Clonorchis sinensis Reinfection Rate and Reinfection Determinants: A Prospective Cohort Study in Hengxian County, Guangxi, China.

BACKGROUND: To understand Clonorchis sinensis reinfection and the determinants of reinfection in endemic areas is important in establishment of control measures. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was implemented in Hengxian County, Guangxi, China. Individuals with C. sinensis infection were completely treated, and those cured were enrolled as study subjects and followed up for 3, 6, and 12 months. The reinfection frequency and incidence were calculated, and a multivariable Cox proportional hazard model was constructed to capture reinfection determinants. RESULTS: Among 635 enrolled subjects, 436 (68.7%) completed follow-up. Of these, 177 (40.6%) were reinfected; 133 (75.1%) were reinfected once, 41 (23.2%) twice, and 3 (1.7%) three times. The incidence of reinfection was 64.0 per 100 person-years. Men (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-2.44), those with underlying diseases (aHR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.02-1.95), and those with moderate- or heavy-intensity infections (aHR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.14-1.85) had increasing reinfection probabilities. CONCLUSIONS: C. sinensis reinfection is high in endemic areas. Men and high-intensity infection are important determinants of reinfection. Repeated chemotherapy is necessary to control reinfection and its associated morbidities, especially in high-risk individuals. In addition, behavioral education is advised to decrease overall reinfection in endemic areas.

Imported Schistosomiasis, China, 2010-2018.

China has made remarkable progress in reducing schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma japonicum over the past 7 decades but now faces a severe threat from imported schistosomiasis. Results from national surveillance during 2010-2018 indicate integrating active surveillance into current surveillance models for imported cases is urgently needed to achieve schistosomiasis elimination in China.

Extensive disseminated cysticercosis: a case report in Yunnan province, China.

BACKGROUND: Cysticercosis is spreading all over the world and it is a major health problem in most countries of Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Extensive disseminated cysticercosis is relatively rare and fewer than 120 case have been reported in the worldwide. We reported a rare case of extensive disseminated cysticercosis in Yunan province, China. CASE PRESENTATION: A rare case of extensive disseminated cysticercosis, in a 61-year-old male Chinese was detected from Yunnan province in 2018. Clinical and etiological examination was performed, as well as the epidemiological investigation. CONCLUSION: The life cycle of T. solium in the area where the case came from is complete. We expect this case could raise the attentions to the control of Taenia solium infection and subsequent cysticercosis there.

[Analysis of schistosomiasis prevalence in endemic areas using retrospective space-time permutation scan statistics].

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of schistosomasis prevalence by using the spatial epidemiological method, and test the application of retrospective space-time permutation scan statistics in determining mountainous and lake-type endemic areas of schistosomiasis. Methods: The data of schistosomasis in humans, cattle and snails in Jiangxi Province during 2009-2014 and in Yunnan Province during 2004-2013 were collected and analyzed. The temporal and spatial distribution of schistosomiasis endemic areas in the two provinces was analyzed with retrospective space-time permutation scan statistics. Results: The prevalence of schistosomiasis in residents and Oncomelania snails showed a trend of decline in Jiangxi, from 0.21% and 0.03% in 2009 to 0.01% and zero in 2014. A similar trend was found in cattle, from 1.25% in 2012 to 0.12% in 2014. The average annual percentage change (APC) in residents was-47.36%(P < 0.05). The space-time permutation clustering analysis revealed a temporal and spatial clustering of schistosomiasis prevalence from 2009 to 2014 in residents, cattle, and snails, with 3,2 and 1 clustering areas, respectively, all distributed in Poyang Lake Region. A similar declining trend of schistosomiasis prevalence was found in residents, snails and cattle in Yunnan during 2004-2013, from 2.49%,0.70% and 3.76% in 2004 to no infection in residents and snails and 0.02% in cattle in 2013. The APC in residents was-49.17%(P < 0.05). There was a temporal and spatial clustering of schistosomiasis prevalence during 2004-2013 in residents, cattle, and snails, with 2,2 and 6 clustering areas, respectively. Conclusion: A declining trend of schistosomiasis prevalence is shown in lake-type endemic areas in Jiangxi during 2009-2014 and in mountainous endemic areas in Yunnan during 2004-2013. The retrospective space-time permutation scan statistics reveal a clustering of schistosomiasis in humans, cattle, and snails, suggesting its applicability in analyzing the temporal and spatial distribution of schistosomiasis.

Complete depletion of primordial germ cells in an All-female fish leads to Sex-biased gene expression alteration and sterile All-male occurrence.

BACKGROUND: Gynogenesis is one of unisexual reproduction modes in vertebrates, and produces all-female individuals with identical genetic background. In sexual reproduction vertebrates, the roles of primordial germ cells on sexual dimorphism and gonadal differentiation have been largely studied, and two distinct functional models have been proposed. However, the role of primordial germ cells remains unknown in unisexual animals, and it is also unclear whether the functional models in sexual reproduction animals are common in unisexual animals. RESULTS: To solve these puzzles, we attempt to utilize the gynogenetic superiority of polyploid Carassius gibelio to create a complete germ cell-depleted gonad model by a similar morpholino-mediated knockdown approach used in other examined sexual reproduction fishes. Through the germ cell-depleted gonad model, we have performed comprehensive and comparative transcriptome analysis, and revealed a complete alteration of sex-biased gene expression. Moreover, the expression alteration leads to up-regulation of testis-biased genes and down-regulation of ovary-biased genes, and results in the occurrence of sterile all-males with testis-like gonads and secondary sex characteristics in the germ cell-depleted gynogenetic Carassius gibelio. CONCLUSIONS: Our current results have demonstrated that unisexual gynogenetic embryos remain keeping male sex determination information in the genome, and the complete depletion of primordial germ cells in the all-female fish leads to sex-biased gene expression alteration and sterile all-male occurrence.

[Application of Big Data Mining Technology in Monitoring and Early-warning of Schistosomiasis].

The prevalence of schistosomiasis will soon be controlled to a low level in China. It is therefore imperative to establish a more sensitive and effective early warning system for schistosomiasis, so as to consolidate the achievements of the disease control. By covering four topics including the importance of early warning system for schistosomiasis and its research direction, as well as recent development in big data mining and its application in monitoring and early-warning of schistosomiasis, this review discusses the feasibility of data mining technology for monitoring and early warning of the disease. It is hoped that this technology would increase the efficacy of studies on monitoring and early warning, and promote the elimination of schistosomiasis in China.

[Application of space-time scan statistics in the analysis of spatial and temporal distribution of Oncomelania hupensis snails in Gaoyou County, Jiangsu Province].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution features of Oncomelania hupensis infested areas in Gaoyou County so as to formulate surveillance and intervention strategies. METHODS: A database was established through collecting data of the snail infested areas during 1970-2009 in the County. The data were input into SaTScan 9.2 software for spatial-temporal cluster analysis to determine the spatial and temporal cluster of the snail habitats. The results were displayed by ArcGIS 10.1 software. RESULTS: There were historically 720 snail habitats in the County in 1970-2009 including 521 in plain region with water networks and 199 in lake & marshland region. Those in water networks covered an area of 456.62 ha distributing mainly in the northern towns/townships of the County, and the latters distributed in the Xinmin Beach between Gaoyou Lake and Shaobo Lake, and Qiaojian Beach close to Tianchang County of Anhui Province with an area of 4 495.75 ha. The spatial-temporal cluster analysis revealed that among all the historical snail habitats, there were two prominent spatial-temporal clusters with a relative risk of >3. One cluster appeared in Xinmin Beach in 1983-2002 and another one located in the north of Gaoyou in 1970-1973. Separate analysis was performed by the regions of water network or lake & marshland, indicating 2 clusters in each of the regions. During 1970-2009, 244 snail habitats were newly found in the County with 130 in water network region and 114 in lake & marshland region. Again, the spatial-temporal cluster analysis displayed 2 prominent clusters. By separate analysis, 2 clusters existed in each of the regions. CONCLUSION: The space-time scan statistics can be applied in detecting the cluster of snail infested areas in two dimensions, which will provide information for guiding specific measures of surveillance and control.

[Assessment on the effect of joint effort for schistosomiasis control in Hubei Province].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the progress of implementation of integrated strategy with emphasis on the control of infectious sources and effectiveness for joint-project of schistosomiasis control in Hubei province. METHODS: Data on the endemic status and implementation of each integrated intervention in 6 collaborated counties including Gongan, Hanchuan, Honghu, Jiangling, Xiantao and Yangxin during 2009-2013 were collected and analyzed. 18 administrative villages with a history of endemic schistosomisis from 6 counties were selected for field survey. Individuals aged 6-65 years received screening test by IHA, and feces of antibody positive inhabitants were collected and tested by miracidia hatching technique. Hatching technique was conducted to determine the infection rate of schistosomiasis in cattle if there was any cattle existed. RESULTS: Various interventions were conducted with adaption to the local situation by the Departments of Agriculture, Water Conservancy, Forestry, and Health. The total number of cattle decreased from 75 388 at the beginning of 2009 to 1 805 at the end of 2013 in 6 counties with a reduction rate of 97.5%, while the prevalence in cattle reduced to 0-0.3% in 2013. Snail-infested areas were stable but areas with infected snails decreased significantly, and no infected snails were found in 2012-2013. Meanwhile, the infection rate of human beings on county level were less than 1%. No infected snails and cattle were found in 18 selected villages and the prevalence in inhabitants was in the range of 0-0.8%. CONCLUSION: Cooperation between provincial government and the Ministries of Health and Agruiculture accelerates the process to reach the criteria of transmission control of schistosomiasis in Hubei Province. However, sustainable effort in needed as the current endemic situation of schistosomiasis is stillunstable.

[Design and implementation of command system for emergency events of parasitic diseases].

Based on the requirement analysis and functional design of the command system for parasitic disease outbreaks, the system was constructed by workflow technique, function modules and technical architecture. The command system was a multi-platform system, could achieve multiple functions, such as monitoring and early warning of parasitic diseases, emergency video communication, emergency dispatcher, and emergency management. The system can meet the needs in emergency events of parasitic diseases, and increase preparedness level.

Chromosome-level genome assembly of Oncomelania hupensis: the intermediate snail host of Schistosoma japonicum.

BACKGROUND: Schistosoma japonicum is a parasitic flatworm that causes human schistosomiasis, which is a significant cause of morbidity in China, the Philippines and Indonesia. Oncomelania hupensis (Gastropoda: Pomatiopsidae) is the unique intermediate host of S. japonicum. A complete genome sequence of O. hupensis will enable the fundamental understanding of snail biology as well as its co-evolution with the S. japonicum parasite. Assembling a high-quality reference genome of O. hupehensis will provide data for further research on the snail biology and controlling the spread of S. japonicum. METHODS: The draft genome was de novo assembly using the long-read sequencing technology (PacBio Sequel II) and corrected with Illumina sequencing data. Then, using Hi-C sequencing data, the genome was assembled at the chromosomal level. CAFE was used to do analysis of contraction and expansion of the gene family and CodeML module in PAML was used for positive selection analysis in protein coding sequences. RESULTS: A total length of 1.46 Gb high-quality O. hupensis genome with 17 unique full-length chromosomes (2n = 34) of the individual including a contig N50 of 1.35 Mb and a scaffold N50 of 75.08 Mb. Additionally, 95.03% of these contig sequences were anchored in 17 chromosomes. After scanning the assembled genome, a total of 30,604 protein-coding genes were predicted. Among them, 86.67% were functionally annotated. Further phylogenetic analysis revealed that O. hupensis was separated from a common ancestor of Pomacea canaliculata and Bellamya purificata approximately 170 million years ago. Comparing the genome of O. hupensis with its most recent common ancestor, it showed 266 significantly expanded and 58 significantly contracted gene families (P < 0.05). Functional enrichment of the expanded gene families indicated that they were mainly involved with intracellular, DNA-mediated transposition, DNA integration and transposase activity. CONCLUSIONS: Integrated use of multiple sequencing technologies, we have successfully constructed the genome at the chromosomal-level of O. hupensis. These data will not only provide the compressive genomic information, but also benefit future work on population genetics of this snail as well as evolutional studies between S. japonicum and the snail host.

Assessment of the influence of levees along Yangtze River on Oncomelania hupensis, the intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum.

BACKGROUND: Oncomelania hupensis is the exclusive intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum in China. Snail control is an essential component of schistosomiasis elimination programme. With 70 years of continuous efforts, the range of O. hupensis had reduced significantly, but slowed down in last decades. A large number of levees against flooding were constructed along Yangtze River and its affiliated lakes in the middle and lower reaches, which influenced the hydrology and ecology in the alluvial plains. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of levees on the distribution of O. hupensis in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. METHODS: The snail habitats were digitalised by hand-held GPS system. The years for discovery and elimination of snail habitats were extracted from historical records. The accumulated snail-infested range for each habitat was calculated on the basis of annual reports. The current distribution of O. hupensis was determined by systematic and environmental sampling. The geographical distribution of levees was obtained from satellite imagery. To assess the impact of levees, the data pertaining to O. hupensis were divided into two parts: inside and outside the Yangtze River. Joinpoint regression was utilised to divide the study time span and further characterise the regression in each period. The 5-year-period moving averages of eliminated area infested by snails were calculated for the habitats inside and outside Yangtze River. The moving routes of corresponding geographical median centres were simulated in ArcGIS. Hotspot analysis was used to determine the areas with statistical significance clustering of O. hupensis density. RESULTS: Three periods were identified according to Joinpoint regression both inside and outside Yangtze River. The area infested by O. hupensis increased in the first two periods. It decreased rapidly outside Yangtze River year over year after 1970, while that inside the Yangtze River did not change significantly. Furthermore, the latter was significantly higher than the former. It was observed that the present density of O. hupensis inside Yangtze River was lower than outside the Yangtze River. The median centre for eliminated ranges inside Yangtze River wavered between the east (lower reach) and the west (middle reach). In contrast, the median centre for eliminated ranges continuously moved from the east to the west. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated that the levees had a considerable negative impact on the distribution of O. hupensis outside Yangtze River. Some hotspots observed in the irrigation areas need a sluice system at the inlet of branch for snail control. The major distribution of O. hupensis located in Hubei might be caused by severe waterlogging. The intensive surveillance should be implemented there. The biggest two freshwater lakes, the major endemic regions historically, were identified as cold spots. The long-term impact of Three Gorges Dam on the distribution of O. hupensis in the lakes should be monitored and evaluated.

[Establishment of policy indicators of adaptation to the impact of climate change on the transmission of schistosomiasis and malaria in China].

OBJECTIVE: To set up a framework of indicators for schistosomiasis and malaria to guide the formulation and evaluation of vector-borne disease control policies focusing on adaptation to the negative impact of climate change. METHODS: A 2-level indicator framework was set up on the basis of literature review, and Delphi method was applied to a total of 22 and 19 experts working on schistosomiasis and malaria, respectively. The result was analyzed to calculate the weight of various indicators. RESULTS: A total of 41 questionnaires was delivered, and 38 with valid response (92.7%). The system included 4 indicators at first level, i.e. surveillance, scientific research, disease control and intervention, and adaptation capacity building, with 25 indicators for schistosomiasis and 21 for malaria at the second level. Among indicators at the first level, disease surveillance ranked first with a weight of 0.32. Among the indicators at the second level, vector monitoring scored the highest in terms of both schistosomiasis and malaria. CONCLUSION: The indicators set up by Delphi method are practical,universal and effective ones using in the field, which is also useful to technically support the establishment of adaptation to climate change in the field of public health.

[Preliminary application of moving percentile method on surveillance and early-warning on visceral leishmaniasis in endemic areas].

OBJECTIVE: To apply moving percentile method on surveillance and early-warning on visceral leishmaniasis in Kashgar Region and evaluate its effect. METHODS: Incidence data of visceral leishmaniasis in Kashgar Region were collected from the National Web-based Infectious Diseases Report System. Monthly detection was carried out by using moving percentile method. The 50th percentile (P50), 70th percentile (P70) and 90th percentile (P90) of historical baseline data were calculated for drawing a control chart, and P70 was adopted as the warning threshold to determine whether an epidemic would appear. If the number of cases in one month is higher than the corresponding P70 of historical baseline data, the warning signal will be generated. The sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value were calculated for the evaluation of early-warning effect. RESULTS: During the study period, 61.0% cases were reported in the year of 2008 and 2009, the incidence peak was from September to December, accounting for 51.9%, and infants under 3 years old were the population most threatened by visceral leishmaniasis, accounting for 62.7%. A total of 58 detections were performed, and 17 warning signals were generated by the threshold on P70. Among them, the numbers of cases in 9 detections were higher than the corresponding P90 of historical-baseline data. Based on the actually epidemic status of visceral leishmaniasis in study period, according to the threshold on P70, a total of 10 warning signals of 11 epidemics were detected, and the sensitivity of the warning model was 90.9% (10/11). 7 wrongly signals of 47 non-epidemics were detected, and the specificity was 85.1% (40/47). 10 of 17 signals were proved to be correct, and the positive predictive value was 58.8% (10/17). CONCLUSION: The moving percentile method can effectively perform surveillance and early-warning on visceral leishmaniasis in Kashgar Region.

[Rapid risk assessment on the import of American trypanosomiasis to China].

American trypanosomiasis, as one of the "neglected tropical diseases", is a zoonosis induced by Trypanosoma cruzi. It is endemic in 18 countries in the Central and South America, especially in rural areas. A rapid risk assessment was carried out to analyze the potential threat of imported cases to China, which would provide information to policy makers in health authorities.

[Analysis report of the national technique competition for diagnosis of parasitic diseases in 2012: I. Capability analysis of Plasmodium detection].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the result of the national technique competition for diagnosis of parasitic diseases in 2012, so as to understand the capability of detection on Plasmodium parasites among professionals from institutes for disease control and prevention at different levels. METHODS: Four professionals from institution were selected as contestants (age < or = 45 and at least two contestants from county-level institution). The content of the competition included making thick and thin blood slides of Plasmodium (3 slides in 30 min, 10 scores as full marks and 6 as passing score) and identification of species and number with microscopy (5 slides, 8 min per slide, 30 scores as full marks and 18 as passing score). All contestants were grouped by gender, age, professional title, level of institution, classification according to malaria endemicity, geographical location and economic development of the province. Their scores were statistically analyzed by SPSS 16.0 software. RESULTS: The average score of blood smear making test in 120 contestants from 30 provinces was 8.7, the highest was 10 and the lowest was 5.8, 118 (98.3%) contestants passed the test. The average score of blood smear reading was 16.0, the highest was 29 and the lowest was 0, 52 (43.3%) contestants passed the test. There were no significant differences for the scores among genders, ages (< or = 30, 31-40, > 40), professional titles (junior, intermediate and senior), institution levels (provincial, municipal or county level) (P > 0.05). However, there was a significant difference among provinces with different malaria endemicity, geographical location and development status (P < 0.05). For the blood slide-making and film-reading, scores of contestants from malaria endemic provinces including Class I (9.29 +/- 0.41, 18.17 +/- 6.42), Class II (8.92 +/- 0.79, 18.31 +/- 6.94) and Class III (8.61 +/- 0.89, 15.63 +/- 7.52) were higher than those from non-endemic provinces (7.95 +/- 1.00, 10.19 +/- 7.01) (P < 0.01). Scores of contestants from southern provinces (9.16 +/- 0.61, 18.82 +/- 6.78) were significantly higher than that from northern ones (8.30 +/- 0.99, 13.23 +/- 7.45) (P < 0.01). The film-reading scores were significantly higher in those from eastern provinces (18.20 +/- 6.88) than those from western (13.39 +/- 7.60) (P < 0.05), while no significant difference was found in blood slide-making (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The capability of malaria parasite detection is imbalanced.

[Evaluation of the comprehensive schistosomiasis control measures with emphasis on infection source of replacing cattle with machine].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of comprehensive measures with an emphasis on schistosomiasis infection source control by replacing cattle with machine. METHODS: In 2011, 2 villages from each of Jingzhou District, Jianli County and Jiangling County, Hubei Province, were selected as intervention group where the comprehensive measures were implemented, while 2 villages from Shishou City served as control with routine control activities. A cluster random sampling was carried out in the 8 villages with more than 300 people in each village were sampled. Stool examination using modified Kato-Katz was applied for identification of the infected persons and hatching test for cattle survey. The systemic sampling was applied for snail survey, fecal specimens from the field were examined by hatching test. Each sample was examined three times. Data were collected for the analysis of control effect between intervention and control groups in 2007 (baseline), 2009 (before implementation of comprehensive measures) and 2011 (post-intervention). RESULTS: In intervention villages, the overall prevalence in human reduced significantly from 3.6% (135/3 772) in 2007 and 2.0% (63/3 116) in 2009 to 0.9% (21/2 396) in 2011 (chi2 = 43.411, chi2 = 11.840, P < 0.05). Until 2011, there were no cattle in intervention group; the prevalence decreased by 52.6% in human and about 100% in cattle from 2010 to 2011. In control group, the infection rate in residents in 2007, 2009 and 2011 was 4.5% (64/1 410), 2.6% (34/1 294) and 1.8% (24/1,320), respectively (chi2 = 16.178, P < 0.05), and 5.1% (8/158) in 2007, 1.6% (3/187) in 2009 and 1.6% (3/189) in 2011 in cattle, respectively (chi2 = 3.387, P > 0.05). The infection rate in human and cattle fell by 25.0% and 5.9% from 2010 to 2011, respectively. There was a significant difference in human infection rate between the intervention and control groups after intervention (chi2 = 6.309, P < 0.05). No infected snails were detected in intervention and control groups. No positive feces from the field was found in the intervention group, 7.5% positive rate was recorded in the control. CONCLUSION: The comprehensive measures focused on infection source control by replacing cattle with machine can effectively control Schistosoma japonicum transmission, with a significant decrease of the prevalence in human and cattle.

[Surveilance and response for Schistosomiasis japonica based on sentinel mice examination for cercariae-infested water in risk region, 2012].

OBJECTIVE: To monitor water body infestation in schistosomiasis high-risk areas with sentinel mouse technique. METHODS: A total of 72 surveillance sites from 47 counties were selected in Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Anhui, Jiangsu, Yunnan, and Sichuan. The water infectivity of Schistosoma japonicum was determined in the surveillance sites by using sentinel mice during June-July and September, 2012. RESULTS: Among the 3,283 sentinel mice which were placed in 72 sites, 3,062 (93.3%) were recovered and dissected. Infected sentinel mice were found in six sites accounting for 8.3% (6/72) of the total surveillance sites, with an occurrence rate of sites with infected mice of 8.3% in June-July and 2.8% in September. 33 infected mice were discovered with a total infection rate of 1.08% (33/3,062). 1,085 adult worms were collected, with a mean worm burden of 32.9 worms per mouse in infected sentinel mice. 4 positive sites were in Hunan and 2 were in Jiangxi. Local acute schistosomiasis or suspected local acute cases which detected elsewhere were reported in 2 positive sites. Some follow-up activities were conducted in the 6 positive sites. CONCLUSION: Compared with those in 2010, the schistosomiasis risk areas are shrinking in 2012. However, some regions are still the schistosomiasis high-risk areas.

Nucleic Acid Prevalence of Zoonotic Babesia in Humans, Animals and Questing Ticks, a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Zoonotic Babesia infections are an emerging public health threat globally. The geographical distribution, animal reservoirs and tick vectors vary greatly across Babesia species, and estimations of prevalence reported in works within the literature are also quite different. Better prevalence estimates and identification of moderators are needed to understand the global transmission risk of different zoonotic Babesia species, and to provide crucial background information for the diagnosis, treatment and control of zoonotic babesiosis. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the global nucleic acid prevalence of different zoonotic Babesia species in humans, animals and ticks. Relevant publications were obtained from several electronic databases and grey literature up to December 2021. Articles were included if they were published in English or Chinese and reported the nucleic acid prevalence of zoonotic Babesia species in humans, animals or ticks. The pooled estimates of prevalence were determined using a random effect model. Heterogeneity was investigated using subgroup analyses and random effect meta-regression models. Results: Of 3205 unique studies, 28 were included by the systematic review of zoonotic Babesia for humans, 79 for animals and 104 for ticks. The results showed overall pooled estimates of nucleic acid prevalence for the following: B. microti-1.93% (0.32-4.69%) in humans; B. microti-7.80% (5.25-10.77%), B. divergens-2.12% (0.73-4.08%) and B. venatorum-1.42% (0.30-3.16%) in animals; and B. microti-2.30% (1.59-3.13%), B. divergens-0.16% (0.05-0.32%), and B. venatorum-0.39% (0.26-0.54%) in questing ticks. The type of population, animal reservoir or tick vector, detecting method and continent were moderators possibly associated with heterogeneity, yet the remaining heterogeneity that was not explained was still substantial (all QE p values < 0.05). Conclusions:B. microti is the most prevalent and widely distributed zoonotic Babesia species globally. The wide range of suitable animal reservoirs and potential transmission vectors and high prevalence in animals and ticks may contribute to the worldwide distribution of B. microti. Other zoonotic Babesia species were relatively less prevalent and were reported in quite limited areas.

Recognizing and monitoring infectious sources of schistosomiasis by developing deep learning models with high-resolution remote sensing images.

BACKGROUND: China is progressing towards the goal of schistosomiasis elimination, but there are still some problems, such as difficult management of infection source and snail control. This study aimed to develop deep learning models with high-resolution remote sensing images for recognizing and monitoring livestock bovine, which is an intermediate source of Schistosoma japonicum infection, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the models for real-world application. METHODS: The dataset of livestock bovine's spatial distribution was collected from the Chinese National Platform for Common Geospatial Information Services. The high-resolution remote sensing images were further divided into training data, test data, and validation data for model development. Two recognition models based on deep learning methods (ENVINet5 and Mask R-CNN) were developed with reference to the training datasets. The performance of the developed models was evaluated by the performance metrics of precision, recall, and F1-score. RESULTS: A total of 50 typical image areas were selected, 1125 bovine objectives were labeled by the ENVINet5 model and 1277 bovine objectives were labeled by the Mask R-CNN model. For the ENVINet5 model, a total of 1598 records of bovine distribution were recognized. The model precision and recall were 81.9% and 80.2%, respectively. The F1 score was 0.81. For the Mask R-CNN mode, 1679 records of bovine objectives were identified. The model precision and recall were 87.3% and 85.2%, respectively. The F1 score was 0.87. When applying the developed models to real-world schistosomiasis-endemic regions, there were 63 bovine objectives in the original image, 53 records were extracted using the ENVINet5 model, and 57 records were extracted using the Mask R-CNN model. The successful recognition ratios were 84.1% and 90.5% for the respectively developed models. CONCLUSION: The ENVINet5 model is very feasible when the bovine distribution is low in structure with few samples. The Mask R-CNN model has a good framework design and runs highly efficiently. The livestock recognition models developed using deep learning methods with high-resolution remote sensing images accurately recognize the spatial distribution of livestock, which could enable precise control of schistosomiasis.