Spatiotemporal heterogeneity of schistosomiasis in mainland China: Evidence from a multi-stage continuous downscaling sentinel monitoring

Objective: To determine the spatiotemporal distribution of Schistosoma (S.) japonicum infections in humans, livestock, and Oncomelania (O.) hupensis across the endemic foci of China. Methods: Based on multi-stage continuous downscaling of sentinel monitoring, county-based schistosomiasis surveillance data were captured from the national schistosomiasis surveillance sites of China from 2005 to 2019. The data included S. japonicum infections in humans, livestock, and O. hupensis. The spatiotemporal trends for schistosomiasis were detected using a Joinpoint regression model, with a standard deviational ellipse (SDE) tool, which determined the central tendency and dispersion in the spatial distribution of schistosomiasis. Further, more spatiotemporal clusters of S. japonicum infections in humans, livestock, and O. hupensis were evaluated by the Poisson model. Results: The prevalence of S. japonicum human infections decreased from 2.06% to zero based on data of the national schistosomiasis surveillance sites of China from 2005 to 2019, with a reduction from 9.42% to zero for the prevalence of S. japonicum infections in livestock, and from 0.26% to zero for the prevalence of S. japonicum infections in O. hupensis. Analysis using an SDE tool showed that schistosomiasis-affected regions were reduced yearly from 2005 to 2014 in the endemic provinces of Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, and Anhui, as well as in the Poyang and Dongting Lake regions. Poisson model revealed 11 clusters of S. japonicum human infections, six clusters of S. japonicum infections in livestock, and nine clusters of S. japonicum infections in O. hupensis. The clusters of human infection were highly consistent with clusters of S. japonicum infections in livestock and O. hupensis. They were in the 5 provinces of Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Anhui, and Jiangsu, as well as along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Humans, livestock, and O. hupensis infections with S. japonicum were mainly concentrated in the north of the Hunan Province, south of the Hubei Province, north of the Jiangxi Province, and southwestern portion of Anhui Province. In the 2 mountainous provinces of Sichuan and Yunnan, human, livestock, and O. hupensis infections with S. japonicum were mainly concentrated in the northwestern portion of the Yunnan Province, the Daliangshan area in the south of Sichuan Province, and the hilly regions in the middle of Sichuan Province. Conclusions: A remarkable decline in the disease prevalence of S. japonicum infection was observed in endemic schistosomiasis in China between 2005 and 2019. However, there remains a long-term risk of transmission in local areas, with the highest-risk areas primarily in Poyang Lake and Dongting Lake regions, requiring to focus on vigilance against the rebound of the epidemic. Development of high-sensitivity detection methods and integrating the transmission links such as human and livestock infection, wild animal infection, and O. hupensis into the surveillance-response system will ensure the elimination of schistosomiasis in China by 2030.

Spatiotemporal heterogeneity of schistosomiasis in mainland China: Evidence from a multi-stage continuous downscaling sentinel monitoring

Objective: To determine the spatiotemporal distribution of Schistosoma (S.) japonicum infections in humans, livestock, and Oncomelania (O.) hupensis across the endemic foci of China. Methods: Based on multi-stage continuous downscaling of sentinel monitoring, county-based schistosomiasis surveillance data were captured from the national schistosomiasis surveillance sites of China from 2005 to 2019. The data included S. japonicum infections in humans, livestock, and O. hupensis. The spatiotemporal trends for schistosomiasis were detected using a Joinpoint regression model, with a standard deviational ellipse (SDE) tool, which determined the central tendency and dispersion in the spatial distribution of schistosomiasis. Further, more spatiotemporal clusters of S. japonicum infections in humans, livestock, and O. hupensis were evaluated by the Poisson model. Results: The prevalence of S. japonicum human infections decreased from 2.06% to zero based on data of the national schistosomiasis surveillance sites of China from 2005 to 2019, with a reduction from 9.42% to zero for the prevalence of S. japonicum infections in livestock, and from 0.26% to zero for the prevalence of S. japonicum infections in O. hupensis. Analysis using an SDE tool showed that schistosomiasis-affected regions were reduced yearly from 2005 to 2014 in the endemic provinces of Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, and Anhui, as well as in the Poyang and Dongting Lake regions. Poisson model revealed 11 clusters of S. japonicum human infections, six clusters of S. japonicum infections in livestock, and nine clusters of S. japonicum infections in O. hupensis. The clusters of human infection were highly consistent with clusters of S. japonicum infections in livestock and O. hupensis. They were in the 5 provinces of Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Anhui, and Jiangsu, as well as along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Humans, livestock, and O. hupensis infections with S. japonicum were mainly concentrated in the north of the Hunan Province, south of the Hubei Province, north of the Jiangxi Province, and southwestern portion of Anhui Province. In the 2 mountainous provinces of Sichuan and Yunnan, human, livestock, and O. hupensis infections with S. japonicum were mainly concentrated in the northwestern portion of the Yunnan Province, the Daliangshan area in the south of Sichuan Province, and the hilly regions in the middle of Sichuan Province. Conclusions: A remarkable decline in the disease prevalence of S. japonicum infection was observed in endemic schistosomiasis in China between 2005 and 2019. However, there remains a long-term risk of transmission in local areas, with the highest-risk areas primarily in Poyang Lake and Dongting Lake regions, requiring to focus on vigilance against the rebound of the epidemic. Development of high-sensitivity detection methods and integrating the transmission links such as human and livestock infection, wild animal infection, and O. hupensis into the surveillance-response system will ensure the elimination of schistosomiasis in China by 2030.

Progress of the national programme and achievements of scientific researches on schistosomiasis elimination in China / 中华疾病控制杂志

The paper reviewed the progress of the national schistosomiasis control programme in the last 70 years in China, and summarized the achievements of both the programme and scientific researches in four different stages of the programme. In particular, on the basis of the analytic results in promotion effectiveness and gaps of control strategies in different control stages, the theoretic foundation in on-going battle actions to eliminate schistosomiasis in whole country by using the integrated strategy with emphasis of infectious sources control was analyzed. The scientific and technological achievements in the process of communication control and elimination was compared, and the practicalness of precision control of schistosomiasis was put forward at technical point of view. Finally, it was recommended how to put the precision control efforts into practice at national level in the schistosomiasis elimination stage.

Surveillance of schistosomiasis in People's Republic of China in 2015 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To analyze the investigation data of the national schistosomiasis surveillance sites in 2015,so as to provide scientific evidences for schistosomiasis control,elimination and surveillance. Methods According to National Schisto-somiasis Surveillance Programme(version 2014),457 surveillance sites were selected,and the investigation data in residents, floating population,domestic animals and Oncomelania hupensis snails were collected and analyzed from four types of endemic counties. Results A total of 4468 seropositive cases were detected from 133350 residents,among which 4457 residents with seropositive results received the etiological tests,and 71 of them were identified with positive results. Most of them were fisher-men and farmers in the middle and old-aged group. The schistosomiasis infection rate was 0.05% in local population. Totally 977 seropositive cases were examined from 85047 migrant individuals,and 16 positive cases were found out from 966 individuals who took etiological tests,which showed the schistosomiasis infection rate was 0.02% in floating population. Imported cases were found among floating people in four provinces,namely Zhejiang,Hunan,Hubei and Anhui provinces. No acute schistoso-miasis cases were reported. A total of 13406 head of cattle received examinations and only 5 were determined as stool positives. The cattle infection rate was 0.04%. The snail survey covered an area of 22295.13 hm2 and snails were found in an area of 7426.63 hm2,including 3.47 hm2 newly detected area with snails. No schistosome-infected snails were found. Conclusions Based on the collected data from 457 national schistosomiasis surveillance sites of China,the Schistosoma japonicum infection rate is 0.05% in local population which maintains a stably descending trend. In floating population,there are imported schistosome-in-fected persons. Cattle are still a vulnerable species infected with schistosome. Although no infected snails are found,snails are widely distributed in endemic areas. Some provinces detect areas with snails for the first time or the reproduction of snails. The staff in endemic provinces should carry out the surveillance work according to National Schistosomiasis Surveillance Programme (version2014)to improve the surveillance system,and enhance the sensibility and effectiveness of surveillance work.

Drug Quality Representation Analysis of Preparations of Aurea Helianthus based on Anti-myocardial Ischemia Effect / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

This study was aimed to select the best preparation form of Aurea Helianthus in order to provide a scientific basis for research and development of anti-myocardial ischemia drugs.The content of effective index components of preparation of Aurea Helianthus was detected using HPLC-PDA.Acute myocardial ischemia rat model introduced by injecting pituitrin was used to investigate the effect of anti-myocardial ischemia.The quality of preparation from Aurea Helianthus was characterized based on pharmacy and efficacy.And the characterized results were given correlation analysis.The results showed that the HPLC method for quantitative determination was verified by methodology.The average recoveries were in the range of 97.04％-102.44％.All three preparations of Aurea Helianthus had the efficacy of anti-myocardial ischemia in varying degrees.The enrichment had the highest effect with lowest extraction rate and the lowest dosage,which was the best form in medicinal-preparation application of Aurea Helianthus.It was concluded that the content of related drug components was higher with unique proportion in enrichment of Aurea Helianthus which was prepared based on drug system proved a high quality medicine.Therefore,the key to the improvement of efficacy was to explore the fittest proportion and improve the content of related pharmaceutical ingredients pertinently according to drug system.

Research progress of control techniques on Oncomelania hupensis / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

@#Oncomelania hupensis is the only intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum. The elimination of Oncomelania snails is the key technique step for schistosomiasis control. This paper summarizes the progress of the techniques of snail control，including the methods of ecology engineering，biology，molluscicides and the study on novel molluscicides，and reviews their features. In addition，this paper explores the appropriate approach to control the snails.

Endemic status of schistosomiasis in People’s Republic of China in 2015 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

This report presented the endemic status of schistosomiasis in the People’s Republic of China at a national level in 2015,and analyzed the data collected from the national schistosomiasis prevention and control system and 457 national schis?tosomiasis surveillance sites. Among the 12 provinces(municipality,autonomous region)endemic for schistosomiasis japonica in P. R. China,5 provinces(municipality,autonomous region),i.e.,Shanghai,Zhejiang,Fujian,Guangdong and Guangxi, had achieved transmission interruption,and 7 provinces of Sichuan,Yunnan,Jiangsu,Hubei,Anhui,Jiangxi and Hunan had achieved transmission control by the end of 2015. There were 453 endemic counties(city,district)covering 252 million peo?ple,specifically including 29 980 endemic villages of 68.61 million people at risk of infection. Among the 453 endemic counties (city,district),75.72%(343/453)and 24.28%(110/453)reached the criteria of transmission interruption and transmission control,respectively. By the end of 2015,it was estimated of 77 194 cases of schistosomiasis,which were decreased by 33.23%compared with 115 614 cases in 2014. No acute schistosomiasis cases were reported in 2015. There were 30 843 advanced schis?tosomiasis cases documented in 2015. A total of 8 736 036 individuals received schistosomiasis examinations and 3 606 individu?als were parasitologically diagnosed,which were decreased by 56.40%compared with 8 270 cases in 2014. An Oncomelania hu?pensis snail survey was performed in 19 965 endemic villages and the snails were found in 5 609 villages,accounting for 28.09%of total villages,with 31 newly detected villages with snails. The snail survey covered an area of 593 572.66 hm2 and snails were found in an area of 173 462.50 hm2,including a newly detected area of 666.04 hm2. No infected snails were found in 2015. A to?tal of 879 373 bovines were raised in the schistosomiasis endemic regions. Of them,526 062 bovines received stool examina?tions,resulting in 315 infected bovines. There were 170 438 schistosomiasis cases receiving drug treatment in 2015,with 2 449 696 individuals undergoing expanded chemotherapy. There were 318 bovines with schistosomiasis receiving drug treatment,with 483 213 bovines undergoing expanded chemotherapy. A total of 144 305.52 hm2 area was subject to snail control by using mollus?cicides,with an actual molluscicide?treated area of 69 221.57 hm2,and 4 572.06 hm2 snail habitats were treated by environmen?tal modification. Based on the data from the 457 national schistosomiasis surveillance sites,the mean Schistosoma japonicum in?fection rate was 0.05% and 0.04% in humans and bovines,respectively. No infected snails were found in all the surveillance sites. The results demonstrate a decline in the endemicity of schistosomiasis in P. R. China and the country reached the criteria of transmission control at the national level. However,the endemic situation of schistosomiasis is unstable in some regions with newly?reached transmission control,and further control and effective surveillance should be strengthened to consolidate the achievements and reduce the endemic situation of schistosomiasis in P. R. China.

Species composition and distribution of medical mollusca in Shanghai City / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the species diversity and distribution of medical mollusca in Shanghai City. Methods From August 2012 to October 2013,all kinds of habitats in 8 districts and counties in Shanghai City,namely Jiading,Qingpu, Baoshan,Minhang,Songjiang,Jinshan,Chongming,Pudong,were selected for the field survey according to the distribution characteristics of the river system,and all the specimens of medical mollusca in the investigation sites were collected and classi?fied by morphological identification. Meanwhile,the species composition,habitats as well as the fauna of the medical mollusca collected were analyzed. Results A total of 5 211 specimens were collected,which belonged to 2 classes,14 families,18 gen?era and 25 species,including Oncomelania hupensis hupensis,Pomacea canaliculata,Parafossarulus striatulus,Alocinma longicornis,Physa acuta,Galba pervia,Hippeutis cantori,etc. The species numbers of medical mollusca in Chongming,Jin?shan,Pudong new area and Qingpu districts(counties)were 22,22,21 and 20,respectively,which were more than those of other areas. The habitat analysis suggested that the species numbers in the river and wetland were the most,both of which were 14 species. The main faunas of the medical mollusca in Shanghai were the cosmopolitan and oriental species. Conclusions The freshwater gastropod species are paucity in Shanghai City,but almost of them can be served as the intermediate hosts of certain parasites to transmit snail?related parasitic diseases,so the surveillance of medical mollusca should be strengthened.

Comparative analysis of mitochondrial genomes of Angiostrongylus cantonen-sis / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To compare the diversity of mitochondrial genomes of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in the mainland of China. Methods According to the population genetic of A. cantonensis,seven female worms were selected to characterize the mi-tochondrial(MT)genomes. Twelve primer pairs based on known MT genome(GQ398121)were used for PCR. The target frag-ments were sequenced and aligned. The gene localization,genome structure,composition of nucleotide,distribution of variable sites,and phylogeny were analyzed by employing multiple softwares. Results Five distinct types were identified from seven com-plete MT genomes. They were similar in size and structure,i.e.,ranging 13 491-13 502 bp,including 12 protein-coding genes,2 ribosomal genes,22 tRNA genes,and 2 major non-coding regions. All the genes were localized at the same strand and had the same transcription direction. A total of 745 variable sites were identified,accounting for 5.5%. Among the variable sites,59 were deletion/insert mutations,105 transversions,and 581 transitions. The variable sites distributed evenly at the complete genome. Conclusion The study reveals the mutation profile in the whole MT genome of A. cantonensis and thus will facilitate the develop-ment of intraspecific differential diagnosis.

Species identification of partial sandflies from China with DNA barcoding / 中国人兽共患病学报

ABSTRACT:To explore the feasibility of DNA barcoding in the identification of sandflies ,the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) genes of 9 dominant species in China from three genera in the Phlebotominae were studied .The in‐traspecies and interspecies genetic distances were calculated using the Kimura‐2‐parameter model ,and the phylogenetic trees were reconstructed by neighbor‐joining (NJ) method .Results showed that all of sandflies species were successfully distinguish‐ed by the phylogenetic trees .The average intraspecific genetic distance (0 .8% ) was much less than the average interspecific ge‐netic distance (11 .2% ) .The study based on COI sequences indicates that the sandflies from China could be well distinguished with the commonly used COI barcodes ,which are potentially well utilized in sandflies species identification .

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite markers of Oncomelania hupensis / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To isolate the microsatellite DNA sequences of Oncomelania hupensis and analyze the polymorphic microsatellite loci.Methods The digested genomic fragments were hybridized with biotinylated oligonucleotide probes.The target fragments moleculars were captured and enriched.Then these fragments were cloned and sequenced.The suitable microsatellite loci were chosen and the polymorphism was screened by PAGE gel electrophoresis.Results A total of 205 microsateilite DNA sequences were obtained (GenBank accession numbers :GU204044～GU204248).The percentage of perfect microsatellite DNA sequence was 36.10% (74/205),with imperfect sequence as 49.76% (102/205) and compound sequence as 14.15% (29/205).Twenty typical microsatellite sequences were selected to design amplifying primers,and 13 microsatellite loci were found to be polymorphism.Conclusion A total of 205 microsatellite DNA sequences of Oncomelania hupensis are isolated and first reported,which will be useful for population genetic and mapping studies of Oncomelania hupensis.

Laboratory study on a rare case of chronic myeloid leukemia with ins(22;9)t(9;13) and Ph-negative / 中国实验血液学杂志

The study aimed to examine a rare case of Philadelphia (Ph)-negative chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with t(9;13). Chromosome samples were prepared after culture of bone marrow cells for 24 hours, the karyotypes were analyzed by G banding technique. Chromosome painting analysis was performed by using whole chromosome paints for chromosomes 9 and 22. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was done with dual color dual fusion LSI bcr/abl probe. Bcr/abl transcripts were detected by real time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR). As a result, G banding analysis showed a karyotype of 45, XX, der(9)t(9;13)(q34;q10), -13[20]. FISH assay using LSI bcr/abl DNA probe showed a red abl signal inserted into der(22) and a fusion signal of bcr/abl rearrangement was discovered. RQ-PCR detected high copies of bcr/abl transcripts. In conclusion, insertion of bcr/abl rearrangement was a rare variant t(9;22) and could be well detected by molecular techniques, however, regular cytogenetic banding technique and whole chromosome paintings may probably lead a misdiagnosis to such cases.

Integration and expression of HLA-B2704 gene in transgenic mice / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective To study the integration and expression of HLA-B2704 gene in HLA-B2704 transgenic mice. Methods HLA-B2704 gene was introduced into fertilized eggs of C57BL/6?Kunming and Kunming?Kunming by microinjection. The founder mice were screened by PCR for integration of HLA-B2704 transgene and were then further confirmed by southern blot. RT-PCR and flow cytometry were carried out to detect the expression of HLA-B2704 gene at mRNA and protein level. Results Ten F0 hybrid mice carried HLA-B2704 gene in 101 F0 hybrid mice, 3 of 64 (4.7%) hybrid mice from Kunming?Kunming and 7 of 37 (18.9%) hybrid mice from C57BL/6?Kunming background carried HLA-B2704 gene. Statistical analysis showed that there was significant difference in the integration rate between the two groups (P

Complete Mitochondrial Genome Sequence of Oncomelania hupensis (Gastropoda: Rissooidea) / 中国寄生虫学与寄生虫病杂志

Objective To sequence and analyze the complete nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrial genome of Oncomelania hupensis. Methods Four long fragments were amplified by long PCR using the primers designed based on mtDNA-COⅠ, Cytb, 16S rRNA and COⅢ gene sequences, and sequenced by conserved primer-walking. Rusults The mitochondrial genome (GenBank accession no. FJ997214) was a circular molecule of 15 182 bp with a total A+T content of 67.32%, and contained 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and an A+T-rich region of 72 bp. All 13 protein-coding genes of the O. hupensis mtDNA used ATG as start codon. Canonical TAA and TAG termination codons were found in 12 protein-coding genes, and the remaining one (ND1) had an incomplete termination codon (T). Two short gene overlaps were found with a length of 4 bp and 7 bp, respectively. The length of 21 total intergenic region of mtDNA was 145 bp ranging from 1-30 bp. A total of 22 transferring RNA were found, all of which were typical cloverleaf structure except for two tRNASer, one tRNAGln and one tRNAIle. Conclusion The complete sequence of O. hupensis mitochondrial genome has been determined.