ObjectiveTo establish an adjusted Serfling regression model to estimate the excess cases and the excess epidemic period of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) in Beijing from 2011 to 2019, so as to provide data support and decision-making basis for HFMD prevention and control. MethodsThe weekly number of HFMD cases in Beijing from 2011 to 2019 was utilized for adjusted the Serfling regression model. Then the adjusted model was used to fit the baseline and epidemic threshold of HFMD in Beijing from 2011 to 2019, calculating the excess cases and determining the excess epidemic period. ResultsA total of 279 306 cases of HFMD were reported in Beijing from 2011 to 2019, with the climax of the disease occurring in summer and autumn. After adjusting the fitting R² of the Serfling regression model to 0.773, a total of 10 excess epidemic periods totaling 92 weeks were estimated, mainly occurring in summer. The highest number of excess cases during an excess epidemic period was found in 2014 (1 272 cases, 95%CI: 990‒1 554), accounting for 65.04% of the actual cases (95%CI: 50.62%‒79.46%). ConclusionThe adjusted Serfling regression model fits well and can be utilized for early warning of HFMD and estimating the disease burden caused by HFMD.

Objective:To understand the gene characteristics of Sapovirus from diarrhea cases in diarrhoeal disease clinics in Beijing.Methods:In 2019, stool samples were collected from diarrhea cases in diarrhoeal disease clinics in Beijing. The samples were used for the detection of nucleic acid of Sapovirus with real-time RT-PCR. Different RT-PCR methods were used for the partial gene segment amplification in the capsid protein VP1 region and the polymerase RdRp region, and sequencing was conducted for amplified positive products. The sequences were aligned with software BioEdit 7.0.9.0 and analyzed with software Mega 6.06.Results:The overall detection rate of Sapovirus was 2.89% (44/1 522), the detection rate in children under 5 years old was 3.34% (18/539) and 2.64% (26/983) in children aged ≥5 years. The capsid protein VP1 region was sequenced in 23 strains belonging to 8 genotypes (GⅠ.2 had 6 strains, GⅠ.1 and GⅡ.3 had 5 strains, respectively, GⅠ.3 and GⅡ.5 had 2 strains, respectively, GⅠ.5, GⅡ.1 and GⅣ.1 had 1 strain, respectively). A total of 16 strains were detected in the cases aged ≥5 years, and the proportion of GⅠ.2 was highest (37.50%, 6/16), and 7 strains were detected in the cases under 5 years old, the proportions of GⅠ.1 and GⅡ.3 were highest (both 42.86%, 3/7); The internal similarity of each genotype was 95.5%-100.0%, and the similarity with the 51 reference strains of human or sewage sources in different years and different countries was 92.2%-100.0%. The polymerase RdRp region was sequenced in 25 strains belonging to 8 genotypes (GⅡ.P3 had 9 strains, GⅠ.P3 had 4 strains, GⅠ.P1, GⅠ.P2 and GⅡ.P1 had 3 strains, respectively, GⅠ.P5, GⅡ.P5 and GⅣ.P1 had 1 strain, respectively). Fifteen strains were detected in the cases aged ≥5 years, and GⅡ.P3 had the highest proportion (40.00%, 6/15). Ten strains were detected in the cases under 5 years old, and the proportions of GⅠ. P1, GⅡ.P1 and GⅡ.P3 were highest (all 30.00%, 3/10); The internal similarity of each genotype was 94.0%-100.0%, and the similarity with the 39 reference strains of human or sewage sources in different years and different countries was 90.2%-99.1%.Conclusions:Sapovirus is one of the pathogens among diarrhea cases in Beijing. The main genome is GⅠ and GⅡ, and the genotypes are diverse and dispersed. The main genotypes of diarrhea cases in people aged ≥5 years and less than 5 years are different.

Objective:To provide evidence for clinical diagnosis, prevention and control of group A rotavirus (RVA) diarrhea, the clinical characteristics of RVA diarrhea in children in Beijing from 2011 to 2018 were analyzed.Methods:From January 2011 to December 2018, 4 819 stool samples from children under 5 years old with diarrhea were collected monthly from 3 hospitals in Beijing. General information, clinical characteristics and other information of children were collected. RVA was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), genotype was identified by multiple semi-nested RT-PCR. The Vesikari clinical severity score was used to define the severity of diarrhea in children. Dichotomous unconditional logistic regression was used to analyze clinical symptoms and other differences between RVA positive and negative cases. Chi-square and Fisher direct probability tests were used to compare the composition among different groups.Results:A total of 4 819 fecal samples were collected, 953 were positive for RVA, the positive detection rate was 19.78%. The positive rate of RVA was high in the younger age group, and the incidence was high in winter and spring. RVA-positive children had more risk on diarrhea ≥5 times a day, vomiting symptoms, fever, mild dehydration, and Vesikari score ≥11. The positive rate of RVA in watery stool samples (26.13%, 214/819) and infectious diarrhea cases (42.20%, 265/628) was the highest respectively. There were no significant differences in clinical symptoms, clinical diagnoses and fecal traits among children with different RVA genotypes.Conclusions:The clinical symptoms of RVA diarrhea were severe in children. RVA genotype did not affect the clinical symptoms. Stool traits (watery stools) and Vesikari score can assist physicians in diagnosing RVA diarrhea.

Objective:To study the prevalence of Norovirus infection among kitchen workers in Beijing, and the contamination status of Norovirus in catering companies and train station.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect anal swab specimens and environmental specimens from catering companies in 16 districts of Beijing and in 3 big train stations. Norovirus nucleic acid was detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR. The contamination status of Norovirus in the environment and the asymptomatic infection status of kitchen workers was analyzed in this study.Results:A total of 650 catering companies were investigated. 1 302 anal swabs or stool specimens and 2 600 environmental swabs were collected and tested. Among the 644 catering companies out of train stations, 1 290 anal swabs or stool specimens and 2 576 environmental swabs were collected and tested. The asymptomatic infection rate of Norovirus was 0.85% (11/1 290) among kitchen workers of the catering companies out of the train stations, while the positive rate of norovirus contamination in the environment was 0.04% (1/2 576). Norovirus was not detected in the specimens collected from the kitchen workers and the environment of the catering companies in train stations.Conclusion:During the non-epidemic season of Norovirus in 2019, the infection rate of Norovirus among kitchen workers in Beijing is low, and the environment is contaminated by Norovirus.

Objective:To study the prevalence of Norovirus infection among kitchen workers in Beijing, and the contamination status of Norovirus in catering companies and train station.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect anal swab specimens and environmental specimens from catering companies in 16 districts of Beijing and in 3 big train stations. Norovirus nucleic acid was detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR. The contamination status of Norovirus in the environment and the asymptomatic infection status of kitchen workers was analyzed in this study.Results:A total of 650 catering companies were investigated. 1 302 anal swabs or stool specimens and 2 600 environmental swabs were collected and tested. Among the 644 catering companies out of train stations, 1 290 anal swabs or stool specimens and 2 576 environmental swabs were collected and tested. The asymptomatic infection rate of Norovirus was 0.85% (11/1 290) among kitchen workers of the catering companies out of the train stations, while the positive rate of norovirus contamination in the environment was 0.04% (1/2 576). Norovirus was not detected in the specimens collected from the kitchen workers and the environment of the catering companies in train stations.Conclusion:During the non-epidemic season of Norovirus in 2019, the infection rate of Norovirus among kitchen workers in Beijing is low, and the environment is contaminated by Norovirus.

Objective:To investigate the contamination of ball lettuce sold by norovirus and rotavirus in Beijing.Methods:From November 2015 to October 2016, 54 samples were collected at a market stall in Beijing. The potentially existing viruses were eluted and concentrated from the ball lettuce leaves using centrifugation and direct methods corresponding to three kinds of eluants. Norovirus and rotavirus were detected by real time RT-PCR. The partial VP1 gene of norovirus was amplified by semi-nested RT-PCR. The PCR product was sequenced directly, the sequence alignment was performed using the BioEdit 7.0.9.0 software, the phylogenetic tree was constructed with the MEGA 6.06 software.Results:Among 54 pieces of ball lettuce, rotavirus was detected negative, and the detection rate of norovirus was 11.11% (6/54). Of these NoV-positive specimens, 3 (50.0%) were NoV GII, 1 (16.7%) was NoV GI, and 2 (33.33%) were a mix of NoV GI and GII, The detection rates in spring, summer, autumn and winter were 8.3% (1/12), 0.0% (0/8), 28.6% (4/14) and 5.0% (1/20), respectively. One strain was sequenced successfully and identified as GII.3 genotype. The strain shares 100.0% nucleotide identity with strain KY348698 isolated from human in Guangdong in 2014.Conclusions:Human norovirus contamination existed in some ball lettuce sold in Beijing, eating raw unwashed ball lettuce may indicate a risk of viral acute gastroenteritis.

Objective:To understand the epidemiological characteristics and clinical features of rotavirus-, norovirus-, adenovirus-and astrovirus-associ ated acute gastroenteritis in children under 5 years old in Beijing from Octorber, 2015 to March, 2017.Methods:In the intestinal clinic of 6 hospitals in 6 districts of Beijing, information and stool samples of the first 30 patients with acute gastroenteritis who are under the age of 5 years are collected monthly.Rotavirus, norovirus, adenovirus and astrovirus are identified by PCR.Descriptive epidemiological method was used to describe the epidemiological characteristics of diarrhea caused by rotavirus, norovirus, adenovirus and astrovirus in Beijing. One-way analysis of variance was used to analyze the Vesikari clinical severity score of of acute gastroenteritis caused by each virus. Unconditional logistic regression analysis was used to analysis the associated factors of clinical features.Results:Of the 2 052 samples, 709 (34.6%) were non-mixed infections: the positive rate of rotavirus, norovirus, adenovirus and astrovirus were 20.0%, 7.5%, 4.2% and 2.9%, respectively. A total of 135 cases (6.6%) were mixed infection. The mean and standard deviation of Vesikari clinical severity score was 8.0±3.1 for rotavirus associated acute gastroenteritis, which was significantly higher than norovirus (6.4±2.4, P<0.001), adenovirus (6.2±2.1, P<0.001) and astrovirus (6.1±2.0, P<0.001). The comparison of clinical features showed that compared with astrovirus, the children under 5 years old infected with rotavirus were more likely to have a diarrhea ≥5 days ( OR=3.334), have vomiting ≥3 times within one day ( OR=8.788), have vomiting≥1 day ( OR=3.963), have a Vesikari clinical severity score ≥11 severe cases ( OR=13.194). Norovirus infected cases were prone to have vomiting≥3 times in 1 day ( OR=5.710).Adenovirus infected cases were prone to have a diarrhea≥5 days ( OR=2.616). When using rotavirus as a reference, children under 5 years of age were less likely to develop fever≥38.4 ℃ after infection with norovirus ( OR=0.397) or adenovirus ( OR=0.280). Conclusions:The results of this study showed that the characteristics of acute gastroenteritis caused by different viruses are different. The clinical symptoms caused by rotavirus are more serious. Children under 24 months of age are at high risk of rotavirus infection. Effective preventive measures such as vaccination should be taken as soon as possible.

Objective:To understand the epidemiological characteristics and clinical features of rotavirus-, norovirus-, adenovirus-and astrovirus-associ ated acute gastroenteritis in children under 5 years old in Beijing from Octorber, 2015 to March, 2017.Methods:In the intestinal clinic of 6 hospitals in 6 districts of Beijing, information and stool samples of the first 30 patients with acute gastroenteritis who are under the age of 5 years are collected monthly.Rotavirus, norovirus, adenovirus and astrovirus are identified by PCR.Descriptive epidemiological method was used to describe the epidemiological characteristics of diarrhea caused by rotavirus, norovirus, adenovirus and astrovirus in Beijing. One-way analysis of variance was used to analyze the Vesikari clinical severity score of of acute gastroenteritis caused by each virus. Unconditional logistic regression analysis was used to analysis the associated factors of clinical features.Results:Of the 2 052 samples, 709 (34.6%) were non-mixed infections: the positive rate of rotavirus, norovirus, adenovirus and astrovirus were 20.0%, 7.5%, 4.2% and 2.9%, respectively. A total of 135 cases (6.6%) were mixed infection. The mean and standard deviation of Vesikari clinical severity score was 8.0±3.1 for rotavirus associated acute gastroenteritis, which was significantly higher than norovirus (6.4±2.4, P<0.001), adenovirus (6.2±2.1, P<0.001) and astrovirus (6.1±2.0, P<0.001). The comparison of clinical features showed that compared with astrovirus, the children under 5 years old infected with rotavirus were more likely to have a diarrhea ≥5 days ( OR=3.334), have vomiting ≥3 times within one day ( OR=8.788), have vomiting≥1 day ( OR=3.963), have a Vesikari clinical severity score ≥11 severe cases ( OR=13.194). Norovirus infected cases were prone to have vomiting≥3 times in 1 day ( OR=5.710).Adenovirus infected cases were prone to have a diarrhea≥5 days ( OR=2.616). When using rotavirus as a reference, children under 5 years of age were less likely to develop fever≥38.4 ℃ after infection with norovirus ( OR=0.397) or adenovirus ( OR=0.280). Conclusions:The results of this study showed that the characteristics of acute gastroenteritis caused by different viruses are different. The clinical symptoms caused by rotavirus are more serious. Children under 24 months of age are at high risk of rotavirus infection. Effective preventive measures such as vaccination should be taken as soon as possible.

Objective: To analyze the influencing factors of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks caused by norovirus in Beijing from 2014 to 2018. Methods: Data of acute gastroenteritis events caused by norovirus in Beijing from April 2014 to March 2018 were collected. Unconditional logistic regression model was conducted to identify the risk factors of the outbreaks. Results: A total of 765 acute gastroenteritis epidemics caused by norovirus were reported in Beijing, in which 85.88% (657/765) were cluster events and 14.12% (108/765) were outbreaks. Among the outbreaks, 70.37% (76/108) were reported in 2017; 84.26% (91/108) were reported in winter and spring; 88.89% (96/108) were reported in kindergartens, primary or secondary schools; 81.48% (88/108) were through person-to-person transmission; 93.52% (101/108) were caused by norovirus GⅡ infection. The risk of outbreaks in suburban and out suburb area were 1.84 times (95%CI: 1.13-3.02) and 3.78 times (95%CI: 1.62-8.82) as high as that in urban area, respectively. The risks of outbreaks in primary, secondary schools and other institutions were 6.26 times (95%CI: 3.53-11.10), 14.98 times (95%CI: 6.23-36.01) and 8.71 times (95%CI: 3.07-24.71) as high as that in kindergartens, respectively. The risk of outbreak in which patients having lower hospital visiting rate than the median rate of all events was 2.29 times than that in the context of having higher hospital visiting rate (95%CI:1.42-3.68). The risk of foodborne outbreak was 14.55 times as high as that transmitted through person-to-person (95%CI: 3.15-67.07). Conclusion Measures such as strengthening the prevention and control of norovirus outbreaks in suburbs, primary schools, secondary schools and other institutions, promoting patients to visit the hospital actively, improving the management of foodborne events and kitchen workers should be taken to reduce the incidence of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks caused by norovirus.

Objective: To analyze the infection characteristics of patients in acute gastroenteritis outbreaks caused by noroviruses. Methods: Between April 2014 and March 2016, the clinical data and samples were collected from the patients in acute gastroenteritis outbreaks caused by noroviruses in Beijing. Noroviruses were detected and genotyped using real time RT-PCR, and the infection characteristics of norovirus gastroenteritis were analyzed using the descriptive epidemiological method. Results: A total of 1743 clinical diagnosed cases of norovirus gastroenteritis were collected, and children under 12 years old accounted for 77.68% (1354/1743). The detection rate of noroviruses was 73.98% (509/688). The detection rates of noroviruses in fecal, swab and vomitus samples were gradually decreased (χ²=67.798, P<0.001). Among these clinical diagnosed cases, vomiting was the most common symptom (93.98%), followed by abdominal pain (40.34%), diarrhea (30.35%) and fever (27.94%). The most common symptom of patients under 6 years old was vomiting(98.14%), whereas diarrhea was most common among over 18 years old patients (68.12%). With the increase of age of the patients, the incidence of vomiting was gradually decreased (χ²=100.913, P<0.001), whereas the incidence of diarrhea was gradually increased (χ²=261.164, P<0.001). There was no statistical difference in vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain symptoms between patients infected with genogroup Ⅰ and Ⅱ noroviruses, and patients infected with genogroup Ⅱ (34.49%, 149/432) had the higher incidence rate of fever than that of genogroup Ⅰ (18.18%, 14/77) (χ²=7.985, P<0.01). Conclusions Noroviruses mainly infected children under 12 years old in acute gastroentertis outbreaks. The most common symptom of patients with acute gastroenteritis caused by noroviruses was vomiting, and the incidences of vomiting and diarrhea were significantly correlated with age of the patients. Patients infected with genogroup Ⅱ had the higher incidence rate of fever than genogroup Ⅰ infection.