The global epidemiology of clonorchiasis and its relation with cholangiocarcinoma

This paper reviews the epidemiological status and characteristics of clonorchiasis at global level and the etiological relationship between Clonorchis sinensis infection and cholangiocarcinoma(CCA).A conservative estimation was made that 15 million people were infected in the world in 2004,of which over 85%distributed in China.The epidemiology of clonorchiasis is characterized by rising trend in its prevalence,variability among sexes and age,as well as endemicity in different regions.More data indicate that C.sinensis infection is carcinogenic to human,and it is predicted that nearly 5000 CCA cases attributed to C.sinensis infection may occur annually in the world decades later,with its overall odds ratio of 4.47.Clonorchiasis is becoming one major public health problem in east Asia,and it is worthwhile to carry out further epidemiological studies.

New insights on serodiagnosis of trichinellosis during window period:early diagnostic antigens from Trichinella spiralis intestinal worms

The clinical diagnosis of trichinellosis is difficult because its clinical manifestations are nonspecific.Detection of anti-Trichinella IgG by ELISA using T.spiralis muscle larval excretory-secretory(ES)antigens is the most commonly used serological method for diagnosis of trichinellosis,but the main disadvantage is false negativity during the early stage of infection.There is an obvious window period between Trichinella infection and antibody positivity.During the intestinal stage of Trichinella infection,the ES antigens of intestinal worms(intestinal infective larvae and adults)are exposed to host’s immune system at the earliest time and elicit the production of specific anti-Trichinella antibodies.Anti-Trichinella IgG antibodies in infected mice were detectable by ELISA with ES antigens of intestinal worms as soon as 8-10 days post infection(dpi),but ELISA with muscle larval ES antigens did not permit detection of infected mice before 12 dpi.Therefore,the new early antigens from T.spiralis intestinal worms should be screened,identified and characterized for early serodiagnosis of trichinellosis.

Assessment of health education products aimed at controlling and preventing helminthiases in China

Background:Helminthiases have placed a huge burden of disease on the population in China.However,widespread control activities have led to significant achievements.As health education has been widely disseminated and plays an important role in the control and elimination of these diseases,we collected health education products aimed at controlling and preventing helminthiases in China.We analyzed their characteristics and assessed their quality.Methods:Firstly,health education products aimed at controlling and preventing helminthiases were collected from a diverse range of organizations.Secondly,the expert brainstorming and Delphi methods were applied to establish an evaluation system,which was then used to assess the collected products systematically.Those deemed excellent were awarded.Characteristics-including type,source,targeted disease(s),targeted population,and languages-of the collected products and the awarded products were presented here.Results:In total,96 health education products on helminthiases were collected from 53 organizations.Most products belonged to either the graphic design(47)or daily-use(24)category.Seventy were collected from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and 20 from institutes or control stations of parasitic diseases,primarily at the provincial and county levels.Regarding disease targets of the products,67 focused on a single helminthiasis,25 on multiple helminthiases,and the remaining four on non-specific diseases.Of the 67 single helminthiasis-focused products,most targeted schistosomiasis(37),followed by echinococcosis(16).The majority of products(79)targeted the general population,while 11 targeted students specifically.Regarding languages,86 products were only in Chinese,while the other ten were in both Chinese and the minority languages of China.Out of these ten products,one targeted schistosomiasis and the other nine targeted echinococcosis.Thirty-four products were awarded.The characteristics of the awarded products were similar to those of the collected products.Conclusions:A diverse range of health education products have been designed and applied for the prevention and control of helminthiases in China.Many products have good features such as specifying the targeted diseases and populations.However,there are significant gaps in terms of both the quantity and quality of products pertaining to some of the diseases.Experiences from the awarded products could be drawn upon to design more products aimed at a range of different helminthiases.

Risk factors for Enterobius vermicularis infection in children in Gaozhou, Guangdong, China

Background:Enterobius vermicularis infection is a prevalent intestinal parasitic disease in children.In this study,we explored the epidemiological status and risk factors for E.vermicularis infection in children in southern China.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was carried out in Gaozhou city,Guangdong province,China,in December 2011.Children aged 2–12 years from five schools participated in the study.The adhesive cellophane-tape perianal swab method was applied to detect E.vermicularis infection,while a questionnaire was sent to each child’s guardian(s)to collect demographic and socioeconomic data,as well as hygiene behaviors,pertaining to each child.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to capture the potential risk factors.Results:Out of the 802 children surveyed,440 were infected with E.vermicularis,with an average prevalence of 54.86%,and a range from 45.96 to 68.13%.The age variable was found to be statistically significant,whereas the sex variable was not.It was found that a mother’s education level(low)and not washing hands before dinner were major risk factors in all children(802).After stratification by age,a father’s education level(primary or below)and biting pencils(or toys)were significant risk factors in the younger children(508),while not washing hands before dinner and playing on the ground were important risk factors in the older children(294).Conclusion:This study demonstrates the prevalence of E.vermicularis infection in children in Gaozhou and reveals underlying risk factors.Most importantly,it reveals that risk factors differ among the different age groups,which indicates that different control measures targeted at particular age groups should be implemented.

Time to tackle clonorchiasis in China

Recent publication of the global epidemiology of clonorchiasis and its relationship with cholangiocarcinoma in the journal of Infectious Diseases of Poverty has stressed the importance of Clonorchis sinensis infection.To further demonstrate its threat on public health,especially in China,comparisons between clonorchiasis and hepatitis B are made in terms of epidemiology,clinical symptoms and carcinogenicity,disability,as well as changing trends.Furthermore,major problems and prioritized researches are argued,from basic biology to intervention.Imbalance between the majority of infected population and the minority of researches in China urges for more work from Chinese scientists and international cooperation.