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Objective To investigate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infections among patients with rheumatoid arthritis, malignant tumors and schizophrenia in Wuxi City, so as to provide data support for the control of toxoplasmosis in these patients. Methods A total of 205 cases with definitive diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, 257 cases with definitive diagnosis of malignant tumors and 235 cases with definitive diagnosis of schizophrenia were recruited, while 250 healthy volunteers served as controls. The demographic features were captured from the study subjects and serum samples were collected. The serum IgG and IgM antibodies against T. gondii were detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in all study subjects, and the positive rates of anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were compared between the patients and controls. Results The seroprevalence of the anti-T. gondii IgG antibody was 20.98%, 24.12% and 24.68% in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, malignant tumors and schizophrenia, which were all significantly greater than in healthy controls (χ2 = 31.54, 42.12 and 42.98, all P values < 0.01), and the seroprevalence of the anti - T. gondii IgM antibody was 1.46%, 2.72% and 1.70% among patients with rheumatoid arthritis, malignant tumors and schizophrenia, which were all significantly higher than in healthy controls (χ2 = 0.06, 1.52 and 0.21, all P values > 0.05). Conclusions The patients with rheumatoid arthritis, malignant tumors and schizophrenia present with higher seroprevalence of the anti-T. gondii IgG antibody than healthy controls in Wuxi regions. Screening of T. gondii infections among the patients with rheumatoid arthritis, malignant tumors and schizophrenia should be intensified to prevent the damages caused by T. gondii infections.
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Objective To investigate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infections among patients with rheumatoid arthritis, malignant tumors and schizophrenia in Wuxi City, so as to provide data support for the control of toxoplasmosis in these patients. Methods A total of 205 cases with definitive diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, 257 cases with definitive diagnosis of malignant tumors and 235 cases with definitive diagnosis of schizophrenia were recruited, while 250 healthy volunteers served as controls. The demographic features were captured from the study subjects and serum samples were collected. The serum IgG and IgM antibodies against T. gondii were detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in all study subjects, and the positive rates of anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were compared between the patients and controls. Results The seroprevalence of the anti-T. gondii IgG antibody was 20.98%, 24.12% and 24.68% in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, malignant tumors and schizophrenia, which were all significantly greater than in healthy controls (χ2 = 31.54, 42.12 and 42.98, all P values < 0.01), and the seroprevalence of the anti - T. gondii IgM antibody was 1.46%, 2.72% and 1.70% among patients with rheumatoid arthritis, malignant tumors and schizophrenia, which were all significantly higher than in healthy controls (χ2 = 0.06, 1.52 and 0.21, all P values > 0.05). Conclusions The patients with rheumatoid arthritis, malignant tumors and schizophrenia present with higher seroprevalence of the anti-T. gondii IgG antibody than healthy controls in Wuxi regions. Screening of T. gondii infections among the patients with rheumatoid arthritis, malignant tumors and schizophrenia should be intensified to prevent the damages caused by T. gondii infections.
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The paper covered attempts of Wuxi city in construction of medical alliances and continuous perfection of primary medical systems within the region.It is pointed out that medical alliances should center on patients'medical needs to build a vertical medical model; build an effective constraint framework and incentive mechanism without involving into unnecessary conflicts of core interests of stakeholders;and leverage highly informationized networks to achieve seamless interconnection of the entire medical process with the IT process.
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Objective To establish a risk assessing indicator system after the transmission interruption of schistosomiasis in Wuxi City,so as to provide evidences for formulating strategies on schistosomiasis control and prevention. Methods A primary risk assessing indicator system was established based on the literature review. Alternative indicators were scored and screened to establish a final indicator system through two rounds of Delphy method and the related normalized weights and combined weights were also calculated. Results The risk assessing indicator system was established through two rounds of expert consultation in-cluding 3 first grade indicators and 15 second grade indicators. Among the first grade indicators,the normalized weights of natu-ral environment,key populations and social environment were 0.3706,0.2929 and 0.3365,respectively. Among the second grade indicators,the migrant population accounted for the highest combined weight of 0.1252 compared to domestic animal of 0.0371. The authority degree among the first grade indicators was between 0.91 and 0.93,while the authority degree among the second grade indicators was between 0.79 and 0.92. Conclusion The scientific and authoritative risk assessing indicator sys-tem after the transmission interruption of schistosomiasis is established,which provides the evidences for risk assessment on schistosomiasis transmission in Wuxi City.
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Objective To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection among key populations in Wuxi City,Jiangsu Province,so as to provide evidences for developing preventive and control interventions for T. gondii in-fection. Methods A questionnaire was designed to conduct face-to-face interviews to HIV/AIDS carriers/patients,tumor pa-tients,pregnant women and pet breeders. The blood samples were collected to test anti-Toxoplasma IgM and IgG antibodies by using ELISA method. Results Totally 404 participants were investigated,and 38 were positive in testing T. gondii antibodies (9.4%),and among these,37(97.4%)were IgG positive and 1(2.6%)was IgM positive. The multivariate logistic regression indicated that age,regularly contacting cats/dogs and being HIV positive were associated with the infection of T. gondii(OR=2.1,2.6 and 2.3,all P < 0.05). Breeding pets,being HIV positive and being tumor patients were more likely to infect T. gondii than being pregnant(OR = 1.5,8.1 and 2.8,all P < 0.05). Conclusion The high infection rate of T. gondii is observed among key populations in Wuxi City,so that the effective measurements should be taken to enhance the intervention among key popula-tions including immunocompromised people,pet breeders or people having bad dietary habits of eating raw food.
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Objective To understand the capability of parasitic disease control and prevention among professional and tech?nical personnel in medical and health institutions in Wuxi City,so as to provide the evidence for promoting relative capability building. Methods Forty?one professional and technical persons from 22 medical and health institutions received the evalua?tion through the theoretical knowledge exam and laboratory operation skill assessment. Results The average score of theoretical knowledge exam was(76.5±15.6)with the pass rate of 80.5%and excellent rate of 48.9%. The average score,pass rate and ex?cellent rate for Plasmodium blood slide making were(7.3 ± 1.5),87.8%and 41.5%respectively,the average score,pass rate and excellent rate for Plasmodium blood slide reading were(14.0 ± 7.2),31.7% and 12.2% respectively;the average score, pass rate and excellent rate for helminthes microscope examination were(19.4 ± 10.4),24.4%and 0 respectively;the average score,pass rate and excellent rate for Oncomelania hupensis snail identification were(8.6±1.1),95.1%and 73.2%respectively. The average scores of helminthes microscope examination and Oncomelania hupensis snail identification were higher in the par?ticipants with middle?level professional title or above than in the participants with primary level professional title (both P <0.05). The average scores of theoretical knowledge exam,Plasmodium blood slide reading and helminthes microscope examina?tion were higher in the participants from disease control and prevention institutions than in the staff who came from medical insti?tutions(all P<0.05). Conclusions The professional and technical personnel in medical and health institutions in Wuxi do bet?ter in theoretical knowledge,Plasmodium blood slide making and Oncomelania hupensis snail identification. However,the capa?bility of parasite microscope examination is urgently needed to be improved in the future.
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Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of malaria in Wuxi City,and explore effective strat?egies and measures for malaria elimination. Methods The data on malaria cases in Wuxi from 2005 to 2014 were collected and analyzed. Results In Wuxi City,from 2005 to 2014,201 malaria cases were reported,of which,there were 52 local cases and 149 imported cases. Totally 156 malaria cases were reported from 2005 to 2009,of which 6 cases were infected with Plasmodi?um falciparum,and 45 malaria cases were reported from 2010 to 2014,of which 23 cases were infected with P. falciparum. From 2005 to 2009,the ratio of male to female was 2.39:1. Migrant workers,farmers and workers were the major infected popu?lations,with a proportion of 41.03%,17.95% and 9.62%,respectively. From 2010 to 2014,the ratio of male to female was 10.25:1. Workers,farmers and migrant workers were the major infected populations,with a proportion of 37.78%,11.11%and 6.67%,respectively. The peak of malaria incidence was observed from May to October. From 2005 to 2009,most cases were re?ported by CDCs,and from 2010 to 2014,most cases were reported by medical institution. There was an increase in proportion of P. falciparum. Conclusion The control and prevention of malaria should focus on imported cases in the future in Wuxi. The doctors should improve the capacity of malaria diagnosis and treatment.
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Objective To investigate the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection and awareness of toxoplasmosis?related knowledge among women with poor pregnant outcomes in Wuxi City. Methods A total of 217 women with poor pregnant out?comes from Wuxi City during the period of January 2011 to December 2015 were randomly selected as the study subjects( a study group),while 250 women with normal pregnancy were served as controls(a control group). The sero?prevalence of T. gon?dii infection was detected by using ELISA and compared between the study and control groups. The awareness of toxoplasmosis?related knowledge was investigated by using a self?designed questionnaire and compared between the study and control groups. Results The positive rate of anti?Toxoplasma antibody was 30.88%in the study group,which was significantly higher than that (8.8%)in the control group(χ2 =36.7,P0.05). Conclusions This study demonstrates higher prevalence of T. gondii infection in women with poor pregnant out?comes than in those with normal pregnancy in Wuxi City. Considering the harm of T. gondii infection during pregnancy and the low awareness of toxoplasmosis?related knowledge in pregnant women,the health education of toxoplasmosis?related knowledge should be strengthened,especially for pregnant women,so as to reduce the prevalence of T. gondii infection among pregnant women to improve the better child?bearing and rearing level.
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Objective To understand the distribution and characteristics of historical Oncomelania hupensis snail environ-ments and wetland environments in Wuxi City since 1952 so as to provide the evidence for formulating the monitoring strategy after the schistosomiasis transmission was interrupted. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect the informa-tion of historical O. hupensis snail environments and wetland environments. Google Earth was used to present and analyze the distribution and characteristics of them. Results There were 2 124 historical O. hupensis snail environments in Wuxi City and the accumulative area was 2 995.7 hm2. In 2013 there were 61 surveillance sites of wetland with the area of 32.8 hm2 totally 1 695 snails were caught and no O. hupensis snails were found. Conclusion The historical O. hupensis snail environments were distributed widely and covered a large area in Wuxi City. The surveillance should be focused on the key environments and wetland.