Prior vaccination enables a more robust immune response to Omicron infection

Antibody response following Omicron infection is reported to be less robust than that to other variants. Here we investigated how prior vaccination and/or prior infection modulates that response. Disease severity, antibody responses and immune transcriptomes were characterized in four groups of Omicron-infected outpatients (n=83): unvaccinated/no prior infection, vaccinated/no prior infection, unvaccinated/prior infection and vaccinated/prior infection. The percentage of patients with asymptomatic or mild disease was highest in the vaccinated/no prior infection group (87%) and lowest in the unvaccinated/no prior infection group (47%). Significant anti-Omicron spike antibody levels and neutralizing activity were detected in the vaccinated group immediately after infection but were not present in the unvaccinated/no prior infection group. Within two weeks, antibody levels against Omicron, increased. Omicron neutralizing activity in the vaccinated group exceeded that of the prior infection group. No increase in neutralizing activity in the unvaccinated/no prior infection group was seen. The unvaccinated/prior infection group showed an intermediate response. We then investigated the early transcriptomic response following Omicron infection in these outpatient populations and compared it to that found in unvaccinated hospitalized patients with Alpha infection. Omicron infected patients showed a gradient of transcriptional response dependent upon prior vaccination and infection status that correlated with disease severity. Vaccinated patients showed a significantly blunted interferon response as compared to both unvaccinated Omicron infected outpatients and unvaccinated Alpha infected hospitalized patients typified by the response of specific gene classes such as OAS and IFIT that control anti-viral responses and IFI27, a predictor of disease outcome.

Achievement of the World Bank loan project on schistosomiasis control (1992-2000) in Hubei province and the challenge in the future.

Since the World Bank provided a loan for control of schistosomiasis in China, started from 1992, with the objective of a reduction of prevalence and intensity of the infection both in humans and animals by 40%, through mass chemotherapy in areas of high prevalence, and selective chemotherapy in areas with medium and low endemicity together with focal mollusciciding, the objective of morbidity control of the project has been reached in Hubei Province.

Study of a new technique on the prevention of Oncomelania hupensis snail dispersal in the irrigation schemes in middle reaches of Yangtze River / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore a new technique to prevent the dispersal of Oncomelania hupensis snail through leading flood for irrigation by floodgate in irrigation schemes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Hydromechanical and biological were applied and to combine laboratory experiment with the field observation to form a new multidisciplinary regarding snail biological hydraulics and technical line. Findings including characteristics of hydraulics and biomechanics and move regulation etc. Physics parameter of snails were used to design and construct as well as to exam the effect of facilities and rebuilt floodgate which could prevent the snail dispersal.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Through five years efforts, the major achievements were found as: 1) the method in testing the special gravity of snail and snail eggs was determined. 2) the special gravity of snail was (1.8 +/- 0.01) g/cm(3) and special gravity snail eggs was (2.29 +/- 0.01) g/cm(3); the classification method and classified criterion of snail size were made based on geometrical characteristics of snail shell. Six special values indicating dropping and start speed of snail in running water were obtained; Five practical formula of snail dropping and start in water were established; threshold value and movement characteristics in water were observed and tested and move mechanism of snail dispersal in water was also clarified. Based on the findings from fundamental research, the facilities of "precipitation pool for snail" and "leading water from middle level of water body" that could prevent snail dispersal were designed and rebuilt in the endemic area. Through examination to these facilities, the rate of precipitating and blocking of snails reached 100%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The achievement of the study provided reliable theoretical basis for the rebuilt of floodgate and to development of models that could prevent the dispersal of snail effectively.</p>

Toxicological assessment on safety of Fangyouling, a cercaricide of preparation / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To evaluate the safety of Fangyouling, a cercaricide of preparation. Methods All of the tests including the acute oral and dermal toxicity, acute eye and skin irritability and the dermal sensitivity reaction were carried out according to the toxicological test methods of pesticides for registration (GB 15670-1995). Results Fangyouling belonged to slight grade of acute toxicity through both oral and skin tests in rats. Fangyouling was not acute irritant for the skin and eyes in rabbits and weak allergic for the skin in guinea pigs. Conclusion Fangyouling may be a safe ceraricide preparation for prevention of Schistosoma japonicum cercariae infection by skin administration.

ANALYSIS OF EPIDEMIC CHANGES IN THE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL OBSERVATION POINTS OF SCHISTOSOMIASIS IN HUBEI PROVINCE FROM 1990 TO 1998 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To master the trend of schistosomiasis epidemic by means of established observation points and give the scientific reference for the control decision making henceforth. Methods Three villages of schistosomiasis with highly prevalence in Hubei Province were selected as observation points, and their epidemiological status were observed from 1990-1998. Results The schistosomiasis prevalence was considerably decreasing in the 3 villages, from high epidemic areas into medium or light areas. Conclusion It is a right tactic to use the selective population chemotherapy and control snail in high transmission areas of schistosomiasis in high epidemic areas.