Summary: A number of epidemiological and clinical studies have suggested an inverse association between allergy and helminth infection, such as Schistosomiasis. Therefore, we hypothesize that Schistosoma japonicum egg antigens, a type of native antigen, can induce production of CD4⁺ CD25⁺ T cells with regulatory activity, modulating airway inflammation and inhibiting asthma development. The frequency of CD4⁺ CD25⁺ T cells was determined by flow cytometry for mice treated with ovalbumin (OVA), CD25⁺ depletion/OVA, schistosome egg antigens, schistosome egg antigens/OVA and for control mice. The ability of CD25⁺ T cells from these mice to suppress T‐cell proliferation and cytokine production was investigated both in vivo and in vitro. Results showed that the CD4⁺ CD25⁺ T cells of OVA‐treated mice exhibited impaired control of dysregulated mucosal T helper 2 responses compared to the controls (P < 0·05). Depletion of CD25⁺ cells accelerated OVA‐induced airway inflammation and increased the expression of interleukin (IL)‐5 and IL‐4. Treatment with schistosome egg antigens increased the number and suppressive activity of CD4⁺ CD25⁺ T cells, which made IL‐10, but little IL‐4. In a murine model of asthma, S. japonicum egg antigens decreased the expression of Th2 cytokines, relieved antigen‐induced airway inflammation, and inhibited asthma development. Thus, we provided evidence that S. japonicum egg antigens induced the production of CD4⁺ CD25⁺ T cells, resulting in constitutive immunosuppressive activity and inhibition of asthma development. These results reveal a novel form of protection against asthma and suggest a mechanistic explanation for the protective effect of helminth infection on the development of allergy.

Background: Tuberculosis in patients with diabetes mellitus is characterised by rapid disease progression, poor treatment efficacy, poor prognosis and poses a new challenge in tuberculosis treatment and control. Methods: Patients with pulmonary TB and type 2 DM were recruited at Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College. A total of 348 patients were randomly assigned to two groups. The aspirin group (aspirin + TB/DM) included 174 patients who received anti-TB therapy and enteric-coated aspirin tablets (100 mg/tablet). The control group (placebo + TB/DM) included 174 patients who received anti-TB therapy and enteric-coated placebo tablets (an identical tablet containing no drug). Eighty-two patients in the aspirin group and 86 in the control group completed the trial and were included in the analysis. Clinical characteristics, laboratory test results, imaging data and side effects of aspirin were monitored. Results: Aspirin treatment affect certain signs and symptoms. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were lower in the aspirin group than in the control group after treatment (Both p = .000). The sputum-negative conversion rate was 86.7% in the aspirin group, significantly higher than in the control group (53.8%) (p = .031). After two months of treatment, the differences in the number of cases with cavities, the number of cavities, and maximum diameter of cavities in the aspirin group were statistically significant (p = .003, p = .023 and p = .015 respectively). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that aspirin may improve treatment in patients with pulmonary TB and type 2 DM.

Objectives: This study aimed to develop an accurate staging system for SFTS (Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome) based on the dynamic assessment of organ damage. This staging is intended to improve prognostication and guide treatment strategies. Methods: Clinical data and laboratory parameters were analyzed from 77 fatal and 398 non-fatal cases of SFTS. Risk factors for mortality were identified using univariate Cox regression analysis. Dynamic changes in laboratory parameters and multi-organ dysfunction were systematically observed. Results: By dynamically analyzing clinical symptoms and laboratory parameters over the disease course, combined with assessing the number and severity of multi-organ dysfunction, SFTS progression was categorized into five distinct stages: initial (1–4 days), progressive (5–7 days), MOD (Multiple Organ Dysfunction) (8–10 days), remission (11–14 days), and convalescence (15–20 days). The critical phase, lasting approximately two weeks, accounted for 85.71% of patients succumbed within this two-week period, with 46.75% experiencing mortality during the MOD stage. Moreover, the study findings highlighted the effectiveness of intravenous immunoglobulin, including both its overall and early administration, in improving outcomes for patients with SFTS-associated myocarditis. Conclusions: The progression of SFTS can be distinctly categorized into five distinct stages. Day 7 represents a critical juncture in disease progression, whereas Day 11 signifies a pivotal moment for clinical recovery. The progression stage is optimal for intervening to prevent further disease advancement. Treatment strategies should be adapted to the evolving patterns and severity of organ dysfunction. Myocarditis remains a significant challenge throughout SFTS progression, and early IVIG administration has been demonstrated to reduce mortality in patients with myocarditis complications significantly.

Patients with schistosomal colorectal cancer (CRC) and nonschistosomal CRC have different clinicopathological features, laboratory test results and survival rates. Long‑term infection with schistosomiasis in patients with CRC may affect the pathogenesis and subsequently change the mechanisms of CRC in these patients, resulting in changes in the survival rates of patients with schistosomal and nonschistosomal CRC. In China, the most common type of schistosomiasis is S. japonicum. The present study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological features and prognostic factors of schistosomal and nonschistosomal CRC. A total of 253 patients with schistosomal CRC and 2,885 patients with nonschistosomal CRC were analyzed and their symptoms, clinicopathological features and laboratory test results were retrospectively evaluated. Patients with CRC in the present study underwent radical resection at The First Affiliated Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College between January 2012 and December 2018. A total of 3,138 patients with CRC were enrolled, 253 of whom were patients with schistosomal CRC. Patients were followed‑up to examine differences in the 5‑year survival rates between patients with schistosomal and nonschistosomal CRC to determine whether schistosomiasis impacted the prognosis of CRC. There were significant differences in age, sex, fecal occult blood positive, pathological T stage, and CA19‑9, WBC, RBC and PLT levels between patients with schistosomal CRC and nonschistosomal CRC. For residents in areas with higher levels of schistosomiasis infections, especially middle‑aged and elderly males, serum tumor markers and digestive tract endoscopy should be regularly evaluated to detect the presence of digestive tract tumors as early as possible.