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Echinococcosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by E. granulosus, E. multiloculari, E. shiquicus, E. orligarthrus and E.vogeli. Hydatid disease seriously endangers human health, brings great pain and heavy economic burden to the patients and their families, and is one of the main reasons for the poor people in the agricultural and pastoral areas in western China, and is a serious worldwide public health problem. Immunological diagnosis of hydatid disease plays an important role in clinical diagnosis, operation and prognosis evaluation and field epidemiological investigation. At present, the commonly used immunological detection methods for hydatidosis include ELISA, DIGFA, IHA, etc, with their own advantages and disadvantages, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy, and differences in experimental conditions, operation simplicity, time, field flow regulation, clinical application and information provided by test results. Due to the lack of standardization of the commonly used immunological detection methods, and the influence of the activity and size of hydatid cyst and other factors, the sensitivity and specificity are not ideal. This paper mainly introduces the research progress of hydatid immunology diagnosis at home and abroad to guide the practical application of hydatid prevention and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Chronic soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections have been associated with reduced physical fitness, but available evidence is limited. The aim of this cross-sectional survey was to assess the feasibility of measuring children's physical fitness and to relate it to STH infections. Our study was carried out among school-aged children of the Bulang ethnic group in rural southwest People's Republic of China (P.R. China). Standardized, quality-controlled methods were employed to determine STH infections (Kato-Katz technique), haemoglobin levels, anthropometry (body weight and height) and physical fitness (20-m shuttle run test). Results A compliance of 87% suggested good acceptance of the methods used. Among 69 children with complete data records, infection prevalence of Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm were 81%, 44% and 6%, respectively. The maximum volume of oxygen that can be utilized within 1 min during exhaustive exercise (VO2 max estimate) of T. trichiura-infected children was 1.94 ml kg-1 min-1 lower than that of their non-infected counterparts (P = 0.005). Until exhaustion, T. trichiura-infected children had completed 6.14 20-m laps less (P = 0.004). Additionally, the mean VO2 max estimate of stunted children was lowered by 1.63 ml kg-1 min-1 (P = 0.002) and they completed 5.32 20-m laps less (P = 0.001) compared to children of normal stature. No significant association between stunting and infection with any STH species could be established. Conclusions Implementation of physical fitness tests in rural, resource-constraint settings is feasible. The physical fitness of children who are stunted or infected with STHs, particularly T. trichiura, is significantly impaired. We have launched a larger study and will determine the dynamics of school-aged children's physical fitness over a 7-month period after administration of anthelminthic drugs.

Objective To understand the human Trichuris trichiura (TTr) infection Yunnan Province, and we provide a scientific basis for the formulation of the strategy and measures for the prevention and control of Trichobiasis in Yunnan. Methods Total 20 survey sites were selected from 10 counties by using a satisfied sampling method. The modified Kato-Katz thick smear method were used for detection of TTr eggs, the results were observed through microcopy and infection rate was calculated. SPSS 16.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results A total of 5 067 people were investigated, 429 human TTr were detected, the infection rate of TTr was 8.47%. Among the TTr infections, most of them were mild infection (88.58%, 380/429), with medium infection (10.72%, 46/429) and severe infection (0.70%, 3/429). The infection rate of the Eastern Tibet and Western Sichuan Eco-region was 23.13% (294/1 271). The prevalence rate of TTr in Gongshan was 37.14% (283/762). Children with younger age had the highest prevalence of TTr infections (15.68%, 103/657) than other age group. The prevalence of TTr with preschool education level (17.70%, 77/435) and students (10.68%, 66/618) was higher than other occupations. The infection rate of illiterate group (13.29%, 179/1 347) was higher than that of other literate groups. In terms of ethical nationality, Dulong people had the highest prevalence of TTr infections was 68.66% (184/268), the prevalence rate of Lisu people was 22.31% (58/260). There was significant differences in the prevalence of TTr infections among people with different age, occupations, education levels and ethical nationalities (P<0.05). Conclusion The survey results showed that the prevalence of Trichuris trichiura infections is still high in some minority areas and the infection rate of trichuriasis is regionalized in Yunnan Province. It is necessary to strengthen the prevention, control and surveillance measures for Trichuris trichiura in farmers, students and children who have the highest infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim was to evaluate the effect of comprehensive intensive therapy on the carotid and femoral arteries of intima-media thickness in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus after 4-year follow-up. Methods: In this prospective 4-year study, patients (N = 210) with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes received either comprehensive intensive therapy (n = 110) or conventional therapy (n = 100). Blood pressure, blood glucose and lipid levels were monitored every 3–6 months, and carotid and femoral arteries of intima-media thickness were monitored with ultrasonography. For the literature review, various databases were searched until 20 December 2014 for studies that evaluated effects of intensive multi-factorial therapies on comprehensive intensive therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Results: The comprehensive intensive therapy group had a smaller rate of carotid intima-media thickness increase than the conventional therapy (control) group (p < 0.05). The carotid intima-media thickness in comprehensive intensive therapy group remained stable while the adjusted rate of carotid intima-media thickness increase was 12.55% in the control group. The femoral intima-media thickness change was also smaller in comprehensive intensive therapy group but the difference over time did not reach significance. Conclusion: The carotid intima-media thickness remained stable in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who received comprehensive intensive therapy, suggesting that multi-factorial intensive therapies might have potential in reducing macro-vascular events in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To understand the status of Toxoplasma gondii infection in the population of Pu'er City, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the strategy of toxoplasmosis control., Methods: The population from Jingdong, Jinggu, and Menglian counties in Pu' er City was surveyed; IgG of T. gondii in serum was detected by ELISA., Results: Totally 906 resident serum samples were detected and the IgG positive rate was 24.2%. The positive rates were higher in the aged groups of 30-39 years and 60-69 years, and the difference among different aged groups was significant (Χ2 = 17.77, P < 0.01). There were no significant differences between different sexualities, and among different educational levels and living habits (P > 0.05). The positive rates were 26.6% (194/730), 15.5% (22/142), and 8.8% (3/34) in farmers, students and other occupations, respectively, and there was a significant difference among them (Χ2 = 12.51, P < 0.01). The positive rates were 23.3% (198/849)and 36.8% (21/57) in the farmers who had the habit of rearing pigs in pens and the farmers who had the habit of free ranging pigs, respectively, and there was a significant difference between them (Χ2 = 5.33, P < 0.05)., Conclusion: The IgG positive rate of T. gondii is very high in Pu'er City, and therefore, the health education for toxoplasmosis control should be strengthened.

In the national monitoring point, Menghai County, Yunnan Province, the total prevalence rate of soil-transmitted nematode infections was 88.12%, of which the rates of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, hookworm and cestode infections were 69.70%, 59.79%, 36.79%, and 1.30% respectively from 2006 to 2009. The infection intensities were slight. The Ascaris lumbricoides infection rate in soil of vegetable garden was 44.5%. In conclusion, the infection rate of soil-transmitted nematodes is high in the monitoring point.