Clinical characteristics of family clustering pediatric and adult cases with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Omicron variant infection / 中华传染病杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of family clustering pediatric and adult cases with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant infection in Shanghai City.Methods:A field investigation among the pediatric cases with Omicron variant infection and their household contacts from April 4 to April 30, 2022 in Children′s Hospital of Fudan University was conducted. The informations on case finding, clinical manifestations and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status were collected. The epidemiological and clinical characteristics were compared between pediatric cases and adult cases. The independent sample t test or chi-square test was used for statistical analysis, and the relative risk ( RR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were used to evaluate the protective effect of vaccination on the infection of Omicron variant. Results:There were 1 274 family members in 297 families including 370 children and 904 adults of whom 1 110(87.13%) were infected with Omicron variant, with 989(89.10%) symptomatic and 121(10.90%) asymptomatic. There were 355 children infected with Omicron variant, of whom 337(94.93%) were symptomatic, and the main manifestations were fever (96.74%(326/337)) and cough (40.36%(136/337)). Only one pediatric case with Rett syndrome developed critically severe pneumonia. A total of 194 pediatric cases had imaging examination, 64(32.99%) showed pulmonary inflammatory lesions. There were 755 adult cases infected with Omicron variant, of whom 652(86.26%) reported symptoms, and the main manifestations were fever (73.16%(477/652)) and cough (49.85%(325/652)). Among symptomatic cases, fever was more common in pediatric cases than in adult cases, while cough was more common in adult cases than in pediatric cases, and the differences were both statistically significant ( χ2=80.87 and 8.04, respectively, both P<0.01). The fever spike was higher in pediatric cases than in adult cases ((39.3±0.7) ℃ vs (38.6±0.6) ℃), and the difference was statistically significant ( t=9.85, P<0.001). The interval from the onset of symptoms to cycle threshold (Ct) value of the nucleic acid of Omicron variant≥35 was longer in pediatric cases than in adult cases ((13.0±3.1) d vs (10.9±3.6) d), and the difference had statistically significance ( t=2.97, P=0.004). Among 160 children aged 3 to 18 years, 54 (33.75%) received two-dose vaccination. Among the 904 adults, 388 (42.92%) received two-dose vaccination and 293 (32.41%) received a booster dose. In the adult cases, the risk of symptomatic infection was reduced by only 8% ( RR=0.92, 95% CI 0.86 to 0.98, P=0.014) following two-dose vaccination, and the risks of fever and cough following booster vaccination were reduced by 42%( RR=0.58, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.67, P=0.001) and 50% ( RR=0.50, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.78, P=0.001), respectively. Conclusions:Secondary attack rate and symptomatic rate of household infection are high in the context of the Omicron variant outbreak in Shanghai. Symptomatic infection is common in children and adults in household setting. Fever is the most common symptom and fever duration is short. Booster vaccination may provide certain protection against common symptoms caused by Omicron variant infection.

EB virus infection with facial paralysis in children:a case report and literature review / 临床儿科杂志

Objective To explore the treatment of children with EB virus infection accompanied by facial paralysis. Method The clinical data of a child with EB virus infection accompanied by facial paralysis was analyzed retrospectively, and the related literature were reviewed. Results A 2-year-old boy was admitted to hospital due to fever and mouth askew for 4 days. After admission, he was confirmed to have EB virus infection and viremia by serology and polymerase chain reaction, and then treated with acyclovir. The symptoms of facial paralysis and EB viremia disappeared completely 14 days after antiviral treatment. There was no recurrence in the short-term follow-up. Interestingly, the literature analysis shows that there is still limited evidence for the antiviral treatment by acyclovir in children with acute infection of EB virus associated with facial paralysis. Conclusion Antiviral treatment may be beneficial to EB viremia with facial paralysis.

Characteristics and risk factors for healthcare-associated infection in pa-tients with severe chronic hepatitis B / 中国感染控制杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors for healthcare-associated infection (HAI)in patients with severe chronic hepatitis B (CHB),and provide theoretical basis for preventing and controlling HAI.Methods Retrospective survey was used to investigate the occurrence of HAI in hospitalized patients with severe CHB in a hospital between January 2012 and January 2015,risk factors for HAI were analyzed. Results A total of 126 patients with severe CHB were investigated,49 patients developed 106 times of HAI, incidence of HAI was 38.89%.The main HAI site was respiratory tract (n=47,44.34%),the next was abdominal cavity (n=34,32.08%).A total of 76 isolates of pathogens were detected,gram-negative bacteria,gram-positive bacteria,and fungi accounted for 53.95%(n =41 ),43.42%(n =33),and 2.63%(n =2)respectively.Risk factors for HAI in patients with severe CHB were patients ’ age ≥ 60 years, length of hospital stay ≥ 30 days, complications,invasive operation,serum albumin < 35 g/L,and white blood cell count (WBC)< 4 × 109/L. Conclusion Incidence of HAI in patients with severe CHB is high,the majority are respiratory tract and abdominal cavity infection,risk factors are old age,long length of hospital stay,invasive operation,hypoalbuminemia,and low WBC count.

Socio-economic impact of influenza in children: a single-centered hospital study in Shanghai / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To monitor the epidemic pattern of influenza in children during the 2011-2012 season in Shanghai and to evaluate the socioeconomic burden of influenza in children.Methods We carried out a prospective surveillance program on influenza among children who visiting the outpatient clinic for influenza-like illness (ILI) between June 2011 and May 2012.Respiratory samples as well as related demographic and clinical data were obtained from the enrolled cases.Socio-economic burden was evaluated using the questionnaires for some of the confirmed cases during the outbreak.Results Out of the 1 119 enrolled cases,influenza viruses were virologically confirmed,using the RT-PCR in 370 (33.1％) otherwise healthy children.Among them,109 (9.7％) were positive for influenza A/H3N2 viruses,and 279 (24.9％) were positive for influenza B viruses.The 2011-2012 seasonal outbreak of influenza among children with Shanghai residency started with the major outbreak of influenza B during December 2011-Feburary 2012,followed by the smaller outbreak of influenza A/H3N2 during March-April,2012.A total of 69 influenza A/H3N2-infected cases and 163 influenza B-infected cases were surveyed to evaluate the influenza-associated disease burden.The average costs per case were 706.10 Yuan and the average indirect costs per case incurred by the work loss of family members were 293.80 Yuan,with the total average costs per case were 999.90 Yuan.Mean visits to medical settings were 2.7,with antibiotics used in 67.2％ of the cases.Secondary household cases were seen in 21.1％ of the cases.Pneumonia was diagnosed in 5.6％ of the cases.The burden of disease increased from both influenza A/H3N2 and influenza B but without significant differences between them.Conclusion Influenza A/H3N2 and influenza B viruses caused outbreaks of influenza in children with Shanghai residency during the 2011-2012 season.Socioeconomic burden of influenza in children showed significantly direct impact on the sick children and an indirect impact on their families.Influenza vaccination should be recommended in children to reduce the disease burden.

Epidemiological surveillance of hand, foot and mouth disease in Shanghai, 2010-2014 / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To understand the epidemiological profiles of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and the major enteroviruses causing the epidemics of HFMD in Shanghai from 2010 to 2014.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The city-wide surveillance data between 2010 and 2014 were used to analyze the epidemiologic characteristics of the HFMD outbreaks in Shanghai. The annual incidence of HFMD was estimated based on the 2010 Shanghai Census data.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>From 2010 to 2014, the reported HFMD cases were 41 080, 37 323, 51 172, 42 198, and 65 018, respectively; the severe cases (case-severity ratio) were 469 (1.14%), 456 (1.22%), 318 (0.62%), 104 (0.25%) and 248 (0.38%), respectively. Based on Shanghai census data by the end of 2010, the attack rates of HFMD in Shanghai were 0.16%-0.28% in the entire population. In terms of the proportion of HFMD cases and severe cases in the specific population, male accounted for 59.62%-61.48% and 62.26%-73.08%, migrant population accounted for 51.86%-62.40% and 72.01%-80.38%; children aged 1.0-1.9 years comprised the highest proportion, up to 22.70%-27.00% and 32.08%-36.40%. HFMD peaked from April to July, in parallel with the peak circulation of enterovirus (EV) 71, and a small peak usually occurred in autumn and winter. All the critically severe and fatal cases were caused by EV71. The detection rates of EV71 and Coxsackievirus A (CA) 16 were 73.08%-88.09% and 1.12%-2.90% in severe HFMD cases, 19.75%-48.74% and 2.02%-23.69% in uncomplicated inpatients, and 16.78%-40.08% and 8.36%-33.39% in mild community cases, respectively. The detection rates of CA6 and CA10 in the mild community cases in 2014 were 18.38% and 1.43%, respectively. In 2013 non-EV71 and non-CA16 enteroviruses comprised 74.86% in the community cases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The annual HFMD outbreaks occurred in Shanghai during 2010-2014. Children under 5 years of age, migrant population and male were the major susceptible population. EV71 and CA16 were the predominant pathogens causing the epidemics of HFMD except in 2013, and CA6 was prevalent in the community cases in 2014. The major peak season of HFMD usually overlapped with the peak of EV71 circulation and the majority of severe HFMD cases were associated with EV71 infection.</p>

Surveillance of norovirus-associated diarrhea in children in Shanghai, 2009-2011 / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To monitor the epidemiology of norovirus infection in diarrheal children in Shanghai between 2009 and 2011 and characterize the genotypes of norovirus strains.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The stool samples were collected from children visiting outpatient clinic for acute non-dysenteric diarrhea between 2009 and 2011.One step real-time RT-PCR was used for screening norovirus genogroups GI and GII. The genotypes of norovirus genogroup GII were classified based on the nucleotide sequences of both partial capsid and polymerase fragments.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>A total of 2 288 outpatient children with acute diarrhea were included in this study, out of whom, 531 (23.1%) were positive for norovirus in the fecal specimens based on real-time RT-PCR test.Norovirus was prevalent throughout the year and an increased activity of norovirus infection was usually observed between July and October. Children <4 years of age accounted for 95.2% of norovirus-infected cases, and the detection rate of norovirus was significantly higher in diarrheal children <4 years than in those ≥ 4 years (24.4% vs. 10.7%,χ(2) = 10.66, P < 0.05).Of 531 norovirus-positive specimens, 4 (1.7%) were positive for genogroup GI and 527 (98.3%) positive for genogroup GII. Seven distinct capsid genotypes were identified in 234 norovirus strains, including 153 (64.4%) GII.4 (9 belonging to 2010 variants and 145 belonging to 2006b variants), 66 (27.6%) GII.3, 7 (2.9%) GII.2, 6 (2.5%) GII.6, 4 (1.7%) GII.12, 1 (0.4%) GII.7 and GII.14 in each. Seven polymerase genotypes were identified in 244 norovirus strains, including 189 (77.5%) GII.4 (14 belonging to 2010 variants and 175 belonging to 2006b variants), 47 (19.3%) GII.12, 2 (0.8%) GII.16, GII.b and GII.g in each, 1 (0.4%) GII.2 and GII.6 in each. A new GII.4-2010 (New Orleans) variant was first detected in June 2010 and sporadically circulated afterwards.Of 198 norovirus strains in which both polymerase and capsid genotypes were determined, 56 showed discordant results, indicating potential norovirus recombinants. The common discordant combinations of the polymerase and capsid genotypes were GII.12/GII.3 (69.6%) and GII.4/GII.3 (8.9%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Norovirus is a common causative agent responsible for diarrhea in Shanghai children over the three years and norovirus-associated diarrhea was epidemic year round with high activity in late summer and autumn in Shanghai.Infants and young children are susceptible to norovirus infection. The circulating norovirus showed genetic diversity. The GII.4-2006b variant continued to predominate in Shanghai during the period of 2009-2011 despite the emergence of the novel GII.4-2010 (New Orleans) variant.</p>

Molecular epidemiology of group A rotavirus diarrhea in children in Shanghai / 中华传染病杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the molecular epidemiological characteristics of group A rotavirus diarrhea in children in Shanghai and to provide the background data for the implementation of rotavirus vaccination.MethodsA total of 910 stool samples were collected from the outpatient children with acute diarrhea from August 2008 to July 2009.Group A rotavirus was detected by usingcommercial colloidal gold device.Rotavirus strains were characterized for G and P genotypes using the nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).ResultsGroup A rotavirus was detected in 268(29.4％) out of 910 stool samples.Rotavirus infection was found year-round and the peak season was from October 2008 to January 2009,with the detection rates ranging from 38.3 ％ to 70.5％.Ninety-one percent of children (244 cases) with rotavirus-associated diarrhea occurred in children ＜3 years of age.The detection rate of rotavirus was highest (36.6％) in children aged 12-23 months.Among the 268 group A rotavirus-positive strains,G1 was the most common G genotype (65 strains),accounting for 24.3％,followed by G3 (40 strains,14.9％),G mixed genotypes (37strains,13.8 ％),G2 (27 strains,10.1％),G9 (14 strains,5.2％),G4(5 strains,1.9％),other G types (5 strains,1.9％),and unclassified G type (75 strains,28.0％).P[8] and P[4] were the most common P genotypes,accounting for 54.9％ (147 strains) and 11.9％ (32 strains),respectively,followed by P mixed genotypes (6 strains,2.2％) and other P genotypes (4 strains,1.5％),unclassified P type (79 strains,29.5％).The G/P genotype combinations were found as follows:G1P [8] (13.4％),G3P[8] (13.4％),GmixP[8] (10.1％),G1P[4] (8.2％),G9P[8] (2.2％),G2P [4] (1.9％),G1Pmix (1.9％).ConclusionsGroup A rotavirus is a major causative agent of diarrhea in infants and young children in Shanghai.The peak season of rotavirus infection appears in fall and winter.The currently licensed rotavirus vaccines cover the majority of genotypes of rotavirus strains prevailing in Shanghai.

Epidemiology of enterovirus 71 infection in children with hand, foot, and mouth disease in Shanghai, 2010-2011 / 中华传染病杂志

ObjectiveTo understand the clinical epidemiology of enterovirus 71 (EV71) in children with hand,foot,and mouth disease (HFMD) in Shanghai during 2010 to 2011.Methods The demographic,etiological and clinical data of children with HFMD were analyzed retrospectively.EV71 was tested in stool samples by one-step quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).The date were analyzed by Chi-square test.ResultsEV71 was detected in 820 (54.45％) of 1506 inpatients in 2010 and in 924 (59.84％) of 1544 inpatients in 2011,respectively.The detection rates in severe cases and uncomplicated cases were 86.31％ and 46.67％ (x2 =247.146,P＜0.01) in 2010 and 88.78％ and 48.75％ (x2 =201.664,P＜0.01) in 2011,respectively.The detection rate of EV71 was the highest (60％- 67 ％) during May and June when HFMD peaked.Among 1744 EV71-infected HFMD inpatients,the male-to-female ratio was 1.78 ∶ 1 ; the proportion of cases was the lowest in infant ＜6 months of age (0.46％,8/1744),and the highest in children 1 years of age (34.92％,609/1744); children aged 1-3 years accounted for 76.78％ (1339/1744);and migrant children accounted for 72.76 ％ (1269/1744).The demographic characteristics in severe cases were similar to those in general EV71-infected children.Nine severe cases of pulmonary edema/hemorrhage were all infected with EV71.Conclusions EV71 was a major pathogen causing the outbreaks of HFMD and severe complications in Shanghai in 2010 and 2011.Most severe cases and all critically severe cases were associated with EV71 infection.

Detection and subtype analysis of VP1 gene of enterovirus 71 strains isolated from children with hand,foot and mouth disease in Shanghai area during the first half year of 2009 / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To understand the characteristics of molecular epidemiology of enterovirus 71(EV71) in children with hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Shanghai area during the first half year of 2009. Methods Seventy-three throat swabs and 38 stool samples were collected from 95 hospitalized children with clinical diagnosis of HFMD in Children's Hospital of Fudan University during April to May 2009. TaqMan real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and nest RT-PCR were used to detect EV71 VP1, followed by gene sequencing analysis. Results Six of the 73 throat swabs were EV71 positive with the detection rate of 8.2%. In the 38 stool samples, 24 were EV71 positive with the detection rate of 63.2%. Twenty-eight nested RT-PCR positive samples were sequenced and the genetic analysis showed that 27 were C4 subtype,which were absolute dominant strain and the other one was C2 subtype. The isolated strain from a fatal case was C4 subtype and there was no obvious mutation found in VP1 region. Conclusions EV71 is an important pathogen in HFMD children in Shanghai area during April to May 2009. C4 subtype strains are absolutely dominant, and accompanied by epidemic strains of subtype C2.

Clinical characteristics of pediatric patients with H1N1 influenza A virus-associated pneumonia / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To understand the clinical characteristics of pediatric patients who developed H1N1 influenza A virus-associated pneumonia during the outbreak of H1N1 influenza A in Shanghai. MethodsA dcscriptivc study was done to analyze the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of 30 hospitalized children who developed complicated pneumonia caused by H1N1 influenza A virus infection in 2009 in Shanghai. The comparison of medians was done using rank sum test and comparison of rates was done using exact chi-square test. Results Among thirty pediatric patients with H1N1 influenza A virus-associated pneumonia, the median age was 5.9 years old, five cases (16.7 %) had pre-existing medical conditions. Twenty cases (66.7 % ) had been exposed to the classmates or family membcrs with fever. All cases had fever and cough. Eleven cases (36.7 %00 ) had tachypnca and ten (33.3%) had wheeze. Eleven cases (36.7%) showed white blood cell (WBC)＜4.0 × 109/L and 2 (6. 7%) had thrombocytopenia. All patients had bilateral or unilatcral patchy infiltrates in the lung indicated by chest X-ray and four (13. 3%) had extensive infiltrates with the evidence of pulmonary edema. One (3. 3%) critically ill child with pneumonia, chest computed tomography scan revealed lung fibrosis 3 months and 9 months after illness onset. Three(10. 0%) cases had pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema. Six cases (20. 0%) were complicated with acute respiratory failure, three (10. 0%) with acute asthmatic attack and one (3. 3%) with encephalitis. All patients were treated with oseltamivir plus antibiotics and four required mechanical ventilation. All patients survived. The median duration of fever in group with oseltamivir given within 2 days of fever onset was statistically shorter than that in group with oseltamivir given 2 days after fever onset (2 days vs 5 days, Z= -8. 015, P<0. 01). Conclusions Both pre-school age and schoolage children may develop complicated severe respiratory diseases after H1N1 influenza A virus infection. Early initiation of oseltamivir may shorten the duration of fever and reduce the occurrence of severe complications.

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of influenza-associated respiratory infection in children hospitalized in Shanghai Children's Hospital during 1999-2008 / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To study the clinical and the epidemiological features of hospitalized children with influenza virus infection. Methods Two hundred and fifty-three inpatients with laboratory-confirmed influenza virus infection from 1999 to 2008 were reviewed for analyzing the clinical and epidemiological characteristics. Type A and B influenza viruses in the nasopharyngeal aspirates were detected by immunofluorescence assay. Mann-Whitney U test were performed for comparing the median age and the length of hospitalization. Chi-square test was performed for comparing the proportion of patients with fever and cough. Results Among 253 hospitalized children aged between 5 days and 127 months, 182 (71.9%) were boys and 71 (28. 1%) were girls. The median age was 18 months. Fifty-three cases were infants younger than 6 months. 95 cases were children aged between 6 months and 2 years, 85 cases were aged between 2 years and 5 years and 20 cases were older than 5 years. The diagnosis of influenza-related admission included pneumonia (190 cases), bronchitis (49 cases) and upper respiratory tract infection (14 cases). Eleven cases developed febrile convulsion, 6 cases had acute exacerbation of asthma and 3 cases had concomitant viralencephalitis. Twenty-nine cases had basic diseases. Cough and fever were the most common symptoms. Two hundred and thirty-eight cases presenting cough and 209 case presenting fever. Sixty-seven percent (140/209) had high fever with body temperature higher than 39 ℃. The average duration of fever was (5. 0 ±2. 9) days. Fever and cough were both more common in children older than6 months (X2 = 22. 895,P<0. 01; X2 = 16. 992,P<0. 01, respectively). Febrile convulsion occurred in children older than 2 years. Fifteen point five (39/251) developed leukocytopenia. Conclusions Children younger than 5 years old are at high risk of influenza-related hospitalization. We should emphasize influenza vaccination in previously healthy children aged between 6 months and 5 years and children with underlying diseases.

Molecular epidemiology of rotavirus among infants and young children with nosocomial diarrhea in Shanghai area / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To investigate the characteristic of rotavirus(RV) molecular epidemiology among infants and young children with nosoeomial diarrhea in Shanghai area. Methods Two hundred and twenty-six stool specimens collected from inpatients with nosocomial diarrhea from November 2006 to January 2008 were measured by colloidal gold assay and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The positive samples were typed to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients. The data were shown with constituent ratio and positive detection rate. The analysis was done by using t test. Results RV was detected in 108 of 226 specimens (47.8%) by colloidal gold assay. The incidence was highest in infants younger than one year old. Neonatal cases with RV accounted for 32.4 % of all RV nosocomial infections recruited. The peak seasons were October and November. RV serotyping in 67 cases older than 1 year old by nested PCR showed that G3 was predominant and accounted for 46.3%, followed by G1 (23.9%), G2 (3.0%), G9 (1.5%), seven cases were coinfections with G1 and G3 (10.40%) and 10 couldn't be typed. Based on P typing, P [8] was predominant genotype with 90.0%, P[4] accounted for only 6.0% and 3 couldn't be typed. P[6], P[9] and P[10] haven't been detected. G3P[8] was the maior isolates which accounted for 61.2%, followed by G1P[8] (17.9 %), G1 and G3P[8] coinfection accounted for 9.5%. Two cases were infected with G2P[4] and G8P[9], respectively. Ten out of 32 neonatal specimens were typed successfully which were G1P [8]. Nosocomial RV diarrhea resulted in prolonged hospital stay and increased medical cost. Conclusions RV is the major etiological agent of nosoeomial diarrhea among infants and young children in Shanghai area. G3P[8] is the predominant serotype. And the outbreak of G1 epidemic strain infection should be monitored.

Therapeutic effects of short-term intermittent ganciclovir treatment on infants with cytomegalovirus hepatitis / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To observe the clinical effects of short-term intermittent ganeiclovir treatment on infants with cytomegalovirus (CMV) hepatitis. Methods The clinical data of infants with CMV hepatitis were analyzed retrospectively. The liver functions including total bilirubin (TBil), direct bilirubin (DBil), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and γ-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT) of the patients in treatment group (85 cases) and control group (37 cases) were collected before and after treatment. Meanwhile, the side effects of ganciclovir during treatment were observed. The measurement data were compared by analysis of variance and numeration data were compared by chi-square test. Results After short-term intermittent ganciclovir treatment in treatment group, TBil level was decreased from (109.1±677.8)μmol/L to (62.9±68.1)μmol/L (F=15.34,P<0.01); ALT level was decreased from (160.2±395.3) U/L to (68.1±56.0) U/L (F=4.73, P<0.05). In control group, TBil level was decreased from (94.9±647.4)μmol/L to (49.2±631.5) μmol/L (F=14.80, P<0.01) ; while ALT level was decreased from (131.6±206.2) U/L to (55.3±631.2) U/L (F=3.50, P=0.067). The readmission rate in control group was significantly higher than that in treatment group (21.6% vs 10.6%). Only one case (0.8%) received three times of intermittent ganciclovir treatment. The longest hospitalization time was six weeks. Conclusions Short-term intermittent ganciclovir treatment may be more suitable for infants with CMV hepatitis. There is no obvious side effect observed during the treatment and the hospitalization time can be shortened.

The impact of antepartum interruption of intrauterine infection on the mutations of precore and core promoter regions of hepatitis B virus / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To investigate the impact of injecting hepatitis B immune globulin(HBIG)at third trimester of pregnancy on the nucleotide sequences of precore and basal core promoter(BCP)regions of hepatitis B virus(HBV)DNA.Methods One hundred and twenty pregnant women(67 in HBIG group and 53 in no-HBIG group)were enrolled in this study.Serum HBV DNA level was determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Relevant serum markers (HBeAg,HBsAg)of HBV were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Nucleotide fragments of HBV precore and BCP regions were amplified by nested PCR and then sequenced by automated DNA sequencer.Data were analyzed using t test and chi-square test.Results Sera of 33 women in HBIG group were collected before interruption with HBIG and at delivery.Precore and BCP regions of HBV DNA were amplified and sequenced successfully from double sera of 23 among 33 women. The rates of total nucleotide substitute in precore and BCP regions, that in precore region, and that in BCP region before and after interruption were 1.5% and 1.4%, 0.7% and 0.6%, 1.7% and 1.7%, respectively (Fisher's exact test, X2 =0.627, 0.689, 1.000, respectively,all P＞0.05). The rates of total mutations of hot points including 1896G→A,1899G→A,1762A→T,1764G→A before and after interruption were 27.2% and 13.0%, respectively (x2=5.717, P=0. 017). But the prevalences of these hot points mutations before and after interruption were 30.4%and 17.4%, 17.40/00 and 4.3%, 26.1% and 13.0%, 34.80/00 and 17.4%, respectively, which were all not significantly different (P＞0.05). The rates of nucleotide substitute in precore and BCP regions,that in precore region, and that in BCP region of 53 women in HBIG group and 47 women in no-HBIG group at delivery were 0.9% and 0.8%, 0.3% and 0.3%, 1.1% and 0.9%, respectively (Fisher's exact test, )x2=0.434, 0.839, 0.340, respectively, all P＞0. 05). The rates of total mutations of hot points of women in HBIG group and those in no-HBIG group at delivery were 5.7% and 10.1%,respectively, which was not significantly different (P＞0.05). These hot points mutations including 1896G→A,1899G→A,1762A→T, 1764G→A of women in HBIG group and those in no-HBIG group at delivery were 9.4% and 14.9%, 0 and 2. 1%, 7.5%0 and 10.6%, 5.7% and 12.8%, respectively,which were all not significantly different ( P＞0.05). Conclusions Antepartum interruption of HBV intrauterine infection with HBIG may not raise the nucleotide mutations in precore and BCP regions of HBV DNA. On the other hand, antepartum interruption may decrease mutations of hot points in the precore and BCP regions of HBV DNA.

Epidemiological characteristics of common respiratory viruses among children with acute respiratory tract infections in Shanghai / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To understand the epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus(RSV),influenza virus type A and type B(IV-A and IV-B),parainfluenza virus type 1,2,3(PIV-1,2,3)and adenovirus(ADV) among children with acute respiratory tract infection in Shanghai.Methods A retrospective epidemiological investigation was conducted to analyze the prevalence rate,seasonality and susceptible pediatric population of seven common respiratory viruses among hospitalized pediatric patients(<15 years old) with acute respiratory tract infection in Children's Hospital Affiliate to Fudan University Shanghai during 2003 to 2006.Nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected for detecting viral antigens of RSV,IV-A,IV-B,PIV-1,PIV-2,PIV-3 and ADV by direct immunofluorescence assay.Results Total 11214 children were collected during the consecutive four years,among whom 98.7% were presented with acute lower respiratory tract infection.The overall positive detection rate of these seven respiratory viruses was 24.2%.RSV accounted for 17.7%,followed by PIV-3(2.8%),ADV(2.2%),IV-A(0.7%),PIV-I(0.5%),PIV-2(0.3%),IV-B(0.1%)and mixed(0.2%).RSV season often occurred in winter and spring,however,an early season began in autumn every two year.PIV-3,ADV and IV were usually prevalent sporadically and the seasonal patterns were not typical.The median ages of infected pediatric patients were 4 months for RSV,8 months for PIV-3,9.5 months for PIV-1,10.5 months for PIV-2,12 months for ADV,13 months for IV,respectively,which were significantly different by statistical analysis(X2=154.319,P<0.01).The infants and younger children were more susceptible for developing RSV and PIV-3 related diseases.RSV infection significantly decreased along with the age increased.Conclusions RSV is the most commonly identified virus,while infants and neonates are the most susceptible populations for RSV infection.Typically,RSV is prevalent during spring and winter but begins to be active in fall every other year. PIV-3 is found to be the second common viral pathogen and young children are susceptible population.ADV ranks the third pathogen and children with ADV infection tend to be elder. Nevertheless,IV is rare among pediatric population in recent years in Shanghai.In our study,the outbreaks of ADV and IV infections among children are not observed.

Erythromycin resistant genes in Streptococcus pyogenes of children in Shanghai / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To understand the erythromycin resistance rate and the erythromycin resistant gene spectrum in Streptococcus pyogenes strains isolated in Shanghai.Methods The outpatient children who were diagnosed with scarlatinal in the Children's Hospital of Fudan University from November 2004 to June 2006 were enrolled and 100 strains of Streptococcus pyogenes were isolated by pharyngeal swab culture.The distributions ofermA,ermB,mefA genes were determined by polymerase chain reaction(PCR)amplification.The relationship between ermA,ermB,mefA genes and erythromycin resistance were also analyzed.Results The erythromycin and clindamycin resistance rates of Streptococcus pyogenes in Shanghai were 98%and 95%,respectively;the concordance rate of these two drugs was 97%.Among 100 strains of Streptococcus pyogenes,94 strains(94%)contained ermB gene,with 100%of erythromycinresistance rate.Sixteen(16%)contained mefA gene,with 100% of erythromycin resistance rate.ermA was not detected inall the 100 strains.The ermB and mefA genes were not found in 5 strains,among which,2 were susceptible to erythromycin and 3wereresistant to erythromycin.Only 1%of isolates was mefA genesingle positive.Conclusions There is a high erythromycin resistance rate of Streptococcus pyogenes strains isolated inShanghai,and the cross resistance to clindamycin is high.TheermB gene is important erythromycin resistancedeterminants of Streptococcus pyogenes in Shanghai.

A randomized control trial on interruption of HBV transmission in uterus / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the interruptive effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) specific immunolobulin (HBIG) before delivery in attempt to prevent intrauterine transmission of HBV.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Nine hundred and eighty HBsAg carrier pregnant women were randomly divided into HBIG group and control group. Each subject in the HBIG group received 200 IU or 400 IU of HBIG intramuscularly at 3, 2 and 1 month before delivery. The subjects in the control group did not receive any specific treatment. All newborn infants received 100 IU of HBIG intramascularly after venous blood samples were taken at birth and 2 weeks after birth, followed by 30 micro g plasma-derived HB vaccine or 5 micro g recombinant yeast-derived hepatitis B vaccine at 1, 2 and 7 months of age. Blood tests were performed for all the lying-in women and their neonates. Blood specimens were tested for HBsAg and HBeAg by enzyme immunoassay. All infants were followed up for 1 year.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the HBIG group, 491 neonates were born to 487 HBV carrier mothers; and in the control group, 496 neonates were born to 493 HBV carrier mothers. The rates of intrauterine transmission in the two groups were 14.3% and 5.7% respectively (chi(2) = 20.280, P < 0.001), and the rates of chronic hepatitis B in the two groups were 2.2% and 7.3% respectively (chi(2) = 13.696, P < 0.001). The high risk factors of intrauterine HBV infection included HBsAg HBeAg double positive and HBV DNA positive in the peripheral blood of pregnant women.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HBV infection in the uterus may be interrupted by injecting multiple intramuscular HBIG injections before delivery without causing any side-effects.</p>

Effect of delivery mode on maternal-infant transmission of hepatitis B virus by immunoprophylaxis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of different delivery modes on immunoprophylaxis efficacy so as to clarify whether or not cesarean section reduces immunoprophylaxis failure.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mothers with positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were selected in the third trimester of pregnancy. Their babies were inoculated with hepatitis B immunoglobulin at birth and hepatitis B vaccine at 1, 2 and 7 months of age. HBsAg and its antibodies (anti-HBs) were tested at 1, 4, 7, and 12 months of age, then followed up yearly.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 301 babies entered the study, including 144 born by normal spontaneous vaginal delivery, 40 by obstetric forceps or vacuum extraction, and 117 by cesarean section. The incidence of mother's HBeAg positivity or baby's gender constitution was comparable between the three groups. There were no significant differences in the positive rate of anti-HBs or HBsAg at follow-up periods among the three groups. At 12 months of age, anti-HBs could be detected in 78.9% of the babies born by normal vaginal delivery, 84.6% of the babies by forceps or vacuum extraction, and 86.4% of the babies by cesarean section. The positive rate of HBsAg was 8.1%, 7.7%, 9.7%, and chronic HBV infection incidence was 7.3%, 7.7%, 6.8% respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There are no significant effects of delivery mode on the interruption of HBV maternal-baby transmission by immunoprophylaxis. Cesarean section does not reduce the incidence of immunoprophylaxis failure.</p>

A pilot study on the combined therapy of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and hepatitis B vaccine on chronic hepatitis B virus carrier children / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the efficacy of treating intrauterine infected chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier children with a combination of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) plus recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (rHBvac).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 27 chronic HBV infected children, who were born to HBV carrier mothers and received hepatitis B immunoprophylaxis at birth, were randomized into 2 groups: one receiving a combined therapy of 50 micro g of GM-CSF plus 10 micro g of rHBvac injected intramuscularly at the same location (GM-CSF group, 14 children) or 200 IU HBIG and 10 micro g rHBvac in different muscles (HBIG group, 13 children) on a monthly four-dose schedule. HBV-DNA quantification and other HBV serological markers were tested before and after the four-dose therapy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Twelve children in each group completed the study. Of them, 3 children in the GM-CSF group and 4 in the HBIG group had elevated serum alanine transaminase (ALT) before the trial, and then 2 in each group became ALT normal after the treatment. Before the therapy, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positivity was found in nine children in the GM-CSF group and 10 in the HBIG group. One from each group had an HBeAg/anti-HBe seroconversion after the treatment. The quantity of HBV-DNA was significantly lower after the treatment (P = 0.023) in GM-CSF group, but was not significantly reduced in HBIG group. No subjects were found to be negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) after the treatment, and no serious adverse events occurred in either group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Combined GM-CSF and rHBvac therapy inhibit HBV replication in carrier children who were not protected after treatment with immunoprophylaxis.</p>

The Present Status of Reseach on Varicella－zoster Virus Infection / 中国疫苗和免疫

Chickenpox is an acute and highly infectious respiratory disease commonly seen in children.Varicela－zoster often results from the activation of latent virus in chickenpox called varicella－zoster virus（VZV）or called human herpesvirus type 3. Primary infection of VZV may induce typical disease of various severity and most healthy children infected with VZV have mild symptoms and good prognosis.But VZV infection，if occurs in special population such as persons of immune inhibition treatment will induce serious consequence or even death and it is as same serious as in adults.A detailed illustration of molecular biology，epidemiology，laboratory diagnosis，treatment and preventive strategy of the VZV were given.