[Molecular epidemiological characterization of group A rotavirus in domestic sewage in Jinan from 2016 to 2018].

Objective: To understand the detection of group A rotavirus (RVA) in domestic sewage and its molecular epidemiological characteristics, and further explore the feasibility and necessity of RVA environmental surveillance. Methods: From 2016 to 2018, we collected domestic sewage samples monthly in Jinan city, and concentrated them via anion membrane adsorption-elution method. Then RNA extraction and RVA VP7 and VP4 coding region RT-PCR amplification were performed. After purification, TA cloning and sequencing, homology analysis and phylogenetic analysis were conducted on the obtained sequences. Results: RVA G gene was detected in 31 of the 36 sewage samples (86.1% detection rate); RVA P genotype was detected in 33 samples (91.7% detection rate). A total of 536 RVA sequences were obtained, of which 225 G-type sequences belonged to 6 genotypes, and the G9 accounted for 92.4% (208/225); 311 P-type sequences were obtained, which belonged to 4 genotypes. The dominant P[8] accounted for 50.1% (156/311), followed by P[4] with 41.8% (130/311). Phylogenetic analysis shows that there were multiple transmission chains circulating in the dominant genotypes G9 and P[8]. Conclusion: The genotype, homology, and phylogenetic characteristics of sequences obtained from domestic sewage in Jinan area were described, which further confirmeing that RVA environmental surveillance is not feasible but also necessary.

Serum hepatitis B surface antigen correlates with fibrosis and necroinflammation: A multicentre perspective in China.

The kinetics of serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) during the natural history of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been studied, but the factors affecting them remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the factors affecting HBsAg titres, using data from multicentre, large-sized clinical trials in China. The baseline data of 1795 patients in 3 multicentre trials were studied, and the patients were classified into 3 groups: hepatitis B early antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic HBV infection (n = 588), HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (n = 596), and HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B (n = 611). HBsAg titres in the different phases were compared, and multiple linear progression analyses were performed to investigate the implicated factors. HBsAg titres varied significantly in different phases (P = .000), with the highest (4.60 log10 IU/mL [10%-90% confidence interval: 3.52 log10 IU/mL-4.99 log10 IU/mL]) in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infection. In all phases, age and HBV DNA were correlated with serum HBsAg level. In HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients, a negative correlation between HBsAg titres and fibrosis stage was observed. Alanine amonitransferase or necroinflammatory activity was also correlated with HBsAg titres in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients. In conclusion, decreased HBsAg titres may be associated with advancing fibrosis in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients or increased necroinflammation in those with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B. Our findings may help clinicians better understand the kinetics of HBsAg and provide useful insights into the management of this disease.