A multiplex liquid-chip assay based on Luminex xMAP technology for simultaneous detection of six common respiratory viruses.

We utilized one-step multiplex reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and Luminex xMAP technology to develop a respiratory multiplex liquid-chip assay (rMLA) for simultaneous detection of 6 common respiratory viruses, including influenza virus type A (FluA) and type B (FluB), para-influenza virus type 3 (PIV-3), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus (MPV) and a threatening virus to China, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Performance of rMLA was evaluated by comparing with real-time RT-PCR. Detection data from clinical specimens showed that the rMLA had diagnostic sensitivities of 97.10% for FluA, 94.59% for FluB, 98.68% for PIV-3, 94.87% for RSV and 95.92% for MPV (No Data for MERS-CoV due to the lack of positive specimens). Data of analytical sensitivities showed that the detection limits of the rMLA assay were 5-25 viral RNA copies per µl for FluA, FluB, PIV-3 and MERS-CoV, approximate to the real-time RT-PCR assay; while the values were 8 and 22copies/µl for MPV and RSV, lower than the real-time RT-PCR(78 and 114 copies/µl respectively). The results indicated that the rMLA is a sensitive, specific detection tool and comparable to real-time RT-PCR, especially suitable for high-throughput detection of respiratory specimens.

Dynamic quantification of avian influenza H7N9(A) virus in a human infection during clinical treatment using droplet digital PCR.

This study involved a human infection with avian influenza H7N9(A) virus in Zhejiang province, the first one after implementing the closure measures of living poultry markets in China. The clinical symptoms, epidemiological and virological characteristics of the case were described briefly, and as the emphasis, H7N9 virus was detected quantitatively and continuously from the collected samples in 10 different periods of the patient's treatment in order to reveal changes of viral load in patient's body during the treatment. This study first used reverse-transcription droplet digital PCR (RT-ddPCR) assays to monitor viral load dynamically for human H7N9 infection, synchronously performing real-time RT-PCR as a reference technology to obtain more comprehensive data for comparison. Our results indicated that RT-ddPCR compared to real-time RT-PCR is more sensitive and accurate for quantifying H7N9 viral load without the use of standard curves. Furthermore it can provide reference data for clinical policies including infectivity judgement, ward transferring and therapy adjustment for the patient during treatment.

[Study on the prevalence of prehypertension among residents living in the communities in Zhejiang].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and related risk factors of prehypertension in Hangzhou, Shaoxing,Jiaxing city, Zhejiang province. METHODS: 3200 people were selected by stratified cluster random sampling method, and statistical methods including chi-square test, and logistic regression through SAS 9.0 were used. RESULTS: The prevalence of pre- hypertension was 45.9%, higher for males and urban population, with significant differences seen between males and female(49.0% vs. 48.0%, P < 0.05), urban and rural areas(59.31% vs. 44.15%, P < 0.05). Data from the multiple factor logistic analysis showed that risk factors of prehypertension would include: older age, types of profession, under low education level, being urban residents, overweight and obesity, hyper triglyceride, and family history of hypertension, with ORs and 95% CI as 0.99 (0.98-0.99), 1.28(1.07-1.28), 1.31(1.10-1.56), 1.50(1.11-2.02), 1.33(0.98-1.81), 1.60 (1.19-2.16)and 1.18(1.00-1.39), respectively. CONCLUSION: Prehypertension prevalence was found high in the studied district, especially in urban residents with low education level. Strategies including reduction on risk factors as obesity and hyper triglyceride through health education as well as lifestyle modification should be taken to hold back the increasing trend on prehypertension in Zhejiang.