Clinical outcomes of doxycycline, azithromycin and chloramphenicol for the treatment of patients with severe scrub typhus.

Background: Previous studies have evaluated treatment efficacy of various antibiotics for patients with mild-to-moderate scrub typhus (ST). However, the efficacy of different antibiotics for treating severe ST remains uncertain.

Methods: A retrospective study of patients with severe ST was undertaken in China.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors for severe scrub typhus in pediatric and elderly patients.

Background: Scrub typhus (ST) is a life-threatening infectious disease if appropriate treatment is unavailable. Large discrepancy of clinical severity of ST patients was reported among age groups, and the underlying risk factors for severe disease are unclear.

Methods: Clinical and epidemiological data of ST patients were collected in 55 surveillance hospitals located in Guangzhou City, China, from 2012 to 2018.

is not always associated with adverse health effects in the Guangdong Gut Microbiome Project.

(DSV) is frequently found in the human intestine but limited knowledge is available regarding the relationship between DSV and host health. In this study, we analyzed large-scale cohort data from the Guangdong Gut Microbiome Project to study the ecology of DSV and the associations of DSV and host health parameters. Phylogenetic analysis showed that might be the most common and abundant DSV species in the GGMP.

Distribution and characteristics of Beilong virus among wild rodents and shrews in China.

Beilong virus (BeiV), a member of the newly recognized genus Jeilongvirus of family Paramyxoviridae, has been reported with limited geographic and host scopes, only in Hongkong, China and from two rat species. Here, by next-generation sequencing (NGS) on dominant wild small animal species in 4 provinces in China, we obtained a complete sequence of BeiV strain from Rattus norvegicus in Guangdong, neighboring HongKong, China. We then made an expanded epidemiological investigation in 11 provinces to obtain the geographic distribution and genetic features of this virus.

Household secondary attack rate of COVID-19 and associated determinants in Guangzhou, China: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: As of June 8, 2020, the global reported number of COVID-19 cases had reached more than 7 million with over 400 000 deaths. The household transmissibility of the causative pathogen, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), remains unclear. We aimed to estimate the secondary attack rate of SARS-CoV-2 among household and non-household close contacts in Guangzhou, China, using a statistical transmission model.

High Oscillospira abundance indicates constipation and low BMI in the Guangdong Gut Microbiome Project.

Oscillospira is a common yet rarely cultivated gut bacterial genus. Recently human gut microbiota studies have demonstrated its underlying significance for host health. However, little is known about Oscillospira-related host information and the links between Oscillospira and other members of the gut microbial community.

Household Secondary Attack Rate of COVID-19 and Associated Determinants.

Background: As of April 2, 2020, the global reported number of COVID-19 cases has crossed over 1 million with more than 55,000 deaths. The household transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2, the causative pathogen, remains elusive.

Methods: Based on a comprehensive contact-tracing dataset from Guangzhou, we estimated both the population-level effective reproductive number and individual-level secondary attack rate (SAR) in the household setting.

Association between climatic factors and varicella incidence in Guangzhou, Southern China, 2006-2018.

Objective: To analyze the correlation between climatic factors and the incidence of varicella in Guangzhou, and improve the prevention measures about public health.

Methods: Data for daily climatic variables and varicella incidence from 2006 to 2018 in Guangzhou were collected from the Guangzhou Meteorological Bureau and the National Notifiable Disease Report System. Distributed lag nonlinear models were applied to evaluate the association between climatic factors and varicella incidence.

Effects of dairy products, calcium and vitamin D on ovarian cancer risk: a meta-analysis of twenty-nine epidemiological studies.

Findings for the roles of dairy products, Ca and vitamin D on ovarian cancer risk remain controversial. We aimed to assess these associations by using an updated meta-analysis. Five electronic databases (e.

Ambient air pollution and depression: A systematic review with meta-analysis up to 2019.

Although epidemiological studies have evaluated the associations of ambient air pollution with depression, the results remained mixed. To clarify the nature of the association, we performed a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis with the Inverse Variance Heterogeneity (IVhet) model to estimate the effect of ambient air pollution on depression. Three English and four Chinese databases were searched for epidemiologic studies investigating associations of ambient particulate (diameter ≤ 2.

Transmission risk of avian influenza virus along poultry supply chains in Guangdong, China.

Objectives: Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) poise significant risk to human health and the poultry industry. We evaluated the transmission risk along the poultry supply chain.

Methods: During October 2015 and July 2016, four rounds of cross-sectional surveys were performed to characterize AIV spread in farms, transport vehicles, slaughterhouses, wholesale and retail live poultry markets (LPMs).

Effect of meteorological factors on scarlet fever incidence in Guangzhou City, Southern China, 2006-2017.

Objective: To explore the relationship between meteorological factors and scarlet fever incidence from 2006 to 2017 in Guangzhou, the largest subtropical city of Southern China, and assist public health prevention and control measures.

Methods: Data for weekly scarlet fever incidence and meteorological variables from 2006 to 2017 in Guangzhou were collected from the National Notifiable Disease Report System (NNDRS) and the Guangzhou Meteorological Bureau (GZMB). Distributed lag nonlinear models (DLNMs) were conducted to estimate the effect of meteorological factors on weekly scarlet fever incidence in Guangzhou.

The dengue preface to endemic in mainland China: the historical largest outbreak by Aedes albopictus in Guangzhou, 2014.

Background: Dengue was regarded as a mild epidemic in mainland China transmitted by Aedes albopictus. However, the 2014 record-breaking outbreak in Guangzhou could change the situation. In order to provide an early warning of epidemic trends and provide evidence for prevention and control strategies, we seek to characterize the 2014 outbreak through application of detailed cases and entomological data, as well as phylogenetic analysis of viral envelope (E) gene.

Rapid increase of scrub typhus incidence in Guangzhou, southern China, 2006-2014.

Background: In the last decade, scrub typhus (ST) has been emerging or re-emerging in some areas of Asia, including Guangzhou, one of the most affected endemic areas of ST in China.

Methods: Based on the data on all cases reported in Guangzhou from 2006 to 2014, we characterized the epidemiological features, and identified environmental determinants for the spatial distribution of ST using a panel negative binomial model.

Results: A total of 4821 scrub typhus cases were reported in Guangzhou during 2006-2014.

Factors associated with clinical outcome in 25 patients with avian influenza A (H7N9) infection in Guangzhou, China.

Background: Guangzhou reported its first laboratory-confirmed case of influenza A (H7N9) on January 10, 2014. A total of 25 cases were reported from the first wave of the epidemic until April 8, 2014. The fatality rate was much higher than in previous reports.

Live Bird Exposure among the General Public, Guangzhou, China, May 2013.

Background: A novel avian-origin influenza A(H7N9) caused a major outbreak in Mainland China in early 2013. Exposure to live poultry was believed to be the major route of infection. There are limited data on how the general public changes their practices regarding live poultry exposure in response to the early outbreak of this novel influenza and the frequency of population exposure to live poultry in different areas of China.

The Impacts of Mosquito Density and Meteorological Factors on Dengue Fever Epidemics in Guangzhou, China, 2006-2014: a Time-series Analysis.

Objective: To explore the associations between the monthly number of dengue fever(DF) cases and possible risk factors in Guangzhou, a subtropical city of China.

Methods: The monthly number of DF cases, Breteau Index (BI), and meteorological measures during 2006-2014 recorded in Guangzhou, China, were assessed. A negative binomial regression model was used to evaluate the relationships between BI, meteorological factors, and the monthly number of DF cases.

Attitudinal changes toward control measures in live poultry markets among the general public and live poultry traders, Guangzhou, China, January-February, 2014.

Two sets of cross-sectional surveys were conducted among the general public and live poultry traders (LPTs) during January-February, 2014, to monitor attitudes toward human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9)-related control measures among these 2 parties in Guangzhou, China. We found generally high support for regular market rest days among the general public and LPTs, but only limited support for permanent central slaughtering of poultry. LPTs' support for relevant control measures declined after the citywide wet market closure.

[Study on epidemic characteristics and etiology of community acquired pneumonia in Guangzhou from 2009 to 2012].

Objective: To investigate the epidemic characteristics and pathogenic spectrum of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Guangzhou from 2009 to 2012.

Method: 14 major comprehensive hospitals were selected from 11 districts as sentinel hospitals for CAP cases surveillance, including 18 982 223 in total during the 4 years. The characteristics of pathogenic spectrum of CAP were stratified and analyzed by year, age and season.

[An epidemiological investigation on a food-born outbreak of noroviru caused by Sydney 2012 G II.4 strain].

Objective: To identify the source of infection, route of transmission and risk factors related to a cluster of acute gastroenteritis cases in a university of Guangzhou.

Methods: Cases were identified according to the definition. Descriptive epidemiological approaches and case-control study designs were employed in the analysis.

Dengue Fever epidemiological status and relationship with meteorological variables in Guangzhou, Southern China, 2007-2012.

Ecological methodology plus negative binomial regression were used to identify dengue fever (DF) epidemiological status and its relationship with meteorological variables. From 2007 to 2012, annual incidence rate of DF in Guangzhou was 0.33, 0.

[Evaluation on the risks of H5, H7 and H9 avian influenza infections in Guangzhou: using data from the 2006-2012 avian influenza surveillance program].

Objective: To analyze the results of avian influenza surveillance program in Guangzhou from 2006 to 2012 and to evaluate the risk of infections with H5, H7 and H9 subtypes avian influenza viruses.

Methods: Avian influenza surveillance system in Guangzhou consisted five components:serum surveillance on occupational population, environmental specimen surveillance of avian influenza virus, avian flu emergency surveillance, influenza viruses surveillance on ILI patient and surveillance on pneumonia of unknown causes. Hemagglutination inhibition test was conducted to detect the antibodies against H5, H7 and H9 while RT-PCR was used to test the nucleic acid of H5, H7 and H9 viruses.

[Risk evaluation on H7N9 avian influenza in Guangzhou, China].

Objective: We conducted both quick surveillance and evaluation programs within one week after the novel H7N9 influenza cases had been released by the Ministry of Health (MOH), to get the basic information on H7N9 virus in Guangzhou.

Methods: We sampled live birds from food markets and the natural habitat of birds to detect H7N9, H5 and H9 viruses. We interviewed workers from both markets and natural habitats.