Objective To investigate the species of sandflies and the prevalence of Leishmania infections in sandflies from selected areas of northern and northwestern China, so as to provide insights into identification of leishmaniasis vectors and assessment of epidemiological trends of leishmaniasis in China. Methods Sandfly samples were collected from Mentougou District of Beijing Municipality, Xiangning County in Linfen City of Shanxi Province, Ejin Banner in Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Payzawat County of Karamay District of Karamay City, Gaochang District of Turpan City in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from July 2023 to July 2024. Approximately 100 intact female sandfly samples were randomly selected from each site and the species of sandflies was identified according to morphological characteristics and molecular assays. Female sandflies originating from the same habitat were grouped into pools of 10 individuals. Leishmania infection was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1) gene, and the prevalence of Leishmania infection was calculated in sandflies from different sampling sites using the minimum infection rate (MIR) method. In addition, positive amplicons were sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis. Results A total of 6 155 sandflies were collected from different environments at sampling sites across the six aforementioned regions from July 2023 to July 2024. Phlebotomus chinensis (96.00%) was the dominant sandfly species in Mentougou District, Beijing Municipality, with a small proportion of Ph. sergenti (4.00%), and only Ph. chinensis was found in Xiangning County, Linfen City, Shanxi Province. Ph. wui was the only sandfly species detected in Ejin Banner, Alxa League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Payzawat County, Kashgar City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and Ph. caucasicus (97.70%) was the dominant sandfly species in Karamay District, Karamay City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with a small proportion of Ph. wui (2.30%), while Ph. alexandri was the only species in Gaochang District, Turpan City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. A total of 40, 60, 34, 18, 18, and 22 pools of sandfly samples were tested from Mentougou District in Beijing Municipality, Xiangning County in Linfen City of Shanxi Province, Ejin Banner in Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Payzawat County in Kashgar City, Karamay District in Karamay City, and Gaochang District in Turpan City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, respectively. L. infantum was detected in Ph. chinensis samples from Mentougou District in Beijing Municipality, and Xiangning County of Linfen City in Shanxi Province, with MIR of 0.25% to 1.00%, and L. donovani was detected in Ph. wui from Ejin Banner in Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Payzawat County in Kashgar City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with MIR of 0.56% to 0.88%; however, no Leishmania infection was detected in Ph. caucasicus from Karamay District in Karamay City or Ph. alexandri from Gaochang District in Turpan City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Leishmania ITS-1 gene sequences obtained from Mentougou District in Beijing Municipality and Xiangning County in Linfen City of Shanxi Province were clustered into the same clade with the reference sequences of L. infantum ITS-1 gene, while the Leishmania ITS-1 gene sequences obtained from Ejin Banner in Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Payzawat County in Kashgar City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region were clustered into the same clade with the reference sequences of L. donovani ITS-1 gene. Conclusions There are variations in sandfly species in selected areas of northern and northwestern China, and variations in the species of Leishmania infecting sandflies. Improved surveillance of sandfly vectors and targeted control strategies with adaptations to geographical features and leishmaniasis vectors are recommended.

Objective To investigate the genetic diversity of sandfly populations in endemic areas of visceral leishmaniasis in China, so as to provide references insights into management of visceral leishmaniasis and the vector sandflies. MethodsSixteen sampling sites were selected from main endemic foci of visceral leishmaniasis in China from June to September 2024, including Shanxi Province, Shaanxi Province, Henan Province, Gansu Province, Sichuan Province, and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Sandflies were captured using light traps and manual aspirators from sheep pens, chicken coops, cave dwellings, bovinesheds, and pig pens at each sampling site. A single sandfly sample was washed in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and genomic DNA was extracted from sandfly samples. Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene was amplified using PCR assay with universal primers, and analyzed and retrieved with the nucleotide sequence analysis tool (BLAST) software, and the sequence of COI gene was aligned with the ClustalX 1.83 and MEGA 7.0 software. The base composition and variation site of the COI gene sequence were analyzed using the software MEGA 7.0, and the number of haplotypes, total number of segregating sites, haplotype diversity, nucleotide diversity, and average nucleotide differences were calculated in the COI gene sequence using the software DnaSP 5.10, followed by Tajima’s D test for neutrality. Haplotypes were screened using the software DnaSP 5.10, and the haplotype network map of sandfly samples was plotted using the software Network 5.0. MEGA 7.0 software was employed for gene sequence editing and alignment, and calculation of genetic distances among sandfly species sampled from different regions, and a phylogenetic tree was built with a neighbor-joining method. Results A total of 466 sandflies were captured from 16 sampling sites in China from June to September 2024, and 430 gene sequences were yielded following PCR amplification and sequencing of the COI gene, with 652 to 688 bp in the length of amplification fragments. The captured sandfly samples were characterized as Phlebotomus chinensis, Sergentomyia squamirostris, Se. koloshanensis, Ph. sichuanensis, and Ph. longiductus following the COI gene sequence alignment in BLAST. A total of 251 haplotypes were identified in the 430 gene sequences from sandfly samples (50.5%), and the average haplotype diversity, nucleotide diversity and average number of nucleotide difference were 0.885, 0.257 and 160.761, respectively. The Tajima’s D values were -0.92 for sandfly populations from Yangquan City, Shanxi Province and -1.73 for sandfly populations from Sanmenxia City, Henan Province, and were all more than 0 for sandfly populations from other sampling sites. Haplotype analysis identified 50 haplotypes, which were classified into two haplogroups. Heplogroup 1 included 29 haplotypes, which had a high homology, and heplogroup 2 included 21 haplotypes. The average genetic distance was 0.000 to 0.604 among sandfly samples from different sampling sites, and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the five sandfly species were clustered into distinct clades, all with 100% clade confidence. Conclusions There is a high genetic polymorphism in the COI gene from five sandfly populations in main endemic foci of visceral leishmaniasis in China, and COI gene may serve as a marker gene for analysis of the genetic structure of sandfly populations.

Objective To analyze and evaluate the implementation effect of tuberculosis prevention and control program in Wuhan, and to provide reference for scientific formulation of tuberculosis prevention and control measures. Methods Using the National Tuberculosis Information Management System, descriptive statistical analysis was carried out on the medical record information of pulmonary tuberculosis patients registered in Wuhan , 2016 - 2021. Results A total of 34 937 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were registered in Wuhan , with an average annual incidence rate of 49.85/100 000. The incidence rate showed a downward trend year by year, with a statistically significant difference in 2016—2021 (χ²_trend = 708.387, P<0.001). The patients mainly came from referrals, accounting for 71.86%, and the proportion of referrals varied significantly among different years (χ²=355.541, P<0.001). The diagnosis type was mainly pathogenic negative, accounting for 49.12%. The proportion of pathogenic negative had statistically significant difference among different years (χ²=1 354.830, P<0.001). The proportion of patients cured and completed the course of treatment reached 93.98%, with statistically significant differences in the proportions among different years (cured, χ²=1 080.252, P<0.001; completed the treatment course, χ²= 933.655, P<0.001). The sputum examination rate of newly diagnosed patients in each year reached over 90%, and the overall completion rate reached over 95%. The proportion of positive pathogens showed an increasing trend year by year. Conclusion The overall epidemic situation of tuberculosis in Wuhan is declining year by year, and tuberculosis prevention and control work has achieved remarkable results. Active screening in key areas and populations should be strengthened, and prevention and control strategies should be formulated by emphasizing the key and difficult points.

Malaria remains one of the most serious public health problems in tropical and subtropical countries and regions. In the control of the vector Anopheles, insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor residual spraying, which have been promoted to interrupt malaria transmission by only preventing indoor blood-sucking by adult mosquitoes, consequently have been widely used in malaria-endemic areas. However, the efficacy of these measures in interrupting malaria transmission is gradually decreasing due to the development of mosquito resistance. In contrast, Anopheles larval source management can effectively reduce the population density of indoor and outdoor blood-sucking, wild and domestic mosquitoes. It can also be combined with adult mosquito control to become an important adjunct to existing adult mosquito control measures. In more than 70 years of malaria control and elimination in China, according to different conditions in different places, exploration and practice have been carried out in different types of control of malaria Anopheles larvae, such as habitat modification, habitat manipulation, larviciding, and biological control. These efforts have accumulated rich experience and resulted in strategies tailored to local conditions, integrated control, community involvement, and methodological innovation. This paper outlines the main practices and basic strategies of Anopheles larval source management for malaria control in China, with the aim of providing references for malaria control in other regions where malaria is still endemic.

Objective To construct an evaluation index system for the capability of comprehensive control of mountain-type zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis based on the One Health concept, so as to provide insights into the control and elimination of mountain-type zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis using the One Health approach. Methods A preliminary evaluation index system was constructed based on literature review, panel discussions and field surveys. Thirty-three experts were selected from 7 provincial disease control and prevention centers in Beijing Municipality, Hebei Province, Shanxi Province, Henan Province, Sichuan Province, Shaanxi Province and Gansu Province where mountain-type zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis was endemic, and two rounds of expert consultations were conducted to screen the indicators. The positive coefficient, degree of concentration, degree of coordination, and authority of the experts were calculated, and the normalized weights of each index were calculated with the analytic hierarchy process. Results The response rates of questionnaires during two rounds of expert consultation were both 100.00% (33/33), and the authority coefficients of the experts were 0.86 and 0.88, respectively. The coefficients of coordination among experts on the rationality, importance, and operability of the indicators were 0.392, 0.437, 0.258, and 0.364, 0.335, 0.263, respectively (all P values < 0.05). Following screening, the final evaluation index system included 3 primary indicators, 17 secondary indicators, and 50 tertiary indicators. The normalized weights of primary indicators “external environment”, “internal support” and “comprehensive control” were 16.98%, 38.73% and 44.29%, respectively. Among the secondary indicators of the primary indicator “external environment”, the highest weight was seen for natural environment (66.67%), and among the secondary indicators of the primary indicator “internal support”, the lowest weight was seen for the scientific research for visceral leishmaniasis control (8.26%), while other indicators had weights of 12.42% to 13.38%. Among the secondary indicators of the primary indicator “comprehensive control”, the weight was 16.67% for each indicator. Conclusions An evaluation index system has been constructed for the capability of comprehensive control of mountain-type zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis based on the One Health concept. In addition to assessment of the effect of conventional mountain-type zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis control measures, this index system integrates the importance of top-level design, organizational management, and implementation of control measures, and includes indicators related to multi-sectoral cooperation.

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis among students in Wuhan from 2011 to 2020, and to provide a basis for the scientific development of interventions and strategies. Methods: Epidemiological distribution, time of onset and treatment, as well as treatment outcomes of student tuberculosis in Wuhan from 2011 to 2020 registered in the national tuberculosis information management system were described. Results: During 2011-2020, 4 337 student tuberculosis patients in Wuhan were registered. The average annual incidence rate was 22.44/10 million, and the annual decreasing rate of 7.86% The incidence of male and female patients was 1.76:1, and the incidence rate of male was higher than that of female( χ 2=184.18, P <0.01). Most of patients aged 19-22 years old, accounting for 47.89%; Tuberculosis reports were highest during March to May, and September to November, and lowest during January to February, and July to August. Student patients were mainly concentrated in Hongshan District, Jiangxia District and Wuchang District, where schools were more distributed in Hongshan District, Dongxihu District, Wuchang District and Xinzhou District. The median duration from tuberculosis onset to treatment was 9(3, 21) days, which varied significantly by region, age, nationality, and patient residence ( Z =-9.25, 47.14, 9.88,43.96, P <0.01). The treatment and outcome of student tuberculosis patients were varied significantly by year and nationality( P <0.05). Conclusion The incidence of student tuberculosis in Wuhan City showed a slow downward trend. Most of student tuberculosis are college and high school students. Time and place of case detection are relatively fixed. The time of treatment and the outcome of treatment vary significantly. Tuberculosis prevention and control strategies should be formulated according to the local conditions according to the tuberculosis distribution characteristics, as well as enhancing surveillance, health promotion, active discovery and supervision management of tuberculosis in school settings.

Objective To determine the genotype and clustering characteristics of multidrug-resistant (MDR) mycobacterium tuberculosis in Wuhan City. Methods A total of 149 mycobacterium tuberculosis strains from MDR tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients were genotyped by DTM-PCR, mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit–variable number tandem repeat typing (MIRU-VNTR) and sequencing of drug-resistant associated genes. The Hunter-Gaston discriminatory index (HGDI), clustering rate and recent minimum estimated infection rate were calculated. Results The cumulative HGDI of all MIRU loci was 0.9944. Gene locus with the highest HGDI（0.6467）was QUB11b. Combing MIRU-VNTR and DTM-PCR, 111 unique genotypes and 11 clustered genotypes（38 strains）from 149 isolates were identified. The clustering rate was 25.50%, and the recent minimum infection rate was estimated to be 18.12%. After further genotyping by sequencing of drug-resistant associated genes, the results showed that 17 (44.74%) strains in each cluster shared the same mutation sites, while the other strains had different mutation sites. Conclusion The combination of DTM-PCR, 24 locus MIRU-VNTR typing and drug resistance gene sequencing demonstrates a relatively high discriminatory power, which is suitable for the genotyping of multi drug resistant mycobacterium tuberculosis in Wuhan. The epidemic of MDR-TB in Wuhan is mainly caused by reactivation, and the recent transmission rate is not high.

Objective To explore the feasibility and safety of kidney transplantation for pre-sensitized infants using deceased donors and summarize the relevant literature reports .Methods A second kidney transplantation was successfully performed for an 8-month-old pre-sensitized girl in July 2017 .She had a low level of donor specific antibody (DSA ) against human leucocyte antigen (HLA ) B62 due to severe acute rejection (AR) after her first kidney transplantation .For desensitization , plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin plus anti-CD20 antibodies were offered on operative day .Clinical data and outcomes were retrospectively analyzed .Results Renal graft regained immediate function after transplantation .Preformed DSA could be detected at 1 week .However ,there was no de novo DSA .At 1 year post-transplantation ,preformed DSA turned negative .During a follow-up period of 2 years ,renal graft showed an excellent function with a serum creatinine of 31 μmol/l and eGFR of 110 ml/min/1 .73m2 .No AR episode or proteinuria occurred .DSA stayed negative .Simultaneously physical development also caught up .Her height of 93 cm tall and weight of 13 .5 kg at month 24 & 8 months corresponded to normal grow th curve of her age .Conclusions Pre-sensitized infant could tolerate desensitization therapy well and achieve satisfactory outcomes .With surgical precisions and optimized managements ,kidney transplantation provides excellent renal functions and survivals for infants with organs from deceased donors .

Objective To analyze the safety of renal transplant from donors with primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 33 donors with primary CNS tumors and the 63 corresponding renal recipients between January 2013 and December 2016 in Tongji Hospital.Results The mean period from diagnosis as primary CNS tumor to donation was about (21.8± 46.4) months (range:0.5 to 192.0 months).The pathological classification of these tumors included gliomas,meningioma,medulloblastoma,etc.Besides,there were 10 donors with high-grade CNS malignancies.Eleven donors have ever been through at least one of the four treatments (craniotomy,V-P/V-A shunt,radiotherapy and chemotherapy),14 donors have undergone none,and the clinical data of rest were unavailable.All the 63 recipients got well renal function after transplant.During an average follow-up of (15.9 ± 8.2) months (range:2.7 to 35.5 months),one recipient got donor-derived rhabdoid tumor 4 months posttransplant,underwent comprehensive treatments,including allograft nephrectomy,radiotherapy,chemotherpy and returned to hemodialysis,while the 62 cases got no donor-derived tumors.Conclusion Tumor transmission of renal allograft from donors with primary CNS tumors is inevitable but with low risk,which means this kind of donors can be used with careful assessment,full informed consent and good balance between wait-list death and tumor transmission.

The evaluation of the immunosuppression state in liver transplanted recipients is vital for a correct posttransplantation management and a major step towards the personalized treatment of the immunosuppression.To date,immunological monitoring after liver transplantation relies mainly on clinical judgment and pathological examination of the graft,without a proper assessment of the actual state.Previous studies have ever identified many markers for acute rejection(AR) and immune tolerance after liver transplantation.Many markers for AR are pro-inflammatory or immunoregulatory cytokines and other proteins related to inflammation.However,many markers have been proved to be also able to predict other diseases and only a few of the markers for AR have been validated.Standard liver tests cannot be used as markers for graft rejection due to the low sensitivity and specificity.This review summarized the potential markers for AR and immune tolerance after liver transplantation based on published literatures in recent years and to provide evidence for clinical application.