Diagnostic efficacy of indirect haemagglutination assay for detection of Schistosoma japonicum infections among boatmen and fishermen in the Dongting Lake region / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of indirect haemagglutination assay (IHA) for detection of Schistosoma japonicum infections among boatmen and fishermen in Dongting Lake region, so as to provide insights into improving the schistosomiasis surveillance program among boatmen and fishermen.@*METHODS@#The boatmen and fishermen were detected for S. japonicum infections using IHA and Kato-Katz technique or miracidium hatching test nylon gauze simultaneously at schistosomiasis testing sites in the anchor sites for boatmen and fishermen in the Dongting Lake region during the period from 2014 to 2016, and using IHA for serological screening followed by parasitological testing of seropositives during the period from 2017 to 2019. The sensitivity and specificity of IHA were evaluated for detection of S. japonicum infections among boatmen and fishermen, with the 2014-2016 parasitological testing results as a gold standard. In addition, the seroprevalence of S. japonicum infections was compared among boatmen and fishermen with different characteristics and among years.@*RESULTS@#A total of 306 schistosomiasis testing sites were assigned for boatmen and fishermen, and a total of 143 360 person-time boatmen and fishermen were tested for S. japonicum infections in the Dongting Lake region from 2014 to 2019. The sensitivity and specificity of IHA were 69.9%, 97.3% and 96.1% (χ2 = 74.6, P < 0.05), and 70.9%, 74.5% and 71.9% for detection of S. japonicum infections from 2014 to 2016 (χ2 = 29.4, P < 0.05), respectively. The seroprevalence of S. japonicum infections reduced from 30.3% in 2014 to 1.8% in 2019 among boatmen and fishermen, appearing an overall tendency towards a decline (Z = 1 552.4, P < 0.05). In addition, male, individuals at ages of 45 to 60 years, full-time boatmen and fishermen were more likely to be seropositive for S. japonicum infections (all P values < 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The seroprevalence of S. japonicum infections appeared a tendency towards a decline among boatmen and fishermen in the Dongting Lake region year by year from 2014 to 2019. IHA presented a high efficacy for screening of S. japonicum infections among boatmen and fishermen in the Dongting Lake region.

Progress of schistosomiasis control in Dongting Lake regions / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

As an ancient parasitic disease, schistosomiasis has been endemic in Dongting Lake areas for more than 2 100 years. In the early 20th century, the first human case of schistosomiasis in China was reported in Dongting Lake areas, which was paid extensive attention. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, large-scale schistosomiasis control activities were launched promptly in Dongting Lake areas, and great successes have been achieved following the three stages of control efforts, including the snail control-based stage, synchronous chemotherapy for humans and livestock-based control stage and infectious source control-based control stage. In 2015, transmission control of schistosomiasis was achieved in Hunan Province. This paper comprehensively describes the discovery and control of schistosomiasis, analyzes the challenges for the current schistosomiasis control programs and proposes the emphasis for future control activities in Dongting Lake areas, so as to provide insights into the schistosomiasis control program in this area.

Challenges and countermeasures of schistosomiasis control in Hunan Province in the new era / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

This paper describes the current epidemic characteristics and endemic status of schistosomiasis, analyzes the main challenges of schistosomiasis control and proposes the emphasis and interventions for future schistosomiasis control activities in Hunan Province, so as to provide insights into the elimination of schistosomiasis in Hunan Province.

Implications, spiritual characteristics and practical significance of Chinese schistosomiasis control culture / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

The culture of schistosomiasis control is specific in the history of Chinese culture. Broadly speaking, the culture of schistosomiasis control is a summary of specific social mood, social consciousness and material culture created by Chinese populations during the progress of schistosomiasis control since the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Narrowly speaking, the culture of schistosomiasis control is the spiritual culture that is jointly created and nurtured by schistosomiasis control workers since the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The spiritual features of Chinese schistosomiasis control culture are characterized by the patriotism and care about the people, the matter-to-fact attitude, the pioneering and enterprising spirit, and the spirit of sacrifice and dedication. The ultimate goal of the research on the culture of schistosomiasis control is to facilitate the achievement of the strategic goal of Healthy China 2030 as scheduled, accelerate the progress towards elimination of schistosomiasis, and to promote the sustainable development of schistosomiasis control in China.

Identification and risk monitoring of potential risk areas of schistosomiasis in Dongting Lake area / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To identify and monitor potential risk areas of schistosomiasis in Dongting Lake area. Methods With remote sensing (RS)and geographic information system(GIS) technology, potential risk areas of schistosomiasis in Dongting Lake area were extracted by using spectral characteristics and environmental factors. Based on epidemiological data and land use data, the regional epidemic index and environmental susceptibility index were fused with potential epidemic risk areas in the grid system of Dongting Lake area to form the epidemic risk surveillance map of schistosomiasis in Dongting Lake area from 2006 to 2016. Results From 2006 to 2016, the high risk areas of schistosomiasis epidemic in Dongting Lake area were concentrated in the central and Northern lakeside areas of Changde City (Annual average epidemic index R-=0.330 5, Regional average susceptibility index Y-=2.458 2), the sensitive land types were Lake area (Sensitivity coefficient β=1.236 6), the surrounding area of Datong Lake in Nanxian and Northern Yuanjiang City (R-=0.426 0, Y-=0.836 8), paddy field area (β=0.202 1) and other construction land (β=0.308 0). The extremely high risk areas were concentrated in some lake-facing areas in Jinshi (R-=0.449 1, Y-=3.917 0) and the sensitive land type is woodland(β=1.234 5). The risk of river basin from high to low was respectively the Lishui River, the Yuanjiang River, the Zijiang River and the Xiangjiang River. Conclusions The high-risk and extremely high-risk areas should be the focus of future epidemic control. The snail control and environmental renovation of epidemic-sensitive areas such as sparse woodland, grassland with high coverage, reservoir pits and ponds should be done well in Dongting Lake area.

Evolution and evaluation of schistosomiasis prevention and control institu-tions in China / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Schistosomiasis is one of a few endemic and infectious diseases,which are controlled by the specific prevention and control institutions in China.Through the review of historical data,this paper describes the construction,continuation and changes of schistosomiasis prevention and control institutions in different historical periods and systems,and analyzes and evalu-ates its historical function,contribution and status.

Measures and achievements of schistosomiasis control in the Yangtze River Basin / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

This paper reviewed the prevention and control of schistosomiasis in the Yangtze River Basin in three stages, centered on the measures and achievements. It pointed out the key work of prevention and control which are infectious source control and effective surveillance at present stage. It will be beneficial to schistosomiasis control in China.

Measures and achievements of schistosomiasis control in the Yangtze River Basin / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

This paper reviewed the prevention and control of schistosomiasis in the Yangtze River Basin in three stages, centered on the measures and achievements. It pointed out the key work of prevention and control which are infectious source control and effective surveillance at present stage. It will be beneficial to schistosomiasis control in China.

Study on spatial-temporal variation of infected snail in bottomland areas after an integrated control strategy at village level in the marshland and lake regions based on geographic information system / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To evaluate the effect of an integrated control strategy and to quantify the spatial-temporal variation of infected snails in the bottomland areas after the strategy was implemented.Methods Based on the geographic database of infected snail distribution at the village level during 2004-2010 in Anxiang county,Hunan province,spatial autocorrelation analysis and spatial scan statistics were applied to analyze the spatial-temporal characteristics on the distribution of infected snails.Results The number of embankments with infected snails in Anxiang county decreased from 23 in 2004 to 10 in 2010,while the rate of frame with infected snail in embankments decreased from 4.32‰ in 2004 to 0.12‰ in 2010.The spatial distribution of infected snails was nonrandom,only in 2004 and 2005 with Moran's I=0.21 (P＜0.10) and Moran's I=0.13 (P＜0.10) respectively.Data from the local spatial auto-correlation analysis showed that the number of villages with H-H types of auto-correlation model had been gradually decreasing.The results of SaTScan statistics appeared the same as from the local spatial auto-correlation analysis,showing that the number of areas with increased risk was decreasing.Conclusion The comprehensive measures with emphasis on infectious source control seemed effective for schistosomiasis control program.The current distribution characteristics provided us with evidence that the resource assignment could be more reasonably implemented so as to control schistosomiasis in a more effective way.