Epidemiological and pathogenic characteristics of mumps in Fujian province, 2005-2017 / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To understand the epidemiological and etiological characteristics of mumps in Fujian province, 2005-2017. Methods: All the reported mumps cases were collected through the National Notifiable Disease Information Management System, 2005-2017. Active search and interviews were conducted to collect the information on vaccination of mumps. Throat swab specimens were collected for cells culture, genotyping and gene sequence analysis on mumps virus (MuV). Results: A total of 83 959 cases of mumps were reported in Fujian province from 2005 to 2017, with an average annual incidence of 17.6 per 100 000. Since 2007, the incidence appeared increasing but then decreasing, reaching the lowest level (7.5 per 100 000), after the setup of a monitoring program. Annually, the onset time of mumps showed an obvious two seasonal peaks, one from April to July, with a weakening trend, and the other from October to January with a rising trend. Most of the mumps cases occurred among students, kindergarten and scattered children (89.2%, 5 814/6 517), children aged 5-9 years (38.8%, 2 527/6 517), with cases reported from every region. Program from the pathogen surveillance showed that the transmission chain of G genotype mumps virus did exist in Fujian. Data from the sequence analysis revealed that mutations in the nucleotide of G genotype strain in 2015 had led to mutation of 6 amino acid sites in the SH gene coding region, resulting in the differences appearing in both nucleotide and amino acid homology with type A vaccine strain. Conclusions: The incidence of mumps decreased annually, in Fujian. Prevention programs should focus on primary and secondary school students. In Fujian province, we also noticed the transmission chain of mumps G genotype with some amino acid mutations in the SH gene coding region. Monitor programs on both epidemiologic and etiology, should be strengthened.

Seasonal distribution of patient hospitalization due to asthma exacerbation in 7 geographic areas in China / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To understand the seasonal distribution of patient hospitalization due to asthma exacerbation in 7 geographic areas in China. Methods: This was a retrospective study which involved patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation in 29 hospitals throughout 7 geographic areas in the mainland of China (northeast, north, central, east, south, northwest and southwest). The numbers of asthmatic patients and total inpatients of the respiratory department of each hospital were recorded. The monthly ratio of asthmatic patients to the total inpatients in every area was calculated and compared. Results: During the study period, 6 480 patients were admitted for asthma exacerbation, accounting for 3.14% of all the 206 135 patients admitted to the respiratory departments in the 29 hospitals. The ratio of asthmatic patients to total inpatients in the northeast area (5.61%) was highest, and the ratio in east area was lowest (1.97%). Statistical analysis showed that the difference among different areas was significant (P<0.000 1). In most areas, both the number and proportion of hospitalized asthmatic patients peaked in spring (February-April) and autumn (September-October). In the northeast area, east area and south area, the peaks in spring were more obvious, while in the north area and southwest area, the peaks in autumn were more obvious. In the northwest area the peaks occurred in winter (December-January) and summer (June-August), respectively. The differences in hospitalization due to asthma among different months were significant in the northeast, north, and southwest areas (P<0.005). Conclusion: The number of patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation fluctuated with season in different areas in China. In most areas, more asthmatic patients were admitted to hospitals in spring and autumn.