[Epidemiological survey of echinococcosis in some areas of Jiangsu Province].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the prevalence of echinococcosis in some areas of Jiangsu Province, so as to provide the evidence for making practical control measures. METHODS: The cases were determined by a retrospective survey and case-clues survey. All canine feces were tested by immunological fecal antigen in the villages of the local infection suspected cases. The antigen-positive feces were detected for E. chinococcus eggs by Kato-Katz technique. A serological investigation was administrated to search infected persons by double methods of enzyme-labeled immune assay and point immuno-gold filtration assay in the focus groups around the local infection suspected cases, and some students aged from seven to twelve years in their townships and in five different-orientation townships sampled randomly in their counties. The antibody-positive people were confirmed further by using imaging detection. RESULTS: There were 10 imported cases and 16 local infection suspected cases. Twenty canine feces were positive among 1 938 samples, and the positive rate was 1.03%. However, no pathogen was found. Of 12 473 serum samples, 72 were positive in sera immunological antibody test (0.58%), but no cystic nodules were found by imaging detection. CONCLUSION: There is no direct evidence for confirming the presence of infectious source and foci of echinococcosis in Jiangsu Province. However, the surveillance of echinococcosis is still needed.

[The expression of CXCR4 on acute leukemia cells and its implication for extramedullary infiltration].

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of CXCR4 in acute leukemic cells and its clinical significance. METHOD: Bone marrow samples from 73 acute leukemia patients and leukemic cell lines were investigated by flow cytometry (FCM), the expression of SDF-1 in human marrow stromal cells and meninges were studied by using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Adhesion, migration and invasion of U937, NB4 and K562 cells were studied in vitro. RESULTS: The expression rates of CXCR4 in ALL and AML patients was 65.6% and 17.1%, respectively. And it was 0.2%, 41.0% and 52.0% in K562, U937 and NB4 cells, respectively. The extramedullary infiltration rates were 61.9% and 18.2% for CXCR4 positive and negative groups of ALL, respectively (P < 0.05); while in AML, the number of peripheral white blood cells in CXCR4 positive group was lower than that in CXCR4 negative group (P < 0.05). SDF-1alpha could enhance the adhesion, migration and invasion capacity of leukemic cells in vitro. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of CXCR4 in AL cells might be the molecular mechanism of extramedullary infiltration in leukemia.