3种非甾体抗炎药对大鼠骨关节炎关节软骨细胞IL-1β、TNF-α、IL-1α表达的影响

目的:探讨长期应用塞来昔布、布洛芬、吲哚美辛对大鼠骨关节炎(osteoarthritis,OA)关节软骨细胞白细胞介素-1β(in-terleukin-1β,IL-1β)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(tumor necrosis factor,TNF-α)、细胞白细胞介素-1α(interleukin-1α,IL-1α)表达的影响。方法:采用左侧跟腱切除术建立Wistar大鼠同侧膝关节OA模型,分4组,每日给赛来昔布24 mg/kg(celecoxib,CE)组、布洛芬72 mg/kg(ibuprofen,IBP)组、吲哚美辛9 mg/kg(indomethacin,IN)组及生理盐水(normal saline,NS)组。用免疫组织化学法观察3、6、9个月后关节软骨细胞IL-1β、TNF-α、IL-1α表达的变化。结果:①连续用药3月,CE对软骨细胞IL-1β、TNF-α表达无明显影响,抑制IL-1α的表达;IBP促进软骨细胞IL-1β、TNF-α的表达,对IL-1α的表达无明显影响;IN轻度促进软骨细胞IL-1β表达,增强TNF-α的表达,对IL-1α的表达无明显影响。②连续用药6月,CE对软骨细胞IL-1β表达无明显影响,轻度抑制TNF-α、IL-1α表达;IBP轻度促进软骨细胞IL-1β的表达,促进TNF-α表达,轻度抑制IL-1α的表达;IN轻度抑制软骨细胞IL-1β,抑制TNF-α表达,轻度抑制IL-1α的表达。③连续用药9月,CE明显抑制软骨细胞IL-1β的表达,抑制TNF-α、IL-1α的表达;IBP抑制软骨细胞IL-1β、TNF-α的表达,轻度抑制IL-1α的表达。结论:CE抑制软骨细胞IL-1β、TNF-α、IL-1α的表达,可减轻OA关节软骨的损害,IBP、IN在不同时期对软骨细胞IL-1β、TNF-α、IL-1α表达的影响有所不同,其总体抑制效应不明显。     

冷-固联合诱导法制作骨关节炎大鼠模型及骨灵膏和其拆方制剂对模型的作用

目的探讨骨灵膏及其拆方制剂对通过冷-固联合诱导法制作的骨关节炎(OA)大鼠模型作用的机制研究。方法 60只雌性SD大鼠随机分为骨灵膏组、骨膏组、灵膏组、塞来昔布组、模型组及正常组六组,每组10只,除正常组外,其余各组采用冷固法6周建立骨关节炎模型。造模成功后,除正常组和模型组分别给予生理盐水灌胃外,其余组分别给予骨灵膏、骨膏、灵膏及塞来昔布灌胃,给药10周后,取大鼠血清、膝关节软骨组织及滑膜。镜下观察关节软骨病理变化;X片检测关节影像学改变;ELISA检测血清TNF-a、IL-1β、透明质酸(HA)、Ig M含量;TUNEL法检测关节软骨及滑膜细胞凋亡情况。结果冷固法制作OA模型X影像学、关节肿胀情况、软骨组织病理损伤及细胞凋亡和生化代谢改变均符合OA的特征,表明造模成功;骨灵膏可以减轻OA软骨组织浅表至钙化层各层的病理损伤和下调软骨及滑膜细胞凋亡,其中骨灵膏与骨膏、灵膏比较,软骨及滑膜细胞凋亡明显下降(P0.01),骨灵膏及其拆方制剂骨膏组、灵膏组TNF-a、IL-1β的含量较模型组显著降低(P0.01);骨灵膏组HA的含量较骨膏、灵膏及塞来昔布组明显增加(P0.01);各组Ig M的含量无明显差异。结论冷-固联合诱导法能制作理想的OA大鼠模型,骨灵膏可能通过减轻机体炎症损伤、降低关节软骨HA的耗损、抑制关节滑膜及软骨细胞凋亡等多个途径阻止了OA关节软骨退行性变导致的关节损伤,骨灵膏的上述作用优于其拆方制剂骨膏、灵膏及塞来昔布。     

灯盏花素对大鼠膝骨关节炎膝关节软骨的影响

目的 探讨灯盏花素(breviscapine，BE)对膝骨关节炎(osteoarthritis，OA)模型大鼠关节软骨的影响。方法 通过内侧半月板失稳(destabilization of the medial meniscus，DMM)诱导OA大鼠模型，BE和塞来昔布(celecoxib，Cel)分别通过灌胃向大鼠给药。通过苏木精-伊红(hematoxylin & eosin，HE)染色观察大鼠骨关节炎软骨损伤和细胞浸润情况，番红O-固绿染色观察软骨损伤情况，甲苯胺蓝染色观察软骨损伤，免疫组织化学(Immunohistochemistry，IHC)染色观察软骨组织中collagen-Ⅱ和p-JNK阳性细胞比例，酶联免疫吸附(enzyme linked immunosorbent assay，ELISA)试剂盒检测大鼠血清中炎性细胞因子IL-1β、TNF-α和IL-6的浓度。结果 OA组大鼠膝骨组织中软骨细胞层厚度较sham组变薄(P<0.0001)，软骨细胞损伤加重(P<0.001)，促炎细胞因子IL-1β(P<0.001)、TNF-α(P<0.001)和IL-6(P<0.001)水平与sham组相比明显升高，p-JNK阳性率升高。相比较于OA组，BE灌胃给药可缓解DMM诱导的大鼠膝骨关节的软骨损伤(P<0.05)，抑制促炎细胞因子的水平(P<0.01)以及p-JNK的阳性率。结论 BE可缓解DMM诱导的OA大鼠软骨损伤，抑制炎性细胞因子的生成。BE可能通过调节JNK信号通路参与OA软骨细胞损伤的调控。     

激活自噬对关节腔内注射糖皮质激素大鼠骨关节炎进展的影响

目的：观察激活自噬对关节腔内注射糖皮质激素大鼠骨关节炎进展的影响。方法：将50只雄性SD大鼠随机均分为假手术组（Sham组）、造模组（OA组）、糖皮质激素组（OA+GS组）、雷帕霉素组（OA+RAPA组）、糖皮质激素+雷帕霉素组（OA+GS+RAPA组）。建立大鼠骨关节炎模型并分别进行干预。10周后取大鼠膝关节组织进行S-O染色,评估OARSI评分、滑膜评分,免疫组化检测关节软骨P62 表达情况。结果：OA组大鼠关节软骨部分区域出现缺损,OARSI评分、滑膜评分均较Sham组显著升高（P ＜0.05）;OA+GS组大鼠软骨缺损依旧比较严重,OARSI评分与OA组比较差异无统计学意义（P ＞0.05）,滑膜评分与OA组比较有所降低（P ＜0.05）;OA+RAPA组大鼠软骨表面侵蚀明显好转,OARSI评分、滑膜评分与OA组比较均降低（P ＜0.01）;OA+GS+RAPA组大鼠关节软骨侵蚀现象进一步好转,OARSI评分、滑膜评分与OA+RAPA组比明显较低（P ＜0.05）。免疫组化结果显示,OA组关节软骨表面P62表达明显增加,在使用雷帕霉素后,关节软骨表面P62表达降低（P ＜0.05）。结论：在大鼠骨关节炎模型上,激活自噬可以在一定程度上进一步延缓关节腔内注射糖皮质激素大鼠骨关节炎的进展。     

关节软骨细胞线粒体功能障碍与软骨退变的关系

目的:探求骨关节炎患者软骨细胞中线粒体功能状况及线粒体功能与软骨退变的关系.方法:收集2012年4月至10月在北京大学第一医院因骨关节炎(osteoarthritis,OA)行膝关节置换术患者的关节软骨10例.根据Outerbridge分级对所取软骨组织进行透射电子显微镜观察.获取正常及OA软骨细胞,用透射电子显微镜观察2组软骨细胞线粒体形态.定量检测正常及OA软骨细胞线粒体呼吸链复合体酶1,2,2+3,4及ATP合酶活力,用JC-1法检测2组软骨细胞线粒体膜电位.获取10例正常软骨细胞并将其分为正常对照组和鱼藤酮处理组,比较2组细胞线粒体超微结构、线粒体膜电位、细胞凋亡及Ⅱ型胶原含量.结果:软骨组织块及软骨细胞电子显微镜均发现病变的软骨细胞线粒体发生肿胀,外膜破裂,嵴破坏、消失.OA软骨细胞线粒体膜电位下降,红绿荧光比为1.50,较正常细胞(2.58)低.OA软骨细胞呼吸链复合酶1,2,2+3,4及ATPase活力都较正常组低,但差异无统计学意义(P =0.109,0.197,0.098,0.169,0.145).鱼藤酮处理的细胞线粒体出现类似于OA软骨细胞的形态变化.JC-1法示正常软骨细胞红绿荧光比为2.58;鱼藤酮组细胞为1.78.细胞凋亡检测示正常软骨细胞凋亡率为4.38％,鱼藤酮组细胞为7.53％.正常软骨细胞Ⅱ型胶原含量为(72.9±24.3) μg/L,鱼藤酮组为(44.63±7.11)μg/L,较正常组低(P =0.044).结论:OA软骨细胞中存在线粒体功能障碍,破坏软骨细胞线粒体功能会导致软骨细胞凋亡率增加,分泌Ⅱ型胶原的能力下降,从而促进软骨退变.     

塞来昔布对人滑膜细胞和人软骨细胞共培养体系相关因子的调控作用

目的 观察塞来昔布对Wnt/β-catenin信号通路活化的人滑膜细胞和人软骨细胞共培养体系相关因子的调控作用,初步阐释塞来昔布治疗骨关节炎的分子作用机制.方法 通过β-catenin慢病毒载体转染正常人滑膜细胞,激活其Wnt/β-catenin信号通路.Wnt/β-catenin信号通路活化的人滑膜细胞与正常人软骨细胞置于Transwell小室中共培养.倒置显微镜观察Wnt/β-catenin信号通路活化的人滑膜细胞对人软骨细胞形态学变化的影响.塞来昔布混悬液干预共培养体系,采用Western blot方法检测塞来昔布对滑膜细胞β-catenin蛋白表达的影响;采用ELISA方法检测塞来昔布对滑膜细胞、软骨细胞培养上清液基质金属蛋白酶-7(MMP-7)、Ⅱ型胶原羧基端肽(CTX-Ⅱ)、软骨寡聚基质蛋白(COMP)表达的影响.结果 β-catenin慢病毒载体转染正常人滑膜细胞后成功激活Wnt信号通路并与软骨细胞共培养.随着培养时间的延长,软骨细胞生长逐渐受到抑制,软骨细胞胞体边缘与板壁接触处发白,折光度增加,细胞贴壁强度降低.塞来昔布干预后,Western blot检测发现滑膜细胞中β-catenin蛋白的表达明显下调(P＜0.01);ELISA法检测发现滑膜与软骨细胞上清液中MMP-7、CTX-Ⅱ、COMP的表达与正常对照相比明显升高(P＜0.01).结论 滑膜细胞Wnt/β-catenin信号通路的激活可以使软骨细胞生长受到抑制.塞来昔布可以降低滑膜细胞β-catenin表达,且与干预时间长短相关.塞来昔布可以抑制滑膜细胞Wnt/β-catenin信号通路,下调MMP-7、CTX-Ⅱ、COMP的表达.塞来昔布可能通过抑制OA滑膜Wnt/β-catenin信号通路,改善滑膜炎症、调控滑膜-软骨共同体系微环境、达到抑制软骨降解,促进软骨细胞功能恢复而治疗骨关节炎.     

正常关节和骨关节炎软骨细胞凋亡和超微结构的研究

目的 探讨正常关节和骨关节炎（OA）软骨细胞凋亡和超微结构的变化,以及正常关节和OA关节软骨细胞体外培养的凋亡来分析骨关节炎可能的发病机制。方法 胡氏造模法制作新西兰大白兔OA模型,3周后切取关节软骨,末端原位标记染色法分析正常关节软骨,骨关节炎软骨的细胞凋亡。分离关节软骨细胞体外培养,然后通过钙黄绿素和双FITC-AI双染色,分析软骨细胞的活力和凋亡情况,同时切取关节软骨细胞行透射电镜分析软骨细胞中一些超微结构的变化。结果 发现OA组软骨中凋亡细胞（14.32±3.17）比正常组（4.54±1.17）明显增多,两组间比较差异有统计学意义（t''=15.85,P<0.05）;而体外培养的软骨细胞中,OA组分离的软骨细胞存在大量凋亡细胞（83.63±20.11）和正常组（91.45±4.70）比较,差异有统计学意义（t''=2.07,P<0.05）。OA组部分软骨细胞的活力明显增强,OA组为79.45±3.60,正常组为75.60±5.33（t=3.28,P<0.01）。在超微结构的研究中,发现大量软骨细胞内的超微结构,有明显的变化,特别是线粒体在正常组为7.3±2.3,而OA为3.4±1.7,明显减少,比较差异有统计学意义。OA组染色质边缘化,空泡化和分布异常也非常明显。结论 在OA模型中,存在软骨细胞大量凋亡现象,通过超微结构现象分析凋亡细胞增多同时存在染色质的减少和分布异常,以及一些细胞小体的减少,可能和软骨细胞能量过度代谢和线粒体的减少等有密切的关系。     

饮食对肥胖大鼠骨关节炎的辅助治疗干预作用研究

目的 探讨饮食护理对肥胖大鼠骨关节炎（OA）大鼠行为学、脂代谢、关节形态及软骨中内脂素的作用。方法 90 只雄性SD 大鼠随机分为六组,除正常组及OA 模型组外,其余各组给予高脂高糖饲料,以内侧半月板切除和前交叉韧带切断的Hulth 法建立骨性关节炎模型,将饮食护理组给予脱脂饲料,同时关节腔注射玻璃酸钠进行治疗;无护理组仅进行玻璃酸钠治疗。肥胖模型组及肥胖OA 模型组在OA 模型成功建立的基础上仍给予高脂高糖饲料,连续12 周。饮食干预12 周后,对各组大鼠称重并量取体长,计算身体质量指数（BMI）;检测大鼠自主活动、抓力、总胆固醇（TC）、三酰甘油（TG）、高密度脂蛋白（HDL-C）、低密度脂蛋白（LDL-C）水平;观察大鼠膝关节软骨组织形态学变化,检测Visfatin 血清含量水平及软骨组织Visfatin 的蛋白表达。结果 饮食护理组大鼠的体重、BMI、血清TC、TG、LDL-C、Visfatin 含量水平及膝关节软骨组织Visfatin 蛋白表达显著低于肥胖OA 模型组;血清HDL-C 含量水平、活动次数、抓力显著高于肥胖OA 模型组。饮食护理组光镜下幼稚软骨细胞形态正常,损伤脱失明显改善。结论 饮食干预对肥胖OA 大鼠骨性关节炎具有保护作用,该作用可能与降低软骨组织visfatin 蛋白表达水平,改善OA 大鼠脂代谢有关。     

Ⅱ型胶原羧基端端肽对骨关节炎早期诊断和病情评估的实验研究

目的:定量检测骨关节炎(OA)大鼠模型血清、关节软骨蛋白提取液中Ⅱ型胶原羧基端端肽(CTX-Ⅱ)的变化,探讨其作为OA早期诊断及病情评估指标的价值和意义。方法:SD大鼠行前交叉韧带切断术诱导OA模型,将大鼠随机分为模型组和假手术组。于造模后不同时间点分批取血并处死取关节标本,检测血清及软骨蛋白提取液中CTX-Ⅱ水平,观察病理变化。结果:模型组术后2周开始出现OA特征性病理变化且逐渐加重,CTX-Ⅱ水平在术后3天开始不断升高。两组血清及软骨蛋白提取液中CTX-Ⅱ水平在造模后各时间点均有统计学差异,血清和软骨蛋白提取液中CTX-Ⅱ水平变化具有相关性。结论:在大鼠OA模型中,血清CTX-Ⅱ水平在未出现明显病理变化时即已开始增高,并与病灶区软骨中CTX-Ⅱ表达一致,可作为OA早期诊断和病情评估的参考指标。     

Value of D-Dimers in patients with acute aortic dissection

Objective: To evaluatel the value of D-dimers in patients with acute aortic dissection (AAD). Methods: This study consisted of 16 patients with AAD and 27 non-AAD patients. Serum D-dimets were measured by Sta-Liatest D-DI immunoturbidimetric assay. Results: D-dimer level was higher (P ＜ 0.001) in patients with AAD(7.91 ± 5.52 μg/ml) than that in non- AAD group(1.57±1.24 μg/ml). D-dimer was positive (＞0.4 μg/ml) in all patients with AAD and in 10 control group patients (37%). Among patients with acute AAD, D-dimers tended to be higher in Stanford A than in Stanford B (8.67 ± 4.31 μg/ml vs. 3.24±1.27 μg/ml, P ＜0.01). D-dimer values tended to be higher in more extended disease(3.84 ± 1.65 μg/ml, 8.57 ± 3.58 μg/ml and 11.87 ± 5.69 μg/ml in thoracic aorta, thoracic and abdominal aorta, thoracic and abdominal aorta and iliacal arteries, respectively, P ＜ 0.05 for both 8.57 ± 3.58 and 11.87 ± 5.69 vs. 3.84 ± 1.65 ). Including the control group into the analysis, we found a sensitivity of 100%, a negative predictive value of 100%, and a specificity of 66% and a positive predictive value of 64% for D-dimer in diagnosis of AAD in our patients with suspected AAD. Conclusion: D-dimer was elevated in patients with AAD. A negative D-dimer test result could be useful in excluding AAD.     

Research of combined liver-kidney transplantation model in rats

Objective： To set up a simple and reliable rat model of combined liver-kidney transplantation. Methods： SD rats served as both donors and recipients. 4℃ sodium lactate Ringer＇s was infused from portal veins to donated livers,and from abdominal aorta to donated kidneys, respectively. Anastomosis of the portal vein and the inferior vena cava （IVC） inferior to the right kidney between the graft and the recipient was performed by a double cuff method, then the superior hepatic vena cava with suture. A patch of donated renal artery was anastomosed to the recipient abdominal aorta. The urethra and bile duct were reconstructed with a simple inside bracket. Results： Among 65 cases of combined liver-kidney transplantation, the success rate in the late 40 cases was 77.5%. The function of the grafted liver and kidney remained normal. Conclusion： This rat model of combined liver-kidney transplantation can be established in common laboratory conditions with high success rate and meet the needs of renal transplantation experiment.     

Development on Adjustable Calibration Marker for Shock Wave Focus

Shock wave lithotripsy （SWL） is a treatment of choice for upper urinary stones. However, this procedure is inappropriate for obese patients because the focus is often unable to reach the target owing to the limited focal distance in shock wave source. Although treating such patients in a blast path may increase the application length of shock wave source, it＇s difficult to find this path on the lithotripter monitor. For this reason, we invented an adjustable calibration marker in order to set an effective focus in the shock wave hath.     

Study on the TCM Pathogenesis of Angiopathic Complications of Type II Diabetes

Excess production of reactive oxygen species(ROS)of mitochondrion mediated by hyperglycemia is the common pathogenesis of angiopathic complications of diabetes.TCM holds that the damp from the dysfunction of spleen.kidney and liver is the causative factor of complications of diabetes.This is similar to the mechanism of Ros resulting in angiopathic complications of diabetes.When the angiopathic complications of type II diabetes mellitus(T2DM)are difierentiated as caused by turbid damp in TCM can be explained as ROS.Since the obstruction of pathogenic damp in channels and collaterals is said to be the main pathogenesis,the treating principle should be dissolving the damp to remove the obstruction.     

Leptin, Ghrelin and TNF-α before and after Hypo-caloric Traditional Chinese Diet and Auricular Acupuncture

INTRODUCTION Obesity is a complex emergent problem, which can be possibly solved not only by the diet but also by the life style and promotion of a constant physical exercise. 1, 2 No doubt careful attentions must be given to the nutritional condition of obese people, the dietary habits, the somatic build (i.e. distribution of fat mass) and the organic functions linked to formation of the fat mass. All the parameters should be constantly monitored before, during and after a diet treatment. 3, 4, 5     

Relationship between Dysglycemia and Carotid Atherosclerosis in Tibetan Population

People with dysglycemia are at high risk for atherosclerotic diseases. This study aims at investigating the atherosclerotic vascular damage in dysglycemia and its metabolic origin in Tibetan population.     

APPLICATION OF LORNOXICAM TO PATIENT-CONTROLLED ANALGESIA IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING ABDOMINAL SURGERIES

FOR anesthesiologis s ,treatingpostoperativepainhas alwaysbeen a problem.Althoughopioidshave been provedtobe effective,theirsideeffectscouldnotbeignored.With thedevelopmentofscienceand pharmacology,many drugs with aspectsof satisfactoryanalgesicefficacyand couldbe welltoleratedby patientshave been developed.And lornoxicamisone of them, which isa non-steroidalanti-inflammatorydrug (NSAID ), with analgesic, anti-infl-ammatory,andantipyreticproperties.Itseliminationhalf-time(3 to 5 hours) isle…     

安心颗粒对急诊经皮冠状动脉介入术后生活质量影响的研究

目的：评价使用安心颗粒对急诊经皮冠状动脉介入术（PPCI）术后生活质量的影响.方法：将160例接受PPCI的急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死患者随机分为安心颗粒组（术前顿服安心颗粒8.8g,术后安心颗粒4.4 g/次,每日2次）和对照组（仅接受基础药物治疗）.所有患者均服用阿司匹林、氯吡格雷和阿托伐他汀.分别在入院时、出院前1d、出院后180 d时,应用心肌梗死多维度量表（MIDAS）、中文版SF-36评价量表对患者生活质量评分.并观察术后30 d以内的出血并发症、血小板减少症发生情况.结果：入院时和出院前1d,两组患者的心肌梗死MIDAS、SF-36量表评分比较无差异（P＞0.05）;出院后180 d时,与对照组比较,安心颗粒组MIDAS、SF-36评分明显减低（P＜0.05）;组内与入院时比较,两组出院前1d、出院后180 d时,MIDAS、SF-36评分均降低（P＜0.05）.两组患者在随访期间均无大量出血、少量出血、重度和极重度血小板减少症发生,安心颗粒组有4例、对照组有7例发生不明显出血（P＞0.05）.两组发生轻度血小板减少症的患者数比较无差异（P＞0.05）.结论：PPCI使用安心颗粒,能改善急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死患者的生活质量,且不增加出血风险.     

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF SERUM CYTOKINES IL-1β,sIL-2R,IL-6,TNF-α,AND IFN-v IN ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME

Objectives To explore serum cytokines levels (including IL-1 β, sIL-2R, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-v) and their significance in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and the subsequent follow-ups, with attempt to estimate the role of various serum inflammatory markers in the diagnosis and assessment of ACS.Methods The study population include 40 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 40 patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP), and 40 controls. Among the 80 patients, 60 patients attended a follow up 4 months later. Serum inflammatory markers including IL-1 β, sIL-2R, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-v were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.Results Serum IL- 1 β, sIL-2R, IL-6, TNF-α were significantly higher in AMI group or UAP group compared to the control group and became significantly lower 4 months later in the follow-up patients. Serum levels of IFN-v shows no significant difference between AMI group or UAP group and controls, also showing no significant change when measured in follow up patients. There was no correlation between serum creatine kinase-MB isoenzyme levels and serum inflammatory markers either in UAP or AMI group. Furthermore, when divided into two subgroups using Wagner's QRS scoring system in the AMI group, there is no difference of each serum inflammatory marker between ≤ 6 scores group and ＞ 6 scores group.Conclusion Serum levels of certain inflammatory markers may have some diagnostic value for ACS, and can be a useful marker reflecting disease stability.     

Possible Spread of adenovirus type 3 from poultry to humans ：indirect evidence from an outbreak in China

Objective:To explore the epidemiology and etiology for an outbreak of acute respiratory tract infection that occurred in one county of Jiangsu Province, China 2004. Methods: Only cases meeting the case definition were included in the study. We reviewed the medical records of the cases who were admitted to the local hospitals, interviewed cases by a standard questionnaire, and then described the epidemiotogic features and analyzed risk factors by means of a case-control study. We collected pharyngeal swab specimens and sent them to different laboratories for isolation and culture. The laboratory used different detection methods such as DIP, PCR, electron microscope examination and microneutralization assay, to identify and then type the positive specimens. Results:A total of 871 cases were reported during the period from April 18 to July 4,2004. The distribution of onset times presented two peaks, one in late May and another in middle June. The epidemic occurred mainly in the elementary and junior high schools in ten townships of one county, and the mean age of the cases was 12 years (range 7 months to 18 years). The course of the disease was acute, and was characterized by fever accompanied with sore throat and tonsillitis. The WBC count of cases was normal or elevated. The mean duration of illness was 5 days (range 2 to 12 days). No fatalities from illness were reported. A case-control study indicated that the possible risk factors were close contact with a case and/or poultry before onset and sharing of towels among members of the family. The typical CPE was observed through inoculating pharyngeal swab specimens into the HEP-2 cell cultures in different laboratories. An infection of adenovirus type 3 was verified by detecting positive specimens in different methods. Conclusion:This investigation demonstrated that the acute respiratory infection in cases was caused by adenovirus type 3. Cases occurred in over 70 schools in ten townships in 2004, and the route of transmission was possibly close contact with cases or droplet transmission.