OBJECTIVETo study the epidemiologic characteristics of virus-induced acute diarrhea in children under 5 years old in Taiyuan, Shanxi province.

METHODSStool specimens and clinical data were collected from 346 inpatients with acute diarrhea from children less than 5 years old. Rotavirus-positive specimens were identified by ELASA kit. Calicivirus and astrovirus were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Adenovirus was done by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTSOf the 346 specimens, the percentage of samples with Rotavirus, Calicivirus, Astrovirus, and Adenovirus was 40.8%, 7.5%, 6.4% and 3.2%. Among 141 rotavirus positive samples, serotype G1 (42.6%) was the predominant strain. More than 95% of viral diarrhea patients under hospitalization occurred among children younger than 2 years.

CONCLUSIONRotavirus is the major pathogen contributing to the acute diarrhea. The disease generally peaks at autumn/winter. The predominant rotavirus strain circulated was G1P[8].

Age Distribution ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Diarrhea ; epidemiology ; virology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Virus Diseases ; epidemiology ; virology ; Viruses ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy difference between thumb-tack acupuncture with surrounding needling method plus medication and medication alone for herpes zoster (HZ) of stagnated heat in liver meridian type. METHODS: According to random number table method, 60 patients with HZ of stagnated heat in liver meridian type were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. All the patients were treated with oral valaciclovir hydrochloride dispersible tablets (0.3 g per time, twice per day), mecobalamin tablets (0.5 mg per time, three times a day) and vitamin B (10 mg per time, three times a day) for 15 days. In addition, the patients in the observation group were treated with thumb-tack acupuncture at area 1 cm outside the herpes, with an interval of 3 cm between thumb-tack needles. The thumb-tack acupuncture was given once every 3 days, retained for 48 h, with an interval of 1 day between treatments, and totally 5 treatments were given. The index of herpetic evaluation (stopping time of herpes, scarring time, decrustation time), visual analogue scale (VAS), serum immune-related factors (IgG, IgM, IgA) and serum inflammatory factors (IL-4, IL-17, TNF-α, TGF-β1) were observed before and after treatment in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the stopping time of herpes, scarring time, decrustation time in the observation group were shorter than those in the control group (all <0.05). Compared before treatment, the VAS score in the two groups were reduced after treatment (both <0.05), and no significant difference was observed between the two groups (>0.05), but the difference before and after treatment in the observation group was superior to that in the control group (<0.05). Compared before treatment, the levels of serum immune-related factors IgG, IgM, IgA were increased in the two groups after treatment (all <0.05), and the levels in the observation group after treatment were higher than those in the control group (all <0.05). Compared before treatment, the levels of serum inflammatory factors IL-4, IL-17, TNF-α, TGF-β1 were reduced in the two groups after treatment (all <0.05), and the levels in the observation group after treatment were lower than those in the control group (all <0.05). CONCLUSION The thumb-tack acupuncture with surrounding needling method plus medication have the advantages of rapid onset and analgesic effect for HZ of stagnated heat in liver meridian type, which could also improve serum immune-related factors and reduce inflammatory reaction.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Herpes Zoster ; therapy ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Liver ; Meridians ; Thumb ; Treatment Outcome