Most Read articles

Published in last 1 year |  In last 2 years |  In last 3 years |  All

All

Please wait a minute...


For Selected: Download Citations EndNote Ris BibTeX Toggle Thumbnails

Select

Progress of schistosomiasis control in the People's Republic of China in 2024 HE Junyi, ZHANG Lijuan, YANG Fan, DANG Hui, LI Yinlong, GUO Suying, LI Shizhen, CAO Chunli, XU Jing, LI Shizhu Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (3): 223-231.   Abstract （1268）      PDF（pc） （1146KB）（2016）       Knowledge map    Save To understand the progress of, summarize the lessons learned from and analyze the challenges in the national schistosomiasis elimination program of China in 2024, this article presented the endemic situation of schistosomiasis and national schistosomiasis surveillance results in the People's Republic of China in 2024. By the end of 2024, Shanghai Municipality, Zhejiang Province, Fujian Province, Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region continued to consolidate schistosomiasis elimination achievements, and 7 provinces of Jiangsu, Sichuan, Yunnan, Hubei, Hunan, Anhui and Jiangxi maintained the criteria of schistosomiasis transmission interruption. A total of 450 counties (cites, districts) were found to be endemic for schistosomiasis in China in 2024, including 26 061 endemic villages covering 73 630 500 residents at risk of infections. Among the 450 counties (cities, districts) endemic for schistosomiasis, 388 (86.22%) achieved the criteria of schistosomiasis elimination and 62 (13.78%) achieved the criteria of transmission interruption. In 2024, a total of 4 102 624 individuals received immunological tests for schistosomiasis in China, with 44 823 sero⁃positives identified (1.09% seroprevalence), and a total of 169 722 individuals received parasitological examinations, with 1 egg⁃positives detected. A total of 27 321 cases with advanced schistosomiasis were documented in China by the end of 2024. In 2024, a total of 575 686 bovines were raised in schistosomiasis⁃endemic villages of China, and 113 842 bovines received immunological tests, with 235 sero⁃positives detected (0.21% seroprevalence), while no egg⁃positives were identified among the 167 475 bovines receiving parasitological examinations. In 2024, snail survey was performed covering an area of 680 498.27 hm2 in China, and 190 778.66 hm2 snail habitats were identified, including 59.09 hm2 emerging snail habitats and 704.23 hm2 reemerging snail habitats. In 2024, a total of 19 665 schistosomiasis patients receiving chemotherapy with praziquantel in China, and expanded chemotherapy was given to humans at 571 722 person⁃times and to bovines at 306 740 herd⁃times. In addition, snail control with chemical treatment covered 117 111.37 hm2 snail habitats across China in 2024, and the actual area of chemical treatment was 66 562.95 hm2, while environmental improvements were performed in snail habitats covering an area of 1 374.26 hm2. The national schistosomiasis surveillance results showed that the mean prevalence rates of Schistosoma japonicum infections were both 0 among humans and bovines in China in 2024, and no S. japonicum infection was detected in snails. These data demonstrated that the prevalence of schistosomiasis remained at a low level in China in 2024; however, the areas of snail habitats remained high and the number of fenced cattle showed a slight increase. To address these risks, it is imperative to maintain the integrated strategy with an emphasis on management of the source of S. japonicum infection and intensified snail control in high⁃risk areas, and to reinforce schistosomiasis surveillance and forecast and snail control in high⁃risk areas.   Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Spatiotemporal distribution of Aedes albopictus and its influencing factors in China from 2000 to 2019 JIAO Zerui, QU Lei, WANG Duoquan, ZHANG Yi, LÜ Shan Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (3): 268-275.   Abstract （828）      PDF（pc） （1564KB）（1569）       Knowledge map    Save Objective　To investigate the spatial distribution of Aedes albopictus in China at different time periods from 2000 to 2019, so as to provide insights into precise management of Ae. albopictus in China. Methods  Data pertaining to the distribution of Ae. albopictus in China from 2000 to 2019 were collected through literature retrieval with terms of "Aedes albopictus", "monitoring", "survey", "density", "distribution", and "outbreak" in national and international databases. The title and time of the publication, sampling sites, sampling time, mosquito capture methods, and mosquito species and density were extracted, and the longitude and latitude of sampling sites were obtained through Baidu Map. Meteorological element data at meteorological observation stations within China were obtained from the National Climatic Data Center of the United States, and the annual maximum temperature, annual minimum temperature, average temperature in January, average temperature in July, annual temperature range, daily temperature range and relative humidity were calculated and subjected to Kriging interpolation. Monthly cumulative precipitation grid data and monthly average temperature grid data with a resolution of 1 km for China from 2000 to 2019 were obtained from the National Tibetan Plateau Scientific Data Center, and the annual precipitation and annual average temperature were calculated cumulatively. Population density data in China from 2000 to 2019 were obtained from the WorldPop Hub, and the gross domestic product (GDP) in China was obtained from the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The above data were divided into 5⁃year intervals to calculate data during the periods from 2000 to 2004, from 2005 to 2009, from 2010 to 2014, and from 2015 to 2019. Ae. albopictus distribution data were modeled in China from 2000 to 2019 and during each period with the classification random forest (RF) model, to predict the distribution of Ae. albopictus across the country and analyze the distribution of Ae. albopictus based on the seven major climate zones in China. The performance of RF models was evaluated by accuracy, precision, recall, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and the importance of each feature in the RF model was evaluated with mean decrease accuracy (MDA). Results  A total of 1 191 Chinese publictions and 391 English publications were retrieved, among which 580 articles provided detailed data on the sampling sites of Ae. albopictus and specific sampling years, meeting the inclusion criteria. A total of 2 234 Ae. albopictus sampling sites were included in China from 2000 to 2019, and RF modeling results showed that the overall Ae. albopictus distribution area was mainly found in southeastern and southwestern provinces of China from 2000 to 2019, with scattered distribution in coastal areas of northeastern provinces, such as Liaoning Province. The accuracy, precision, recall and AUC of the RF model were 0.915 to 0.947, 0.933 to 0.975, 0.898 to 0.978, and 0.902 to 0.932 for the distribution of Ae. albopictus at different time periods from 2000 to 2019. Among all features in the RF models, population density was the most contributing factor to the distribution of Ae. albopictus in China, followed by GDP, and all meteorological variables contributed relatively less to the predictive power of the RF model. In China's seven major climate zones, Ae. albopictus was almost entirely distributed in the marginal tropical humid region, the north subtropical humid region, and the warm temperate semi⁃humid region. The combined distribution area of these three zones accounted for 100.0% of the national distribution area from 2000 to 2004, from 2005 to 2009, and from 2010 to 2014, and 99.9% from 2015 to 2019, and the proportion of Ae. albopictus distribution area in the warm temperate semi⁃humid region increased gradually from 20.2% to 30.2%. Conclusions Ae. albopictus is mainly distributed in the southeastern and southwestern provinces of China and is greatly influenced by population and economic factors. The warm temperate semi⁃humid region in China is gradually becoming a hot spot for the distribution of Ae. albopictus. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Epidemiological characteristics of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in China from 2010 to 2023 DU Shanshan, SHI Yue, CHEN Xi, LIU Huihui, ZHANG Lijie, HUANG Xiaoxia Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (4): 371-379.   Abstract （421）      PDF（pc） （3556KB）（992）       Knowledge map    Save Objective　To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) and to identify factors affecting deaths among SFTS patients in China from 2010 to 2023, so as to provide insights into scientific prevention and control of SFTS. Methods　Demographic and epidemiological characteristics of reported, definitively diagnosed SFTS cases in China from 2010 to 2023 were captured from National Notifiable Infectious Disease Reporting System of China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention, including current residence address, age, gender, occupation, time of incidence and date of death, and the temporal, spatial and population distributions of SFTS cases were analyzed. The county⁃level incidence of reported SFTS cases in China from 2010 to 2023 was subjected to spatial autocorrelation analysis, and the global Moran's I index was calculated. The high⁃incidence clusters for SFTS were identified using space⁃time scan analysis based on a Poisson distribution model, and the relative risk (RR) and log⁃likelihood ratio (LLR) were estimated. In addition, factors affecting the death and their risk levels were identified among SFTS cases using chi⁃square test and logistic regression models, and the risk of death was evaluated with odds ratio (OR).  Results　A total of 27 457 SFTS cases were reported in China from 2010 to 2023, and the number of SFTS cases increased from 71 in 2010 to 5 062 in 2023, appearing a tendency towards a rise (b = 5.567, t = 51.35, P < 0.05). A total of 1 326 deaths occurred during the 14⁃year study period, with a case fatality rate of 4.82%, and the annual incidence and fatality of SFTS were 0.005/105 to 0.359/105, and 2.70% to 12.70%. SFTS cases were reported across 27 provinces in China, which were predominantly reported in 7 provinces of Shandong (7 890 cases, 28.74%), Henan (6 286 cases, 22.89%), Anhui (5 718 cases, 20.83%), Hubei (3 938 cases, 14.34%), Liaoning (1 418 cases, 5.16%), Zhejiang (990 cases, 3.61%), and Jiangsu (957 cases, 3.49%), accounting for 99.05% (27 197/27 457) of totally reported cases in China. The time of SFTS incidence appeared a seasonal distribution, and the incidence of SFTS peaked during the period from May to July, with a significant difference in the time of SFTS incidence among provinces (P < 0.01). Among all SFTS cases, there were 12 894 men (46.96%) and 14 563 women (53.04%), and there were 61.27% (16 823/27 457) of SFTS cases at ages of 61 years and older, with farmers as the predominant occupation (84.74%, 23 266/27 457). The annual Moran's I index for SFTS incidence ranged from 0.326 2 to 0.607 5 from 2010 to 2023, and there were significant differences in the Moran's I index for SFTS incidence each year from 2011 to 2023 (z = 10.207 to 18.101, all P values < 0.001), presenting spatial clusters. Local spatial autocorrelation analysis identified "high⁃high", "low⁃high", "high⁃low", and "low⁃low" clusters of reported SFTS cases in China, with "high⁃high" clusters predominantly distributed in 5 provinces of Shandong, Anhui, Hubei, Henan, and Liaoning, covering 63 counties (cities, districts) in 2011 to 134 counties (cities, districts) in 2023. Monthly space⁃time scans identified three high⁃incidence clusters for SFTS in 4 provinces of Henan, Shandong, Jiangsu and Anhui. Univariate analysis revealed the risk of death of reported SFTS cases was associated with province ([χ2] = 605.48, P < 0.01), gender ([χ2] = 23.421, P < 0.01), age ([χ2] = 254.18, P < 0.01), duration from disease onset to diagnosis ([χ2] = 49.895, P < 0.01), and occupation ([χ2] = 30.685, P < 0.01), and multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a higher risk of death among SFTS cases reported in three provinces of Shandong [OR = 3.081, 95% confidence interval (CI): (2.605, 3.643)], Zhejiang [OR = 4.280, 95% CI: (3.367, 5.441)], and Jiangsu [OR = 2.733, 95% CI: (2.059, 3.628)]; among SFTS cases at ages of 70 years and older [> 70 to 80 years: OR = 4.511, 95% CI: (1.626, 12.511); > 80 years and older: OR = 3.632, 95% CI: (1.241, 10.631)]; among male SFTS cases males than among female cases [OR = 1.243, 95% CI: (1.114, 1.387)]; and among SFTS cases 31 days and longer duration from disease onset to diagnosis [OR = 1.660, 95% CI: (1.254, 2.197)]. Conclusions　The number of reported SFTS cases has remarkably risen in China in recent years, with expanded geographic distributions, seasonal distribution and spatial clusters. Targeted preventive and control measures for SFTS are urgently needed. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Research progress on techniques for detection of tick⁃borne encephalitis virus infections LIU Zhuofan, XIE Hao, SUN Xiaoliang, XIA Tao, GUO Junhui Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (2): 209-216.   Abstract （401）      PDF（pc） （1150KB）（745）       Knowledge map    Save Tick⁃borne encephalitis is a central nervous system disease caused by infections with tick⁃borne pathogens, which is characterized by severe clinical symptoms, multiple sequelae, and a high fatality rate. Currently, there is no cure for tick⁃borne encephalitis. Tick⁃borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is the most common pathogen of tick⁃borne encephalitis. Therefore, rapid and accurate detection of TBEV contributes to reducing the mortality of tick⁃borne encephalitis, improving patients' prognosis, and reducing the risk of TBEV transmission. The currently available serological tests for detection of TBEV infections mainly include neutralization test, enzyme⁃linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence assay, and nucleic acid tests mainly include polymerase chain reaction (PCR), loop⁃mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), reverse transcription polymerase spiral reaction, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR⁃associated proteins (Cas)⁃based assays. This review summarizes the progress of researches on serological and nucleic acid tests for detection of TBEV infections, so as to provide insights into prevention and control of tick⁃borne encephalitis. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Epidemiology and management of echinococcosis in China and Mongolia and the risk of cross⁃border transmission LIU Jing, DANZENG Quzhen, MO Xiaojin, MIAO Yurun, SU Xuan, HU Wei, ZHANG Ting Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (4): 337-343.   Abstract （378）      PDF（pc） （1382KB）（840）       Knowledge map    Save Currently, echinococcosis is highly prevalent in both China and Mongolia, and the risk of cross⁃border echinococcosis transmission raises growing concerns. This article describes the epidemiology of echinococcosis in China and Mongolia, compares echinococcosis control measures between the countries, and discusses the potential risk of cross⁃border echinococcosis transmission due to human and animal mobility, transboundary movement of animal hosts, and disparities in control capacity between the two countries. In addition, the article proposes the promising cooperation areas for joint prevention and control of echinococcosis between the two countries, including the joint development of guidelines and standards, technical and financial assistance, and cross⁃border pathogen monitoring and tracing, so as to provide insights into cross⁃boundary health cooperation between China and Mongolia, effective management of echinococcosis transmission, and improvements in the regional public health security.  Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Current status of anticoccidial drug resistance in China BAI Yidan, LI Wenting, LUO Wanxin, YU Yuxin, LI Dongfang, ZHAO Junlong, HE Lan Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (2): 217-222.   Abstract （376）      PDF（pc） （1169KB）（387）       Knowledge map    Save Avian coccidiosis, an acute parasitic disease that mainly harms chicks, is widely prevalent across the world, which poses a serious threat to poultry industry. Because of the single prophylactic formulations, veterinary clinical treatment of coccidiosis mainly relies on chemically synthesized agents, polyether ionophores and Chinese herbal medicines. The introduction of novel anticoccidial drugs is slow for a long period of time, and there is an increasing problem of anticoccidial drug resistance following long⁃term use, which has become an urgent problem to be solved in poultry industry. This review summarizes the levels of anticoccidial drug resistance across China from 2018 to 2023, and analyzes the resistance to various anticoccidial agents in coccidia. It is indicated that the overall prevalence of anticoccidial drug resistance is high in coccidia, and development of novel anticoccidial agents and products with reduced antibiotics use and alternatives of antibiotics is of an urgent need.  Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Sequencing and analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of Bulinus globosus QIAN Peijun, Masceline Jenipher Mutsaka⁃Makuvaza, LÜ Chao, QIAN Yingjun, WANG Wenya, CHEN Shenglin, XU Andong, XUE Jingbo, XU Jing, ZHOU Xiaonong, Nicholas Midzi, LI Shizhu Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (2): 116-126, 135.   Abstract （376）      PDF（pc） （3009KB）（1325）       Knowledge map    Save Objective　To analyze the structural and phylogenetic characteristics of the mitochondrial genome from Bulinus globosus, so as to provide a theoretical basis for classification and identification of species within the Bulinus genus, and to provide insights into understanding of Bulinus⁃schistosomes interactions and the mechanisms of parasite transmission.  Methods　       B. globosus samples were collected from the Ruya River basin in Zimbabwe. Mitochondrial DNA was extracted from B. globosus samples and the corresponding libraries were constructed for high⁃throughput sequencing on the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform. After raw sequencing data were subjected to quality control using the fastp software, genome assembly was performed using the A5⁃miseq and SPAdes tools, and genome annotation was conducted using the MITOS online server. Circular maps and sequence plots of the mitochondrial genome were generated using the CGView and OGDRAW software, and the protein conservation motifs and structures were analyzed using the TBtools software. Base composition and codon usage bias were analyzed and visualized using the software MEGA X and the ggplot2 package in the R software. In addition, a phylogenetic tree was created in the software MEGA X after sequence alignment with the software MAFFT 7, and visualized using the software iTOL.  Results　         The mitochondrial genome of B. globosus was a 13 730 bp double⁃stranded circular molecule, containing 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and 13 protein⁃coding genes, with a marked AT preference. The mitochondrial genome composition of B. globosus was similar to that of other species within the Bulinus genus. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of B. globosus was clustered with B. truncatus, B. nasutus, and B. ugandae into the same evolutionary clade, and gene superfamily analysis showed that the metabolism⁃related proteins of B. globosus were highly conserved, notably the cytochrome c oxidase family, which showed a significant consistency.  Conclusions　This is the first whole mitochondrial genome sequencing to decode the compositional features of the mitochondrial genome of B. globosus from Zimbabwe and its evolutionary relationship within the Bulinus genus, which provides important insights for further understanding of the phylogeny and mitochondrial genome characteristics of the Bulinus genus. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Dynamics of eosinophil infiltration and microglia activation in brain tissues of mice infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis WEI Fanna, ZHANG Renjie, HU Yahong, QIN Xiaoyu, GUO Yunhai, MO Xiaojin, LU Yan, SUN Jiahui, ZHOU Yan, GUO Jiatian, SONG Peng, CHU Yanhong1, XU Bin, ZHANG Ting, CAI Yuchun, CHEN Muxin Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (2): 163-175.   Abstract （367）      PDF（pc） （4606KB）（491）       Knowledge map    Save Objective　To investigate the changes in eosinophil counts and the activation of microglial cells in the brain tissues of mice at different stages of Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection, and to examine the role of microglia in regulating the progression of angiostrongyliasis and unravel the possible molecular mechanisms. Methods　Fifty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the control group and the 7⁃d, 14⁃d, 21⁃day and 25⁃d infection groups, of 10 mice in each group. All mice in infection groups were infected with 30 stage Ⅲ A. cantonensis larvae by gavage, and animals in the control group was given an equal amount of physiological saline. Five mice were collected from each of infection groups on days 7, 14, 21 d and 25 d post⁃infection, and 5 mice were collected from the control group on the day of oral gavage. The general and focal functional impairment was scored using the Clark scoring method to assess the degree of mouse neurological impairment. Five mice from each of infection groups were sacrificed on days 7, 14, 21 d and 25 d post⁃infection, and 5 mice from the control group were sacrificed on the day of oral gavage. Mouse brain tissues were sampled, and the pathological changes of brain tissues were dynamically observed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Immunofluorescence staining with eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) was used to assess the degree of eosinophil infiltration and the counts of microglial cells in mouse brain tissues in each group, and the morphological parameters of microglial cells (skeleton analysis and fractal analysis) were quantified by using Image J software to determine the morphological changes of microglial cells. In addition, the expression of M1 microglia markers Fcγ receptor Ⅲ (Fcgr3), Fcγ receptor Ⅱb (Fcgr2b) and CD86 antigen (Cd86), M2 microglia markers Arginase 1 (Arg1), macrophage mannose receptor C⁃type 1 (Mrc1), chitinase⁃like 3 (Chil3), and phagocytosis genes myeloid cell triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (Trem2), CD68 antigen (Cd68), and apolipoprotein E (Apoe) was quantified using real⁃time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT⁃qPCR) assay in the mouse cerebral cortex of mice post⁃infection. Results　A large number of A. cantonensis larvae were seen on the mouse meninges surface post⁃infection, and many neuronal nuclei were crumpled and deeply stained, with a large number of bleeding points in the meninges. The median Clark scores of mouse general functional impairment were 0 (interquartile range, 0), 0 (interquartile range, 0.5), 6 (interquartile range, 1.0), 14 (interquartile range, 8.5) points and 20 (interquartile range, 9.0) points in the control group and the 7⁃d, 14⁃d, 21⁃d and 25⁃d groups, respectively (H = 22.45, P < 0.01), and the median Clark scores of mouse focal functional impairment were 0 (interquartile range, 0), 2 (interquartile range, 2.5), 7 (interquartile range, 3.0), 18 (interquartile range, 5.0) points and 25 (interquartile range, 6.5) points in the control group and the 7⁃d, 14⁃d, 21⁃d and 25⁃d groups, respectively (H = 22.72, P < 0.01). The mean scores of mice general and focal functional impairment were all higher in the infection groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed a significant difference in the eosinophil counts in mouse brain tissues among the five groups (F = 40.05, P < 0.000 1), and the eosinophil counts were significantly higher in mouse brain tissues in the 14⁃d (3.08 ± 0.78) and 21⁃d infection groups (5.97 ± 1.37) than in the control group (1.00 ± 0.28) (both P values < 0.05). Semi⁃quantitative analysis of microglia immunofluorescence showed a significant difference in the counts of microglial cells among the five groups (F = 17.66, P < 0.000 1), and higher Iba1 levels were detected in mouse brain tissues in 14⁃d (5.75 ± 1.28), 21⁃d (6.23 ± 1.89) and 25⁃d infection groups (3.70 ± 1.30) than in the control group (1.00 ± 0.30) (all P values < 0.05). Skeleton and fractal analyses showed that the branch length [(162.04 ± 34.10) μm vs. (395.37 ± 64.11) μm; t = 5.566, P < 0.05] and fractal dimension of microglial cells [(1.30 ± 0.01) vs. (1.41 ± 0.03); t = 5.266, P < 0.05] were reduced in mouse brain tissues in the 21⁃d infection group relative to the control group. In addition, there were significant differences among the 5 groups in terms of M1 and M2 microglia markers Fcgr3 (F = 48.34, P < 0.05) , Fcgr2b (F = 55.46, P < 0.05), Cd86 (F = 24.44, P < 0.05), Arg1 (F = 31.18, P < 0.05), Mrc1 (F = 15.42, P < 0.05) and Chil3 (F = 24.41, P < 0.05), as well as phagocytosis markers Trem2 (F = 21.19, P < 0.05), Cd68 (F = 43.95, P < 0.05) and Apoe (F = 7.123, P < 0.05) in mice brain tissues. Conclusions　A. cantonensis infections may induce severe pathological injuries in mouse brain tissues that are characterized by massive eosinophil infiltration and persistent activation of microglia cells, thereby resulting in progressive deterioration of neurological functions.  Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Strategic thinking on management of cross⁃boundary imported schistosomiasis XU Jing, LI Shizhen, LI Qin, GUO Suying, LI Shizhu, ZHOU Xiaonong Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (2): 107-111.   Abstract （366）      PDF（pc） （1187KB）（1188）       Knowledge map    Save Schistosomiasis is prevalent in 78 countries and territories worldwide, while the eastern and western parts of sub⁃Sahara Africa bear the highest disease burden due to schistosomiasis. Recently, climate change, international trade and travel, urbanization and war have increased the risk of cross⁃boundary importation and transmission of schistosomiasis, and schistosomiasis has increasingly become a public health concern in non⁃endemic countries and territories. Biomphalaria straminea, the intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni, has colonized in southern China and its habitats continue to move northward. In addition, cross⁃boundary imported cases of schistosomiasis have been reported occasionally in China. However, the real number of cases may be underestimated greatly due to insufficient diagnostic capacity and weak awareness of case reporting for overseas imported schistosomiasis in healthcare facilities. It is necessary to establish a multi⁃party collaborative mechanism, improve corresponding systems and technical specifications, reinforce surveillance and early warning, and border management, enhance technical reserves and capability building, and improve the awareness of schistosomiasis prevention and healthcare⁃seeking among entry⁃exit personnel, in order to effectively address the threat of cross⁃boundary imported schistosomiasis. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Prediction of suitable habitats of Phlebotomus chinensis in Gansu Province based on the Biomod2 ensemble model YU Dawei, HOU Yandong, HE Aiwei, FENG Yu, YANG Guobing, YANG Chengming, LIANG Hong, ZHANG Hailiang, LI Fan Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (3): 276-283.   Abstract （339）      PDF（pc） （1586KB）（1172）       Knowledge map    Save Objective　To investigate the suitable habitats of Phlebotomus chinensis in Gansu Province, so as provide insights into effective management of mountain⁃type zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (MT⁃ZVL).  Methods　The geographical coordinates of locations where MT⁃ZVL cases were reported were retrieved in Gansu Province from 2015 to 2023, and data pertaining to 26 environmental variables were captured, including 19 climatic variables (annual mean temperature, mean diurnal range, isothermality, temperature seasonality, maximum temperature of the warmest month, minimum temperature of the coldest month, temperature annual range, mean temperature of the wettest quarter, mean temperature of the driest quarter, mean temperature of the warmest quarter, mean temperature of the coldest quarter, annual precipitation, precipitation of the wettest month, precipitation of the driest month, precipitation seasonality, precipitation of the wettest quarter, precipitation of the driest quarter, precipitation of the warmest quarter, and precipitation of the coldest quarter), five geographical variables (elevation, annual normalized difference vegetation index, vegetation type, landform type and land use type), and two population and economic variables (population distribution and gross domestic product). Twelve species distribution models were built using the biomod2 package in R project, including surface range envelope (SRE) model, generalized linear model (GLM), generalized additive model (GAM), multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) model, generalized boosted model (GBM), classification tree analysis (CTA) model, flexible discriminant analysis (FDA) model, maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model, optimized maximum entropy (MAXNET) model, artificial neural network (ANN) model, random forest (RF) model, and extreme gradient boosting (XGBOOST) model. The performance of 12 models was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), true skill statistics (TSS), and Kappa coefficient, and single models with high performance was selected to build the optimal ensemble models. Factors affecting the survival of Ph. chinensis were identified based on climatic, geographical, population and economic variables. In addition, the suitable distribution areas of Ph. chinensis were predicted in Gansu Province under shared socioeconomic pathway 126 (SSP126), SSP370 and SSP585 scenarios based on climatic data during the period from 1991 to 2020, from 2041 to 2060 (2050s), and from 2081 to 2100 (2090s) . Results　A total of 11 species distribution models were successfully built for prediction of potential distribution areas of Ph. chinensis in Gansu Province, and the RF model had the highest predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.998). The ensemble model built based on the RF model, XGBOOST model, GLM, and MARS model had an increased predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.999) relative to single models. Among the 26 environmental factors, precipitation of the wettest quarter (12.00%), maximum temperature of the warmest month (11.58%), and annual normalized difference vegetation index (11.29%) had the greatest contributions to suitable habitats distribution of Ph. sinensis. Under the climatic conditions from 1991 to 2020, the potential suitable habitat area for Ph. chinensis in Gansu Province was approximately 5.80 × 104 km2, of which the highly suitable area was 1.42 × 104 km2, and primarily concentrated in the southernmost region of Gansu Province. By the 2050s, the unsuitable and lowly suitable areas for Ph. chinensis in Gansu Province had decreased by varying degrees compared to that of 1991 to 2020 period, while the moderately and highly suitable areas exhibited expansion and migration. By the 2090s, under the SSP126 scenario, the suitable habitat area for Ph. chinensis increased significantly, and under the SSP585 scenario, the highly suitable areas transformed into extremely suitable areas, also showing substantial growth. Future global warming is conducive to the survival and reproduction of Ph. chinensis. From the 2050s to the 2090s, the highly suitable areas for Ph. chinensis in Gansu Province will be projected to expand northward. Under the SSP126 scenario, the suitable habitat area for Ph. chinensis in Gansu Province is expected to increase by 194.75% and 204.79% in the 2050s and 2090s, respectively, compared to that of the 1991 to 2020 period. Under the SSP370 scenario, the moderately and highly suitable areas will be projected to increase by 164.40% and 209.03% in the 2050s and 2090s, respectively, while under the SSP585 scenario, they are expected to increase by 195.98% and 211.66%, respectively. Conclusions　The distribution of potential suitable habitats of Ph. sinensis gradually shifts with climatic changes. Intensified surveillance and management of Ph. sinensis is recommended in central and eastern parts of Gansu Province to support early warning of MT⁃ZVL. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Population genetic structure of sandflies in China based on mitochondrial DNA LI Zhongqiu, WEI Zixin, ZHOU Zhengbin, ZHANG Yi Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (2): 144-151.   Abstract （333）      PDF（pc） （1427KB）（648）       Knowledge map    Save Objective　To investigate the genetic diversity of sandfly populations in endemic areas of visceral leishmaniasis in China, so as to provide references insights into management of visceral leishmaniasis and the vector sandflies. Methods　Sixteen sampling sites were selected from main endemic foci of visceral leishmaniasis in China from June to September 2024, including Shanxi Province, Shaanxi Province, Henan Province, Gansu Province, Sichuan Province, and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Sandflies were captured using light traps and manual aspirators from sheep pens, chicken coops, cave dwellings, bovine sheds, and pig pens at each sampling site. A single sandfly sample was washed in phosphate⁃buffered saline (PBS), and genomic DNA was extracted from sandfly samples. Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene was amplified using PCR assay with universal primers, and analyzed and retrieved with the nucleotide sequence analysis tool (BLAST) software, and the sequence of COI gene was aligned with the ClustalX 1.83 and MEGA 7.0 software. The base composition and variation site of the COI gene sequence were analyzed using the software MEGA 7.0, and the number of haplotypes, total number of segregating sites, haplotype diversity, nucleotide diversity, and average nucleotide differences were calculated in the COI gene sequence using the software DnaSP 5.10, followed by Tajima's D test for neutrality. Haplotypes were screened using the software DnaSP 5.10, and the haplotype network map of sandfly samples was plotted using the software Network 5.0. MEGA 7.0 software was employed for gene sequence editing and alignment, and calculation of genetic distances among sandfly species sampled from different regions, and a phylogenetic tree was built with a neighbor⁃joining method. Results　A total of 466 sandflies were captured from 16 sampling sites in China from June to September 2024, and 430 gene sequences were yielded following PCR amplification and sequencing of the COI gene, with 652 to 688 bp in the length of amplification fragments. The captured sandfly samples were characterized as Phlebotomus chinensis, Sergentomyia squamirostris, Se. koloshanensis, Ph. sichuanensis, and Ph. longiductus following the COI gene sequence alignment in BLAST. A total of 251 haplotypes were identified in the 430 gene sequences from sandfly samples (50.5%), and the average haplotype diversity, nucleotide diversity and average number of nucleotide difference were 0.885, 0.257 and 160.761, respectively. The Tajima's D values were -0.92 for sandfly populations from Yangquan City,  Shanxi Province and -1.73 for sandfly populations from Sanmenxia City, Henan Province, and were all more than 0 for sandfly populations from other sampling sites. Haplotype analysis identified 50 haplotypes, which were classified into two haplogroups. Heplogroup 1 included 29 haplotypes, which had a high homology, and heplogroup 2 included 21 haplotypes. The average genetic distance was 0.000 to 0.604 among sandfly samples from different sampling sites, and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the five sandfly species were clustered into distinct clades, all with 100% clade confidence. Conclusions　There is a high genetic polymorphism in the COI gene from five sandfly populations in main endemic foci of visceral leishmaniasis in China, and COI gene may serve as a marker gene for analysis of the genetic structure of sandfly populations. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Effects of Toxoplasma gondii type Ⅰ/Ⅱ rhoptry protein 16 on the polarization and inflammatory response of mouse alveolar macrophages LI Jiaming, DANG Tiantian, ZHAO Zhijun Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (2): 127-135.   Abstract （331）      PDF（pc） （2432KB）（607）       Knowledge map    Save Objective　To investigate the effects of Toxoplasma gondii typeⅠand Ⅱrhoptry protein 16 (ROP16) on the polarization and inflammatory response of mouse alveolar macrophages, so as to provide the scientific evidence for unveiling the immunoregulatory mechanisms following T. gondii infection in host cells and the clinical diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary toxoplasmosis. Methods　Mouse alveolar macrophages served as blank controls, and mouse alveolar macrophages transfected with the empty lentiviral expression vector served as negative controls, and mouse alveolar macrophages transfected with lentiviral vectors overexpressing T. gondii typeⅠand Ⅱ ROP16 served as the typeⅠand ⅡROP16 overexpression groups. Following puromycin selection, stably transfected cells that overexpressed typeⅠand ⅡROP16 were generated, observed for green fluorescence expression under a fluorescence microscope and verified using PCR, Western blotting and real⁃time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT⁃qPCR) assays. The expression of ROP16, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), arginase (Arg)⁃1, mannose receptor (CD206), cluster of differentiation 86 (CD86), NOD⁃like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3), caspase⁃1, apoptosis⁃associated speck⁃like protein containing a CARD (ASC), and interleukin (IL)⁃1β proteins was determined in mouse alveolar macrophages using Western blotting assay, and the mRNA levels of ROP16, iNOS, IL⁃1β, IL⁃4, IL⁃12, IL⁃18, Arg⁃1, IL⁃10, IL⁃6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)⁃α and transforming growth factor (TGF)⁃β were detected in mouse alveolar macrophages using RT⁃qPCR assay. Results　Fluorescence microscopy showed 90% of mouse alveolar macrophages producing green fluorescent signals in the typeⅠand Ⅱ ROP16 overexpression groups and the negative control group. The relative ROP16 protein expression was  1.000 ± 0.000, 1.003 ± 0.020, 1.349 ± 0.055, and 1.376 ± 0.080 in mouse alveolar macrophages in the blank control group, negative control group, and typeⅠand ⅡROP16 overexpression groups (F = 35.30, P < 0.01), and the relative ROP16 mRNA expression was 1.007 ± 0.172, 2.030 ± 0.356, 1 409.579 ± 75.960, and 1 413.581 ± 27.712 in the blank control group, negative control group, and typeⅠand Ⅱ ROP16 overexpression groups (F = 811.00, P < 0.01). The ROP16 expression was significantly higher in the typeⅠand ⅡROP16 overexpression groups than in the blank control group at both protein and mRNA levels (all P value < 0.01). Western blotting assay detected significant differences among the four groups in terms of iNOS, Arg⁃1, CD86, CD206, NLRP3, caspase⁃1, ASC, and IL⁃1β protein expression (F = 124.70, 82.40, 79.82, 919.40, 84.74, 39.85, 2 354.00 and 65.96, all P values < 0.05), and the expression of Arg⁃1, CD206, NLRP3, caspase⁃1, ASC, and IL⁃1β proteins was significantly higher in the typeⅠROP16 overexpression group than in the blank control group (all P values < 0.001), while the expression of iNOS, CD86, NLRP3, caspase⁃1, ASC, and IL⁃1β proteins was significantly higher in the type ⅡROP16 overexpression group than in the blank control group (all P values < 0.01). RT⁃qPCR assay detected significant differences among the four groups in terms of iNOS, IL⁃1β, IL⁃4, IL⁃12, IL⁃18, Arg⁃1, IL⁃10, IL⁃6, TNF⁃α, and TGF⁃β mRNA expression (F = 407.00, 1 528.00, 833.10, 267.90, 989.80, 161.80, 461.10, 5 529.00, 849.60 and 8 836.00, all P values < 0.05), and the Arg⁃1, IL⁃4, IL⁃10, and TGF⁃β mRNA expression was significantly higher in the typeⅠROP16 overexpression group than in the blank control group (all P values < 0.001), while the iNOS, IL⁃1β, IL⁃12, IL⁃18, IL⁃6, and TNF⁃α mRNA expression was significantly higher in the typeⅡROP16 overexpression group than in the blank control group (all P values < 0.001). Conclusions　T. gondii typeⅠROP16 may induce M2⁃dominant phenotypes of mouse alveolar macrophages, and typeⅡROP16 may induce M1⁃dominant phenotypes of mouse alveolar macrophages. Both T. gondii typeⅠand ⅡROP16 may activate NLRP3, and mediate the activation of ASC, caspase⁃1 and IL⁃1β to promote inflammatory responses. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Degradation dynamics and residue determination of pyriclobenzuron in rice and paddy environments WU Huanqi, WANG Junmin, YANG Kongtan, WANG Xumi, FANG Nan, DUAN Liping, ZHANG Changpeng, WANG Xiangyun Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (2): 201-208.   Abstract （330）      PDF（pc） （1611KB）（288）       Knowledge map    Save Objective　To establish a method for determination of pyriclobenzuron (PBU) residues in rice and paddy environments, and to determine the residual amounts and observe the degradation dynamics of PBU.  Methods　In July 2022, the paddies of Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences were selected as experimental fields, and were divided into the blank control group (no pesticide application), the 1⁃fold⁃concentration pesticide group (1 kg/667 m2), and the 5⁃fold⁃concentration pesticide group (5 kg/667 m2), with a 100 m2 area in each group. At the early tillering stage of rice, 20% suspension of PBU sulfate was sprayed once in the 1⁃fold⁃concentration and 5⁃fold⁃concentration pesticide groups, and rice plants, paddy water and soil samples were collected 2 h, and 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 14, 21, 28, 35, 49 d and 63 d following spraying PBU, while rice straw, field soil, brown rice and rice husk samples were collected 98 d following spraying. PBU was extracted and purified in samples using a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) pretreatment technique, and the PBU contents were determined in samples using ultra⁃high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC⁃MS/MS). The solvent standard working solution and matrix standard working solution were prepared. A linear regression equation was fitted between PBU concentration (x⁃axis) and peak area (y⁃axis), and the ratio of the slope (k) of the matrix standard curve to the slope (K) of the solvent standard curve was calculated to evaluate the matrix effect of PBU in samples. According to the Guidelines for Pesticide Residue Testing in Crops (NY/T 788—2018), the addition levels of PBU were set at 0.005, 0.050, 5.000, 1 000.000 mg/kg in rice plants, 0.005, 0.050, 2.000, 10.000 mg/kg in paddy water, 0.005, 0.050, 2.000 mg/kg in soil, and 0.005, 0.050, 5.000 mg/kg in brown rice and rice husks. The recovery and relative standard deviation (RSD) of PBU addition were calculated to evaluate the effectiveness of UPLC⁃MS/MS for determination of PBU contents. The first⁃order kinetic equation of PBU concentration was fitted in samples at different sampling time points to analyze the trends in PBU degradation in rice plants, paddy water, and soil, and the half⁃life of PBU was calculated in different samples. Results　There was a good linear relationship between the mass concentration and peak area of PBU at concentrations of 0.000 1 to 0.020 0 mg/kg under solvent and matrix conditions (R2 = 0.985 8 to 0.999 7, t = -0.47 to 1.62, all P values < 0.01). The matrix effects of PBU were 70.26%, 65.42% and 65.12% in rice plants, brown rice and rice husks, indicating a matrix⁃inhibitory effect, and the matrix effect was 87.06% in soils, indicating a weak matrix effect. The recovery of PBU addition was 77.61% to 100.12% in different samples, with RSD of 1.43% to 6.74%, and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.005 mg/kg, and the addition recovery and RSD met the requirements of the Guidelines for Pesticide Residue Testing in Crops (NY/T 788—2018), validating the effectiveness of UPLC⁃MS/MS assay. Following spraying PBU at a dose of 1 kg/667 m2, the half⁃life of PBU was 6.24 d in rice plants and 3.43 d in paddy water samples, respectively. The final residues of PBU were lower than the LOQ of 0.005 mg/kg in brown rice and rice husk samples 98 d following spraying PBU. Following spraying PBU at a dose of 5 kg/667 m2, the half⁃life of PBU was 15.75 d in rice plants and 7.62 d in paddy water samples, respectively. The final residue of PBU was lower than the LOQ of 0.005 mg/kg in brown rice 98 d following spraying PBU, and the final residue of PBU was 0.049 mg/kg in rice husks.  Conclusions　A simple, and highly accurate and precise UPLC⁃MS/MS assay has been developed for determination of PBU residues in rice plants and paddy environments through extraction and purification of PBU from matrix samples using QuEChERS pretreatment. After spraying PBU in paddies, the concentration of PBU gradually decreases in rice plants and paddy water over time, and the final residual concentration is low. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Risk assessment of human Spirometra mansoni infections and cross⁃sectional study on knowledge, attitude and practice towards sparganosis in endemic areas of Henan Province ZHANG Yalan, JIANG Tiantian, MA Xiaohui, DENG Yan, CHEN Weiqi, ZHU Yankun, TANG Zhenqiang, LIN Ximeng, ZHANG Hongwei Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (2): 190-195.   Abstract （327）      PDF（pc） （1148KB）（384）       Knowledge map    Save Objective　To assess the risk of human Spirometra mansoni infections and investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards sparganosis mansoni among residents in Henan Province, so as to provide insights into formulation of the sparganosis mansoni control measures. Methods　Qinling Village in Fugou County of Zhoukou City, Bali Village in Yancheng District of Luohe City, Duzhai Village in Puyang County of Puyang City and Doushan Village in Luoshan County of Xinyang City were sampled as survey sites in Henan Province from July to August 2023, and more than 40 frogs were sampled from ponds or streams in each survey site for detection of Sparganum mansoni infections. At least 150 residents were sampled using a cluster sampling method from each survey site, and the sero⁃prevalence of anti⁃S. mansoni IgG antibody was estimated. In addition, a questionnaire survey was conducted on the KAP towards sparganosis mansoni among participants, and the proportion of eligible KAP, rate of correct KAP and KAP scores were calculated.  Results　A total 229 frogs were collected from 4 survey sites in 2023, and the overall prevalence of S. mansoni infection was 4.37% (10/229) in frogs, with 7.75% (10/129) prevalence in wild frogs and 0 in farm⁃bred frogs. A questionnaire survey was performed among 649 residents sampled from 4 survey sites, and 649 serum samples were collected. The sero⁃prevalence of anti⁃S.mansoni IgG antibody was 0.15% (1/649) and the overall proportion of eligible KAP was 23.73% (154/649) among participants. There were age⁃ ([χ2]  = 30.905, P = 0.000), educational level⁃ ([χ2] = 41.011, P = 0.000), and occupation⁃specific proportions of eligible KAP among participants ([χ2] = 10.721, P = 0.005), and the proportion of eligible KAP decreased with age ([χ2] trend = 22.717, P = 0.000) and increased with education levels ([χ2] trend = 40.025, P = 0.000). The rates of correct KAP towards sparganosis mansoni were 40.81% (2 119/5 192), 96.66% (1 882/1 947) and 63.81% (3 727/5 841) ([χ2] = 1 913.731, P = 0.000) among residents, respectively. The rates of correct KAP towards sparganosis mansoni varied significantly among survey sites ([χ2] = 136.872, 42.347 and 255.157; all P values= 0.000, with the highest rate of correct knowledge (51.94%, 748/1 440) and practices (75.86%, 1 229/1 620) in Yancheng District of Luohe City and the highest rate of correct attitudes in Puyang County of Puyang City (99.11%, 446/450) (all P values< 0.05).  Conclusions　There is still a high transmission risk of sparganosis mansoni in Henan Province, and the KAP towards sparganosis mansoni is required to be improved among residents. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Toxicity and sublethal effects of calcium cyanamide against susceptible strains of Aedes albopictus ZHENG Luyang, XU Huiyi, WEN Qingqiu, ZHOU Ning, ZHENG Xueli Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (2): 196-200,222.   Abstract （316）      PDF（pc） （1455KB）（550）       Knowledge map    Save Objective　To examine the toxicity and sublethal effects of calcium cyanamide against susceptible isolates of Aedes albopictus, so as to provide insights into rational use of calcium cyanamide for integrated management of Ae. albopictus. Methods　The sublethal concentrations ［30% lethal concentration (LC30) and median lethal concentration (LC50)］of calcium cyanamide against susceptible strains of Ae. albopictus were determined using the larval immersion test. With 100 mL of dechlorinated water as the control group, after the larvae of susceptible strains of Ae. albopictus were immersed in calcium cyanamide for 24 hours, the pupation rate, pupation duration, emergence rate, number of eggs laid, percentage of eggs hatched, and lifespan of Ae. albopictus were calculated and compared post⁃treatment with calcium cyanamide at different sublethal concentrations. The midgut tissues of larvae of susceptible strains of Ae. albopictus treated with 100 mg/L calcium cyanamide were sampled for pathological sectioning to observe midgut tissue damages. To evaluate the residual activity, 100 larvae of susceptible strains of Ae. albopictus were treated with 200 mg/L and 500 mg/L calcium cyanamide, and the mortality of larvae was calculated every 24 hour, with dead larvae replaced until no larval death. Results　The regression equation for the toxicity of calcium cyanamide against larvae of susceptible strains of Ae. albopictus was y = -9.441 + 4.657x, with an LC50 of 106.42 mg/L［95% confidence interval (CI): (94.64, 118.36) mg/L］and an LC30 of 82.17 mg/L［95% CI: (94.64, 118.36) mg/L］, respectively. After larvae of susceptible strains of Ae. albopictus were treated with sublethal concentrations (LC30 and LC50) of calcium cyanamide for 24 hours, there were reduced pupation and emergence rates of larvae (all P values < 0.000 1), prolonged pupal stage (both P values < 0.000 1), reduced numbers of eggs laid by survival female Ae. albopictus (both P values < 0.000 1), reduced percentages of eggs hatched by Ae. albopictus eggs (both P values < 0.000 1), and reduced median survival period of survival female Ae. albopictus ([χ2] = 9.36 and 20.33, both P values < 0.01) in the LC30 and LC50 groups relative to the control group. There was a numerical decline in the median survival period of survival female Ae. albopictus in the LC30 groups relative to the control group ([χ2] = 2.42, P > 0.05), and there was a significant decline in the median survival period of survival female Ae. albopictus in the LC50 group relative to the control group ([χ2] = 11.42, P < 0.01). Histopathological examinations showed severe damages to the midgut tissues of larvae of susceptible strains of Ae. albopictus, and residual activity assay revealed that the mortality of larvae of susceptible strains of Ae. albopictus was both 0 on day 32 post⁃treatment with calcium cyanamide at a concentration of 200 mg/L and on day 70 post⁃treatment with calcium cyanamide at a concentration of 500 mg/L, showing complete loss of the larvicidal activity of calcium cyanamide.  Conclusions　Calcium cyanamide is highly toxic against susceptible strains of Ae. albopictus, and calcium cyanamide at sublethal concentrations (LC30 and LC50) may inhibit growth, development, and reproductive capability of susceptible strains of Ae. albopictus, and shorten the lifespan of adult mosquitoes. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Proportions of memory T cells and expression of their associated cytokines in lymph nodes of mice infected with Echinococcus multilocularis LI Yinshi, ADILAI Duolikun, DENG Bingqing, ABIDAN Ainiwaer, SUN Sheng, XIAO Wenying, GE Conghui, TANG Na, LI Jing, WANG Hui, JIANG Tao, ZHANG Chuanshan Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (2): 136-143,189.   Abstract （314）      PDF（pc） （3134KB）（611）       Knowledge map    Save Objective　To investigate the effects of Echinococcus multilocularis infection on levels of memory T (Tm) cells and their subsets in lymph nodes of mice at different stages of infection, so as to provide new insights into immunotherapy for alveolar echinococcosis.  Methods　Twenty⁃four C57BL/6J mice aged 6 to 9 weeks were randomly divided into the infection group and the control group, of 12 mice in each group. Mice in the infection group were administered with 3 000 E. multilocularis protoscoleces via portal venous injection, while animals in the control group were administered with an equal volume of physiological saline. Three mice from each group were sacrificed 4, 12 weeks and 24 weeks post⁃infection, and lymph nodes were sampled and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) to investigate the histopathological changes of mouse lymph nodes in the infection group. The expression and localization of T lymphocyte surface markers CD3, CD4, and CD8 were observed in mouse lymph nodes using immunohistochemical staining. In addition, lymphocyte suspensions were prepared from mouse lymph nodes in both groups at different time points post⁃infection, and the levels of Tm cell subsets and their secreted cytokines were detected using flow cytometry.  Results　HE staining showed diffuse structural alterations in the subcapsular cortical and paracortical regions of mouse lymph nodes in the infection group 4 weeks post⁃infection with E. multilocularis. Immunohistochemical staining detected CD3, CD4 and CD8 expression in mouse lymph nodes in both groups. Flow cytometry revealed higher proportions of CD4+ Tm cells [(55.3 ± 4.8)% vs. (38.8 ± 6.1)%; t = -4.259, P < 0.05] and CD4+ tissue⁃resident Tm (Trm) cells [(57.7 ± 3.7)% vs. (34.1 ± 11.2)%; t = -3.990, P < 0.05] in mouse lymph nodes in the infection group than in the control group 4 weeks post⁃infection, and higher proportions of CD4+ Tm cells [(34.6 ± 3.2)% vs. (23.3 ± 7.5)%; t = -2.764，P < 0.05] and CD4+ Trm cells [(44.0 ± 1.9)% vs. (31.2 ± 1.5)%; t = -4.039，P < 0.05] in mouse lymph nodes in the infection group than in the control group 24 weeks post⁃infection. The proportions of CD8+ Tm cells were higher in the infection group than in the control group 4 weeks [(56.8 ± 2.7)% vs. (43.9 ± 5.2)%; t = -4.416, P < 0.01] and 12 weeks post⁃infection [(25.4 ± 2.7)% vs. (12.0 ± 2.6)%; t = -2.552, P < 0.05], while the proportions of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)⁃α+ CD4+ T cells [(15.7 ± 5.0)% vs. (49.4 ± 6.4)%; t = 7.150, P < 0.01], TNF⁃α+ CD8+ T cells [(20.7 ± 5.5)% vs. (57.5 ± 8.4)%; t = -6.694, P < 0.01], and TNF⁃α+ CD8+ Tm cells [7.0% (1.0%)  vs. 31.0% (11.0%); Z = -2.236, P < 0.05] were lower in the infection group than in the control group 24 weeks post⁃infection. Conclusions　Tm cells levels are consistently increased in lymph nodes of mice at different stages of E. multilocularis infection, with Trm cells as the predominantly elevated subset. The impaired capacity of CD8+ Tm cells to secrete the effector molecule TNF⁃α in mouse lymph nodes at the late⁃stage infection may facilitate chronic parasitism of E. multilocularis. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Investigation of tick species in Suizhou City, Hubei Province from 2023 to 2024 LU Huiya, GUO Fang, PAN Yibin, PENG Meng, WU Libang, LIN Ye, LIU Xiaohui, YU Xuejie Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (2): 184-189.   Abstract （303）      PDF（pc） （1408KB）（547）       Knowledge map    Save Objective　To investigate the species of ticks in Suizhou City, Hubei Province, so as to provide insights into management of ticks and tick⁃borne diseases. Methods　During the period between May 2023 and June 2024, livestock breeding farms and vegetation neighboring the place of residence of confirmed and suspected patients with tick⁃borne disease were selected as sampling points in rural areas from Yindian Township, Gaocheng Township, Wanhe Township, Wushan Township, Xiaolin Township, Xihe Township, Hedian Township and Beijiao Street in Suizhou City, Hubei Province, where confirmed and suspected cases with tick⁃borne diseases had been reported. The parasitic ticks on the body surface of free⁃range livestock were captured with tweezers in livestock breeding farms, and free ticks on the vegetation surface were captured with the flagging method. Morphological identification of tick samples was performed under a microscope, and the gender and developmental stage of ticks were determined. One engorged adult tick, 2 to 3 blood⁃feeding but non⁃engorged adult ticks, 10 to 15 unfed female ticks, 15 to 20 unfed male ticks, and 30 to 40 tick nymphs or larvae were assigned into a group, respectively. Genomic DNA was extracted from tick samples in each group, and mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene was amplified. Sequence analysis was performed with the DNASTAR software, and phylogenetic analysis was performed using the software MEGA 7.0. In addition, the phylogenetic tree was generated using the maximum likelihood method based on the Kimura 2 parameter model. Results　A total of 2 438 ticks were captured from Suizhou City, Hubei Province during the period between May 2023 and June 2024, including 595 free ticks and 1 483 parasitic ticks. Three developmental stages of ticks were captured, including larvae, nymphs, and adults, and 75.18% (1 899/2 438) of captured ticks were adult, in which 79.04% (1 501/1 899) were female. Morphological and molecular biological assays identified one family, three genera and four species of captured ticks, including 2 425 Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks (99.47%) and one H. flava tick (0.04%) of the genus Haemaphysalis, 11 Rhipicephalus microplus ticks (0.45%) of the genus Rhipicephalus, and one Ixodes sinensis tick (0.04%) of the genus Ixodes in the family Ixodidae. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the H. longicornis sequence (SZ49) in this study was clustered with sequences from Yunnan Province (GenBank accession number: MH024510.1), Hebei Province (GenBank accession number: MK450606.1) and Henan Province (GenBank accession number: MZ230645.1) into a clade, and the H. flava sequence (SZ19) in this study was clustered with sequences from Japan (GenBank accession number: MW064044.1), South Korea (GenBank accession number: ON629585.1), and Jiangsu Province (GenBank accession number: PP494741.1) and Hebei Province of China (GenBank accession number: MH520685.1) into a clade, while the R. microplus sequence (SZ8) in this study was clustered with the sequences from India (GenBank accession number: MK621328.1), and Henan Province (GenBank accession number: MT555307.1) and Guizhou Province of China (GenBank accession number: PP446801.1) into a clade. The sequence of I. sinensis (SZ23) in this study had 99.51% homology with that (GenBank accession number: OM368265.1) of ticks sampled from Wuhan City, Hubei Province. Conclusion　There are four tick species of H. longicornis, H. flava, R. microplus and I. sinensis in Suizhou City, Hubei Province, and H. longicornis is the dominant species. H. flava is firstly recorded in Suizhou City.  Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Non⁃coding RNAs expression profile of adjacent and distant liver tissues of hepatic cystic echinococcosis lesions IRSHAT Ibrahim, AIZEMAITI Aikebaier, WUBULIKASIMU Mijiti, XU Qilin, ABUDUSIKUER Abudumijiti, WU Yuanquan, KAHAER Tuersun Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (2): 152-162.   Abstract （298）      PDF（pc） （3892KB）（442）       Knowledge map    Save Objective　To analyze the differential expression of non⁃coding RNAs (ncRNAs) from liver tissues adjacent to hepatic cystic echinococcosis (CE) lesions and distant normal liver tissues using whole transcriptome sequencing, and perform functional annotations of differentially expressed ncRNAs, so as  to explore the potential role of ncRNAs in the pathogenesis of CE. Methods　Intraoperative liver tissue specimens adjacent to hepatic CE lesions and distant normal liver tissue specimen were sampled from patients with hepatic CE, and the expression profiles of microRNAs (miRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs), and long non⁃coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were detected using whole transcriptome sequencing. Differentially expressed genes were identified, and functional annotations were performed using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. In addition, a circRNA/lncRNA⁃miRNA⁃messenger RNA (mRNA) competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network was constructed using the Cytoscape software, and the expression of hub miRNAs in the network was validated using real⁃time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT⁃qPCR) assay.  Results　A total of 41 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified between the adjacent and distal tissues of hepatic CE lesions, including 8 up⁃regulated and 33 down⁃regulated miRNAs, which were significantly enriched in biological processes of Ras signaling and neutrophil activation. Five differentially expressed circRNAs were detected, including 3 up⁃regulated and 2 down⁃regulated circRNAs, which were significantly enriched in molecular functions of hormone signaling pathways and RNA transcription regulation. A total of 447 differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified, including 200 up⁃regulated and 247 down⁃regulated lncRNAs, which were involved in cell proliferation, immune regulation, and extracellular matrix remodeling pathways. MiRNA target analysis predicted hsa⁃miR⁃27a⁃5p, hsa⁃miR⁃21⁃3p, and hsa⁃miR⁃181b⁃2⁃3p as hub nodes in the ceRNA network. RT⁃qPCR assay detected that the relative expression levels of ENSG00000253736, HAS2⁃AS1, PCSK6, hsa⁃miR⁃21⁃3p, hsa⁃miR⁃27a⁃5p, MIR23AHG, VIPR1⁃AS1, LINC02910, and hsa⁃miR⁃181b⁃2⁃3p were 3.00 ± 0.25, 2.75 ± 0.33, 1.01 ± 0.51, 2.65 ± 0.41, 1.01 ± 0.29, 1.10 ± 0.31, 1.05 ± 0.27, 0.25 ± 0.49, and 2.56 ± 0.35 in adjacent tissues of hepatic CE lesions, normalized to that in distant tissues from hepatic CE lesions,  respectively (t = 6.21, 5.83, 7.51, 7.46, 6.12, 6.65, 7.13, 1.87 and 7.81, all P values  < 0.01), which was consistent with whole transcriptome sequencing results. Conclusions　Differentially expressed ncRNAs from adjacent and distal liver tissues of hepatic CE lesions may contribute to the pathological mechanisms of CE through mediating cell proliferation, immune evasion, and inflammatory responses, in which hsa⁃miR⁃27a⁃5p and hsa⁃miR⁃21⁃3p may serve as hub miRNAs. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

The future is already here and the wave is coming: progress and challenges in the research and application of artificial intelligence-empowered malaria control programmes ZHU Guoding, CAO Jun Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (2): 112-115.   Abstract （289）      PDF（pc） （1090KB）（956）       Knowledge map    Save The rapid rise and fast development of artificial intelligence (AI) has brought unprecedented opportunities and challenges to all sectors, including disease prevention control. Malaria is one of the world's most devastating infectious diseases. This article summarizes the advances in the research and application of AI⁃empowered malaria control programmes, analyzes key challenges during the implementation of malaria control programmes, and proposes future development directions and research proprieties, so as to provide insights into facilitating the translation of AI⁃driven strategies in global infectious disease control efforts. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Progress of researches on mechanisms underlying immune escape of Plasmodium WU Yuhuang, HE Jing, CAO Xinghang, LI Juntong, SHEN Shuchu, DU Youqin, TAN Chao Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (3): 325-331.   Abstract （281）      PDF（pc） （1041KB）（1095）       Knowledge map    Save Malaria, a parasitic disease caused by infection with the species of Plasmodium and transmitted by Anopheles mosquito bites, is one of the major public health challenges that seriously threaten human health. Malaria parasites present diverse immune escape strategies to escape from the recognition and clearance of the host immune system, which poses a great challenge to the malaria control programme. This review presents the advances in the mechanisms underlying the immune escape of Plasmodium, including antigenic variation, epigenetic regulation, antagonism against IgM antibody, activation of the cyclic guanosine monophosphate⁃adenosine monophosphate (GMP⁃AMP) synthase⁃stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS⁃STING) signaling, suppression of splenic immune functions, and molecular camouflage, so as to provide insights into development of malaria vaccines and antimalarial agents and formulation of the malaria control strategy.  Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Feasibility of the spatiotemporal filtering model for analyzing the spatiotemporal distribution of reported schistosomiasis cases  XU Jiayao, WANG Zengliang, GAO Fenghua, ZHANG Zhijie Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (3): 232-238, 275.   Abstract （277）      PDF（pc） （1718KB）（1588）       Knowledge map    Save Objective　To investigate the feasibility of the spatiotemporal filtering model in analysis of reported schistosomiasis cases, so as to provide insights into analysis of complicated data pertaining to schistosomiasis control. Methods　Demographic and epidemiological data of reported schistosomiasis cases in Anhui Province from 1997 to 2010 were collected from Anhui Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the annual prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum human infections was calculated. The meteorological data were captured from meteorological stations in counties (cities, districts) of Anhui Province where schistosomiasis cases were reported from 1997 to 2010 at the National Meteorological Information Center, including monthly average air temperature and precipitation. Meteorological data were interpolated using the inverse⁃distance weighting method, and the annual average air temperature and annual precipitation were calculated in each county (city, district). The centroid of the county (city, district) where schistosomiasis cases were reported was extracted using the software ArcGIS 10.0, and the Euclidean distance from each centroid to the Yangtze River was calculated as the distance between that county (city, district) and the Yangtze River. The global Moran's I of the prevalence of S. japonicum human infections in Anhui Province for each year from 1997 to 2010 were calculated to analyze the spatial autocorrelation. A spatial weight matrix was constructed using Rook adjacency, and a first⁃order temporal weight matrix was built to quantify the relationship between disease changes over time. Subsequently, a spatiotemporal structure matrix was constructed. A negative binomial model was built based on the spatiotemporal structure matrix and data pertaining to reported schistosomiasis cases, and a linear model was created between the residual of the model and candidate set feature vectors to determine the optimal subset composition of the spatiotemporal filter through stepwise regression. Then, a spatio⁃temporal filtering model was constructed using the negative binomial model. Negative binomial models, Bayesian spatial models, and Bayesian spatiotemporal models were constructed and compared with the spatiotemporal filtering model to validate the performance of the spatiotemporal filtering model, and cross⁃validation was conducted for each model. The goodness of fit was evaluated using the deviance information criterion (DIC) and Watanabe⁃Akaike information criterion (WAIC), and the effectiveness of model validation was assessed using mean squared error (MSE), while the accuracy of assessment results was assessed using coefficients and their 95% confidence intervals (CI), and the computational efficiency was assessed based on the running time of the model. The four feature vectors with the largest Moran's I values were selected to identify regions with autocorrelation through their schematic diagrams to investigate the differences in spatiotemporal patterns of specific regions.       Results　Of all models created, the spatiotemporal filtering model exhibited the highest goodness of fit (DIC = 3 240.70, WAIC = 3 257.80), the best model validation effectiveness (MSE = 42 617.52), and the runtime was 3.18 s, exhibiting the optimal performance. Across all modeling results, the distance from the Yangtze River showed a negative correlation with the number of reported schistosomiasis cases (coefficient values = -4.93 to -3.78, none of the 95% CIs included 0), and annual average air temperature or average precipitation posed no significant effects on numbers of reported schistosomiasis cases (both of the 95% CIs included 0). Schematic diagrams of feature vectors showed that the transmission of schistosomiasis might be associated with water systems in Anhui Province, and localized clustering patterns were primarily concentrated in the northern and western parts of schistosomiasis⁃endemic areas in the province. Conclusion　The spatiotemporal filtering model is an effective spatiotemporal analysis characterized by simple modeling, user⁃friendly operation, accurate results and good flexibility, which may serve as an efficient alternative to conventional complex spatiotemporal models for data analysis in schistosomiasis researches. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Effectiveness of the integrated schistosomiasis control programme in Wuhan City from 2005 to 2023 WANG Shuai, LUO Huatang, LI Yang, WANG Hao, LIU Cong, XIONG Yuelin, ZHANG Jiajing, ZHU Wen Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (2): 176-183,195.   Abstract （276）      PDF（pc） （1574KB）（537）       Knowledge map    Save Objective　To evaluate the effectiveness of the integrated schistosomiasis control programme in Wuhan City from 2005 to 2023, so as to provide insights into precision control and elimination of schistosomiasis.  Methods　The integrated measures for schistosomiasis control implemented by health, agriculture, water resources, and forestry departments of Wuhan City, and the epidemiological data of schistosomiasis in Wuhan City were collected from 2005 to 2023, and the prevalence of human schistosomiasis, prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infections in humans and bovines, areas of S. japonicum⁃infected snail habitats, areas of snail habitats in inner embankments, and actual areas of snail habitats were retrieved. In addition, the trends in prevalence of schistosomiasis in humans and livestock and snail status were evaluated in Wuhan City from 2005 to 2023 using Mann⁃Kendall test and a Joinpoint regression model.  Results　Mann⁃Kendall test revealed a tendency towards a decline in the prevalence of human schistosomiasis (Z = -4.41, P < 0.01), prevalence of S. japonicum infections in humans (Z = -4.89, P < 0.01) and bovines (Z = -4.50, P < 0.01), areas of S. japonicum⁃infected snail habitats (Z = -3.91, P < 0.01), areas of snail habitats in inner embankments (Z = -2.28, P = 0.02), and actual areas of snail habitats (Z = -5.95, P < 0.01) in Wuhan City from 2005 to 2023. Joinpoint regression analysis showed an average annual reduction of 8.58% in the prevalence of human schistosomiasis in Wuhan City from 2005 to 2023 [average annual percent change (AAPC) = -8.58%, 95% confidence interval (CI): (-10.02%, -6.65%), P < 0.01], with two joinpoints in 2013 and 2016, respectively, and the tendency towards a decline showed statistical significance during the period from 2013 through 2016 [annual percent change (APC) = -34.41%, 95% CI: (-40.36%, -20.01%), P < 0.01]. The prevalence of S. japonicum human infections appeared an average annual reduction of 51.91% in Wuhan City from 2005 to 2023 [AAPC = -51.91%, 95% CI: (-58.12%, -44.25%), P < 0.01], with two joinpoints in 2014 and 2017, respectively, and the tendency towards a decline showed statistical significance during the period from 2014 through 2017 [APC = -98.17%, 95% CI: (-99.17%, -90.87%), P < 0.01]. The prevalence of S. japonicum infections in bovines appeared an average annual reduction of 53.12% in Wuhan City from 2005 to 2023 [AAPC = -53.12%, 95% CI: (-59.65%, -42.44%), P < 0.01], with two joinpoints in 2011 and 2014, respectively, and the tendency towards a decline showed statistical significance during the period from 2014 through 2017 [APC = -98.63%, 95% CI: (-99.44%, -90.93%), P < 0.01]. The areas of S. japonicum⁃infected snail habitats appeared an average annual reduction of 47.09% in Wuhan City from 2005 to 2023 [AAPC = -47.09%, 95% CI: (-52.92%, -38.26%), P < 0.01], with two joinpoints in 2011 and 2014, respectively, and the tendency towards a decline showed statistical significance during the period from 2011 through 2014 [APC = -97.27%, 95% CI: (-98.65%, -88.06%), P < 0.01]. The areas of snail habitats in inner embankments appeared an average annual reduction of 4.45% in Wuhan City from 2005 to 2023 [AAPC = -4.45%, 95% CI: (-5.18%, -3.82%), P < 0.01], with three joinpoints in 2011, 2015 and 2018, respectively, and statistical significance was seen in the tendency towards a decline during the period from 2005 through 2011 [APC = -16.38%, 95% CI: (-20.15%, -14.25%), P < 0.01]. In addition, the actual areas of snail habitats appeared an average annual reduction of 2.65% in Wuhan City from 2005 to 2023 [AAPC = -2.65%, 95% CI: (-2.89%, -2.40%), P < 0.01], with a joinpoint in 2013, and the tendency towards a decline showed statistical significance during the period from 2013 through 2023 [APC = -4.06%, 95% CI: (-4.66%, -3.58%), P < 0.01]. Conclusions　The integrated schistosomiasis control programme achieved significant effectiveness in Wuhan City from 2005 to 2023, with a tendency towards a decline in morbidity due to schistosomiasis in humans and livestock and snail status. The integrated schistosomiasis control strategy with emphasis on management of the source of S. japonicum infections should continue to be implemented to consolidate the schistosomiasis control achievements and achieve the goal of schistosomiasis elimination in the city. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Effectiveness of the integrated schistosomiasis control programme in Sichuan Province from 2015 to 2023 PU Chen, ZHANG Yu, WAN Jiajia, WANG Nannan, SHANG Jingye, XU Liang, CHEN Ling, CHEN Lin, WU Zisong, ZHONG Bo, LIU Yang Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (3): 284-288.   Abstract （255）      PDF（pc） （1106KB）（1137）       Knowledge map    Save Objective　To investigate the effectiveness of the integrated schistosomiasis control programme in Sichuan Province during the stage moving from transmission interruption to elimination (2015—2023), so as to provide insights into formulation of the schistosomiasis control measures during the post⁃elimination stage. Methods　Schistosomiasis control data were retrospectively collected from departments of health, agriculture and rural affairs, forestry and grassland, water resources, and natural resources in Sichuan Province from 2015 to 2023, and a database was created to document examinations and treatments of human and livestock schistosomiasis, and snail survey and control, conversion of paddy fields to dry fields, ditch hardening, rivers and lakes management and building of forests for snail control and schistosomiasis prevention. The completion of schistosomiasis control measures was investigated, and the effectiveness was evaluated. Results　A total of 20 545 155 person⁃times received human schistosomiasis examinations in Sichuan Province during the period from 2015 to 2023, and 232 157 person⁃times were seropositive, with a reduction in the seroprevalence from 2.10% (44 299/2 107 003) in 2015 to 1.12% (9 361/837 896) in 2023 ([χ2] = 7.68, P < 0.001). The seroprevalence of human schistosomiasis appeared a tendency towards a decline in Sichuan Province over years from 2015 to 2023 (b = -8.375，t = -10.052，P < 0.001); however, no egg positive individuals were identified during the period from 2018 to 2023, with the prevalence of human Schistosoma japonicum infections maintained at 0. Expanded chemotherapy was administered to 2 754 515 person⁃times, and medical assistance of advanced schistosomiasis was given to 6 436 person⁃times, with the treatment coverage increasing from 46.80% (827/1 767) in 2015 to 64.87% (868/1 338) in 2023. Parasitological tests for livestock schistosomiasis were performed in 35 113 herd⁃times, and expanded chemotherapy was administered to 513 043 herd⁃times, while the number of fenced livestock decreased from 121 631 in 2015 to 103 489 in 2023, with a reduction of 14.92%. Snail survey covered 433 621.80 hm2 in Sichuan Province from 2015 to 2023, with 204 602.81 hm2 treated by chemical control and 4 637.74 hm2 by environmental modifications. The area of snail habitats decreased from the peak of 5 029.80 hm2 in 2016 to 3 709.72 hm2 in 2023, and the actual area of snail habitats decreased from the peak of 8 585.48 hm2 in 2016 to 473.09 hm2 in 2023. The mean density of living snails remained low across the study period except in 2017 (0.62 snails/0.1 m2). Schistosomiasis control efforts by departments of agriculture and rural affairs in Sichuan Province included conversion of paddy fields to dry fields covering 153 346.93 hm2, hardening of 6 110.31 km ditches, building of 70 356 biogas digesters, replacement of cattle with 227 161 sets of machines, and captive breeding of 21 161 070 livestock from 2015 to 2023, and the control efforts by departments of water resources included rivers and lakes management measuring 5 676.92 km and renovation of 2 331 irrigation areas, while the control efforts by departments of forestry and grassland included building of forests for snail control and schistosomiasis prevention covering 23 913.33 hm2, renovation of snail control forests covering 8 720 hm2 and newly building of shelterbelts covering 764 686.67 hm2. All 63 endemic counties (cities and districts) had achieved the criterion for schistosomiasis elimination criteria in Sichuan Province by the end of 2023. Conclusion　Following the integrated control efforts from 2015 to 2023, remarkable achievements have been obtained in the schistosomiasis control programme in Sichuan Province, with all endemic counties successfully attaining the schistosomiasis elimination target at the county level. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (2): 0-0.   Abstract （251）      PDF（pc） （163190KB）（516）       Knowledge map    Save Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Analysis and prediction of global burden due to cystic echinococcosis from 1990 to 2035 LAI Zhen, LIU Gang, ZHAO Haili, QIU Miaomiao, CHEN Jian, LUO En, XIN Junguo, YANG Xiaohong Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (3): 255-267, 283.   Abstract （249）      PDF（pc） （2761KB）（984）       Knowledge map    Save Objective　To investigate the trends in the global burden due to cystic echinococcosis from 1990 to 2021, and to predict the global burden of cystic echinococcosis from 2022 to 2035, so as to provide insights into formulation of the cystic echinococcosis control strategy. Methods　The global age⁃standardized prevalence, mortality, disability⁃adjusted life years (DALYs) rates and their 95% uncertainty intervals (UI) of cystic echinococcosis from 1990 to 2021 were captured from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD 2021) database, and the trends in the global burden of cystic echinococcosis from 1990 to 2021 were analyzed using the Joinpoint regression model. The associations between the global burden of cystic echinococcosis and socio⁃demographic index (SDI) were examined using a smoothing spline model and frontier analysis, and the global burden of cystic echinococcosis was projected from 2022 to 2035 using the Bayesian age⁃period⁃cohort (BAPC) model.  Results　The global age⁃standardized prevalence, mortality and DALYs rates of cystic echinococcosis were 7.69/105 [95% UI: (6.27/105, 9.51/105)], 0.02/105 [95% UI: (0.01/105, 0.02/105)], and 1.32/105 [95% UI: (0.99/105, 1.69/105)] in 2021. The global age⁃standardized prevalence of cystic echinococcosis appeared a tendency towards a rise by 0.14% per year from 1990 to 2021, and the global age⁃standardized mortality and DALYs rates of cystic echinococcosis appeared a tendency towards a decline by 4.68% and 4.01% per year from 1990 to 2021, respectively. Joinpoint regression analysis showed that global age⁃standardized prevalence of cystic echinococcosis appeared a tendency towards a decline from 1990 to 2000 [annual percent change (APC) = -0.66%, 95% confidence interval (CI): (-0.70%, -0.61%)] and from 2005 to 2015 [APC = -0.88%, 95% CI: (-0.93%, -0.82%)], and towards a rise from 2000 to 2005 [APC = 3.68%, 95% CI: (3.49%, 3.87%)] and from 2015 to 2021 [APC = 0.30%, 95% CI: (0.19%, 0.40%)]. The age⁃standardized prevalence (r = -0.17, P < 0.05), mortality (r = -0.67, P < 0.05) and DALYs rates of cystic echinococcosis (r = -0.60, P < 0.05) all correlated negatively with SDI across 21 geographical regions from 1990 to 2021, and the age⁃standardized mortality (r = -0.61, P < 0.05) and DALYs rates (r = -0.44, P < 0.05) both correlated negatively with SDI across 204 countries and territories in 2021. Frontier analysis revealed that the age⁃standardized DALYs rate of cystic echinococcosis was still not in line with the frontier in some high⁃SDI countries or territories. In addition, the global age⁃standardized prevalence was projected with the BAPC model to appear a tendency towards a rise among both men [estimated annual percent change (EAPC) = 0.18%, 95% CI: (0.13%, 0.23%)] and women [EAPC = 0.29%, 95% CI: (0.24%, 0.34%)] from 2022 to 2035, and the global age⁃standardized mortality [men: EAPC = -4.71%, 95% CI: (-4.37%, -4.71%); women: EAPC = -4.74%, 95% CI: (-4.74%, -4.74%)] and DALYs rates [men: EAPC = -3.35%, 95% CI: (-3.36%, -3.34%); women: EAPC = -3.17%, 95% CI: (-3.18%, -3.16%)] were projected to appear a tendency towards a decline among both men and women.  Conclusions　The global burden of cystic echinococcosis appeared an overall tendency towards a decline from 1990 to 2021; however, the global prevalence of cystic echinococcosis is projected to appear a tendency towards a rise from 2022 to 2035. Intensified cystic echinococcosis control programmes are recommended.  Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Effectiveness of an artificial intelligence⁃enabled microscopic imaging recognition system for detection of Schistosoma japonicum eggs CHEN Lu, LUO Hongwei, WU Chunjiang, WAN Junfang, WU Jiali, LIU Haobing, LI Bin, YANG Shunyi Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (4): 415-419.   Abstract （231）      PDF（pc） （1398KB）（346）       Knowledge map    Save Objective　To evaluate the effectiveness of an artificial intelligence (AI)⁃enabled microscopic imaging recognition system integrated in the modified Kato⁃Katz thick smear technique for detection of Schistosoma japonicum eggs, so as to provide insights into precise control and elimination of schistosomiasis. Methods　In October 2023, 20 fecal samples were collected from healthy residents negative for S. japonicum infection in Wuhan City, and each fecal sample was prepared into 4 Kato⁃Katz test slides, with 3 slides added S. japonicum egg suspensions with concentrations of approximately 25, 10, and 5 eggs per 10 μL, respectively, and one untreated. A total of 80 Kato⁃Katz test slides were prepared, and were divided into mild, moderate, and severe infection groups, and a negative control group, according to the number of eggs per gram of feces on each slide, with 20 slides in each group. S. japonicum eggs were detected on 80 Kato⁃Katz test slides with the AI⁃enabled microscopic imaging recognition system and manual microscopy, and the differences were compared between the two methods in terms of average detection time, accurate rate of qualitative detection, accurate rate of quantitative detection, percentage of missed detection, and percentage of false detection. Results　The average detection time of the imaging recognition system was longer than manual microscopy for detection of S. japonicum eggs on Kato⁃Katz test slides in all groups [(16.70 ± 0.01) min vs. (15.78 ± 2.11) min; t = 3.90, P < 0.05]. The detection time of the imaging recognition system was shorter than manual microscopy for detection of S. japonicum eggs on Kato⁃Katz test slides in the severe infection group (t = -3.91, P < 0.05), but was longer than manual microscopy in the the mild infection group (t = 5.03, P < 0.05) and the negative control group (t = 8.37, P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference in the detection time between the two methods in the moderate infection group (t = -0.09, P > 0.05). In addition, the imaging recognition system [97.50% (78/80) and 91.67% (55/60)] had higher accurate rates of both qualitative and quantitative detections than manual microscopy [81.25% (65/80) and 31.67% (19/60)] ([χ2] = 11.08 and 34.11, both P values < 0.05), and the imaging recognition system had a lower percentage of missed detection in the infection groups [3.33% (2/60)] and a lower percentage of false detection in the negative control group (0) than manual microscopy [13.33% (8/60) and 35.00% (7/20)] ([χ2] = 6.07, 5.14, both P values < 0.05). Conclusions　The AI⁃enabled microscopic imaging recognition system is effective to improve the accuracy for detection of S. japonicum eggs with the Kato⁃Katz technique, and is accurate to quantify and simple to perform, which may provide technical support for diagnosis of schistosomiasis and other parasitic diseases. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Balamuthia mandrillaris amebic encephalitis in children: a case report CHEN Tianyu, JIN Danqun, YE Huan Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (4): 447-450.   Abstract （231）      PDF（pc） （1249KB）（330）       Knowledge map    Save Balamuthia mandrillaris amebic encephalitis is a rare but highly fatal parasitic disease in the central nervous system caused by amebae infections. This disease is characterized by complex, diverse and non⁃specific clinical manifestations and high difficulty in diagnosis, resulting in a high likelihood of missing diagnosis and misdiagnosis. This article presents the diagnosis and treatment of a child with definitive diagnosis B. mandrillaris amebic encephalitis as revealed by metagenomic next⁃generation sequencing of cerebrospinal fluids, so as to provide insights into clinical diagnosis and treatment of B. mandrillaris amebic encephalitis. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Skin flora, odor and malaria transmission SONG Xiumei, WANG Jingwen Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (4): 344-345, 379.   Abstract （229）      PDF（pc） （1144KB）（407）       Knowledge map    Save Malaria, which is transmitted primarily by bites of female Anopheles mosquitoes, is a mosquito⁃borne infectious disease that poses a serious threat to human health. Host body odor is a key factor to attract Anopheles mosquitoes. Upon Plasmodium infection, host body odors change, leading to increased attractiveness to female Anopheles mosquitoes; however, the underlying mechanisms remain clear. A recent study reported remarkable changes of skin flora and volatile substances in mice following Plasmodium infections, and ethylbenzene was found to increase host attractiveness to mosquitoes, which provides new insights into development of novel malaria control strategies. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Impact of the number of microsatellite markers on the analysis of population genetic diversity of Schistosoma japonicum LONG Juan, MA Lang, ZONG Hongying, ZHOU Zhipeng, YAN Hao, ZHAO Qinping Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (3): 239-246.   Abstract （229）      PDF（pc） （1112KB）（1540）       Knowledge map    Save Objective　To examine the impact of different numbers of microsatellite markers on the analysis of population genetic diversity of Schistosoma japonicum, so as to provide insights into studies on the population genetic diversity of S. japonicum. Methods　Oncomelania hupensis snails were collected from a wasteland in Gong'an County, Hubei Province, and 37 S. japonicum⁃infected O. hupensis snails were identified using the cercarial shedding method. A single cercaria released from each S. japonicum⁃infected O. hupensis snail was collected, and 10 cercariae were randomly collected from DNA extraction. Nine previously validated microsatellite loci and 15 additional microsatellite loci screened from literature review and the GenBank database and confirmed with stable amplification efficiency were selected as molecular markers. Genomic DNA from cercariae was subjected to three multiplex PCR amplifications of microsatellite markers with the Type⁃it Microsatellite PCR kit, and genotyped using capillary electrophoresis. The population genetic diversity of S. japonicum cercariae DNA was analyzed with observed number of alleles (Na), effective number of alleles (Ae), observed heterozygosity (Ho), expected heterozygosity (He), and polymorphism information content (PIC), and tested for Hardy⁃Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) and linkage disequilibrium (LD). To further investigate the impact of the number of microsatellite loci on the population genetic diversity of S. japonicum, the number of microsatellite markers was sequentially assigned from 1 to 24, and the mean and standard deviation of Na were calculated for S. japonicum populations at different locus numbers. In addition, the coefficient of variation (CV) of allelic number (defined as the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean) was determined, and the variation in Na with increasing microsatellite locus numbers was analyzed. Results　Genomic DNA from 345 S. japonicum cercariae was selected for genotyping of 24 microsatellite markers, and all 24 microsatellite loci met linkage equilibrium (standardized linkage disequilibrium coefficient D′ < 0.7, r2 < 0.3) and deviated from Hardy⁃Weinberg equilibrium (P < 0.001). The mean Na, Ae, Ho and He were 27.46 ± 2.18, 12.46 ± 0.95, 0.46 ± 0.03, and 0.91 ± 0.01 for 24 microsatellite loci in S. japonicum cercarial populations, respectively, and PIC ranged from 0.85 to 0.96, indicating high genome⁃wide representativeness of 24 microsatellite loci. The mean value of Na-Ae was higher in genotyping with 9 previously validated microsatellite loci (19.88 ± 8.43) than with all 24 loci (14.99 ± 8.09). As the number of microsatellite loci increased, the mean Na showed no significant variation; however, the standard deviation gradually decreased. Notably, if the locus number reached 18 or more, the variation in the standard deviation of Na remarkably reduced. In addition, the standard deviation of Na at 18 loci was less than 5% of the mean Na at 24 loci, with a CV of 4.6%. Conclusions　The number of microsatellite loci significantly affects the population genetic diversity analysis of S. japonicum. Eighteen or more microsatellite loci are recommended for analysis of the population genetic diversity of S. japonicum under the current conditions of low⁃prevalence infection and unbalanced genetic distribution of S. japonicum. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Application of eco⁃immunology in parasitology and parasitic diseases research: a review WANG Xu, YIN Jianhai, LIU Hua, HAN Shuai, HU Yuan, SHEN Yujuan, CAO Jianping Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (4): 428-433, 446.   Abstract （228）      PDF（pc） （1122KB）（1324）       Knowledge map    Save As an emerging interdisciplinary field bridging ecology and immunology, eco⁃immunology focuses on the co⁃evolutionary dynamics between hosts and parasites within natural environments, and aims to unravel the ecological mechanisms underlying the formation of host immune strategies, so as to provide new insights into parasitology and parasitic diseases research. Based on case studies of diverse host⁃parasite systems, including insects⁃protozoans, fish⁃cestodes, amphibians⁃nematodes, reptiles⁃arthropods, birds⁃ectoparasites, and mammals⁃helminths, this review summarizes critical eco⁃immunological principles, including host tolerance trade⁃offs under resource constraints, transgenerational epigenetic adaptation, nutrition⁃immunity interactions, and immune conflicts triggered by multiparasite co⁃infections. In addition, the article discusses the feasibility and practical pathways of ecological management and interventions to achieve biodiversity conservation and disease control based on the eco⁃immunological theory, so as to provide innovative insights into responses to address ecological conservation and public health challenges in the context of global changes. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Preliminary study on the biological characteristics of heat shock cognate protein 20 of Schistosoma japonicum YU Xingang, YUAN Kaijian, LI Yilong, MU Xuanru, XU Hui, LI Qiaoyu, ZENG Wenjing, FU Zhiqiang, HONG Yang Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (3): 294-303.   Abstract （227）      PDF（pc） （1631KB）（1249）       Knowledge map    Save Objective　To clone and express the heat shock cognate protein 20 (SjHsc20) of Schistosoma japonicum, and to preliminarily investigate its biological characteristics. Methods　The target fragment of the SjHsc20 gene was amplified using PCR assay and cloned into the pET⁃28a(+) expression plasmid to generate the recombinant expression vector pET⁃28a(+)⁃SjHsc20, which was then transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) competent cells. The recombinant SjHsc20 (rSjHsc20) protein was induced with isopropyl β⁃D⁃thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) and purified, and the expression of the rSjHsc20 protein was checked with sodium dodecyl sulfate⁃polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS⁃PAGE). The immunogenicity of the rSjHsc20 protein was detected using Western blotting, and the transcriptional levels of SjHsc20 were quantified in S. japonicum worms at different developmental stages and in male and female adult worms using real⁃time quantitative PCR (RT⁃qPCR) assay. Thirty female BALB/c mice at ages 6 to 8 weeks were divided into three groups, including the rSjHsc20 immunization group, the PBS control group, and the ISA 206 adjuvant group, of 10 mice in each group. Mice in the rSjHsc20 immunization group were subcutaneously immunized with 20 μg rSjHsc20 on days 1, 15 and 31, and animals in the PBS control group were subcutaneously injected with the same volume of PBS on days 1, 15 and 31, while mice in the ISA 206 adjuvant group were subcutaneously immunized with the same volume of ISA 206 adjuvant on days 1, 15 and 31, respectively. All mice in each group were infected with (40 ± 2) S. japonicum cercariae via the abdomen 14 day following the last immunization. Levels of serum specific IgG and its subtypes IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies against rSjHsc20, and the serum titers of anti⁃rSjHsc20 antibody were detected in mice using indirect enzyme⁃linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All mice were sacrifice 42 days post⁃infection, and S. japonicum worms were collected from the hepatic portal vein and counted. The eggs per gram (EPG) , worm burden reductions and egg burden reductions were estimated to evaluate the protective efficacy of the rSjHsc20 protein. Results　The SjHsc20 gene had an open reading frame (ORF) with 756 bp in length and encoded 252 amino acids, and the rSjHsc20 protein had a relative molecular mass of approximately 29 kDa. The rSjHsc20 protein was recognized by the serum of mice infected with S. japonicum and the serum of mice immunized with the rSjHsc20 protein, indicating that rSjHsc20 had a good immunogenicity. There was a significant difference in the transcriptional levels of the SjHsc20 gene among the 7⁃day (1.001 4 ± 0.065 7), 12⁃day (2.268 3 ± 0.129 2), 21⁃day (1.378 5 ± 0.160 4), 28⁃day (1.196 4 ± 0.244 0), 35⁃day (1.646 3 ± 0.226 1), 42⁃day worms of S. japonicum (1.758 0 ± 0.611 1) (F = 38.45, P < 0.000 1), and the transcriptional level of the SjHsc20 gene was higher in the 12⁃day worms than in worms at other developmental stages (all P values < 0.000 1). The serum levels of anti⁃rSjHsc20 IgG antibody were 0.106 6 ± 0.010 7, 0.108 3 ± 0.010 4, and 0.553 2 ± 0.069 1 in the PBS control group, ISA 206 adjuvant group, and rSjHsc20 immunization group following the last immunization, respectively, and the serum levels of IgG1 antibody were 0.137 3 ± 0.054 0, 0.181 1 ± 0.096 8, and 1.765 8 ± 0.221 1, while the levels of IgG2a antibody were 0.280 3 ± 0.197 6, 0.274 0 ± 0.146 3, and 1.560 4 ± 0.106 0, respectively. There were significant differences in the serum levels of anti⁃rSjHsc20 IgG (F = 397.70, P < 0.000 1), IgG1 (F = 401.00, P < 0.000 1) and IgG2a antibodies (F = 229.70, P < 0.000 1) among the three groups, and the serum levels of anti⁃rSjHsc20 IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies were higher in the rSjHsc20 immunization group than in the PBS control group and the ISA 206 adjuvant group (all P values < 0.000 1). There was a significant difference in the IgG1/IgG2a ratio among the rSjHsc20 immunization group (1.177 2 ± 0.143 6), the PBS control group (0.428 4 ± 0.199 8) and the ISA 206 adjuvant group (0.559 9 ± 0.181 1) (F = 43.97, P < 0.000 1), and the IgG1/IgG2a ratio was > 1 in the rSjHsc20 immunization group, which was higher than in the PBS control group and the ISA 206 adjuvant group (both P values < 0.000 1). The titers of serum anti⁃rSjHsc20 antibody were all above 1∶16 384 in the rSjHsc20 immunization group following immunizations on days 1, 15 and 31, indicating that the rSjHsc20 protein had a strong immunogenicity. The mean worm burdens were (16.60 ± 5.75), (15.80 ± 5.58) worms per mouse and (14.40 ± 5.75) worms per mouse in the PBS control group, the ISA 206 adjuvant group and the rSjHsc20 immunization group 42 days post⁃infection with S. japonicum cercariae (F = 0.50, P > 0.05), and the EPG  were 68 370 ± 22 690, 67 972 ± 19 502, and 41 075 ± 13 251 in the PBS control group, the ISA 206 adjuvant group and the rSjHsc20 immunization group (F = 4.55, P < 0.05), with lower EPG in the PBS control group and the ISA 206 adjuvant group than in the rSjHsc20 immunization group (both P values < 0.05). Immunization with the rSjHsc20 protein resulted in a worm burden reduction of 13.25% and an egg burden reduction of 39.92% relative to the PBS control group.  Conclusions　SjHsc20 is successfully cloned and expressed, and the rSjHsc20 protein induces partial immunoprotective effects in mice, which provides a basis for deciphering the biological functions of SjHsc20 and assessing the potential of SjHsc20 as a vaccine candidate. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Diagnostic value of the inquiry examination method for taeniasis based on the receiver operating characteristic curve  LIU Jianfeng, WANG Wenya, ZHANG Mizhen, ZHOU Changhai, LIU Liu, ZHAO Luyuan, LI Keron, ZHANG Dongqi, LIU Yuhua, LIU Hongkun, CHEN Shaorong, QIAN Menbao, LI Shizhu Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (4): 346-354.   Abstract （224）      PDF（pc） （1503KB）（291）       Knowledge map    Save Objective　To evaluate the value of inquiry examinations for diagnosis of taeniasis in field investigations, so as to provide insights into improving the efficiency and accuracy of taeniasis control programmes.  Methods　Four taeniasis⁃endemic villages were sampled in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province in October 2023 as survey sites, and at least 305 permanent residents at ages of over 3 years were randomly sampled from each site. Face⁃to⁃face inquiries were performed with structured questionnaires to investigate participants' history and frequency of proglottids release during the past year, consumption of raw or undercooked meat products or pork liver during the past six months, history and time of deworming. Participants' stool samples were collected, and Taenia eggs were detected in stool samples using Kato⁃Katz technique (two slides of one stool sample). Egg⁃positive individuals or participants with a history of proglottids release during the past year were given diagnostic deworming with areca nuts and pumpkin seeds. The detection of Taenia eggs using Kato⁃Katz technique and release of Taenia worms or proglottids following diagnostic deworming served as a gold standard to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of inquiry examinations for taeniasis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of inquiry examinations for diagnosis of taeniasis were plotted, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. In addition, Taenia worms or proglottids released following diagnostic deworming were subjected to multiplex PCR assay and Sanger sequencing for species identification.  Results　A total of 1 842 participants were included, and 1 842 valid questionnaires were recovered. A total of 1 533 stool samples were collected, among which 25 egg⁃positives were identified. Questionnaire surveys showed that 1 305 respondents had consumed raw or undercooked meat products during the past six months, and 42 respondents had a history of proglottids release during the past year. Diagnostic deworming was given to on the aforementioned 25 egg⁃positive individuals and 42 participants who self⁃reported a history of proglottids release during the past year, and 33 participants had a release of complete worms. Following exclusion of records of individuals receiving deworming during the past 3 months, during the past year, and all participants with a history of deworming, the AUCs were 0.767 (Z = 4.71, P < 0.001), 0.762 (Z = 4.51, P < 0.001), and 0.762 (Z = 4.52, P < 0.001) for diagnosis of Taenia infections with "self⁃reported history of proglottids release during the past year", respectively, and pairwise comparisons showed no statistically significant differences (D values, -0.005 to 0.328; all P values > 0.05). Following exclusion of records of individuals receiving deworming during the past 3 months, during the past year, and all participants with a history of deworming, the AUCs were 0.797 (Z = 4.71, P < 0.001), 0.835 (Z = 4.17, P < 0.001), and 0.847 (Z = 3.98, P < 0.001) for diagnosis of Taenia infections with "self⁃reported history of twice proglottids releases", respectively, and pairwise comparisons showed no statistically significant differences (D values, -0.43 to -0.10; all P values > 0.05). Following exclusion of records of all individuals receiving deworming, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of "self⁃reported history of twice proglottids releases" were 87.50% and 81.82%, respectively. Following exclusion of records of individuals receiving deworming at different intervals, the AUCs were 0.529 to 0.532 for diagnosis of Taenia infections with "self⁃reported consumption of raw or undercooked meat products or pork liver during the past 6 months" (all P values > 0.05). Among 33 individuals with releases of complete Taenia worms, 31 individuals were identified with T. asiatica infections (93.94%), with a mean worm burden of (1.39 ± 0.72) worms/person, and 2 were identified with T. saginata infections (6.06%), with one worm in each participant. Conclusions　A history of Taenia proglottids release during the past year as revealed by inquiry examinations exhibit a diagnostic value for taeniasis and may serve as an initial screening tool for field taeniasis screening. Increasing the frequency of Taenia proglottids release during inquiry examinations and exclusion of records of individuals receiving deworming during the analysis may improve the value for diagnosis of taeniasis.  Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Characterization and phylogenetic evolution of tick⁃derived Rickettsiales and emerging viruses in northern Jiangsu Province CHEN Guoqing, MEI Wei, JIANG Shangde, TAO Luqiu, JI Yuxi, CUI Qian, ZHANG Hongjun, AN Ran, XU Bing, WANG Wei Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (4): 380-386, 414.   Abstract （223）      PDF（pc） （4225KB）（230）       Knowledge map    Save Objective　To investigate the tick species, and tick⁃derived Rickettsiales bacteria and recently emerging tick⁃derived viruses in hilly and costal mudflat wetland settings in northern Jiangsu Province, so as to provide insights into management of tick⁃borne tropical diseases in northern Jiangsu Province.  Methods　Ticks were sampled from hilly settings in Yuyi County, Huai'an City and coastal mudflat wetland settings in Jiangsu Yancheng Wetlands & Rare Birds National Nature Reserve in Tinghu District, Yancheng City on April, 2025. Following characterization of tick species, nucleic acid was isolated from ticks under a sterile condition, and tick⁃derived pathogens were detected using nested and semi⁃nested real⁃time PCR assays, including Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Yezo virus, Alongshan virus, Songling virus, Beiji nairovirus and Wetland virus. The PCR amplification products were sequenced for analysis of phylogenetic evolution and genetic characteristics.  Results　A total of 154 ticks were captured, including 114 from Huai'an City and 40 from Yancheng City, and 153 ticks were characterized as Haemaphysalis longicornis and one as H. flava. A total of 5 ticks were tested positive for Rickettsiales bacteria and viruses by semi⁃nested real⁃time PCR assay (3.25%), including 4 ticks from hilly settings in Xuyi County, Huai'an City, tested positive for Anaplasma, and one tick from coastal mudflat wetland settings in Tinghu District, Yancheng City, tested positive for Rickettsia; however, ticks were tested negative for Ehrlichia, or recently emerging Yezo virus, Alongshan virus, Songling virus, Beiji nairovirus or Wetland virus. Sequence alignment using BLASTn and phylogenetic analysis revealed that genetic differentiation occurred in four A. bovis isolates in one species of A. bovis, with two genetic clades generated, and one R. japonica variant was identified, with its nucleotide sequences highly homologous to Shandong isolates of R. japonica. Conclusions　Ticks are widely distributed in hilly and costal mudflat wetland settings in northern Jiangsu Province, and tick⁃derived pathogens have a genetic diversity. Tick⁃borne Anaplasma and Rickettsia pose a zoonotic potential.   Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Establishment and preliminary evaluation of recombinase⁃aided isothermal nucleic acid amplification combined with nanopore sequencing for identification of Plasmodium species LIN Wen'ai, CHEN Liying, ZHANG Cheng, WEI Huagui, TANG Caiqun, WANG Rong, LIN Liyun, LIN Min Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (4): 355-361.   Abstract （218）      PDF（pc） （1622KB）（459）       Knowledge map    Save Objective　To develop a novel assay based on recombinase⁃aided isothermal nucleic acid amplification (RAA) and nanopore sequencing for species identification of Plasmodium vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae and P. falciparum, and to preliminarily assess its detection performance. Methods　Dried blood spot samples were collected from 89 malaria patients. Genomic DNA of Plasmodium was extracted from dried blood spots using the Chelex⁃100 method, and the species of Plasmodium was identified using TaqMan real⁃time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription PCR, real⁃time quantitative reverse transcriptoin PCR(RT⁃qPCR) and nested PCR (nPCR) assays. Then, 8 sets of specific RAA primers were designed targeting the 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) genes of P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae and P. falciparum. The optimal primer combination was selected for amplification of the extracted Plasmodium DNA samples, and the 49 samples with the best amplification effect were selected for nanopore sequencing. The species identification of 49 dried blood spot samples from malaria patients was compared by RT⁃qPCR assay, nPCR assay and RAA⁃nanopore sequencing, and the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of RT⁃qPCR assay and RAA⁃nanopore sequencing were evaluated with nPCR identification as the gold standard.  Results　RAA amplification showed that among the 8 primer combinations, only the F1R2 combination produced a single fragment, and the band of the amplification product was the brightest; therefore, this primer combination was selected for RAA amplification of 89 Plasmodium genomic DNA samples. RAA⁃nanopore sequencing successfully amplified the 18S rRNA gene of 4 Plasmodium species in dried blood spot samples from malaria patients. Among the blood spot samples positive for RAA amplification, 49 samples with a single, clear and bright target band were selected for nanopore sequencing. Of these 49 samples, nPCR identified P. falciparum infection in 22 samples, P. malariae infection in 6 samples, P. vivax infection in 6 samples, P. ovale infection in 14 samples and P. falciparum⁃P. malariae mixed infection in one sample, and RT⁃qPCR detected P. falciparum infection in 25 samples, P. malariae infection in 5 samples, P. vivax infection in 6 samples and P. ovale infection in 14 samples, while RAA⁃nanopore sequencing identified P. falciparum infection in 23 samples, P. malariae infection in 6 samples, P. vivax infection in 6 samples, P. ovale infection in 13 samples and P. falciparum⁃P. malariae mixed infection in one sample. If nPCR assay served as the gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of RAA⁃nanopore sequencing were 92.00%, 97.33% and 96.00% for species identification of malaria parasites, which were higher than those (88.24%, 97.32%, and 95.00%) of the RT⁃qPCR assay. Conclusions　The RAA⁃nanopore sequencing established in this study is sensitive, specific and accurate for identifying Plasmodium species, which may serve as a supplementary approach to conventional techniques for detection of malaria parasites. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Global epidemiology and control strategies of Chikungunya virus: a review RONG Heng, DING Yuhan, NING Shuo, GE Yiyue, CUI Lunbiao Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (5): 455-464.   Abstract （212）      PDF（pc） （1041KB）（498）       Knowledge map    Save Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), which is primarily transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus, has recently rapidly spread across the world, which poses a huge threat to public health. Chikungunya fever (CHIKF), caused by CHIKV infection, typically manifests as acute febrile illness with severe polyarthralgia that may persist for months to years. A few severe CHIKF cases may be accompanied by serious neurological complications, even resulting in death. The accelerating global expansion of CHIKV is closely associated with genetic variations of the virus, and mutated genes in CHIKV may augment the virus adaptability to Aedes vectors and transmission efficiency. Currently, the diagnosis of the CHIKV infection primarily relies on molecular and serological assays; however, there are still multiple challenges for early and differential diagnosis of CHIKV infections due to co⁃infections with arboviruses and nonspecific early symptoms. The first prophylactic vaccine for CHIKF has been recently approved in the United States; however, the large⁃scale application still awaits further validations. More importantly, there are no licensed antiviral therapies against CHIKV until now. This review describes the structure and pathogenesis of CHIKV, summarizes the latest epidemiology and advances in the diagnosis of CHIKV infections, and depicts the current status and prospects of antiviral agents and vaccine development, so as to inform evidence⁃based prevention and control strategies.  Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Metagenomic next⁃generation sequencing technology and its application in diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii infection: a review XUE Ting, DU Weiqin, ZHAO Yujing, XU Jia Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (4): 434-446.   Abstract （210）      PDF（pc） （1246KB）（788）       Knowledge map    Save Pneumocystis jirovecii is an opportunistic fungal pathogen causing fatal Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) among immunocompromised patients. Conventional pathogen detection methods have limitations, which hinders early diagnosis and treatment of PJP, resulting in misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis, and high mortality rates. Metagenomic next⁃generation sequencing (mNGS), which is high in sensitivity and specificity for pathogen detection, enables accurate detection of P. jirovecii and P. jirovecii co⁃infection with other pathogens, which facilitates timely diagnosis and treatment of PJP. This review summarizes the advances in mNGS technology and its application in diagnosis of PJP, highlighting its critical clinical value in improving diagnostic effectiveness, guiding clinical therapy, and preventing nosocomial transmission of PJP. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Evaluation of surgical efficacy in patients with hepatic cystic echinococcosis in Gansu Province from 2006 to 2023 CHENG Xixi, FENG Yu, WANG Xu, WANG Zhiyi, LEI Jiaxi, JIANG Mingzhe, YANG Guobing, ZHANG Xiaojuan, YANG Shijie, WANG Liying Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (3): 247-254.   Abstract （209）      PDF（pc） （1150KB）（1589）       Knowledge map    Save Objective　To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy for surgical treatments among patients with hepatic cystic echinococcosis in Gansu Province, so as to provide insights into optimization of the diagnosis and treatment strategies against hepatic cystic echinococcosis. Methods　The demographic and clinical data of all echinococcosis cases included in central government fiscal transfer payment program for echinococcosis control and undergoing surgical treatments in Gansu Province from 2006 to 2023 were captured. Hepatic cystic echinococcosis patients with complete medical records and follow⁃up data were included in the study, and patients' characteristics, including hospital where patients received diagnosis and treatment, methods of case identification, year of surgery, classification of lesions, number of lesions, size of lesions, course of disease, surgical methods, and post⁃surgical follow⁃up data. The cure and recurrence of hepatic cystic echinococcosis were evaluated according to the Guidelines for Management of Echinococcosis Patients in the Central Government Fiscal Transfer Payment Program, and the cure and recurrent rates were calculated. Results　Data were collected from 1 686 surgical patients with hepatic cystic echinococcosis. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 1 222 hepatic cystic echinococcosis patients undergoing surgical treatments were included during the period from 2006 to 2022, including 1 166 cured patients (95.42%) and 88 patients with post⁃surgical recurrence (7.20%), and the cure rate of surgical treatments appeared a tendency towards a rise among patients with hepatic cystic echinococcosis from 2008 to 2022 ([χ2]trend = 19.39, P < 0.05). The cure rates of hepatic cystic echinococcosis were 100% (177/177), 94.81% (128/135) and 94.62% (861/910) among patients detected through regular physical examinations, screened by the central government fiscal transfer payment program for echinococcosis control, and those who passively sought healthcare services, respectively ([χ2] = 9.95, P < 0.05). The cure rates of hepatic cystic echinococcosis were 95.96% (1 046/1 090) among patients with a disease course of 2 years and less and 90.90% (120/132) among patients with a disease course of over 2 years ([χ2] = 6.87, P < 0.05), and there were significant differences in the cure rates among patients with hepatic cystic echinococcosis in terms of number of lesions ([χ2] = 24.44, P < 0.05) and surgical methods (P < 0.05). The cure rate of hepatic cystic echinococcosis patients was significantly higher following initiation of the central government fiscal transfer payment program for echinococcosis control (96.06%, 1 096/1 141) than before the program (86.42%, 70/81) ([χ2] = 16.06, P < 0.05), and the cure rate of hepatic cystic echinococcosis patients was significantly higher in designated hospitals (96.48%, 741/768) than in non⁃designated hospitals (93.37%, 366/392) ([χ2] = 5.78, P < 0.05). The median follow⁃up period was 4 (interquartile range, 7) years among 1 222 hepatic cystic echinococcosis patients undergoing surgical treatments. The recurrent rate of hepatic cystic echinococcosis appeared a tendency towards a decline from 2008 to 2022 ([χ2]trend = 36.86, P < 0.05), with a reduction from 23.08% (9/39) in 2008 to 1.85% (1/54) in 2021, and the post⁃surgical recurrence rate of hepatic cystic echinococcosis was lower following initiation of the central government fiscal transfer payment program for echinococcosis control (5.87%, 67/1 141) than before the program (25.93%, 21/81) ([χ2] = 45.51, P < 0.05). In addition, the post⁃surgical recurrence rate of hepatic cystic echinococcosis was higher in non⁃designated hospitals (10.46%, 41/392) than in designated hospitals (5.60%, 43/768) ([χ2] = 9.12, P < 0.05), and there was a significant difference in the post⁃surgical recurrence rate among patients with hepatic cystic echinococcosis in terms of surgical methods (P < 0.05), with the highest recurrence rate (11.54%) seen among patients undergoing percutaneous fine⁃needle aspiration of cyst fluids⁃based surgical procedures (P < 0.05). Conclusion　Since the initiation of the central government fiscal transfer payment program for echinococcosis control in Gansu Province in 2006, an increase in the surgical cure rate and a reduction in the recurrence of hepatic cystic echinococcosis had been found among patients with hepatic cystic echinococcosis, indicating a high overall therapeutic efficacy. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria cases in Chengdu City from 2016 to 2023 FENG Lan, WANG Leyuan, JIANG Xiaojuan, TAN Kaike, LI Peng Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (4): 403-408.   Abstract （203）      PDF（pc） （1180KB）（367）       Knowledge map    Save Objective　To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria cases in Chengdu City, Sichuan Province from 2016 to 2023, so to provide insights into formulation of the malaria control strategy in the city. ‌Methods　All data pertaining to imported malaria cases reported in Chengdu City during the period from 2016 to 2023 were retrieved from the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System, and the epidemiological characteristics and diagnosis and treatment of imported malaria cases were analyzed. ‌ Results　A total of 463 imported malaria cases were reported in Chengdu City from 2016 to 2023, with Plasmodium falciparum malaria as the predominant type (71.27%, 330/463). Imported malaria cases returned from Africa (94.17%, 436/463), Asia (5.61%, 26/463), and South America (0.22%, 1/463), and were predominantly reported in May, June and December each year. Geographically, imported malaria cases were distributed across 20 counties (districts) in Chengdu City, with most cases (64.15%, 297/463) reported in Jinjiang District, and the male to female ratio of imported malaria cases was 21.05∶1, with most cases diagnosed among migrant labors at ages of 20 to 50 years. There were 35.85% (166/463) of imported malaria cases seeking healthcare services on the day of disease onset, and cases with over 3 days of healthcare⁃seeking following disease onset were primarily farmers and labors at ages of 30 to 50 years. There were 456 imported malaria cases seeking healthcare services for the first time in domestic medical institutions following disease onset, and there were 341 cases with definitive diagnosis at the initial diagnosis (74.78%, 341/456). The domestic institutions with the highest proportion of correct malaria diagnosis at the initial diagnosis were county⁃level medical and health institutions (91.43%, 128/140), followed by city⁃level medical and health institutions (82.45%, 155/188), provincial⁃level medical and health institutions (80.00%, 44/55), and a low proportion of correct malaria diagnosis was seen in township healthcare centers (11.11%, 3/27), village healthcare clinics (0, 0/4) and individual doctors (0, 0/28).  Conclusions　Imported malaria cases in Chengdu City were primarily originated from Africa from 2016 to 2023, with P. falciparum malaria as the predominant type, and the malaria diagnostic capacity was low in grassroots healthcare institutions in the city. Intensified health education for malaria prevention and control targeting labors going to work in Africa and continuous improvements in the malaria diagnostic and treatment capability in healthcare institutions are recommended, in order to reduce the risk of re⁃establishment from imported malaria in Chengdu City. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Global research hotspots and trends of wildlife⁃associated zoonoses from 1990 to 2024 ZHANG Zhifang, DENG Yanqin, WU Shenggen Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (4): 420-427.   Abstract （195）      PDF（pc） （2784KB）（584）       Knowledge map    Save Objective　To investigate the global hotspot issues and future directions of wildlife⁃associated zoonoses, so as to provide insights into identification of future research proprieties of wildlife⁃associated zoonoses.  Methods　Research and review articles pertaining to wildlife⁃associated zoonoses were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection from 1990 to 2024, and the annual publication trends and visualization maps for research collaborations among authors, institutions and countries were analyzed using the software CiteSpace 6.3.R3. In addition, the keyword co⁃occurrence, burst and clustering maps and co⁃citation clustering maps were created to identify the research hotspots and frontier landscapes of wildlife⁃associated zoonoses.  Results　A total of 2 479 English publications were included in this bibliometric analysis. The annual publication output started to increase since 2001, and peaked in 2021 (336 publications). There were 12 authors with more than 10 publications from 1990 to 2024. The top 10 most productive institutions included 8 colleges or universities, with University of California, Davis ranking first (114 publications). The United States of America played a significant mediating role in international collaborations (betweenness centrality = 0.31) and produced the largest number of publications (1 004), and the collaboration network maps among authors, institutions, and countries all appeared localized clustering with overall fragmentation. Keyword co⁃occurrence analysis identified high⁃frequency terms including infection (489 occurrences), prevalence (398 occurrences), transmission (351 occurrences), wildlife (330 occurrences) and epidemiology (231 occurrences), and keyword burst analysis revealed the research focus of wildlife⁃associated zoonoses shifting from specific zoonotic diseases such as trichinellosis and tuberculosis to interdisciplinary domains including wildlife trade, virulence, One Health, and antimicrobial resistance. Keyword clustering analysis identified antimicrobial resistance and One Health as current research hotspots, and co⁃citation clustering analysis showed human health, agricultural intensification, and first case reports as theoretical basis for wildlife⁃associated zoonoses. Conclusions　The wildlife⁃associated zoonoses research has expanded exponentially across the world. Advocating for One health concept is an important task for management of emerging and re⁃emerging zoonoses currently and in future. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

Select

Prevalence of soil⁃transmitted nematode infections in Congjiang County of Guizhou Province in 2023 CAI Shan, SHE Danya, LI Songping, LIN Guangchu, HE Lan, SHI Zhangjing, LU Lidan Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control    2025, 37 (3): 289-293, 315.   Abstract （195）      PDF（pc） （1077KB）（876）       Knowledge map    Save Objective　To investigate the prevalence of human soil⁃transmitted nematode infections in Congjiang County, Guizhou Province in 2023, so as to provide insights into soil⁃transmitted nematodiasis prevention and control in the county. Methods　Congjiang County was divided into 5 areas according to geographical locations, and one township was randomly sampled from each area, followed by one administrative village randomly sampled from each township as the survey site. Two hundred permanent residents without deworming during the past three months were randomly sampled from each survey site using the random cluster sampling method. Participants' fecal samples were collected, soil⁃transmitted nematode eggs were detected using the Kato⁃Katz technique and the prevalence of human soil⁃transmitted nematode infections was compared among participants. Mild, moderate and severe soil⁃transmitted nematode infections were classified according to eggs per gram (EPG), and the proportions of mild, moderate and severe infections were estimated. In addition, participants' family status and household sanitary toilets construction were investigated using questionnaires. Results　A total of 1 001 participants were included at 5 survey sites in Congjiang County, and the overall prevalence of soil⁃transmitted nematode infections was 19.08% (191/1 001). The prevalence rates of Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm infections were 2.30% (23/1 001) and 1.90% (19/1 001), with all egg⁃positives identified as mild infections, and the prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis infections was 0.10% (1/1 001). The prevalence of Trichuris trichiura infections was 15.78% (158/1 001) among participants, and there was a significant difference in the prevalence among survey villages ([χ2] = 123.345, P < 0.001), with the highest prevalence detected in Liujia Village (39.00%), followed by in Longjiang Village (18.00%). There was an age⁃specific prevalence rate of T. trichiura infections among participants ([χ2] = 166.050, P < 0.001), and the highest prevalence was detected among participants at ages of 10 to 19 years (48.19%), followed by at ages of over 70 years (14.53%) and 50 to 59 years (13.04%). There was an occupation⁃specific prevalence rate of T. trichiura infections among participants ([χ2] = 74.134, P < 0.001), and the highest prevalence was detected among students (32.32%), followed by among workers/migrant workers (10.34%) and farmers (10.12%). There was an educational level⁃specific prevalence rate of T. trichiura infections among participants ([χ2] = 28.761, P < 0.001), and the highest prevalence was detected among participants with an educational level of primary school (21.60%), followed by among illiterate participants (12.03%). There was an ethnicity⁃specific prevalence rate of T. trichiura infections among participants ([χ2] = 42.193, P < 0.001). The proportions of mild, moderate and severe T. trichiura infections were 76.58% (121/158), 14.56% (23/158) and 3.16% (5/158), and all severe infections were identified among primary school students. T. trichiura infections were detected in 123 families, and there were 27 families (21.95%) in which two and more family members were identified with T. trichiura infections. A total of 1 001 valid questionnaires were recovered, and the prevalence rates of T. trichiura infections were 14.69% (139/964) and 34.55% (19/55) in families with and without sanitary toilets ([χ2] = 15.410, P < 0.001). Conclusions　The prevalence of soil⁃transmitted nematode infections was relatively high in Congjiang County, Guizhou Province in 2023, and the T. trichiura infections was notably serious. Intensified soil⁃transmitted nematodiasis control measures are recommended targeting primary school students, middle⁃aged and elderly farmers and migrant workers. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）