Genotypic Characterization of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Pigs and Retail Foods in China

Objective To investigate the genotypic diversity of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus （MRSA） isolated from pigs and retail foods from different geographical areas in China and further to study the routes and rates of transmission of this pathogen from animals to food. Methods Seventy-one MRSA isolates were obtained from pigs and retail foods and then characterized by multi-locus sequencing typing （MLST）, spa typing, multiple-locus variable number of tandem repeat analysis （MLVA）, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis （PFGE）, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Results All isolated MRSA exhibited multi-drug resistance （MDR）. Greater diversity was found in food-associated MRSA （7 STs, 8 spa types, and 10 MLVA patterns） compared to pig-associated MRSA （3 STs, 1 spa type, and 6 MLVA patterns）. PFGE patterns were more diverse for pig-associated MRSA than those of food-associated isolates （40 vs. 11 pulse types）. Among the pig-associated isolates, CC9-ST9-t899-MC2236 was the most prevalent clone （96.4%）, and CC9-ST9-t437-MC621 （20.0%） was the predominant clone among the food-associated isolates. The CC9-ST9 isolates showed significantly higher antimicrobial resistance than other clones. Interestingly, CC398-ST398-t034 clone was identified from both pig- and food-associated isolates. Of note, some community- and hospital-associated MRSA strains （t030, t172, t1244, and t4549） were also identified as food-associated isolates. Conclusion CC9-ST9-t899-MC2236-MDR was the most predominant clone in pigs, but significant genetic diversity was observed in food-associated MRSA. Our results demonstrate the great need for improved surveillance of MRSA in livestock and food and effective prevention strategies to limit MDR-MRSA infections in China.

COVID-19 impact on high school student’s education and mental health:A cohort survey in China

BACKGROUND The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic and the universal implementation of control measures are fundamentally affecting every aspect of our society and daily lives.AIM To evaluate the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and their associated factors as well as the effects and attitudes towards online education in Chinese high school students.METHODS A total of 883 students were included.The first,second and third-year students of a high school in Lanzhou,Gansu province of China were invited to participate in this study.They were requested to involve their parents to complete the survey together.A detailed questionnaire of 65 questions was designed and divided into five sections.The survey was anonymously conducted via WeChat,a Chinese multipurpose messaging,social media and mobile payment app.RESULTS Overall,32.94%of students experienced post-traumatic stress disorder due to the COVID-19 epidemic.The majority of students(60.82%)felt that online education was not(10.76%)or less effective(50.06%)in terms of gaining knowledge and improving practical and communications skills.Correlation analysis revealed that the class level,residential background and whether living with parents were significantly linked with the effectiveness and satisfaction of the online education system.Of the final year students,74.2%said that the COVID-19 outbreak has negatively affected their preparation for the college entrance exam,and 68%of students felt that this outbreak increased psychological pressure for their college entrance examination preparation.In case of having COVID-19 symptoms during the exam,50.7%,13.3%,and 10.2%would notify the proctor,teacher and parents,respectively.CONCLUSION We found a high prevalence rate of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in high school students.Thus,our results call for urgent attention from both government and schools to implement effective interventions to cope with the psychological effects and the disturbance of education by COVID-19 on children.

COVID-19 knowledge,risk perception,and information sources among Chinese population

BACKGROUND Measures for effective control of the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic include identifying the causal organisms,applying appropriate therapies,and developing vaccines,as well as improving understanding among the general public.AIM To evaluate the knowledge,awareness,perception,and response of the general public to COVID-19 in China.METHODS A detailed questionnaire comprising 47 questions designed in both English and Chinese was developed.The survey was conducted via WeChat,a multipurpose messaging,social media,and mobile payment app that is widely used by the Chinese population.In total,1006 participants responded,and most of them were from different provinces of China's Mainland.RESULTS Overall,this comprehensive survey revealed that the general public in China is highly aware of the basic information concerning COVID-19 and its precautions.Interestingly,more respondents(99.3%)were aware of the term severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS)than COVID-19(97.2%)and Middle East respiratory syndrome(MERS)(73.4%).Among them,2.4%,1.6%,and 0.9%said that they or their family members or friends were affected by COVID-19,SARS,and MERS,respectively.The majority of the respondents(91.2%)indicated that knowledge about COVID-19 was received mainly from WeChat,followed by TV(89%),friends(76.1%),and QQ(a Chinese instant messaging software service)(57.7%).CONCLUSION The general public in China is highly aware of COVID-19 and the necessary precautions.Unexpectedly,2.8%of the participants were unaware of the current epidemic.The remaining information gaps highlight the necessity of further enhancing awareness and preparedness.

Molecular detection of Leishmania species in human and animals from cutaneous leishmaniasis endemic areas of Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Objectives: To detect Leishmania species in human patients, animal reservoirs and Phlebotomus sandflies in Waziristan, Pakistan. Methods: Tissue smears and aspirates from 448 cutaneous leishmaniasis(CL) suspected patients were analyzed. To sort out role of the reservoir hosts, skin scrapings, spleen and liver samples from 104 rodents were collected. Furthermore, buffy coat samples were obtained from 60 domestic animals. Sandflies were also trapped. All human, animals and sandfly samples were tested by microscopy, kinetoplastic PCR and internal transcribed spacer 1(ITS1) PCR followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism for detection of Leishmania species. Results: An overall prevalence of 3.83% and 5.21% through microscopy and ITS1 PCR respectively was found. However, the statistically non-significant correlation was found between area, gender, and number of lesions. The presence of rodents, sandflies, domestic animals and internally displaced people increased the risk of CL. Using ITS1-PCR-RFLP, Leishmania tropica(L. tropica) was confirmed in 106 samples while 25 of the isolates were diagnosed as Leishmania major(L. major). Similarly, 3/104 rodents were positive for L. major and 14 pools of DNA samples containing Phlebotomus sergenti sandflies were positive for L. tropica. None of samples from domestic animals were positive for leishmaniasis. Conclusions: In the present study, L. tropica and L. major are found to be the main causative agents of CL in study area. Movement of internally displaced people from CL endemic areas presents a risk for nearby CL free areas. To the best of our knowledge, we report for the first time L. major infection in rodents(Rattus rattus) and L. tropica in Phlebotomus sergenti sandflies trapped in Waziristan, Pakistan.

人类与病毒抗争的持久战:2020年度诺贝尔生理学或医学奖解读

根据世界卫生组织(World Health Organization,WHO)最新数据,全球约有7100万慢性丙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis C virus,HCV)感染者,2016年约40万人因该病死亡.我国是世界HCV感染者数量最多的国家,约占全球慢性HCV感染者总量的14%.值得关注的是,我国仍然有大量患者未被诊断出,并且实际接受规范药物治疗的患者比例较小.

Malaria:elimination tale from Yunnan Province of China and new challenges for reintroduction

Background::Eradication of infectious disease is the sanctified public health and sustainable development goal around the world.Main body::Three antimalarial barriers were developed to control imported malarial cases,and an effective surveillance strategy known as the"1-3-7 approach"was developed to eliminate malaria from the Chinese population.From 2011 to 2019,5254 confirmed malaria cases were reported and treated in Yunnan Province,China.Among them,4566 cases were imported from other countries,and 688 cases were indigenous from 2011 to 2016.Since 2017,no new local malarial case has been reported in China.Thus,malaria has been completely eliminated in Yunnan Province.However,malaria is detected in overseas travellers on a regular basis,such as visitors from neighbouring Myanmar.Conclusion::Hence,the strategies should be further strengthened to maintain a robust public health infrastructure for disease surveillance and vector control programs in border areas.Such programs should be supported technically and financially by the government to avert the possibility of a malarial resurgence in Yunnan Province.