UBT+RUT, and 162 were detected as Hp positive by ¹³C-UBT+RUT and fecal Hp DNA detection. The consistency between fecal Hp DNA detection and ¹³C-UBT+RUT detection was good in general (Kappa value=0.962, P<0.05). Seventy-three patients were finally included in the experimental group, and 89 in the control group. The detection rate of mutant strains in the experimental group was 73.97%. The clinical curative rate was 90.41% (66/73) in the experimental group, which was higher than that in the control group 67.42% (60/89). The difference was significant (χ²=12.270, P<0.05). Conclusion The results of fecal Hp DNA detection are accurate and reliable, and can be used for bacterial resistance detection. This test protocol can be guiding value for precision medication in clinic, and conducive to improving the clinical curative rate for the patients.

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in hospitalized children for evidence in clinical diagnosis and treatment of this infection. Methods Throat swab samples were collected from the children treated in Tongling People's Hospital due to respiratory infection between August 2022 and July 2023. Real time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the common respiratory pathogens, including RSV, human adenovirus, influenza A and B virus, parainfluenza virus type 1 and 3, human rhinovirus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Then RSV infection cases were analyzed for the population distribution, clinical symptoms, laboratory tests and clinical diagnosis. Results RSV infection was detected in 366 of the 3 145 throat swab samples collected from the pediatric patients, with a detection rate of 11.64%. In total, 208 were boys, and 158 girls. The age ranged from 1 month to 10 years, with a median age of 2 (1, 3) years. Most infection occurred in children aged 2 years old and below (218 cases, 59.56%), and the peak of the number of cases was seen in April and May in 2023 (276 cases, 75.41%). Among all cases, 318 cases (86.89%) were single RSV infection and 48 cases (13.11%) were mixed infection. The clinical symptoms of the cases were dominated by cough (345 cases, 94.26%), fever (312 cases, 85.25%) or wheezing (139 cases, 37.98%). Laboratory indicators, including white blood cell count, neutrophil ratio, lymphocyte ratio, monocyte ratio and platelet count, were generally within the normal range, whereas high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level in cases were mainly elevated (184 cases, 50.27%). The top three clinical diagnoses were bronchopneumonia (208 cases, 56.83%), acute bronchitis (93 cases, 25.41%) and acute bronchiolitis (39 cases, 10.66%). Conclusion RSV infection seems primarily affecting children under 2 years old and below, and the infection type is dominated by simple infection. The clinical pictures are mainly characterized by cough, fever, wheezing and elevated level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Clinical attention should be paid to reduce the risks of the infection progressing to severe condition.

Circular RNA (circRNA) is a special kind of non-coding RNA molecule, which has the functions of transcriptional regulation and protein translation. In this review, we summarized the changes of host circRNA expression induced by parasite infection and the role of parasite circRNA in regulating parasite development and reproduction, with an attempt to provide evidences in following research.