Epidemiological features of echinococcosis cases reported in the National Notifiable Disease Report System in Henan Province from 2010 to 2021 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of echinococcosis cases reported in the National Notifiable Disease Report System in Henan Province from 2010 to 2011, so as to provide insights into for echinococcosis control and surveillance. Methods The data pertaining to reported echinococcosis cases in Henan Province from 2010 to 2021 were retrieved from the National Notifiable Disease Report System, and a descriptive epidemiological analysis was performed using the software SPSS 22.0. Results A total of 150 echinococcosis cases were reported in Henan Province from 2010 to 2021, including 88 confirmed cases (58.67%) and 62 clinically diagnosed cases (41.33%), 77 cases reported by Henan Province (51.33%) and 73 cases reported by other provinces (48.67%). Echinococcosis cases were reported in each month, with 8 to 21 cases reported in each month, and the number of reported echinococcosis cases appeared no remarkable temporal changes. The echinococcosis cases were reported across 18 cities of Henan Province, with the highest number of cases reported in Zhoukou (17.33%) and Nanyang cities (17.33%) and the lowest number reported in Sanmenxia City (0.67%). The reported echinococcosis cases had a male to female ratio of 1.17:1, and the cases were found at each age group, with the the highest number of cases seen at ages of 20 to 59 years (73.33%). Farmer was the predominant occupation (63.33%), followed by housekeepers and the unemployed (12.67%). Of all reported echinococcosis cases, there were 25 local cases (16.67%) and 125 imported cases (83.33%), 144 cases reported by medical institutions (96.00%) and 6 cases reported by centers for disease control and prevention (4.00%). Conclusions Although imported echinococcosis cases were the predominant source of echinococcosis cases reported in the National Notifiable Disease Report System in Henan Province from 2010 to 2021, there were still sporadic local cases, and the emergence of local sources of infection cannot be excluded. Further expanded field surveys and surveillance of echinococcosis are required.

Plan de vigilancia y control epidemiológico para prevenir. Casos de malaria en Beni-Bolivia / Surveillance and epidemiological control plan to prevent. Malaria cases in Beni-Bolivia / Plano de vigilância e controle epidemiológico para prevenir. Casos de malária em Beni-Bolívia

La malaria constituye una importante amenaza para la salud pública a nivel mundial. En Bolivia afecta a 7 departamentos, con particular afectación en la amazonia: Riberalta y Guayaramerín, lugar donde se concentra el 98% de los casos positivos. OBJETIVO: elaborar un programa de vigilancia y control epidemiológico, para prevenir casos de malaria en el departamento de Beni, gestión 2020. MATERIALES Y METODOS: investigación descriptiva, retrospectiva y cuasi experimental, se realizó revisión documental a una población de 399 personas. RESULTADOS: el 2018 existió 21,1% de malaria, 2019 se detectó 10.9% y el año 2020 14.0%, del total de casos positivos de este último año, el 90.4% corresponde a P. vivax y 9.6% a P. falciparum. El año 2020 es donde se observa mayor número de casos positivos. El grupo etario más afectado es entre 11 a 30 años, siendo el mayor porcentaje de casos positivos de la población Riberalta. CONCLUSIONES: el porcentaje de contagios por malaria es alto, por ello que se propone un plan de vigilancia y control de malaria regional, el mismo tenga las características de: métodos de diagnóstico, tratamiento y prevención de la enfermedad, eliminación de criaderos de vectores (mosquitos), vigilancia epidemiológica, intervención en las zonas inaccesibles de la Amazonía consideradas endémicas, con el fin de extender la capacidad de diagnóstico y finalmente la capacitación a la población para un diagnóstico oportuno, el mismo que permitirá lograr disminuir los casos de malaria positivos en la población de las zonas amazónicas: Riberalta y Guayaramerín.

Malaria constitutes a major threat to public health worldwide. In Bolivia, it affects 7 departments, with particular impact on the Amazon: Riberalta and Guayaramerín, where 98% of positive cases are concentrated. OBJECTIVE: to develop a surveillance and epidemiological control program to prevent cases of malaria in the department of Beni, management 2020. MATERIALS AND METHODS: descriptive, retrospective and quasi-experimental research, a documentary review was carried out on a population of 399 people. RESULTS: in 2018 there was 21.1% of malaria, in 2019 10.9% were detected and in 2020 14.0%, of the total positive cases of this last year, 90.4% correspond to P. vivax and 9.6% to P. falciparum. The year 2020 is where the highest number of positive cases is observed. The most affected age group is between 11 and 30 years, with the highest percentage of positive cases in the Riberalta population. CONCLUSIONS: the percentage of malaria infections is high, which is why a regional malaria surveillance and control plan is proposed, it has the characteristics of: methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the disease, elimination of vector breeding sites ( mosquitoes), epidemiological surveillance, intervention in inaccessible areas of the Amazon considered endemic, in order to extend diagnostic capacity and finally train the population for timely diagnosis, the same that will allow to reduce positive malaria cases in the population of the Amazon areas: Riberalta and Guayaramerín.

A malária constitui uma grande ameaça à saúde pública em todo o mundo. Na Bolívia, afeta 7 departamentos, com especial incidência na Amazônia: Riberalta e Guayaramerín, onde se concentram 98% dos casos positivos. OBJETIVO: desenvolver um programa de vigilância e controle epidemiológico para prevenir casos de malária no departamento de Beni, gestão 2020. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: pesquisa descritiva, retrospectiva e quase experimental, foi realizada uma revisão documental em uma população de 399 pessoas. RESULTADOS: em 2018 houve 21,1% de malária, em 2019 foram detectados 10,9% e em 2020 14,0%, do total de casos positivos deste último año, 90,4% correspondem a P. vivax e 9,6% a P. falciparum. O ano de 2020 é onde se observa o maior número de casos positivos. A faixa etária mais acometida é entre 11 e 30 años, com maior percentual de casos positivos na população de Riberalta. CONCLUSÕES: o percentual de infecções por malária é alto, razão pela qual se propõe um plano regional de vigilância e controle da malária, que tem as características de: métodos de diagnóstico, tratamento e prevenção da doença, eliminação de criadouros de vetores (mosquitos), vigilância, intervenção em áreas inacessíveis da Amazônia consideradas endêmicas, a fim de ampliar a capacidade diagnóstica e finalmente capacitar a população para o diagnóstico oportuno, o mesmo que permitirá reduzir os casos positivos de malária na população das áreas amazônicas: Riberalta e Guayaramerín.

Cyclospora cayetanensis: diagnóstico de un coccidio poco frecuente en la Argentina / Cyclospora cayetanensis: diagnosis of a rare coccidium in Argentina

Resumen Cyclospora cayetanensis es un coccidio intestinal relacionado con brotes epidémicos debido al consumo de alimentos y agua contaminados con ooquistes esporulados. Predomina en regiones tropicales y subtropicales y puede causar síntomas gastrointestinales que son más graves en inmunocomprometidos, en los que puede causar infecciones extraintestinales. El diagnóstico se realiza por la observación microscópica de ooquistes que presentan un tamaño entre 8 y 10 micrones, refringentes y con glóbulos internos. Se confirma con coloración ácido resistente; los ooquistes se tiñen de color fucsia y tienen la capacidad de autofluorescer. En este informe se describe el diagnóstico de Cyclospora cayetanensis en un paciente inmunocomprometido, oriundo de Perú, que reside actualmente en un barrio vulnerable de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Este informe representaría el sexto caso diagnosticado en la Argentina.

Abstract Cyclospora cayetanensis is an intestinal coccidium related to epidemic outbreaks due to consumption of food and water contaminated with sporulated oocysts. It predominates in tropical and subtropical regions and may cause gastrointestinal symptoms which are more severe in immunocompromised patients, to whom it may cause extraintestinal infections. Diagnosis is made by the microscopic observation of oocysts between 8 and 10 microns in size, with refractile globules inside of them. This diagnosis is confirmed by acid-fast staining where oocysts are observed red-stained. With ultraviolet epifluorescence, they stand out as bright blue or green staining circles. The aim of this report is to communicate the diagnosis of C. cayetanensis in an immunocompromised patient, born in Peru, but currently living in a vulnerable neighbourhood of Buenos Aires city. To our knowledge, this would be the sixth case of C. cayetanensis diagnosed in Argentina.

Resumo Cyclospora cayetanensis é um coccídio intestinal relacionado com surtos epidêmicos devido ao consumo de alimentos e água contaminados com oocistos esporulados. Predomina nas regiões tropicais e subtropicais e pode provocar sintomas gastrointestinais mais graves em pacientes imunodeprimidos, nos quais pode causar infecções extraintestinais. O diagnóstico é feito através da observação microscópica de oocistos com tamanho entre 8 e 10 mícrons, refringentes e com glóbulos internos. O diagnóstico é confirmado com coloração ácido-resistente; os oocistos são tingidos de cor fúcsia e eles têm a capacidade de auto-fluorescer. Este relatório descreve o diagnóstico de Cyclospora cayetanensis em um paciente imunodeprimido, nativo do Peru, atualmente residindo em um bairro vulnerável da cidade de Buenos Aires. Este relatório representaria o sexto caso diagnosticado na Argentina.

Epidemiological profiles of echinococcosis cases reported in the National Notifiable Disease Report System in non-endemic areas of China from 2004 to 2016 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the epidemiological profiles of echinococcosis cases reported in non-endemic areas of China in the National Notifiable Disease Report System from 2004 to 2016, so as to provide insights into the development of effective surveillance and response measures. Methods The data pertaining to the echinococcosis cases reported in the National Notifiable Disease Report System in 22 non-endemic provinces of China from 2004 to 2016 were collected, and the epidemiological profiles of the reported echinococcosis cases were descriptively analyzed. Results A total of 462 echinococcosis cases were reported in the 22 non-endemic provinces of China from 2004 to 2016, and the number of reported cases increased with time (χ2 = 4.516, P = 0.034). During the 13-year period from 2004 to 2016, the highest number of echinococcosis cases was reported in central and eastern China (56.49%), followed by in northern and northeastern China (30.30%), and the highest number of echinococcosis cases was reported in Henan Province (99 cases). Among the 462 echinococcosis cases reported, there were 234 men and 228 women, and the mean age was (41.42 ± 16.03) years (range, 4 to 86 years), with the highest number of echinococcosis cases reported at ages of 20 to 50 years (63.20%). The highest proportion of occupations was farmers and herdsmen (36.15%), and the greatest source was from echinococcosis-endemic provinces (50.43%); in addition, 97.40% of the echinococcosis cases were reported by hospitals. Conclusions Echinococcosis cases were reported in all 22 non-endemic provinces of China in the National Notifiable Disease Report System from 2004 to 2016, and the number of reported cases appeared an overall tendency for sporadicity and local increase with time. Screening of echinococcosis is recommended among famers and herdsmen at ages of 20 to 50 years from endemic regions by medical institutions in non-endemic regions for timely identification and treatment of echinococcosis cases.

Capecitabine maintenance in the treatment of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a retrospective study / 中国肿瘤临床

Objective: The efficacy of sequential capecitabine maintenance chemotherapy after radical chemoradiotherapy for stage N2- 3 nasopharyngeal carcinoma in non- endemic areas of northwest China was retrospectively analyzed to clarify the value of capecitabine maintenance chemotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods: From Jannary 2014 to December 2016, patients with stage N2-3 nasopharyngeal carcinoma underwent 2 or 3 cycles of induction chemotherapy combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The study group continued to receive capecitabine for 4 cycles of chemotherapy after radical chemoradiotherapy, whereas the control group was only observed. The survival differences between the two groups were compared, and the toxicity and compliance of the two regimens were evaluated. Result: A total of 179 patients were included in this study, among whom 84 were included in the maintain chemotherapy group and 95 in the control group. The median follow-up time was 44.4 (5.97-70.26) months. The 3-year distant metastasis-free survival rates and 3-year disease-free survival rates were 79.3% and 68.1% (chi-square=3.898, P=0.048) and 75.6% and 64.2% (chi-square=5.428, P=0.020) for the maintain chemotherapy and control groups, respectively. The differences were statistically significant. There was no difference between the two groups in acute and late toxicity (P> 0.05). The toxicity of capecitabine-specific drugs was below grade 2. Conclusions: For N2-3 stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma in non-endemic areas in northwest China, the 3- year distant metastasis- free survival and disease- free survival rates following sequential capecitabine maintenance therapy after radical radiotherapy and chemotherapy are improved. Treatment was well-tolerated, and compliance was good, with no obvious adverse reactions.

Long-term efficacy and adverse reactions of intensity-modulated radiotherapy for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma in non-endemic northwest China / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective@#To retrospectively analyze the characteristics of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, long-term efficacy, adverse reactions of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in non-endemic northwest China and summarize the experience of IMRT in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the past decade.@*Methods@#Clinical data of 658 patients newly diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma without distant metastasis admitted to First affiliated hospital from January 2006 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were treated with IMRT. The survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method. The multivariate analysis was conducted with Cox’s regression model.@*Results@#In non-endemic northwest China, a large proportion of patients were newly diagnosed with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and a majority of them were pathologically characterized as differentiated subtypes. The 5-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), regional recurrence-free survival (RRFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates were 75.7%, 70.1%, 91.2%, 97.0% and 81.0%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that age, pathological type, nasopharyngeal tumor volume>23 cm3 and neck lymph node metastasis complicated with necrosis were the factors of poor prognosis of DFS (all P<0.05). Age, pathological type, neck lymph node metastasis complicated with necrosis were the factors of poor prognosis of OS (all P<0.05). N stage and neck lymph node metastasis complicated with necrosis were the factors of poor prognosis of DMFS (both P<0.05).@*Conclusions@#Similar clinical efficacy has been achieved in terms of IMRT for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in non-endemic northwest China compared with that in endemic area. Induction chemotherapy combined with concurrent radiochemotherapy can provide clinical benefits for patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma in non-endemic area.

Long-term efficacy and adverse reactions of intensity-modulated radiotherapy for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma in non-endemic northwest China / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective To retrospectively analyze the characteristics of nasopharyngeal carcinoma,long-term efficacy,adverse reactions of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in non-endemic northwest China and summarize the experience of IMRT in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the past decade.Methods Clinical data of 658 patients newly diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma without distant metastasis admitted to First affiliated hospital from January 2006 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed.All patients were treated with IMRT.The survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method.The multivariate analysis was conducted with Cox's regression model.Results In non-endemic northwest China,a large proportion of patients were newly diagnosed with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma,and a majority of them were pathologically characterized as differentiated subtypes.The 5-year overall survival (OS),disease-free survival (DFS),local recurrence-free survival (LRFS),regional recurrence-free survival (RRFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates were 75.7％,70.1％,91.2％,97.0％ and 81.0％,respectively.Multivariate analysis showed that age,pathological type,nasopharyngeal tumor volume＞23 cm3 and neck lymph node metastasis complicated with necrosis were the factors of poor prognosis of DFS (all P＜0.05).Age,pathological type,neck lymph node metastasis complicated with necrosis were the factors of poor prognosis of OS (all P＜0.05).N stage and neck lymph node metastasis complicated with necrosis were the factors of poor prognosis of DMFS (both P＜0.05).Conclusions Similar clinical efficacy has been achieved in terms of IMRT for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in non-endemic northwest China compared with that in endemic area.Induction chemotherapy combined with concurrent radiochemotherapy can provide clinical benefits for patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma in non-endemic area.

Diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni infections: what are the choices in Brazilian low-endemic areas?

The population of Brazil is currently characterised by many individuals harbouring low-intensity Schistosoma mansoni infections. The Kato-Katz technique is the diagnostic method recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to assess these infections, but this method is not sensitive enough in the context of low egg excretion. In this regard, potential alternatives are being employed to overcome the limits of the Kato-Katz technique. In the present review, we evaluated the performance of parasitological and immunological approaches adopted in Brazilian areas. Currently, the diagnostic choices involve a combination of strategies, including the utilisation of antibody methods to screen individuals and then subsequent confirmation of positive cases by intensive parasitological investigations.

Molecular and serological detection of Leishmania spp. in horses from an endemic area for canine visceral leishmaniasis in southeastern Brazil / Detecção molecular e sorológica de infecção por Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum em cavalos na região Sudeste do Brasil

This study aimed to verify the occurrence of Leishmania spp. and Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum in horses from a visceral leishmaniasis endemic area in Brazil. DNA samples from blood and conjunctival swab (CS) were tested by PCR and Indirect Immunofluorescence Antibody Test (IFAT). Although none of the horses was clinically sick, animals infected by Leishmania spp. were found and some could be characterized as infected by L. (L.) infantum. From 40 horses, 100% of the animals were positive by blood PCR, 90% (36/40) by CS PCR, and 2.5% (01/40) in serodiagnosis, by IFAT. Six from these 40 horses were L. (L.) infantum positive by blood PCR. Direct sequencing and analysis of amplicons resulted in a sequence to evolutionary analysis. Results indicate the presence of Leishmania spp. and L. (L.) infantum infecting healthy horses in Brazil. The presence of Leishmania spp. and L. (L.) infantum DNA in asymptomatic horses suggests that they can be important reservoirs of these parasites, a highly relevant finding for the epidemiological surveillance of the diseases they cause.(AU)

O estudo objetivou verificar a ocorrência de Leishmania spp. e Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum em cavalos de uma região endêmica para leishmaniose visceral do Brasil. Amostras de DNA de sangue e suabe conjuntival (SC) foram testadas pela PCR e pela Reação de Imunofluorescência Indireta (RIFI). Embora nenhum cavalo estivesse clinicamente doente, animais infectados por Leishmania spp. e L. (L.) infantum foram encontrados em Ilha Solteira/SP. Dos 40 cavalos, 100% (40/40) foram positivos pela PCR de sangue, 90% (36/40) pela PCR de SC, e 2,5% (01/40) no sorodiagnóstico, pela RIFI. Seis desses 40 cavalos foram positivos para L. (L.) infantum pela PCR de sangue. O sequenciamento direto e a análise dos amplicons resultaram em uma sequência para análise evolutiva. Os resultados indicam a presença de Leishmania spp. e L. (L.) infantum infectando cavalos saudáveis no Brasil. A presença de DNA de Leishmania spp. and L. (L.) infantum em cavalos saudáveis sugere que eles podem ser importantes reservatórios desses parasitas, um achado altamente relevante para a vigilância epidemiológica das doenças que causam.(AU)

Investigation on malaria knowledge and demands on related training for CDC staff in Qinghai Province，China / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

@#Objective To investigate the malaria knowledge of CDC staff and their demands on related training in malaria non⁃endemic areas，so as to provide the reference for planning the appropriate curriculum. Methods All the participants who were the staff of county CDCs all over Qinghai Province and attended the provincial training workshop were surveyed. A self⁃administered questionnaire survey was carried out and the data was statistically analyzed. Results A total of 115 participants were involved in this survey. They were mostly（85.21%）from county CDCs. The general knowledge of malaria among the respondents was well，and the average rate of correct answers was 70.35%. However，the answers to the general knowledge of malaria and anti⁃malaria treatment were not well enough. The rates of correct answers were 61.96% and 48.99% respectively. The differences among the groups of job title ranking，department of working and level of CDC were not significant（F = 0.13-2.02，all P > 0.05）. The number of correct answers was significantly increased after the training course. The average score after the training was 79.20±15.16 while the pre⁃training score was 70.34±17.46（t = 3.86，P < 0.05），especially in the answers to general malaria knowledge and malaria surveillance and response（t = 4.30，4.97，both P < 0.05）. The general knowledge of malaria was considered as the most need of training as 80% of the respondents voted“Yes”，according to the demand analysis. There was no significant difference among the different groups（F = 0.61-3.11，both P > 0.05）. Conclusion The malaria knowledge is well mastered by the staff of CDCs in Qinghai Province，and the further training courses are requested and addressed in the target areas such as general malaria knowledge，anti⁃malaria treatment，malaria surveillance and response.

The prognostic value of primary tumor volume in non-endemic patients with nasopharynx carcinoma in northwest China / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT:Objective To investigate the prognostic value of primary tumor volume in non-endemic patients with nasopharynx carcinoma in northwest China.Methods A total of 393 patients were enrolled in the study and all the patients had been identified with nasopharynx squamous cell carcinoma by biopsy.Overall survival (OS)and distant metastasis free survival (DMFS)were the primary endpoints.The cut-off of tumor volume was identified by ROC curves. Survival results were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier curve. Independent prognostic factors were identified by COX proportional hazards regression model.Results The 5-year OS and DMFS for all the patients were 74.3% and 73.5%.23 mL was considered as the optimal cut-off value according to the ROC curves,and then the patients were divided into two groups (≤2 3 mL and >2 3 mL ).Patients with tumor volume ≤2 3 mL had significantly better 5-year OS and DMFS than those with tumor volume >2 3 mL (P2 3 mL and N2-3 (P<0.05).Conclusion Primary tumor volume is an independent prognostic factor for survival of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients in northwest China.

Study on interventions based on urban-rural integration system construc-tion to consolidate achievements of schistosomiasis control in hilly schistoso-miasis endemic areas / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To explore the effectiveness of comprehensive schistosomiasis control interventions based on urban-rural integration system construction to carry out the schistosomiasis control in hilly schistosomiasis endemic areas ,so as to offer a new mode to consolidate the achievements of schistosomiasis control in the new situation. Methods Shouan Town and Changqiu Township in Pujiang County in hilly schistosomiasis endemic regions were selected as demonstration areas. The com-prehensive schistosomiasis control interventions based on urban-rural integration system construction were implemented ,includ-ing the land consolidation,centralized residence and so on. The effectiveness the interventions was evaluated. Results In Shouan Town and Changqiu Township,the transformed environments with Oncomelania hupensis snail habitats were 1330.61 hm2 and 1456.84 hm2,the areas with snails decreased from 94.31 hm2 and 83.00 hm2 in 2000 to both 0 in 2015,the positive rates of serological tests for schistosomiasis decreased from 11.8%and 7.53%in 2000 to 1.01%and 1.86%in 2015,and the pos-itive rates of parasitological tests decreased from 0.18%and 0.15%in 2000 to both 0 in 2015 respectively. The numbers of cattle decreased from 358 and 368 in 2000 to 4 and 6 in 2015 respectively. In 2000,the schistosome infection rates of cattle were 3.63%and 6.51%in Shouan Town and Changqiu Township respectively,and from 2004,no infected cattle were found. Conclu-sion The comprehensive schistosomiasis control interventions based on urban-rural integration system construction can de-crease the schistosome infection rate and area with snails effectively,providing a new mode for schistosomiasis elimination.

Study on Oncomelania hupensis snails infected with Schistosoma japonicum miracidia under different conditions in snail-existent non-endemic areas of schistosomiasis in Nantong City / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To understand the forming cause of the Oncomelania hupensis snail-existent non-endemic areas of schistosomiasis(SENEAS),and to verify the conclusion of previous studies,so as to provide the evidence for schistosomiasis monitoring in such areas in Nantong City,Jiangsu Province. Methods The controlled field tests were carried out to observe the O. hupensis snails artificially infected by schistosome miracidia in SENEAS. The influence of the soil from SENEAS and the en-demic areas on O. hupensis snails artificially infected by miracidia were observed. Results All the experimental snails could be infected by schistosome miracidia except the smooth-shell snails from Tangyuan Village in the controlled field test environment of SENEAS or the endemic areas. The infection rates of the smooth-shell snails were lower than those of the ribbed-shell snails , but there were no statistically significant differences. The mortality rates of the smooth-shell snails were higher than those of the ribbed-shell snails,which were statistically significant (χ2Xindian = 135.118,χ2Shuangdian = 122.836,χ2Baipu =154.436,χ2Dingyan =138.288,χ2Control=151.923,all P<0.01). There were no significant differences in the infection rates of snails between each test group of the soil from SENEAS and the endemic areas(χ2Rugao=0.071,χ2Rudong=0.216,both P>0.05). Also there was no signifi-cant difference between each test group and the control group without soil(χ2=7.148,P>0.05). Conclusion It is likely to form the spread of schistosomiasis in SENEAS in Nantong City with sufficient amount of infection source of schistosomiasis im-ported. It is still necessary to implement the surveillance of schistosomiasis and O. hupensis snails in Nantong City.

Study on cut-off value of IHA method for schistosomiasis diagnosis in differ-ent endemic areas / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To explore the cut?off value of the indirect haemagglutination test(IHA)method for schistosomiasis japonica diagnosis in different endemic areas. Methods Totally 55 nature villages of the lake?type endemic counties,Yugan and Xinzi,in Poyang Lake Region of Jiangxi Province were chosen as the study fields,and all the villagers over 5 years old were parallelly examined by Kato?Katz method+miracidial hatching test and IHA method. The detection data were analyzed by the correlation analysis,and the threshold values of the IHA method in different endemic areas were decided by the receiver operat?ing characteristic(ROC)curve. Results The positive rate of stool examinations of the villagers was correlated with the distribu?tion trend of the antibody level of whole population(r=0.588,P0.05). The antibody level of stool?negative population during the period of 2008 to 2011 detect?ed by IHA method dropped year by year,and the annual difference was statistically significant(F=3.650,P0.05). When the positive rates were5%,the specificity of diagnosis could be improved when 1∶80,1∶20 and 1∶10 were used as the cut?off val? ues of IHA correspondingly. Conclusion The different threshold values for diagnosis of schistosomiasis japonica should be con?sidered while using IHA method to screen out patients in different endemic areas.

High similarity of Trypanosoma cruzi kDNA genetic profiles detected by LSSP-PCR within family groups in an endemic area of Chagas disease in Brazil

Introduction Determining the genetic similarities among Trypanosoma cruzi populations isolated from different hosts and vectors is very important to clarify the epidemiology of Chagas disease. Methods An epidemiological study was conducted in a Brazilian endemic area for Chagas disease, including 76 chronic chagasic individuals (96.1% with an indeterminate form; 46.1% with positive hemoculture). Results T. cruzi I (TcI) was isolated from one child and TcII was found in the remaining (97.1%) subjects. Low-stringency single-specific-primer-polymerase chain reaction (LSSP-PCR) showed high heterogeneity among TcII populations (46% of shared bands); however, high similarities (80-100%) among pairs of mothers/children, siblings, or cousins were detected. Conclusions LSSP-PCR showed potential for identifying similar parasite populations among individuals with close kinship in epidemiological studies of Chagas disease. .

Surveillance of schistosomiasis japonica in potential endemic areas in Hubei Province from 2008 to 2012 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To explore the potential key risk factors of schistosomiasis transmission in potential endemic areas so as to provide the evidence for setting up the prediction and surveillance systems of schistosomiasis outbreak epidemic. Methods From 2008 to 2012,fixed and mobile surveillance sites in potential endemic areas of 2 counties in Hubei Province were selected. The immunological assays and stool examinations were carried out to investigate the schistosome infection situation of local people, mobile population and livestock. The distribution of Oncomelania hupensis snails was investigated in risk areas and suspicious ar-eas,and spreading patterns of snails were observed in the rivers that directly connected with the Yangtze River. Results A total of 6 052 local people aged 6-65 years were screened by IHA immunological tests,and the positive rate of antibody was 1.19%(72/6 052). Totally 72 antibody positives were examined by Kato-Katz technique and there were no positives. A total of 5 004 mo-bile persons were tested by IHA immunological tests and the positive rate was 1.36%(68/5 004). Totally 68 antibody positives were examined by Kato-Katz technique and there were no positives. Totally 287.07 hm2 potential endemic areas were investigated for Oncomelania snail detection,and no snails were found. The investigation on snail spreading patterns and the surveillance on suspicious circumstances were carried out,with no snails found. Conclusions In the schistosomiasis potential endemic areas, some positives of IHA immunological tests are found. Therefore,monitoring is still needed to be strengthened.

Características clínicas y epidemiológicas de la epidemia de dengue en el municipio de Santiago de Cuba / Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of dengue epidemic in Santiago de Cuba municipality

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal de 13 147 pacientes del municipio Santiago de Cuba, a fin de caracterizar desde el punto de vista clinicoepidemiológico la epidemia de dengue que afectó a dicho municipio desde 2006 hasta 2007, para lo cual se constituyó un equipo multidisciplinario formado por epidemiólogos, clínicos, pediatras y ginecoobstetras. Se caracterizaron los casos según variables de interés clinicoepidemiológico. Predominaron el sexo femenino (50,6 %) en los mayores de 15 años (92,3 %), la forma clínica de dengue clásico (98,6 %) y julio-agosto-septiembre como los meses de mayor notificación de casos. Se conoció la morbimortalidad en una población susceptible a un nuevo serotipo no identificado anteriormente y se demostró que la infección secundaria en menores no fue suficiente para producir las formas hemorrágicas de esta enfermedad; por tanto, se recomendó mantener estrecha vigilancia sobre los viajeros procedentes de áreas endémicas y con altos índices vectoriales.

A descriptive and cross-sectional study of 13 147 patients from Santiago de Cuba municipality was carried out, in order to characterize the dengue epidemic from the clinical and epidemiological point of view, which affected this municipality from 2006 to 2007, for this purpose a multidisciplinary team was formed by epidemiologists, clinical doctors, pediatricians and gyneco-obstetricians. Cases were characterized according to variables of clinical and epidemiological interest. Female sex (50.6%) in those under 15 years (92.3%), the clinical classical form of dengue (98.6%) and July-August-September as the months of higher notification of cases. Morbimortality was known in a population susceptible to a previously non identified new serotype and it was shown that the secondary infection in the younger population was not enough to produce the hemorrhagic forms of this disease; therefore, it was recommended to maintain close control on the travellers coming from endemic areas and with high vectorial indexes.

Schistosoma mansoni in a low-prevalence area in Brazil: the importance of additional methods for the diagnosis of hard-to-detect individual carriers by low-cost immunological assays

Schistosomiasis diagnosis is based on the detection of eggs in the faeces, which is laborious and lacks sensitivity, especially for patients with a low parasite burden. Immunological assays for specific antibody detection are available, but they usually demonstrate low sensitivity and/or specificity. In this study, two simple immunological assays were evaluated for the detection of soluble Schistosoma mansoni adult worm preparation (SWAP) and egg-specific IgGs. These studies have not yet been evaluated for patients with low parasite burdens. Residents of an endemic area in Brazil donated sera and faecal samples for our study. The patients were initially diagnosed by a rigorous Kato-Katz analysis of 18 thick smears from four different stool samples. The ELISA-SWAP was successful for human diagnosis with 90% sensitivity and specificity, confirming the Kato-Katz diagnosis with nearly perfect agreement, as seen by the Kappa index (0.85). Although the ELISA-soluble S. mansoni egg antigen was 85% sensitive, it exhibited low specificity (80%; Kappa index: 0.75) and was more susceptible to cross-reactivity. We believe that immunological assays should be used in conjunction with Kato-Katz analysis as a supplementary tool for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis for patients with low infection burdens, which are usually hard to detect.