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Objective To perform an epidemiological investigation on a case with visceral leishmaniasis in Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, and to identify the source of infection, so as to illustrate the transmission chain and assess the risk of local leishmaniasis transmission. Methods The medical data were collected from a case with visceral leishmaniasis in Zhengzhou City, and the patient’s bone marrow smears were detected by microscopy. Serum anti-Leishmania antibody test and PCR assay were performed among high-risk residents and all dogs in the village where the patient lived. Sandflies were captured using light traps and artificial traps, and the captured female Phlebotomus chinensis was subjected to PCR assay. The internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) gene was amplified with a nested PCR assay using the genomic DNA extracted from visceral leishmaniasis patients, positive dogs and sandflies, and the sequences were aligned with those download from NCBI. In addition, a phylogenetic tree was created based on the ITS1 gene. Results The visceral leishmaniasis patient had recurrent irregular fever, reduced complete blood counts, low hemoglobin, and a large number of Leishmania amastigotes in bone marrow smears, and was therefore diagnosed as visceral leishmaniasis. Both rk39 rapid diagnostic test and PCR assay tested negative among 324 residents living neighboring the patient’s residence, while 21.39% (43/201) dogs were positive for rk39 rapid diagnostic test and 13.93% (28/201) positive for PCR assay. There were 17 female Ph. chinensis tested positive for Leishmania (0.82%) by PCR assay, and the ITS gene sequences from visceral leishmaniasis patients, positive dogs and sandflies shared a 100% homology with L. infantum. The Leishmania species was therefore characterized as L. infantum. Conclusions L. infantum infection occurs in visceral leishmaniasis patients, dogs and sandflies in Zhengzhou City, indicating a complete transmission chain and a high transmission risk of visceral leishmaniasis by L. infantum. Intensified control measures are required to prevent local transmission of leishmaniasis in Zhengzhou City.
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Objective To compare the changes of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) related to taeniasis and cysticercosis among primary school students before and after health education interventions in disease-elimination pilot areas of Henan Province, so as to evaluate the effectiveness of health education interventions. Methods A primary school was selected from each of Dushu, Bowang and Yangji townships, Fangcheng County, Henan Province from 2017 to 2019; then, 2 to 3 classes were randomly selected from grade 4 to 6 in each primary school, and finally, all students in these classes were enrolled as study subjects. A thematic health education lecture pertaining to taeniasis and cysticercosis was given once each year by means of “health education in class”. The KAP towards taeniasis and cysticercosis was investigated among primary school students using selffilled structured questionnaires, and the changes of awareness of taeniasis and cysticercosis control knowledge and percentage of healthy behaviors formation were compared in primary school students among years and following various frequencies of health education interventions. Results More than 10 thousand person-time primary school students received health education interventions during the period from 2017 to 2019, and a total of 1 223 person-time primary school students were investigated during the 3-year study period, including 633 person-time men and 590 person-time women and 88.55% of primary school students at ages of 10 to 12 years. The proportion of households raising pigs and using dry toiliets decreased from 5.30% (24/453) and 18.10% (82/453) in 2017 to 3.60% (13/361) and 11.08% (40/361) in 2019, respectively. The awareness rate of taeniasis and cysticercosis control knowledge increased significantly from 0.22% (1/453) in 2017 to 62.59% (256/409) in 2018 and 76.73% (277/361) in 2019 (χ2 = 567.60, P < 0.001), and the awareness rate was 85.25% (104/122) among primary school students attending the thematic special health education courses for successive three times. The awareness rates of taeniasis and cysticercosis control knowledge were 0.44% (1/225), 58.00% (116/200) and 71.63% (149/208) among male students and 0 (0/338), 66.99% (140/209) and 83.66% (128/153) among female students from 2017 to 2019, and there was a significant difference in the awareness of taeniasis and cysticercosis control knowledge between male and female students in 2019 (χ2 = 7.14, P = 0.01). On-site teaching by doctors was the students’ favorite way to receive health education interventions (70.07%, 857/1 223), followed by watching health education videos (58.63%, 717/1 223) and seeing parasite specimens (48.9%, 598/1 223). The proportion of students’ families who used cutting boards for raw and cooked food separately increased from 7.28% (33/453) in 2017 to 47.37% (171/361) in 2019, was 67.21% (82/122) among students attending the health education courses for successive three times. The proportion of students who frequently washed their hands before meals and after using toilet increased from 71.96% (324/453) in 2017 to 89.47% (319/361) in 2019 and was 95.90% (117/122) among students attending the health education courses for successive three times. In addition, the percentage of students washing hands frequently in families using dry toilets was significantly lower in those who did not use dry toilets (χ2 = 9.21, P = 0.002), and the proportion of students with a habit of eating raw or undercooked meat decreased significantly from 35.76% (162/453) in 2017 to 6.65% (24/361) in 2019 (χ2 = 69.11, P < 0.01). Conclusion The thematic health education activity of “health education in class” contributes greatly to the increase in the awareness of taeniasis and cysticercosis control knowledge and the rate of healthy behaviors formation among primary school students in diseaseelimination pilot areas of Henan Province.
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Objective To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of intestinal protozoan infections among rural children in Henan Province. Methods A total of 104 survey sites were sampled from 35 counties (cities) in Henan Province using the stratified cluster sampling method to investigate the prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections among rural children from 2014 to 2015. The trophozoites and cysts of intestinal protozoa were identified using the iodine staining method and the physiological saline direct smear method (one detection for one stool sample). The prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections was compared among rural children with different characteristics, and the factors affecting intestinal protozoan infections among rural children were identified. Results The overall prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections was 0.60% (40/6 771) among rural children in Henan Province from 2014 to 2015. There were 7 species of intestinal protozoa identified, and there was no species-specific prevalence (χ2 = 37.732, P = 0.000). No significant differences were found in prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections among rural children in terms of gender (χ2 = 1.793, P = 0.181), age (χ2 = 1.443, P = 0.486), occupation (χ2 = 0.219, P = 0.896) or ecological region (χ2 = 1.700, P = 0.637). In addition, terrain (χ2 = 2.311, P = 0.510), economic level (χ2 = 4.322, P = 0.229), source of drinking water (χ2 = 0.731, P = 0.393), eating raw vegetables (χ2 = 1.134, P = 0.287) and deworming (χ2 = 1.089, P = 0.297) had no remarkable effects on the prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections among rural children in Henan Province; however, the prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections varied significantly among rural children living in regions with different coverage of non-harmless toilets (χ2 = 10.050, P = 0.018). Conclusion The prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections is low among rural children in Henan Province.
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Objective To analyze the diagnosis of imported malaria cases in Henan Province from 2015 to 2019, so as to provide the evidence for malaria surveillance during the post-elimination stage. Methods The data pertaining to malaria cases in Henan Province from 2015 to 2019 were extracted via the web-based Chinese Information System for Infectious Diseases Control and Prevention and the Parasitic Diseases Information Reporting Management System (PDIRMS) of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the diagnostic methods, diagnostic institutions and diagnostic time of imported malaria cases were analyzed. Results A total of 952 imported malaria cases were reported in Henan Province during the period from 2015 through 2019, and all cases were laboratory-confirmed. The positive rate of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) was 98.61% (779/790), which was significantly greater than that (94.22%, 897/952) of microscopic examinations (χ2 = 22.773, P < 0.05). The proportion of imported malaria cases diagnosed in medical institutions increased from 65.22% (120/184) in 2015 to 81.50% (185/227) in 2019. Among the 238 imported malaria cases diagnosed in centers for disease control and prevention (CDC), 71.01% (169/238) were diagnosed in county-level CDC, and among the 704 cases diagnosed in medical institutions, only 8.38% (59/704) were diagnosed at county-level medical institutions. The median time from onset to definitive diagnosis of malaria was 3 days, and the median duration between onset and initial diagnosis of malaria was 1 day. The duration between initial diagnosis and definitive diagnosis of malaria varied significantly among years (χ2 = 24.956, P < 0.05), and the interquartile range from initial diagnosis to definitive diagnosis reduced from 4 days in 2016 to 2 days in 2019. In addition, the median time from initial diagnosis to definitive diagnosis was significantly longer in severe falciparum malaria cases than in non-severe falciparum malaria cases (2 days vs. 1 day; Z = 7.557, P < 0.05). Conclusions Medical institutions play a more and more important role in the identification and surveillance of malaria cases; however, the diagnostic capability of malaria remains low in county-level medical institutions. The diagnostic awareness and capability of county-level medical institutions requires to be improved, in order to play their roles as sentinel hospitals in the malaria surveillance during the post-elimination stage.
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Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of malaria in Henan Province from 1950 to 2019, so as to provide the scientific evidence for consolidating malaria elimination achievements in the province. Methods The epidemiological situation of malaria and demographic data in Henan Province from 1950 to 2019 were collected, and the statistical analyses were performed using a descriptive epidemiological method. The spatial temporal distribution of malaria cases was identified using the software ArcGIS version 10.3. Results During the period from 1950 through 2019, the progress of malaria elimination was divided into 4 stages in Henan Province, including the baseline-survey and key-control stage, morbidity-control and incidence-reduction stage, basic-eradication and achievement-consolidation stage and elimination stage. The spatial distribution of malaria cases shifted from south of the Huai River and the plain regions between the Yellow River and Taihang Mountain to the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain and Nanyang Basin, then was concentrated in eastern part of southern Huai River where Anopheles anthropophagus was distributed, and finally was gradually under control following malaria outbreak in Eastern Henan Plain. In addition, the species of Plasmodium changed from P. vivax, P. falciparum and P. malariae co-endemics to a single P. vivax infection, and the current co-endemics of 5 invasive malaria parasites, and the malaria vectors shifted from co-existence of Anopheles sinensis and An. anthropophagus to An. sinensis alone. Conclusions There has been a large change in the epidemiological characteristics of malaria in Henan Province from 1950 to 2019. Although malaria has been eliminated in Henan Province, the consolidation of the malaria elimination achievements remain a great challenge due to overseas imported malaria.
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Objective To understand the epidemic status of malaria and progress of malaria elimination in Henan Province in 2018, so as to provide the scientific evidence for formulating the control strategy of malaria. Methods All data pertaining to the epidemic status of malaria and malaria case were captured from Henan Province in 2018, and the epidemic status of malaria and the diagnosis and treatment of malaria cases were analyzed using a descriptive epidemiological method. Results A total of 174 malaria cases were reported in Henan Province in 2018, with a male-to-female ratio of 33.8∶1. The cases were predominantly found at 30- and 40- years, and farmer was the highest-risk population. All cases were imported for overseas countries and 96.55% (168/174) were from Africa. The cases were reported across 17 cities of the province, and 63.22% (110 cases) were detected in 4 cities of Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Xuchang and Puyang. Both the median duration from onset to initial admission and the median time from the initial admission to definitive diagnosis were 1 d. There were 6 cases (3.45%) with more than 7 days to visit a doctor, and there were 13 cases (7.47%) with definitive diagnosis of over 7 days (delay in definitive diagnosis). All malaria cases were reported within 24 h, and 98.28% (171/174) completed case investigations within 3 d. All 18 cities had achieved malaria elimination by December 2018. Conclusions All malaria cases reported in Henan Province in 2018 are imported from overseas countries. Intensifying malaria surveillance among returnees from Africa and Southeast Asia and timely identification and treatment of imported malaria cases are required to prevent the development of secondary malaria cases, so as to ensure the achievement of malaria elimination in Henan Province on schedule.
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Objective To understand the epidemic status and influencing factors of intestinal parasitic diseases among rural children in Henan Province. Methods According to the Scheme for The National Survey on Current Status of Major Human Parasitic Diseases in China, the survey counties were selected based on the ecological zones and economic levels in Henan Province between 2014 and 2015. Then, the included counties were stratified according to the topography and economic levels. A township was randomly sampled from each stratum, and a village was randomly sampled from each township as the study site. Finally, a total of 104 study sites from 35 counties were enrolled for the survey of intestinal parasitic diseases in children. At least 250 fresh stool samples were collected from each study site for detection of intestinal helminth eggs with the Kato-Katz technique, for the identification of Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale with the fecal culture method, and for the detection of intestinal protozoa trophozoite and cyst with the physiological saline smear and iodine staining techniques. In addition, the Enterobius vermicularis and tapeworm eggs were detected in children aged 3 to 6 years using the adhesive cellophane-tape perianal swab method. Results The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was 3.21% (214/6 671) among rural children in Henan Province, and the prevalence of intestinal helminthes (2.62%, 175/6 671) was higher than that of intestinal protozoa (0.60%, 40/6 671). A total of 12 species of intestinal parasites were found, including 4 nematodes species, one trematode species, and 7 protozoa species, and the highest infection was seen in E. vermicularis (2.47%, 161/6 671). Among the four ecological zones in Henan Province, the greatest prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was detected among children in the Qinba Mountain Ecological Zone (5.85%, 90/1 538). There was no gender-specific difference in the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in children (P > 0.05); however, there were age- (χ2 = 32.762, P < 0.05) and education level-specific differences in the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in children (χ2 = 67.507, P < 0.05), with the greatest prevalence of E. vermicularis infection seen in all species of intestinal parasites in children at all age groups. Multivariate non-conditional logistic regression analysis showed that high education level, high coverage of harmless toilets, drinking tap water and deworming were protective factors for intestinal parasitic infections in children in Henan Province. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections appeared a tendency towards a gradual decline among children in Henan Province as compared to the previous two surveys. Conclusions The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections shows a tendency towards a remarkable decline among children in Henan Province. E. vermicularis infection should be given a priority for future parasitic disease control activities among rural children in Henan Province.
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Objective To analyze the epidemiological and clinical data of an imported case of visceral leishmaniasis in Henan Province, and explore the method of laboratory diagnosis of kala-azar. Methods The epidemiological and clinical data of an imported visceral leishmaniasis patient were analyzed. Leishmania donovani bodies in bone marrow smears were observed microscopically. The antibody was detected by using rK39 dipstick test strips. Two pairs of specific primers, K13A-K13B and LITSR-L5.8S, were used to amplify kinetoplast DNA and internal transcribed spacer of rDNA of the parasite, respectively. Results The patient had been in the epidemic area of visceral leishmaniasis, and had symptoms such as irregular fever, splenomegaly, pancytopenia, and inversed ratio of albumin and globulin. The amastigotes of L. donovani were found in the bone marrow smears, and rK39 test strip was positive, and the PCR products of K13A-K13B and LITSR-L5.8S were 87 bp and 285 bp respectively. The similarities of the two fragment sequences to the corresponding sequences of L. donovani were 94% and 100%, respectively. Conclusion The case is diagnosed as visceral leishmaniasis according to the epidemiological data, clinical manifestations and laboratory test results of the patient, and the pathogen is L. donovani.
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Objective To understand and analyze the epidemic status of human intestinal parasitic diseases in the ecological region of the Qinba Mountains in Henan Province, so as to provide the evidence for the control of the diseases in this region. Methods According to the methods of National Survey Scheme on Major Human Parasitic Diseases, 26 survey spots were selected in 8 counties (cities) in ecological regions of Qinba Mountains in Henan Province in 2015. After collecting the human fecal samples, the eggs of intestinal helminthes were detected with the modified Kato-Katz thick smear method, the species of Ancylostoma of the hookworm egg-positive samples were identified with the tube fecal culture method, the eggs of Enterobius vermicularis were detected by using the adhesive tape method in children aged 3 to 6 years, and the cyst and trophozoite of intestinal protozoa were examined by iodine staining. The infections of intestinal parasites in different populations and the related influencing factors were analyzed. Results Totally 6 706 residents were recruited in this study, 8 kinds of parasites were found including 3 species of helminthes and 5 species of protozoans. The overall infection rate of intestinal parasites was 3.39%, covering 2.92% for helminthes and 0.49% for protozoans. The infection rate of E. vermicularis in children aged 3 to 6 years was 3.93%. The 3 identified helminthes were Ascaris lumbricoides, E. vermicularis, and Dicrocoelium dendriticum, with the highest infection rate of E. vermicularis (2.68%, χ2 = 306.362, P < 0.05). The 5 identified protozoans were Entamoeba hartmani, E. coli, Endolimax nana, Giardia lamblia, and Blastocystis hominis, and the infection rate of E. nana was the highest (χ2 = 23.842, P < 0.05). Among the 8 counties (cities), the highest infection rate of helminthes, mainly with Enterobius infection, existed in Ruyang County, and the infection rate of protozoans in Xin’an County was the highest, mainly with E. nana infection. There was a significant difference in the infection rates of helminthes and protozoans among the 8 counties (cities) (helminthes: χ2 = 357.525, P < 0.05; protozoans: χ2 = 38.795, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the helminth infection rate between males and females ( χ2 = 0.034, P > 0.05), but the protozoan infection rate of the males was higher than that of the females ( χ2 = 12.946, P < 0.05). The helminth infection rate of the 0-9 years old group was the highest ( χ2 = 62.600, P < 0.05), up to 6.60%, mainly with E. vermicularis infection. There was no significant difference in the infection rate of intestinal parasites among nationalities ( χ2 = 0.212, P > 0.05). The helminth infection rate of preschool children was the highest and up to 8.43%, mainly with E. vermicularis infection. The infection of A. lumbricoides was mainly happened among farmers, with the infection rate of 0.31%. There was a significant difference in the helminth infection rate among different occupations (χ2 = 84.333, P < 0.05). The intestinal parasites infection rate of the illiterate population was the highest and up to 7.63%, there was a significant difference among the populations with different educational levels (χ2 = 72.013, P < 0.05). The helminth infection rate of plain areas was higher than that of valley and hill ( χ2 = 11.690, P < 0.05). The helminth infection rate of people with low-income was the highest and up to 10.32% (χ2 = 244.999, P < 0.05). The protozoan infection rate of people with middle-income was the highest, who had the annual per capita net income of 6 000 to 7 999 Yuan ( χ2 = 24.749, P < 0.05). The helminth infection rate of people drinking well water was much higher than that of people drinking tap water (χ2 = 62.255, P < 0.05). The protozoan infection rate of people without insect repellent was higher than that of people with insect repellent (χ2 = 5.235, P < 0.05). Conclusions The infection rates of human intestinal parasites in the ecological region of the Qinba Mountains in Henan Province have decreased sharply. E. vermicularis infection in children should be the main point of prevention and treatment of parasitic diseases in the future.
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Objective To understand and analyze the epidemic status of human intestinal parasitic diseases in the ecological region of the Qinba Mountains in Henan Province, so as to provide the evidence for the control of the diseases in this region. Methods According to the methods of National Survey Scheme on Major Human Parasitic Diseases, 26 survey spots were selected in 8 counties (cities) in ecological regions of Qinba Mountains in Henan Province in 2015. After collecting the human fecal samples, the eggs of intestinal helminthes were detected with the modified Kato-Katz thick smear method, the species of Ancylostoma of the hookworm egg-positive samples were identified with the tube fecal culture method, the eggs of Enterobius vermicularis were detected by using the adhesive tape method in children aged 3 to 6 years, and the cyst and trophozoite of intestinal protozoa were examined by iodine staining. The infections of intestinal parasites in different populations and the related influencing factors were analyzed. Results Totally 6 706 residents were recruited in this study, 8 kinds of parasites were found including 3 species of helminthes and 5 species of protozoans. The overall infection rate of intestinal parasites was 3.39%, covering 2.92% for helminthes and 0.49% for protozoans. The infection rate of E. vermicularis in children aged 3 to 6 years was 3.93%. The 3 identified helminthes were Ascaris lumbricoides, E. vermicularis, and Dicrocoelium dendriticum, with the highest infection rate of E. vermicularis (2.68%, χ2 = 306.362, P < 0.05). The 5 identified protozoans were Entamoeba hartmani, E. coli, Endolimax nana, Giardia lamblia, and Blastocystis hominis, and the infection rate of E. nana was the highest (χ2 = 23.842, P < 0.05). Among the 8 counties (cities), the highest infection rate of helminthes, mainly with Enterobius infection, existed in Ruyang County, and the infection rate of protozoans in Xin’an County was the highest, mainly with E. nana infection. There was a significant difference in the infection rates of helminthes and protozoans among the 8 counties (cities) (helminthes: χ2 = 357.525, P < 0.05; protozoans: χ2 = 38.795, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the helminth infection rate between males and females ( χ2 = 0.034, P > 0.05), but the protozoan infection rate of the males was higher than that of the females ( χ2 = 12.946, P < 0.05). The helminth infection rate of the 0-9 years old group was the highest ( χ2 = 62.600, P < 0.05), up to 6.60%, mainly with E. vermicularis infection. There was no significant difference in the infection rate of intestinal parasites among nationalities ( χ2 = 0.212, P > 0.05). The helminth infection rate of preschool children was the highest and up to 8.43%, mainly with E. vermicularis infection. The infection of A. lumbricoides was mainly happened among farmers, with the infection rate of 0.31%. There was a significant difference in the helminth infection rate among different occupations (χ2 = 84.333, P < 0.05). The intestinal parasites infection rate of the illiterate population was the highest and up to 7.63%, there was a significant difference among the populations with different educational levels (χ2 = 72.013, P < 0.05). The helminth infection rate of plain areas was higher than that of valley and hill ( χ2 = 11.690, P < 0.05). The helminth infection rate of people with low-income was the highest and up to 10.32% (χ2 = 244.999, P < 0.05). The protozoan infection rate of people with middle-income was the highest, who had the annual per capita net income of 6 000 to 7 999 Yuan ( χ2 = 24.749, P < 0.05). The helminth infection rate of people drinking well water was much higher than that of people drinking tap water (χ2 = 62.255, P < 0.05). The protozoan infection rate of people without insect repellent was higher than that of people with insect repellent (χ2 = 5.235, P < 0.05). Conclusions The infection rates of human intestinal parasites in the ecological region of the Qinba Mountains in Henan Province have decreased sharply. E. vermicularis infection in children should be the main point of prevention and treatment of parasitic diseases in the future.
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Objective To understand the epidemic status and influencing factors of intestinal parasitic diseases among rural children in Henan Province. Methods According to the Scheme for The National Survey on Current Status of Major Human Parasitic Diseases in China, the survey counties were selected based on the ecological zones and economic levels in Henan Province between 2014 and 2015. Then, the included counties were stratified according to the topography and economic levels. A township was randomly sampled from each stratum, and a village was randomly sampled from each township as the study site. Finally, a total of 104 study sites from 35 counties were enrolled for the survey of intestinal parasitic diseases in children. At least 250 fresh stool samples were collected from each study site for detection of intestinal helminth eggs with the Kato-Katz technique, for the identification of Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale with the fecal culture method, and for the detection of intestinal protozoa trophozoite and cyst with the physiological saline smear and iodine staining techniques. In addition, the Enterobius vermicularis and tapeworm eggs were detected in children aged 3 to 6 years using the adhesive cellophane-tape perianal swab method. Results The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was 3.21% (214/6 671) among rural children in Henan Province, and the prevalence of intestinal helminthes (2.62%, 175/6 671) was higher than that of intestinal protozoa (0.60%, 40/6 671). A total of 12 species of intestinal parasites were found, including 4 nematodes species, one trematode species, and 7 protozoa species, and the highest infection was seen in E. vermicularis (2.47%, 161/6 671). Among the four ecological zones in Henan Province, the greatest prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was detected among children in the Qinba Mountain Ecological Zone (5.85%, 90/1 538). There was no gender-specific difference in the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in children (P > 0.05); however, there were age- (χ2 = 32.762, P < 0.05) and education level-specific differences in the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in children (χ2 = 67.507, P < 0.05), with the greatest prevalence of E. vermicularis infection seen in all species of intestinal parasites in children at all age groups. Multivariate non-conditional logistic regression analysis showed that high education level, high coverage of harmless toilets, drinking tap water and deworming were protective factors for intestinal parasitic infections in children in Henan Province. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections appeared a tendency towards a gradual decline among children in Henan Province as compared to the previous two surveys. Conclusions The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections shows a tendency towards a remarkable decline among children in Henan Province. E. vermicularis infection should be given a priority for future parasitic disease control activities among rural children in Henan Province.
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Objective To analyze the epidemiological and clinical data of an imported case of visceral leishmaniasis in Henan Province, and explore the method of laboratory diagnosis of kala-azar. Methods The epidemiological and clinical data of an imported visceral leishmaniasis patient were analyzed. Leishmania donovani bodies in bone marrow smears were observed microscopically. The antibody was detected by using rK39 dipstick test strips. Two pairs of specific primers, K13A-K13B and LITSR-L5.8S, were used to amplify kinetoplast DNA and internal transcribed spacer of rDNA of the parasite, respectively. Results The patient had been in the epidemic area of visceral leishmaniasis, and had symptoms such as irregular fever, splenomegaly, pancytopenia, and inversed ratio of albumin and globulin. The amastigotes of L. donovani were found in the bone marrow smears, and rK39 test strip was positive, and the PCR products of K13A-K13B and LITSR-L5.8S were 87 bp and 285 bp respectively. The similarities of the two fragment sequences to the corresponding sequences of L. donovani were 94% and 100%, respectively. Conclusion The case is diagnosed as visceral leishmaniasis according to the epidemiological data, clinical manifestations and laboratory test results of the patient, and the pathogen is L. donovani.
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In human prion diseases, phosphorylated-tau deposition has been described in a rare genetic form, Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker disease, but is not considered part of the neuropathological picture of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. To investigate the possible changes of tau and phosphorylated tau (Ser396/Ser404) in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), the expressions and transcriptions of above biological factors in the brain tissues of 263K- and 139A-infected hamsters were evaluated by Western blots and Real Time PCR, respectively, followed by quantitative analyses of immunoblot images and relative transcriptional levels compared with normal animals. The contents of total tau increased, but phosphorylated tau at Ser396 and Ser404 decreased, regardless of the types of scrapie agents and clinical incubations. Transcriptions of two tau isoforms were also markedly increased. These findings suggested that dephosphorylation of tau at Ser396/Ser404 was a illness-correlative phenomenon in TSEs. Alterations of tau and phosphorylated tau (Ser396/Ser404) were either intermediate or consequent events in TSE pathogenesis and proposed the potential linkage of these bioactive proteins with the pathogenesis of prion diseases.
Subject(s)
Animals , Cricetinae , Blotting, Western , Brain , Metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation , Physiology , Phosphorylation , Polymerase Chain Reaction , PrPSc Proteins , Virulence , Prion Diseases , Metabolism , tau Proteins , MetabolismABSTRACT
The molecular interaction between PrP and 14-3-3 beta and the possible interactional domain between two proteins were studied by co-immunoprecipitation, pull down and FRET assays. The results showed that PrP protein could interact with 14-3-3 beta in vitro and in vivo. The domain which responded for the interaction was located at C-terminal of PrP (amino acid residues 106 to 126). This study of the interaction between PrP and 14-3-3 protein further provided the insight into the potential role of 14-3-3 in the biological function of PrP and the pathogenesis of prion disease.
Subject(s)
Animals , Cricetinae , Humans , Rabbits , 14-3-3 Proteins , Metabolism , Brain , Metabolism , Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer , HeLa Cells , Immunoprecipitation , Prions , Metabolism , Protein BindingABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To prepare the specific antibodies against exon 2 and exon 3 of human tau protein.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sequences encoding exon 2 and exon 3 of human tau protein were amplified from human peripheral blood DNA and cloned into a prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-2T. Fusion proteins GST-E2 and GST-E3 were expressed and purified from E. coli system. The antisera were elicited by immunization of the purified fusion proteins to rabbits and mice. The specific antibodies were purified by Protein G/A and CNBr-activated sepharose 4B coupled with GST protein. The specificity and sensitivity of the purified antibodies were evaluated by Western blotting and ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Recombinant fusion proteins GST-E2 and GST-E3 were expressed and purified from E. coli, which showed Mr. 29 x 10(3). Various antisera were collected from the immunized experimental animals. Reliable immunoreactive specificity and titers of the purified antibodies against exon 2 and exon 3 of human tau protein were confirmed by Western blotting and ELISA after serial purification processes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Four specific antibodies against exon 2 and exon 3 of human tau protein have been successfully prepared, which provides basis for analyzing the role of tau in neurodegenerative diseases.</p>