Rapid-onset diarrhoea in HIV patient: The importance of suspecting cholera in non-endemic areas.

Cholera, a severe diarrhoeal disease caused by Vibrio cholerae is typically associated with inadequate potable water supply and poor sanitation. We report cholera disease presentation identified as a suspected case of acute diarrhoea (HIV/AIDS common condition) in a person living with HIV seen in a cholera non-endemic area. Contribution: We highlight the importance of recognizing cholera in cases of acute diarrhoea, especially among people with HIV, in resource-constraint areas that lack potable water supply.

Infection with Clonorchis sinensis (Cobbold, 1875) Metacercariae in Fish from the East Lake of Wuhan: Freshwater Fish in Urban Lakes May Act as Infection Sources of Liver Fluke.

The liver fluke disease caused by Clonorchis sinensis is one of the most serious food-borne parasitic diseases in China. Many freshwater fish and shrimps can be infected with C. sinensis metacercariae as the second intermediate hosts in endemic regions. Owing to the lack of infected humans and the good administration of pet dogs and cats in cities of non-endemic regions, few fish are expected to be infected with C. sinensis metacercariae in urban lakes. To determine the infection of C. sinensis metacercariae in freshwater fish and shrimps in urban lakes, a total of 18 fish species and one shrimp species were investigated in the East Lake of Wuhan City. Metacercariae were isolated by artificial digestive juice and identified using morphology and rDNA-ITS2 sequences. Five species of fish, Pseudorasbora parva, Ctenogobius giurinus, Squalidus argentatus, Hemiculter leuciclus, and Rhodeus spp., were infected with C. sinensis metacercariae. The overall prevalence of C. sinensis was 32.5%. The highest prevalence was found in P. parva with 57.9%, while S. argentatus exhibited the highest mean abundance (13.9). Apart from the C. sinensis metacercariae, four species of other trematode metacercariae were also identified across twelve fish species in total. Owing to the consumption of undercooked fish and feeding cats with small fish caught by anglers, there is a potential risk that the small fish infected with C. sinensis metacercariae may act as an infection source to spread liver fluke. Given the complete life cycle of C. sinensis, stray cats and rats were inferred to act as the important final hosts of C. sinensis in urban lakes in non-endemic areas.

Clonorchis sinensis infection in a non­endemic area: A case report.

Non-endemic Clonorchis sinensis infection is challenging to diagnose. The present study reports the case of a 40-year-old female patient with severe epigastric pain, initially suspected to be a liver lesion, who was admitted to The Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University (Zunyi, China). A combination of diagnostic procedures, including computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, revealed an abnormality in the left hepatic lobe. Postoperative evaluation and the epidemiologic history of the patient (consumption of raw fish slices) revealed characteristics of Clonorchis sinensis infection, including chronic bile duct inflammation and eosinophilic liver infiltration. The present case highlights the unexpected emergence of this disease outside of recognized endemic areas and advocates clinical vigilance. Even in non-endemic areas, individuals should be reminded not to eat raw fish and shrimp.

[Epidemiological features of echinococcosis cases reported in the National Notifiable Disease Report System in Henan Province from 2010 to 2021].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of echinococcosis cases reported in the National Notifiable Disease Report System in Henan Province from 2010 to 2011, so as to provide insights into for echinococcosis control and surveillance. METHODS: The data pertaining to reported echinococcosis cases in Henan Province from 2010 to 2021 were retrieved from the National Notifiable Disease Report System, and a descriptive epidemiological analysis was performed using the software SPSS 22.0. RESULTS: A total of 150 echinococcosis cases were reported in Henan Province from 2010 to 2021, including 88 confirmed cases (58.67%) and 62 clinically diagnosed cases (41.33%), 77 cases reported by Henan Province (51.33%) and 73 cases reported by other provinces (48.67%). Echinococcosis cases were reported in each month, with 8 to 21 cases reported in each month, and the number of reported echinococcosis cases appeared no remarkable temporal changes. The echinococcosis cases were reported across 18 cities of Henan Province, with the highest number of cases reported in Zhoukou (17.33%) and Nanyang cities (17.33%) and the lowest number reported in Sanmenxia City (0.67%). The reported echinococcosis cases had a male to female ratio of 1.17:1, and the cases were found at each age group, with the the highest number of cases seen at ages of 20 to 59 years (73.33%). Farmer was the predominant occupation (63.33%), followed by housekeepers and the unemployed (12.67%). Of all reported echinococcosis cases, there were 25 local cases (16.67%) and 125 imported cases (83.33%), 144 cases reported by medical institutions (96.00%) and 6 cases reported by centers for disease control and prevention (4.00%). CONCLUSIONS: Although imported echinococcosis cases were the predominant source of echinococcosis cases reported in the National Notifiable Disease Report System in Henan Province from 2010 to 2021, there were still sporadic local cases, and the emergence of local sources of infection cannot be excluded. Further expanded field surveys and surveillance of echinococcosis are required.

Clinical relevance of plasma EBV DNA as a biomarker for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in non-endemic areas: A multicenter study in southwestern China.

BACKGROUND: Numerous clinical studies have validated plasma EBV DNA as a reliable biomarker for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) screening, tumor load monitoring, and prognosis prediction in endemic regions. However, the clinical relevance of plasma EBV DNA as a biomarker for NPC in non-endemic areas is still unclear. METHOD: The pretreatment plasma EBV DNA of 1405 newly diagnosed NPC patients from three major regional hospitals in non-endemic areas were analyzed retrospectively. The medical records of 244 age- and gender-matched healthy individuals were reviewed. EBV DNA was detected using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Based on the baseline of 400 and 0 copies/mL, the distribution characteristics of the pretreatment EBV DNA load in different clinical stages and geographic regions were analyzed. The diagnostic value of pretreatment plasma EBV DNA for NPC with two baselines was evaluated using the ROC curve. RESULTS: NPC patients had a significantly higher pretreatment EBV DNA level than healthy controls (P＜0.001). Pretreatment EBV DNA was closely associated with clinical and TNM stages in non-endemic areas, as it was in endemic areas. However, when 400 copies/mL set as the detection baseline, the sensitivity and specificity for NPC diagnosis were 40.8 % and 100 %, respectively (AUC = 0.704, cut off = 200.5 copies/mL). This sensitivity was lower than that reported in endemic regions (41.5 % - 97.1 %). Lower sensitivity may result in false negatives, missing diagnoses during NPC screening. Further investigation revealed that 39.7 % (558/1405) of NPC patients had detectable EBV DNA and S amplification curves. Optimizing the detection limit to 0 copies/mL, the sensitivity could be improved to 80.5 % (AUC = 0.901). CONCLUSIONS: In non-endemic areas, the clinical significance of plasma EBV DNA as a biomarker for NPC was restricted due to the low detection limit of 400 copies/mL. More efficient nucleic acid extraction and detection methods are needed to optimize the detection limit and increase the clinical application of plasma EBV DNA for NPC.

A difficult-to-treat pleuropulmonary histoplasmosis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis in Taiwan.

Amphotericin B and itraconazole are the primary agents for treating histoplasmosis. Newer azoles are alternatives for patients refractory to or intolerant of standard therapy. We report an 83-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis complicated with pleuropulmonary histoplasmosis who responded to liposomal amphotericin B, but progressed under voriconazole and posaconazole maintenance therapy.

Epidemiological features of echinococcosis cases reported in the National Notifiable Disease Report System in Henan Province from 2010 to 2021 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of echinococcosis cases reported in the National Notifiable Disease Report System in Henan Province from 2010 to 2011, so as to provide insights into for echinococcosis control and surveillance. Methods The data pertaining to reported echinococcosis cases in Henan Province from 2010 to 2021 were retrieved from the National Notifiable Disease Report System, and a descriptive epidemiological analysis was performed using the software SPSS 22.0. Results A total of 150 echinococcosis cases were reported in Henan Province from 2010 to 2021, including 88 confirmed cases (58.67%) and 62 clinically diagnosed cases (41.33%), 77 cases reported by Henan Province (51.33%) and 73 cases reported by other provinces (48.67%). Echinococcosis cases were reported in each month, with 8 to 21 cases reported in each month, and the number of reported echinococcosis cases appeared no remarkable temporal changes. The echinococcosis cases were reported across 18 cities of Henan Province, with the highest number of cases reported in Zhoukou (17.33%) and Nanyang cities (17.33%) and the lowest number reported in Sanmenxia City (0.67%). The reported echinococcosis cases had a male to female ratio of 1.17:1, and the cases were found at each age group, with the the highest number of cases seen at ages of 20 to 59 years (73.33%). Farmer was the predominant occupation (63.33%), followed by housekeepers and the unemployed (12.67%). Of all reported echinococcosis cases, there were 25 local cases (16.67%) and 125 imported cases (83.33%), 144 cases reported by medical institutions (96.00%) and 6 cases reported by centers for disease control and prevention (4.00%). Conclusions Although imported echinococcosis cases were the predominant source of echinococcosis cases reported in the National Notifiable Disease Report System in Henan Province from 2010 to 2021, there were still sporadic local cases, and the emergence of local sources of infection cannot be excluded. Further expanded field surveys and surveillance of echinococcosis are required.

Making Visible HTLV Infection in a Non-endemic Area of Argentina.

In Argentina, the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection has been documented mainly among blood banks with a prevalence of ~0.02-0.046% for Buenos Aires city, 0.8% for the northeast, and 1% for the northwest; both areas are considered endemic for HTLV-2 and 1, respectively. Policies and specific guidelines for testing blood donors for HTLV are included since 2005. Screening for antibodies is performed at blood banks and confirmatory testing is performed at reference laboratories. There are no specific recommendations for the assistance of communities and individuals affected, nor referral to specialized clinics on the HTLV infection. In 2016, as a strategy of intervention, we opened a specialized clinical attendance in a referral infectious diseases public hospital for the comprehensive approach to patients with HTLV, offering follow-up and counseling for patients and their families for the early diagnosis of HTLV-1/2 and related diseases. During the study, 124 patients with presumptive HTLV positive diagnosis from blood bank, symptomatic patients (SPs), relatives, and descendants visited the unit. A total of 46 patients were HTLV positive (38 HTLV-1 and 8 HTLV-2). There were nine SPs (2 adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma [ATL] and 7 HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis [HAM/TSP]). All patients with HTLV-1 and-2 were offered to study their relatives. Two out of 37 (5.4%) descendants tested were positive for HTLV-1. Sexual partners were studied; among 6 out of 11 couples (54.5%) were found positive (5 HTLV-1 and 1 HTLV-2). Other relatives, such as mothers (1/2) and siblings (1/6), were positive for HTLV-1. According to the place of birth among HTLV-1 carriers, 58% were born in an endemic area or in countries where HTLV infection is considered endemic while for HTLV-2 carriers, 12.5% were born in an endemic area of Argentina. The proviral load (pVL) was measured in all, patients with HTLV-1 being higher in symptomatic compared with asymptomatic carriers. In addition, two pregnant women were early diagnosed during their puerperium and breastmilk replacement by formula was indicated. Inhibition of lactation was also indicated. Our study provides tools for a multidisciplinary approach to the infection and reinforces the importance of having specialized clinical units in neglected diseases, such as HTLV for counseling, clinical and laboratory follow-up, and providing useful information for patients for self-care and that of their families.

Acute cholecystitis associated with Brucella melitensis bacteremia: A rare intraabdominal manifestation of brucellosis.

Brucellosis typically presents with nonspecific symptoms of intermittent fever, night sweats, malaise, and arthralgia but can involve any organs as focal brucellosis. Intraabdominal involvement is rare. We report a case of acute cholecystitis associated with brucellosis with no history of exposure to risk factors in a non-endemic area.

Analysis of clinical characteristics and prognosis of talaromycosis (with or without human immunodeficiency virus) from a non-endemic area: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: Talaromyces marneffei (TM) is a pathogenic fungus endemic in Southeast Asia and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive populations, but studies related to non-endemic areas and HIV-negative populations are still limited. Therefore, this study aims to provide more additional evidence for clinical work of talaromycosis. METHODS: To collect clinical information of patients with talaromycosis admitted to hospitals in Zhejiang Province, China from January 1, 2010 to May 31, 2020, retrospectively analyzed clinical characteristics and prognosis, COX multivariate regression analysis was used for survival analysis. RESULTS: A total of 92 patients were enrolled, including 76 males, 73 HIV-positive patients, with an average age of 40.1 ± 13.0. Compared to HIV-positive group, the negative group had higher admission age (47.7 ± 14.6 vs 38.1 ± 11.9, p = 0.003) and lower proportion of male (89.0% vs 57.9%, p = 0.004), there was no significant difference in imaging of lungs. There were significantly more HIV-positive patients in those with pleural effusion (100% vs 69.4%, p = 0.001). COX multivariate regression analysis suggested pleural effusion (HR = 3.220; 95% CI 1.117-9.287; p = 0.030) and HIV infection (HR = 0.057; 95% CI 0.009-0.370; p = 0.003) which were independent predictors of prognosis in patients with talaromycosis. CONCLUSIONS: In non-endemic areas, clinical symptoms, signs, and laboratory tests of patients with talaromycosis are similar to those in endemic areas. Patients with pleural effusion have lower survival rate, HIV-infected people are less likely to relapse, and there is no significant correlation between extent of lung involvement and survival of infected patients.

The pathology, phylogeny, and epidemiology of Echinococcus ortleppi (G5 genotype): a new case report of echinococcosis in China.

BACKGROUND: Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by the larval stage of the complex Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.), is a zoonotic parasitic disease with a high social burden in China. E. ortleppi is a species (formerly genotype 5 of E. granulosus s.l.) with unique epidemic areas (tropical areas), transmission patterns (mainly cattle origin), and pathological characteristics (large and small hook lengths) compared to other species that cause CE. A 19-year-old female patient in an area with no history of echinococcosis in Guizhou Province, China, was diagnosed with E. ortleppi infection in 2019. This study is to understand the source of this human E. ortleppi infection. METHODS: We performed computer tomography (CT) scans, surgical operation, morphological sectioning, molecular diagnosis, phylogenetic analyses, and epidemiological investigation in Anshun City, Guizhou Province, China in 2019. RESULTS: The patient presented with intermittent distension and pain in the upper abdomen without other abnormal symptoms. Routine blood examination results were normal. However, abdominal CT revealed a fertile cyst with a diameter of approximately 8 cm, uniform density, and a clear boundary, but without an evident cyst wall in the right lobe of the liver. The cyst was fertile, and phylogenetic analyses revealed that the isolates represented a new E. ortleppi genus haplotype. A result of 10‒14 years incubation period with indigenous infection was considered available for the case through the epidemiological survey. CONCLUSIONS: CE due to E. ortleppi infection can be confused with other diseases causing liver cysts, resulting in misdiagnosis. A transmission chain of E. ortleppi may exist or existed in the past in the previously considered non-endemic areas of echinococcosis in southwestern China.

Cyclospora cayetanensis: diagnóstico de un coccidio poco frecuente en la Argentina / Cyclospora cayetanensis: diagnosis of a rare coccidium in Argentina

Resumen Cyclospora cayetanensis es un coccidio intestinal relacionado con brotes epidémicos debido al consumo de alimentos y agua contaminados con ooquistes esporulados. Predomina en regiones tropicales y subtropicales y puede causar síntomas gastrointestinales que son más graves en inmunocomprometidos, en los que puede causar infecciones extraintestinales. El diagnóstico se realiza por la observación microscópica de ooquistes que presentan un tamaño entre 8 y 10 micrones, refringentes y con glóbulos internos. Se confirma con coloración ácido resistente; los ooquistes se tiñen de color fucsia y tienen la capacidad de autofluorescer. En este informe se describe el diagnóstico de Cyclospora cayetanensis en un paciente inmunocomprometido, oriundo de Perú, que reside actualmente en un barrio vulnerable de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Este informe representaría el sexto caso diagnosticado en la Argentina.

Abstract Cyclospora cayetanensis is an intestinal coccidium related to epidemic outbreaks due to consumption of food and water contaminated with sporulated oocysts. It predominates in tropical and subtropical regions and may cause gastrointestinal symptoms which are more severe in immunocompromised patients, to whom it may cause extraintestinal infections. Diagnosis is made by the microscopic observation of oocysts between 8 and 10 microns in size, with refractile globules inside of them. This diagnosis is confirmed by acid-fast staining where oocysts are observed red-stained. With ultraviolet epifluorescence, they stand out as bright blue or green staining circles. The aim of this report is to communicate the diagnosis of C. cayetanensis in an immunocompromised patient, born in Peru, but currently living in a vulnerable neighbourhood of Buenos Aires city. To our knowledge, this would be the sixth case of C. cayetanensis diagnosed in Argentina.

Resumo Cyclospora cayetanensis é um coccídio intestinal relacionado com surtos epidêmicos devido ao consumo de alimentos e água contaminados com oocistos esporulados. Predomina nas regiões tropicais e subtropicais e pode provocar sintomas gastrointestinais mais graves em pacientes imunodeprimidos, nos quais pode causar infecções extraintestinais. O diagnóstico é feito através da observação microscópica de oocistos com tamanho entre 8 e 10 mícrons, refringentes e com glóbulos internos. O diagnóstico é confirmado com coloração ácido-resistente; os oocistos são tingidos de cor fúcsia e eles têm a capacidade de auto-fluorescer. Este relatório descreve o diagnóstico de Cyclospora cayetanensis em um paciente imunodeprimido, nativo do Peru, atualmente residindo em um bairro vulnerável da cidade de Buenos Aires. Este relatório representaria o sexto caso diagnosticado na Argentina.

[Epidemiological profiles of echinococcosis cases reported in the National Notifiable Disease Report System in non-endemic areas of China from 2004 to 2016].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the epidemiological profiles of echinococcosis cases reported in non-endemic areas of China in the National Notifiable Disease Report System from 2004 to 2016, so as to provide insights into the development of effective surveillance and response measures. METHODS: The data pertaining to the echinococcosis cases reported in the National Notifiable Disease Report System in 22 non-endemic provinces of China from 2004 to 2016 were collected, and the epidemiological profiles of the reported echinococcosis cases were descriptively analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 462 echinococcosis cases were reported in the 22 non-endemic provinces of China from 2004 to 2016, and the number of reported cases increased with time (χ2 = 4.516, P = 0.034). During the 13-year period from 2004 to 2016, the highest number of echinococcosis cases was reported in central and eastern China (56.49%), followed by in northern and northeastern China (30.30%), and the highest number of echinococcosis cases was reported in Henan Province (99 cases). Among the 462 echinococcosis cases reported, there were 234 men and 228 women, and the mean age was (41.42 ± 16.03) years (range, 4 to 86 years), with the highest number of echinococcosis cases reported at ages of 20 to 50 years (63.20%). The highest proportion of occupations was farmers and herdsmen (36.15%), and the greatest source was from echinococcosis-endemic provinces (50.43%); in addition, 97.40% of the echinococcosis cases were reported by hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: Echinococcosis cases were reported in all 22 non-endemic provinces of China in the National Notifiable Disease Report System from 2004 to 2016, and the number of reported cases appeared an overall tendency for sporadicity and local increase with time. Screening of echinococcosis is recommended among famers and herdsmen at ages of 20 to 50 years from endemic regions by medical institutions in non-endemic regions for timely identification and treatment of echinococcosis cases.

Epidemiological profiles of echinococcosis cases reported in the National Notifiable Disease Report System in non-endemic areas of China from 2004 to 2016 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the epidemiological profiles of echinococcosis cases reported in non-endemic areas of China in the National Notifiable Disease Report System from 2004 to 2016, so as to provide insights into the development of effective surveillance and response measures. Methods The data pertaining to the echinococcosis cases reported in the National Notifiable Disease Report System in 22 non-endemic provinces of China from 2004 to 2016 were collected, and the epidemiological profiles of the reported echinococcosis cases were descriptively analyzed. Results A total of 462 echinococcosis cases were reported in the 22 non-endemic provinces of China from 2004 to 2016, and the number of reported cases increased with time (χ2 = 4.516, P = 0.034). During the 13-year period from 2004 to 2016, the highest number of echinococcosis cases was reported in central and eastern China (56.49%), followed by in northern and northeastern China (30.30%), and the highest number of echinococcosis cases was reported in Henan Province (99 cases). Among the 462 echinococcosis cases reported, there were 234 men and 228 women, and the mean age was (41.42 ± 16.03) years (range, 4 to 86 years), with the highest number of echinococcosis cases reported at ages of 20 to 50 years (63.20%). The highest proportion of occupations was farmers and herdsmen (36.15%), and the greatest source was from echinococcosis-endemic provinces (50.43%); in addition, 97.40% of the echinococcosis cases were reported by hospitals. Conclusions Echinococcosis cases were reported in all 22 non-endemic provinces of China in the National Notifiable Disease Report System from 2004 to 2016, and the number of reported cases appeared an overall tendency for sporadicity and local increase with time. Screening of echinococcosis is recommended among famers and herdsmen at ages of 20 to 50 years from endemic regions by medical institutions in non-endemic regions for timely identification and treatment of echinococcosis cases.

Clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of ascending, descending and mixed types of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the non-endemic areas of china: A propensity score matching analysis.

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of patients with ascending type (type A), descending type (type D), and mixed type (type AD) of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in non-endemic areas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cohort included 628 patients diagnosed with type A, type D, and type AD of NPC between January 2009 and December 2014. Type A was defined as T3-4  N0-1 , type D as T0-1  N2-3 , and type AD as T3-4  N2-3 . Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to balance clinical factors and match patients. Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the impact of different NPC types on survival outcomes. RESULTS: There were 145 patients with type A, 194 with type D, and 289 with type AD. However, after PSM, there were only 130 patients with each type. Compared with patients with type A, those with type D had lower 5-year disease-specific survival (96.9% vs 91.5%) and distant metastasis-free survival (92.3% vs 77.7%) and higher local relapse-free survival (88.5% vs 96.9%) (p < 0.05 for all). Patients with type AD may have an increased risk of disease progression (progression-free survival, 56.9% vs 74.6% and 66.2%) and death (overall survival [OS], 76.9% vs 85.4% and 85.4%) (p < 0.05 for all) compared to patients with the other two types of tumors. We further analyzed the metastasis trend. Similar metastasis patterns were observed in types AD and D, and types AD and A had similar recurrence trends. The mortality rate of patients with types AD and D in the first 3 years after metastasis was remarkably higher than that of patients with type A. CONCLUSIONS: In non-endemic areas of China, metastases and recurrence patterns differed across tumor types. Type AD has the worst OS, and the clinical process is more radical. Type D has a lower recurrence rate, higher metastasis, and disease-related mortality rates, and poorer prognosis after metastasis than type A.

A case of visceral leishmaniasis found by left oblique hernia: A case report.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an infectious disease caused by Leishmania protozoa. Since sporadic cases of this disease are noted in non-endemic areas and are associated with a limited outbreak, the disease is easily overlooked. In addition, other illnesses exhibit similar symptoms. It is difficult for clinicians to establish an accurate diagnosis and develop effective treatments for this disease. The present study reported a case of a 25-year-old young man admitted to the hospital due to oblique hernia. The case was diagnosed as VL. The patient presented with persistent night sweats and fatigue as described in his admission history. However, the body temperature was normal. Routine examination revealed that the patient exhibited chronic hepatitis B infection, pancytopenia, hepatosplenomegaly, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, significant plasma cell infiltration in bone marrow aspirate and hypergammaglobulinemia. The retrospective analysis of the present case can improve the diagnostic accuracy and treatment rate of VL in non-epidemic areas.

Contributions of molecular techniques in the chronic phase of Chagas disease in the absence of treatment. / Aportaciones de las técnicas moleculares en la fase crónica de la Enfermedad de Chagas en ausencia de tratamiento.

INTRODUCTION: The chronic phase of Chagas disease (CD) is characterised by a low and intermittent parasitaemia. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) presents a variable sensitivity in this stage limiting its use as a diagnostic tool. Despite this, the use of PCR in untreated patients can provide information on the parasite behaviour and its presence in peripheral blood. METHODS: A timely real-time PCR determination was performed on a cohort of 495 untreated chronic CD patients. Also, a subcohort of 29 patients was followed-up by serial real-time PCR during a period from 8 to 12 months in which they could not have access to the treatment due to lack of supply. RESULTS: The positive percentage of real-time PCR in our series was 42%. Nevertheless, real-time PCR positive results were significantly higher in patients with five years or less of residence in Spain (P=.041). The detection of DNA was not related to the existence of cardiac and/or gastrointestinal abnormalities. In the follow-up subgroup, real-time PCR was consistently positive in 13.8% of patients, consistently negative in 31%, and intermittent in 55.2%. CONCLUSIONS: The different real-time PCR results regarding the time of residence suggests the possible relationship of external factors in the parasite presence in peripheral blood. On the other hand, specific host factors may be involved in the behaviour of parasitaemia over time.

Long-term efficacy and adverse reactions of intensity-modulated radiotherapy for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma in non-endemic northwest China / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective To retrospectively analyze the characteristics of nasopharyngeal carcinoma,long-term efficacy,adverse reactions of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in non-endemic northwest China and summarize the experience of IMRT in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the past decade.Methods Clinical data of 658 patients newly diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma without distant metastasis admitted to First affiliated hospital from January 2006 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed.All patients were treated with IMRT.The survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method.The multivariate analysis was conducted with Cox's regression model.Results In non-endemic northwest China,a large proportion of patients were newly diagnosed with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma,and a majority of them were pathologically characterized as differentiated subtypes.The 5-year overall survival (OS),disease-free survival (DFS),local recurrence-free survival (LRFS),regional recurrence-free survival (RRFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates were 75.7％,70.1％,91.2％,97.0％ and 81.0％,respectively.Multivariate analysis showed that age,pathological type,nasopharyngeal tumor volume＞23 cm3 and neck lymph node metastasis complicated with necrosis were the factors of poor prognosis of DFS (all P＜0.05).Age,pathological type,neck lymph node metastasis complicated with necrosis were the factors of poor prognosis of OS (all P＜0.05).N stage and neck lymph node metastasis complicated with necrosis were the factors of poor prognosis of DMFS (both P＜0.05).Conclusions Similar clinical efficacy has been achieved in terms of IMRT for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in non-endemic northwest China compared with that in endemic area.Induction chemotherapy combined with concurrent radiochemotherapy can provide clinical benefits for patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma in non-endemic area.

Capecitabine maintenance in the treatment of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a retrospective study / 中国肿瘤临床

Objective: The efficacy of sequential capecitabine maintenance chemotherapy after radical chemoradiotherapy for stage N2- 3 nasopharyngeal carcinoma in non- endemic areas of northwest China was retrospectively analyzed to clarify the value of capecitabine maintenance chemotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods: From Jannary 2014 to December 2016, patients with stage N2-3 nasopharyngeal carcinoma underwent 2 or 3 cycles of induction chemotherapy combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The study group continued to receive capecitabine for 4 cycles of chemotherapy after radical chemoradiotherapy, whereas the control group was only observed. The survival differences between the two groups were compared, and the toxicity and compliance of the two regimens were evaluated. Result: A total of 179 patients were included in this study, among whom 84 were included in the maintain chemotherapy group and 95 in the control group. The median follow-up time was 44.4 (5.97-70.26) months. The 3-year distant metastasis-free survival rates and 3-year disease-free survival rates were 79.3% and 68.1% (chi-square=3.898, P=0.048) and 75.6% and 64.2% (chi-square=5.428, P=0.020) for the maintain chemotherapy and control groups, respectively. The differences were statistically significant. There was no difference between the two groups in acute and late toxicity (P> 0.05). The toxicity of capecitabine-specific drugs was below grade 2. Conclusions: For N2-3 stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma in non-endemic areas in northwest China, the 3- year distant metastasis- free survival and disease- free survival rates following sequential capecitabine maintenance therapy after radical radiotherapy and chemotherapy are improved. Treatment was well-tolerated, and compliance was good, with no obvious adverse reactions.

Long-term efficacy and adverse reactions of intensity-modulated radiotherapy for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma in non-endemic northwest China / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective@#To retrospectively analyze the characteristics of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, long-term efficacy, adverse reactions of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in non-endemic northwest China and summarize the experience of IMRT in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the past decade.@*Methods@#Clinical data of 658 patients newly diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma without distant metastasis admitted to First affiliated hospital from January 2006 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were treated with IMRT. The survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method. The multivariate analysis was conducted with Cox’s regression model.@*Results@#In non-endemic northwest China, a large proportion of patients were newly diagnosed with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and a majority of them were pathologically characterized as differentiated subtypes. The 5-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), regional recurrence-free survival (RRFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates were 75.7%, 70.1%, 91.2%, 97.0% and 81.0%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that age, pathological type, nasopharyngeal tumor volume>23 cm3 and neck lymph node metastasis complicated with necrosis were the factors of poor prognosis of DFS (all P<0.05). Age, pathological type, neck lymph node metastasis complicated with necrosis were the factors of poor prognosis of OS (all P<0.05). N stage and neck lymph node metastasis complicated with necrosis were the factors of poor prognosis of DMFS (both P<0.05).@*Conclusions@#Similar clinical efficacy has been achieved in terms of IMRT for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in non-endemic northwest China compared with that in endemic area. Induction chemotherapy combined with concurrent radiochemotherapy can provide clinical benefits for patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma in non-endemic area.