ObjectiveTo investigate the T lymphocyte subset levels and viral loads in newly human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody-confirmed positive cases in Suzhou (2021‒2024), and to analyze potential influencing factors by integrating their demographic characteristics, immune status, and viral replication patterns, thereby providing evidence for HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) prevention and control. MethodsPeripheral whole blood samples were collected from newly confirmed HIV-positive cases in Suzhou from 2021 to 2024. T lymphocyte subset analysis and viral load testing were performed, and influencing factors were identified in combination with demographic characteristics. Logistic regression models were employed to identify factors associated with CD4⁺T lymphocyte counts ≤350 cells·μL^-1, and Spearman’s rank correlation test was used to analyze the correlation between logarithmic value of viral load and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio. ResultsAmong the 3 022 confirmed HIV-positive samples, the median CD4⁺T lymphocyte count was 298.00 cells·μL^-1, with 882 cases (29.19%) showing CD4⁺ T lymphocyte counts <200 cells·μL^-1. The median CD8⁺T lymphocyte count was 1 011.00 cells·μL^-1. The median CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio was 0.28, with 32.46% of cases exhibiting CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratios <0.20, and there were statistically significant differences in CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio among different genders, age groups, marital status, and sample sources (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that individuals aged ≥20 years, those who were divorced or widowed, and cases identified through medical institutions had a significantly higher proportion of CD4⁺T lymphocyte counts ≤350 cells·µL⁻¹ compared to those aged <20 years, unmarried individuals, and cases sourced from voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) clinics, respectively. The mean logarithmic value of viral load was (4.29±1.15) copies·mL^-1. The logarithmic value of viral load demonstrated a significantly negative correlation with both CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio (r=-0.43, P<0.001) and CD4⁺T lymphocyte count (r=-0.37, P<0.001). ConclusionA substantial proportion of newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS cases in Suzhou are late presenters with high viral load levels. Targeted interventions should prioritize high-risk populations through enhanced active surveillance and the implementation of combined T lymphocyte subsets analysis and viral load testing, which can enable earlier case-finding and timely antiretroviral therapy initiation.

To analyze the prevalence, drug resistance and whole genome characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) in respiratory throat swab samples of hospitalized children with pneumonia in Suzhou City from 2023 to 2024. Throat swab samples of hospitalized children aged 0-14 years old with pneumonia in Suzhou were collected from September 2023 to September 2024. Real-time fluorenscence quantitative PCR technology was used to detect MP nucleic acid. The results showed that the positive rate of MP in 3 235 samples was 22.44% (726/3 235), with a rate of 55.00% in week 47 of 2023. The positive rate of MP increased with age ( χ2=45.842, P<0.001). The study selected MP nucleic acid test positive samples from week 20 (5.13-5.19) to week 23 (6.3-6.9) of 2024 for isolation, culture and resistance phenotype detection. About 31 MP strains were successfully isolated and cultured, all of which were resistant to macrolides. The next-generation sequencing technology and nanopore sequencing technology were used for genome sequencing. All 31 strains carried the A2063G mutation, with the main prevalent genotype being the P1-1, and the main mlST type being the ST3. Despite the overall genomic similarity between strains being over 99%, there were significant differences between the P1-1 and P1-2 strains in the P1 gene region. In summary, from 2023 to 2024, the main MP type prevalent in Suzhou City is the P1-1 genotype. All isolated MP strains carry an A2063G resistance site mutation and are resistant to macrolides, requiring continuous monitoring and further research.

To analyze the prevalence, drug resistance and whole genome characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) in respiratory throat swab samples of hospitalized children with pneumonia in Suzhou City from 2023 to 2024. Throat swab samples of hospitalized children aged 0-14 years old with pneumonia in Suzhou were collected from September 2023 to September 2024. Real-time fluorenscence quantitative PCR technology was used to detect MP nucleic acid. The results showed that the positive rate of MP in 3 235 samples was 22.44% (726/3 235), with a rate of 55.00% in week 47 of 2023. The positive rate of MP increased with age ( χ2=45.842, P<0.001). The study selected MP nucleic acid test positive samples from week 20 (5.13-5.19) to week 23 (6.3-6.9) of 2024 for isolation, culture and resistance phenotype detection. About 31 MP strains were successfully isolated and cultured, all of which were resistant to macrolides. The next-generation sequencing technology and nanopore sequencing technology were used for genome sequencing. All 31 strains carried the A2063G mutation, with the main prevalent genotype being the P1-1, and the main mlST type being the ST3. Despite the overall genomic similarity between strains being over 99%, there were significant differences between the P1-1 and P1-2 strains in the P1 gene region. In summary, from 2023 to 2024, the main MP type prevalent in Suzhou City is the P1-1 genotype. All isolated MP strains carry an A2063G resistance site mutation and are resistant to macrolides, requiring continuous monitoring and further research.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of human metapneumovirus（hMPV）in respiratory samples from patients in Suzhou，China，and investigate the results of whole-genome sequencing，so as to provide scientific evidence for a deeper understanding of its genetic diversity and the development of preventive measures.Methods:In this study，1 340 influenza-like illness（ILI）samples and 970 severe acute respiratory infection（SARI）samples were collected from two sentinel hospitals in Suzhou in 2024. Nucleic acid detection was performed using a multiplex real-time fluorescence PCR method. For hMPV-positive samples，whole-genome sequencing was conducted on the Illumina Miseq platform. Mutations，insertions，deletions，and other variations were identified using the pathogenic virus whole-genome analysis system. A phylogenetic tree was constructed by the Maximum Likelihood method for lineage analysis.Results:Among 2 310 respiratory samples，the overall hMPV positivity rate was 1.69%（39/2 310），with positivity rates of 1.27%（17/1 340）in ILI samples and 2.27%（22/970）in SARI samples. No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups（ P>0.05）. The proportion of mixed infections in hMPV-positive samples was 46.15%（18/39），with mixed infection rates of 23.53%（4/17）in the ILI group and 63.64%（14/22）in the SARI group. In terms of temporal distribution，the peak period of hMPV infection primarily concentrated in January and December. The whole genomes of 13 hMPV strains were successfully obtained，and 554 missense mutations were identified in the coding region，with particularly significant variations observed in the G gene region. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 4 strains belonged to the A2b2 subtype，while 9 strains belonged to the B2 subtype. Conclusions:In Suzhou，hMPV exhibits a relatively balanced distribution between ILI and SARI clinical groups，with infection peaks mainly occurring in winter and a high proportion of mixed infections. The predominant circulating strain is the B2 subtype，and its genome shows significant genetic variation，particularly in the G gene region.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of human metapneumovirus（hMPV）in respiratory samples from patients in Suzhou，China，and investigate the results of whole-genome sequencing，so as to provide scientific evidence for a deeper understanding of its genetic diversity and the development of preventive measures.Methods:In this study，1 340 influenza-like illness（ILI）samples and 970 severe acute respiratory infection（SARI）samples were collected from two sentinel hospitals in Suzhou in 2024. Nucleic acid detection was performed using a multiplex real-time fluorescence PCR method. For hMPV-positive samples，whole-genome sequencing was conducted on the Illumina Miseq platform. Mutations，insertions，deletions，and other variations were identified using the pathogenic virus whole-genome analysis system. A phylogenetic tree was constructed by the Maximum Likelihood method for lineage analysis.Results:Among 2 310 respiratory samples，the overall hMPV positivity rate was 1.69%（39/2 310），with positivity rates of 1.27%（17/1 340）in ILI samples and 2.27%（22/970）in SARI samples. No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups（ P>0.05）. The proportion of mixed infections in hMPV-positive samples was 46.15%（18/39），with mixed infection rates of 23.53%（4/17）in the ILI group and 63.64%（14/22）in the SARI group. In terms of temporal distribution，the peak period of hMPV infection primarily concentrated in January and December. The whole genomes of 13 hMPV strains were successfully obtained，and 554 missense mutations were identified in the coding region，with particularly significant variations observed in the G gene region. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 4 strains belonged to the A2b2 subtype，while 9 strains belonged to the B2 subtype. Conclusions:In Suzhou，hMPV exhibits a relatively balanced distribution between ILI and SARI clinical groups，with infection peaks mainly occurring in winter and a high proportion of mixed infections. The predominant circulating strain is the B2 subtype，and its genome shows significant genetic variation，particularly in the G gene region.

Objective:To analyze the activity of lithium chloride (LiCl) against influenza virus A (H3N2) in human non-small cell lung cancer cells (A549).Methods:Different concentrations of LiCl were incubated with A549 cells, and the cytopathic effect (CPE) was observed after 24 hours, and the effect of LiCl on cell activity was determined by CCK-8 method. After H3N2 (MOI=1) infected A549 cells, different concentrations of LiCl were added and incubated for 24 hours, and the viral load was measured by real time/reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and the CPE was observed, and the viral titer was determined. Different concentrations of LiCl were incubated with A549 at 37 ℃ and 5% CO 2 for 2 hours, virus was added and incubated for 24 hours, and the viral load was determined by RT-qPCR. LiCl, H3N2 and A549 were incubated at 4 ℃ for 1 hour, 35 ℃, 5% CO 2 for 24 hours, and viral load was determined by RT-qPCR. H3N2 and A549 were incubated at 4 ℃for 1 hour, then different concentrations of LiCl were added, incubated at 35 ℃ with 5% CO 2 for 24 hours, and the viral load was determined by RT-qPCR. After H3N2 infected A549 cells, different concentrations of LiCl were added and incubated for 24 hours, and the viral RNA load and viral titer of the supernatant and cells were measured, respectively, and then the corresponding ratios of the supernatant and the cells were calculated. After H3N2 (MOI=10) and BV (MOI=1) infected A549 cells, different concentrations of LiCl were added for 24 h, and the viral load was determined by RT-qPCR. Results:When the concentration of LiCl was<50 mmol/L, the cell viability of A549>90%. Different concentrations of LiCl could significantly reduce the viral load of H3N2 ( P<0.000 1), and the CPE of the LiCl treatment group was more dose-dependent than that of the control group. LiCl did not inhibit viral replication by affecting the cell itself; Different concentrations of LiCl significantly inhibited the entry of H3N2 into A549 ( P<0.000 1), and also had a certain inhibitory effect on the adsorption of A549 cells ( P<0.1). LiCl did not affect the assembly and release of H3N2 ( P>0.05), and it was also found that LiCl had a broad spectrum of antiviral effects against multiple influenza virus strains ( P<0.000 1). Conclusions:LiCl may exert antiviral effect by inhibiting the adsorption and entry of H3N2 into A549 cells and the replication of H3N2 in A549 cells, which provides a data reference for the prevention and treatment of viral infection by LiCl.

Objective:To investigate the viral molecular mutations of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and host adaptability in Suzhou City.Methods:The throat swab specimens from nine local cases and six imported cases with 2019-nCoV viral nucleic acid test positive in Suzhou City were sequenced for the whole genome of the virus, and the Wuhan-Hu-1 strain was used as the reference sequence for alignment and analysis. The phylogenetic tree of the viral whole genome sequence was constructed by MEGA 7.0 software.Results:According to the Chinese typing method, Nextstrain typing method, Pangolin classification method and Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) typing method, the 15 2019-nCoV genome sequences could be divided into seven types, six types, eight types and five subtypes, respectively. Compared with Wuhan-Hu-1 strain, the median number of amino acid sequence mutation sites based on nucleotide translation was three (ranging from 0 to 12). D614G mutation of spike protein was identified from all six imported viral strains, which could enhance the transmissibility. No Alpha, Beta, or Gamma mutants, which also could enhance the transmissibility, was found in the genomic sequences of the imported cases. The median number of nucleotide mutation sites in 15 sequences was eight (ranging from three to 23).Conclusions:2019-nCoV is constantly mutating, and a variety of evolutionary lineages/genotypes have been derived. All imported viruses in Suzhou City carry mutations that can increase infectivity.

Objective:To disclose the epidemiological characteristics of the first human case of H9N2 subtype avian influenza and genetic characteristics of hemagglutinin (HA) gene of H9N2 avian influenza virus in Jiangsu province.Methods:Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay was used to detect the nucleic acid of influenza virus A/B and various subtypes from throat swab specimens of patients with acute and severe respiratory infections of unknown cause. Sanger method was used to sequence the vial HA gene of H9N2 positive specimens. N-J phylogenetic tree of HA gene was constructed by using MEGA X software.Results:The first laboratory confirmed case of human infection with H9N2 avian influenza virus in Jiangsu province in March 2019 was reported by Suzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Sequence analysis of the HA gene showed that the A/Suzhou/S683/2019 (H9N2) strain belonged to Y280-like sub-lineage of the Eurasian lineage, which had 99.23% nucleic acid identity with A/chicken/Shanghai/S1171/2018 (H9N2) strain. The amino acid sequence of the HA protein cleavage site is PSRSSR↓GLF, and the key amino acid in receptor binding site shared Q226L mutation. The location of potential glycosylation sites of HA protein of A/Suzhou/S683/2019 (H9N2) have changed.Conclusions:The H9N2 avian influenza virus obtained from the first case in Jiangsu province has low pathogenicity, but it may have acquired part of the ability to adapt to human hosts.

Objective: To analyze epidemiological and genetic characteristics of the fifth avian influenza A (H7N9) wave in Suzhou, and to provide scientific basis for prevention and control of H7N9 virus infection. Methods: Respectively, influenza A/B, H1N1 (pdm09), H3, H5N1, and H7N9 real-time PCR kits were used to detected pharyngeal swab samples which were collected from severe acute respiratory syndrome infection (SARI) cases in Suzhou. The H7N9-positive samples were further examined for virus isolation and gene sequencing. Results: The H7N9 virus was mainly prevalent in winter in Suzhou City. In the fifth H7N9 virus epidemic, the overall fatality rate of human infection with H7N9 virus in Suzhou city was 40% (22/55). Additionally, most were older people (median age was 58 years) and more than 80% of H7N9 patients had live poultry exposure history. The nucleic acid homology of HA gene was 98.7-100%. There were no mutations in the key sites of the HA gene sequence. Conclusions The H7N9 virus can not be effectively spread in the crowd currently, with no significant changes in receptor binding sites (RBS). In addition, exposure to live poultry or contaminated environment is still the main source of human infection with H7N9. At present, the viruses circulating in Suzhou city are low pathogenic to poultry.

Objective: To investigate the epidemical features, etiological and clinical characteristics of HFMD in Suzhou city, from 2011 to 2015, providing the scientific supports for HFMD prevention and control. Methods: In each district of Suzhou city, at least five specimens of mild cases were collected per month, while all of the severe cases were sampled. The RNA from each sample was examined using a commercially available real-time PCR kit. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 11.5 software. Results: We retrospectively analyzed HFMD epidemiological data in Suzhou from 2011 to 2015, a total of 4 552 outpatients in Suzhou city were diagnosed with HFMD, including 2 818 positive specimen, the total positive rate was 61.90%, and there was a significant difference in the positive rates between the adjacent years (χ²=186.09, P<0.0001). From 2011 to 2015 in Suzhou, HFMD mainly affected children aged 1 to 5 years old, 66.17% of them were 1to 3 years old. Enterovirus 71(EV71) and coxsackievirus A16(CVA16) were the predominant viral genotypes in Suzhou from 2011 to 2012, and 2014. In 2013, other EVs were dominant, the severe cases mainly correlated with EV71 subtypes, and the proportion of patients with severe disease was significantly decreased in 2013. Conclusions EV71 and CVA16 are still the important pathogens of HFMD, other EVs also occupy a certain proportion, it is the time to select one or two advantage pathogens from the other EVs into the HFMD monitoring.