Characteristics of blood lipid in solar greenhouse workers / 环境与职业医学

Background As a new type of vegetable production method, solar greenhouse has been widely promoted nationwide. The influence of solar greenhouse working on blood lipid cannot be ignored. Objective The aim of the study is to explore the relationship between solar greenhouse working and blood lipid and family clustering. Methods A total of 744 solar greenhouse workers in northwestern China were selected as the greenhouse group, and 231 general open field farmers in the same area were selected as the non-greenhouse group. The levels of serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) in the two groups were detected. Dyslipidemia was determined by a two-classification criteria in the national guideline of 2007. Multiple logistic regression model and multilevel multiple linear regression model were used to explore the relationship of blood lipid with solar greenhouse working, and its family clustering. Results The number of dyslipidemia cases in the greenhouse group and non-greenhouse group was 142 (19.1%) and 43 (18.6%), respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The results of multiple logistic regression analysis showed that increasing age (OR=1.019, 95% CI: 1.001-1.038) and increased BMI (OR=1.162, 95% CI: 1.106-1.220) were related to elevated risk of dyslipidemia (all Ps<0.05). The results of multilevel multiple linear regression model showed that the changes of TC, HDLC, and TG/HDLC had family clustering (b=0.238, 95%CI: 0.132-0.430; b=0.044, 95%CI: 0.033-0.065; b=1.003, 95%CI: 0.947-1.059) (all Ps<0.05). Conclusion Solar greenhouse working does not significantly increase the incidence of dyslipidemia, but the levels of TC, HDLC, and TG/HDLC levels in the solar greenhouse workers have family clusters.

Higher congenital transmission rate of Trypanosoma cruzi associated with family history of congenital transmission

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Congenital transmission (CT) of Trypanosoma cruzi has led to globalization of Chagas disease and its growing relevance as a public health problem. Although the occurrence of CT has been associated with several factors, its mechanisms are still unknown. This study aimed to analyze the geographical and familiar variables of mothers and their association with CT of Chagas disease in a population living in non-endemic areas of Argentina for the last decades. METHODS: We developed a retrospective cohort study in a sample of 2120 mother-child pairs who attended three reference centers in the cities of Buenos Aires, Santa Fe, and Salta between 2002 and 2015. RESULTS: The highest CT rates were observed in children born to Argentinean mothers (10.7%) and in children born to mothers from Buenos Aires (11.7%). Considering the areas of origin of the mothers, those from areas of null-low risk for vector-borne infection had higher CT rates than those from areas of medium-high risk (11.1% vs 8.2%). We also observed a significant intra-familiar "cluster effect," with CT rates of 35.9% in children with an infected sibling, compared to 8.2% in children without infected siblings (RR=4.4 95% CI 2.3-8.4). CONCLUSIONS: The associations observed suggest a higher CT rate in children born to mothers who acquired the infection congenitally, with familiar antecedents, and from areas without the presence of vectors. These observations are considered new epidemiological evidence about Chagas disease in a contemporary urban population, which may contribute to the study of CT and may also be an interesting finding for healthcare professionals.

Epidemiological investigation of a family clustering of COVID-19 / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of a family clustering of COVID-19. Methods Field epidemiological survey was conducted. Result Case 1 of the long-term residents from Hubei province was the source of infection of this family clustering. There were 6 cases (from case 2 to case 7) infected in the whole incubation period. The incubation period was more than 14 days for 3 of the second-generation cases. Routes of transmission include respiratory droplets (from case 1 transmitted to case 6, from case 1 to her family members) and closecontact (from case 1 to other cases in her family). All the age groups were generally susceptible, while elderly were easier to progress to critically ill. Besides respiratory symptoms, there were also gastrointestinal symptoms, of which diarrhea was the most common one. Conclusion Family clustering had been an important part for COVID-19 cases.

Epidemiological investigation of hepatitis B virus infection and analysis of virus mutations in hepatitis B surface antigen positive students and their first-degree relatives / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To explore the infection status of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in families of hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) positive students and the mutations of HBV related to hepatocellular carcinoma, so as to provide theoretic evidence for the prevention and control of HBV infection and hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods A total of 1 611 students were investigated; they were from 60 classes of 15 schools and kindergartens in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China, and 8 HBsAg positive students were found. These 8 students and their 18 first-degree relatives were enrolled in this study. Venous blood samples were collected to test the 5 markers of hepatitis B using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. HBV DNA was detected by fluorescent PCR. HBV genome, basic core promoter (BCP) region and PreS region were detected using multiplex-PCR and nested PCR combined with cloning and sequencing. Results The positive rates of HBsAg and HBcAb in the first-degree relatives were 33.3% (6/18) and 38.9% (7/18), respectively. Both HBsAg and HBcAb positive rates in the mothers were 71.4% (5/7), which were significantly higher than those of the other first-degree relatives (P0.05). Seven of 8 families (87.5%) had 2 or more members infected or had ever infected with HBV. Fourteen of 26 members in 8 families had positive HBsAg, with a positive rate of 53.8%. A total of 4 groups of mothers and children received gene detection. Three groups of them had type C HBV gene, and 1 group had type C in mother and type B in child. Among the hepatocellular carcinoma-related HBV mutations, the mutation frequency of hot spots in BCP region was lower in the children than that in the mothers. Eight HBV mutation sites of type C in PreS region were found in both the mothers and children, and none of the remaining key sites were found in the children. Conclusion There is obvious family clustering of HBV infection, suggesting that HBV infection of students is more likely to be transmitted through mother-to-child transmission, but there are other ways of infection, such as acquired blood. The evolution degree of HBV gene in children is lower than that in mothers, which conforms to the rule of HBV evolution.

Study on the status of HBV infection and its determinants among family members with HBV infected persons in Shanghai / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To understand the status of HBV infection among family members with HBV infected persons in Shanghai and to probe the determinants of HBV infection so as to provide evidence for improving the related strategies on hepatitis B prevention and control.Methods Three hundred and four hepatitis B patients together with 288 HBsAg carriers from 6 districts in Shanghai were randomly sampled in 2010.All the said persons and their families members were asked to fill in questionnaires and to be drawn 5 ml venous blood for HBV serologic indicators detection.The subjects were divided into case group and control group according to their status of HBV infection.Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were carried out to identify the determinants of HBV infection among family members.Results Among 1485 subjects from 592 households,a total of 1137 persons were infected by HBV,with the overall infection rate as 76.57％.Fifteen infection modes were noticed,in which double positive of anti-HBs and anti-HBc,triple positive of HBsAg,anti-HBe and anti-HBc,together with triple positive of anti-HBs,anti-HBe and anti-HBc accounted for the top three,with the proportions as 30.69％,26.65％ and 10.03％ respectively.The differences between the years of carrying HBV and the proportions of numbers that carrying HBV in families,were not statistically significant.The infection rate among children (42.86％) was significantly lower than that of their parents (87.54％)(P＜0.001).Results from both univariate and multivariate analysis showed that gender,age,utensil sharing,histories of receiving hepatitis B vaccines and dental outpatient service were determinants of HBV infection among families members (P＜0.05),with OR values being 9.009 for persons without immunization history of hepatitis B vaccines,3.817 for persons above 40 years old and 2.283 for persons of 21-40 years old,2.222 for families members who sharing utensil,2.124 for persons with history of dental outpatient service and 1.339 for male members,respectively.Conclusion Family clustering of HBV infection in was seen in Shanghai.In order to reduce the number of HBV infection in families,hepatitis B vaccination program need to be carried out.Healthy lifestyle should be emphasized to prevent HBV infection due to close contact.The risk of iatrogenic HBV transmission should also be prevented.

Distribution of HBV genotypes and mutations in basic core gene promoter, pre C/C region in infected family clustering members / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To investigate the distribution of HBV genotypes and the mutations in basic core gene promoter (BCP), pre C/C region in clustering family patients infected with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and to discuss the related clinical significance. Methods A total of 98 CHB patients from 38 family with family clustering features were included in the experimental group, and 110 CHB patients without family clustering features were taken as controls. HBV genotypes were detected in CHB patients by nested PCR with genotype-specific primers. The mutations in BCP and pre C/C region were detected using PCR. Serum ALT, TBIL, ALB, HBV-DNA levels, and hepatitis B antigen and antibody were all examined. Results HBV genotype C was the predominant genotype (52. 9%, 36/68) in group of parents and their children, and genotype B was the predominant genotype in group of other infected family members (73. 3%, 22/30) and control group (67. 3%, 74/110); the frequency of HBV genotype C in group of parents and their children was significantly higher than other infected family members and control group (P<0. 01). There were only a few B+C and B+D mixed types. On the whole, HBV genotypes from the same family were basically the same. The frequency of BCP A1762T/G1764A mutations in clustering family CHB patients with genotype C (61. 9%, 26/42) was significantly higher than that in CHB patients with genotype C without family clustering features (35. 7%, 10/28) (P<0. 05), so was the HBV-DNA level (P<0. 01). Conclusion HBV genotype in clustering family is probably associated with the transmission route of virus. HBV genotype C may be easier to transmit from parents to their children. Genotype C and BCP A1762T/G1764A mutations may be associated with the development of clustering family.

STUDY ON FAMILY CLUSTERING OF TOXOPLASMA INFECTIONS / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the family clustering of Toxoplasma infections. Methods The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect hemagglutination test (IHA) were performed to detect antibodies to To.xoplasma in sera of 1 436 people from 487 families with clinical cases. The data were analysed with G test of homogeneous in statistical binomial distribution. Results Three hundred and forty-two people of 237 families showed sera positive, with rates of 48.7% of family and 23.8% of population. A saliva trophozoite in one of 30 rats was found and so were two typical saliva parasites in one of 10 cases, Conclusion There is a significant evidence of family clustering of Toxoplasma infections (T=6.48,P

Analysis of family clustering on principal human parasitic infections in Jiangsu Province / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To understand the status and characteristics of principal human parasitic infections in rural areas of Jiangsu Province in order to provide basis for decision-making of practical control measures. Methods The survey data of principal human parasites in 58 sample sites of 19 counties (cities or areas) in Jiangsu Province were analysed on family clustering by G test, according to the methods of National Investigation Scheme on Principal Human Parasites. Results The infection of Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm, Trichuris trichinra and Clonorchis sinensis in the province had obvious family clustering, while those in each county (city or district) appeared different states in some-points with the changing of parasitic infection rates and infection degrees. Conclusions The infection rates and infection degrees of principal human parasites decrease obviously in Jiangsu Province. The family clustering is disappearing with the dropping of them. Chemotherapy in family and health education should be strengthened to consolidate the control results in future.