Progress towards malaria elimination in the Greater Mekong Subregion: perspectives from the World Health Organization.

Malaria remains a global health challenge, disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities. Despite substantial progress, the emergence of anti-malarial drug resistance poses a constant threat. The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), which includes Cambodia, China's Yunnan province, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam has been the epicentre for the emergence of resistance to successive generations of anti-malarial therapies. From the perspective of the World Health Organization (WHO), this article considers the collaborative efforts in the GMS, to contain Plasmodium falciparum artemisinin partial resistance and multi-drug resistance and to advance malaria elimination. The emergence of artemisinin partial resistance in the GMS necessitated urgent action and regional collaboration resulting in the Strategy for Malaria Elimination in the Greater Mekong Subregion (2015-2030), advocating for accelerated malaria elimination interventions tailored to country needs, co-ordinated and supported by the WHO Mekong malaria elimination programme. The strategy has delivered substantial reductions in malaria across all GMS countries, with a 77% reduction in malaria cases and a 97% reduction in malaria deaths across the GMS between 2012 and 2022. Notably, China was certified malaria-free by WHO in 2021. Countries' ownership and accountability have been pivotal, with each GMS country outlining its priorities in strategic and annual work plans. The development of strong networks for anti-malarial drug resistance surveillance and epidemiological surveillance was essential. Harmonization of policies and guidelines enhanced collaboration, ensuring that activities were driven by evidence. Challenges persist, particularly in Myanmar, where security concerns have limited recent progress, though an intensification and acceleration plan aims to regain momentum. Barriers to implementation can slow progress and continuing innovation is needed. Accessing mobile and migrant populations is key to addressing remaining transmission foci, requiring effective cross-border collaboration. In conclusion, the GMS has made significant progress towards malaria elimination, particularly in the east where several countries are close to P. falciparum elimination. New and persisting challenges require sustained efforts and continued close collaboration. The GMS countries have repeatedly risen to every obstacle presented, and now is the time to re-double efforts and achieve the 2030 goal of malaria elimination for the region.

First Report of Bacterial Brown Rot Disease Caused by Ewingella americana on Cultivated Naematelia aurantialba in China.

Naematelia aurantialba (synonym Tremella aurantialba) is one of the jelly fungi and highly valued edible and medicinal mushrooms. It has been cultivated industrially in recent years and consumed popularly in China. In September 2022, brown rot disease of fruiting bodies was observed at the N. aurantialba factory in Tongzhou district, Beijing with a disease incidence of ~10%. Symptoms initially appeared as color changing from orange to light brown. The infected area expanded gradually until covered fully the fruiting body. Meanwhile, the interior of the fruiting body became rotten and dark brown. Finally, the whole fruiting body became wrinkled and brown, resulting in significantly reduced yield and economic loss. Isolations were made from 12 infected mushroom samples. Infected tissue within the fruiting body was mashed in sterilized 1.5 mL tubes containing 1 mL of sterile distilled water. After standing for 5-10 min, the suspensions were streaked on the Luria-Bertani (LB) medium and cultured at 37°C for 24h. The physiological and biochemical reactions of isolated strains were determined using the API 20E system (Reyes et al. 2004) according to the manufacturer's instructions. All the strains showed the same reaction results. The bacterial colonies were streaked on fresh LB medium at 37°C for 24 h, and a single pure culture was obtained with round, smooth and semitransparent. The bacterial cells were gram-negative, short-rod, (0.3) 0.8-2.0 (2.5) × (0.1) 0.6-1.0 (1.5) µm, and peri-flagellate. The isolates were further confirmed by sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA and gyrB genes with primer 27F/1492R and gyrB-UP1s/gyrB-UP2sr (Liu et al. 2018). Using EzBioCloud data searches, the 16S rRNA sequence of four strains (GenBank accession OP727593, OP727595, OP727596, OP727601) matched the sequence of E. americana type strain ATCC 33852 (accession JMPJ01000013) with identity of 99.65%~99.93 and 100% completeness. The GyrB sequence matched the E. americana in GenBank (MK460250) and showed 98.71% identity and 100% completeness. Finally, the pathogen was identified as E. americana based on morphological, physiological, biochemical, and molecular characteristics. The pathogenicity test was conducted by spreading bacterial suspensions cultured 48h onto 12 healthy cultivated fruiting bodies of N. aurantialba, with sterile distilled water as a control, and then cultured in a chamber at 23°C with 85% relative humidity. Brown symptoms, similar to natural symptoms, were observed on all inoculated fruiting bodies after 48h, whereas the controls remained symptomless. Pathogenic bacteria were isolated from the inoculated fruiting body and confirmed to be E. americana based on morphological and 16S rRNA molecular characteristics, thus fulfilling Koch's postulates. E. americana caused stipe necrosis on Agaricus bisporus in Egypt (Madbouly et al. 2014), the oak tree in Thailand, and pneumonia in Humans (Doonan et al. 2016), and brown blotch on Flammulina velutipes (Liu et al. 2018). To our knowledge, this is the first worldwide report of E. americana infecting jelly fungus N. aurantialba causing brown rot disease. E. americana is an opportunistic cross-kingdom pathogen (Liu et al. 2018). That will provide a critical alert on the prevention, effective monitoring, and control of the disease.

Palladium catalyst immobilized on functionalized microporous organic polymers for C-C coupling reactions.

Two microporous organic polymer immobilized palladium (MOP-Pd) catalysts were prepared from benzene and 1,10-phenanthroline by Scholl coupling reaction and Friedel-Crafts reaction, respectively. The structure and composition of the catalyst were characterized by FT-IR, TGA, N2 sorption, SEM, TEM, ICP-AES and XPS. MOP-Pd catalysts were found to possess high specific surface areas, large pore volume and low skeletal bone density. Moreover, the immobilized catalyst also had advantages, such as readily available raw materials, chemical and thermal stability, and low synthetic cost. The Pd catalyst is an effective heterogeneous catalyst for carbon-carbon (C-C) coupling reactions, such as the Heck reaction and Suzuki-Miyaura reaction, affording good to high yields. In these reactions, the catalyst was easily recovered and reused five times without significant activity loss.

Malaria control along China-Myanmar Border during 2007-2013: an integrated impact evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Implementing effective interventions remain a lot of difficulties along all border regions. The emergence of artemisinin resistance of Plasmodium falciparum strains in the Greater Mekong Subregion is a matter of great concern. China has effectively controlled cross-border transmission of malaria and artemisinin resistance of P. falciparum along the China-Myanmar border. METHODS: A combined quantitative and qualitative study was used to collect data, and then an integrated impact evaluation was conducted to malaria control along the China-Myanmar border during 2007-2013. RESULTS: The parasite prevalence rate (PPR) in the five special regions of Myanmar was decreased from 13.6 % in March 2008 to 1.5 % in November 2013. Compared with the baseline (PPR in March 2008), the risk ratio was only 0.11 [95 % confidence interval (CI), 0.09-0. 14) in November 2013, which is equal to an 89 % reduction in the malaria burden. Annual parasite incidence (API) across 19 Chinese border counties was reduced from 19.6 per 10 000 person-years in 2006 to 0.9 per 10 000 person-years in 2013. Compared with the baseline (API in 2006), the API rate ratio was only 0.05(95 % CI, 0.04-0.05) in 2013, which equates to a reduction of the malaria burden by 95.0 %. Meanwhile, the health service system was strengthened and health inequity of marginalized populations reduced along the international border. CONCLUSION: The effective collaboration between China, Myanmar and the international non-governmental organization promptly carried out the core interventions through simplified processes. The integrated approaches dramatically decreased malaria burden of Chinese-Myanmar border.

Mapping the epidemiology of yaws in the Solomon Islands: a cluster randomized survey.

Yaws, a non-venereal treponemal disease, is targeted for eradication by 2020 but accurate epidemiological data to guide control programs remain sparse. The Solomon Islands reports the second highest number of cases of yaws worldwide. We conducted a cluster randomized survey of yaws in two provinces of the Solomon Islands. One thousand four hundred and ninety-seven (1,497) children 5-14 years of age were examined. Clinical signs of active yaws were found in 79 children (5.5%), whereas 140 children (9.4%) had evidence of healed yaws lesions. Four hundred and seventy (470) (31.4%) children had a positive Treponema pallidum particle agglutination assay (TPPA). Two hundred and eighty-five (285) children (19%) had a positive TPPA and rapid plasma regain assay. Risk of yaws increased with age and was more common in males. The prevalence of yaws at village level was the major risk factor for infection. Our findings suggest the village, not the household, should be the unit of treatment in the World Health Organization (WHO) yaws eradication strategy.

A multicenter study on etiology of acute pancreatitis in Beijing during 5 years.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the etiology tendency of acute pancreatitis (AP) in the Beijing region and the relationship with influencing factors. METHODS: This retrospective multicenter study enrolled 8 representative general hospitals from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2010. The etiology tendency was analyzed, and the relationship was defined with sex, aging, severity, mortality, recrudesce rate, length of stay, and hospitalization cost. RESULTS: The study enrolled 2461 patients. The total number was increasing year by year. Causes included biliary (1372, 55.75%), alcoholism (246, 10%), hypertriglyceridemia (255, 10.36%), and the others (588, 23.89%). Biliary AP was the most frequent primary cause. Hypertriglyceridemic AP increased at a faster rate than alcoholic AP. There was higher proportion of alcoholic and hypertriglyceridemic AP in men than in women. There is an increase of AP patients with ages 40 to 49 years and older than 70 years. Alcoholic and hypertriglyceridemic AP were higher in patients younger than the age of 50 years, and biliary pancreatitis was higher in patients older than 70 years. Severe AP was classified among 736 patients (29.9%). Etiology distribution was different between severe AP and mild AP (P < 0.001). Mortality in the hospital was 1.54%, and there was no difference in each group. Recrudesce of hypertriglyceridemic AP was higher (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Acute pancreatitis patients increased year by year in Beijing. Gallstones were the predominant etiological factor. There were different etiology proportion of AP according age, sex, and severity.

Evaluation of a rapid diagnostic test for yaws infection in a community surveillance setting.

Yaws is a non-venereal treponemal infection caused by Treponema pallidum ssp. pertenue. The WHO has launched a worldwide control programme, which aims to eradicate yaws by 2020. The development of a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for serological diagnosis in the isolated communities affected by yaws is a key requirement for the successful implementation of the WHO strategy. We conducted a study to evaluate the utility of the DPP test in screening for yaws, utilizing samples collected as part of a community prevalence survey conducted in the Solomon Islands. 415 serum samples were tested using both traditional syphilis serology (TPPA and quantitative RPR) and the Chembio DPP Syphilis Screen and Confirm RDT. We calculated the sensitivity and specificity of the RDT as compared to gold standard serology. The sensitivity of the RDT against TPPA was 58.5% and the specificity was 97.6%. The sensitivity of the RDT against RPR was 41.7% and the specificity was 95.2%. The sensitivity of the DPP was strongly related to the RPR titre with a sensitivity of 92.0% for an RPR titre of >1/16. Wider access to DPP testing would improve our understanding of worldwide yaws case reporting and the test may play a key role in assessing patients presenting with yaws like lesions in a post-mass drug administration (MDA) setting.

Identification of human tissue kallikrein 6 as a potential marker of laryngeal cancer based on the relevant secretory/releasing protein database.

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to create a large-scale laryngeal cancer relevant secretory/releasing protein database and further discover candidate biomarkers. METHODS: Primary tissue cultures were established using tumor tissues and matched normal mucosal tissues collected from four laryngeal cancer patients. Serum-free conditioned medium (CM) samples were collected. These samples were then sequentially processed by SDS-PAGE separation, trypsin digestion, and LC-MS/MS analysis. The candidates in the database were validated by ELISA using plasma samples from laryngeal cancer patients, benign patients, and healthy individuals. RESULTS: Combining MS data from the tumor tissues and normal tissues, 982 proteins were identified in total; extracellular proteins and cell surface proteins accounted for 15.0% and 4.3%, respectively. According to stringent criteria, 49 proteins were selected as candidates worthy of further validation. Of these, human tissue kallikrein 6 (KLK6) was verified. The level of KLK6 was significantly increased in the plasma samples from the cancer cohort compared to the benign and healthy cohorts and moreover showed a slight decrease in the postoperative plasma samples in comparison to the preoperative plasma samples. CONCLUSIONS: This laryngeal cancer-derived protein database provides a promising repository of candidate blood biomarkers for laryngeal cancer. The diagnostic potential of KLK6 deserves further investigation.

Lymphatic filariasis in Papua New Guinea: distribution at district level and impact of mass drug administration, 1980 to 2011.

BACKGROUND: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) caused by Wuchereria bancrofti is present at high prevalence in some parts of Papua New Guinea. However, there has been no rigorous data-based representative assessment of nationwide prevalence of LF. The LF programme has been daunted by the scope of the problem, and progress on mass drug administration (MDA) has been slow and lacking in resources. METHODS: A systematic literature review identified LF surveys in Papua New Guinea between 1980 and 2011. Results were extracted by location, time period and test used (blood slide, immunochromatographic test (ICT) or Og4C3 ELISA) and combined by district. Three criteria schemes based on the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis guidelines, with modifications, were developed to classify and prioritize districts by prevalence level. Results of repeated surveys in the same sites were used to investigate the impact of MDA on LF prevalence over the time period. RESULTS: There were 312 distinct survey sites identified in 80 of the 89 districts over the 31-year period. The overall LF prevalence in the sites tested was estimated at 18.5 to 27.5% by blood slide for microfilariae (Mf), 10.1% to 12.9% by ICT and 45.4% to 48.8% by Og4C3. Biases in site selection towards areas with LF, and change in type of assay used, affected the prevalence estimates, but overall decline in prevalence over the time period was observed. Depending on the criteria used, 34 to 36 districts (population 2.7 to 2.9 million) were classed as high endemic (≥5% prevalence), 15 to 25 districts (1.7 to 1.9 million) as low endemic (<5%) and 20 to 31 (1.3 to 2.2 million) as non-endemic. Nine districts (0.7 million) had no information. The strong impact of MDA, especially on microfilaria (Mf) prevalence, was noted in sites with repeat surveys. CONCLUSIONS: This analytical review of past surveys of LF in Papua New Guinea enables better estimation of the national burden, identifies gaps in knowledge, quantifies and locates the population at risk, and can be used to predict the likely impact of MDA and/or vector control. Better targeting of districts by level of prevalence will strengthen the control programme, facilitate monitoring of the disease trend and increase the likelihood of reaching the target of LF elimination by 2020.

[Surgical treatment and prognosis analysis on medullary thyroid carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical characteristics, the surgical treatments and the prognostic factors of medullary thyroid carcinoma. METHODS: Eighty-two cases of medullary thyroid carcinoma undergoing surgeries between January 1999 and December 2004 were reviewed. There were 39 males and 43 females. Age ranged from 16 to 77 years old, with a median of 46 years old. The calcitonin, chromogranin A and neuron-specific enolase were analysed by immunohistochemistry in samples, and calcitonin was detected in 24 cases. Of them, 28 cases underwent lobectomy with isthmectomy, 24 for remained lobe dissection, 16 for total thyroidectomy, and 14 only for neck and upper mediastinal lymph node dissection. Of the 82 cases, 68 cases underwent trachea esophageal ditch dissection, 53 for unilateral neck dissection, 11 for bilateral neck dissection, 13 for upper mediastinal lymph node dissection through trans-cervical approach, and 5 for mediastinal lymph node dissection through inverted T-shaped incision. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical examination revealed that the expression rates of calcitonin, chromogranin A and neuron-specific enolase were 95.8%, 88.9% and 80.0% respectively. Total metastasis rate of neck lymph nodes was 68.8%, and the rates in level II, III, IV, V and VI were 27.3%, 47.7%, 59.1%, 11.4% and 52.3% respectively. The overall five-year survival rate was 87.8%. The recurrent rate of contralateral lobes was 5.8% and local recurrent rate was 7.3% respectively. Univariate analysis showed that gender, age and TNM stage were significant prognostic factors. Multivariate analysis revealed that distant metastasis was an independent prognostic factor. CONCLUSIONS: Standard radical surgery of the primary and metastatic lesion is key to the treatment of medullary thyroid carcinoma. Lobectomy with isthmectomy should be applied to sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma, with regular postoperative follow-up, and total thyroidectomy to familial or bilateral medullary thyroid carcinoma. Therefore, detecting the calcitonin is very important for medullary thyroid carcinoma patients' prognosis.

Multidrug-resistant genotypes of Plasmodium falciparum, Myanmar.

We performed a molecular epidemiologic survey of mutations associated with drug-resistance genes in Plasmodium falciparum in northeastern Myanmar. In this region, 3 highly mutated drug-resistance haplotypes and 1 associated with decreased quinine susceptibility were prevalent, which suggests that parasites may be resistant to multiple commonly used antimalarial drugs.

[Therapeutic efficacy and safety of compound dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum infection in Laiza City of Myanmar bordering on China].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of compound dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine (DHAPIP) for treating uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Laiza city of Myanmar at the China-Myanmar border area. METHODS: A clinical trial was conducted in Laiza City and its four suburban natural villages bordering with China from September to December in 2008. Patients (aged 2-60 years) infected by Plasmodium falciparum without clinical complications (> or = 250 asexual parasite x microl(-1) of whole blood) were recruited for the assessment. The cases were given a 2-day course with DHAPIP tablets each containing 40 mg of dihydroartemisinin and 320 mg of piperaquine phosphate, and the total dosage varied with the body weight. For example, a patient with 50 kg body weight was given 8 tablets divided into 4 times at an interval of 8-10 h. The cases were then followed-up at DO, D1, D2, D3, D7, D14, D21 and D28 for observing their symptoms, the density of parasite, body temperature and side reaction. The therapeutic efficacy was assessed by using WHO classification of therapeutic response to the treatment of antimalarial drugs, including the time of fever subsidence, the clearance time of asexual parasites and the clearance rate of gametocytes. RESULTS: Among the 74 cases enrolled, 64 completed 28-day follow-up. The therapeutic efficacy reached 100% with adequate clinical and parasitological responses. The mean fever subsidence time was (22.5 +/- 8.2) h. The median of clearance time of asexual parasites in blood was 30.0 h [(17.1-168.2) h]. The rate of eliminating asexual parasites and fever subsidence in D3 and D7 was (93.8% and 100%) and (100% and 100%), respectively. The clearance rate of gametocytes in day-28 was 75.0%. It showed 9.9% of side reaction with 7 cases suffering from mild adverse responses among 71 of full-course medication. CONCLUSION: DHAPIP is efficacious and safe for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Laiza city of Myanmar in the border area.

Protective effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in guinea pigs.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the protective effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in guinea pigs. METHODS: Thirty-nine guinea pigs were randomly divided into 3 groups. The first group (control group) received physiologic saline by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection for 5 days. The second group (cisplatin group) was treated with cisplatin (2 mg/kg per day, i.p. injection) for 5 days. The third group (SM group) was given SM (8 g/kg per day, i.p. injection) for 2 days and then was given SM (8 g/kg per day, i.p. injection) and cisplatin (2 mg/kg per day, i.p. injection) for 5 days. Auditory brain stem response (ABR) and cochlea blood flow measurement were used to evaluate cochlea function. The structures of cochlea were observed by light microscope, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope (TEM), and immunohistochemical examination. RESULTS: Cisplatin could cause severe acoustic damages including significant elevation of ABR threshold, substantial losses of outer hair cells and inner hair cells, and severe damage on the stria vascularis and spiral ganglion cells (SGCs). Although in SM group, the increased tendency of threshold was milder than that in cisplatin group. The damages in cochlea and stria vascularis were also less severe than those in cisplatin group. The expression of induced nitric oxide synthase in the cochlea and SGC in SM group was lower than that in cisplatin group. CONCLUSIONS: Salvia miltiorrhiza can significantly reduce the cisplatin-induced side effects.

[Genotyping of Plasmodium vivax in China-myanmar border by circumsporozoite protein].

By using a series of type-specific primers for Plasmodium vivax circumsporozoite protein (CSP) gene and nested PCR, genotyping was conducted for the specimens of Plasmodium vivax isolated from China-Myanmar border. In 174 isolates of P. vivax, four genotypes, namely, tropical zone family strain, temperate zone family strain, genotype-mixed infection and PV-II type, were identified each accounting for 54.6%, 35.6%, 6.9%, and 2.9%, respectively. The tropical zone family strain was dominant in the border area. There was no significant difference on the P.v CSP genotype constitution between Laza isolate of Myanmar and Tengchong isolate of Yunnan, China.

[Clinical analysis of 60 cases with maxillary squamous cell carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical characters, treatment modalities and prognosis of patients with maxillary squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: The clinical data of 60 patients with maxillary squamous cell carcinoma treatment between January 1994 and December 2004 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were treated with three therapy modalities including radiotherapy alone (22 cases), radiotherapy and surgery (R + S, 29 cases) and concurrent chemo-radio-therapy adjuvant surgery (CCR + S, 9 cases). RESULTS: The five year survival rate were 18.2%, 51.7% and 33.3% for patients in the radiotherapy alone group, the R + S group and the CCR + S group, respectively. Patients receiving R + S combined modality therapy had a significantly higher five year survival rate than the patients who were treated radiotherapy alone (χ(2) = 15.62, P < 0.01). The five year survival rate (51.7%) of patients in R + S group was significantly higher than that (33.3%) of patients in CCR + S group (χ(2) = 4.28, P < 0.05), and also higher than that (18.2%) of patients in radiotherapy group (χ(2) = 9.49, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The combined therapy of radiation and surgery was a good choice of treatment for the patients with maxillary sinus squamous cell carcinoma. The role of concurrent chemo-radiotherapy adjuvant surgery in the treatment of maxillary sinus squamous cell carcinoma needs further to research.

Co-infections with Plasmodium knowlesi and other malaria parasites, Myanmar.

To determine the frequency of co-infections with Plasmodium species in southern Myanmar, we investigated the prevalence of P. knowlesi. More than 20% of patients with malaria had P. knowlesi infection, which occurred predominantly as a co-infection with either P. falciparum or P. vivax.

Plasma concentration of malaria parasite-derived macrophage migration inhibitory factor in uncomplicated malaria patients correlates with parasitemia and disease severity.

Host macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of malaria infections. Several Plasmodium parasite-derived MIFs were identified to have the potential to regulate host immune response. However, the role of Plasmodium MIFs in the immunopathogenesis of malaria infection and the relationships between these mediators and inflammatory cytokines remained unclear. In this study, we have investigated two Plasmodium MIFs in peripheral blood of uncomplicated malaria patients and analyzed their correlations with several major factors during malaria infection. We found that both Plasmodium falciparum MIF (PfMIF) and Plasmodium vivax MIF (PvMIF) levels in patients were positively correlated with parasitemia, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-10 (IL-10), and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 but were not correlated with transforming growth factor ß1 and IL-12. Of interest was that the PvMIF level was positively correlated with host body temperature and human MIF (HuMIF) concentrations. Moreover, multiple stepwise regression analysis also showed that parasitemia, IL-10, and HuMIF expression were significant predictors of Plasmodium MIF production. In addition, during antimalarial drug treatment, the decreasing of Plasmodium MIF concentrations was followed by parasitemia in most patients. Our results suggested that the Plasmodium MIF circulating level reflects the level of parasitemia and thus was closely correlated with disease severity in uncomplicated malaria. Therefore, this factor has the potential to be a promising disease predictor and is applicable in clinical diagnosis.

[Serological detection of malaria for people entering China from 19 ports of entry covering 8 border prefectures of Yunnan].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate malaria situation in areas of Yunnan Province bordering with Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam. METHODS: Blood samples on filter paper were collected from the entry people in March to December of 2007 involving 19 national and provincial ports of entry. Indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was carried out by using the blood samples collected before June 30 as the first half year and after July 1 as the second half year. Analysis was made on the relationship of IFAT positive rate and GMRT to malaria incidence in the province reported by the China information system for disease control and prevention. RESULTS: IFAT positive rate in the first half year (5.6%) was 20.9% higher than that of second half year (4.4%) (chi2=12.95%, P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between IFAT positive rate and the number of malaria cases reported in 2007 from the 8 bordering prefectures (r=0.8124, P<.05). The highest IFAT positive rate was found in Dehong (8.7%), Baoshan (7.1%), and Lingcang (65%). Among the 19 entry ports, the highest IFAT positive rate was found in 5 entry ports: Lvliang, Laying, Jiegao, Houqiao, and Qingshuihe, all in China-Myanmar border. The IFAT positive rate in the Chinese entry people increased with their days of staying outside the border. Among the entry people, the highest antibody positive rate was from those of Myanmar nationality (11.7%) followed by those from Yunnan (3.7%). CONCLUSION: To certain extent, higher malaria incidence outside the border impacts that of Yunnan Province.

[Sensitivity of Plasmodium vivax to chloroquine in Laza City, Myanmar].

Fourty-eight patients infected by Plasmodium vivax were randomly divided into chloroquine regimen groups A and B. Each case in group A received a total dosage of 1 200 mg(base) over a 3-day period (600 mg on the first day then 300 mg daily). Cases in group B each received total dosage of 1 500 mg (base) in 3 days (750 mg on the first day then 375 mg daily). Body temperature and blood smears were examined on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28, respectively. All patients were negative for asexual parasites within 3 days. The cure rate on day 28 was 100%. Results showed that P. vivax is sensitive to chloroquine in Laza, Myanmar, and chloroquine can still be used for the imported vivax malaria cases at the China-Myanmar border.