OBJECTIVETo understand the distribution of virulence gene and the epidemiological characteristics of diarrheagenic Escherichia(E.) coli (DEC) from diarrheal patients in Beijing.

METHODSStool specimens from diarrheal patients were cultured which were collected from the hospitals under sentinel surveillance program, during 2012-2013. DNA was examined by real-time PCR.

RESULTS253 out of 6 370 specimens were positive for DEC detection with the rate as 4.0%. A total number of 262 DEC strains were isolated. Two different pathotypes of DEC strains with mixed infection, were isolated from 9 specimens. Different pathotypes would show the following profiles: 42.8% for enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) including 42.0% atypical and 0.8% typical; 38.9% for enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) including 24.8% st positive, 9.9% lt positive and 4.2% st and lt both positive;15.3% for enteroaggregative E. coli(EAEC);2.7% for enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC); one strain STEC with serotype O26:K60. ETEC had obvious characteristics on age. All kinds of DEC were isolated throughout the year with seasonal fluctuation.

CONCLUSIONDEC isolates from diarrheal patients in Beijing were dominated by EPEC and ETEC, with atypical ones accounted for the majority of EPEC. One specimen was found under mixed infection. Pathotypes DEC were found to have different age and seasonal distributions.

China ; epidemiology ; Diarrhea ; microbiology ; Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Epidemics ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Escherichia coli Infections ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Genotype ; Humans ; Virulence

OBJECTIVETo describe the epidemiological characteristics and changing trend of HCV-related children in Henan province.

METHODSData was analyzed based on the case-reporting records on hepatitis C from 2008 to 2013.

RESULTSThe number of reported cases and incidence of HCV-related children had increased annually from 2008 to 2012. The reported incidence on HCV-related children increased from 2.37 per 100 000 in 2008, to 3.23 per 100 000 in 2012, but it decreased to 1.77 per 100 000 in 2013. Reported cases on females increased annually. The 0-1 age group had the largest proportion but it decreased annually. Large cities as Zhengzhou, had high incidence, and the mobile population within the province also showed an annual increase, from 49.02% in 2008, to 59.77% in 2013. Time between onset and diagnosis(days) of the disease increased and the M and IQR from 2008 to 2013 appeared as 0(0-2), 0(0-2), 1(0-2), 1(0-3), 1(0-5) and 1(0-3).

CONCLUSIONThe incidence of HCV-related children in Henan province showed an annual increase, along with the increasing trend of mobile population in the province as well as the longer time span between onset and diagnosis of the disease. It is suggested that strengthening the program on monitor, as well as on effective prevention and control measures be in place accordingly. Targets should also be focused on pregnant women, migrants, other key groups, so as to better perform on early detection and treatment.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Cities ; Female ; Hepatitis C ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male

OBJECTIVETo understand the status of recent infected and newly reported HIV cases in Jiangsu province.

METHODSInformation including general demographic, mode of transmission and sample source of newly reported HIV infected cases was collected. Corresponding serum or plasma samples were collected and tested with BED-CEIA. Proportions of recent HIV infections among different populations were calculated, and associated factors of recent HIV infection calculated.

RESULTSAmong cases infected through different channels as homosexual, heterosexual and needles sharing, the proportions of recent infections were 29.19% , 17.40% and 21.75% , respectively. Statistically significant difference was seen between different populations(P < 0.05). Compared with female cases, male cases were more likely to be recent infected (OR = 1.569, 95%CI: 1.168-2.107). Compared with cases older than 35 years of age, the ones that younger than that age were more likely to be recently infected (OR = 1.556, 95% CI:1.289-1.879). Compared with cases who remained single, those married cases were more likely to be long-term infections(OR = 0.789, 95%CI:0.649-0.960). Compared with patients identified by hospitals, the recent HIV infections were more likely to be found through voluntary counseling programs and testing (OR = 2.278, 95%CI: 1.853-2.801), project-based surveillance programs (OR = 2.409, 95%CI:1.860- 3.120), and unpaid blood donation sites (OR = 2.911, 95%CI:2.118-4.001)(P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONProportion of MSM ranked 1st in the newly reported HIV cases in Jiangsu province. Related HIV case-finding programs should be strengthened to reduce the secondary transmission.

Age Distribution ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; HIV Infections ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; HIV Seropositivity ; Heterosexuality ; Homosexuality ; Humans ; Male ; Marital Status ; statistics & numerical data ; Needle Sharing ; adverse effects ; Sex Distribution

OBJECTIVETo explore the recurrent epidemiological characteristics of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) among children aged <4 years to provide evidence for HFMD prevention and control.

METHODSPrinciples on historical cohort study were followed when analyzing data related to HFMD surveillance in Fujian province. All the research objects were restricted to patients aged <4, with HFMD and who were permanent residents in Fujian province. Characteristics of the study objects were extracted as potential factors when the patients first showed symptoms of HFMD. These factors might cause the recurrence of HFMD and were filtered by the logistic stepwise regression with SAS 9.0.

RESULTSA total of 82 949 children were included. Among them, 2 612 had repetitiously suffered from HFMD(occupied 3.15%), including 2 510 who had the histories of suffering twice, 98 suffering three times, 3 suffering four times, and 1 even suffering five times. Comparing with the objects who had the first onset at the age of 3, also with the risk increased to 4.39 (95%CI:3.80-5.07) times, when compared to those who had the first onset at the age below 2. Again, the risk among children whose first onset was at the age of 2 had increased to 2.73 (95% CI: 2.35-3.18) times. According to the current residents areas, the morbidities of patients under 6 years old were below 2% when the symptoms first started, but the risk of the objects whose morbidities were higher than 4% , had increased 2.15(95% CI:1.88-2.45)times. Again, risk of the objects whose morbidities were between 3% and 4% had increased to 2.10 (95%CI:1.85-2.38) times. Among those whose specific morbidities were between 2% and 3% , the risk had increased to 1.65 (95% CI: 1.44-1.89) times. Comparing with the objects who never visited any maternal/child care settings when started the first onset, the risk among the ones who had been to the maternal/child care settings, had increased to 1.64 (95% CI:1.51-1.78) times. Boys had the risk 1.34 (95% CI:1.23-1.46)times increase than girls. The preponderant pathogen causing HFMD recurrence was EV71 (33/60). Recurrence might cause more severe symptoms or signs (8/2 612). Pathogens causing the initial infection and recurrence might both belonged to the same-EV71 (3/6).

CONCLUSIONRecurrence of the disease were closely related to the opportunities of contacting the pathogens. Interventions should be imposed on patients in time as soon as the disease initiated, especially at the younger age.

Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Cohort Studies ; Epidemics ; Female ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVEThis study was to understand the status of pollution on drinking water, by volatile organic compounds (VOCs), among rural residents living in the basin of Huaihe River. Relationship between the morbidity, morbidity of cancers and VOCs were also explored.

METHODS28 villages were chosen from Xuyi,Jinhu, Chuzhou along the Huaihe River, with water samples collected from ditch pond water, shallow wells, deep wells in November-December 2010. VOCs indicators were evaluated according to the Standard Quality GB 5749-2006 for Drinking Water.

RESULTSMethylene chloride, chloroform, benzene and carbon tetrachloride were all detected in 76 water samples. The rates of chloroform, benzene, carbon tetrachloride which exceeding the quality standards were 3.95% , 21.05% and 22.37% , but no significant differences were found among these three water resources in chloroform, benzene or carbon tetrachloride. Results from the correlation analysis showed that benzene had positive correlation with tumor deaths (r = 0.24, P < 0.05). Results from the risk assessment on health showed that some chloroform, benzene, carbon tetrachloride products which were related to the risks of cancers were exceeding the acceptable ranges of risk, with the rates as 28.95%, 22.37% and 64.47% but with no significant differences among the three water resources (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONDrinking waters for rural residents along the Huaihe River were polluted while VOCs might have related to tumor incidence with potential impact and risk to the health of local residents.

China ; Drinking Water ; chemistry ; Humans ; Risk Assessment ; Rural Health ; statistics & numerical data ; Volatile Organic Compounds ; adverse effects ; analysis ; Water Pollution, Chemical ; adverse effects ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo analyze the prevalence rates and associated risk factors on HIV, syphilis, herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) among female sex workers (FSWs) in Jiaozhou, Shandong province.

METHODSThrough convenient sampling, an anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted on female sex workers to collect related information. Blood specimens were drawn for serological tests on HIV, syphilis and HSV-2 antibodies, respectively. Patients with positive results from both treponema pallidum and HSV-2 tested by ELISA method, were defined as being superinfected.

RESULTSA total of 460 FSWs were recruited in this study. The prevalence rates of HIV, syphilis, HSV-2, and syphilis/HSV-2 superinfection were 0.22% , 5.9% , 43.0% , and 11.7% , respectively. Among the methamphetamine users, the prevalence rates of syphilis, HSV-2, and syphilis/HSV-2 superinfection were 12.4%, 55.2%, and 22.9%, respectively. Results from multivariate analysis showed that factors that significantly associated with syphilis infection would include: methamphetamine use (OR = 3.61, 95% CI:1.62-8.06), having first commercial sex intercourse at under 20 years of age (OR = 2.80, 95% CI:1.15-6.85), more than 2 establishments that the FSWs worked in the last month (OR = 4.37, 95%CI:0.83-22.83). Factors associated with HSV-2 infection were methamphetamine use (OR = 2.30, 95%CI:1.43-3.70), having first commercial sex intercourse at under 20 years of age (OR = 1.77, 95% CI:1.16-2.69), working at low-end establishments (OR = 2.61, 95%CI:1.66-4.10), working at the local sex-work venues for more than one year (OR = 2.01, 95% CI:1.28-3.14), with low education backgrounds (OR = 2.27, 95% CI:1.18-4.36), using methamphetamine (OR = 3.95, 95% CI:2.09-7.44), low education background (OR = 2.43, 95% CI: 1.10-5.36), 21-30 year-olds (OR = 2.95, 95%CI:1.08-8.03), older than 31 years of age (OR = 7.05, 95% CI:2.48-20.01) etc., were independent risk factors associated with the superinfection of syphilis and HSV-2.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence rates of syphilis, HSV-2 and syphilis/HSV-2 superinfection were relatively high among FSWs in Jiaozhou, especially among the FSWs who were methamphetamine users.

Age Distribution ; Amphetamine-Related Disorders ; epidemiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Educational Status ; Female ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; HIV Seropositivity ; Herpes Genitalis ; epidemiology ; Herpesvirus 2, Human ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Methamphetamine ; administration & dosage ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Serologic Tests ; Sex Work ; Sex Workers ; psychology ; statistics & numerical data ; Superinfection ; epidemiology ; Syphilis ; epidemiology ; Treponema pallidum ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo understand the risk factors of measles among babies under 8-months-old and people ≥15 years old, in Gansu province.

METHODSLaboratory-confirmed measles cases were divided into two groups among children below 8-months-old and those ≥15 year olds. Descriptive epidemiology and 1:3 case control study were conducted to find out those related risk factors as:hospital exposure, contact with measles cases, vaccination, history of measles etc. so as to determine the risk factors and appropriate control measures.

RESULTSHistories of hospital exposure, contact with measles cases and travelling to other cities were risk factors for measles among babies younger than 8-months and people ≥15 year olds. Vaccination appeared a protective factor for people ≥15 years of age. From 42 cases and 126 controls, through multivariate analysis, results showed that hospital exposure was the only significant factor ( OR = 29.23, 95%CI:2.82-302.89)for those babies younger than 8-months. Factors as hospital exposure and travelling among cities for 7-21 days before being infected, were with significant importance ( OR = 5.15, 95% CI:2.28-11.63; OR = 5.48, 95%CI:1.38-21.69)for people ≥15 years of age, according to the observation from 74 cases and 222 controls.

CONCLUSIONIn order to reduce the incidence of measles among babies under 8-month-old and people ≥15 years old, efforts on control of nosocomial infection should be strengthened, while the routine immunization coverage need to be increased for the children at higher risks, to reduce the source of infection.

Adolescent ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross Infection ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Measles ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Measles Vaccine ; administration & dosage ; Risk Factors ; Vaccination ; utilization

OBJECTIVETo compare the antibody response between adults with hepatitis B virus (HBV) core antibody (anti-HBc) single positivity and healthy adults after primary immunization and revaccination of hepatitis B vaccine(HepB).

METHODSAdults aged from 18 to 49 who were both negative for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs), but positive for anti-HBc and narrated no history of HepB immunization by themselves, were selected as single anti-HBc positive group ('anti-HBc alone'). Adults who were negative for HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc, with age differences within 2 years, and same gender under the 1 : 1 matching program, were selected to form the control group. Both groups were vaccinated on 0-1-6 schedule with the same HepB. Those who were non-response to HepB at primary immunization were revaccination on 0-1-6 schedule. Response rates and geometric mean concentrations (GMC) between the two groups were compared.

RESULTSIn total, the number of anticipants were 228 pairs. Rates on non-response, low-response, normal-response and high-response after the primary immunization were 8.77% , 11.84%, 31.14% and 48.25% in the control group respectively. The corresponding rates were 8.33%, 30.70%, 35.96% and 25.00% in the 'anti-HBc alone'. The rate of low-response in the control group was lower than that in the 'anti-HBc alone' (χ(2) = 22.28, P < 0.01), while the rate of high-response was higher than that in the control group (χ(2) = 24.43, P < 0.01). GMC of anti-HBs in the control group (534.07 mIU/ml) was higher than that in the 'anti-HBc alone' (183.99 mIU/ml) (u = 4.42, P < 0.01). The anti-HBs conversion rates were 82.35% and 41.18% in the control group and in the 'anti-HBc alone' respectively after the first-dose revaccination, but increased to 90.00% and 82.35% after the third-dose revaccination. The anti-HBs conversion rates in the control group were higher than that in the 'anti-HBc alone' after the first-dose revaccination (P < 0.05), while there was no difference seen between the two groups after the third-dose revaccination (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONImmune response in the anti-HBc positive adults after primary immunization was weaker than that in common adults. However, immune response induced by HepB was enough to prevent them from infecting HBV. The rates of response showed an obvious increase after revaccination, hence the same HepB immunization strategy could be used.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Hepatitis B ; immunology ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunization, Secondary ; Middle Aged ; Vaccination ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the quality of diet among rural residents in Hanzhong, Shaanxi province and to investigate the relative factors.

METHODSA cross-sectional survey on dietary status together with a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire were conducted among rural residents aged between 18 and 80 in Hanzhong of Shaanxi, in 2010. Quality of diet was evaluated by using DBI-07 scoring and evaluating system. Linear regression models were developed to identify factors related to under or over intakes.

RESULTS2 241 rural residents were under study. 65% of the residents' daily intake of grains, oil and salt exceeded the RNI while animal food, diary food, eggs, vegetables and fruits were under, to some extent. The average values of DBI_LBS and DBI_HBS were 24.83 and 5.70. The proportions of moderate under-intake (25≤DBI_LBS≤36) and moderate over-intake (14≤DBI_HBS≤19)were 33.4% and 51.0%. Factors as family number, education level, fortune index, physical activity, higher labor intensity seemed to be protective for dietary under intake (P < 0.05). Moderate fortune index, drinking alcohol (more than once a week), being male, age and smoking status(>15 cigarettes per day)were risk factors for over-intake of diet (P < 0.05). Factors as larger family size and having had education above the levels senior school were significantly and negatively associated with the over-intake of diet (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe main diet problem among the rural residents was related to under-intaken but over-intake did exist to some extents. Our study results called for specific intervention in improving the quality of diet among the residents in Hanzhong.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alcohol Drinking ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diet ; statistics & numerical data ; Diet Surveys ; Edible Grain ; Educational Status ; Family Characteristics ; Feeding Behavior ; Female ; Fruit ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Rural Population ; statistics & numerical data ; Vegetables ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the association between reasons for smoking and results related to successful smoking cessation.

METHODSA community-based case-control study was conducted with 642 male adults recognized as successful spontaneous smoking quitters being the subject cases while another 700 male adults who had failed to quit smoking were served as the controls. Russell Reason for Smoking Questionnaire (RRSQ) was used to investigate the reasons for smoking. Dominance logistic regression was performed to determine the relative importance of reasons for starting smoking and the endpoint of successful quit smoking.

RESULTSAfter adjusting the potential confounders of age, age of smoking initiation, marital status, profession, and education, the adjusted means of sedative and stimulation of RRSQ in the successful quitters were significant lower than that in the failed quitters. Results from the dominance logistic regression showed that the first two important factors for smoking cessation were sedative and stimulation of RRSQ, followed by psychological image, automatic, hand-mouth activity, indulgence, and addiction.

CONCLUSIONThis study demonstrated that factors as dependence-addiction showed more important impacts than the social-psychological ones on the endpoint of successful smoking cessation.

Adult ; Behavior, Addictive ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Smoking ; psychology ; Smoking Cessation ; statistics & numerical data ; Smoking Prevention ; Surveys and Questionnaires