Mpox, a zoonotic disease caused by the mpox virus (MPXV), has seen a significant shift in its epidemiological status since 2022, evolving from an initial local outbreak to a global epidemic. This recent outbreak of MPXV mainly emerged in several European and American countries and subsequently spread to over 100 countries and regions worldwide. The rapid evolution of MPXV, coupled with increased international interactions, has led to a gradual rise in mpox cases in certain regions of Asia, mostly involving MPXV clade II and its branch strains. In contrast, the more pathogenic and clinically severe MPXV clade Ib has been relatively rare, with no reports in China to date. Here, we analyzed the whole gene sequence of imported MPXV clade Ib variant from the first infection case detected in China. Through whole genome sequencing, we successfully obtained a full-length MPXV genome of 195,405 base pairs (bp). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the genetic sequence of the MPXV in this case was predominantly clustered with MPXV clade Ib sequences previously reported from multiple African and European countries. Compared with the MPXV clade Ib reference strain DQ011155.1, there are 127 nucleotide alterations and 57 amino acid mutations in the MPXV genome of this case. Given that the MPXV clade Ib has started to appear in China, we must pay more attention to the prevention of and control measures for the spread of mpox.

Molecular diagnostic assays for cholera detection have superior sensitivity to conventional assays and are now being accepted as the new standard method, especially the real-time PCR/RT-PCR. However, limited throughput capacity and long detection duration prevent them from detecting more specimens and more targets in one turnaround time simultaneously. In this study, we utilized nucleic acid extraction-free, direct RT-PCR and high-speed amplification to develop a novel multiplex assay, a quadplex direct one-tube real-time RT-PCR assay, for rapid detection of the serogroup and cholera toxin toxigenicity of Vibrio cholerae targeting the epsM, ctxA, rfb-O1, and rfb-O139 genes. Performance of the multiplex assay was evaluated by comparison with the monoplex real-time PCR assay according to the China Cholera Prevention Manual. Detection data from clinical specimens showed that the new assay had good diagnostic sensitivities for epsM (100%, n = 301), ctxA (100%, n = 125), rfb-O1 (100%, n = 85), and rfb-O139 (97.87%, n = 49). Analysis of the analytical sensitivities with serial dilutions of positive standards showed that the detection limits of the new assay for Vibrio cholerae epsM,ctxA,rfb-O1, and rfb-O139 were up to 200, 590, 115, and 1052 copies per mL lower than the monoplex real-time PCR (910, 345, and 1616 copies/mL respectively, for ctxA,rfb-O1, and rfb-O139). The results indicate that the multiplex assay is a rapid, sensitive, specific, and easy-to-use detection tool for Vibrio cholerae, especially suitable for rapid identification and screening detection of mass specimens.

In order to understand the laboratory biosafety status of Jiaxing from 2021 to 2023, before and after the end of the COVID-19 strict control strategy, this study used Zhejiang local standard DB33/T 2540 to conduct biosafety quality control inspection and risk identification, and used Chinese industry standard RB/T 040 for risk analysis and assessment. The results showed that the major problems in biosafety management were from organization management, laboratory housekeeping, material and label management, and facilities and equipment, accounting for 39.76%, 28.97% and 14.69% respectively. Statistical analysis showed that the significant improvement of laboratory filing requirements (χ² = 5.84, P = 0.016) was the main reason for the decrease of organization management problems (χ² = 5.007, P = 0.025). The problems of laboratory housekeeping, experimental material and safety label management had become increasingly prominent (χ² = 6.192, P = 0.013), especially the nonstandard use of biosafety label (χ² = 5.218, P = 0.022). Assessment results showed that all found problems as identified risk factors in the past 3 years were determined at the level of medium or low. These suggested that in 2021–2023, the overall laboratory biosafety risk level in Jiaxing was controllable and acceptable, and the organization management had been improved greatly. At the same time, the management of laboratory housekeeping, materials and labels, especially the use of biosafety labels, had become increasingly prominent and need to be standardized and strengthened.