This retrospective study analyzed epidemiological features of infections by 13 common respiratory pathogens among children in Shenzhen, China, from January 2020 to February 2025. A total of 73,886 throat swabs from pediatric patients with suspected respiratory infections were tested using multiplex fluorescence PCR-capillary electrophoresis. Human rhinovirus (HRV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP), and human parainfluenza virus (HPIV) were the most prevalent, with positive rates of 24.57%, 12.46%, 11.46%, and 6.86%, respectively. Pathogen positivity rates significantly differed between the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (2020–2022) and post-relaxation period (2023–2025) ( P < 0.0001). Seasonal patterns shifted: HPIV peaked in summer, HRV in autumn-winter, MP in summer-autumn, and RSV in spring. After control measures eased, positivity increased across all age groups. HPIV was highest in children aged 6 months to 1 year, HRV in 3–6 years, MP in >6 years, and RSV in 0–6 months. Age- and sex-related differences were significant (all P < 0.001). These findings indicate that evolving COVID-19 mitigation strategies have altered epidemiological patterns, highlighting the need for targeted prevention considering high-risk groups, co-infections, and seasonality. IMPORTANCE: This large-scale pediatric study reveals how coronavirus disease 2019 control measures and their relaxation reshaped respiratory pathogen epidemiology in Southern China. We identified major shifts in seasonal peaks, age-specific susceptibility, and overall infection prevalence, particularly for human rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae , and human parainfluenza virus. The narrowing or shifting of epidemic windows implies altered transmission dynamics, likely driven by nonpharmaceutical interventions and subsequent immunity gaps. The significant post-relaxation surge across all age groups underscores the vulnerability of children to multiple pathogens once restrictions ease. These findings provide crucial evidence for optimizing pediatric respiratory infection surveillance and designing adaptive, season- and age-specific prevention strategies to mitigate future outbreaks.

Hemoglobinopathies are among the most common monogenic disorders worldwide, affecting nearly 7% of the global population and causing about 500,000 severely affected newborns each year [1,2]. These ...

With the development of sequencing technology, more and more rare thalassemia types have been found. In this article, we found a novel Hb H disease combined with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency through whole genome sequencing (WGS), which was verified by Sanger sequencing and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-reverse dot-blot hybridization, respectively.

Background: Congenital methemoglobinemia caused by hemoglobin variants is a rare hematological disorder often misdiagnosed due to overlapping features with enzymatic defects. Hb Tübingen, a β‐globin chain variant (β ^CD106 ), is characterized by increased autoxidation, heat instability, and cyanosis. Methods: A 7‐year‐old Chinese boy with cyanosis and recurrent neurological symptoms was evaluated using hemoglobin electrophoresis, HPLC, methemoglobin quantification, genetic sequencing, and brain imaging. Results: Genetic analysis identified the HBB : c.320 T>A mutation, confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Hemoglobin electrophoresis revealed a false elevation of Hb F (52.3%) due to co‐migration of Hb Tübingen with Hb F, which was validated by HPLC showing normal γ‐globin levels. Methemoglobinemia was elevated to 34.4%, accompanied by hemolytic markers (elevated LDH). Brain imaging confirmed Moyamoya disease, a rare cerebrovascular disorder, suggesting potential hypoxia‐driven vascular pathology. Family screening revealed autosomal dominant inheritance, with the mutation traced to the patient's mother and maternal relatives. Conclusions: This study underscores the diagnostic challenges of Hb Tübingen, particularly its mimicry of Hb F, necessitating further molecular diagnostic approaches. The association with Moyamoya disease highlights unexplored interactions between chronic hypoxia and cerebrovascular remodeling. Our findings expand the genetic epidemiology of Hb Tübingen and emphasize integrated hematological and neurological evaluations in unexplained cyanosis.