ObjectiveTo investigate the current professional competency among full-time and part-time personnel of the nosocomial infection control administration in Shanghai, so as to provide a scientific basis for future training programmes. MethodsIn December 2024, a questionnaire survey was conducted by the Shanghai Nosocomial Infection Quality Control Center among full-time and part-time personnel of the nosocomial infection control administration across medical institutions at various levels and types in Shanghai using convenience sampling method. The questionnaire consisted of two parts: demographic information and professional competency assessment. The professional competency scale comprised four dimensions: fundamental cognition, basic skills, professional expertise, and personal qualities, totaling 35 items. ResultsA total of 1 179 questionnaires were distributed, with 1 144 valid responses collected, yielding an effective response rate of 97.03%. Statistically significant differences were observed among full-time and part-time personnel of the nosocomial infection control administration in terms of age (t=5.32, P=0.021), professional background (χ²=9.90, P=0.019), educational qualifications (χ²=19.10, P<0.001), professional titles (χ²=12.60, P=0.002), and the levels of medical institutions (χ²=111.08, P<0.001). The scores of full-time personnel of the nosocomial infection control administration in fundamental cognition [92 (82, 99) points] and basic skills [88 (78, 96) points] were significantly higher than those of part-time personnel(Z=-2.21, P=0.027;Z=-2.74, P=0.006). Statistically significant differences were found in fundamental cognition scores between full-time and part-time personnel of the nosocomial infection control administration regarding occupational safety protection, definition of healthcare-associated infection outbreaks, types of drug-resistant bacteria and their prevention and control strategies, and transmission routes of different infectious diseases (all P<0.05). Statistically significant differences were also observed in basic skills scores including proficient use of monitoring platforms, formulation and revision of standard operating procedures (SOPs), independent completion of targeted surveillance, guidance on basic infection control skills, guidance for key departments, and follow-up of personnel with occupational exposure (all P<0.05). However, no statistically significant differences were found in scores of professional knowledge and personal qualities (P>0.05). ConclusionThere are certain differences in professional competency between full-time and part-time personnel of the nosocomial infection control administration in Shanghai in terms of fundamental cognition and basic skills. Part-time personnel can effectively improve their professional competency through systematic training on basic infection control knowledge and practical skills, thereby comprehensively enhancing the overall quality of the nosocomial infection administration team.

Objective:To investigate the application in evaluating the course and the clinical effects of serum cytokines interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) levels, as well as neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in patients with brucellosis.Methods:Using case-control method, from February 2023 to March 2024, 274 confirmed brucellosis patients [divided into acute and chronic groups ( n = 165, 109) according to the course of the disease] and 70 healthy individuals (control group) were selected at Beidahuang Group General Hospital for serum cytokines detection using cytometric bead array (CBA) method. Blood routine test, serum agglutination test (SAT) and blood culture were performed at the same time, and NLR and PLR were calculated. Cytokine levels, NLR, and PLR were compared in patients with different disease duration, with or without complications, with different SAT titers [high ( > 1 ∶ 100) and low (≤1 ∶ 100)], and with different blood culture results, and the effects of each indicator on the course of brucellosis were analyzed by logistic regression. Results:The levels of IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α and IFN-γ in the acute group [ M ( Q1, Q3): 0.32 (0.15, 0.70), 18.97 (10.70, 36.86), 2.54 (1.49, 4.36), 1.41 (0.38, 3.05), 1.31 (0.77, 2.33), 11.60 (2.30, 36.75) ng/L] were higher than those in the chronic group [0.18 (0.06, 0.43), 1.68 (0.75, 5.74), 0.88 (0.40, 1.93), 0.29 (0.09, 0.87), 0.59 (0.31, 1.07), 0.72 (0.33, 1.42) ng/L] and control group [0.10 (0.05, 0.30), 1.52 (0.09, 2.80), 0.72 (0.35, 1.16), 0.08 (0.03, 0.20), 0.55 (0.20, 0.96), 0.68 (0.41, 1.25) ng/L, P < 0.05]. The IFN-γ level in the group with complications of brucellosis was lower than that in the group without complications, while the NLR and PLR were higher than those in the group without complications ( P < 0.05). The levels of IL-6, IL-17, TNF-α, and IFN-γ in the high titer group were higher than those in the low titer group, and the NLR was lower than that in the low titer group ( P < 0.05). The levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α of blood culture positive patients in the acute group were higher than those of blood culture negative patients ( P < 0.05). Univariate analysis showed that all 7 cytokines could affect the course of brucellosis ( P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ were independent influencing factors of the course of brucellosis [ OR (95% CI) = 0.87 (0.83, 0.91), 0.55 (0.32, 0.97), 0.80 (0.72, 0.88), P < 0.05]. Conclusions:The levels of cytokines IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α, and IFN-γ can reflect the course progression of brucellosis patients, IL-6, IFN-γ and TNF-α can also serve as independent influencing factors for brucellosis progression. NLR and PLR may become inflammatory markers for predicting Brucella infection.

Objective:To study the effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula in the treatment of brucellosis.Methods:Patients with brucellosis who were treated at the Beidahuang Industry Group General Hospital from March to November 2024 were selected and their clinical data were collected. A case-control study was conducted, thirty patients treated with conventional therapy plus TCM formula were selected as the TCM group, and 35 patients treated with conventional therapy were selected as the control group. Blood routine, C-reactive protein (CRP), lymphocyte subsets (CD45 +, CD3 +, CD4 +, CD8 +, CD19 +), and related cytokines [interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10] were determined before and after treatment to observe the clinical effect of TCM formula in the treatment of brucellosis. Survival curve was draw, and Log-Rank test was used to compare the differences in clinical symptom relief time between the two groups of patients. Results:Compared with pre-treatment, there were statistically significant differences in the numbers of CD45 +, CD3 +, CD4 +, CD8 +, CD19 + lymphocytes, neutrophil (NEUT), and the levels of CRP, IL-6, and IL-10 in the TCM group after treatment ( P < 0.05). After treatment, the comparison of each index between the two groups showed that there were statistically significant differences in the numbers of CD45 +, CD3 +, CD4 +, and CD8 + lymphocytes [control group vs TCM group: 2 470.00 (1 895.50, 3 207.00) vs 1 991.00 (1 720.75, 2 367.25), 1 920.00 (1 364.50, 2 428.00) vs 1 591.00 (1 343.00, 1 884.00), 1 021.00 (785.00, 1 205.50) vs 839.50 (704.25, 1 010.25), (686.42 ± 294.47) vs (596.97 ± 205.32) pieces/μl, P < 0.05]. There was no statistically significant difference in the number of CD19 + lymphocytes, NEUT, and the levels of CRP, IL-6 and IL-10 ( P > 0.05). The Log-Rank test results showed that there were statistically significant differences in the relief time of hyperhidrosis and night sweats ( P = 0.016), fatigue ( P = 0.016), and muscle soreness ( P = 0.004) between the two groups of patients. Conclusion:TCM formula has certain effects in the adjuvant therapy of brucellosis, which can improve the immune function of lymphocytes and relieve clinical symptoms, and has clinical application value.

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics of patients with brucellosis complicated with epididymo-orchitis (Brucellar epididymo-orchitis, BEO), so as to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment of BEO.Methods:General and clinical data of 293 male patients with acute brucellosis admitted to the Beidahuang Industry Group General Hospital from January 2023 to December 2024 were retrospectively collected. They were divided into a BEO group (30 cases) and a non-BEO group (263 cases) based on the presence or absence of epididymo-orchitis. Epidemic characteristics, clinical manifestations and laboratory examination results were compared and analyzed.Results:Among 293 male patients with acute brucellosis, the incidence of BEO was 10.24% (30/293). Their age was mainly concentrated in 45 - < 60 years old (53.33%, 16/30), and occupation was mostly farmers (63.33%, 19/30). There were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of age, occupation, exposure history and onset season between the BEO group and the non-BEO group ( P > 0.05). The distribution of abdominal pain and urinary frequency/urgency/pain symptoms was compared, and the differences were statistically significant ( P < 0.05). White blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count (NEUT), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in the BEO group were higher than those in the non-BEO group ( P < 0.05), while the levels of cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were lower than those in the non-BEO group ( P < 0.05). After 6 - 8 weeks of hospitalization, the levels of WBC, NEUT, CRP, albumin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IFN-γ in patients of the BEO group were significantly different from before treatment ( P < 0.05). Twenty-eight patients were cured, 1 patient underwent orchiectomy, and 1 patient experienced recurrence. Conclusions:Middle-aged male patients with brucellosis are more prone to BEO. Clinical manifestations and laboratory tests have certain diagnostic value for BEO. Suspected BEO patients should be diagnosed and treated as early as possible to reduce the occurrence of adverse prognosis.

Objective:To learn about the levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OH VD), TBNK lymphocyte subsets, and cytokines in peripheral blood of patients with brucellosis.Methods:A prospective design was adopted, one hundred patients with brucellosis admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases, Beidahuang Industry Group General Hospital from May 2024 to February 2025 were selected as the brucellosis group, and one hundred healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations at the hospital during the same period were selected as the control group. The peripheral blood 25-OH VD levels were detected by chemiluminescence method. Further, 100 patients with brucellosis were divided into a brucellosis combined with osteoarthritis group (74 cases) and a brucellosis without osteoarthritis group (26 cases). Flow cytometry was used to detect the counts of peripheral blood TBNK lymphocyte subsets and cytokine levels. Meanwhile, Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the correlation between peripheral blood 25-OH VD levels and TBNK lymphocyte subsets counts as well as cytokine levels in patients with brucellosis complicated by osteoarthritis.Results:The peripheral blood 25-OH VD level in the brucellosis group [20.31 (15.74, 24.35) ng/ml] was significantly lower than that of the control group [25.18 (21.13, 29.59) ng/ml], and the difference was statistically significant ( Z = - 5.07, P < 0.001). The peripheral blood 25-OH VD level [18.05 (13.79, 23.74) vs 22.43 (19.93, 28.25) ng/ml], CD4 + T cell count [(860 ± 275) vs (1 036 ± 376) cells/μl], and interleukin (IL)-6 levels [4.17 (2.14, 9.41) vs 7.83 (5.97, 11.34) ng/L] in the brucellosis combined with osteoarthritis group were significantly lower than those in the brucellosis without osteoarthritis group ( Z/t = - 2.88, 2.20, - 2.85, P = 0.004, 0.035, 0.004). Correlation analysis showed that the peripheral blood 25-OH VD level in patients with brucellosis complicated by osteoarthritis was positively correlated with the counts of CD45 +, CD3 + T, CD4 + T, CD8 + T, and natural killer cells ( r = 0.31, 0.26, 0.25, 0.25, 0.25, P = 0.007, 0.027, 0.032, 0.031, 0.032), and negatively correlated with IL-17A level ( r = - 0.40, P < 0.001). Conclusion:Patients with brucellosis have insufficient 25-OH VD, and those with osteoarthritis have lower 25-OH VD level, CD4 + T cell count, and IL-6 level than those without osteoarthritis.

Objective:To learn about the clinical characteristics of patients with neurobrucellosis (NB) and provide references for clinical diagnosis and treatment of NB.Methods:The clinical data of 22 NB patients diagnosed and treated at Beidahuang Industry Group General Hospital from January 2018 to November 2024 and 178 healthy individuals undergoing physical examinations during the same period were retrospectively collected. The epidemiological characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, treatment and prognosis of NB patients were analyzed.Results:Among the 22 NB patients, 12 were males (54.55%) and 10 were females (45.45%). The age was (51.77 ± 12.75) years old, ranging from 27 to 80 years old. Most of the patients were farmers (95.45%, 21/22), and 16 cases (72.73%) had contacted with cattle/sheep. The onset seasons were mainly in summer (40.91%, 9/22) and spring (31.82%, 7/22). Among all NB patients, there were 10 cases of encephalitis/meningoencephalitis, 9 cases of myelitis, and 3 cases of meningitis. The general symptoms were mainly fever (68.18%, 15/22), the neurological symptoms were mainly nausea and vomiting (36.36%, 8/22), and the physical signs were mainly muscle weakness (50.00%, 11/22) and pathological signs (45.45%, 10/22). The laboratory test results showed that the levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit, C-reactive protein, total protein, albumin, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, α-hydroxybutyric acid dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, and glutathione reductase in NB patients were significantly different from those in healthy individuals ( P < 0.001). Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed ischemic changes in 5 cases (22.73%), abnormal brain signals in 2 cases (9.09%), and demyelinating lesions in white matter in 1 case (4.55%). After treatment, 18 NB patients were followed up and showed good prognosis, with only 2 cases exhibiting varying degrees of sequelae (walking disorders or memory impairment). Conclusions:The clinical manifestations of NB patients are diverse. A comprehensive judgment should be made by combining epidemiological characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests and imaging examinations.

Objective To explore the disinfection effect of periodic hypochlorous acid infusion on water supply pipelines.Methods Water specimens from 6 water outlets of central sterile supply department were collected at baseline for microbial culture.After introducing a slightly acidic hypochlorous acid water generator,water speci-mens were collected every 10 days.Continuous disinfection with hypochlorous acid was carried out on the 1st-3rd day,and discontinued on the 4th-10th day.Water specimens of 6 water outlets were collected on the 1st,4th,7th,and 10th day of each cycle,in total 3 cycles.Microbial culture and metagenomic next-generation sequencing(mNGS)analysis were conducted simultaneously on all water specimens from the outlets of the endoscope cleaning tank.Results Before disinfection of the pipeline,a total of 18 bottles of water specimens were collected.Bacterial count of water specimens from 10 bottles(55.56％)was between 102 and 104 CFU/mL,mainly Sphingomonas ad-hesins and Bacillus cereus.After disinfection,only 2 out of 72 water specimens(2.78％)exceeded the bacterial lim-it.The mNGS results showed that three most dominant bacterial genera in the pre-disinfection water specimens were Sphingomonas,Methylobacterium,and Ralstonia,with stringent mapped reads number(SMRN)ranging from 10 000 to 100 000;while the most dominant bacterial genera in post-disinfection water specimens were Lacto-baci-llus,Ralstonia,Acinetobacter,and Bradyrhizobium.PCoA analysis showed that there was a statistically sig-nificant difference in β-diversity of water specimens before and after disinfection(P＜0.05).Conclusion Periodic hypochlorous acid infusion disinfection can effectively remove bacterial biofilms in water pipelines,but there is a risk of bacterial biofilm recovery during disinfection suspension.In the future,monitoring and management of medical water should be strengthened.

Objective To explore the disinfection effect of periodic hypochlorous acid infusion on water supply pipelines.Methods Water specimens from 6 water outlets of central sterile supply department were collected at baseline for microbial culture.After introducing a slightly acidic hypochlorous acid water generator,water speci-mens were collected every 10 days.Continuous disinfection with hypochlorous acid was carried out on the 1st-3rd day,and discontinued on the 4th-10th day.Water specimens of 6 water outlets were collected on the 1st,4th,7th,and 10th day of each cycle,in total 3 cycles.Microbial culture and metagenomic next-generation sequencing(mNGS)analysis were conducted simultaneously on all water specimens from the outlets of the endoscope cleaning tank.Results Before disinfection of the pipeline,a total of 18 bottles of water specimens were collected.Bacterial count of water specimens from 10 bottles(55.56％)was between 102 and 104 CFU/mL,mainly Sphingomonas ad-hesins and Bacillus cereus.After disinfection,only 2 out of 72 water specimens(2.78％)exceeded the bacterial lim-it.The mNGS results showed that three most dominant bacterial genera in the pre-disinfection water specimens were Sphingomonas,Methylobacterium,and Ralstonia,with stringent mapped reads number(SMRN)ranging from 10 000 to 100 000;while the most dominant bacterial genera in post-disinfection water specimens were Lacto-baci-llus,Ralstonia,Acinetobacter,and Bradyrhizobium.PCoA analysis showed that there was a statistically sig-nificant difference in β-diversity of water specimens before and after disinfection(P＜0.05).Conclusion Periodic hypochlorous acid infusion disinfection can effectively remove bacterial biofilms in water pipelines,but there is a risk of bacterial biofilm recovery during disinfection suspension.In the future,monitoring and management of medical water should be strengthened.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the current status of contamination with carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria in environment of intensive care units(ICU)of tertiary hospitals in Shanghai and find out the potential contamination sources so as to provide bases for prevention and control of multidrug-resistant organisms infec-tions in the ICUs.METHODS The surroundings of the ICU patients detected with CRGNB and environmental ob-jects surfaces in public area were sampled by mSuperCARBA chromogenic media from Dec.2024 to Jan.2025,the strains were isolated,and the targeted strains were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight(MALDI-TOF)mass spectrometer.RESULTS A total of 653 samples were collected in the survey,76 of which were positive for bacterial culture,60 were detected with CRGNB,and the isolation rate of CRGNB was 9.19％.The isolation rate of CRGNB was 53.40％in the water-source group,0.91％in the non-water-source group,and there was significant difference(x2=286.450,P＜0.001).The result of whole genome sequencing for 17 strains of CRKP showed that ST11 and ST15 were the two major types of multilocus typing(MT),respective-ly carrying 2-12 types of drug resistance genes.CONCLUSIONS The CRGNB strains are detected in some environ-mental sites of the ICUs of 15 tertiary hospitals in Shanghai,and the isolation rate of CRKP is highest among them.The colonization rate of CRGNB is relatively low on the highly frequent-contact object surfaces of the ICUs,however,sink drain holes poses a risk of hospital-acquired CRGNB infections transmissions.Additionally,the ba-sins and towels of the CRGNB patients are hard to be thoroughly cleaned,disinfected and dried,resulting in a high contamination rate.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the use of common disposable and reusable supplies for prevention and con-trol of infections in Shanghai.METHODS A survey was conducted for the use and reuse of disposable high-value consumables,disposable bronchoscopes and environmental cleaning and disinfection tools in Shanghai by using structured questionnaire.RESULTS Totally 81 medical institutions were involved in the survey,44(54.32％)of which were tertiary hospitals,and the median number of beds was 500.The orthopedic implants(70.37％),ul-trasound knife(69.14％)and endoscopic puncture instrument(66.67％)were the high-value consumables rank-ing the top 3 utilization rates.There was reuse of 18 types of high-value consumables in total among the 12 medi-cal institutions.The major causes of reuse of high-value consumables included fee less tan cost of consumables(58.33％)or being unable to included in charge items(33.33％).27.78％of the recycle high-value consumables were not treated with a dedicated disinfection and sterilization system and procedures for the disposable high-value consumables,and 33.33％did not have the report systems for related adverse reactions.49.09％of the medi-cal institutions reported to use the disposable bronchoscopes,4 of which reused them.The majority of the medi-cal institutions could carry out centralized cleaning and disinfection for the recycled floor cloths(60.81％)and cloth towels(56.76％),and 32.43％of the medical institutions reused the cloth towels by manual cleaning.The utilization rate of antiseptic wipes was 75.41％in adult intensive care unit,62.50％in neonatal intensive care unit.CONCLUSION The study reveals that there are some problems in the use of disposal and reusable supplies for prevention and control of infections,which may provide baseline data for management of the related supplies and the surveillance of disinfection of the recycled supplies so as to enhance the quality of management of hospital-asso-ciated infections.