Zhongwei Jia

Spatial analysis of tuberculosis cases in migrants and permanent residents, Beijing, 2000-2006.

Population fluctuation is a risk factor for TB in Beijing.

HIV burden in men who have sex with men: a prospective cohort study 2007–2012

We conducted a prospective cohort study among HIV-negative MSM aged 18 years or older between 2007 and 2012 in Beijing, China to measure the rates of incident HIV and identify risk factors for infection. Among 5,800 participants evaluated at enrollment, we identified 486 prevalent cases of HIV (8.4%). Among the 3,625 enrollees who were HIV-negative at enrollment and completed at least one follow-up interview, we identified 440 incident cases of HIV in the follow up period: this constituted an HIV incidence rate of 7.1 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 6.4–7.7). Early treatment of syphilis may have significantly reduced risk of HIV infection (RR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.11–1.93), while MSM presenting perfect compliance in the cohort did not show reduction in HIV infection. Our study suggested that HIV incidence has been remained high in this sample of Chinese MSM during the intensive preventive intervention, suggesting that we need to find new strategies to prevent HIV infection in this population.

Combining Domestic and Foreign Investment to Expand Tuberculosis Control in China

Jia and colleagues describe how a combination of increased domestic funding, supplemented by foreign loans and donations since 2002, have led to a dramatic increase in tuberculosis case finding in China.

Exploratory Analysis of the Association between New-Type Drug Use and Sexual Transmission of HIV in China

Background: A recent assessment by the Chinese government showed that sexual transmission is becoming the main mode of spreading human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in China. The annual report on drug abuse demonstrated a seven-fold increase of use of Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS), which has been strongly correlated with sexual risk-taking behaviors, in 2007 than that in 2003. These observations suggest that ATS use may have contributed to the rapid increase in sexual transmission of HIV in China. Objective: The present study aims to investigate the potential association between new drug users and transmission modes. Methods: Partial Least Squares Path Model and Partial Least Squares Regression Models have been used to evaluate the potential correlation between ATS users and the sexual transmission of HIV. Results: Our analysis indicates that HIV infection by drug use mode mainly results from heroin users (R = .5). ATS (R = −.9) and other drug users (R = −.4) have a negative relationship with HIV infection by drug use mode. However, for HIV infection by sexual transmission mode, ATS (R = 5.5) and other drug users (R = .6) show a positive association. ATS, especially, presents a strongly association with the sexual transmission of HIV. Conclusion: The study results suggest that ATS users significantly contribute to the sexual transmission of HIV. Scientific Significance: It is helpful to evaluate and predict the potential risk factors related with epidemic of HIV in China and provide theoretical evidence for HIV/AIDS health officers and policy makers to better construct target interventions and implement control measures.

Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Zhejiang Province, China, 1999-2008

To evaluate levels and trends in drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) in Zhejiang Province, China, we conducted 1 survey in each of 3 years (1999, 2004, and 2008). We found that <5% of new cases were multidrug-resistant TB. The prevalence of multidrug-resistant TB has not increased in new or re-treated cases in this province.

A clinical case-control study on the association between mannose-binding lectin and susceptibility to HIV-1 infection among northern Han Chinese population.

Mannose‐binding lectin (MBL) is a key molecule of the innate immune system and a competent to bind carbohydrates of a variety of microorganisms, resulting in complement activation and opsonophagocytosis against various pathogens. However, there is no systemic investigation on the MBL’s role in innate immune responses against HIV‐1 infection among northern Han Chinese. This study investigated the association between MBL and HIV‐1 infection susceptibility among northern Han Chinese. A total of 91 HIV‐1 infected patients and 91 HIV‐1 seronegative healthy individuals were recruited. Six polymorphisms of MBL2 gene were genotyped by pyrosequencing. The quantitative measurement of serum MBL concentration and MBL complex activity were performed by ELISA. The CD4+ T‐cell counts were determined by flow cytometry. The plasma viral loads of 91 HIV‐1 infected patients were determined by bDNA method. The results show that there is an association between MBL and HIV‐1 infection susceptibility among northern Han Chinese. The individuals with B variant, low serum MBL concentration and low MBL complex activity are more susceptible to HIV‐1 infection.

A mathematical model for evaluating tuberculosis screening strategies

In order to better predict epidemic of tuberculosis (TB) and evaluate the effect of TB control strategies, we added the effect of transmission from permanent residents to migrants to our previous TB model. We simulated the behavior of TB transmission by the extended model. The numerical simulation indicated that the basic reproductive numbers must be less than one in both permanent residents and migrants in order to eliminate the disease from total population. We also evaluated the Canadas TB screening strategy and observe that TB is sensitive to the strategy. Our study suggests that immigrants have a considerable influence on the overall transmission dynamics behavior of tuberculosis. The effective TB control measures should incorporate migrant as well the permanent residents.

Impact of mode of transportation on dyslipidaemia in working people in Beijing

Objective: This study aims to investigate the association between mode of transportation to work and dyslipidaemia. Methods: During the period between January and February 2006, telephone interviews were conducted with 2506 randomly selected urban residents aged 18 years or older in the 8 districts of Beijing, using a multiple stratified random sampling technique. Of the selected individuals, 1024 (40.86%) members of the workforce were subsequently tested for biomarkers (ie, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)). Multiple logistic regression modelling was used, adjusted for potential confounders. Results: The probability of dyslipidaemia in workers who travel to work by bus, car or taxi is higher than that of workers who walk to work, with prevalence odds ratios (PORs) of 1.99 (95% CI 1.33 to 2.97) and 2.21 (95% CI 1.28 to 3.84), respectively. There is no significant difference in the risk of experiencing dyslipidaemia when workers who ride bicycles are compared with those who walk to work (POR = 1.22, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.78). Conclusions: These findings indicate that modes of transportation to work are significantly associated with the prevalence of dyslipidaemia. Prevention education should be emphasised among higher-risk people who usually go to work by car, bus or taxi.

Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis Burden among the New Tuberculosis Patients in Zhejiang Province: An Observational Study, 2009–2013

Background: Screening on multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) has been limited to the serious TB subpopulations excluding the new TB patients. This study aimed to examine MDR-TB burden among the new TB patients. Methods: We conducted a study in Zhejiang Province during 2009–2013 to screen for MDR-TB patients among the low MDR-TB risk patients and five subpopulations of high MDR-TB risk patients. The number, prevalence, and trend of MDR-TB were compared while the logistic regression model was used to examine risk factors related to MDR-TB. Results: A total of 200 and 791 MDR-TB cases were, respectively, identified from the 9830 new TB cases and 2372 high-risk suspects who took MDR-TB screening from 2009 to 2013. The MDR-TB rates went down in both of the new TB patients and five MDR-TB high-risk groups over the study time, but the percentage of MDR-TB patients identified from the new TB patients in all diagnosed MDR-TB cases kept stable from 28.3% in 2011 to 27.0% in 2012 to 26.0% in 2013. Conclusions: The study indicated that MDR-TB burden among new TB patients was high, thus screening for MDR-TB among the new TB patients should be recommended in China as well as in the similar situation worldwide.