Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ixodid Ticks from Poyang Lake Region, Southeastern China.

Ticks are the vectors of various pathogens, threatening human health and animal production across the globe. Here, for the first time we detected Ricketssia spp., Borrelia spp. and protozoan in ticks from Poyang Lake region in Ji- angxi Province of eastern China. In 3 habitat categories and on 12 host species, 311 ticks from 11 species were collected. Haemaphysalis longicornis was the predominant species, accounting for 55.63%, followed by Rhipicephalus microplus, Haemaphysalis flava and Ixodes granulatus. Of the collected ticks, 7.07% were positive for tick-borne pathogens, and H. longicornis and H. flava were found to be co-infected with Ricketssia spp. and protozoan. H. flava was the most detected positive for tick-borne pathogens, whereas H. longicornis had the lowest infection rate, and the difference in infection rates between tick species was significant (χ2=61.24, P<0.001). Furthermore, adult ticks demonstrated remarkably greater infection rate than immature ticks (χ2=10.12, P=0.018), meanwhile ticks on Erinaceidae showed significantly higher positivity than ticks collected on other host species (χ2=108.44, P<0.001). Genetic fragment sequencing and analyses showed at least 4 pathogen species presence in ticks, namely Borrelia yangtzensis, Rickettsia slovaca or Rickettsia raoultii related genospecies, Babesia vogeli and Hepatozoon canis or Hepatozoon felis related genospecies. The finding indicates that the abundant ticks can carry diverse pathogens in Poyang Lake region, and pathogen infection is highly related to species, vertebrate hosts and life stages of ticks.

[Effect of schistosomiasis control in towns reached criteria of infection controlled in Nanchang City].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of schistosomiasis control in towns that had reached the criteria of infection controlled in Nanchang City. METHODS: The residents and livestock of 14 towns that had reached the criteria of infection controlled in Nanchang, Xinjian and Jinxian counties of Nanchang City were sampled to investigate the schistosomiasis endemic situation, Oncomelania hupensis snail status, and data of schistosomiasis control work. RESULTS: The positive rate of serum tests of the residents was 2.58%, and no positive stool samples were found. No cattle or sheep were positive in stool tests. Totally 1 635 snails were caught, and 1278 were alive with an average density of living snails of 0.051/0.1 M2, while no schistosome infected snails were found. All the surveyed administrative villages had the completed files of schistosomiasis control. Conclusion All the 14 towns that had reached the criteria of infection controlled of schistosomiasis have already reached the criteria of transmission controlled in Nanchang City.

[Current status of human Schistosoma japonicum infection and reinfection in marshland and lake regions of Xinjian County, Jiangxi Province, China].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the dynamics of human infection and reinfection of Schistosoma japonicum after chemotherapy in marshland and lake endemic regions so as to provide the evidence for developing a cost-effective control strategy. METHODS: From 2007 to 2011, the schistosome infection, intensities and reinfection of population were investigated and the results were analyzed dynamically in Caohui Village, a national schistosomiasis surveillance site in Changyi Township, Xinjian County, Jiangxi Province, China. RESULTS: The schistosome infection rate was 3.55% and the mean intensity was 1.56 in 2007, and the schistosome infection rate was 1.52% and the mean intensity was 1.60 in 2011. The reinfection rates were 2.70%, 9.09% and 2.47% in 2009, 2010, and 2011, respectively. CONCLUSION: The schistosomiasis endemic situation shows a downtrend in the village. However, the reinfection is still serious; therefore, we should strengthen the research of risk factors of reinfection and control them.

[Epidemic situation of acute schistosomiasis in Nanchang City of Jiangxi Province from 2005 to 2012].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the endemic regulation of acute schistosomiasis in Nanchang City of Jiangxi Province from 2005 to 2012 so as to provide the reference for policy-making of schistosomiasis control. METHODS: The data of acute schistosomiasis were collected and analyzed with the descriptive epidemiology method in Nanchang City from 2005 to 2012. RESULTS: A total of 52 acute schistosomiasis cases were reported in Nanchang City from 2005 to 2012. The morbidity of acute schistosomiasis was 0.003 46% in 2005, and it was 0 in 2012. The morbidity of acute schistosomiasis in different years was significant different (chi2 = 61.077, P < 0.01). The duration of incidence was from May to November, but the peak of the incidence was July. The sex ratio between males and females was 4.78:1 (43:9, chi2 = 22.231, P < 0.01). The ages of cases showed double humps, namely the 6-15 years' group and 30-40 years' group. Most of the acute cases were farmers (65.38%), students (25.00%), and fishermen (3.85%). Fishing and swimming were the main infection ways, with the infection rates of 63.46% and 26.92%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The susceptible populations are peasants and young students; therefore, we should strengthen health education for these high-risk groups.

[Antigenic localization of specific allergen in the body of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus by immunohistochemistry].

OBJECTIVE: To study the localization of specific allergen of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. METHODS: Through optical microscope, the specific allergens of D. pteronyssinus were observed in paraffin sections using D. pteronyssinus-specific IgE antibodies from the patient sera. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The digestive system was found occupying large parts of body cavity of D. pteronyssinus by HE staining, while the specific allergens of D. pteronyssinus were mostly occurred in the midgut tissue, gut contents, cuticle and reproductive system in the immunostained sections. The results also showed that many parts of D. pteronyssinus were recognized by the specific IgE antibodies obtained from allergic individuals to D. pteronyssinus, which provided a theoretic base for further study of isolation and purification of the specific allergen.