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ObjectiveTo present the exploration and application of a prospective follow-up research method for acute infectious disease surveillance based on natural community populations， using COVID-19 infection as an example， and to provide a reference for improving the infectious disease surveillance and early warning system.MethodsA multi-stage probability proportional sampling method was employed to sample residents from all communities of 16 administrative districts in Shanghai， with households as the units. A cohort for acute infectious diseases based on natural community populations was established. The baseline survey was conducted for all cohort subjects， and COVID-19 antigen test kits were distributed. From December 21， 2022 to September 30， 2023， prospective follow-up monitoring of COVID-19 antigen and nucleic acid was carried out on the study subjects on a weekly basis. The baseline characteristics and follow-up information of the cohort subjects were described.ResultsThe cohort for acute infectious diseases included a total of 12 881 subjects， comprising 6 098 males （47.3%） and 6 783 females （52.7%）. The baseline survey revealed that 35.2% （4 540/12 881） of the subjects had a history of COVID-19 infection. During the follow-up period from December 21， 2022 to September 30， 2023， the average incidence density in the cohort was 0.61/person-year， with a higher incidence density in females （0.63/person-year） compared to males （0.59/person-year）. Individuals aged 60 and above （0.64/person-year） and those with underlying health conditions （0.67/person-year） had a higher incidence density. Healthcare workers showed a notably higher incidence density （0.84/person-year） than that in other occupational groups. As of September 30， 2023， a total of 340 subjects in the cohort experienced secondary infections， with a median interval of 170 days between the first and second infections.ConclusionThis study applies cohort study method to acute infectious disease surveillance， providing crucial data support for estimating infection rates and forecasting alerts for acute infectious diseases in the community. This method can be promoted and applied as a new approach for acute infectious disease surveillance.

ObjectiveTo conduct on-site epidemiological investigation， emergency response， tracing of infection source and analysis of a confirmed COVID-19 case of a foreign airline cargo service staff member in Shanghai’s international airport， aiming to provide reference for prevention of imported COVID-19 cases under regular prevention and control of COVID-19.MethodsA retrospective field epidemiological investigation was conducted to collect information of basic characteristics， illness onset， diagnosis， treatment， clinical manifestations， exposure history and risk factors within 14 days before onset， close contacts， close contacts of close contacts， and key places related to activity trajectories. Respiratory tract specimens of cases and contacts were collected for detection of SARS-CoV-2 by real time RT-PCR （rRT-PCR）. Emergency response， including infection source analysis and contact management， was conducted.ResultsThe case developed pharyngeal itch on July 28， 2021， and fever on the 30th， and went to the hospital for treatment twice on the 31st. Because his specimen was positive for SARS-CoV-2 by rRT-PCR on August 1， he was isolated and treated on August 2 and diagnosed as a confirmed case of COVID-19. The case was a foreign airline cargo service member at an international airport. The two regular nucleic acid screenings of him as a high-risk occupation on July 21 and 28 were negative. He did not leave Shanghai within 14 days before the onset of illness. During July 22nd and 23rd， he was repeatedly exposed during work to the high-risk environment that may have been contaminated by SARS-CoV-2 and had contact with the crew of foreign airlines， and the personal protection was not standardized. None of the 67 close contacts and 567 close contacts of close contacts in Shanghai showed symptoms during the 14-day medical quarantine， and the specimens of them were all negative for SARS-CoV-2 by rRT-PCR. The results of genome sequencing analysis showed that the genomic homology between the virus of the case and the one of recent domestic local epidemic and the recent imported cases was low， and the homology with the overseas Delta mutant strain was higher than that of the domestic Delta mutant strain.ConclusionThe situation of prevention of COVID-19 import is still serious. It is necessary to conduct regular nucleic acid screening for high-risk occupational groups， strengthen the diagnosis and reporting awareness of medical institutions， effectively implement the prevention and control measures for people， objects， and environment at international airports， and further enhance the public's awareness of personal protection.

International travel may facilitate the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID‐19). The study describes clusters of COVID‐19 cases within Chinese tour groups travelling in Europe January 16–28. We compared characteristics of cases and non‐cases to determine transmission dynamics. The index case travelled from Wuhan, China, to Europe on 16 January 2020, and to Shanghai, China, on 27 January 2020, within a tour group (group A). Tour groups with the same outbound flight (group B) or the same tourism venue (group D) and all Chinese passengers on the inbound flight (group C) were investigated. The outbreak involved 11 confirmed cases, 10 suspected cases and six tourists who remained healthy. Group A, involving seven confirmed cases and six suspected cases, consisted of familial transmission followed by propagative transmission. There was less pathogenicity with propagative transmission than with familial transmission. Disease was transmitted in shared outbound flights, shopping venues within Europe and inbound flight back to China. The novel coronavirus caused clustered cases of COVID‐19 in tour groups. When tourism and travel opens up, governments will need to improve screening at airports and consider increased surveillance of tour groups—particularly those with older tour members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Host genetic background may influence the immunity to resist viral infection. As the most polymorphic loci in the entire human genome, the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system plays an important role in innate and adaptive immune responses to many invading pathogens. Studies have shown that an association might exist between HLA polymorphisms and susceptibility to Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus (KSHV) infection and associated diseases. However, discrepant conclusions were reached among different subjects with different detection methods. Therefore, it is now urgent to summarize current results and figure out the achievements and deficiencies of the existing research for the reference to future studies. A better understanding about the role of HLA polymorphisms in KSHV infection outcome would enable us to elucidate the pathways through which the virus evades the host defense system and improve strategies for the prevention and treatment of KSHV infection. HLA gene polymorphisms can partially account for the complex interactions between genetic background, KSHV infection, and the immune system as cofactors in KS. We discussed the association of HLA alleles with susceptibility to KSHV infection and the potential mechanisms by summarizing existing results. However, we found current population studies were far from sufficient compared with other viruses. Several shortcomings in design compounded by the use of less accurate serological typing methods should be noted in the future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Kaposi sarcoma–associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is endemic in Xinjiang, China and its prevalence varies considerably across ethnic groups. The current study explored the prevalence and correlates of KSHV infection among Han and Uygur populations in Xinjiang. Methods: A cross‐sectional study, including 282 Han ethnicity and 312 Uygur, was conducted in Xinjiang, China. All participants underwent face to face questionnaire interview. Plasma samples were collected and screened for KSHV infection using immunofluorescence assay. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to examine the correlates of KSHV seropositivity. Results: The KSHV seroprevalence was 41.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 37.6‐45.6) overall and was higher in the Uygur group (59.9%; 95% CI, 54.3‐65.4) than the Han group (21.3%; 95% CI, 16.6‐26.5). A significant difference in the geometric mean titer (GMT) of the KSHV antibodies was detected between the Uygur and Han groups (158.2; interquartile range [IQR], 80‐320 vs 89.1; IQR, 40‐160; P < 0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders, Uygur ethnicity (odds ratios [OR], 5.96; 95% CI, 4.05‐8.90), age greater than or equal to 50 years (OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.24‐2.77), and preference for meat diet (OR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.05‐4.46) were significantly associated with increased odds of KSHV seropositivity. Conclusion: The study demonstrated high prevalence and correlates of KSHV infection in both Han and Uygur populations in Xinjiang, China. There is an urgent need for programmatic adaptation to address primary prevention interventions of KSHV infection in this endemic region. The study demonstrated high prevalence of KSHV infection in both Han and Uygur populations in Xinjiang, China.The study indicated the seropositivity of KSHV was associated with Uygur ethnicity, age greater than or equal to 50 years, and preference for meat diet.This study provided a first look into the epidemiology of KSHV among general population in an endemic region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are an important risk group for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and at high-risk of herpesvirus infection. However, limited information on epidemiologic patterns of HHV8 and HSV2 among MSM is available in mainland China. A cross-sectional study of 486 participants was performed in Shanghai, China from January 2013 to December 2014 to explore epidemiologic features of HHV8 and HSV2 among MSM. Serum samples were collected and tested for HHV8 by immunofluoresence assay and HSV2 antibodies by ELISA. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the risk factors of HHV8 and HSV2 infections, respectively. The overall seroprevalence was 23.0% for HHV8 infection and 22.4% for HSV2 infection. HHV8 seropositivity was significantly associated with being a money boy (odds ratio (OR) = 1.64; 95%CI: 1.04-2.58), having a steady sex partner (OR = 0.52; 95%CI: 0.31-0.87), having ever had anal sex with men (OR = 2.05; 95%CI: 1.09-3.86), and being HSV2 positive (OR = 2.14; 95%CI: 1.22-3.76). HSV2 seropositivity was significantly associate with being positive for HIV (OR = 2.12; 95%CI: 1.01-4.42), syphilis (OR = 1.98; 95%CI: 1.12-3.52), HHV8 (OR = 2.17; 95%CI: 1.24-3.83), and was marginally associated with being a money boy (OR = 1. 61; 95%CI: 0.97-2.86), and having ever had unprotected casual sex (OR = 1. 72; 95%CI: 0.99-2.99). HHV8 and HSV2 infections are common in Chinese MSM. It is important to implement programs for preventing herpes virus infection among MSM, particularly high-risk groups such as money buys. And protected sexual intercourse should be propagated. J. Med. Virol. 89:887-894, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]