Analysis of Epidemiological Investigations and Responses to Human Rabies Deaths in Côte d’Ivoire, 2021

Rabies is an infectious disease that almost always leads to death as soon as the first signs appear, and is still endemic in several regions, including Côte d’Ivoire. Epidemiological investigations are carried out and response measures implemented in the event of any death from human rabies. However, the quality of these investigations does not always allow the adoption of response measures. The aim of this work was to evaluate the reports of epidemiological investigations and response actions carried out during the occurrence of human rabies deaths from 2016 to 2018. This was a cross-sectional study that took place from April to September 2021 at the National Institute of Public Hygiene and focused on human rabies deaths notified from 206 to 2018. Of sixty-one (61) human rabies deaths recorded, sixty (60) were investigated, among which fifty-nine (59) deaths had been subject to response. Most deaths occurred in rural areas (75%), and the main vector was the dog (98%). Several shortcomings were noted: response actions were not carried out promptly;joint interventions bringing together human and animal health professionals were rare, there was little communication about rabies to communities (36%), and very little vaccination of the vector, the source of the disease (12%);an almost total absence of capacity-building for local players (7%);the health districts of Abobo-Ouest, Bondoukou, Divo and Fresco, which had regularly recorded human rabies deaths, had not benefited from dog vaccination, which is supposed to break the circulation of the virus. The persistence of rabies deaths in the health districts could probably be linked to these shortcomings. Faced with these realities, it is essential to strengthen the epidemiological investigation capacities of the players involved, in order to improve the quality of investigations and ensure an effective response.

Analysis of Epidemiological Investigations and Responses to Human Rabies Deaths in Côte d’Ivoire, 2021

Rabies is an infectious disease that almost always leads to death as soon as the first signs appear, and is still endemic in several regions, including Côte d’Ivoire. Epidemiological investigations are carried out and response measures implemented in the event of any death from human rabies. However, the quality of these investigations does not always allow the adoption of response measures. The aim of this work was to evaluate the reports of epidemiological investigations and response actions carried out during the occurrence of human rabies deaths from 2016 to 2018. This was a cross-sectional study that took place from April to September 2021 at the National Institute of Public Hygiene and focused on human rabies deaths notified from 206 to 2018. Of sixty-one (61) human rabies deaths recorded, sixty (60) were investigated, among which fifty-nine (59) deaths had been subject to response. Most deaths occurred in rural areas (75%), and the main vector was the dog (98%). Several shortcomings were noted: response actions were not carried out promptly;joint interventions bringing together human and animal health professionals were rare, there was little communication about rabies to communities (36%), and very little vaccination of the vector, the source of the disease (12%);an almost total absence of capacity-building for local players (7%);the health districts of Abobo-Ouest, Bondoukou, Divo and Fresco, which had regularly recorded human rabies deaths, had not benefited from dog vaccination, which is supposed to break the circulation of the virus. The persistence of rabies deaths in the health districts could probably be linked to these shortcomings. Faced with these realities, it is essential to strengthen the epidemiological investigation capacities of the players involved, in order to improve the quality of investigations and ensure an effective response.

Investigation of the epidemiology,pathogenicity and immunogenicity of Bordetella bronchiseptica isolated from cats and dogs in China from 2021 to 2023

Bordetella bronchiseptica(Bb)is recognized as a leading cause of respiratory diseases in dogs and cats.However,epidemiological data on Bb in dogs and cats in China are still limited,and there is no commercially available vaccine.Live vaccines containing Bb that are widely used abroad are generally efective but can establish latency and potentially reactivate to cause illness in some immunodefcient vaccinated recipients,raising safety concerns.In this study,34 canine-derived and two feline-derived Bb strains were isolated from 1809 canine and 113 feline nasopharyngeal swab samples collected from eight provinces in China from 2021 to 2023.The PCR results showed that the percentage of positive Bb was 22.94%(441/1922),and more than 90%of the Bb isolates had four virulence factor-encoding genes(VFGs),namely,fhaB,prn,betA and dnt.All the isolated strains displayed a multidrug-resistant phenotype.The virulence of 10 Bb strains isolated from dogs with respiratory symptoms was tested in mice,and we found that eight isolates were highly virulent.Furthermore,the eight Bb isolates with high virulence were inactivated and intramuscularly injected into mice,and three Bb strains(WH1218,WH1203 and WH1224)with the best protective efcacy were selected.Dogs immunized with these three strains exhibited strong protection against challenge with the Bb feld strain WH1218.Ultimately,the WH1218 strain with the greatest protection in dogs was selected as the vaccine candidate.Dogs and cats that received a vaccine containing 109 CFU of the inactivated WH1218 strain showed complete protection against challenge with the Bb feld strain WH1218.This study revealed that Bb is an important pathogen that causes respiratory diseases in domestic dogs and cats in China,and all the isolates exhibited multidrug resistance.The present work contributes to the current understanding of the prevalence,antimicrobial resistance,and virulence genes of Bb in domestic dogs and cats.Additionally,our results suggest that the WH1218 strain is a promising candidate safe and efcacious inactivated Bb vaccine.

Research Progress in Early-onset Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer used to be a common disease among middle-aged and elderly people.In recent years,the incidence of colorectal cancer(Early-onset colorectal cancer,EOCRC)under 50 years old has increased year by year.Different from the traditional late-onset colon cancer(LOCRC),the diagnosis stage of EOCRC is mostly in the late stage,with poor cell differentiation and poor diagnosis,and there is a layer of consensus and guidance on the diagnosis,treatment or screening of EOCRC at presentation.Therefore,fully understanding the disease characteristics and risk exposure factors of EOCRC is helpful to guide early screening and treatment,which ultimately reduces the mortality of EOCRC.In this review article,we summarized the epidemiology,physiology,risk exposure factors and pathological diagnosis of EOCRC,and discussed the diagnosis and treatment prospect of EOCRC.

Epidemiological Investigation and Genome Analysis of Duck Circovirus in Southern China

Duck circovirus （DuCV）, a potential immunosuppressive virus, was investigated in Southern China from March 2006 to December 2009 by using a polymerase chain reaction （PCR） based method. In this study, a total of 138 sick or dead duck samples from 18 different farms were examined with an average DuCV infection rate of-35%. It was found that ducks between the ages of 40~60 days were more susceptible to DuCV. There was no evidence showing that the DuCV virus was capable of vertical transmission. Farms with positive PCR results exhibited no regularly apparent clinical abnormalities such as feathering disorders, growth retardation or lower-than-average weight. The complete genomes of 91 strains from Fujian Province and 1 from Zhejiang Province were sequenced and analyzed. The 10 DuCV genomes, comlbared with others genomes downloaded from GenBank, ranged in size from 1988 to 1996 base pairs, with sequence identities ranging from 83.2% to 99.8%. Phylogenetic analysis based on genome sequences demonstrated that DuCVs can be divided into two distinct genetic genotypes, Group I （the Euro-USA lineage） and Group II（the Taiwan lineage）, with approximately 10.0% genetic difference between the two types. Molecular epidemiological data suggest there is no obvious difference among DuCV strains isolated from different geographic locations or different species, including Duck, Muscovy duck, Mule duck, Cheery duck, Mulard duck and Pekin duck.

Occupational Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Associated with Diesel Motor Operation in an Air-raid Shelter in June 2015, Jinan City, China-An Epidemiological Investigation

Carbon monoxide （CO） is an odorless, colorless gas produced by incomplete combustion of carbonbased compounds. Exposure to CO can cause various adverse health effects ranging from headache and fatigue to coma and death. Thousands of illnesses and deaths have been documented through CO poisoning surveillance systems and accident investigations each year.

Combination Use of PFGE and Drug-resistant Analysis in the Epidemiological Investigation of Listeria Monocytogenes

Listeria monocytogenes is the pathogen of listeriosis and it causes severe infections like septicemia, encephalitis, and meningitis, especially in immunocompromised individuals, newborns, and pregnant women. Its wide distribution in the environment and ability to survive or even grow under adverse conditions has made L. monocytogenes an important public health concern and in food industry.

Epidemiological Investigation and Analysis of Chlamydia in Yak and Tibetan Sheep in Qinghai Province

Epidemiological investigation of chlamydia in yak and Tibetan sheep were conducted in Haiyan and Guinan counties, and samples were collected for laboratory detection, to understand the incidence range and damage degree of chlamydia in yak and Tibetan sheep in Qinghai Province. The result will provide technical support for preparation of scientific prevention and control measures against Chlamydia in Qinghai Province.

Epidemiological Survey on Canine Parvovirus Disease in Taizhou Region,Jiangsu Province,China

The canine parvovirus disease is an acute infectious disease caused by canine parvovirus(CPV). It is clinically characterized by severe vomiting,hemorrhagic enteritis,significant reduction in white blood cells and myocarditis. The disease with high incidence,highly infectious and high mortality has become one of the serious infectious diseases threatening dog raising industry in China. In this research,260 cases of canine parvovirus case from an Aite Pet Clinic in Taizhou City during January 2010 and March 2011 were analyzed. This study discloses the epidemiology of CPV in Taizhou region of Jiangsu Province,i. e.,the incidence of CPV and canine motility are closely correlated with age,breed,immune inoculation and season. This study provides useful guide for the clinical treatment of CPV in the future.

Diagnosis and treatment of an elderly patient with 2019-nCoV pneumonia and acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Gansu Province:A case report

BACKGROUND In December 2019,the first patient with 2019-novel coronavirus(2019-nCoV)was reported in Wuhan,China,and the disease spread rapidly across the country and surrounding countries within 2 mo.As of February 29,2020,a total of 91 confirmed cases had been reported in Gansu Province.This case report of the diagnosis and treatment of an elderly patient with 2019-nCoV pneumonia complicated by acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Gansu Province aims to provide a better reference for the treatment of patients in the future.CASE SUMMARY The patient,a 94-year-old female,lived in Maiji District of Tianshui,Gansu Province,China.On January 30,2020,she was admitted to the Fourth People’s Hospital of Tianshui after 9 d of close contact with a patient with 2019-nCoV pneumonia.She was subsequently admitted to Gansu Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine for isolation and transferred to Tianshui Gansu Provincial Hospital of Infectious Diseases on February 3,2020 for treatment.Upon initial examination,her body temperature was 36.7°C,pulse was 80,breathing was 20,and blood pressure was 130/80 mmHg.She was conscious with normal development and normal nutrition.The pharynx was not red,and bilateral tonsils were not red and swollen.The lungs sounded slightly coarse with no dry or wet rales.The first symptoms were cough and fatigue on 2 February.The patient was hospitalized for 12 d.After active treatment,she was discharged on February 14 with a good prognosis.CONCLUSION A history of exposure to the affected area or patient is a major cause of 2019-nCoV infection,and population clustering is a high risk factor for transmission.Patients may not necessarily have respiratory system symptoms as the only clinical manifestation but may also have concomitant or first onset digestive symptoms.Attention should be paid to the prevention and treatment of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.Nucleic acid testing is extremely important and needs to be repeated several times.Laboratory and auxiliary examination indicators during the first week of admission are extremely important.It is feasible to carry out dynamic and continuous index monitoring,which can predict and guide the prevention and treatment of multiple organ dysfunction and the prognosis of the disease.

Ocular biometry in the adult population in rural central China: a population-based, cross-sectional study

·AIM: To describe the distribution and determinants of ocular biometric parameters and to ascertain the relative importance of these determinants in a large population of adults in rural central China.·METHODS: A population-based, cross-sectional study performed in rural central China included 1721 participants aged 40 or more years. Ocular biometrical parameters including axial length(AL), anterior chamber depth(ACD), radius of corneal curvature(K) and horizontal corneal diameter [white-to-white(WTW)distance] were measured using non-contact partial coherence interferometry [intraocular lens(IOL)-Master].·RESULTS: Ocular biometric data on 1721 participants with a average age of 57.0 ±8.7y were analyzed at last.The general mean AL, ACD, mean corneal curvature radius(MCR), WTW were 22.80±1.12, 2.96±0.36, 7.56±0.26 and 11.75 ±0.40 mm, respectively. The mean values of each parameter in 40 to 49, 50 to 59, 60 to 69, and 70 to91 years age groups were as follows: AL, 22.77 ±0.87,22.76 ±1.06, 22.89 ±1.41, 22.92 ±0.80 mm; ACD, 3.10 ±0.32,2.98 ±0.34, 2.86 ±0.36, 2.77 ±0.35 mm; MCR, 7.58 ±0.25,7.54 ±0.26, 7.55 ±0.26, 7.49 ±0.28 mm; WTW, 11.79 ±0.38,11.75 ±0.40, 11.72 ±0.41, 11.67 ±0.41 mm. The AL, ACD,MCR and WTW were correlated with age and the AL was correlated with height and weight.·CONCLUSION: Our findings can serve as an important normative reference for multiple purposes and may help to improve the quality of rural eye care.

Risk of group aggregative behavior during COVID-19 outbreak: A case report

BACKGROUND At the end of 2019,a new epidemic of viral pneumonia emerged in China and was determined to be caused by a novel coronavirus,which was named coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)by the World Health Organization.The epidemic quickly spread,causing a worldwide pandemic.Scientists and clinicians across the globe have shifted their research efforts towards understanding the virus itself and its epidemiology.CASE SUMMARY In mid-January 2020,a Chinese family made a visit to a local city,and within the next 2 wk one after another fell ill with COVID-19.At the beginning of their first illness onset,the family had eaten in a restaurant,which led to the subsequent illness onset in another two families.All cases were diagnosed as COVID-19 by real-time fluorescent reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.Epidemiological investigation showed that the transmission chain was complete.CONCLUSION This chain of social exposure highlights the danger of group aggregative behavior for spread of COVID-19.

Advances in Research and Application of gE Gene/Protein in Prevention and Control of Swine Pseudora-bies

Research and application progresses of gE gene and its encoding gE protein in PR vaccines, diagnostic technique and epidemiological investigation are summarized, which have certain reference value for comprehensive prevention and control of PR and gradual purification of PR in different regions.

Diagnosing and reintegrating traceability of infectious diseases via metagenomic next-generation sequencing:Study of a severe case of Rickettsia japonica infection

Background:In this study,we present a case of Japanese spotted fever(JSF)caused by Rickettsia japonica and use this case to investigate the process of diagnosing and reintegrating traceability of infectious diseases via metagenomic next-generation sequencing(mNGS).Methods:From data relating to epidemiological history,clinical and laboratory examinations,and mNGS se-quencing,a diagnosis of severe JSF was concluded.Results:A detailed field epidemiological investigation discovered parasitic Haemaphysalis longicornis from a host animal(dog)in the domicile of the patient,within which R.japonica was detected,along with a diverse array of other potentially pathogenic microorganisms that could cause other infectious diseases.Conclusion:The mNGS provided an efficient method to diagnose JSF infection.This methodology could also be applied to field epidemiological investigations to establish the traceability of infectious diseases.

The precision of epidemiological investigation of COVID-19 transmission in Shanghai, China

Background:Shanghai had a local outbreak of COVID-19 from January 21 to 24.Timely and precise strategies were taken to prevent further spread of the disease.We discussed and shared the experience of COVID-19 containment in Shanghai.Process:The first two patients worked at two hospitals but no staff from the two hospitals were infected.

Application of big data and artificial intelligence in epidemic surveillance and containment

Faced with the current time-sensitive COVID-19 pandemic,the overburdened healthcare systems have resulted in a strong demand to develop newer methods to control the spread of the pandemic.Big data and artificial intelligence(AI)have been leveraged amid the COVID-19 pandemic;however,little is known about their use for supporting public health efforts.In epidemic surveillance and containment,efforts are needed to treat critical patients,track and manage the health status of residents,isolate suspected cases,and develop vaccines and antiviral drugs.The applications of emerging practices of artificial intelligence and big data have become powerful"weapons"to fight against the pandemic and provide strong support in pandemic prevention and control,such as early warning,analysis and judgment,interruption and intervention of epidemic,to achieve goals of early detection,early report,early diagnosis,early isolation and early treatment.These are the decisive factors to control the spread of the epidemic and reduce the mortality.This paper systematically summarized the application of big data and AI in epidemic,and describes practical cases and challenges with emphasis on epidemic prevention and control.The included studies showed that big data and AI have the potential strength to fight against COVID-19.However,many of the proposed methods are not yet widely accepted.Thus,the most rewarding research would be on methods that promise value beyond COVID-19.More efforts are needed for developing standardized reporting protocols or guidelines for practice.

An agent-based model with antibody dynamics information in COVID-19 epidemic simulation

Accurate prediction of the temporal and spatial characteristics of COVID-19 infection is of paramount importance for effective epidemic prevention and control.In order to accomplish this objective,we incorporated individual antibody dynamics into an agent-based model and devised a methodology that encompasses the dynamic behaviors of each individual,thereby explicitly capturing the count and spatial distribution of infected individuals with varying symptoms at distinct time points.Our model also permits the evaluation of diverse prevention and control measures.Based on our findings,the widespread employment of nucleic acid testing and the implementation of quarantine measures for positive cases and their close contacts in China have yielded remarkable outcomes in curtailing a less transmissible yet more virulent strain;however,they may prove inadequate against highly transmissible and less virulent variants.Additionally,our model excels in its ability to trace back to the initial infected case(patient zero)through early epidemic patterns.Ultimately,our model extends the frontiers of traditional epidemiological simulation methodologies and offers an alternative approach to epidemic modeling.

Isolation and oral immunogenicity assessment of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus NH-TA2020 strain:One of the predominant strains circulating in China from 2017 to 2021

Porcine epidemic diarrhea(PED)caused by porcine epidemic diarrhea virus(PEDV)is one of the most devastating diseases in the global pig industry due to its high mortality rate in piglets.Maternal vaccines can effectively enhance the gut-mammary gland-secretory IgA axis to boost lactogenic immunity and passive protection of nursing piglets against PEDV challenge.From 2017 to 2021,we collected 882 diarrhea samples from 303 farms in China to investigate the epidemiology of PEDV.The result showed that about 52.15%(158/303)of the farms were positive for PEDV with an overall detection rate of 63.95%(564/882)of the samples.The S1 fragments of S gene from 104 strains were sequenced for the phylogenetic analysis.A total of 71 PEDV strains(68.27%)sequenced in this study were clustered into the predominant G2c subgroup,while the newly-defined G2d strains(9.62%)were identified in three provinces of China.The NH-TA2020 strain of G2c subgroup was isolated and cultured,and its infection to piglets caused watery diarrhea within 24 h,indicating its strong pathogenicity.Oral administration of NH-TA2020 strain to pregnant gilts stimulated high levels of IgA antibody in colostrum.The piglets fed by the gilts above were challenged with NH-TA2020 strain or CH-HeB-RY-2020 strain from G2d subgroup,and the clinical symptoms and virus shedding were significantly reduced compared to the mock group.Our findings suggest that G2c subgroup is the predominant branch circulating in China from 2017 to 2021.Oral administration of NH-TA2020 enhances maternal IgA and lactogenic immune responses,which confer protection against the homologous and emerging G2d PEDV strains challenges in neonates.

A large outbreak of acute gastroenteritis caused by the human norovirus GII.17 strain at a university in Henan Province,China

Background:Human noroviruses are a major cause of viral gastroenteritis and are the main etiological agents of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks.An increasing number of outbreaks and sporadic cases of norovirus have been reported in China in recent years.There was a large acute gastroenteritis outbreak at a university in Henan Province,China in the past five years.We want to identify the source,transmission routes of the outbreak by epidemiological investigation and laboratory testing in order to provide the effective control measures.Methods:The clinical cases were investigated,and analysed by descriptive epidemiological methods according to factors such as time,department,grade and so on.Samples were collected from clinical cases,healthy persons,the environment,water,and food at the university.These samples were tested for potential bacteria and viruses.The samples that tested positive for norovirus were selected for whole genome sequencing and the sequences were then analysed.Results:From 4 March to 3 April 2015,a total of 753 acute diarrhoea cases were reported at the university;the attack rate was 3.29%.The epidemic curve showed two peaks,with the main peak occurring between 10 and 20 March,accounting for 85.26%of reported cases.The rates of norovirus detection in samples from confirmed cases,people without symptoms,and environmental samples were 32.72%,17.39%,and 9.17%,respectively.The phylogenetic analysis showed that the norovirus belonged to the genotype GII.17.Conclusions:This is the largest and most severe outbreak caused by genotype GII.17 norovirus in recent years in China.The GII.17 viruses displayed high epidemic activity and have become a dominant strain in China since the winter of 2014,having replaced the previously dominant GII.4 Sydney 2012 strain.

Prevalence of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus in animals in Henan Province, China

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome(SFTS)is an emerging infectious disease caused by severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus(SFTSV).SFTSV has been found in humans,ticks and animals,and SFTS has high mortality and increasing prevalence in East Asia.In the study,the samples(heart,liver,lung,kidney,spleen,brain tissue and serum)were collected from 374 domestic animals and 241 wild animals in Pingqiao District and Xinxian County of Xinyang in Henan Province,China.275(44.72%,275/615)animals were positive for anti-SFTSV antibodies,the anti-SFTSV antibodies positive ratios of domestic and wild animals were 43.58%(163/374)and 46.47%(112/241),respectively.There was no significant difference in domestic and wild animals,but significant differences were detected among different species of animals(x^2=112.59,P<0.0001).Among 615 animals,105(17.07%,105/615)animals were positive for SFTSV RNA,and only one SFTSV strain was isolated from heart tissue of a yellow weasel.The phylogenetic analysis shows that the sequence from animals belonged to the same group with viral sequences obtained from humans.The animals maybe play a reservoir host in maintaining the life cycle of SFTSV in nature.