广州地区无偿献血者戊型肝炎病毒感染流行病学调查

目的 调查广州地区无偿献血者的戊型肝炎病毒(hepatitis E virus, HEV)感染情况。方法 2017年4月-2018年4月间收集了5 552名广州血液中心无偿献血者的血液样本,采用酶联免疫吸附法(enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA)检测抗-HEV IgG抗体(HEV IgG)、抗-HEV IgM抗体(HEV IgM)和HEV抗原(HEV Ag),采用χ²检验分析年龄、性别、民族、职业和ALT等因素分别与HEV IgG和IgM抗体阳性的相关性,采用多因素Logistic回归分析判辨HEV感染的独立风险因素。结果 HEV IgG、IgM和HEV Ag的阳性率分别为20.05%(1 113/5 552)、0.76%(42/5 552)和0.04%(2/5 552)。年龄和民族是HEV IgG和HEV IgM阳性率的独立风险因素:HEV阳性率随着年龄增长而增大(IgG OR=1.089, 95%CI: 1.080-1.098, P<0.001; IgM OR=1.055,95%CI: 1.028-1.084, P<0.001);壮族的HEV IgG和IgM阳性率(32.69%, 7.69%)高于汉族(19.89%, 0.70%),差异有统计学意义(IgG OR=2.052, 95%CI: 1.103-3.819, P=0.023; IgM OR=12.029, 95%CI: 4.067-35.580, P<0.001)。此外,我们还发现职业是HEV IgG阳性率的独立风险因素,学生是阳性率最低的人群。结论 广州地区无偿献血者中HEV抗体阳性率较高,且在不同人群中感染情况不同,为输血传播HEV的风险评估提供基础数据。     

北京东北部山区人群嗜吞噬细胞无形体血清流行病学调查

目的 了解北京东北部山区人群嗜吞噬细胞无形体的感染状况,为制定相应的防控策略提供依据。方法 在北京密云与怀柔区采集人群血清,采用间接免疫荧光法检测嗜吞噬细胞无形体IgG抗体,进行血清流行病学调查。结果 801份血清中嗜吞噬细胞无形体IgG抗体阳性者106份,阳性率13.23%,其中密云区为13.48%,怀柔区为12.70%,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论 北京密云与怀柔区正常人群中均有嗜吞噬细胞无形体感染的存在,应加强人粒细胞无形体病的监测和防控工作。     

结核分枝杆菌IgG和IgM抗体检测试剂临床应用价值的研究

目的 评估结核分枝杆菌IgG和IgM抗体检测试剂的临床价值。方法 评估实验分2次进行:(1)于2014年5月选择于解放军第三〇九医院就诊的患者,经病历回顾性分析分为肺结核组(92例)和非结核对照组(99例),同时,选取94名健康对照者。(2)于2016年12月至2017年3月共选取解放军第三〇九医院就诊的118例患者血清标本,经病历回顾性分析分为结核病组(62例)和非结核对照组(56例)。对痰和支气管灌洗液进行涂片检查,收集研究对象血清标本应用结核分枝杆菌IgG和IgM抗体检测试剂盒(胶体金免疫层析法)进行检测。结果 第1次实验:应用结核分枝杆菌IgG和IgM抗体检测试剂盒检测研究对象血清中抗结核抗体的敏感度为64.1%(59/92),特异度为89.1%(172/193),阳性预测值为73.8%(59/80),阴性预测值为83.9%(172/205),一致率为81.1%(231/285)。92例肺结核患者中,IgG抗体检测的阳性率为64.1%(59/92),其中涂阳肺结核患者的阳性率为73.8%(31/42),涂阴肺结核患者的阳性率为56.0%(28/50),差异无统计学意义(χ ²=3.15,P=0.076);而IgM检测均为阴性。第2次实验:应用结核分枝杆菌IgG和IgM抗体检测试剂盒检测118例研究对象血清中不同抗结核抗体的敏感度为45.2%(28/62),特异度为78.6%(44/56),阳性预测值为70.7%(29/41),阴性预测值57.1%(44/77),一致率为61.9%(73/118)。62例结核病患者中,IgG抗体检测的阳性率为45.2%(28/62),其中,涂阳肺结核患者的阳性率为56.3%(18/32),明显高于涂阴肺结核患者的29.2%(7/24),差异有统计学意义(χ ²=4.07,P=0.044);而IgM检测只有1例阳性,阳性率为1.6%(1/62)。 结论 结核分枝杆菌IgG和IgM抗体检测试剂中,IgG检测对活动性结核病具有较好的辅助诊断价值,而IgM检测的临床价值尚需进一步评估。     

遵义地区犬狂犬病毒血清抗体流行病学调查与大学生对该病的认知情况分析

目的 调查遵义地区犬RV血清抗体流行病学情况和大学生对狂犬病的认知情况。方法 采用RV生物素双抗原夹心ELISA试剂盒对遵义地区422份犬血清样品进行RV血清抗体检测,采用网络问卷对遵义地区大学生开展狂犬病认知情况调查。结果 共采集422份犬血清样本,其中宠物犬297例,192例免疫过狂犬疫苗,65例未免疫,40例免疫信息不详,125例流浪犬狂犬疫苗免疫信息不详。422份犬血清样品RV抗体总阳性率为43.36%(183/422),其中,宠物犬、流浪犬、雄性犬、雌性犬的RV抗体阳性率分别为56.57%(168/297)、12%(15/125)、41.63%(102/245)、45.76%(81/177),犬性别与RV抗体阳性率差异无统计学意义(χ²=0.714,P>0.05),宠物犬与流浪犬RV的抗体阳性差异存在统计学意义(χ²=71.143,P<0.05)。问卷调查显示大学生群体对狂犬病具有较高的认知水平。结论 遵义地区流浪犬RV抗体阳性率远低于宠物犬,应加强流浪犬管理,遵义地区大学生群体对狂犬病具有较高的认知水平,这对于本地区狂犬病的预防与控制具有积极意义。     

结核抗体检测对活动性肺结核的诊断价值评价

目的 评价结核抗体检测对活动性肺结核的诊断价值。方法 收集2016年8月至2017年8月在重庆市公共卫生医疗救治中心结核科住院的495例活动性肺结核患者(观察组)和158例非结核呼吸道疾病患者(对照组),均为综合患者的临床表现、胸部影像、痰细菌病原学检测或诊断性抗结核药物治疗有效等资料临床确诊后进行血清学诊断。分析血清MTB免疫球蛋白G(immunoglobulin G,IgG)、免疫球蛋白M(immunoglobulin M,IgM)、脂阿拉伯甘露聚糖(lipoarabinomannan,LAM),以及相对分子质量16000(以下采用“16kD”表示)和相对分子质量38000(以下采用“38kD”表示)的蛋白抗体的检测资料,以及单独及联合检测不同结核抗原(LAM、38kD和16kD)的结果,评价两组患者结核抗体检测的敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值,以及对活动性肺结核的诊断效能。结果 495例观察组患者血清结核抗体检测阳性率[68.7%(340/495)]明显高于158例对照组患者[34.8%(55/158)],差异有统计学意义(χ ²=57.50,P<0.01);菌阴肺结核患者血清结核抗体检测阳性率[64.0%(210/328)]明显低于菌阳肺结核患者[77.8%(130/167)],差异有统计学意义(χ ²=9.83,P<0.01)。观察组340例结核抗体阳性患者中,LAM、38kD、IgG抗体联合检测同时均阳性的患者最多[61.8%(210/340)];对照组55例结核抗体阳性患者中,单一IgG抗体阳性最高[67.3%(37/55)]。以临床诊断为标准,血清结核抗体对活动性肺结核的诊断敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值和阴性预测值、总符合率、约登指数分别为68.7%(340/495)、65.2%(103/158)、86.1%(340/395)和39.9%(103/258)、67.8%(443/653)、0.34。 结论 血清结核抗体检测活动性肺结核患者具有较高的阳性率和敏感度,对诊断活动性肺结核具有一定的辅助价值,其中菌阳肺结核患者的检测阳性率高于菌阴肺结核,LAM、38kD和IgG联合检测可提高活动性肺结核的诊断阳性率。     

2011-2020年上海地区犬只狂犬病本底状况回顾性分析

目的 为掌握上海市犬只狂犬病免疫状况、抗体水平和流行情况,评估犬只狂犬病流行风险。方法 利用统计学方法对上海市2011-2020年犬只狂犬病血清学和病原学检测数据进行回顾性分析。结果 上海市注册犬只狂犬病免疫抗体平均合格率为83.8%(95%CI:83.3%~84.3%),流浪犬抗体平均合格率为17.7%(95%CI:15.8%~19.6%),一犬伤多人事件(伤人数≥2)犬只狂犬病病毒阳性率高达94.1%;从时间、空间和群间分布情况看,各年份、各区、各监测场点犬只狂犬病抗体水平存在一定的差异性;流浪犬与城镇犬、示范村农村犬、养殖场犬等不同类型犬只之间的抗体水平差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论 上海市注册犬只狂犬病免疫措施扎实,效果确实;上海属于狂犬病的自然疫源地,流浪犬未构筑有效免疫屏障,不足以阻断病毒在群内的传播,是当前上海狂犬病流行的最大风险点,建议进一步强化流浪犬的免疫研究和收容管理。     

结核抗体IgG检测辅助诊断结核病的应用价值

目的 探讨结核抗体IgG检测(简称“IgG检测”)辅助诊断结核病的应用价值。方法 收集黑龙江省传染病防治院2015年7月至2016年5月期间,具有IgG检测、抗酸杆菌涂片(简称“涂片”)镜检、结核分枝杆菌液体培养(简称“液体培养”)、CT扫描及临床诊断等资料的住院及门诊患者,共计1494例,其中继发性肺结核1020例(肺结核组)、肺外结核54例(肺外结核组)和排除结核病的其他肺部疾病420例(其他肺病组),对比分析不同患者的临床资料。结果 1020例肺结核患者和54例肺外结核患者的IgG检测阳性率分别为73.33%(748/1020)、62.96%(34/54),高于涂片镜检[分别为43.24%(441/1020)、20.37%(11/54)]和液体培养[分别为61.37%(626/1020)、29.63%(16/54)](χ ²=190.02,P<0.001;χ ²=20.15, P<0.001; χ ²=33.18,P<0.001; χ ²=12.07,P=0.001);IgG检测肺结核与其他肺病患者的阳性率(6.90%,29/420)差异有统计学意义(χ ²=553.47,P<0.001)。IgG检测1440例肺部疾病患者的敏感度、特异度、总符合率分别为73.33%(748/1020)、93.10%(391/420)、79.10%(1139/1440)。1020例肺结核患者中,涂片镜检阳性者的IgG检测阳性率(86.85%,383/441)与涂片镜检阴性者的IgG检测阳性率(63.04%,365/579),以及液体培养阳性者的IgG检测阳性率(80.51%,504/626)与液体培养阴性者的IgG检测阳性率(61.93%,244/394)的差异均有统计学意义(χ ²值分别为72.56、42.70,P值均<0.001)。分别以涂片镜检和液体培养为标准,IgG检测1020例肺结核组患者的敏感度、特异度、总符合率分别为86.85%(383/441)和80.51%(504/626) 、36.96%(214/579)和38.07%(150/394)、58.53%(597/1020)和64.12%(654/1020)。1020例肺结核组患者中涂阴培阴(菌阴)肺结核患者为372例(36.47%),其IgG检测阳性率为61.29%(228/372),阳性患者的CT扫描表现以斑片、条索状阴影(83.77%,191/228)多见。420例其他肺病患者IgG检测假阳性率为6.90%(29/420),与肺部感染(62.07%,18/29)和肿瘤(13.79%,4/29)患者有少量交叉反应。 结论 结核抗体IgG检测具有较高的敏感度和特异度,对结核病,尤其是对菌阴肺结核和肺外结核检出具有较高的辅助诊断价值。     

胶体金免疫层析法检测结核分枝杆菌特异性IgG/IgM抗体对结核病诊断的应用价值

目的 评价胶体金免疫层析法检测血清中结核分枝杆菌特异性IgG/IgM抗体在结核病诊断中的应用价值。方法 收集结核病患者和健康人的血清样本共332份及其背景资料,采用胶体金法检测血清中特异性结核抗体IgG/IgM,与临床诊断和细菌学检测结果比较,使用SPSS 22.0统计软件对结果进行比较分析,以P<0.05为差异具有统计学意义。结果 胶体金免疫层析法检测结核病患者中特异性结核抗体IgG/IgM的灵敏度为41.15%、特异性为91.67%,检测菌阳和菌阴结核病患者的敏感性分别为51.38%和33.77%。在全部结核病患者中,特异性结核抗体IgG/IgM检测检出率(41.15%)显著高于痰涂片法(18.84%)和痰菌培养法(36.15%)(P<0.05)。结核抗体检测、痰涂片法和痰培养法三种方法联合检测阳性率为61.54%,高于单种方法检测或其中两种方法联合检测。结论 胶体金免疫层析法检测血清中结核分枝杆菌抗体具有灵敏、特异、快速和简便等优点,可用于结核病的筛查,同时该方法也具有一定的局限性,敏感度和特异度有待进一步的提高,因此不可单独用于诊断结核病,可配合痰细菌学、影像学和临床表现等进行辅助诊断。     

联检脑脊液中LAM-IgG和TB-DNA在诊断结核性脑膜炎中的应用

目的　了解脑脊液 (CSF)中阿拉伯糖甘露糖脂IgG抗体 (LAM-IgG)和TB-DNA指标对结脑的诊断价值。方法 以CSF为标本,用酶联免疫吸附试验 (ELISA)检测LAM-IgG,用聚合酶链反应(PCR)检测TB-DNA。结果 102份结脑病人CSF标本,LAM-IgG阳性率51.0% (52102),TB-DNA阳性率81.4% (83102),LAM-IgG阳性及 或TB-DNA阳性共93例 (91.2%)。40份非结核性的中枢神经系统疾病病例的CSF标本,均未检出LAM-IgG和TB-DNA.结论 LAM-IgG和TB-DNA均是诊断结脑的较好的指标,两者联检可进一步提高检测敏感性。     

血清抗脂阿拉伯甘露糖及38kD抗体检测对涂阴肺结核及肺外结核诊断价值

目的　评估血清抗脂阿拉伯甘露糖及38kDa抗体 (LAM38kD IgG)检测对涂阴肺结核和肺外结核的诊断价值。方法 采用斑点免疫金渗滤法 (dotimmunogoldfiltrationassay，DIGFA)检测57例涂阴肺结核，52例肺外结核，32例涂阳肺结核，29例肺癌患者及33例正常人血清中LAM38kD IgG。 结果 涂阴肺结核组LAM38kD IgG阳性率为73.7%，其中痰结核菌涂 (-)培 (+)组为84 .6%，涂 (-)培 (-)组为70 .5%。肺外结核组阳性率为71.2%，涂 (+)肺结核组阳性率93.8%，肺癌组假阳性率31%，健康组假阳性率9.1%。结论 血清LAM38kD IgG检测对涂阴肺结核和肺外结核有一定的辅助诊断价值。     

Prevalence and distribution of spotted fever and typhus infections in Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast

A serosurvey for evidence of rickettsial infections was conducted in the rural populations of several tropical rain forest areas in Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast. Seropositivity rates were surprisingly high in both countries, with more than 7% of the individuals in some districts having antibodies to spotted fever-group rickettsiae. No significant difference was found in the overall prevalence of diagnostic antibody titers to spotted fever-group rickettsiae in Sierra Leone (5.3%) and Ivory Coast (6.2%). However, there was a significant difference (p less than 0.001) in the prevalence of diagnostic antibody titers to typhus rickettsiae in the two countries. There were no marked geographic differences within either country in overall prevalence of rickettsial infections, but there were possible area differences in specific seropositivity rates to typhus- and spotted fever-group rickettsiae in Sierra Leone. In both countries, age and sex differences were important in determining seropositivity, but there was no indication of an age-sex interaction. In Sierra Leone, 59 of the 80 positive sera (73.8%) were from persons age 15 or above (p less than 0.001), and 50 of the 80 (62.5%) were from males (p = 0.05). In Ivory Coast, 33 of the 37 positive sera (89.2%) were from the greater than or equal to 15-age group, and 28 of the 37 (75.7%) were from males (p less than 0.001 for both age and sex). The identification of specific areas endemic for these rickettsial diseases should facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of patients with rickettsial illnesses in West Africa.     

Prevalence of diabetes in rural and urban populations in southern Sierra Leone: a preliminary survey

We conducted a preliminary community survey for diabetes in the Bo district of southern Sierra Leone. Five hundred and one subjects comprising 256 rural adults in two villages and 245 urban adults in Bo town were randomly selected and screened for diabetes using random capillary blood glucose according to WHO criteria. There were 6 diabetics, all in the urban area, giving a prevalence of 2.4% in the urban population, and 0% in the rural villages. The mean (s.d.) capillary random blood glucose (RBG) concentration was 5.7±1.7 mmol/l for the entire study population, while concentrations for the urban and rural populations were 5.8±2 and 5.5±1.4 mmol/l respectively ( P >0.05). RBG increased significantly with age. The mean (s.d.) body mass index (BMI) was 22.3±4.9 kg/m² for the total population while those for the urban and rural populations were 23.0±5.8 and 21.6±3.6 respectively ( P <0.01). Only 5% of the population were obese, i.e. BMI30 kg/m². Dietary habits were similar in both town and country. According to this survey, the prevalence of diabetes is very low in rural Sierra Leone, but urban areas may be experiencing increasing prevalence. Mechanisms for effective screening and promotion of proper diet and exercise must be incorporated into existing health services to prevent an escalation of diabetes in urban Sierra Leone.     

Seroepidemiological study of toxoplasmosis in different sections of population of Union Territory of Chandigarh

Infections with Toxoplasma gondii in humans are usually asymptomatic or in the form of mild febrile illness. Primary infection in pregnant women may result in congenital toxoplasmosis while infection in immunocompromised subjects like AIDS patients may cause potentially fatal toxoplasma encephalitis. In India, only a few studies in hospital based patients have shown prevalence of toxoplasmosis to be between 1.5 and 21%. No field study involving general population is available. The present study investigates the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in subjects from rural, urban and urban slum populations of Union Territory, Chandigarh. Serum samples from 500 subjects from each group were collected and antitoxoplasma IgM and IgG was detected by conventional micro ELISA technique using soluble Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoite antigen. Overall 5.4% subjects were positive for IgM while 4.66% showed IgG antitoxoplasma antibodies. Amongst the three groups, significantly higher number of subjects in slum area (7.8%) showed IgM antibodies as compared to urban and rural areas (4.2% each). There was no significant difference in IgG positivity between three study areas. Prevalence of T. gondii specific IgG antibodies was significantly higher amongst females of both slum (7.31%) and rural area (8.44%) as compared to the males (2.85% and 3.27% respectively) in the same areas (p<0.05) and also to females of the urban area (2.98%, p<0.05). Prevalence of IgM antibodies was significantly higher (p<0.05) in females in the slum area (10.5%) as compared to females in the urban area (2.55%). In both urban and slum areas, highest IgM seropositivity was observed in age group 6-12 years (10% and 13.3% respectively), while in the rural area the highest IgM seropositivity was seen in the age group > or = 5 years (17.7%). These data indicate that majority of children are exposed to toxoplasma before 12 years of age and particularly in rural areas higher number of subjects acquire Toxoplasma gondii infection early in childhood probably as a result of higher exposure due to farming, poor hygiene and handling of animals.     

分子与血清学检测确诊2017年西非塞拉利昂1例猴痘病毒感染病例

目的 对发生在西非塞拉利昂南部的疑似猴痘病毒感染者进行实验室确诊。 方法 采集疑似感染病人感染后12 d和55 d的血清,利用猴痘特异性引物进行实时定量PCR检测,并对病人血清中痘苗病毒IgG、IgM和猴痘病毒IgG抗体进行ELISA检测,并结合其流行病学信息进行诊断结果 实时定量PCR检测该病人感染12 d后血清为猴痘病毒核酸阳性;ELISA检测病人感染后12 d和55 d血清,痘苗病毒IgG、IgM为阳性;猴痘病毒IgG抗体检测均为阳性,且55 d较12 d抗体滴度有4倍升高(3 200/800)。 结论 病人血清的核酸检测和血清学检测结果为阳性,结合病人的临床特征和野生动物接触史,确诊该病人为猴痘病毒感染。     

Human toxocariasis in rural Brazilian Amazonia: seroprevalence, risk factors, and spatial distribution

This population-based cross-sectional study of 403 rural settlers in Brazilian Amazonia revealed an overall rate of IgG seropositivity to Toxocara canis excretory-secretory larval antigen of 26.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 22.5-31.4%). Multilevel logistic regression analysis identified current infection with hookworm (odds ratio [OR], 2.32; 95% CI, 1.11-4.86) and residence in the most recently occupied sectors of the settlement (OR, 1.81; 95%CI, 1.3-2.52) as significant risk factors for Toxocara seropositivity; age > 14 years (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.28-0.73) and the presence of cats in the household (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.32-1.02) appeared to be protective. Two significant high-prevalence clusters were detected in the area, together comprising 38.9% of the seropositive subjects; households in the clusters had slightly lower socioeconomic status and were less likely to have cats as pets. The obstacles for controlling human toxocariasis in this and other tropical rural settings are discussed.     

Seroprevalence for hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection among volunteer blood donors of the Regional Blood Bank of Londrina, State of Paraná , Brazil

A cross-sectional study was carried out among 996 volunteer blood donors enrolled from May 1999 to December 1999 to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection among volunteer blood donors of the Regional Blood Bank of Londrina, State of Paraná, Brazil, and to evaluate whether the rate of seroprevalence of IgG anti-HEV antibodies is associated with sociodemographic variables and with seropositivity for hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection. All participants answered the questionnaire regarding the sociodemographic characteristics. Serum samples were tested for IgG antibodies to HEV (anti-HEV) by an enzyme linked immunoassay (ELISA). All serum samples positive for anti-HEV IgG and 237 serum samples negative for anti-HEV were also assayed for IgG anti-HAV antibodies by ELISA. Anti-HEV IgG was confirmed in 23/996 samples, resulting in a seroprevalence of 2.3% for HEV infection, similar to previous results obtained in developed countries. No significant association was found between the presence of anti-HEV IgG antibodies and the sociodemographic variables including gender, age, educational level, rural or urban areas, source of water, and sewer system (p > 0.05). Also, no association with seropositivity for anti-HAV IgG antibodies was observed (p > 0.05). Although this study revealed a low seroprevalence of HEV infection in the population evaluated, the results showed that this virus is circulating among the population from Londrina, South Brazil, and point out the need of further studies to define the clinical and epidemiological importance of HEV infection and to identify additional risk factors involved in the epidemiology and pathogenesis of this infection in this population.     

Syndromic Diagnosis of Malaria in Rural Sierra Leone and Proposed Additions to the National Integrated Management of Childhood Illness Guidelines for Fever

Many countries in Africa, including Sierra Leone, have adopted artemisinin-based combination therapy as first-line therapy for treatment of patients with malaria. Because laboratory testing is often unavailable in rural areas, the cost-benefit and viability of this approach may depend on accurately diagnosing malaria by using clinical criteria. We assessed the accuracy of syndromic diagnosis for malaria in three peripheral health units in rural Sierra Leone and determined factors that were associated with an accurate malaria diagnosis. Of 175 children diagnosed with malaria on syndromic grounds, 143 (82%) were confirmed by the Paracheck-Pf test. In a multivariate analysis, splenomegaly (P = 0.04) was the only clinical sign significantly associated with laboratory-confirmed malaria, and sleeping under a bed net was protective (P = 0.05). Our findings show that clinical malaria is diagnosed relatively accurately in rural Sierra Leone. Incorporating bed net use and splenomegaly into the national Integrated Management of Childhood Illness guidelines for evaluation of fever may further enhance diagnostic accuracy for malaria.     

Seroprevalence and risk factors for dengue infection in socio-economically distinct areas of Recife, Brazil

Brazil currently accounts for the majority of dengue cases reported in the Americas, with co-circulation of DENV 1-3. Striking variation in the epidemiological pattern of infection within cities has been observed. Therefore, investigation of dengue transmission in small areas is important to formulate control strategies. A population-based household survey was performed in three diverse socio-economic and environmental areas of Recife, a large urban center of Brazil, between 2005 and 2006. Dengue serostatus and individual- and household-level risk factors for infection were collected in residents aged between 5 and 64 years. A total of 2833 individuals were examined, and their residences were geo-referenced. Anti-dengue IgG antibodies were measured using commercial ELISA. The dengue seroprevalence and the force of infection were estimated in each area. Individual and household variables associated with seropositivity were assessed by multilevel models for each area. A spatial analysis was conducted to identify risk gradients of dengue seropositivity using Generalized Additive Models (GAM). The dengue seroprevalence was 91.1%, 87.4% 74.3%, respectively, in the deprived, intermediate and high socio-economic areas, inversely related to their socio-economic status. In the deprived area, 59% of children had already been exposed to dengue virus by the age of 5 years and the estimated force of infection was three times higher than that in the privileged area. The risk of infection increased with age in the three areas. Not commuting away from the area was a risk factor for seropositivity in the deprived area (OR = 2.26; 95% CI: 1.18-4.30). Number of persons per room was a risk factor for seropositivity in the intermediate (OR = 3.00; 95% CI: 3.21-7.37) and privileged areas (OR = 1.81; 95% CI: 1.07-3.04). Living in a house, as opposed to an apartment, was a risk factor for seropositivity in the privileged area (OR = 3.62; 95% CI: 2.43-5.41). The main difference between the privileged and other areas could be attributed to the much larger proportion of apartment dwellers. Intensive vector control, surveillance and community education should be considered in deprived urban areas where a high proportion of children are infected by an early age.     

Serum immunoglobulin A response to human papillomavirus type 16 virus-like particles in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and high-risk HIV-negative women

Serum samples from 2008 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and 551 HIV-negative women were tested for immunoglobulin A (IgA) to human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 capsids. IgA seropositivity was lower than previously reported IgG seropositivity (7% vs. 51%), but, like IgG antibodies, HPV 16 IgA was associated with sexual behavior, cervicovaginal HPV 16 DNA, and cytological abnormalities. IgA seropositivity was higher in HIV-positive women than in HIV-negative women (7.7% vs. 4.9%; P=.02), but the association was lost after adjustment for HPV 16 cervicovaginal infection. IgA, but not IgG, seropositivity was associated with progression to high-grade cytological abnormalities (relative hazard [RH], 2.2 [95% confidence interval, 1.2-4.2]), raising the possibility that an IgA response to HPV 16, as described for other DNA viruses, may be a marker of persistent viral replication. The risk of incident infection with non-16-related HPV types was increased in IgA seropositive women (RH, 1.8 [95% confidence interval, 1.3-2.6]), compared with seronegative women (RH, 2.2 [95% confidence interval, 0.9-5.4]), but there was no difference in the risk of incident HPV 16 or HPV 16-related infections. This may be evidence of partial type-specific or clade-specific immunity conferred by seropositivity to HPV 16 capsids.     

Prevalence of hepatitis B infection in the southeastern region of Turkey: comparison of risk factors for HBV infection in rural and urban areas

Although hepatitis B has been well studied, there are still aspects of its epidemiology that remain to be clarified. There are many regions with high seroprevalence, particularly in the developing regions of the world, and these regions are known to have different epidemiologic patterns. Nonetheless, there are currently no data on the differences in hepatitis B seroprevalence between urban and rural areas of Turkey. In the present study, therefore, we used 30-cluster sampling to determine and compare the prevalence of hepatitis B in the urban and rural areas of the least developed region of Turkey, the southeastern region. From 2,888 adults living in the region, blood samples were obtained from house visits, and screened for HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBcIgG. Factors associated with hepatitis B seroprevalence, particularly living in rural areas, were analyzed with multivariate methods. The seroprevalence of HBsAg was 8.2% in the rural and 6.2% in the urban areas. There was a statistically significant difference between urban and rural regions in terms of HBsAg positivity (crude OR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.55 - 0.98). Exposure to hepatitis B virus (HBV) increased with age both in urban and rural areas. Lower education level was also an important risk factor for hepatitis B seropositivity in urban areas (adjusted OR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.26 - 2.19) but not in rural ones (adjusted OR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.36 - 1.69). Familial jaundice history was a statistically significant risk factor for HBsAg positivity in rural areas (adjusted OR: 2.15; 95% CI: 1.30 - 3.56) but not in urban ones (adjusted OR: 1.48; 95% CI: 0.96 - 2.27). This study shows that the prevalence of HBV infection in the southeastern region of Turkey is intermediate among the levels reported for the European region of the World Health Organization.