1.Dynamics of eosinophil infiltration and microglia activation in brain tissues of mice infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis
Fanna WEI ; Renjie ZHANG ; Yahong HU ; Xiaoyu QIN ; Yunhai GUO ; Xiaojin MO ; Yan LU ; Jiahui SUN ; Yan ZHOU ; Jiatian GUO ; Peng SONG ; Yanhong CHU ; Bin XU ; Ting ZHANG ; Yuchun CAI ; Muxin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2025;37(2):163-175
Objective To investigate the changes in eosinophil counts and the activation of microglial cells in the brain tissues of mice at different stages of Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection, and to examine the role of microglia in regulating the progression of angiostrongyliasis and unravel the possible molecular mechanisms. Methods Fifty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-day and 25-d infection groups, of 10 mice in each group. All mice in infection groups were infected with 30 stage III A. cantonensis larvae by gavage, and animals in the control group was given an equal amount of physiological saline. Five mice were collected from each of infection groups on days 7, 14, 21 d and 25 d post-infection, and 5 mice were collected from the control group on the day of oral gavage. The general and focal functional impairment was scored using the Clark scoring method to assess the degree of mouse neurological impairment. Five mice from each of infection groups were sacrificed on days 7, 14, 21 d and 25 d post-infection, and 5 mice from the control group were sacrificed on the day of oral gavage. Mouse brain tissues were sampled, and the pathological changes of brain tissues were dynamically observed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Immunofluorescence staining with eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) was used to assess the degree of eosinophil infiltration and the counts of microglial cells in mouse brain tissues in each group, and the morphological parameters of microglial cells (skeleton analysis and fractal analysis) were quantified by using Image J software to determine the morphological changes of microglial cells. In addition, the expression of M1 microglia markers Fcγ receptor III (Fcgr3), Fcγ receptor IIb (Fcgr2b) and CD86 antigen (Cd86), M2 microglia markers Arginase 1 (Arg1), macrophage mannose receptor C-type 1 (Mrc1), chitinase-like 3 (Chil3), and phagocytosis genes myeloid cell triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (Trem2), CD68 antigen (Cd68), and apolipoprotein E (Apoe) was quantified using real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) assay in the mouse cerebral cortex of mice post-infection. Results A large number of A. cantonensis larvae were seen on the mouse meninges surface post-infection, and many neuronal nuclei were crumpled and deeply stained, with a large number of bleeding points in the meninges. The median Clark scores of mouse general functional impairment were 0 (interquartile range, 0), 0 (interquartile range, 0.5), 6 (interquartile range, 1.0), 14 (interquartile range, 8.5) points and 20 (interquartile range, 9.0) points in the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-d and 25-d groups, respectively (H = 22.45, P < 0.01), and the median Clark scores of mouse focal functional impairment were 0 (interquartile range, 0), 2 (interquartile range, 2.5), 7 (interquartile range, 3.0), 18 (interquartile range, 5.0) points and 25 (interquartile range, 6.5) points in the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-d and 25-d groups, respectively (H = 22.72, P < 0.01). The mean scores of mice general and focal functional impairment were all higher in the infection groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed a significant difference in the eosinophil counts in mouse brain tissues among the five groups (F = 40.05, P < 0.000 1), and the eosinophil counts were significantly higher in mouse brain tissues in the 14-d (3.08 ± 0.78) and 21-d infection groups (5.97 ± 1.37) than in the control group (1.00 ± 0.28) (both P values < 0.05). Semi-quantitative analysis of microglia immunofluorescence showed a significant difference in the counts of microglial cells among the five groups (F = 17.66, P < 0.000 1), and higher Iba1 levels were detected in mouse brain tissues in 14-d (5.75 ± 1.28), 21-d (6.23 ± 1.89) and 25-d infection groups (3.70 ± 1.30) than in the control group (1.00 ± 0.30) (all P values < 0.05). Skeleton and fractal analyses showed that the branch length [(162.04 ± 34.10) μm vs. (395.37 ± 64.11) μm; t = 5.566, P < 0.05] and fractal dimension of microglial cells (1.30 ± 0.01 vs. 1.41 ± 0.03; t = 5.266, P < 0.05) were reduced in mouse brain tissues in the 21-d infection group relative to the control group. In addition, there were significant differences among the 5 groups in terms of M1 and M2 microglia markers Fcgr3 (F = 48.34, P < 0.05), Fcgr2b (F = 55.46, P < 0.05), Cd86 (F = 24.44, P < 0.05), Arg1 (F = 31.18, P < 0.05), Mrc1 (F = 15.42, P < 0.05) and Chil3 (F = 24.41, P < 0.05), as well as phagocytosis markers Trem2 (F = 21.19, P < 0.05), Cd68 (F = 43.95, P < 0.05) and Apoe (F = 7.12, P < 0.05) in mice brain tissues. Conclusions A. cantonensis infections may induce severe pathological injuries in mouse brain tissues that are characterized by massive eosinophil infiltration and persistent activation of microglia cells, thereby resulting in progressive deterioration of neurological functions.
2.Effect of Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription on Hedgehog Signaling Pathway in Rats with Chronic Atrophic Gastritis
Jinye ZHOU ; Haofeng ZHANG ; Ziwei LIU ; Yican WANG ; Yanru CAI ; Yuxi GUO ; Jie WANG ; Zheng ZHI ; Qian YANG ; Bolin LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):41-47
ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Xianglian Huazhuo prescription on chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) in rats based on the Hedgehog signaling pathway. MethodsThe CAG rat model was established by sodium salicylate, N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitroguanidine (MNNG), and irregular feeding. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group (180 mg·L-1), a moradan group (1.4 g·kg-1), and Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription groups with high, medium, and low doses (36, 9, 18 g·kg-1), followed by drug intervention. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe morphological changes in the gastric mucosa. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of gastric mucosa cells. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), Patched 1 (Ptch1), and Glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (Gli1). Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of Shh, Ptch1, and Gli1 in the gastric mucosa. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the protein expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the CAG model group showed a reduction in gastric mucosal intrinsic glands and infiltration of inflammatory cells. The ultrastructure of gastric mucosal cells showed nuclear pyknosis, fewer mitochondria, and abnormal mitochondrial structure. The mRNA and protein expression of Shh, Ptch1, and Gli1 in the gastric mucosa were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and E-cadherin protein expression was decreased. Compared with the model group, the intervention groups showed varying degrees of improvement in histopathological morphology and cellular ultrastructure. The mRNA and protein expression of Shh, Ptch1, Gli1, and E-cadherin increased to varying degrees. Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription upregulated the expression of key Hedgehog pathway factors and E-cadherin at both the mRNA and protein levels (P<0.05). ConclusionXianglian Huazhuo prescription has a therapeutic effect on CAG in rats, and its mechanism may be related to activation of the Hedgehog signaling pathway and inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
3.Current situation of medicinal animal breeding and research progress in sustainable utilization of resources.
Cheng-Cai ZHANG ; Jia WANG ; Yu-Jie ZHOU ; Xiao-Yu DAI ; Xiu-Fu WAN ; Chuan-Zhi KANG ; De-Hua WU ; Jia-Hui SUN ; Sheng WANG ; Lan-Ping GUO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(16):4397-4406
Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) is the pillar for the development of motherland medicine, and animal medicine has a long history of application in China, characterized by wide resources, strong activity, definite efficacy, and great benefits. It has significant potential and important status in the consumption market of raw materials of TCM. In the context of global climate change, farming system alterations, and low renewability, the depletion of wild medicinal animal resources has accelerated. Accordingly, the conservation and sustainable utilization of wild resources of animal medicinal materials has become a problem that garners increasing attention and urgently needs to be solved. This paper summarizes the current situation of domestic and foreign medicinal animal breeding and research progress in industrial application in recent years and points out the issues related to standardized breeding, germplasm selection and breeding, and quality evaluation standards for medicinal animals. Furthermore, this paper discusses standardized breeding, quality standards, resource protection and utilization, and the search for alternative resources for rare and endangered medicinal animals. It proposes that researchers should systematically carry out in-depth basic research on animal medicine, improve the breeding scale and level of medicinal animals, employ modern technology to enhance the quality standards of medicinal materials, and strengthen the research and development of alternative resources. This approach aims to effectively address the relationship between protection and utilization and make a significant contribution to the sustainable development of medicinal animal resources and the animal-based Chinese medicinal material industry.
Animals
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Breeding
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China
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
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Conservation of Natural Resources
4.The role of polyunsaturated fatty acid lipid peroxidation in ferroptosis after intracerebral hemorrhage: a review of mecha-nisms and therapeutic implications.
Man GUO ; Guohui ZHAO ; Zhibiao CAI ; Zhenyu ZHANG ; Jie ZHOU
Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences 2025;54(5):694-704
Ferroptosis, a regulated cell death process distinct from apoptosis, is characterized by iron dysregulation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. After intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), decreased cerebral blood flow and iron released from erythrocytes trigger lipid peroxidation-particularly of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)-through a cascade of reactions in local brain tissues, promoting ferroptosis. Mitochondrial dysfunction and neuroinflammation further elevate ROS, exacerbating lipid peroxidation and accelerating neuronal ferroptosis. Thus, PUFA peroxidation and associated metabolic pathways play a critical role in ICH-related neuronal damage. This review summarizes current understanding of how PUFA peroxidation contributes to ferro-ptosis after ICH, discusses key regulatory mechanisms involving lipid and iron metabolism, and highlights potential therapeutic strategies targeting ferroptosis to improve neurological outcomes.
Ferroptosis/physiology*
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Humans
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Cerebral Hemorrhage/pathology*
;
Lipid Peroxidation
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Fatty Acids, Unsaturated/metabolism*
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Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
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Iron/metabolism*
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Animals
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Mitochondria/metabolism*
5.Engineering cellular dephosphorylation boosts (+)-borneol production in yeast.
Haiyan ZHANG ; Peng CAI ; Juan GUO ; Jiaoqi GAO ; Linfeng XIE ; Ping SU ; Xiaoxin ZHAI ; Baolong JIN ; Guanghong CUI ; Yongjin J ZHOU ; Luqi HUANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(2):1171-1182
(+)-Borneol, the main component of "Natural Borneol" in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, is a high-end spice and precious medicine. Plant extraction cannot meet the increasing demand for (+)-borneol, while microbial biosynthesis offers a sustainable supply route. However, its production was extremely low compared with other monoterpenes, even with extensively optimizing the mevalonate pathway. We found that the key challenge is the complex and unusual dephosphorylation reaction of bornyl diphosphate (BPP), which suffers the side-reaction and the competition from the cellular dephosphorylation process, especially lipid metabolism, thus limiting (+)-borneol synthesis. Here, we systematically optimized the dephosphorylation process by identifying, characterizing phosphatases, and balancing cellular dephosphorylation metabolism. For the first time, we identified two endogenous phosphatases and seven heterologous phosphatases, which significantly increased (+)-borneol production by up to 152%. By engineering BPP dephosphorylation and optimizing the MVA pathway, the production of (+)-borneol was increased by 33.8-fold, which enabled the production of 753 mg/L under fed-batch fermentation in shake flasks, so far the highest reported in the literature. This study showed that rewiring dephosphorylation metabolism was essential for high-level production of (+)-borneol in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and balancing cellular dephosphorylation is also helpful for efficient biosynthesis of other terpenoids since all whose biosynthesis involves the dephosphorylation procedure.
6.COMPERA 2.0 risk stratification in patients with severe aortic stenosis: implication for group 2 pulmonary hypertension.
Zongye CAI ; Xinrui QI ; Dao ZHOU ; Hanyi DAI ; Abuduwufuer YIDILISI ; Ming ZHONG ; Lin DENG ; Yuchao GUO ; Jiaqi FAN ; Qifeng ZHU ; Yuxin HE ; Cheng LI ; Xianbao LIU ; Jian'an WANG
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2025;26(11):1076-1085
COMPERA 2.0 risk stratification has been demonstrated to be useful in patients with precapillary pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, its suitability for patients at risk for post-capillary PH or PH associated with left heart disease (PH-LHD) is unclear. To investigate the use of COMPERA 2.0 in patients with severe aortic stenosis (SAS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), who are at risk for post-capillary PH, a total of 327 eligible SAS patients undergoing TAVR at our institution between September 2015 and November 2020 were included in the study. Patients were classified into four strata before and after TAVR using the COMPERA 2.0 risk score. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazards regression model. The study cohort had a median (interquartile range) age of 76 (70‒80) years and a pulmonary arterial systolic pressure of 33 (27‒43) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) before TAVR. The overall mortality was 11.9% during 26 (15‒47) months of follow-up. Before TAVR, cumulative mortality was higher with an increase in the risk stratum level (log-rank, both P<0.001); each increase in the risk stratum level resulted in an increased risk of death (hazard ratio (HR) 2.53, 95% confidential interval (CI) 1.54‒4.18, P<0.001), which was independent of age, sex, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), hemoglobin, albumin, and valve type (HR 1.76, 95% CI 1.01‒3.07, P=0.047). Similar results were observed at 30 d after TAVR. COMPERA 2.0 can serve as a useful tool for risk stratification in patients with SAS undergoing TAVR, indicating its potential application in the management of PH-LHD. Further validation is needed in patients with confirmed post-capillary PH by right heart catheterization.
Humans
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Aortic Valve Stenosis/complications*
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Aged
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Hypertension, Pulmonary/mortality*
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Male
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Female
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Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
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Aged, 80 and over
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Risk Assessment/methods*
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Proportional Hazards Models
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Kaplan-Meier Estimate
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Retrospective Studies
7.Comparison of clinical characteristics between first-episode and relapse of major depressive disorder
Xiuyan ZHENG ; Chengxia TANG ; Zhaorui LIU ; Tingting ZHANG ; Yueqin HUANG ; Liang ZHOU ; Yuandong GONG ; Yan LIU ; Bo LIU ; Jie ZHANG ; Haiming WANG ; Zhengmin FENG ; Jun GUO ; Wenming CHEN ; Linling JIANG ; Defang CAI ; Jin LU
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2024;38(1):25-32
Objective:To describe demographic,clinical and physiological characteristics,treatment between first-episode major depressive disorder(MDD)and relapse MDD,and to explore characteristics of relapse MDD.Methods:Totally 858 patients who met the diagnostic criteria for depression of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,Fifth Edition(DSM-5),were included by using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview(MINI),Clinician-Rated Dimensions of Psychosis Symptom Severity,and Hamilton Depression Scale etc.Among them,529(58.6%)were first-episode depression and 329(36.0%)were relapsed.The differences of demographic characteristics,clinical and physiological characteristics,treatment were compared byx2test and Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test.Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the characteristics of MDD recur-rence.Results:Compared to first-episode MDD,relapse MDD had more comorbidity(OR=2.11,95%CI:1.00-4.44),more days out of role(OR=1.26,95%CI:1.01-1.56),more history of using psychiatric drug more than one month(OR=1.41,95%CI:1.02-1.97)and electroconvulsive therapy(OR=3.23,95%CI:1.42-7.36),and higher waist-hip ratio(OR=33.88,95%CI:2.88-399.32).Conclusion:Relapse MDD has positive as-sociation with comorbidity of mental disorders,out of role,and higher waist-hip ratio.
8.Research on the Species and Distributions of Medical Animal Resources in Sichuan
Qingmao FANG ; Yuecheng LI ; Liang DOU ; Guo CAI ; Mei ZHANG ; Yi ZHOU ; Xianjian ZHOU ; Ping HU ; Chongjian ZHOU ; Shu WANG ; Zhiqiong LAN ; Fajun CHEN ; Boan SU ; Xiaojie TANG ; Junning ZHAO
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;26(8):1991-1998
Objective To compare the changes of the medical animal resources(MAR)in Sichuan based on the data of the 3rd Chinese Materia Medica Resource Inventory(CMMRI,1983-1986)and the 4th CMMRI(2020-2022).Methods After field investigation and identification of the photos of the animals,the data of the MAR in Sichuan found in the 4th CMMRI were analyzed and compared with the data of 3rd CMMRI.Results 745 species of MAR were found in Sichuan during the 4th CMMRI,including 212 families and 468 genera.Compared with the 108 species found in 3rd CMMRI,the number of MAR in Sichuan had greatly increased,The Aves was found to have 243 species of MAR,which is the most plenty one among the 7 classes.There were 14 families which have more than 10 species of MAR.The family,Cyprinidae had 48 species of MAR.There were 33 common Chinese medicinal herbs and 3 genuine medicinal materials including Cordyceps sinensis,musk and Venenum bufonis were found in this investigation.The new distributions of Liangshan Cordyceps and Cordyceps gunnii were found in the investigation,and the new resources of Atypus heterothecus was found in Mountain Emei.There were 140 species of key protection of wild medicinal animals,including 44 species of animals under first-class protection and 96 species of animals under second-class protection.There were 230 species of animals which had important ecological,scientific,and social values,too.Conclusion Sichuan was plenty of medical animal resources and the protection of the forest musk deer,the Cordyceps sinensis and the pangolin was need to be strengthened.
9.Analysis of driver gene mutations in “Xuanwei” multi-nodular non-small cell lung cancer
WANG Xiaoxionga ; LI Quana ; SHEN Zhenghaib ; CAI Jingjinga ; LI Zhuoyinga ; SHEN Shaoconga ; LI Hongshenga ; LIU Xina ; LIU Xia ; LIU Junxia ; GUO Yinjina ; DU Yaxia ; LAN Yunyia ; MA Luyaoa ; YANG Ruijiaoa ; WU Shunxiana ; ZHOU Yongchuna ; HUANG Yunchaob
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2024;31(4):377-382
[摘 要] 目的:探讨多结节非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)组织中的驱动基因突变情况与临床病理特征的关系,为多结节NSCLC患者治疗提供分子诊断依据。方法:本研究共纳入2018年1月至2023年10月间云南省肿瘤医院分子诊断中心检测的121例多结节NSCLC患者的253个肺结节肿瘤组织标本,以第二代测序(NGS)技术或扩增阻滞突变系统PCR(ARMS-PCR)技术检测多结节NSCLC 组织中驱动基因突变情况,分析其与患者临床病理特征的关系,比较不同结节间肺癌驱动基因的突变异质性。结果:与非“宣威”NSCLC相比,“宣威”多结节NSCLC患者驱动基因突变具有显著的地域特点,表现在“宣威”患者具有较低(20%)的EGFR敏感突变(L858R、19-del)及较高(27.26%)的EGFR少见突变(主要为G719/S768I、G719);“宣威”多结节NSCLC患者的KRAS突变率(27.27%)亦显著高于非“宣威”患者突变率(12.59%)(P<0.05)。此外,“宣威”多结节NSCLC患者驱动基因突变不一致率高达69.23%,远高于非“宣威”患者驱动基因突变不一致率(55.07%)(P<0.05)。结论:“宣威”多结节NSCLC患者具有较高的EGFR少见突变及KRAS突变率,同一患者不同病灶之间存在更高的驱动基因突变异质性,本研究将为“宣威”多结节NSCLC的诊疗策略提供更多的选择。
10.Primary drug resistance among HIV-1 patients in Hubei Province in 2020-2022
Meng GUO ; Fanghua MEI ; Cong LIU ; Kangping ZHOU ; Junqiang XYU ; Kun CAI
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2024;35(1):49-52
Objective To investigate the prevalence of primary drug resistance among HIV-1 patients in Hubei Province from 2020 to 2022, and to provide corresponding basis and data support for HIV antiviral therapy (ART) in Hubei Province. Methods During 2020-2022, plasma samples of HIV-1 infected patients before ART were collected., Patients’ demographic data and baseline laboratory test data were also collected. HIV-1 pol region was amplified by in-house method for sub-type typing and drug-resistant mutation site analysis. Results The pol gene sequence was successfully amplified in 242 of 285 cases, with a success rate of 84.9%. CRF07_BC was the predominant HIV-1 sub-type, accounting for 47.11% (114/242), followed by CRF01_AE, accounting for 25.21% (61/242), sub-type B, accounting for 14.16% (35/242), and CRF55_01B, accounting for 4.13% (10/242). The primary resistance rate was 6.20% (15/242). The mutation site of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) was mainly M184V, and the mutation sites of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) were mainly E138A/G/EG and V179E. These different mutation sites led to different degrees of drug resistance to 12 drugs. The incidence of drug resistance mutation of CRF55_01B sub-type was significantly higher than that of other sub-types. Conclusion The primary drug resistance rate of HIV-1 infected patients is at a slightly high level in Hubei Province, and close monitoring of primary drug resistance and mutation sites should be strengthened before ART, especially for CRF55_01B sub-type.


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