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Background Schistosomiasis remains a serious public health problem in affected countries, and routine, highly sensitive and cost-effective diagnostic methods are lacking. We evaluated two immunodiagnostic techniques for the detection of Schistosoma japonicum infections: circulating antibody and circulating antigen assays. Methods A total of 1864 individuals (between 6 and 72 years old) residing in five administrative villages in Hubei province were screened by serum examination with an indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA). The positive individuals (titer ≥20 in IHA) were reconfirmed by stool examination with the Kato-Katz method (three slides from a single stool specimen). Samples of good serum quality and a volume above 0.5 ml were selected for further testing with two immunodiagnostic antibody (DDIA and ELISA) and two antigen (ELISA) assays. Results The average antibody positive rate in the five villages was 12.7%, while the average parasitological prevalence was 1.50%; 25 of the 28 egg-positive samples were also circulating antigen-positive. Significant differences were observed between the prevalence according to the Kato-Katz method and all three immunodiagnostic antibody assays (P-value

To explore the relationship between schistosome serum test positive rate of residents and positive rate of Oncomelania snails in a national schistosomiasis surveillance site of Jiangling County.According to the national schistosomiasis monitoring scheme, the data of surveillance including the schistosome serum test positive rates of residents and positive rates of Oncomelania snails from 2005 to 2011 were collected and analyzed statistically.From 2005 to 2011, the schistosome serum test positive rates of residents were 26.09%, 11.84%, 10.37%, 10.09%, 12.08%,9.61%, and 6.00%, respectively; the schistosome positive rates of Oncomelania snails were 0.36%, 0.08%, 0.15%, 0.129%, 0.067%, 0.091%, and 0.045%, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between them (r = 0.929, P0.01).There is a positive correlation between schistosome serum test positive rate of residents and positive rate of Oncomelania snails. Therefore, we should strengthen the snail control.

To study the risk factors of schistosomiasis related to household economic condition and individual behavior in marshland and lake regions, so as to provide evidences for schistosomiasis control.Six villages were sampled with the stratified cluster sampling method, 2 339 villagers from 1 247 households were surveyed by a questionnaire and meanwhile their sera were assayed for schistosomiasis by IHA. The Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between the results of serological examinations and risk factors.The Logistic regression model fitted well (R2 = 0.598 4) and it indicated that there existed a regressive relationship between the antibody positive rate and the endemic situation of village, family economic status, age, education level and infection history of schistosomiasis.Suitable measures should be made in according to the local economic situation, endemic type and population to control the transmission of schistosomiasis effectively.

This study aimed to explore the pharmacokinetic features of levofloxacin (LVFX) in Chinese patients with infections and to confirm oral LVFX 500 mg once daily as an optimal treatment regimen based on pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) analysis. A total of 1052 plasma samples from 164 Chinese adult patients with community acquired lower respiratory tract infections (CALRTIs) and 18 healthy volunteers were used for population PK analysis. LVFX 500-mg tablets were given once daily. A nonlinear mixed effects model (NONMEM) program was used for population PK model-building and a two-compartment model with first-order absorption process was established. Creatinine clearance (CL(cr)) and body weight were identified as intrinsic factors which significantly affected oral clearance (CL(t)/F) and the apparent volume of distribution of the central compartment (V1/F), respectively. The final model is described as follows: CL(t)/F (l/h) = (8.97 + 0.917 x (CL(cr) (ml/min)-100.92) x 60/1000) x exp (eta(CLt/F)). V1/F (l) = (85.3 + 1.22 x (weight (kg)-60.75)) x exp (eta(V1/F)). Q/F (l/h) = 0.351. V2/F (l) = 6.81. k(a) (h(-1)) = 1.44 x exp(eta(ka)). Based on the population PK model, mean C(max) and AUC(0-24h) in CALRTI patients were estimated as 5.13 microg/ml and 58.98 microg.h/ml, respectively. A subgroup analysis showed that patients with mild renal dysfunction (50 ml/minor = CL(cr)80 ml/min) had 34% higher AUC(0-24h) values compared to patients with normal renal function (CL(cr)or = 80 ml/min). Postmodeling simulation using final population PK estimates also showed that C(max) and AUC(0-24h) increased markedly in patients with severe renal dysfunction. The results indicate that LVFX dosage adjustment should be individualized on the basis of the CL(cr), especially in those with CL(cr) less than 50 ml/min. None of the PK parameters had any correlation with the occurrence of adverse events. PK-PD analysis indicated that, in patients treated with LVFX 500 mg once daily, the AUC(0-24h)/MIC ratio exceeded the target for those major CALRTI pathogens isolated. In addition, the C(max)/MIC ratio reached 5 for Streptococcus pneumoniae, indicating that the emergence of LVFX-resistant S. pneumoniae could be prevented during the therapy with this dosage regimen. These results demonstrate that oral LVFX 500 mg once daily has favorable PK parameters and PK-PD features in patients with CALRTIs, and the results strongly support this dosage regimen for the treatment of CALRTI.