What is the purpose of launching the World Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases?

Launching of the World Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases(WJCID)could have been possible due to efforts of the publisher,members of the editorial board,all the authors and definitely our readers.I congratulate everyone for making it possible.Pathogenic organisms of various origin cause infectious diseases often resulting in symptomatic illness.WJCID is an open access peer reviewed journal that will be published bimonthly.WJCID will primarily emphasize on topics relevant to infections affecting human and animal health yet articles from other diseases and relevant issues will also be encouraged.WJCID welcomes articles from either basic or applied research in different disciplines like Epidemiology of communicable and non-communicable infections,Immunology and Genetics.WJCID covers topics like Host-Parasites interactions,Vector biology,development of advanced tools for diagnosis,genetic susceptibility to diseases,and disease prevention and vector control.WJCID will work as an important resource of basic and applied research in the field of infections.It is widely recommended that clinical implementations of basic and applied research be encouraged for the benefit to each stream.So again I welcome everyone and assure that WJCID will be a great platform where you can feel free to share your valuable results,discuss new hypothesis and research problems and update yourself with the most recent advancements made in the field of infections.

Current strategies for predicting post-hepatectomy liver failure and a new ultrasound-based nomogram

Liver cancer is associated with a few factors,such as viruses and alcohol con-sumption,and hepatectomy is an important treatment for patients with liver cancer.However,post-hepatectomy liver failure(PHLF)is the most serious complication and has a high mortality rate.Effective prediction of PHLF allows for the adjustment of clinical treatment strategies and is critical to the long-term prognosis of patients.Many factors have been associated with the development of PHLF,so there is an increasing interest in the development of predictive models for PHLF,such as nomograms that integrate intra-operative factors,imaging and biochemical characteristics of the patient.Ultrasound,as a simple and important examination method,plays an important role in predicting PHLF,especially the Nomogram established based on ultrasound measurements of liver stiffness and spleen area provides a more convenient way to predict the occurrence of PHLF.

Prokaryotic Expression and Potential Application of the Truncated PCV-2 Capsid Protein

Three pairs of specific primers were designed to amplify the F2-1, F2-2 and XF2-2 truncated sequences of ORF2 which encodes the capsid protein of porcine circovirus type 2 （PCV-2）. The F2-1 sequence had most of the NLS region of ORF2, but the F2-2 and XF2-2 genes had the NLS region deleted. Truncated genes were subcloned into pET-32a（＋） vectors to construct recombinant fusion expression vectors. The vectors were then transformed into Rosetta（DE3） E. coli and expressed by induction of IPTG. Expressed proteins were detected by western blotting and ELISA. The protein with best immunoreactivity was confirmed and selected, then utilized to inoculate SPF rabbits to prepare polyclonal antibodies. The protein and prepared polyclonal antibody were utilized to detect sera samples against PCV-2 from Shandong province and PCV-2 particles in PK-15 cells. In our study, three recombinant fusion proteins were successfully obtained, and the molecular weights of fusion proteins were 35.9 kDa, 33.6 kDa and 38.6 kDa respectively detected by SDS-PAGE. All of the proteins showed positive reaction with anti-PCV-2 antisera, and His-XF2-2 showed better immunoreactivity than the others. The protein of His-XF2-2 was coated as antigen in ELISA to detect the seroprevalence of PCV-2 in certain districts of Shandong province, the seropositivity rate was 27.7 % （73/264）. Specific fluorescence and positive signals for PCV-2 could be detected in PK-15 cells inoculated with PCV-2 with the participation of prepared antibodies against His-XF2-2 in IFA and IPMA. Experimental results indicated that the truncated PCV-20RF2 gene containing most of the NLS region was successfully expressed in E. coli, and His-XF2-2 was demonstrated to have better immunoreactivity with anti-PCV-2 antisera than the other two fusion proteins. His-XF2-2 and prepared polyclonal antibodies against it had a satisfactory capability in detecting PCV-2 infection.

Antibiotic resistance and cagA gene correlation:A looming crisis of Helicobacter pylori

AIM:To determine antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori) in Pakistan and its correlation with host and pathogen associated factors.METHODS:A total of 178 strains of H.pylori were isolated from gastric biopsies of dyspeptic patients.Susceptibility patterns against first and second-line antibiotics were determined and trends of resistance were analyzed in relation to the sampling period,gastric conditions and cagA gene carriage.The effect of cagA gene on the acquisition of resistance was investigated by mutant selection assay.RESULTS:The observations showed that monoresistant strains were prevalent with rates of 89% for metronidazole,36% for clarithromycin,37% for amoxicillin,18.5% for ofloxacin and 12% for tetracycline.Furthermore,clarithromycin resistance was on the rise from 2005 to 2008(32% vs 38%,P = 0.004) and it is significantly observed in non ulcerative dyspeptic patients compared to gastritis,gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer cases(53% vs 20%,18% and 19%,P = 0.000).On the contrary,metronidazole and ofloxacin resistance were more common in gastritis and gastric ulcer cases.Distribution analysis and frequencies of resistant mutants in vitro correlated with the absence of cagA gene with metronidazole and ofloxacin resistance.CONCLUSION:The study confirms the alarming levels of antibiotic resistance associated with the degree of gastric inflammation and cagA gene carriage in H.pylori strains.

Hepatitis C Status in Karachi, Pakistan, a Five-Year Survey at Civil Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan

Hepatitis C virus is associated with Hepatitis C which can be acute or chronic. Acute hepatitis C is usually short term illness that can lead to chronic infection, while chronic hepatitis C is a chronic liver disease leading to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and even death. The mode of transmission is mainly parenteral and vertical. Hepatitis C is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality and a serious public health problem, worldwide as well as in Pakistan. There is no vaccine available for hepatitis C so the only way to prevent hepatitis C is by changing behaviors which can spread the disease. Pakistan is also facing a huge burden of this disease. In Pakistan, the frequency of hepatitis C virus infection ranges from 8% - 15% in the general population with variations in different parts of the country. The general method of detecting infection with HCV is to observe the presence of antibodies to the virus. The aim of this study was to determine frequency of hepatitis C among general population and to see the increasing frequency in our part. Selection of Patients: All patients visiting outpatient clinics, Hepatitis clinic and indoor patients at Civil Hospital Karachi, Pakistan from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014 were screened for anti HCV. Methods: Blood samples were collected from the patients in Red Topped vaccutainers and allowed to clot, then centrifuged and serum was screened for anti HCV by Immunochromatography (ICT) method. Results: A total of 156,990 patients were screened for anti-HCV, 23,511 (14.98%) patients were reported positive. During the year 2010, total 11,058 patients were screened for anti HCV, 1791 (16%) were positive, while in the year 2011 total 26,921 were screened and 3908 (14.5%) were positive, during the year 2012, total 23,321 were screened, 3036 (14%) were positive, in the year 2013 we screened total 40,483 patients 6070 (15%) were positive, while in 2014, total 55,484 patients were screened and 8584 were positive (15.5%). The most affected age group is between 21 - 40 years and males are affected more than females. Conclusion: Hepatitis C in increasing in our population affecting the young generation between the age of 21 - 40 years and male population is affected more than females so a mass screening is needed to know the exact position of the disease as well as awareness programs should be started using media.

Inevitability of an Enhanced Monitoring Strategy to Reduce Water Borne Illness Combining Indicators of Sanitary Protection and Measuring Water Quality

Background: Diarrhoea is the second leading cause of childhood mortality in children under five years old. Water is a major contributing risk factor for this disease that is a common illness and a global killer. Material and Methods: Water samples from different areas of Karachi were collected and were processed by MPN technique to evaluate the presence of microbiological substances. Results: Out of the processed samples, 64% were positive for the presence of mix enteric pathogen from different areas of Karachi;from Bhens colony, 74% were positive for the presence of fecal coli forms, among which 4% were positive for EHEC isolated from storage tank and water tank. Conclusion: The abovementioned results reflect the presence of organisms of public health importance in different sources of drinking water. According to WHO guidelines, there should be zero tolerance of these organisms in water.

Research progress in host immune response during hepatitis B virus infection

Hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection is a global health problem that can cause serious life-threatening liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.111 Under most circumstances,HBV is a non-cytopathic virus(does not directly kill hepatocytes);thus,the liver inflammation and fibrosis have been shown to be predominately mediated by the infiltration of immune cells.121 Even through long term anti・viral therapy,patients can rarely achieve functional cure.However,spontaneous resolution of acute and chronic hepatitis B(CHB)has indicated the possibility of immune control of the HBV infection.Patients with CHB have been shown to have defects in immune response,which results in persistent viral replication and liver inflammation.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccine research and immunization strategies for improved control of the COVID-19 pandemic

The record speed at which Chinese scientists identified severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)and shared its genomic sequence with the world,has greatly facilitated the development of coronavirus disease(COVID-19)diagnostics,drugs,and vaccines.It is unprecedented in pandemic control history to develop a dozen successful vaccines in the first year and to immunize over half of the global population in the second year,due to the efforts of the scientific community,biopharmaceutical industry,and regulatory agencies worldwide.The challenges are both great and multidimensional due to the rapid emergence of virus variants and waning of vaccine immunity.Vaccination strategies need to adapt to these challenges to keep population immunity above the herd immunity threshold,by increasing vaccine coverage,especially for older adults and young people,and providing timely booster doses with homologous or heterologous vaccine boosts.Further research should be undertaken to develop more effective vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 variants and to understand the best prime-boost vaccine combinations and immunization strategies to provide sufficient and sustainable immune protection against COVID-19.

Primary assessment of the diversity of Omicron sublineages and the epidemiologic features of autumn/winter 2022 COVID-19 wave in Chinese mainland

With the recent ongoing autumn/winter 2022 COVID-19 wave and the adjustment of public health control measures,there have been widespread SARS-CoV-2 infections in Chinese mainland.Here we have analyzed 369 viral genomes from recently diagnosed COVID-19 patients in Shanghai,identifying a large number of sublineages of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron family.Phylogenetic analysis,coupled with contact history tracing,revealed simultaneous community transmission of two Omicron sublineages dominating the infections in some areas of China(BA.5.2 mainly in Guangzhou and Shanghai,and BF.7 mainly in Beijing)and two highly infectious sublineages recently imported from abroad(XBB and BQ.1).Publicly available data from August 31 to November 29,2022 indicated an overall severe/critical case rate of 0.035%nationwide,while analysis of 5706 symptomatic patients treated at the Shanghai Public Health Center between September 1 and December 26,2022 showed that 20 cases(0.35%)without comorbidities progressed into severe/critical conditions and 153 cases(2.68%)with COVID-19-exacerbated comorbidities progressed into severe/critical conditions.These observations shall alert healthcare providers to place more resources for the treatment of severe/critical cases.Furthermore,mathematical modeling predicts this autumn/winter wave might pass through major cities in China by the end of the year,whereas some middle and western provinces and rural areas would be hit by the upcoming infection wave in mid-to-late January 2023,and the duration and magnitude of upcoming outbreak could be dramatically enhanced by the extensive travels during the Spring Festival(January 21,2023).Altogether,these preliminary data highlight the needs to allocate resources to early diagnosis and effective treatment of severe cases and the protection of vulnerable population,especially in the rural areas,to ensure the country’s smooth exit from the ongoing pandemic and accelerate socio-economic recovery.

Immunomodulatory and Antiviral Therapy Improved Functional Cure Rate in CHB Patients with High HBsAg Level Experienced NA

Background and Aims:A functional cure,or hepatitis B virus(HBV)surface antigen(HBsAg)loss,is difficult to achieve in patients with hepatitis B virus e antigen(HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B.The HBV vaccine and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor(GM-CSF)have been reported to help reduce HBsAg levels and promote HBsAg loss.In this prospective randomized trial,we evaluated HBsAg loss in patients receiving pegylated interferon α2b(PEGIFN-α2b)and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate(TDF),with and without GM-CSF and HBV vaccination.Methods:A total of 287 patients with HBeAg positive chronic hepati-tis B and seroconversion after nucleot(s)ide analog treat-ment were assigned randomly to three treatment groups for 48 weeks,TDF alone(control),PEGIFN-α2b+TDF,and PEGIFN-α2b+TDF+GM-CSF+HBV vaccine.The prima-ry endpoints were the proportions of patients with HBsAg loss and seroconversion at 48 and 72 weeks.Resu/ts:The cumulative HBsAg loss rates in the control,PEGIFN-α2b+TDF,and PEGIFN-α2b+TDF+GM-CSF+HBV vaccine groups at week 48 were 0.0%,28.3%,and 41.1%,respec-tively.The cumulative HBsAg seroconversion rates in these groups at week 48 were 0.0%,21.7%,and 33.9%,respec-tively.Multivariate regression analysis showed that GM-CSF use plus HBV vaccination was significantly associated with HBsAg loss(p=0.017)and seroconversion(p=0.030).Con-clusions:In patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B and seroconversion after nucleot(s)ide analog treatment,immunomodulatory/antiviral treatment regimens effective-ly improved HBsAg loss,and the regimen including GM-CSF and HBV vaccination was most effective.

Pathogen evolution, prevention/control strategy and clinical features of COVID-19: experiences from China

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)was reported at the end of 2019 as a worldwide health concern causing a pandemic of unusual viral pneumonia and many other organ damages,which was defined by the World Health Organization as coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).The pandemic is considered a significant threat to global public health till now.In this review,we have summarized the lessons learnt during the emergence and spread of SARS-CoV-2,including its prototype and variants.The overall clinical features of variants of concern(VOC),heterogeneity in the clinical manifestations,radiology and pathology of COVID-19 patients are also discussed,along with advances in therapeutic agents.

Current challenges in treatment options for visceral leishmaniasis in India: a public health perspective

Visceral leishmaniasis(VL)is a serious parasitic disease causing considerable mortality and major disability in the Indian subcontinent.It is most neglected tropical disease,particularly in terms of new drug development for the lack of financial returns.An elimination campaign has been running in India since 2005 that aim to reduce the incidence of VL to below 1 per 10,000 people at sub-district level.One of the major components in this endeavor is reducing transmission through early case detection followed by complete treatment.Substantial progress has been made during the recent years in the area of VL treatment,and the VL elimination initiatives have already saved many lives by deploying them effectively in the endemic areas.However,many challenges remain to be overcome including availability of drugs,cost of treatment(drugs and hospitalization),efficacy,adverse effects,and growing parasite resistance.Therefore,better emphasis on implementation research is urgently needed to determine how best to deliver existing interventions with available anti-leishmanial drugs.It is essential that the new treatment options become truly accessible,not simply available in endemic areas so that they may promote healing and save lives.In this review,we highlight the recent advancement and challenges in current treatment options for VL in disease endemic area,and discuss the possible strategies to improve the therapeutic outcome.

Soluble CD163 and CD163 Expression on Monocytes Associated with Chronic Hepatitis B Inflammation and HBsAg Loss

Background and Aims:Monocyte/macrophage-associat-ed CD163 is an indicator of the severity of liver inflam-mation and cirrhosis,but the difference of soluble CD163(sCD163)levels in chronic hepatitis B(CHB)patients and hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)-loss patients is un-clear.Herein,we aimed to compare the sCD163 levels in CHB patients and HBsAg-loss patients with or without an-tiviral treatment.Methods:sCD163 and CD163 expres-sion on monocytes were compared among four groups,healthy subjects,treatment-naïve CHB patients,sponta-neous HBsAg-loss patients,and treatment-related HBsAg-loss patients.The correlation between sCD163 levels and clinical parameters in CHB patients was analyzed.A group of 80 patients with hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection and liver biopsy were recruited.Results:sCD163 levels were higher in the CHB group than in the other three groups.sCD163 levels were higher in treatment-related HBsAg-loss patients than in spontaneous HBsAg-loss patients.sCD163 levels were negatively correlated with hepatitis B e-antigen(HBeAg)and HBsAg levels in HBeAg-positive patients.Liv-er biopsy results further demonstrated that sCD163 levels were elevated in CHB patients with substantial inflamma-tion(A≥2)or fibrosis(F≥2).The sCD163 model was more sensitive in predicting inflammation than other noninvasive models.Its levels were higher in patients with normal ala-nine aminotransferase levels and significant inflammation(A≥2)than in patients with no or mild inflammation.Con-clusions:sCD163 and CD163 expression on monocytes were associated with CHB inflammation and HBsAg loss,and may be used as markers to predict HBV-specific im-mune activation.

Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine does not influence the profile of prothrombotic antibody nor increase the risk of thrombosis in a prospective Chinese cohort

The presence of antiphospholipid antibodies was shown to be associated with thrombosis in coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)patients.Recently,according to reports from several studies,the vaccineinduced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia is mediated by anti-platelet factor 4(PF4)-polyanion complex in adenovirus-vectored COVID-19 vaccine recipients.It is impendent to explore whether inactivated COVID-19 vaccine widely used in China influences prothrombotic autoantibody production and induces thrombosis.In this prospective study,we recruited 406 healthcare workers who received two doses,21 days apart,of inactivated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)vaccine(BBIBP-CorV,Sinopharm).Paired blood samples taken before vaccination and four weeks after the second vaccination were used in detecting prothrombotic autoantibodies,including anticardiolipin(aCL),anti-b2 glycoprotein I(ab2GP1),anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin(aPS/PT),and anti-PF4-heparin.The seroconversion rate of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies was 95.81%(389/406)four weeks after vaccination.None of the subjects had spontaneous thrombosis or thrombocytopenia over a minimum follow-up period of eight weeks.There was no significant difference in the presence of all ten autoantibodies between samples collected before and after vaccination:for aCL,IgG(7 vs.8,P=0.76),IgM(41 vs.44,P=0.73),IgA(4 vs.4,P=1.00);anti-b2GP1,IgG(7 vs.6,P=0.78),IgM(6 vs.5,P=0.76),IgA(3 vs.5,P=0.72);aPS/PT IgG(0 vs.0,P=1.00),IgM(6 vs.5,P=0.76);aPF4-heparin(2 vs.7,P=0.18),and antinuclear antibody(ANA)(18 vs.21,P=0.62).Notably,seven cases presented with anti-PF4-heparin antibodies(range:1.18–1.79 U/mL)after vaccination,and none of them exhibited any sign of thrombotic disorder.In conclusion,inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine does not influence the profile of antiphospholipid antibody and anti-PF4-heparin antibody nor increase the risk of thrombosis.

Early assessment of the safety and immunogenicity of a third dose(booster)of COVID-19 immunization in Chinese adults

Inducing durable and effective immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)via vaccination is essential to combat the current pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).It has been noticed that the strength of anti-COVID-19 vaccination-induced immunity fades over time,which calls for an additional vaccination regime,as known as booster immunization,to restore immunity among previously vaccinated populations.Here we report a pilot open-label trial of a third dose of BBIBP-CorV,an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine(Vero cell),on 136 participants aged between 18 to 63 years.Safety and immunogenicity in terms of neutralizing antibody titers and cytokine/chemokine responses were analyzed as the main endpoint until day 28.While systemic reactogenicity was either absent or mild,SARS-CoV-2-specific neutralizing antibody titers rapidly arose in all participants within 4 weeks,surpassing the peak antibody titers elicited by the initial two-dose immunization regime.Broad increases of cellular immunity-associated cytokines and chemokines were also detected in the majority of participants after the third vaccination.Furthermore,in an exploratory study,a newly developed recombinant protein vaccine,NVSI-06-08(CHO Cells),was found to be safe and even more effective than BBIBP-CorV in eliciting humoral immune responses in BBIBP-CorV-primed individuals.Together,these results indicate that a third immunization schedule with either homologous or heterologous vaccine showed favorable safety profiles and restored potent SARS-CoV-2-specific immunity,providing support for further trials of booster vaccination in larger populations.

Antituberculosis and cytotoxic activities of triorganotin(Ⅳ) complexes

Five triorganotin（IV） （1-5） complexes of cinnamic acid, （Z）-2-acetamido-3-phenylacrylic acid, 3-methylbut-2-enoic acid, and 2,2-diphenylacetic acid have been synthesized and characterized by IH-13C-119Sn NMR, UV, and IR. The spectroscopic investigation demonstrated that the carboxylate group acts as a monodentate ligand in triorganotin（IV） compounds. Five triorganotin（IV） complexes were screened against the log phase culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv by colorimetric method using XTT dye as growth indicator. The MICs were found to he 0.08 and 1.25μg/mL.