Objective:To study the epidemiological and genetic characteristics of coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) circulating in Guangdong Province from 2008 to 2021.Methods:This study collected the specimens of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) cases from 2008 to 2021 that were positive for other enteroviruses except for enterovirus 71 (EV71), coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16), and CVA6, as well as the specimens of herpangina and neonatal infection cases from 2020 to 2021. Enteroviruses in these specimens were detected and their types were identified. CVB3 strains were isolated and the entire VP1 sequences of CVB3 strains were amplified and sequenced. The genetic features of CVB3 strains were analyzed using DNAStar 7.1 and MEGA 6.06 software packages.Results:Among 3 484 HFMD cases positive for other enteroviruses from 2008 to 2021, CVB3-positive cases accounted for 1.6% (57/3 484); among 560 cases of herpangina from 2020 to 2021, CVB3-positive cases accounted for 2.1% (12/560); one neonatal infection case in 2021 was positive for CVB3. CVB3-positive cases accounted for 67.1% (47/70) in 2021 and 18.6% (13/70) in 2020, while there were less than five cases in other years. Forty-eight CVB3 strains were isolated and the entire VP1 sequences of 26 CVB3 strains were obtained. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the CVB3 strains could be divided into eight genotypes (A-H) and the strains of genotypes A, D and E were prevalent in the Chinese mainland. The 26 CVB3 strains isolated in Guangdong Province shared 80.2%-100.0% nucleotide homology, and belonged to two genotypes of D and E, with genotype D prevalent from 2008 to 2017 and genotype E prevalent from 2020 to 2021.Conclusions:CVB3 is prevalent sporadically in Guangdong Province from 2008 to 2017, but the epidemic intensity increased during 2020 and 2021. CVB3 strains of genotypes D and E are prevalent in Guangdong Province during 2008 to 2021, with genotype E being the prevalent genotype during 2020 and 2021.

Objective To translate the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Disability Visual Analogue Scale (IBD Disk) into Chinese and conduct cross-cultural adaptation, and to test its reliability and validity among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods Based on the modified Brislin translation model, the IBD Disk was translated into Chinese through forward translation, back translation, group discussion, and cross-cultural adaptation. From January to December 2022, a convenience sampling method was used to select 299 IBD patients for investigation to verify the reliability and validity of the Scale. Results The Chinese version of the IBD Disk includes 10 items, with decision values of 4.79 to 15.68 (>3.00), and P value was less than 0.05, indicating high discriminatory power for each item; the total Cronbach's α coefficient of the scale was 0.88, and the test-retest reliability was 0.87, indicating a good reproducibility of the scale; confirmatory factor analysis results indicated that the scale had ideal fit; Pearson correlation analysis results indicated that the total score of the IBD Disk was significantly positively correlated with the total score of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Disability Index Scale (IBD-DI) (r=0.81, P < 0.001), suggesting good correlation between the IBD Disk and the IBD-DI. Conclusion The Chinese version of the IBD Disk has good reliability and validity, and is suitable to be used as a disability assessment tool for IBD patients in Chinese culture.

Objective:To analyze and reveal the genetic evolution and variation of influenza viruses in cases of co-infection in Guangdong Province.Methods:Throat swab samples were collected from four cases of H1N1pdm and H3N2 co-infection for viral isolation. The isolated strains were subjected to antigen analysis and neuraminidase inhibitor susceptibility test. High-throughput sequencing was used to detect the sequences of strains in three throat swab samples and one virus strain, and then genetic variations were analyzed.Results:Four influenza viruses were isolated with one strain of H1N1pdm and three of H3N2 subtype, and all of them were genetically similar to the vaccine strain in 2022-2023. The HA genes of H1N1pdm and H3N2 strains belonged to clade 6B.1A.5a.2a and 2a.3a.1, respectively. The isolated strains belonged to the same clade as the strains prevalent in Guangdong during the same period. No drug-resistant variations were detected in N1 or N2 gene, and the isolated strains were sensitive to oseltamivir and zanamivir.Conclusions:H1pdm subtype had stronger replication ability than H3 subtype in the influenza viruses isolated from co-infected cases. H1N1pdm and H3N2 subtype influenza viruses were genetically similar to the strains circulating in Guangdong at the same time. The isolated H1N1pdm and H3N2 strains were sensitive to both oseltamivir and zanamivir, indicating that they could continue to be used in the treatment of influenza virus infections caused by one or two genotypes.

Objective:To analyze the evolutionary characteristics and variation of etiological agent in an acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) outbreak in a city of Guangdong province in May, so as to provide scientific basis for formulating a new round of measures for prevention and control of AHC epidemic.Methods:In this study, 20 conjunctival swabs were collected from AHC patients, and enterovirus, human enterovirus 70 (HEV70) and coxsackievirus A 24 variant (CVA24v) nucleic acids were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. In addition, the VP1 and 3Cpro regions of the CVA24v positive samples were sequenced to analyze their evolutionary relationship with the CVA24v strains circulating in China and abroad.Results:All the 20 eye swab samples were EV-positive, and CVA24v-positive, with a positive rate of 100.00%, and all were HEV70-negative.The genomes of CVA24v in VP1 and 3Cpro regions of CVA24v in 5 and 7 samples were successfully sequenced. Based on molecular characterization analysis of VP1 and 3Cpro regions, it was found that the CVA24v isolated in this outbreak had the greatest nucleotide similarity with the CVA24v strains isolated in Thailand in 2014 and French Reunion Islands in 2015. The phylogenetic analysis of 3Cpro and VP1 regions showed that the CVA24v isolated in this outbreak is clustered together with the CVA24v that was prevalent in Thailand in 2014 and the French Reunion Islands in 2015, and have high affinity. Compared with CVA24v isolated in Guangdong in 2010, Thailand in 2014, and French Reunion Islands in 2015, CVA24v isolated in this outbreak was replaced at 4 amino acid sites in 3Cpro region and 1 amino acid site in VP1 region.Conclusions:The cause of this outbreak is enterovirus CVA24v, which has the highest similarity to CVA24v isolated in Thailand in 2014 and in the French Reunion Islands in 2015. There were new amino acid mutations in both 3Cpro and VP1 regions.

Objective:To obtain the genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 in respiratory specimens in Guangdong Province with next-generation sequencing (NGS) and analyze the factors influencing sequencing.Methods:Eight upper and lower respiratory tract specimens were collected from patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection in Guangdong Province in January 2020. RNA library construction was used to obtain the genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2. A bio-informatics software package (CLC Genomics Workbench 12.0) was used to analyze and compare the genomic sequences.Results:Five SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences were obtained from the eight specimens and two were obtained from lower respiratory tract specimens. The nucleotide homology to SARS-CoV-2 was 97.74%-99.90%. The Ct values were lower, while the sequencing depth, coverage, relative abundance and genome integrity were higher in sequencing the SARS-CoV-2 in lower respiratory tract specimens.Conclusions:The low Ct value of SARS-CoV-2 in the samples was good for sequencing.

Objective To study the epidemiology of hand,foot,and mouth disease (HFMD) and the spectrum of serotypes in the other enterovirus (EV) (non-EV-A71 and non-Coxsaekievirus group A 16,CV-A 16) from 2016 to 2017 in Guangzhou,to provide the basis for its treatment,prevention and control.Methods Enteroviruses universal type,EV-A71 and CV-A16 were detected by real time reverse transeription-polymerase chain reaction in the specimens from HFMD suspected patients from 2016 to 2017.The positive specimens of non-EV-A71 and non-CV-A16 were amplified and sequenced based on 5'-untranslated region (UTR) region.The spectrum of serotypes was analyzed with BLAST in NCBI on the basis of 5'-UTR region.Results A total of 25779 specimens from HFMD patients were collected during 2016-2017,16 300 (63.23 ％) of which were positive.The positive rates of EV-A71,CV-A16,non-EV-A71 and non-CV-A16 were 4.57％ (1 178/25 779),12.70％ (3 274/25 779) and 45.96％ (11 848/25779),respectively.The average positive rate of non-EV-A71 and non-CV-A16 in 2017 was 55.68％,which was higher than that in 2016.Sequence analysis showed that there were 16 genotypes in 95 non-EV-A71 and non-CV-A16 positive specimen,including CV-A6,CV-A10,CV-A4,CV-A2,CV-A8,CV-A12,CV-A9,Coxsakievirus B5 (CV-B5),CV-B2,CV-B4,CV-B3,Echovirus 1 (E1),E16,E30,E2 and E18.CV-A6 (26.32％),and CV-A10 (15.79％) were the most common genotypes,followed by CV-A4 (6.32％)、CV-A8(4.21％),and CV-A2 (4.21％).Conclusions The infection rate of EV-A71 is very low during 2016-2017.From April to July 2016,there is a small peak of CV-A16 infection.The non-EV-A71 and non-CV-A16 enterovirus becomes the main causative agent of HFMD during 2016 to 2017.CV-A6 and CV-A10 are the most prevalent pathogens of non-EV-A71 and non-CV-A16 enterovirus.Research and monitoring of CV-A6,CV-A10 as the main non-EV-A71and non-CV-A16 virus should be strengthened.

Objective To quantify the correlations between Elekta XVI cone beam CT dose and various scanning protocols,providing mathematical models to assess the protocol-dependency of imaging dose during imnage guided radiotherapy.Methods Based on standard protocols and various combinations of kVp and mA on an XVI mounted on an Elekta Versa HD accelerator,the air KERMA was measured at various positions in a standard PTW CTDI body phantom using calibrated PTW 30009 kV chamber and UNIDOS webline electrometer.Weighted CT dose index (CTDIw) was computed thereafter.SigmaPlot 10.0 was used to fit the measurements against mA and/or kVp yielding empirical functions.Results Under standard protocols,the CTDIw of Varian OBI was only 11.23％ (chest) and 9.15％ (pelvis) of Elekta XVI.Using the default and other 4 investigated kVp values,the central and peripheral KERMA were both proportional to mA,and vet the slope value a varied dramatically from 0.479 to 6.679.Major affecting factors included kVp settings,measurement locations,and dosimetric mnetrics,etc.None linear regressions were used to fit kVp against KERMA at various locations and CTDIw (R2 ＞ 0.997).The differences between all coefficients were statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).The impact of changing both mA and kVp on the dose to phantom center can be described as mGy =(5.917-0.197 ×kVp+0.002 × kVp2-5.063 × 10-6 × kVp3) × mA.Conclusions Imaging dose of Elekta XVI is strongly dependent on scanning paraneters.The proposed mathematical models can be used as efficient and robust indicators of such dependency.

Objective To analyze the serotype distribution and antibiotic resistance characteristics of Salmonella strains isolated in Guangdong province for better understanding the condition of Salmonella infection in patients with diarrhea.Methods Fecal samples collected from patients with diarrhea in Guangdong province were used to isolate Salmonella strains.Biochemical analysis was performed to identify these isolated strains.Serotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were carried out for further analysis of the isolated Salmonella strains.Results The rate of Salmonella infection was 7.64％in 2015, and the male to female patient ratio was 1.52∶1.A total of 2 377 patients of all age groups were positive for Salmonella infection and the patients aged 0-6 years accounted for 81.74％.The isolation rate of Salmonella strains in the summer and autumn was higher than that in the winter and spring (10.73％ vs 4.24％;X2=463.77, P<0.01).The Salmonella isolation rates in different areas were as follows: 16.82％ in Zhuhai, 15.85％ in Heyuan, 11.81％ in Yangjiang, 10.68％ in Jiangmen, 8.49％ in Zhongshan, 8.07％ in Maoming, 8.05％ in Jieyang, 7.35％ in Shaoguan, 6.97％ in Foshan, 6.03％ in Dongguan, 5.48％ in Guangzhou and 0.00％ in Zhanjiang.And the differences between different regions were statistically significant (X2=367.67, P<0.01).The 2 377 isolated Salmonella strains were classified into 108 serotypes except for oneSalmonella strain that could not be classified.The top four predominant serotypes were 4,5,12:i:-, Salmonella enteritidis,Salmonella stanley and Salmonella typhimurium.Most Salmonella strains were sensitive to imipenem, azithromycin, ceftazidime, cefotaxime and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, but multidrug resistance was common among those strains.Conclusion Salmonella serotypes of 4,5,12:i:-and Salmonella enteritidis are the predominant pathogens causing human Salmonella infections in Guangdong province.Ceftazidime and cefotaximeare are preferred in the treatment of Salmonella infections.Surveillance for drug resistance in Salmonella should be strengthened as multidrug resistant strains have become a serious problem in Guangdong province.

Objective To prepare simulated stool specimens for proficiency testing ( PT) by mix-ing lentils with Salmonella, Shigella and Escherichia coli strains and to establish an assessment scheme for the detection of Salmonella and Shigella in clinical samples. Methods Salmonella, Shigella and Escherich-ia coli strains were respectively spiked to lentils in Cary-Blair transport medium to create simulated stool specimens. Various ratios of Escherichia coli to Salmonella strains were spiked to lentils to prepare mixed simulated stool specimens. The accuracy and stability of prepared stool samples for PT were tested in-house. Results of sample detection were collected from participating laboratories for further external quality assess-ment. Results The Escherichia coli and Salmonella strains mixed at ratios of 100 ∶ 1 to 106 ∶ 1 could be ef-ficiently isolated from the media. Enrichment was needed in order to effectively isolate Salmonella strains from the media when the ratios of Escherichia coli to Salmonella strains were 104 ∶ 1 to 106 ∶ 1. Of the16 participating laboratories, 14 laboratories (87. 5%) received a grade of“satisfactory” and the other 2 labo-ratories (12. 5%) received a grade of “mainly satisfactory”. Conclusion The simulated stool specimens and the PT procedures designed in this study were suitable for proficiency testing program on the detection of Salmonella, Shigella and other similar microbes.

Objective To understand the effect ofserotyping on Salmonella isolates,by use of Microsphere-based Liquid Array method,among diarrhea patients,in Guangdong.Methods Salmonella isolated from humans in Guangdong province were serotyped on the Microsphere-based Liquid Array platform with SSA kit.Results A total of 4 942 Salmonella strains with 189 serotypes,were identified in Guangdong province in 2010-2014.The top 100 serotypes accounted for 98.08％ (4 847/4 942) of all the strains.98％ of the top 100 species serotypes could completely be serotyped with SSA kit.In order to detect O antigen among 198 isolates with SSA kit,181 strains were carrying the O antigen,with the coincidence rate as 100％.However,under the SSA,98.32％ (528/537) of the H antigen could be detected and were consistent with the traditional serum agglutination test.The coincidence rate of fljB gene was 93.09％ (175/188),with false negative rate and false positive rate of fljB gene as 7.35％ (9/134) and 7.41％ (4/54) respectively.The coincidence rate of sdf gene and Vi gene were 100％.11 out of the 12 Salmonella strains could not be serotyped under the traditional methods but were successfully serotyped by the molecular serotyping method.Conclusions Using the SSA kit,more than 96％ of the anthropogenic Salmonella strains could be serotyped in Guangdong province.Comparing with the traditional methods,the coincidence rate of serotyping appeared over 98％.Under the Microsphere-based Liquid Array techniques,the molecular serotyping method appeared faster and more accurate on Salmonella serotyping than those traditional methods.