Wolbachia infection and genotyping in Aedes albopictus / 上海预防医学

ObjectiveTo investigate the infection and genotypes of Wolbachia in Aedes albopictus. MethodsAdult and larval samples of Aedes albopictus were collected from different residential and wild areas from 2020 to 2021， Wolbachia surface protein （wsp） gene was amplified and genotyped for wAlbA and wAlbB by PCR， and sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. The difference of detection rate among different habitats， male and female adult mosquitoes， adult and larvae was compared by χ2 analysis. ResultsThe detection rate of Wolbachia in adult and larvae of Aedes albopictus were 43.5% （77/177） and 70.4% （190/270）， respectively， with a statistically significant difference （χ2=32.086，P<0.001）， and wAlbA and wAlbB were mainly detected together. The detection rate of Wolbachia in female and male Aedes albopictus were 50.7% （76/150） and 3.7% （1/27）， respectively， with a statistically significant difference（χ2=20.533，P<0.001）. The detection rate of adult Aedes albopictus in Songjiang wild area， residential area and Hongkou residential area were 91.7% （55/60）， 18.8% （22/117） and 41.7% （30/72）， respectively， with a statistically significant difference （χ2=54.322，P<0.001）. Genotyping and phylogenetic analysis showed that adult and larvae of Aedes albopictus infected with Wolbachia were mainly wAlb A and wAlb B. In addition， some sequences formed clades independently， and the genetic distance from other sequences was relatively large. ConclusionInfection of Wolbachia in Aedes albopictus is relatively common in Songjiang District. The main genotypes are wAlb A and wAlb B and there may be other subtypes， which are worthy of further exploration and research.

Epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria in Songjiang District of Shanghai from 2013 to 2022 / 上海预防医学

ObjectiveTo characterize the prevalence and epidemic situation of imported malaria cases in Songjiang District of Shanghai from 2013 to 2022， and to provide evidence for malaria prevention and control. MethodsRelated data were collected and analyzed， including malaria cases， blood testing of febrile patients， and mosquito surveillance in Songjiang from 2013 to 2022. ResultsA total of 13 002 febrile patients in Songjiang were tested for plasmodium parasites from 2013 to 2022， among which 18 malaria cases were confirmed， including 17 cases of falciparum malaria and 1 case of ovale malaria. Moreover， a total of 36 malaria cases were notified in Songjiang through the National Notifiable Disease Reporting System from 2013 to 2022， including cases reported from Songjiang District and other districts or provinces with physical addresses in Songjiang. Of them， there were 31 cases of falciparum malaria， 2 cases of vivax malaria， 2 cases of ovale malaria and 1 case of quartan malaria. The gender ratio of male to female cases was 17∶1， and the majority was young and middle aged. In addition， 35 cases were imported from Africa and 1 case from southeast Asia； 34 cases were migrant workers， and 2 cases were travellers abroad； 17 cases were found and reported in Songjiang， 15 cases were reported from other districts of Shanghai， and 4 cases were reported from other provinces； 27 cases were treated in Shanghai， 3 cases were treated in other provinces and 6 cases were treated with self-provided antimalarial drugs. Mosquito surveillance in Songjiang showed that density of Anopheles sinensis was extremely low. ConclusionNo indigenous malaria case has been notified in Songjiang since 2008. Malaria surveillance on migrant workers remains the focus of malaria prevention and control. Furthermore， achievement of malaria elimination in Songjiang should be continually enhanced to avoid potential further transmission of imported malaria.

Spatial and temporal distribution of Aedes albopictus monitored by mosq-ovitrap in Songjiang District of Shanghai in 2018—2020 / 上海预防医学

Objective Based on mosq-ovitrap monitoring method of Aedes albopictus， to determine the spatial and temporal distribution of Aedes albopictus in Songjiang District and provide scientific evidence for prevention and control of mosquito-borne diseases. Methods From May to October， 2018‒2020， density of Aedes albopictus was monitored by using the mosq-ovitrap method. Sub-districts and towns were used as the monitoring units and the difference in mosquito ovitrap index （MOI） was compared by seasons， years and habitats. Results The total number of positive mosquito ovitraps was 1049 in 2018‒2020， and the average MOI was 8.10. Four sub-districts/towns in the urban area and the northern area had the relatively high MOIs. Moreover， MOIs in residential and external environments were higher than other habitats. In addition， MOI of Aedes albopictus decreased over years from 2018 to 2020. Conclusion Aedes albopictus is widely distributed in Songjiang District. Although the number of mosquito decreased over years after the implementation of mosquito control measures， reproduction of mosquito remains excessive in some areas and seasons. It is necessary to perform targeted control measures based on comprehensive monitoring methods.

A preliminary study on the change and clinical significance of peptidylarginine deiminase 4 expression on the neutrophils in the peripheral blood from the patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic myeloperoxidase antibody-associated vasculitis / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective:To investigate the change of peptidylarginine deiminase 4 (PAD4) expression in the neutrophils of peripheral blood of patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic myeloperoxidase antibody-associated vasculitis (MPO-AAV), and to analyze the relationship between the change and disease activity.Methods:Thirty-nine untreated patients with active MPO-AAV (patient group) and thirty-nine healthy volunteers (control group) were enrolled into this study. The PAD4 expressed on neutrophils was detected by flow cytometry (FCM). The serum neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), fragments from the activated complement C5 (C5a) and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic myeloperoxidase antibody (MPO-ANCA) were measured by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA). Their disease activity was evaluated by Birmingham vasculitis activity score (BVAS). All the detected results were compared between the 2 groups by t test, Spearman correlation analysis and multivariate linear regression analysis were employed to analyze the relationship between BVAS and the Lab test results in patient group. Results:The proportion of neutrophil expressing PAD4, the mean fluorescence intensity (MIF) of PAD4, the levels of NETs and C5a in patient group were significantly higher than those in the control group [(71±11)% vs (26±6)%, t=22.456, P<0.01; (33±4) vs (14±4), t=18.668, P<0.01; (0.62±0.22) vs (0.26±0.15), t=8.466, P<0.01 and (4.6±1.0) vs (2.9±1.0), t=7.697, P<0.01, respectively]. In patient group, BVAS was positively associated with the proportion of PAD4 + neutrophil, MFI of PAD4, the serum level of NETs, C5a and MPO-ANCA ( r=0.843, P<0.01; r=0.821, P<0.01; r=0.411 1, P<0.01; r=0.613, P<0.01 and P=0.790, P<0.01, respectively), however, the results of multiple linear regression analysis showed only the percentage of PAD4 + neutrophils and the level of MPO-ANCA were independent influencing factors on BVAS ( β=0.324 6, P<0.01 and β=0.796, P<0.01, respectively). Conclusion:The percentage of neutrophils expressed PAD4 in the peripheral blood of patient with active MPO-AAV is significantly increased, and it is an independent factor affecting the disease activity. Intervention on this expression might be a potential new pathway for MPO-AAV treatment.