The recombination hot spots and genetic diversity of the genomes of African swine fever viruses

The FilmArray^Ⓡ Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel detects the 14 most frequent pathogens causing meningitis and/or encephalitis. The use of FilmArray ME with non-validated samples is seldom published in the literature. We describe the case of a 3-year-old child, diagnosed with acute meningoencephalitis, in whom the FilmArray^Ⓡ ME technique successfully identified Neisseria meningitidis in both skin biopsy and whole blood samples.     

HIV vulnerabilities and coercive sex at same-sex sexual debut among men who have sex with men in Beijing,China

Few studies have examined coercive sex and HIV vulnerabilities among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. The present study seeks to compare individual characteristics between MSM who did and did not experience coercive sex at their MSM sexual debut and to identify HIV risk factors correlated with coercive sex at MSM sexual debut. In 2007, we recruited 167 MSM in Beijing, China by peer-referred social network sampling. Each participant then completed self-administered questionnaires regarding their sexual experiences and practices. Results show that 14% of participants reported coercive sex at MSM sexual debut, of whom 48% reported recent unprotected anal intercourse (UAI). Coercive sex at MSM sexual debut was significantly associated with UAI [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 5.38, 95% confidence interval: 1.95–14.87] and lifetime number of male sex partners (AOR: 7.25, 95% CI: 2.39–22.01). Coercive sex is harming MSM in China and should be immediately addressed by researchers, public health officials, and MSM community stakeholders.     

西藏藏族结核分枝杆菌临床分离株的MIRU-VNTR基因多态性分析与评价

目的 了解西藏地区藏族人群中结核分枝杆菌24位点MIRU-VNTR的基因多态性及其评价.方法 应用欧盟推荐的24位点MIRU-VNTR分型方法,将本次分型结果与MIRU-VNTRplus数据库进行比对,并应用BioNumerics5.0软件进行聚类分析.结果 577株结核分枝杆菌分为347种基因型,其中299株分为69个基因簇,另278株表现为独特的基因型.MIRU31、Qub11b2、Qub26、Qub4156c、Mtub21、MIRU20和MIRU26七个位点对西藏地区藏族人群中结核分枝杆菌临床分离株的分辨力较高,另17个位点的分辨力较低,其中MIRU24位点分辨率为0.结论 西藏地区藏族人群中结核分枝杆菌MIRU-VNTR分型具有良好的多态性,且该地区以现代型结核分枝杆菌为流行优势菌.     

Diabetes influences cancer risk in patients with increased carotid atherosclerosis burden

Background and aimsAtherosclerosis and cancer share several risk factors suggesting that at least in part their pathogenesis is sustained by common mechanisms. To investigate this relation we followed a group of subjects with carotid atherosclerosis at baseline up for malignancy development.Methods and resultswe carried out an observational study exploring cancer incidence (study endpoint) in subjects with known carotid atherosclerosis at baseline (n = 766) without previous cancer or carotid vascular procedures. During the follow-up (160 ± 111 weeks) 24 cancer occurred, corresponding to an overall annual incidence rate of 0.11%. 10 diagnosis of cancer occurred in individuals with a carotid stenosis >50% (n = 90) whereas 14 in patients with a carotid stenosis <50% patients (n = 676) (p < 0.001). Respect to patients without cancer, diabetes was markedly more common in subjects with cancer diagnosis during the FU (37.3%vs75.0%, p < 0.001). After controlling for classic risk factors, carotid stenosis >50% (HR = 2.831, 95%CI = 1.034–5.714; p = 0.036) and diabetes (HR = 4.831, 95%CI = 1.506–15.501; p = 0.008) remained significantly associated with cancer diagnosis.Conclusionsto our knowledge this is the first study reporting a significant risk of cancer development in subjects with diabetes and high risk of cerebrovascular events, highlighting the need of a carefully clinical screening for cancer in diabetic patients with overt carotid atherosclerosis.     

云南省德宏州2007年和2010年蚊虫及蚊媒病毒调查

目的 调查云南省德宏州蚊虫和蚊媒病毒分布特点。方法 2007年和2010年的7月在德宏州5个县市利用诱蚊灯采集蚊虫标本,采用C6/36和BHK-21细胞分离病毒,RT-PCR和序列分析方法鉴定病毒分离物。结果 共采集到6属29种43 634只蚊虫,其中三带喙库蚊构成比高达78.69%,中华按蚊构成比为14.77%,其他蚊种数量较少。从蚊虫中分离到6株病毒,经RT-PCR和进化分析表明,其中3株为基因Ⅰ型流行性乙型脑炎病毒 （JEV）,均分离自三带喙库蚊;1株盖塔病毒 （GETV） 分离自三带喙库蚊; 2株淡色库蚊浓核病毒 （CppDNV） 分别分离自三带喙库蚊和迷糊按蚊。结论 三带喙库蚊是德宏州优势蚊种和蚊媒病毒主要传播媒介,当地存在基因Ⅰ型JEV、 GETV和CppDNV的流行,并与以往云南省及我国其他地区的分离株有较近亲缘关系。     

Risk factors for severe hand,foot, and mouth disease infected with Coxsackievirus A6: A hospital-based case-control study

Coxsackievirus 6 (CV-A6) has been emerging as another predominant serotype for severe hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in China, after the introduction of enterovirus 71 inactivated vaccine (EV71 vaccine) for 3 years. Data on the risk factors for severe HFMD infected with CV-A6 are limited. We interviewed the caregivers to collected data on HFMD patients who sought medical care in the People's Hospital of Baoan district, Shenzhen, from 2015 to 2017. Totally, 131 severe patients were frequency-matched by age and gender with 174 mild patients infected with CV-A6. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to analyze the risk factors for severe CV-A6 HFMD. The average age was 20.62 ± 14.18 months and 20.52 ± 12.76 months for severe and mild patients, respectively. Multivariate analyses indicated complications at birth (odds ratio [OR], 4.18; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.64-10.63), peak body temperature over 39°C (OR, 4.04; 95% CI: 2.29-7.10) and first-born child (OR, 2.17; 95% CI: 1.27-3.70) increased the risk of severe HFMD infected with CV-A6. Breastfeeding (OR, 0.52; 95% CI: 0.32-0.87), and washing hands after playing frequently (OR, 0.58; 95% CI: 0.34-0.97) were negatively associated with severe illness. Compared with HFMD with infection of EV-A71, complications at birth and first-born child were newly found to be associated with severe illness in HFMD patients infected with CV-A6.     

Transient increment of HTLV-2 proviral load in HIV-1-co-infected patients during treatment intensification with raltegravir

BackgroundNumerous studies have analyzed the effects of raltegravir intensification on HIV-1 viral replication in infected individuals receiving suppressive combined antiretroviral treatment (cART). Nevertheless, there are only two studies on the effect of raltegravir in HTLV-1 infection, and none in HTLV-2.ObjectiveTo study the effect of raltegravir on HTLV-2 infection in HIV-1-co-infected individuals.Study designThis retrospective longitudinal study included four HTLV-2-HIV-1-co-infected individuals who received raltegravir-based cART during 48 weeks and 11 HTLV-2-HIV-1-co-infected individuals under cART without raltegravir during 48 weeks. HTLV-2 proviral load, CD4 and CD8 count and frequency were analyzed.ResultsHTLV-2 proviral load significantly increased at week 24 compared to baseline among all the patients who received raltegravir (p = 0.003), while no significant increases were found in the control group. No significant variation in either CD8 or CD4 counts was found during the follow up in both groups.ConclusionsRaltegravir induced a transient increment on total HTLV-2 DNA proviral load in HTLV-2/HIV-1-coinfected individuals on suppressive cART after 24 weeks.     

Analytical characterization of an assay designed to detect and identify diverse agents of disseminated viral infection

BackgroundDiverse viruses often reactivate in or infect cancer patients, patients with immunocompromising infections or genetic conditions, and transplant recipients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy. These infections can disseminate, leading to death, transplant rejection, and other severe outcomes.ObjectivesTo develop and characterize an assay capable of inclusive and accurate identification of diverse potentially disseminating viruses directly from plasma specimens.Study designWe developed a PCR/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (PCR/ESI-MS) assay designed to simultaneously detect and identify adenovirus, enterovirus, polyomaviruses JC and BK, parvovirus B19, HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, EBV, CMV, and herpesviruses 6–8 in plasma specimens. The assay performance was characterized analytically, and the results from clinical plasma samples were compared to the results obtained from single-analyte real time PCR tests currently used in clinical practice.ResultsThe assay demonstrated sensitivity and specificity to diverse strains of the targeted viral families and robustness to interfering substances and potentially cross reacting organisms. The assay yielded 94% sensitivity when testing clinical plasma samples previously identified as positive using standard-of-care real-time PCR tests for a single target virus (available samples included positive samples for 11 viruses targeted by the assay).ConclusionsThe assay functioned as designed, providing simultaneous broad-spectrum detection and identification of diverse agents of disseminated viral infection. Among 156 clinical samples tested, 37 detections were made in addition to the detections matching the initial clinical positive results.