Table of Content

30 October 2009, Volume 27 Issue 5

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特约综述

Echinococcosis Control in China: Challenges and Research Needs

CHAIJun-jie

2009, 27(5):  1-383. 

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Based on a review of the practices of echinococcosis control in China and of the historical experience from the international community in the field, this paper discussed the research achievements and challenges. The author indicated that it is a realistic time to launch a comprehensive control program in western China and there are urgent needs for scientific research integrating into the program.

Progress in Anthelmintic Agent Study since the Founding of the People′s Republic of China and Current Challenges

XIAOShu-hua

2009, 27(5):  2-389. 

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This paper summarizes the progress in the study on anthelmintics, including nematocide， trematocide and cestocide since the founding of the People′s Republic of China and the roles that these agents played in the control of parasitic diseases. Meanwhile, views are given to the challenges faced in the further study on anthelmintics.

Research and Development of Malaria Vaccine in China

ZHANGDong-mei;PANWei-qing

2009, 27(5):  3-393. 

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It remains an urgent need to develop effective malaria vaccine for global control of malaria. Application of high technologies such as biotechnology has facilitated the process of vaccine development for malaria. In the past 30 years， a large number of vaccine candidate antigens for malaria have been identified and some of them are currently in clinical trials. Major progress in malaria vaccine development has also been made in China. The PfCP-2.9 blood stage vaccine for malaria has entered clinical studies and some other vaccine candidates including combination malaria vaccine are currently in pre-clinical studies. The availability of various national research programs and international funding has stimulated laboratory and pre-clinical studies of malaria vaccine candidates. It remains a long-term goal to develop a safe and effective malaria vaccine to control and even eliminate the disease in the world, and many issues including malaria immunology and various types of technologies need to be addressed. However, efforts need to be continued toward the goal.

Present Situation of Visceral Leishmaniasis and Prospect for its Control in China

GUANLi-ren

2009, 27(5):  4-397. 

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Since the founding of the People′s Republic of China， considerable success was achieved in visceral leishmaniasis（VL） control. By the end of 1970s， VL was effectively controlled from most endemic areas. However， VL has still been prevalent in some areas or sporadical cases reported in some other areas of 6 provinces/autonomous regions in western China， including Xinjiang， Gansu， Sichuan， Shaanxi， Shanxi and Inner Mongolia. It is suggested that research activities be encouraged， including epidemiological factors， phlebotomine vector biology and control， wild animal hosts and disease relapse after treatment. Surveillance should be emphasized in the provinces/autonomous regions/municipalities where the disease has already been eliminated.

Achievements and Challenges in Schistosomiasis Control in China

ZHENGJiang

2009, 27(5):  5-401. 

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Achievements for schistosomiasis control have been gained by implementation of integrated control strategies according to local conditions since the founding of the People′s Republic of China. By the end of 2008, 5 of the 12 provinces reached the criteria of transmission interruption. Among 454 endemic counties, transmission was interrupted in 265 counties while 97 counties reached the criteria of transmission control. The number of schistosomiasis cases decreased from 10 million in history to 413 000. Currently, there still left 92 counties where the disease is endemic and mainly distributed in lake and mountainous regions. Limited by the environmental and socio-economic factors, integrated control strategies could not be carried out in these places. Although the strategies based on reducing the roles of humans and cattle as resources of infection decreased the infection rate and intensity quickly, re-infection occurred frequently due to the spread of snails and numerous animal reservoirs. Chemotherapy alone could not interrupt the transmission. By changing the traditional biomedical control model, applying integrated control strategy mainly with social measures, integrating disease control with local social and economic development programs, changing the traditional life styles and agricultural production patterns, and eliminating the risk factors for schistosmiasis transmission, schistosomiasis control can be developed sustainably and reach the criteria of transmission interruption finally.

Research Progress on Schistosome Vaccine and Prospect of its Application in China

WANGShi-ping;CHENXiu-chun;GAODong-mei

2009, 27(5):  6-411. 

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Development of vaccine against schistosomiasis japonica has been incorporated into WHO/TDR and China′s main disease control research programs. In recent years，the research on the anti-schistosomiasis vaccine has made significant progress. With the development of proteomics and molecular biology technology, Anti-Schistosoma japonicum vaccine research has been developed to a stage of genetic engineering in our country and DNA vaccines have become the main direction. It reveals new ways to enhance the immunoprotection of Schistosoma japonicum vaccine through screening new candidate antgens， optimizing combination of the mixed/multivalent vaccines， or adjuvant addition.

Advances on Genetics and Biological Characteristics of Oncomelania hupensis

ZHOUXiao-nong;LIShi-zhu;LIUQin;ZHANGYi

2009, 27(5):  7-418. 

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This review focused on the research progress in genetic features of Oncomelania hupensis， including its relation to the snail distribution, susceptibility to Schisotsoma japonicum. Series studies were done on genetic characteristics for snail distribution and its infectivity with S. japonicum by using population genetics and molecular biology approaches to explore the new avenue to block the transmission of schistosomiasis. However， limited progress has been achieved in this field inside in China comparing with global achievements. It is therefore recommended that future studies have to be focused on genetic features related to schistosome infections by referencing the study model of Biomphalaria glabrata / S. mansoni， and with assistance of modern technology on biomics， in order to improve investigations on genetics of Oncomelania hupensis in the country.

Dermatophagoides farinae Mite Allergen and Specific Immunotherapy in Shanghai

WENTing-huan

2009, 27(5):  8-425. 

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Studies on mite allergy had been launched by the Shanghai First Medical College since 1970′s in this country. The preparations of SMU-Df from the local specimens of Dermatophagoides farinae(Df） in Shanghai have been shown the highest allergenic potency in comparison with that of the foreign ones， including the Df preparations from USFDA， VUS and ALK. Similar patterns of the protein curves were yielded by gel filtration, indicating almost similar allergenicities with both Df pure mite body and its spent culture medium. Around 80% of the allergic cases were sensitive to mite allergen and can be diagnosed by skin prick test， nasal provocation test and serum IgE level assay. Seasonal classic immunotherapy for allergic patients by Injectio Dermatophagoidei farinae， the first commercial allergen licensed by the Chinese government， achieved significant effect in relieving symptoms of allergic disorders in majority of cases， and long lasting effect of mite specific immunotherapy was also documented with minimal adverse reactions. Modifications of the Df crude extract and various modes of treatment have been studied. Studies on sublingual mite vaccine for mite allergic disorders developed synchronously with foreign trend since 1992. Sublingual drops were well acceptable by child cases almost without age restriction with higher efficacy. Rush schedule of mite immunotherapy led to a quick relief of allergic symptoms and long lasting curative effects. The Df allergen induced immunological regulation of human beings was established not only among the atopic patients， but also in healthy persons.

Toxoplasma gondii: Past, Present and Future

CHENXiao-guang*;TANFeng

2009, 27(5):  9-431. 

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Toxoplasma gondii is a globally distributed Apicomplexan Protozoa which can infect all warm-blooded animals and cause serious diseases in immunocompromised host. More attention has been paid to wide distribution and opportunistic pathogenesis of T. gondii. This paper is summarized the history, the lastest hotspots in Toxoplasma and future challenges in toxoplasmosis control.

Exploratory Thinking on the Control Technologies of Schistosomiasis Japonica

ZENGQing-ren;YANGSheng-hui;HEYong-kang

2009, 27(5):  10-435. 

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In this paper, the authors elaborated the difficulties of schistosomiasis control and analyzed shortages and problems of the skills currently used. In order to consolidate the progress in schistosomiasis control and reach the transmission-blocking target, research priorities on the disease control technologies are proposed.

专家论坛

On Revision of the Tribe Aedini Mosquitoes Taxa Record in China, with a Proposed New Classification System （Diptera∶ Culicidae）

QUFeng-yi;ZHUHuai-min

2009, 27(5):  11-447. 

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This paper reports the rectification results of the tribe aedini mosquitoes formerly recorded in China, using the classification system proposed by Reinert during the recent years. Among all the 171 species of Chinese aedini mosquitoes examined, 160 species could be included in the new classification system. The other 11 species were listed in traditional taxonomic status for further study. The proposed new classification system of the Chinese aedini mosquitoes contained 29 genera, i.e. Aedes， Armigeres， Ayurakitia， Bothaella*， Bruceharrisonius*， Christophersiomyia*， Collessius*， Danielsia*， Downsiomyia*， Edwardsaedes*， Finlaya*， Fredwardsius*， Gilesius*， Heizmannia， Himalaius*， Hopkinsius*， Hulecoeteomyia*， Jihlienius*， Kenknightia*， Luius*， Mucidus*， Neomelaniconion*， Ochlerotatus， Phagomyia*， Scutomyia*， Stegomyia*， Tanakaius*， Udaya， and Verrallina. Among them, 22 genera （*） were new records in China. Besides, the authors made a significant revision to the following 4 species recorded formerly in 《Fauna Sinica, Insecta Vol. 8, Diptera: Culicidae》: Ae. （Edw.） antuensis as the synonym of Ed. pingpaensis, while Ae. （Sin.） occidentayunnanus, Ae. （Och.） flavidorsalis, and Ae. （Fin.） subsimilis should be rectified as Hz. （Mat.） occidentayunnana, Oc. albineus, and Ud. subsimilis, respectively.

A Historical Reflect on the Disciplinary Development of Human Parasitology

JIMin-jun;WUGuan-ling

2009, 27(5):  12-454. 

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The authors, in this paper, has briefly looked back the developmental history of human parasitology, which, as an independent discipline, was established in late 19th century and early 20th century. In the process, it underwent an early height of development, then met with setback and relative decline. Since 70s-80s of last century, the introduction and application of new theory of modern biology, especially advanced biotechniques to parasitology has led to a striking development in many fields of the discipline, leading to deeper understanding of parasite-host interplay as well as providing new ideals and tools for disease control. The authors also stressed that nowadays the discipline is still relatively isolated from the mainstream of modern biologic research and is still neglected by scientific community and medical education in the world, though it still is one of the major problems in public health, particularly in developing world including China. To argue the currently neglected situation of parasitology, especially in medical education, the authors emphasized the continuing requirements for the discipline and reflected on the developmental strategy of parasitology to meet the coming challenges and opportunities for further development.