Association between cadherin-related family member 3 rs6967330-A and human rhinovirus-C induced wheezing in children.

Background: The heterogeneity of childhood wheezing illnesses is associated with viral and host factors. Human rhinoviruses (HRV) are the major pathogens in severe wheezing in young children. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs6967330 G > A proved to heighten the risk of wheezing.

Marek's disease virus-encoded microRNA-M6-5p facilitates viral latent infection by targeting histone demethylase KDM2B.

Marek's disease virus (MDV), a highly contagious and oncogenic avian alphaherpesvirus, establishes a latent infection primarily in CD4 T cells. Latent infections are necessary for both persistent lifelong MDV infection and viral tumorigenesis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play critical roles as post-transcriptional regulators of viral infections.

The Cumulative Variations of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Fusion Protein (F) in Ten Consecutive Years in China.

Background: Variations in the fusion (F) protein of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) with main antigenic sites I-V and Ø may affect the development of RSV vaccines and therapies.

Methods: In the study, 30 respiratory specimens positive for RSV were randomly selected from children with acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) in Beijing every year from 2012 to 2021 for gene sequencing. Then, 300 gene sequences and 508 uploaded to GenBank from China were subjected to phylogenetic analysis.

Diverse Head-to-Tail Sequences in the Circular Genome of Human Bocavirus Genotype 1 among Children with Acute Respiratory Infections Implied the Switch of Template Chain in the Rolling-Circle Replication Model.

Head-to-tail sequences have been reported in human bocavirus (HBoV) 1-4. To reveal their features and functions, HBoV DNA was screened among respiratory specimens from pediatric patients with an acute respiratory infection (ARI) between April 2020 and December 2022, followed by HBoV genotyping. Head-to-tail sequences were detected using nested PCR, TA cloning, and Sanger sequencing, and these findings were confirmed by mNGS and amplicon sequencing.

More common RNAemia in the early stage of severe SARS-CoV-2 BF.7.14 infections in pediatric patients.

The risk factors of severe infections in children during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak in Beijing remain elusive. SARS-CoV-2-positive children admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with collected plasma specimens were enrolled and screened for common pathogens using capillary electrophoresis-based multiplex PCR from December 12, 2022, to January 24, 2023. The SARS-CoV-2 sub-variants were identified using next-generation sequencing.

Clinical characteristics of abruptly increased paediatric patients with Omicron BF.7 or BA.5.2 in Beijing.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak has hit Beijing since mid-Nov, 2022, with soaring growth of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) among children. Therefore, it is vital to determine the clinical manifestations of epidemic SARS-CoV-2 strains in paediatric patients.

Methods: In this study, nucleic acid tests (NATs) for SARS-CoV-2 were performed in paediatric outpatients with symptoms of acute respiratory tract infection during 18 Nov-6 Dec, 2022.

Genetic Evolution and Variation of Human Adenovirus Serotype 31 Epidemic Strains in Beijing, China, during 2010-2022.

Human adenovirus serotype 31 (HAdV-31) is closely associated with gastroenteritis in children and can cause fatal systemic disseminated diseases in immunocompromised patients. The lack of genomic data for HAdV-31, especially in China, will greatly limit research on its prevention and control. Sequencing and bioinformatics analyses were performed for HAdV-31 strains from diarrheal children in Beijing, China, during 2010-2022.

Immune escaping of the novel genotypes of human respiratory syncytial virus based on gene sequence variation.

Purpose: Immune escaping from host herd immunity has been related to changes in viral genomic sequences. The study aimed to understand the diverse immune responses to different subtypes or genotypes of human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in pediatric patients.

Methods: The genomic sequences of different subtypes or RSV genotypes, isolated from Beijing patients, were sequenced and systematically analyzed.

The changed endemic pattern of human adenovirus from species B to C among pediatric patients under the pressure of non-pharmaceutical interventions against COVID-19 in Beijing, China.

Background: Under the pressure of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) targeting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the prevalence of human adenovirus (HAdV) was monitored before and after NPIs launched on Jan 24, 2020 in pediatric patients in Beijing, China.

Methods: Respiratory samples collected from children hospitalized with acute respiratory infections from Jan 2015 to Dec 2021 were screened by direct immunofluorescence test or capillary electrophoresis-based multiplex PCR assay. The hexon, penton base, and fiber genes were amplified from HAdV positive specimens, then sequenced.

A neutralizing monoclonal antibody-based blocking ELISA to detect bovine herpesvirus 1 and vaccination efficacy.

Infections caused by bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) remain a serious global issue to the health and welfare of the bovine industry. Monitoring of neutralizing antibodies is essential not only for epidemic diagnosis, but also to assess vaccination efficacy. In this study, we generated a neutralizing monoclonal antibody, termed as 3F8, targeting glycoprotein D (gD) of BoHV-1.

Comparative analysis of the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of human influenza virus versus human respiratory syncytial virus versus human metapneumovirus infection in nine provinces of China during 2009-2021.

A comparative analysis of confirmed cases of human influenza virus (HIFV), human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV), and human metapneumovirus (HMPV) was conducted to describe their clinical and epidemiological characteristics. During 2009-2021, active surveillance of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) was performed in nine provinces of China. Clinical and epidemiological information and laboratory testing results of HIFV, HRSV, and HMPV were analyzed.

Surges of hospital-based rhinovirus infection during the 2020 coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic in Beijing, China.

Background: A series of public health preventive measures has been widely implemented in Beijing to control the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic since January 2020. An evaluation of the effects of these preventive measures on the spread of other respiratory viruses is necessary.

Methods: Respiratory specimens collected from children with acute respiratory infections were tested by NxTAG™ respiratory pathogen panel assays during January 2017 and December 2020.

Genetic diversity and molecular evolution of human adenovirus serotype 41 strains circulating in Beijing, China, during 2010-2019.

Human adenovirus serotype 41 (HAdV-F41) is an important pathogen that causes diarrhea in children. However, the data on its molecular genetic characteristics and evolutionary history are still neither comprehensive nor sufficient. Four capsid protein genes from 58 HAdV-F41-positive specimens taken from diarrheal children in Beijing during 2010-2019 were amplified and analyzed.

Molecular epidemiology of coxsackievirus A16 circulating in children in Beijing, China from 2010 to 2019.

Background: Coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16) is one of the major etiological agents of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). This study aimed to investigate the molecular epidemiology and evolutionary characteristics of CVA16.

Methods: Throat swabs were collected from children with HFMD and suspected HFMD during 2010-2019.

A clinical scoring system for pediatric hand-foot-mouth disease.

Background: The aim of the present study was to develop a clinical scoring system for the diagnosis of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) with improved accuracy.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on standardized patient history and clinical examination data obtained from 1435 pediatric patients under the age of three years who presented with acute rash illness and underwent enterovirus nucleic acid detection. Patients were then divided into the HFMD (1094 patients) group or non-HFMD (341 patients) group based on a positive or a negative result from the assay, respectively.

Application of Human Adenovirus Genotyping by Phylogenetic Analysis in an Outbreak to Identify Nosocomial Infection.

Nosocomial infections are common in pediatric patients and can be fatal in infants and immunocompromised patients. In September 2018, a high positive rate of human adenovirus HAdV was occurred among hospitalized children in the Children's Hospital Affiliated to the Capital Institute of Paediatrics in Beijing. To investigate whether this outbreak of HAdV was related to nosocomial infections or the result of community infections, we collected respiratory specimens from patients with acute respiratory infections in a respiratory ward during June to December 2018, and screened for respiratory viruses.

Sub-genotype change and recombination of coxsackievirus A6s may be the cause of it being the predominant pathogen for HFMD in children in Beijing, as revealed by analysis of complete genome sequences.

Objectives: To investigate why coxsackievirus A6 (CVA6) has replaced enterovirus A71 (EV71) and coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16), which used to be the most predominant etiological agents, for hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in children in Beijing, China.

Methods: Sixty-four CVA6-positive samples were identified from 2010 to 2016 and selected for whole genome sequence amplification and analysis.

Results: It was demonstrated that the whole genome sequences of CVA6s in this study were 7432-7435 nucleotides in length, and the different lengths were only in the 5'UTR region.

First detection and genotyping of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in pet fancy rats (Rattus norvegicus) and guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) in China.

Enterocytozoon bieneusi, an obligate intracellular microsporidian parasite, can infect humans and a wide variety of animals worldwide. However, information on the prevalence and molecular characterization of E. bieneusi in pet rats and guinea pigs is lacking.