Objective: To establish a fluorescent bead-based multiplex assay for the simultaneous detection of seven viral diseases endemic in Africa. Methods: The genomic sequences of the viral pathogens causing Rift valley fever, Yellow fever, Marburg virus disease, Ebola virus disease, Lassa fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and Chikungunya fever were compared, PCR detection target fragments were selected, and amplification primers and hybrid probes were designed. The reference samples of related pathogens were prepared by chemical synthesis of DNA and in vitro transcription RNA. The sensitivity and stability of the detection method were evaluated. The specificity was evaluated by testing 30 samples of suspected dengue fever, and hantavirus diseases, and 32 healthy human blood samples. Results: The fluorescent bead-based multiplex assay could specifically detect the corresponding pathogen, the detection limit was at a range of 10²-10⁵ copies/ μl, the specificity was 100%, and the intra-assay coefficient of variation was below 12%, and the inter-assay coefficient of variation was below 15%. Conclusions A fluorescent bead-based multiplex PCR assay for the simultaneous detection of seven viral diseases endemic in Africa was established, which may provide a new choice for the screening of suspected infectious diseases.

Hantavirus disease is a globally distributed, natural foci-related infectious disease caused by hantavirus, that maintaining persistent infections in their rodent hosts without apparent disease symptoms but seriously affecting the health safety of human beings. Development of the disease depends on the interaction between virus, rodent host and the individual person. Factors as significant geographical and seasonal variations, certain periodicity and contingency can all be related to the incidence of hantavirus disease. The disease is affected by climate and meteorological,environment, economic and social development, human life style and individual behaviors, etc.. Results from the analysis on main influencing factors and the nature of epidemics provide as with more evidence and information in setting up programs onto timely implementation of related prevention and control measures scientifically. By searching relevant scientific and technological literature, this paper summarizes the factors that affecting the nature of transmission and infection of hantavirus from related perspectives and factors including virus, host, climate and meteorological, meteorology, geographical environment, economic and social factors, etc.. In order to elaborate on the understanding of the epidemics and transmission characteristics of this kind of diseases, this paper provides evidence on prediction, prevention and control measures of hantavirus disease.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) in patients with acute respiratory infection (ARIs) in sentinel hospitals of the Hubei influenza surveillance network from 2016 to 2023.Methods:ARIs samples [including influenza-like cases (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI)] were collected from influenza surveillance sentinel hospitals in Hubei Province from 2016 to 2023, and case information was collected. HRSV virus nucleic acid typing was performed by fluorescence quantitative PCR method, and the data were collated, plotted and analyzed.Results:From 2016 to 2023, 12 779 cases of ILI and 9 166 cases of SARI were collected. The positive rate of HRSV was the highest in<5 years of age group [15.77% (168/1 065)], among which the positive rate was the highest in 2 to 5 years of age group of ILI cases [13.60% (31/228)], and the positive rate was the highest in 0 to 2 years of age group of SARI cases [25.97% (60/231)] (all P values<0.001). The positive rate of HRSV in SARI cases was 2.31%-25.97%, higher than that in ILI cases (0-13.60%) ( P=0.016). HRSV was prevalent in autumn and winter from 2016 to 2020 and in spring in 2023. Alternating epidemics of HRSV virus type A and B in Hubei Province from 2016 to 2023 (dominant epidemics of type B in 2016 and 2020; dominant epidemics of type A in 2017-2019 and 2023). Conclusion:SARI and ILI patients under five years old are the main infection groups of HRSV. The seasonal prevalence characteristics of HRSV in Hubei Province from 2016 to 2023 shift from autumn and winter to spring.

Objective:To explore an early, rapid and accurate detection method of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (2019-nCoV) antigen and improve the detection rate of patients with 2019-nCoV.Methods:We detected the characteristics of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against 2019-nCoV generated previously and established a double antibody sandwich ELISA against S protein of the virus.Results:All 12 mAbs against 2019-nCoV screened in our previous study were able to recognize purified virion and S protein. They were good candidates for detecting antibody to 2019-nCoV antigen. A double antibody sandwich ELISA established in this study could rapidly and effectively detect 2019-nCoV S protein with high sensitivity. The detection limit of 2019-nCoV S protein was lower than 1 ng/ml.Conclusions:This method could specifically detect 2019-nCoV antigen, and provided a meaningful reference for early, sensitive and specific diagnosis of COVID-19 infection.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) in patients with acute respiratory infection (ARIs) in sentinel hospitals of the Hubei influenza surveillance network from 2016 to 2023.Methods:ARIs samples [including influenza-like cases (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI)] were collected from influenza surveillance sentinel hospitals in Hubei Province from 2016 to 2023, and case information was collected. HRSV virus nucleic acid typing was performed by fluorescence quantitative PCR method, and the data were collated, plotted and analyzed.Results:From 2016 to 2023, 12 779 cases of ILI and 9 166 cases of SARI were collected. The positive rate of HRSV was the highest in<5 years of age group [15.77% (168/1 065)], among which the positive rate was the highest in 2 to 5 years of age group of ILI cases [13.60% (31/228)], and the positive rate was the highest in 0 to 2 years of age group of SARI cases [25.97% (60/231)] (all P values<0.001). The positive rate of HRSV in SARI cases was 2.31%-25.97%, higher than that in ILI cases (0-13.60%) ( P=0.016). HRSV was prevalent in autumn and winter from 2016 to 2020 and in spring in 2023. Alternating epidemics of HRSV virus type A and B in Hubei Province from 2016 to 2023 (dominant epidemics of type B in 2016 and 2020; dominant epidemics of type A in 2017-2019 and 2023). Conclusion:SARI and ILI patients under five years old are the main infection groups of HRSV. The seasonal prevalence characteristics of HRSV in Hubei Province from 2016 to 2023 shift from autumn and winter to spring.

Objective:To establish a simple, rapid and low-cost 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) neutralizing antibody detection method.Methods:The 2019-nCoV RBD specific immunoglobulin G (RBD-IgG) detection method was established based on the principle of quantum dot immunochromatography(QDs), and the detection was evaluated by using of sera from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) convalescent patients ( N = 97), vaccinated donors ( N = 82) and healthy donors ( N = 299). The suitability of fingertip blood was evaluated by matching blood samples with peripheral blood ( N=54). Results:The 2019-nCoV RBD-IgG detection method based on QDs was successfully established. The detection result of QDSs had strong correlation ( Spearman r > 0.73, P < 0.000 1) and good consistency ( Kappa=0.93, P < 0.01) with the result of micro-neutralization test(MNT). The sensitivity and specificity were 92% and 99%, respectively. There was high correlation ( Spearman r =0.932 6, P < 0.000 1) and no significant difference ( P=0.102 6) between result of fingertip blood and peripheral blood. Fingertip blood can be used as a surrogate sample for testing. Conclusions:The 2019-nCoV neutralizing antibody detection method established in this study can provide an immediate, efficient and low-cost method selection for the assessment of herd immunity status, and provide technical support for the herd immunity monitoring of 2019-nCoV vaccinated population and the prevention and control of the epidemic.