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Current situation and prospect of prevention and treatment of hepatitis C

WANG Anhui ; WANG Bo ; HUANG Changxing ; YAN Yongping

China Tropical Medicine.2024;24(1):34-.

Viral hepatitis is one of the serious infectious diseases affecting the health of Chinese residents. The World Health Organization (WHO) has set the goal of eliminating the threat of viral hepatitis by 2030 as a global public health goal. However, in the prevention and control of viral hepatitis C, due to the etiological characteristics of the hepatitis C virus and the particularity of the natural history of HCV infection, there has been no breakthrough in the research of hepatitis C vaccine. The specificity of the HCV infection population, alongside the fact that the majority of those infected with HCV remain asymptomatic, presents numerous challenges in controlling and preventing hepatitis C. This article provides a comprehensive review of the virology, epidemiology, and current prevention and control challenges faced in the management of hepatitis C.

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Current state and prospect of dengue prevention and control

GAO Qiang ; LENG Peien

China Tropical Medicine.2024;24(1):40-.

engue fever is a vector-borne infectious disease caused by dengue virus and transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Affected by globalization, urbanization, and climate change, the prevalence of dengue fever is expanding globally, and the number of infections is still increasing continuously, making its prevention and control situation increasingly severe. In preventing and controlling dengue fever, the control of vector Aedes mosquitoes remains the most effective method. Aedes mosquito control should take into account the combination of conventional control and emergency control, the overall coordination and complementation of comprehensive environmental control, biological control, chemical control, and other control means, and the adoption of sustainable control strategies and measures in accordance with the local conditions; in addition, scientific research and international cooperation should be strengthened in the monitoring, diagnosis and treatment of dengue infections, and the development of vaccines and specific drugs, to add more effective options for the prevention and control of dengue fever. Currently, the prevention and control of dengue fever still faces many challenges, such as the continued geographical expansion of dengue prevalence, the widespread resistance of Aedes mosquito populations to insecticides, and an increase in severe cases caused by antibody-dependent enhancement. This article reviews the global and domestic dengue epidemic and control situations, as well as future challenges and strategies, providing evidence for dengue fever prevention and control.

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Challenges and countermeasures for mpox epidemic prevention and control in China

LI Chao ; LI Junfan ; SHI Guoqing

China Tropical Medicine.2024;24(1):49-.

Since May 2022, there have been outbreaks of mpox in more than 110 previously non-endemic countries and regions around the world, spreading through sexual contact of men who have sex with men (MSM) and their congregate activities. On June 2, 2023, China reported its first indigenous case of mpox. By November 30, a cumulative total of 1 610 cases had been identified.After the government has carried out a battery of control measures, including monitoring, field investigation, tracking and managing close contacts, and health education and intervention for key populations, the outbreak of mpox in China has been reduced to a lower level since October. However, there are ongoing risks of importation from abroad and persistent local transmission. To achieve the goals of suspending human-to-human transmission, it is necessary to further strengthen the work of case detection, investigation of the transmission chain, identification of potentially exposed persons, and intervention for key populations. Additionally, continuous efforts to guide behavioral change among targeted groups and improve capabilities for multi-channel monitoring are essential.

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Analysis of the monitoring results of nail snails in the Tongjiang River channel of Zhenjiang section on the south bank of Yangtze River from 2019 to 2023

WANG Zhiqin ; CHEN Xingchen ; SHEN Xuehui ; DAI Jianrong ; LI Aihua ; WANG Lin ; LI Yefang ; LI Zhiwei

China Tropical Medicine.2024;24(1):53-.

Objective　To timely understand the current status and distribution of nail snails (Oncomelania hupensis) in Tongjiang River channels in Zhenjiang City, providing a scientific basis for achieving the goal of eliminating schistosomiasis. Methods　From 2019 to 2023, nine Tongjiang River channels on the south bank of the Yangtze River under the jurisdiction of Zhenjiang City were selected as the monitoring area. Snail monitoring was carried out onshore and beach nail snails floats in the Tongjiang River channels, nail snails on attachments in hardened areas, snails induced by straw curtains, and snails carried by boats and domestic animals. Results　The monitoring results of shoreline snail from 2019 to 2023 showed that the snail situation in the Tongjiang River channel and its outer river bank remained relatively stable from 2019 to 2020; however, in 2021, under the influence of the Yangtze River flooding disaster in 2020, the area of snails increased significantly. In 2021, the area with snails in the Tongjiang River channel and the outer river bank increased by 45.70% (11.95/26.15) and 100.00% (20.00/20.00) compared to 2020; the average density of nails snails in the Tongjiang River channel and the outer river bank and the emergence rate of snail frames both showed a significant increase, rising by 94.73% (0.18/0.19) and 68.08% (8.68/12.75) compared to 2020, and by 122.73% (0.81/0.66) and 102.78% (43.26/42.09), respectively. The differences in the increase in the occurrence rate of spiked frames in the Tongjiang River channel Chili River and Renmin River were not statistically significant (χ2=0.329, P>0.05; χ2=0.646, P>0.05). From 2022 to 2023, the density of nail snails and the occurrence rate of framed snails in the Tongjiang River channel showed a decreasing trend (F=4.72, P=0.04 and χ2=372.58, P<0.01). The area of nail snails, density of live snails, and occurrence rate of framed snails in the outer river bank showed a decreasing trend (F=13.96, P=0.02; F=23.43, P<0.01; χ2=1 029.69, P<0.01). During the five years, no nail snails were detected in the ancient canal and 11 tributaries. From 2019 to 2023, 180 times of 3 003 kg of floating objects were salvaged, with a total of 148 live snails detected. A total of 17 live snails were captured on attachments in the hardened berm area; a total of 11 live snails were captured by straw curtain snail baiting;112 boats were inspected, and no snails were found; there were 112 boats surveyed, and no snails were found; 97 cattle were observed, and 2 cattle were found to carry 1 live snail on their hooves; 321 sheep were observed, and no snails were found on their hooves; and no infectious snails were found in the monitoring area in 5 years. Conclusions　Nail snails continue to exist in the Tongjiang River channel, and the risk factors for schistosomiasis transmission have not been completely eliminated. It is still necessary to carry out accurate monitoring of the snail situation in the Tongjiang River and the river bank, so as to grasp the risk of transmission in time and take emergency measures.

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Blood vitamin characteristics and their correlation with severity in patients with metabolic-related fatty liver disease

XIONG Bo ; ZHENG Jinxin ; XIE Yunqi ; RAO Liying ; LIU Xiaojun ; YU Zhijian ; DENG Qiwen

China Tropical Medicine.2024;24(1):60-.

Objective To explore the characteristics of blood vitamins A, B2, B6, B12, D, E, K1, K2 and folic acid and their correlation with severity in patients with metabolic-related fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Methods　From September to December 2022, a total of 473 cases of residents were recruited through community MAFLD screening activities and their health information was obtained through questionnaire survey and physical examination. The severity of hepatic steatosis was determined with FibroScan, and vitamin concentrations were determined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Two independent samples' t-tests were used to assess the differences between the two groups, and univariate chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to explore the related factors of MAFLD. Results　Of the 473 inhabitants, 195 (41.23%, 195/473) met the diagnostic criteria for MAFLD, including mild 43 (22.05%, 43/195) cases of fatty liver, 88 (45.13%, 88/195) cases of moderate fatty liver, and 64 (32.82%, 64/195) cases of severe fatty liver. Using healthy residents collected during the same period as controls, the overall mean of vitamins A, E, K1, and K2 in the MAFLD group was higher than that of the healthy group, with a statistical difference (P<0.05). Furthermore, the concentrations of vitamins A, E, K1 and K2 increased with the severity of fatty liver [R=0.149, P=0.004; R=0.245, P<0.001; R=0.110, P=0.032; R=0.129，P=0.012]. There were statistically significant differences (P<0.05) in the blood levels of vitamin A and E between patients with moderate or severe fatty liver and the healthy population. The blood vitamins K1 and K2 in severe fatty liver patients were also different from those of healthy people (P<0.05). However, there was no significance between folic acid, vitamin D, B2, B6, B12, and MAFLD (P>0.05). Through univariate chi-square analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis, it was found that male [Wald=5.789, P=0.034，OR=1.598(1.037-2.463)] and vitamin E≥8.13 μg/mL[Wald=14.632，P<0.001，OR=2.378(1.522-3.674)] were risk factors for moderate and severe MAFLD. Conclusions The concentrations of vitamin A, E, and K in the blood are increased in patients with MAFLD compared to the healthy population, and they are positively correlated with the severity of MAFLD. ale gender and high levels of vitamin E may be related to moderate to severe MAFLD.

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Impact of ERCC1 C8092A gene polymorphism on the efficacy of platinum-based chemotherapy for lung cancer

LI Yixuan ; WANG Yiwei ; FU Yihui ; MENG Chong ; KUANG Shicheng ; LYU Pengfei ; ZHOU jing ; XU Qiongjun ; HUANG Hairong ; XIAO Sha

China Tropical Medicine.2024;24(1):65-.

Objective To explore the relationship between the polymorphism of excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1) C8092A locus and the efficacy and prognosis of platinum-based chemotherapy for lung cancer (LC), and to provide a theoretical basis for precision treatment of LC. Methods From January 2014 to October 2017, 120 patients from two tertiary hospitals in Haikou City, and with pathologically confirmed lung cancer treated with platinum-based chemotherapy were selected as the research objects. After informed consent was obtained, peripheral blood samples were collected for DNA extraction, and the genotype of ERCC1 C8092A locus was detected by mass spectrometry. WHO's Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) was used to judge patients' chemotherapy efficacy and patients' survival status was obtained by telephone follow-up and other means. Results Among the 120 LC patients, the genotype frequencies of ERCC1 C8092A locus were 67 cases of CC wildtype (55.8%), 45 cases of CA heterozygous type (37.5%), and 8 cases of AA rare mutation type (6.7%), which conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (χ2=0.140, P>0.05). The total effective rate of chemotherapy was 32.5%, with the highest effective rate in patients with the CA genotype (42.2%) at the ERCC1 C8092A locus and the lowest in patients with the CC genotype (25.4%). The overall one-year survival rate was 68.3% and the three-year survival rate was 35.8%. The patients with ERCC1 C8092A AA genotype had the lowest survival rate, with a one-year survival rate of 50.0% and three-year survival rate of only 25.0%. However, there were no statistical differences in the overall survival rate among the three genotypes of carriers of ERCC1 C8092A (χ2=0.328, P=0.849). Conclusions The polymorphism of ERCC1 C8092A locus is associated with the efficacy of platinum-based chemotherapy for LC, and patients with CA genotype have the highest efficacy. The one-year and three-year survival rates of patients with CC genotype are significantly higher than those of CA and AA genotypes.

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Observation on the therapeutic effect of apigenin combined with resveratrol on mice with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

FU Haiyang ; HAN Weidong ; ZHANG Haiyun

China Tropical Medicine.2024;24(1):70-.

Objective　To investigate the efficacy of combined use of apigenin and resveratrol in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods　Fifty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a normal group (n=10) and a model group (n=40). The NAFLD model was established in the model group using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and a high-fat diet. After successful modeling, the model group was further divided into a model group, an apigenin group, a resveratrol group, and an apigenin and resveratrol combined group (combined administration group), with 10 mice in each group. The mice were administered once daily for four consecutive weeks. At the end of the administration, the mice in each group were weighed, the eyeballs were taken for blood samples, and the necks were dissected and sacrificed. The livers were dissected and weighed, and the liver index was calculated. The automatic biochemical analyzer was used to detect the serum biochemical indicators of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglycerides (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) levels in mice. The ELISA method was used to detect the contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in mouse 10% liver tissue homogenate. HE staining was used to observe the pathological morphology of liver tissue in mice. Results Compared with the normal group, the liver index and serum biochemical ALT, AST, TG, TC levels in the model group were significantly increased (P<0.01), and the liver homogenate MDA was significantly increased (P<0.01), while the levels of SOD, CAT, GSH- Px were decreased significantly (P<0.01). There were a large number of fatty vacuoles and hepatic cord disorders in the liver tissue. Compared with the apigenin group and the resveratrol group, the liver index, and serum biochemical ALT, AST, TG and TC levels in the combined administration group decreased (P<0.05), and the liver homogenate MDA level decreased (P<0.05), and the levels of SOD, CAT and GSH-Px were increased (P<0.05). The number of fatty vacuoles in liver tissues were reduced, hepatic cord disorders were improved. Conclusions The combined administration of apigenin and resveratrol has a protective effect on NAFLD model mice, possibly through the reduction of hepatic enzymes and blood lipid levels, as well as enhanced antioxidant activity. The combination treatment shows better efficacy compared to the apigenin and resveratrol groups.

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Identification of sulfakinin and its receptor gene in Aedes aegypti and transcriptomic changes in genes knockdown strains

JIANG Linlong ; ZHU XiaoJing ; ZHANG Lei ; HUANG Yuqi ; XU Jingyun ; HAN Qian

China Tropical Medicine.2024;24(1):75-.

Objective　By exploring the function of sulfakinin (SK) and sulfakinin receptor (SKR) of Aedes aegypti, it laid a certain experimental basis and theoretical basis for the research and development of new insecticides targeting neuropeptides and their receptors. Methods　This study investigated the roles of SK and its receptor gene in Ae. aegypti using bioinformatics analysis and Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats(CRISPR)/Cas9 knockout technology. Subsequently, RNA interference technology was employed to suppress the expression of SK or its receptor in adult mosquitoes. Lastly, transcriptome sequencing technology was utilized to identify and analyze differentially expressed genes between the interference group and the control group in order to gain insights into their functions. Results　It was found that there is only one SK receptor in Ae. aegypti. In addition, during the construction of mutant strains of Ae. aegypti SK and its receptor gene, it was found that only 2% of the G0 generation mutant strains mutated to form chimeras, with a large number of male chimeras dying, and only 14% of female chimeras being able to lay eggs, ultimately resulting in no effective G1 generation mutants. Transcriptome data showed, compared to the control group, 181 genes were significantly differentially expressed after interfering with the SK gene, with 62 genes significantly upregulated and 119 genes significantly downregulated. In addition, after interference with the sulfakinin receptor, 110 genes exhibited significant differential expression, including 20 upregulated and 90 downregulated genes. Cross-analysis of the two datasets identified 46 genes with significant expression changes after interference with sulfakinin or its receptor, with only 4 genes upregulated and the remaining 42 genes significantly downregulated, and the differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in the metabolic pathway, endocrine system, and digestive system. Conclusions　The SK and its receptor gene are highly conserved and may primarily play roles in regulating the energy metabolism and digestion functions in Ae. aegypti, thus playing an important role in regulating insect growth and development.

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Effects of α7nAChR on CD11b and inflammatory cytokines in mice with acute respiratory distress syndrome

SUN Qiong ; YU Yanmei ; LIU Fan ; YIN Zongbao

China Tropical Medicine.2024;24(1):82-.

Objective To investigate the effects of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) on CD11b, IL-1β, IL-18 and TNF-α in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) mice. Methods A total of 40 healthy and clean male Balb/C mice (6 weeks old) were randomly divided into normal group (N group), normal saline control group (NS group), ARDS group (A group), and ARDS mice treated with nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist after bilateral cervical vagotomy group (J group), with 10 mice in each group. The right lung structure of mice in each group was observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, the lung tissue wet weight/body weight ratio (LWW/DW ratio) was detected, and the percentage of CD11b in the alveolar lavage fluid of mice was detected by flow cytometry. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression of IL-1β mRNA, IL-18 mRNA and TNF-α mRNA in left lung tissue. Serum IL-18 was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and double antibody sandwich method. Results HE staining of the right lung of mice in group N and NS showed normal structure, while the lung interstitial of mice in group A showed a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrated, alveolar wall thickened, alveolar structure destroyed and alveolar cavity fused. The alveolar structure of mice in group J was intact, with a little damage and alveolar cavity. The percentage of CD11b in alveolar lavage fluid in group A was higher than that in the other three groups, and the difference was statistically significant compared with group N, NS and J, respectively (P<0.05). The expressions of IL-1β mRNA, IL-18 mRNA and TNF-α mRNA in the left lung of mice in group J were statistically significant compared with those in group N, NS and A (P<0.05), and the serum IL-18 level of mice in group A was higher than that in the other three groups, and the differences were statistically significant compared with groups N, NS and J, respectively (P<0.05). Conclusions Activation of α7nAChR can directly inhibit the release of CD11b in lung tissue and reduce the accumulation of inflammatory factors. Simultaneously, it can also directly inhibit the expression of IL-β1 mRNA, IL-18 mRNA and TNF-α mRNA in lung tissue and the release of IL-18, thus inhibiting the inflammatory response of ARDS and alleviating the pathological changes of ARDS.

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Clinical characteristics and drug resistance of Elizabethkingia meningoseptica infection in a tertiary hospital in Hainan Province from 2021 to 2022

YAN Jianhui ; WANG Yanping ; LIU Haizhen ; CHEN Xiaodan ; FENG Cui ; CHEN Zhile ; ZUO Minfang ; ZHOU Xingye ; XU Huawen

China Tropical Medicine.2024;24(1):87-.

Objective　To explore the clinical characteristics and drug resistance of Elizabethkingia meningoseptica (EM) nosocomial infection, so as to provide evidence for prevention of EM nosocomial infection and guiding the rational use of antibiotics. Methods　A retrospective study was conducted of 67 patients with EM infection in a tertiary hospital from January 2021 to December 2022. The infective characteristics and drug resistance were analyzed. Results　The cohort of 67 EM-infected patients was predominantly males aged ≥60 years, with the most frequent source being the first district of the intensive care unit (ICU), followed by the respiratory medicine and emergency department (19.40%, 13/67). The specimens were mainly isolated from respiratory tract (86.57%, 58/67), of which sputum accounted for 49.25% (33/67), and alveolar lavage fluid accounted for 37.31% (25/67). The majority of EM infections occurred in patients with pre-existing respiratory conditions (49.25%, 33/67), who generally experienced prolonged hospital stays and underwent invasive procedures, such as mechanical ventilation 94.03% (63/67), urinary catheterization (95.52%, 64/67), and central venous catheterization (97.01%, 65/67). Post-treatment, the improved rate of the 67 patients was 40.30% (27/67). Susceptibility testing demonstrated a high resistance rate of EM to cefoperazone-sulbactam, 98.39% (61/62), contrasted by significant susceptibility to compound trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX)/cotrimoxazole, doxycycline, minocycline, and piperacillin-tazobactam, with susceptibility rates exceeding 90%. Conclusions　The patients infected with EM were almost elderly men with certain underlying diseases, experienced prolonged hospital stays, and had a history of invasive operations. The specimens of EM were mainly from Intensive Care Unit and isolated from respiratory tract. The strain showed high resistance to cefoperazone-sulbactam, whereas it remained highly susceptible to cotrimoxazole, doxycycline, minocycline and piperacillin-tazobactam, which may be considered as first-line treatment options.

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