Epidemiological characteristics of tick-borne infectious diseases in Hubei Province, 2016-2021 / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To understand the epidemiological characteristics of tick-borne infectious diseases (TBID) and the risk factors of severe illness and death in Hubei Province from 2016 to 2021. Methods: Based on the incidence data of fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), tsutsugamushi disease, typhus and other TBID reported during 2016-2021, the epidemiological analysis was conducted. Field investigation results of TBID in areas with high incidence in 2021, logistic regression analysis of population characteristics, epidemiological history and other factors were used to explore the risk factors of severe and fatal cases. In the field vector investigation, free ticks and surface ticks of the host animals in the cases' home and surrounding grassland were monitored and detected. Results: A total of 3 826 TBID cases were reported in Hubei from 2016 to 2021, of which 71.30% (2 728/3 826) were SFTS, 13.04% (499/3 826) were tsutsugamushi disease and 15.66% (599/3 826) were typhus. A total of 44 cases died in 6 years; the fatality rate was 1.15% (44/3 826). In the peak seasons of incidence from May to July, the cases in people engaged in agriculture related work accounted for 84.61% (3 237/3 826). The incidence rate in women was higher than that in men, and the cases aged ≥50 years accounted for 81.02% of the total (3 100/3 826), and the incidence rate increased with age (P<0.001). The TBID cases were distributed in 86 counties and districts in 16 prefectures (municipality). The incidence rates of different areas had significant differences (P<0.05), and there was a certain spatial-temporal clustering and expasion. Bovis microplus and Haemaphysalis longicornis were captured in the field, and the positive rates in host animals and grassland ticks were 10.94% (7/64) and 40.00% (2/5), respectively. Univariate logistic regression analysis results showed that age ≥50 years and leukocyte <2.0×109/L were risk factors for severe illness and death. Conclusions: The TBID reported in Hubei were mainly SFTS, tsutsugamushi disease and typhus. In order to reduce the incidence of TBID, it is necessary to strengthen the prevention and control in women aged ≥50 years and reduce field exposure and tick bites during the epidemic period.

Predictors related to condom use behaviors based on the theory of planned behavior among female sex workers / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To identify predictors related to condom use in different tiered female sex workers (FSWs) in Hubei Province. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Hubei Province in 2015 to investigate 816 eligible FSWs by using a multistage sampling method. All data were collected by using a structured questionnaire with scales on condom use, which was designed based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). A structural equation model (SEM) was used to identify predictors of condom use in the different tiered FSWs. Results It showed that low-tier FSWs used less condom than higher-tier FSWs in commercial sexual behaviors of the last time and during the last month(P<0.001). The TPB scores were significantly different in different tiered FSWs. The scores of PBC in low-tier FSWs were lower than those in higher-tier FSWs (11.43±2.86 vs 12.06±2.87, respectively, P=0.002); But the scores of behavioral intentions were higher than those in higher-tier FSWs (5.47±1.11 vs 5.20±1.15, respectively, P=0.001). The PBC was the major factor related to condom use in low-tier FSWs (effect coefficient=0.55, P<0.001), while the behavioral intention was the major factor related to condom use in higher-tier FSWs (effect coefficient=0.33, P<0.001). Behavioral attitude was the major factor of intention to use condoms for both low-tier (effect coefficient=0.49, P<0.001) and higher-tier FSWs (effect coefficient=0.42, P<0.001). Conclusions Changing the attitude to condom use in FSWs is an important measure to promote the behavior intention. Condom promotion interventions should focus on the perceived behavioral control in low-tier FSWs, and promote the behavior intention in higher-tier FSWs.

Elevated Arsenic Exposure Is Associated with an Increased Risk of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection: NHANES (2003-2014) in U.S.Adults / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Studies concerning the association between arsenic exposure and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection have been lacking.The present study aimed to examine the association between total urinary arsenic (TUA) and infection of HBV.A total of 5186 participants from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2014 were included in the analysis.We used logistic regression to evaluate the association.We defined two measures of TUA.TUA1 was the sum of arsenous acid,arsenicacid,monomethylarsonic acid and dimethylarsenic acid.TUA2 was defined as TUA minus arsenobetaine and arsenocholine.The results showed that the weighted overall prevalence of HBV infection was 6.08％.For NHANES 2003-2014,the medians (interquartile range) of TUA1 and TUA2 were 5.60 μg/L (3.97-8.09 μg/L) and 4.91 μg/L (2.36-9.11 μg/L),respectively.Comparing the highest quartile to the lowest quartile after multivariable adjustment showed that the odds ratios (ORs) and 95％ confidence intervals (CIs) for TUA1 and TUA2 were 2.44 (1.40-4.27) and 2.84 (1.60-5.05),respectively.In conclusion,elevated urinary arsenic was associated with the risk of HBV infection.Further studies,especially prospective studies,are needed to confirm the causal relationship between arsenic exposure and HBV infection.

Elevated Arsenic Exposure Is Associated with an Increased Risk of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection: NHANES (2003-2014) in U.S.Adults / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Studies concerning the association between arsenic exposure and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection have been lacking.The present study aimed to examine the association between total urinary arsenic (TUA) and infection of HBV.A total of 5186 participants from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2014 were included in the analysis.We used logistic regression to evaluate the association.We defined two measures of TUA.TUA1 was the sum of arsenous acid,arsenicacid,monomethylarsonic acid and dimethylarsenic acid.TUA2 was defined as TUA minus arsenobetaine and arsenocholine.The results showed that the weighted overall prevalence of HBV infection was 6.08％.For NHANES 2003-2014,the medians (interquartile range) of TUA1 and TUA2 were 5.60 μg/L (3.97-8.09 μg/L) and 4.91 μg/L (2.36-9.11 μg/L),respectively.Comparing the highest quartile to the lowest quartile after multivariable adjustment showed that the odds ratios (ORs) and 95％ confidence intervals (CIs) for TUA1 and TUA2 were 2.44 (1.40-4.27) and 2.84 (1.60-5.05),respectively.In conclusion,elevated urinary arsenic was associated with the risk of HBV infection.Further studies,especially prospective studies,are needed to confirm the causal relationship between arsenic exposure and HBV infection.

Study on the relationship between polymorphism of adiponectin gene and risk of ischemic stroke among Han population in the Northern parts of China / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To explore the association between polymorphisms of adiponectin gene and the risk of ischemic stroke in Han population from the Northern parts of China.Methods TaqMan probe of RT-PCR was applied to detect the genotype frequency of single nucleotide polymorphism(SNPs)(rs266729 and rs2241766)of adiponectin gene in 357 ischemic stroke cases who developed the episode at first time and with 345 healthy controls.Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship of each genotype of SNPs and ischemic stroke.Results Mutation of rs2241766(T＞G)increased the risk of ischemic stroke among all the samples(0R=1.55,P=0.01)and it was still the risk factor of ischemic stroke when analyzed by multi-factors logistic regression after each factor was adjusted(OR=1.55,P=0.00).The polymorphism of rs266729 was not related to the risk of ischemic stroke among all the samples(OR=1.13,P=0.57).However,the genotype GG of rs266729 increased the risk of ischemic stroke among female population(OR=3.25,P=0.04).Conclusion The variance of rs2241766 in adiponectin gene was related to the risk of ischemic stroke in Han population from the Northern parts of China and the genotype GG of rs266729 could possibly increase the risk of ischemic stroke in women of Han population from the Northern parts of the country.