Family-based Helicobacter pylori infection status and transmission pattern in central China,and its clinical implications for related disease prevention

BACKGROUND Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)has characteristics of family cluster infection;however,its family-based infection status,related factors,and transmission pattern in central China,a high-risk area for H.pylori infection and gastric cancer,have not been evaluated.We investigated family-based H.pylori infection in healthy households to understand its infection status,related factors,and patterns of transmission for related disease prevention.AIM To investigate family-based H.pylori infection status,related factors,and patterns of transmission in healthy households for related disease prevention.METHODS Blood samples and survey questionnaires were collected from 282 families including 772 individuals.The recruited families were from 10 selected communities in the greater Zhengzhou area with different living standards,and the family members’general data,H.pylori infection status,related factors,and transmission pattern were analyzed.H.pylori infection was confirmed primarily by serum H.pylori antibody arrays;if patients previously underwent H.pylori eradication therapy,an additional 13C-urea breath test was performed to obtain their current infection status.Serum gastrin and pepsinogens(PGs)were also analyzed.RESULTS Among the 772 individuals examined,H.pylori infection rate was 54.27%.These infected individuals were from 246 families,accounting for 87.23%of all 282 families examined,and 34.55%of these families were infected by the same strains.In 27.24%of infected families,all members were infected,and 68.66%of them were infected with type I strains.Among the 244 families that included both husband and wife,spouse co-infection rate was 34.84%,and in only 17.21%of these spouses,none were infected.The infection rate increased with duration of marriage,but annual household income,history of smoking,history of alcohol consumption,dining location,presence of gastrointestinal symptoms,and family history of gastric disease or GC did not affect infection rates;however,individuals who had a higher education level showed lower infection rates.The levels of gastrin-17,PGI,and PGII were significantly higher,and PGI/II ratio was significantly lower in H.pylori-infected groups than in H.pylori-negative groups.CONCLUSION In our study sample from the general public of central China,H.pylori infection rate was 54.27%,but in 87.23%of healthy households,there was at least 1 H.pylori-infected person;in 27.24%of these infected families,all members were infected.Type I H.pylori was the dominant strain in this area.Individuals with a higher education level showed significantly lower infection rates;no other variables affected infection rates.

Azvudine is a thymus-homing anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug effective in treating COVID-19 patients

Azvudine(FNC)is a nucleoside analog that inhibits HIV-1 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase(RdRp).Recently,we discovered FNC an agent against SARS-CoV-2,and have taken it into Phase III trial for COVID-19 patients.FNC monophosphate analog inhibited SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-OC43 coronavirus with an EC_(50) between 1.2 and 4.3 μM,depending on viruses or cells,and selective index(SI)in 15-83 range.Oral administration of FNC in rats revealed a substantial thymus-homing feature,with FNC triphosphate(the active form)concentrated in the thymus and peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC).Treating SARS-CoV-2 infected rhesus macaques with FNC(0.07 mg/kg, qd,orally)reduced viral load,recuperated the thymus,improved lymphocyte profiles,alleviated in flammation and orga n damage,and lessened grou nd・glass opacities in chest X-ray.Sin gle-cell seque ncing suggested the promotion of thymus function by FNC.A randomized,single-arm clinical trial of FNC on compassionate use(n=31)showed that oral FNC(5 mg,qd)cured all COVID-19 patients,with 100%viral ribonucleic acid negative conversion in 3.29±2.22 days(range:1-9 days)and 100%hospital discharge rate in 9.00±4.93 days(range:2-25 days).The side-effect of FNC is minor and transient dizziness and nausea in 16.12%(5/31)patients.Thus,FNC might cure COVID-19 through its anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity concentrated in the thymus,followed by promoted immunity.