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Monkeypox is a zoonotic viral disease caused by monkeypox virus infection. Monkeypox has become a public health emergency of international concern, since it first spread widely in many regions outside Africa in 2022. Accurate and effective detection methods are particularly important for the diagnosis and screening of monkeypox virus infection. This review summarizes laboratory testing techniques for monkeypox virus in recent years, and compares principles and detection performance of microscopy, culture, nucleic acid testing and immunological methods.
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Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by monkeypox virus, and human cases infected with the virus have been reported in more than 100 countries. To respond to the potential of case importation and consequent spread of the infection in the country, it is urgent for China to strengthen its comprehensive surveillance efforts consisting of case detection through country-entering check, symptom screening, and investigation among priority populations, and to implement comprehensive strategies to control the source of infection, interrupt the transmission and protect the people at risk.
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Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is the causative agent of bacterial sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) worldwide.The incidence of Ct infection has exceeded that of Neisseria gonorrhoeae,and becomes the highest in STDs in many countries.Ct infection can lead to urethritis,epididymitis,prostatitis and infertility in males,and cervicitis,endometritis,pelvic inflammatory disease,infertility in females,and neonatal conjunctivitis.Additionally,urogenital Ct infection is always ignored due to its concealed symptoms,leading to a long clinical course,recurrence or repeated infections.Furthermore,Ct infection can increase the risk of human immunodeficiency virus and human papilloma virus infections.Therefore,how to prevent and control the transmission of Ct has become one of the global public health issues.Currently,a growing body of researches have focused on the molecular epidemiological characteristics of Ct,which are aiming to identify the mutant strains,elaborate transmission dynamics,investigate the distribution of Ct serotypes in different populations,so as to provide molecular epidemiological evidence for the prevention and control of Ct infection.This review summarizes the epidemic status and research methods for molecular epidemiological characteristics of Ct,as well as application of Ct serotyping in clinical practice,providing references for the prevention,control and research of Ct infection.
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Objective To evaluate the application of Burnet Institute-made prototype IgA rapid test,a kind of point-of-care (POC) testing,in the diagnosis of early syphilis.Methods Totally,455 stored serum samples in the Reference Laboratory of Sexually Transmitted Disease,the Institute of Dermatology were used to evaluate the application of the prototype IgA rapid test (IgA-POC) in the diagnosis of early syphilis.According to resluts of Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay (TPHA),rapid plasma reagin card test (RPR),and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for IgM antibodies (IgM-ELISA),these stored samples were divided into 3 groups:uninfected group,previously infected group and early active syphilis group.IgA-POC test was performed in the 3 groups to evaluate its diagnostic performance for active syphilis,and researchers were blind to the group information.Results The prototype IgA-POC test had a sensitivity of 92.6％ (147/163) for the early active syphilis group,a specificity of 72.22％ (104/144) for the previously infected group,and a specificity of 97.97％ (145/148) for the uninfected group.The total specificity of the prototype IgA-POC test was 85.27％,which met the minimum requirement of WHO for the POC test.The prototype IgA-POC test showed a significantly higher sensitivity for the diagnosis of early active syphilis compared with the IgM-ELISA (59.51％,Z =6.88,P ＜ 0.05),but a significantly lower specificity for the diagnosis of previous syphilis infection compared with the IgM-ELISA (98.61％,Z =6.18,P ＜ 0.05).Moreover,no significant difference in the specificity for the diagnosis of non-infection was observed between the prototype IgA-POC test and IgM-ELISA (Z =1.16,P =0.25).Conclusion The prototype IgA-POC test has better capacity for the diagnosis of early active syphilis compared with the IgM-ELISA,so it can be applied to the screening of early active syphilis.
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Objective To investigate in vitro combined effect of ceftriaxone and azithromycin against clinical isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae(NG). Methods A total of 25 NG clinical isolates were collected from the STD clinic of Dalian Dermatosis Hospital in 2012. Epsilometer test(Etest)method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations(MICs)of ceftriaxone and azithromycin against NG isolates. Fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) was calculated to evaluate the in vitro combined effect of ceftriaxone and azithromycin against NG isolates. Results The mean MICs of ceftriaxone and azithromycin were 0.032 mg/L (range, 0.008- 0.064 mg/L) and 0.834 mg/L (range, 0.064-4.000 mg/L), respectively. The FICI ranged from 0.724 to 2.696, and ceftriaxone and azithromycin showed an additive effect against the above NG isolates. Conclusion Ceftriaxone and azithromycin show an additive effect against NG in vitro, but further studies with large sample size are needed to confirm their effects.
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Objective To determine the prevalence of penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae(PPNG) and the distribution of blaTEM-135 gene variants in PPNG at several gonococcal antimicrobial surveillance sites in China, to compare N. gonorrhoeae multi-antigen sequence typing(NG-MAST)types of PPNG and its blaTEM-135 gene variants, and to assess the difference and association in NG-MAST types of blaTEM-135 gene variants among different regions. Methods A total of 572 N. gonorrhoeae isolates were collected at 6 gonococcal antimicrobial surveillance sites from Jiangsu, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Tianjin, Guangdong and Guangxi in 2012. After isolation, purification, and identification, cefalotin paper discs were used for detection of PPNG. DNA was extracted by QIAxtractor DX kits after cultivation of the PPNG strains. Then, mismatch amplification mutation assay (MAMA) PCR was performed to identify blaTEM-135 variants, and NG-MAST analysis to determine N. gonorrhoeae genotypes. Results Among the 572 N. gonorrhoeae strains, 38.1%(218/572) were identified as PPNG, and of the PPNG strains, 52.3% (114/218) were blaTEM-135 variants. The detection rate of PPNG at these surveillance sites from high to low was as follows: 51.7% (45/87, Zhejiang), 45.6%(36/79, Shanghai), 38.0% (78/205, Guangdong), 37.5% (12/32, Guangxi), 31.2% (24/77, Jiangsu) and 25.0%(23/92, Tianjin), and that of blaTEM-135 variants was as follows: 68.9%(31/45, Zhejiang), 58.3%(14/24, Jiangsu), 50.0%(39/78, Guangdong), 47.2%(17/36, Shanghai), 39.1%(9/23, Tianjin)and 33.3%(4/12, Guangxi). NG-MAST analysis showed that the ST2318, ST1768, ST1866, ST1053 and ST8726 types predominated among these bla TEM-135 variants, and a strong correlation was found between blaTEM-135 variants and some NG-MAST types, such as ST1768, ST1053 and ST8726 types. The distribution of NG-MAST types was significantly different between the surveillance site in Tianjin (in the Northern part of China) and the other sites (in the Southern part of China), but highly similar among the surveillance sites in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai regions. Conclusions There is a high prevalence of PPNG and its blaTEM-135 variants at several gonococcal antimicrobial surveillance sites in China, with significant differences in NG-MAST genotype distribution of PPNG and its blaTEM-135 variants among different regions.
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Objective To test the ceftriaxone susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) isolates from Nanjing city,and to assess their genotypes by using the NG multi-antigen sequence typing (NG-MAST) method.Methods A total of 204 NG strains isolated in 2007 and 81 in 2012 from Nanjing city were included in this study.The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ceftriaxone was determined for these strains using an agar dilution method.DNA was extracted by the Qiagen commercial kit from these strains followed by NG-MAST.Results All the isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone (MIC,≤ 0.25 μg/ml).The MIC of ceftriaxone was ≥ 0.06 μg/ml for 63.2％ of all the NG strains,70.6％ of those isolated in 2007 and 44.4％ of those in 2012,and ≥ 0.125 μg/ml for 31.6 ％ of all the NG strains,39.7％ of those isolated in 2007,11.1％ of those in 2012.Totally,166 genotypes were identified among the 285 isolates,of which,73 had been reported,and 93 were previously unreported.The most prevalent genotype was ST568 (n =13) in NG strains isolated in 2007,followed by ST270 (n =9),ST421 (n =7),ST2288 (n =5),ST1731 (n =4),ST1766 (n =4),ST1866 (n =4),ST1870 (n =4),while ST2318 (n =5),ST1053 (n =4),ST5990 (n =4),ST8726 (n =4) were the common genotypes in 2012.Those isolates with identical or similar genotypes tended to display similar MICs for ceftriaxone.Conclusions The prevalent genotypes of NG are markedly different between 2007 and 2012 in Nanjing region,and there is a strong association between the genotypes and ceftriaxone susceptibility of NG.NG-MAST results may serve as a genetic marker in the surveillance of antibiotic susceptibility in NG.
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Objective To determine Neisseria gonorrhoeae multi-antigen sequence typing (NG-MAST) sequence types in different geographical areas of China,including Changzhou and Yangzhou cities of Jiangsu province,Wuzhou and Hezhou cities in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous region,Sanya and Qionghai cities of Hainan province,Jiangmen and Maoming cities of Guangdong province.Methods DNA was extracted using Qiagen DX extraction kits from 88 urine samples which were collected from male patients attending sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics and positive for nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) for N.gonorrhoeae.Two rounds of PCR were carried out to amplify the porB and tbpB genes of N.gonorrhoeae followed by gene sequencing.Sequence alignment was performed on the NG-MAST website (http://www.ng-mast.net) to determine the genotype of N.gonorrhoeae.Results The first-round PCR yielded positive results for porB and tbpB in 13.6％ (12/88) and 14.8％ (13/88),respectively,of these urine specimens,and 12 samples were successfully genotyped with the efficiency of genotyping being 13.6％.The amplification efficiency of second-round PCR was enhanced to 71.6％ and 72.7％ for porB and tbpB,respectively,and the efficiency of genotyping increased to 70.5％ (62/88).Compared with the first-round PCR,the second-round PCR showed an increase in amplification efficiency for porB and tbpB by 58.0％ and 57.9％ respectively,as well as in genotyping efficiency by 56.9％.Forty-five genotypes were identified in the 62 samples,including 40 known genotypes and 5 novel genotypes.Of these genotypes,ST1866 was the most abundant (6/62),followed by ST1972 (4/62) and ST3356 (4/62),all of which were from Jiangsu province.The ST532 genotype was identified in 3 samples from Guangdong province,ST2221 genotype in 2 samples from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous region.Each of the remaining genotypes was identified in only 1 sample and scattered in all of these cities.The 5 novel MAST-genotypes were as follows:porB-892 and tbpB-46 (98％ similarity),porB-130 and tbpB-504 (96％ similarity),porB-2790 and tbpB-32 (99％ similarity),porB-1053 and tbpB-856 (99％ similarity).Conclusions Urine samples can be used for NG-MAST analysis,and two rounds of PCR can enhance the efficiency of genotyping.NG-MAST genotypes appear to be diverse in different geographical areas of China.
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ObjectiveTo establish a rapid,sensitive and accurate method to detect Mycoplasma genitalium,and to evaluate the prevalence of M.genitalium among unlicensed prostitutes from Hezhou city in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.MethodsA pair of primers and Taqman MGB probe were designed and synthesized for the Pa gene of M.genitalium.Standard samples were prepared with the M.genitalium type strain G37.The established Taqman MGB real time fluorescence-based PCR assay was used to detect M.genitalium in the standard samples and cervical swab specimens collected from unlicensed prostitutes in Hezhou city of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.ResultsThe established Taqman MGB real time PCR exhibited a wide linear range( 1 × 10 copies/μl to 1 × 106 copies/μl,R2 =0.993),good repeatability(intra-assay variation;0.7％,inter-assay variation:1.09％) and hign sensitivity with the limit of detection being 10 copies/μl and limit of quantification being 50 copies/μl.As the assay showed,12.1％ of the 404 cervical swab samples were positive for M.genitalium.ConculsionThe Taqman MGB real time fluorescence-based PCR is a rapid and sensitive method for the quantitative and qualitative detection of M.genitalium.
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Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of centella triterpenes cream(R) for treating crow's feet.Methods A double-blind,randomized,vehicle-controlled 12-week study was conducted.Centella triterpenes cream(R) was applied to the lateral canthus on one side (treatment side) and vehicle-(c)ontrol cream to the lateral canthus on the other side (control side) 3 times daily.Efficacy was evaluated based on an investigator-blinded assessment,subject self-blinded assessment and a quantitative analysis by Visioscan(R)VC98 at the baseline,4,8,12 weeks after the beginning of treatment.Results Thirty-six volunteers were recruited and 35 subjects completed the 12-week trial.The investigator-blinded assessment showed a significant difference in the changes of wrinkle scores between the treatment side and control side after 4 weeks (P ＜ 0.05),and the improvement of wrinkles was more obvious on the treatment side than on the control side at 8 and 12 weeks with a statistical difference in the wrinkle scores (both P ＜ 0.05).Compared with the control side,a significant increase in SEw value,which suggested an improvement in wrinkles,was observed on the treatment side after the application of centella triterpenes cream(R).Subjects' assessments revealed no significant difference in the occurrence of irritation or the improvement of coarse wrinkles,whereas the treatment side was superior to the control side in the improvement of skin texture (P ＜ 0.05) at the lateral canthus.Conclusion Centella triterpenes cream(R) thrice daily is effective for the improvement of crow's feet with no obvious side effects.
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Objective To estimate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic attendees infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.Methods Totally,11 553 blood plasma samples were collected from STD clinic attendees in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,and subjected to HIV-1 antibody screening and confirmatory testing.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to detect anti-HCV antibodies in 140 anti-HIV-1 antibody-positive samples and 282 anti-HIV-1 antibody-negative samples from age-and marital status-matched attendees.Chi-square test was performed to assess the differences in the prevalence rate of HCV infection between anti-HIV-1-negative and-positive samples,and Logistic regression analysis to evaluate the risk factors for HCV and HIV co-infection.Results The positivity rate of anti-HCV antibodies was 33.57％ (47/140)among anti-HIV-1-positive samples,significantly higher than that in anti-HIV-1-negative samples (1.06％ (3/282),x2 =94.66,P ＜ 0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed a statistical increase in the prevalence of HCV/HIV co-infection in individuals reporting more than one sexual partners compared with those reporting only one sexual partner (OR =2.4,95％ CI (1.0-5.6),P =0.05),and in intravenous drug users compared with non-intravenous drug users (OR =20.8,95％ CI(5.7-76.5),P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions HCV infection appears to be associated with HIV-1 infection,and comprehensive intervention on HIV-1-infected patients may slow down HCV transmission.
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Objective To estimate the prevalence and associated factors of facial wrinkling in females.Methods Questionnaires were designed and delivered to collect related data on volunteers. The subjects were divided into outdoor and indoor groups. Wrinkles were classified into 9 grades based on photos taken by SIA0612 image analyzer and quantification analysis via Visioscan VC 98. SPSS 17.0 software was used to assess the associated factors of wrinkling, including sun-protective measures, skin care and cosmetology, onset age and location of wrinkles in these subjects. Results A total of 246 patients aged 19 - 71 years were recruited in this study. Sun-protective measures were applied in 13.5% of the subjects between 12 and 18 years of age,38.5% of those between 19 and 29 years of age, 39.2% of those between 30 and 39 years of age, 44% of those between 40 and 59 years of age, and in none of those between 60 and 75 years of age, 44.1% of all the subjects in the latest 5 years. Wrinkles were absent in 5.7% of the subjects, and pigmentation macules absent in 21.7%. The first development of wrinkles was mainly observed in subjects aged 30 to 35 years, and that of pigmentation macules in those aged 25 to 30 years. The most common locations of facial wrinkles, in order of decreasing frequency, were infraorbital area, lateral angle of eye, nasolabial fold, glabella in the indoor group,lateral angle of eye, infraorbital area, glabella and nasolabial fold in the outdoor group. Fishtail lines seemed to be the commonest wrinkles with an earliest onset among these wrinkles, and showed a prevalence of 100% in subjects aged 45 years or older in the indoor group, and in those aged 30 years or older in the outdoor group.Conclusions Wrinkles and pigmentation macules are dominate manifestations of skin aging in Chinese females. The onset of pigmentation macules is earlier than that of wrinkles. The main manifestations of skin aging in Chinese females, in order of decreasing frequency, are yellow-grey skin, skin dryness, roughness,leather-like appearance, teleangiectasia, and (or) severe pigmentation macules, increase in skin fragility, etc.The order and age of wrinkle appearance are different between indoor and outdoor females.
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ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of syphilis among outpatients in sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics in Guangxi Zhnang Autonomous Region,and to assess the socioeconomic and behavioral factors associated with the infection.MethodsThe outpatients to 14 STD clinics in 8 cities of Guangxi Zhnang Autonomous Region were investigated with questionnaires by their doctors at the first visit.Venous blood samples were obtained from these outpatients and subjected to toludine red unheated serum test (TRUST) to screen for syphilis.Treponema pollidum particle agglutination (TPPA) was performed for TRUSTpositive samples.The epidemiological data were collected by using EpiData software,statistically analyzed by using SPSS13.0 software package.ResultsA total of 10 930 STD outpatients were recruited in the study,and 1297 samples were confirmed to be both TRUST and TPPA positive.The prevalence of syphilis was 11.9％ in all of the outpatients,14.3％ in female outpatients and 10.3％ in male outpatients,13.3％ in the outpatients of Zhuang nationality,and 11.4％ in those of Han nationalily.Multivariate analysis showed that syphilis was independently related to female sex[odds ratio(OR) 2.23,95％ confidence interval(CI) 1.69 - 3.00,P＜0.01 ],low educaiion level (middle school:OR 1.70,95％ CI 1.11 - 2.62,P ＜ 0.05; primary school or illiteracy,OR 1.98,95％ CI 1.13 - 3.46,P＜0.05),annual income of more than 30000 Yuan (OR 1.91,95％ CI 1.18 -3.10,P ＜ 0.01 ),commercial sex workers or having multiple sexual partners(OR 1.54,95％ CI 1.16 - 2.06,P ＜0.01 ).ConclusionsSyphilis serology should be the routine test in STD clinical settings in Guangxi region,and the intervention should be enhanced to control the prevalence of syphilis in high-risk populations.
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ObjectiveTo evaluate the performance of a three-gene typing system in the determination of Treponema pallidum (Tp) genotypes.MethodsTo determine the genotypes of Tp,three targets were assessed,including the number of 60 base-pair repeats,restriction fragment length polymorphism(RFLP) pattem of tprEGJ gene after MseI digestion and the sequence of tp0548 gene.The DNA extracted from the Nichols strain of Tp served as the positive control,and that from the moist ulcer of patients with genital herpes and negative RPR or TPPA test results served as the negative control.To validate the typing method,clinical specimens were collected from the moist skin lesions of patients with primary or secondary syphilis,and subjected to the amplification of polA gene by PCR.The enhanced molecular typing system was used to determine the genotypes of Tp in Tp DNA-positive specimens.ResultsThe Nichols strain harbored a genotype of 14a/a.No amplification of any of the three target genes was found in the negative control.The arp gene,tprEGJ gene and tp0548 gene were amplified from 94.1％,91.2％ and 94.1％ of the 40 clinical specimens,and the genotype was successfully determined by the three-gene typing system for 91.2％ of the clinical Tp strains.The predominant type of arp,tprEGJ and tp0548 genes was 14 repeats,d and f,respectively in these clinical Tp isolates.ConclusionThe enhanced molecular tying method for Tp exhibits high sensitivity,specificity and discrimination potential.
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Objective To study the current status of antimicrobial resistance of clinical Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates in China by analyzing the surveillance results in 2008.Methods N. gonorrhoeae strains were collected from 951 eligible patients at national monitoring sites for resistance of N. gonorrheae,including 156 patients from Jiangsu province,71 from Zhejiang province,102 from Fujian province,207 from Guangdong province,77 from Guangxi province,43 from Hainan province,80 from Sichuan province,44 from Chongqing,45 from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,72 from Shaanxi province,and 54 from Tianjin.The production of β-lactamase was detected by paper acidometric testing,and minimum inhibitory concentrations(MICs)were determined by agar dilution method for spectinomycin,ciprofloxacin,cefiriaxone,tetracycline,respectively.Results Among the 951 N. gonorrhoeae isolates,2(0.21%)were resistant to spectinomycin,451(47.42%)showed reduced sensitivity to ceflriaxone,928(97.58%)were resistant to ciprofloxacin.Penicillinase-producing N.gonorrhoeae (PPNG) and plasmid mediated tetracycline-resistant N. gonorrhoeae (TRNG) accounted for 34.91%(332/951)and 51.21%(487/951) of these isolates respectively.Kendall rank correlation analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between the positivity rate of TRNG and PPNG(r=0.20,P<0.01),but a negative correlation between the susceptibility to cefiriaxone in N.gonorrhoeae and positivity rate of PPNG(r=-0.09,P<0.01).No correlation was observed between the susceptibility to cefiriaxone and susceptibility to ciprofloxacin or the positivity rate of TRNG,or between the susceptibility to ciprofloxacin and positivity rate of PPNG or TRNG.Chi-square analysis showed a marked increase in the percentage of N.gonorrhoeae isolates with reduced susceptibility to ceftriaxone in Guangxi province,Hainan province,Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Shaanxi province,the percentage of N.gonorrhoeae isolates with resisitance to spectinomycin in Shaanxi province,prevelance of TRNG in Guangdong province,and prevelance of PPNG in Sichuan and Zhejiang provinces compared with the average level (all P<0.05).Conclusions Thero is a significant diffefence in antimicrobial susceptibility of N.gonorrhoeae from difierent areas of China.A significant elevation is observed in the percentage of N.gonorrhoeae with reduced susceptibihty to cefifiaxone and resistance to spectinomycin in Shaanxi province.to which close attention should be paid.
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Objective To establish a molecular typing method (opa-typing) for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and to evaluate its performance based on epidemiological data. Methods Twenty-six gonorrhea patients were recruited from March to April 2006 at two sites, including 17 cases from the STD Clinic of Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College and 9 cases from the STD Clinic of Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology. Of the 26 patients, 6 were from three known sexual links, while the remaining 20 patients did not have any sexual contact with each other. The opa gene was amplified by using PCR from Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates from these patients followed by overnight digestion with restriction enzymes Taq Ⅰ and Hpa Ⅱ. The enzyme digestion band patterns were analyzed using the Cel-Compar program. Results The opa gene was successfully amplified from all the 26 Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains, and restrictedly digested by endonucleases Taq Ⅰ and Hpa Ⅱ . Identical band patterns were observed between patients with sexual links, but not among the remaining 20 patients. Conclusions The results of opatyping of Neisseria gonorrhoeae coincide with the information on sexual behaviour provided by patients. Opatyping may serve as a reliable tool in sexual network analysis.
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Objective To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of topical interferon alfa-1b cream in the treatment of herpes zoster. Methods A randomized, double-blind, parallel placebo-controlled clinical study was conducted. The test drug was topically used in herpes zoster patients, three times a day for 2 weeks. Patients whose skin lesions cleared completely were followed for 29 days to observe postherpetic neuralgia. Results One hundred and twenty-eight patients with herpes zoster were enrolled into this trial. Sixty-five patients were randomly selected to receive interferon alfa-1b cream and sixty-three patients received vehicle cream. After following up for 11, 14, 22, 29 days the cure rates were 69.2%, 81.5%, 90.8%, 95.4% respectively in the study group and were 57.1%, 71.4%, 84.1% and 84.1% respectively in the control group(P
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Objective To study clinical characteristics and the trends of leprosy relapse cases after dapsone(DDS) monotherapy or multidrug therapy(MDT) from 1949 to 1998. Methods The data of leprosy relapse cases in China from 1949 to 1998 were analyzed. Results There were a total of 12 403 leprosy relapse cases during 1949～ 1998 in China with a cumulative relapse rate of 3.28％ . Among them, 11 803 were relapsed after DDS monotherapy with a relapse rate of 3.83％ and 236 were after MDT with a relapse rate of 0.57％ . The relapse rate (0.84％ ) in PB cases which were previously treated with DDS monotherapy a half year was significantly higher than that (0.36％ ) in PB cases treated with MDT a half year. The relapse rate (0.37％ ) in MB cases which were previously treated with DDS monotherapy plus MDT also significantly higher than that (0.23％ ) in MB cases which were just treated with MDT two years. The proportions of cases with gradeⅡ disabilities and positive skin smears in relapse cases were 49.9％ and 69.3％ , respectively. Conclusion The peak of leprosy relapses after DDS monotherapy occurred during 1959～ 1988. The relapses after MDT started at the end of 1980s and may reach its peak in the next decades.
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Objective To analyze the detection modes of leprosy and their influencing factors and outcomes. Methods Based upon the nationwide registration of leprosy patients detected during 1981～ 1998, the profiles of these patients at detection were studied. Results The proportions of cases significantly correlated with calendar years in the detection by dermatologic clinic, contact check, clue survey and mass survey, showing a significant increases in percentage of cases detected through dermatologic clinic and contact check and decreases through clue survey and mass survey. Detection of leprosy cases through dermatologic clinic and voluntary reporting became the main modes of case－ finding during 1997－ 1998, accounting for 37.3％ and 28.6％ respectively, whereas contact check only accounted for 9.1％ . More MB patients were detected by voluntary reporting than PB, whereas detection by dermatologic clinic resulted in a significantly higher proportion (38.0％ ) in PB patients than in MB (33.5％ ). The voluntary reporting and clue survey resulted in higher proportions of detection in prefecture and county rural areas. In areas with good facilities of dermatologic services, significantly higher extent (75.9％ ) of cases were detected through dermatologic clinic, whereas the voluntary reporting and clue survey were main modes of case detection in endemic areas. A great majority of cases were confirmed by leprosy units even though they were detected by various modes. Only 6.5％ of leprosy cases were detected and consequently confirmed by doctors in dermatologic clinics. Conclusion This study emphasizes the importance of providing training on leprosy to the doctors in dermatologic clinics while continuously encouraging their involvement in leprosy control.
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Objective To study epidemiological and clinical patterns of leprosy in children in China. Methods The data of leprosy in children from 1989 to 1998 in China were analyzed in terms of gender, infection source, detection mode, skin lesion, nerve damage, leprosy reaction, clinical type and skin smear. Results A total of 22 437 leprosy cases were detected during 1989～ 1998, of which 912 (4.1％ ) were child cases (560 males and 352 females). Average delay in detection was 1.13 years (n=909). The main source of infection was close contact within families, accounting for 69.2％ , and majority of cases were detected through active modes. Among children with leprosy, 96.8％ were with skin lesions, 76.0％ with nerve damage, 4.7％ with leprosy reactions, 12.4％ with grade II disability and 41.2％ with positive skin smears. The average proportion of child cases was 4.2％ in Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan Provinces, and 1.3％ in Shandong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces. The proportion of child cases was stable in Guizhou and Sichuan Provinces during this period, whereas in 1998 it significantly increased to 11.6％ in Yunnan. Conclusion The present study suggests that proportion of children with leprosy is one of the sensitive indicators of leprosy endemicity. The sources of leprosy infection in children is predominately due to the contact with active cases within families.