Pub Date : 2025-09-01DOI: 10.1016/j.imj.2025.100201
Zian Lin , Weiyi Cai , Yanan Liu , Juan Liu , Hongbiao Chen , Shaojian Xu , Qiuju Xie , Danting Lou , Yuying Zhang , Hairong Nan , Jiahui Li , Lixian Su
Background
China's Notifiable Disease Reporting System comprehensively collects data on pediatric acute gastroenteritis cases from all levels of healthcare. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine against rotavirus gastroenteritis in children under five years of age during seasonal epidemic periods.
Methods
Using a test-negative design, we analyzed laboratory data from diarrhea patients aged 2–59 months who sought medical care in Longhua District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China between January 2020 and March 2024. Vaccination history and potential confounders, including sex, household registration status, prematurity, and birth weight, were collected retrospectively. Directed acyclic graphs were used to identify adjustment variables. Vaccine effectiveness was calculated as (1 − adjusted odds ratio) × 100 % using unconditional logistic regression, comparing rotavirus-positive cases with rotavirus-negative controls.
Results
The incidence of rotavirus gastroenteritis peaked and then progressively declined from January 2020 through March 2023, with no seasonal resurgence observed in the first quarter of 2023. Analysis of 928 epidemic-season cases (674 RV+; 254 RV–) revealed an overall pentavalent rotavirus (RV5) vaccine effectiveness of 79.6 % (95 % CI: 68.9 %–86.6 %). Dose-specific vaccine effectiveness varied substantially: 1 dose vaccine effectiveness registered at 26.7 % (95 % CI: −162.1 %–79.5 %), rising to 76.6 % (95 % CI: 46.2 %–89.8 %) for 2 doses, and reaching 82.7 % (95 % CI: 72.2 %–89.2 %) for 3 doses. Age-stratified analysis showed vaccine effectiveness of 79.5 % (95 % CI: 56.8 %–90.3 %) in children aged 2–11 months, 83.8 % (95 % CI: 66.4 %–92.2 %) for 12–23 months, and 79.6 % (95 % CI: 68.9 %–86.6 %) in those aged 24–35 months, while vaccine effectiveness was 31.2 % (95 % CI: −251.8 %–86.5 %) in children aged 36–59 months.
Conclusions
A three-dose regimen of pentavalent rotavirus vaccine provides significant effectiveness against rotavirus gastroenteritis for children under 36 months of age during epidemic seasons, thereby alleviating the burden on public health systems.
{"title":"Pentavalent rotavirus vaccine effectiveness among children in Shenzhen, China: A population-based test-negative design with directed acyclic graphs bias adjustment","authors":"Zian Lin , Weiyi Cai , Yanan Liu , Juan Liu , Hongbiao Chen , Shaojian Xu , Qiuju Xie , Danting Lou , Yuying Zhang , Hairong Nan , Jiahui Li , Lixian Su","doi":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100201","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100201","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>China's Notifiable Disease Reporting System comprehensively collects data on pediatric acute gastroenteritis cases from all levels of healthcare. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine against rotavirus gastroenteritis in children under five years of age during seasonal epidemic periods.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Using a test-negative design, we analyzed laboratory data from diarrhea patients aged 2–59 months who sought medical care in Longhua District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China between January 2020 and March 2024. Vaccination history and potential confounders, including sex, household registration status, prematurity, and birth weight, were collected retrospectively. Directed acyclic graphs were used to identify adjustment variables. Vaccine effectiveness was calculated as (1 − adjusted odds ratio) × 100 % using unconditional logistic regression, comparing rotavirus-positive cases with rotavirus-negative controls.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The incidence of rotavirus gastroenteritis peaked and then progressively declined from January 2020 through March 2023, with no seasonal resurgence observed in the first quarter of 2023. Analysis of 928 epidemic-season cases (674 RV+; 254 RV–) revealed an overall pentavalent rotavirus (RV5) vaccine effectiveness of 79.6 % (95 % CI: 68.9 %–86.6 %). Dose-specific vaccine effectiveness varied substantially: 1 dose vaccine effectiveness registered at 26.7 % (95 % CI: −162.1 %–79.5 %), rising to 76.6 % (95 % CI: 46.2 %–89.8 %) for 2 doses, and reaching 82.7 % (95 % CI: 72.2 %–89.2 %) for 3 doses. Age-stratified analysis showed vaccine effectiveness of 79.5 % (95 % CI: 56.8 %–90.3 %) in children aged 2–11 months, 83.8 % (95 % CI: 66.4 %–92.2 %) for 12–23 months, and 79.6 % (95 % CI: 68.9 %–86.6 %) in those aged 24–35 months, while vaccine effectiveness was 31.2 % (95 % CI: −251.8 %–86.5 %) in children aged 36–59 months.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>A three-dose regimen of pentavalent rotavirus vaccine provides significant effectiveness against rotavirus gastroenteritis for children under 36 months of age during epidemic seasons, thereby alleviating the burden on public health systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100667,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Medicine","volume":"4 3","pages":"Article 100201"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145049356","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The fasting duration in aspiration pneumonia negatively affects the patient's treatment duration and swallowing function. The relationship among serious COVID-19 infection, fasting duration, and patient prognosis remains unclear. We aimed to determine the effect of the fasting duration on mortality after COVID-19.
Methods
We included patients who underwent rehabilitation after COVID-19 infection between March 1, 2021 and June 30, 2023. We retrospectively extracted data from medical records, including age, sex, albumin levels, fasting duration, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), Revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale score, care level, total hospitalization period, time since disease onset, time to speech therapy intervention, time to death, and ability to eat at disease onset and discharge. Univariate analysis was conducted for each variable. To investigate the relationship between fasting duration and outcomes, we performed logistic regression analysis, adjusting for confounding factors such as age, CCI, and care level. We also divided patients into groups based on fasting duration: ≤ 5 days and > 5 days. We performed logistic regression analysis using fasting duration as the dependent variable and age, CCI, care level, and clinical outcome as independent variables.
Results
There were 71 patients in the survival group and 31 in the mortality group. Fasting duration (p = 0.00826, odds ratio [OR]: 1.01, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–1.11) and age (p = 0.0377, OR: 1.07, 95 % CI: 1.001–1.15) were significant independent factors associated with COVID-19 outcomes. In the classification based on fasting duration, higher care level (p < 0.001, OR: 1.65, 95 % CI: 1.24–2.20) and clinical outcome (p < 0.001, OR: 9.19, 95 % CI: 2.80–30.20) were significant independent factors in the group with fasting duration > 5 days.
Conclusion
Fasting duration was independently associated with outcomes after COVID-19 infection. Early rehabilitation intervention may contribute to improved clinical outcomes.
{"title":"Effect of fasting duration on mortality after COVID-19 infection: A retrospective analysis at a single institution","authors":"Naoko Takaku , Koji Hayashi , Hiromi Hayashi , Toyoaki Miura , Kouji Hayashi , Yasutaka Kobayashi , Mamiko Sato , Ippei Sakamaki","doi":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100202","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100202","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The fasting duration in aspiration pneumonia negatively affects the patient's treatment duration and swallowing function. The relationship among serious COVID-19 infection, fasting duration, and patient prognosis remains unclear. We aimed to determine the effect of the fasting duration on mortality after COVID-19.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We included patients who underwent rehabilitation after COVID-19 infection between March 1, 2021 and June 30, 2023. We retrospectively extracted data from medical records, including age, sex, albumin levels, fasting duration, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), Revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale score, care level, total hospitalization period, time since disease onset, time to speech therapy intervention, time to death, and ability to eat at disease onset and discharge. Univariate analysis was conducted for each variable. To investigate the relationship between fasting duration and outcomes, we performed logistic regression analysis, adjusting for confounding factors such as age, CCI, and care level. We also divided patients into groups based on fasting duration: ≤ 5 days and > 5 days. We performed logistic regression analysis using fasting duration as the dependent variable and age, CCI, care level, and clinical outcome as independent variables.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>There were 71 patients in the survival group and 31 in the mortality group. Fasting duration (<em>p</em> = 0.00826, odds ratio [OR]: 1.01, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–1.11) and age (<em>p</em> = 0.0377, OR: 1.07, 95 % CI: 1.001–1.15) were significant independent factors associated with COVID-19 outcomes. In the classification based on fasting duration, higher care level (<em>p</em> < 0.001, OR: 1.65, 95 % CI: 1.24–2.20) and clinical outcome (<em>p</em> < 0.001, OR: 9.19, 95 % CI: 2.80–30.20) were significant independent factors in the group with fasting duration > 5 days.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Fasting duration was independently associated with outcomes after COVID-19 infection. Early rehabilitation intervention may contribute to improved clinical outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100667,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Medicine","volume":"4 3","pages":"Article 100202"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145095301","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-01DOI: 10.1016/j.imj.2025.100199
Jiaxu Gu , Jiaming Wang , Long Zhong , Bingcheng Lu , Hongqiang Xie , Bo Yu , Yang Guo
Background
Mycobacterial infections such as tuberculosis and leprosy pose significant global health challenges, particularly in impoverished regions. These diseases not only cause severe physical symptoms but also lead to psychological and economic burdens. This study assesses the disease and economic burden of these infections among the global working-age population (15–64 years), identifies influencing factors, and predicts trends until 2045 to guide targeted interventions.
Methods
Using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study (1990–2021), age-standardized prevalence rates and disability-adjusted life years were analyzed for tuberculosis and leprosy. Predictive trends were modeled using the Bayesian age–period–cohort framework, and health inequalities were evaluated using concentration indices. Spearman correlation analysis was used to examine associations with economic and health indicators in the World Bank database.
Results
The prevalence of leprosy declined globally (from 14.426/100,000 to 5.942/100,000), and further reductions were projected. Tuberculosis trends were more complex, with potential increases observed in some age groups. Health inequalities persisted, particularly for leprosy, with higher burdens in low-income regions than high-income regions (concentration index: −0.35). Economic factors such as health expenditure (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, ρ = −0.557) and universal health coverage (ρ = −0.785) were strongly correlated with disease burden.
Conclusions
Although the burden of mycobacterial infection decreased, disparities remained—especially for tuberculosis. Increased public health investment and targeted strategies are essential for mitigating these inequities and their socioeconomic impact.
{"title":"Global disease and economic burden of main mycobacterial infections in the working-age population from 1990 to 2021 with a forecast to 2045","authors":"Jiaxu Gu , Jiaming Wang , Long Zhong , Bingcheng Lu , Hongqiang Xie , Bo Yu , Yang Guo","doi":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100199","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100199","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Mycobacterial infections such as tuberculosis and leprosy pose significant global health challenges, particularly in impoverished regions. These diseases not only cause severe physical symptoms but also lead to psychological and economic burdens. This study assesses the disease and economic burden of these infections among the global working-age population (15–64 years), identifies influencing factors, and predicts trends until 2045 to guide targeted interventions.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study (1990–2021), age-standardized prevalence rates and disability-adjusted life years were analyzed for tuberculosis and leprosy. Predictive trends were modeled using the Bayesian age–period–cohort framework, and health inequalities were evaluated using concentration indices. Spearman correlation analysis was used to examine associations with economic and health indicators in the World Bank database.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The prevalence of leprosy declined globally (from 14.426/100,000 to 5.942/100,000), and further reductions were projected. Tuberculosis trends were more complex, with potential increases observed in some age groups. Health inequalities persisted, particularly for leprosy, with higher burdens in low-income regions than high-income regions (concentration index: −0.35). Economic factors such as health expenditure (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, <em>ρ</em> = −0.557) and universal health coverage (<em>ρ</em> = −0.785) were strongly correlated with disease burden.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Although the burden of mycobacterial infection decreased, disparities remained—especially for tuberculosis. Increased public health investment and targeted strategies are essential for mitigating these inequities and their socioeconomic impact.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100667,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Medicine","volume":"4 3","pages":"Article 100199"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145049352","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-01DOI: 10.1016/j.imj.2025.100203
Mehdi Roshdi Maleki , Seyyed Reza Moaddab
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are emerging pathogens responsible for a growing spectrum of diseases, particularly in individuals with underlying lung disorders or immune suppression. Once considered primarily environmental saprophytes, NTM are now recognized as important causes of pulmonary, cutaneous, lymphatic, and disseminated infections. With more than 200 species identified and regional variations in prevalence, their diagnosis and management present significant clinical and microbiological challenges. The lack of standardized reporting systems and overlapping features with tuberculosis complicate epidemiological understanding and case identification.
This review provides an updated and integrated overview of NTM-associated diseases, emphasizing diagnostic advancements, environmental sources, mechanisms of transmission, host immunity, genetic susceptibility, and therapeutic options. Special attention is given to molecular diagnostic techniques, species-level identification strategies, and the role of gene sequencing in differentiating NTM species. We also highlight the limitations of conventional methods, discuss antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, and summarize current treatment guidelines.
By synthesizing current knowledge across microbiology, clinical medicine, and public health, this review aims to support a multidisciplinary approach to NTM diagnosis and management and address the pressing need for increased awareness, better surveillance, and targeted research on this under-recognized group of pathogens.
{"title":"The growing impact of nontuberculous mycobacteria: A multidisciplinary review of ecology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment","authors":"Mehdi Roshdi Maleki , Seyyed Reza Moaddab","doi":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100203","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100203","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are emerging pathogens responsible for a growing spectrum of diseases, particularly in individuals with underlying lung disorders or immune suppression. Once considered primarily environmental saprophytes, NTM are now recognized as important causes of pulmonary, cutaneous, lymphatic, and disseminated infections. With more than 200 species identified and regional variations in prevalence, their diagnosis and management present significant clinical and microbiological challenges. The lack of standardized reporting systems and overlapping features with tuberculosis complicate epidemiological understanding and case identification.</div><div>This review provides an updated and integrated overview of NTM-associated diseases, emphasizing diagnostic advancements, environmental sources, mechanisms of transmission, host immunity, genetic susceptibility, and therapeutic options. Special attention is given to molecular diagnostic techniques, species-level identification strategies, and the role of gene sequencing in differentiating NTM species. We also highlight the limitations of conventional methods, discuss antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, and summarize current treatment guidelines.</div><div>By synthesizing current knowledge across microbiology, clinical medicine, and public health, this review aims to support a multidisciplinary approach to NTM diagnosis and management and address the pressing need for increased awareness, better surveillance, and targeted research on this under-recognized group of pathogens.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100667,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Medicine","volume":"4 3","pages":"Article 100203"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145095302","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Data on tuberculosis-polymerase chain reaction (TB-PCR) diagnostic yield in induced sputum (IS) samples is limited. This study was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic yield of TB-PCR in IS samples from patients with pulmonary TB and to identify factors that are associated with positive TB-PCR results.
Methods
This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital. Patients who underwent IS collection for the diagnosis of pulmonary TB were included. Sputum specimens were obtained for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear, TB-PCR (Anyplex Seegene MTB/NTM real-time detection assay or Xpert MTB/RIF assay), and TB culture. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with IS TB-PCR positivity. The McNemar test was used to compare the diagnostic yield of each test.
Results
A total of 124 IS specimens of patients with pulmonary TB were evaluated. There were 65 (52.4%) men, with a mean age of 55.3 ± 19.5 years. The diagnostic yield of IS TB-PCR for the diagnosis of pulmonary TB was 31.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 23.2–39.7). The diagnostic yields were 34.4% (95% CI: 22.0–46.0) for Xpert MTB/RIF and 28.6% (95% CI: 17.8–40.2) for Anyplex MTB/NTM, with no significant difference between the two assays (p = 0.49). TB-PCR had a higher diagnostic yield than AFB smear (31.5% vs. 6.5%, p < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that moderately advanced (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.73, 95% CI: 1.24–11.21, p = 0.019) and far advanced (aOR = 3.95, 95% CI: 1.05–14.82, p = 0.042) radiographic extent of disease were associated with positive IS TB-PCR.
Conclusions
Induced sputum TB-PCR is an effective initial method for patients with suspected pulmonary TB who are unable to produce reliable sputum, especially those with moderately advanced or far advanced radiographic extent of disease.
{"title":"Diagnostic yield of polymerase chain reaction on induced sputum for pulmonary tuberculosis: A single-center retrospective cross-sectional study","authors":"Kiartipong Virapongsiri , Dararat Eksombatchai , Monruadee Chatreewarote , Viboon Boonsarngsuk","doi":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100197","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100197","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Data on tuberculosis-polymerase chain reaction (TB-PCR) diagnostic yield in induced sputum (IS) samples is limited. This study was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic yield of TB-PCR in IS samples from patients with pulmonary TB and to identify factors that are associated with positive TB-PCR results.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital. Patients who underwent IS collection for the diagnosis of pulmonary TB were included. Sputum specimens were obtained for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear, TB-PCR (Anyplex Seegene MTB/NTM real-time detection assay or Xpert MTB/RIF assay), and TB culture. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with IS TB-PCR positivity. The McNemar test was used to compare the diagnostic yield of each test.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 124 IS specimens of patients with pulmonary TB were evaluated. There were 65 (52.4%) men, with a mean age of 55.3 ± 19.5 years. The diagnostic yield of IS TB-PCR for the diagnosis of pulmonary TB was 31.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 23.2–39.7). The diagnostic yields were 34.4% (95% CI: 22.0–46.0) for Xpert MTB/RIF and 28.6% (95% CI: 17.8–40.2) for Anyplex MTB/NTM, with no significant difference between the two assays (<em>p</em> = 0.49). TB-PCR had a higher diagnostic yield than AFB smear (31.5% vs. 6.5%, <em>p</em> < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that moderately advanced (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.73, 95% CI: 1.24–11.21, <em>p</em> = 0.019) and far advanced (aOR = 3.95, 95% CI: 1.05–14.82, <em>p</em> = 0.042) radiographic extent of disease were associated with positive IS TB-PCR.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Induced sputum TB-PCR is an effective initial method for patients with suspected pulmonary TB who are unable to produce reliable sputum, especially those with moderately advanced or far advanced radiographic extent of disease.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100667,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Medicine","volume":"4 3","pages":"Article 100197"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144912339","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-19eCollection Date: 2025-09-01DOI: 10.1016/j.imj.2025.100196
Fuli Tan, Yuchang Li, Xiaoping Kang, Yuehong Chen, Sen Zhang, Jing Li, Ye Feng, Xiaokun Li, Runxin Liang, Fei Wang, Xiangdong Li, Tao Jiang
Background: In recent years, frequent outbreaks of infectious diseases caused by hemorrhagic fever viruses have posed serious threats to global public health. The pathogens are variable and highly infectious, such as Sudan ebolavirus (SEBOV), Zaire ebolavirus (ZEBOV), Marburg marburgvirus (MARV), Lassa mammarenavirus (LASV), Rift Valley fever phlebovirus (RVFV), Sin Nombre orthohantavirus (SNV), etc. To improve the efficiency of pathogen detection, a method for simultaneous screening multiplex targets is in a great demand.
Methods: Utilizing dual-probe hybridization and melting curve analysis, a multiplex nucleic acid polymerase assay for eight hemorrhagic fever viruses test (named the MPA-eight-virus assay) was developed in this study. The sensitivity for each target was improved by optimizing primer and probe selection as well as amplification conditions; the usability of MPA-eight-virus assay was validated by simulated samples preparation and test.
Results: The MPA-eight-virus assay achieved high sensitivity and specificity for the targets, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.83-691.00 copies/µL for all eight targets; Notably, the LOD for MARV was 1.83 copies/µL and that for SNV was 9.32 copies/µL.
Conclusions: The MPA-eight-virus assay is high throughput, time-saving, accurate, and cost-effective, making it potentially useful for prevention and control of severe viral hemorrhagic fever.
{"title":"Multiplex nucleic acid polymerase assay for eight severe hemorrhagic fever viruses based on dual-probe hybridization and melting curve analysis.","authors":"Fuli Tan, Yuchang Li, Xiaoping Kang, Yuehong Chen, Sen Zhang, Jing Li, Ye Feng, Xiaokun Li, Runxin Liang, Fei Wang, Xiangdong Li, Tao Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100196","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100196","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In recent years, frequent outbreaks of infectious diseases caused by hemorrhagic fever viruses have posed serious threats to global public health. The pathogens are variable and highly infectious, such as Sudan <i>ebolavirus</i> (SEBOV), Zaire <i>ebolavirus</i> (ZEBOV), Marburg <i>marburgvirus</i> (MARV), <i>Lassa mammarenavirus</i> (LASV), Rift Valley fever <i>phlebovirus</i> (RVFV), Sin Nombre <i>orthohantavirus</i> (SNV), etc. To improve the efficiency of pathogen detection, a method for simultaneous screening multiplex targets is in a great demand.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Utilizing dual-probe hybridization and melting curve analysis, a multiplex nucleic acid polymerase assay for eight hemorrhagic fever viruses test (named the MPA-eight-virus assay) was developed in this study. The sensitivity for each target was improved by optimizing primer and probe selection as well as amplification conditions; the usability of MPA-eight-virus assay was validated by simulated samples preparation and test.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The MPA-eight-virus assay achieved high sensitivity and specificity for the targets, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.83-691.00 copies/µL for all eight targets; Notably, the LOD for MARV was 1.83 copies/µL and that for SNV was 9.32 copies/µL.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The MPA-eight-virus assay is high throughput, time-saving, accurate, and cost-effective, making it potentially useful for prevention and control of severe viral hemorrhagic fever.</p>","PeriodicalId":100667,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Medicine","volume":"4 3","pages":"100196"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12356464/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144877754","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-25DOI: 10.1016/j.imj.2025.100195
Shuang Wang , Xiaolin Yu , Ming Fang , Hengjie Xie , Lu Liu , Ziqing Liu , Guangjian Wu , Yuzhen Chen , Ti Liu , Peng Yang
Background
Salmonella Paratyphi C is an infrequent etiological agent of enteric fever, with sporadic cases primarily reported in Asia and Africa. Documented outbreaks remain exceedingly rare, and epidemiological data on such events are notably scarce.
Methods
This study investigated a paratyphoid fever outbreak caused by S. Paratyphi C at a secondary school in China in 2023. Comprehensive field epidemiological investigations were conducted, including environmental sampling and the collection of clinical specimens. All outbreak-associated isolates underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing, whole-genome sequencing, and in-depth bioinformatics analysis. Single-nucleotide polymorphism profiling and core genome multilocus sequence typing were employed to elucidate the genetic relatedness of the isolates.
Results
A total of 11 S. Paratyphi C strains, characterized by the antigenic formula 6,7:c:1,5, were recovered from a variety of sample sources. Genomic analyses revealed striking homogeneity across all isolates, with uniform multilocus sequence types, identical antimicrobial resistance patterns, and shared virulence-associated genes. Phylogenetic reconstruction demonstrated a tightly clustered lineage, corroborated by highly similar circular genome structures, suggesting a common source of infection.
Conclusions
This investigation offered critical insights into a rare foodborne outbreak caused by S. Paratyphi C, bridging significant knowledge gaps regarding its epidemiology and genetic characteristics. The findings underscored the global diversity and potential public health threat of S. Paratyphi C, reinforcing the urgent need to enhance food safety monitoring and improve outbreak preparedness strategies both in China and internationally.
{"title":"A foodborne outbreak of Salmonella Paratyphi C in a Chinese middle school: Genomic tracing and epidemiological characterization","authors":"Shuang Wang , Xiaolin Yu , Ming Fang , Hengjie Xie , Lu Liu , Ziqing Liu , Guangjian Wu , Yuzhen Chen , Ti Liu , Peng Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100195","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100195","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div><em>Salmonella</em> Paratyphi C is an infrequent etiological agent of enteric fever, with sporadic cases primarily reported in Asia and Africa. Documented outbreaks remain exceedingly rare, and epidemiological data on such events are notably scarce.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study investigated a paratyphoid fever outbreak caused by <em>S.</em> Paratyphi C at a secondary school in China in 2023. Comprehensive field epidemiological investigations were conducted, including environmental sampling and the collection of clinical specimens. All outbreak-associated isolates underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing, whole-genome sequencing, and in-depth bioinformatics analysis. Single-nucleotide polymorphism profiling and core genome multilocus sequence typing were employed to elucidate the genetic relatedness of the isolates.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 11 <em>S.</em> Paratyphi C strains, characterized by the antigenic formula 6,7:c:1,5, were recovered from a variety of sample sources. Genomic analyses revealed striking homogeneity across all isolates, with uniform multilocus sequence types, identical antimicrobial resistance patterns, and shared virulence-associated genes. Phylogenetic reconstruction demonstrated a tightly clustered lineage, corroborated by highly similar circular genome structures, suggesting a common source of infection.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This investigation offered critical insights into a rare foodborne outbreak caused by <em>S.</em> Paratyphi C, bridging significant knowledge gaps regarding its epidemiology and genetic characteristics. The findings underscored the global diversity and potential public health threat of <em>S.</em> Paratyphi C, reinforcing the urgent need to enhance food safety monitoring and improve outbreak preparedness strategies both in China and internationally.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100667,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Medicine","volume":"4 3","pages":"Article 100195"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144679824","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-22DOI: 10.1016/j.imj.2025.100194
Lu Li , Jialin Wu , Jianghui Cai , Muhammad Arif Asghar , Rui Xiao , Jingwei Wu , Qinjian Zhao , Xiao Zhang
Background
Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) is a widespread human γ-herpesvirus linked to cancers and autoimmune diseases, but limited comprehensive bibliometric analysis appear to have been conducted in this field.
Methods
Using Web of Science data, 16,318 EBV-related documents (2014–2023) were analyzed via VOSviewer, Bibliometrix, and Citespace following the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology reporting guideline.
Results
This cross-sectional bibliometric analysis of 16,318 EBV-related documents (2014–2023) revealed a consistent upward trend in annual publications, reflecting growing global interest in EBV research. Collaborative networks demonstrated strong international partnerships, particularly between the United States and China. Keywords co-occurrence and burst analysis highlighted enduring focus on EBV pathogenesis, immune evasion mechanisms, and EBV-associated diseases like nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and multiple sclerosis. On the basis of this comprehensive bibliometric analysis, it showed that the emerging hotspots included immunotherapy, biomarkers, viral reactivation, and vaccine development, with clinical trials evaluating immune-checkpoint inhibitors of toripalimab, mRNA-based therapeutic vaccines targeting LMP2 and EBNA1, and prophylactic strategies such as glycoproteins-based ferritin nanoparticles or mRNA vaccines, indicating a shift toward precision interventions.
Conclusions
EBV research has grown exponentially, driven by insights into structural-function relationships and immune evasion. Advances enable targeted prophylactic/therapeutic strategies. The analysis highlights needs to decode virus-host interactions, optimize vaccines, and translate findings clinically, aiming to raise disease awareness, guide immunotherapies, and reduce global health burdens.
eb病毒(depstein - barr Virus, EBV)是一种广泛存在的人类γ-疱疹病毒,与癌症和自身免疫性疾病有关,但在这一领域进行的综合文献计量分析有限。方法采用Web of Science数据库,采用VOSviewer、Bibliometrix和Citespace软件对2014-2023年的16318篇ebv相关文献进行分析。结果对2014-2023年的16,318篇EBV相关文献进行的横断面文献计量分析显示,年度出版物呈持续上升趋势,反映了全球对EBV研究的兴趣日益浓厚。协作网络展示了强有力的国际伙伴关系,特别是美国和中国之间的伙伴关系。关键词共现和突发分析强调了EBV发病机制、免疫逃避机制以及EBV相关疾病如鼻咽癌、霍奇金淋巴瘤和多发性硬化症的长期关注。综合文献计量学分析显示,新兴的热点包括免疫治疗、生物标志物、病毒再激活和疫苗开发,临床试验评估了免疫检查点抑制剂托利帕单抗、靶向LMP2和EBNA1的基于mRNA的治疗性疫苗,以及基于糖蛋白的铁蛋白纳米颗粒或mRNA疫苗等预防策略,表明了向精确干预的转变。结论在对结构-功能关系和免疫逃避的深入研究推动下,对sebv的研究呈指数增长。进步使有针对性的预防/治疗策略成为可能。该分析强调需要解码病毒与宿主的相互作用,优化疫苗,并将研究结果转化为临床,旨在提高疾病意识,指导免疫疗法,并减轻全球卫生负担。
{"title":"The growing interests in Epstein–Barr virus: A bibliometric analysis of research trends, collaborations, and emerging hotspots","authors":"Lu Li , Jialin Wu , Jianghui Cai , Muhammad Arif Asghar , Rui Xiao , Jingwei Wu , Qinjian Zhao , Xiao Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100194","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100194","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) is a widespread human γ-herpesvirus linked to cancers and autoimmune diseases, but limited comprehensive bibliometric analysis appear to have been conducted in this field.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Using Web of Science data, 16,318 EBV-related documents (2014–2023) were analyzed via VOSviewer, Bibliometrix, and Citespace following the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology reporting guideline.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>This cross-sectional bibliometric analysis of 16,318 EBV-related documents (2014–2023) revealed a consistent upward trend in annual publications, reflecting growing global interest in EBV research. Collaborative networks demonstrated strong international partnerships, particularly between the United States and China. Keywords co-occurrence and burst analysis highlighted enduring focus on EBV pathogenesis, immune evasion mechanisms, and EBV-associated diseases like nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and multiple sclerosis. On the basis of this comprehensive bibliometric analysis, it showed that the emerging hotspots included immunotherapy, biomarkers, viral reactivation, and vaccine development, with clinical trials evaluating immune-checkpoint inhibitors of toripalimab, mRNA-based therapeutic vaccines targeting LMP2 and EBNA1, and prophylactic strategies such as glycoproteins-based ferritin nanoparticles or mRNA vaccines, indicating a shift toward precision interventions.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>EBV research has grown exponentially, driven by insights into structural-function relationships and immune evasion. Advances enable targeted prophylactic/therapeutic strategies. The analysis highlights needs to decode virus-host interactions, optimize vaccines, and translate findings clinically, aiming to raise disease awareness, guide immunotherapies, and reduce global health burdens.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100667,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Medicine","volume":"4 3","pages":"Article 100194"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144634368","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-12DOI: 10.1016/j.imj.2025.100187
Yuan Chen , Qianjin Su , Dawei Zhang , Wenting Wei , Fangfang Zhang , Qi Li , Jinxue Zhang
Background
Patients with COVID-19 exhibited a variety of clinical characteristics. However, there is currently insufficient evidence to delineate the differences in clinical symptomatology between primary infection and reinfection. This study aims to compare the clinical symptom characteristics between primary infection and reinfection during COVID-19.
Methods
This research utilized a convenience sampling method to gather survey data from Chinese individuals aged 18 to 60 years across China. Questionnaire assessments were conducted to collect data on general demographic and clinical information during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. The collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 26.0 software.
Results
This study analyzed 1156 patients. During second infection, the frequency of fever, painful muscles, ageusia or anosmia, headache, back pain, feeling hot and cold alternately, general tiredness, tingling extremities, heavy arms or legs, and chest pain symptoms were significantly lower. However, the rate of sneezing, runny nose, and stuffy nose were significantly higher (p < 0.05). The proportion of patients with symptoms lasting 3–4 weeks and a body temperature of 38.1–41.0°C was significantly lower during second infection (p < 0.05). The cases infected with COVID-19 for the second time had a higher proportion of nurses and a higher proportion of individuals who received one or two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine (p < 0.05).
Conclusions
The analysis of COVID-19 cases showed significant differences in demographic and clinical symptom characteristics between the first-time and second-time positive populations. This understanding can help guide changes in management strategies.
{"title":"A comparative analysis of clinical characteristics between primary and recurrent COVID-19 infections in China","authors":"Yuan Chen , Qianjin Su , Dawei Zhang , Wenting Wei , Fangfang Zhang , Qi Li , Jinxue Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100187","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100187","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Patients with COVID-19 exhibited a variety of clinical characteristics. However, there is currently insufficient evidence to delineate the differences in clinical symptomatology between primary infection and reinfection. This study aims to compare the clinical symptom characteristics between primary infection and reinfection during COVID-19.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This research utilized a convenience sampling method to gather survey data from Chinese individuals aged 18 to 60 years across China. Questionnaire assessments were conducted to collect data on general demographic and clinical information during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. The collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 26.0 software.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>This study analyzed 1156 patients. During second infection, the frequency of fever, painful muscles, ageusia or anosmia, headache, back pain, feeling hot and cold alternately, general tiredness, tingling extremities, heavy arms or legs, and chest pain symptoms were significantly lower. However, the rate of sneezing, runny nose, and stuffy nose were significantly higher (<em>p</em> < 0.05). The proportion of patients with symptoms lasting 3–4 weeks and a body temperature of 38.1–41.0°C was significantly lower during second infection (<em>p</em> < 0.05). The cases infected with COVID-19 for the second time had a higher proportion of nurses and a higher proportion of individuals who received one or two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine (<em>p</em> < 0.05).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The analysis of COVID-19 cases showed significant differences in demographic and clinical symptom characteristics between the first-time and second-time positive populations. This understanding can help guide changes in management strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100667,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Medicine","volume":"4 3","pages":"Article 100187"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144490372","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}