Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are net-like complexes expelled from neutrophils, composing cell-free deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), histones, and neutrophil granule proteins. Besides capturing and eliminating pathogens, NETs also exacerbate the inflammatory response associated with various diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis. Currently, there are growing reports about NETs involved in the pathogenesis of ocular diseases. This review primarily focuses on the pathogenesis of NETs in the ophthalmology field, highlighting their importance in serving as potential targets for the therapy of ocular diseases.

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.

The analysis of the molecular epidemiological characteristics of newly diagnosed HIV-infected patients in Jiaxing City is essential for developing effective HIV prevention. Blood samples were collected from newly diagnosed HIV-infected individuals in Jiaxing City from October 2022 to October 2023, and the HIV-1 pol region gene was amplified and sequenced. These sequences were used to construct a molecular transmission network and analyse transmitted drug resistance mutations. We identified 11 subtypes, of which CRF07_BC and CRF01_AE were the most prevalent. The rate of surveillance drug resistance mutation (SDRM) sites in newly diagnosed cases was 9%. A total of 37 molecular transmission clusters were identified, the largest of which was the CRF07_BC-1 cluster (13 nodes). This cluster has five probable high-risk transmitters. Two additional larger clusters in the molecular network were the heterosexual transmission clusters for middle-aged and older males, CRF08_BC-1 (eight nodes) and CRF85_BC-1 (eight nodes). The mean degree of the two clusters was high, and the patients were high-risk transmitters, indicating a higher risk of HIV transmission. The distribution of HIV-1 subtypes in Jiaxing City was widespread, with moderate levels of transmission resistance. Larger molecule clusters carry a high risk of transmission, indicating that we should strengthen monitoring and intervention.

In 2023, one case of coinfection with type I and type II dengue virus of imported origin was first reported in Jiaxing city. Therefore, we analysed the results of the molecular tracing analysis of this case. We collected serum samples for whole-genome amplification and sequencing and fur-ther analysed the whole-genome sequence for homology analysis, evolutionary tree analysis, and protein amino acid mutation site analysis. The results revealed that the JX202301 DENV-1 se-quence had the highest homology with the epidemic strains in Guangdong (PP563909, PP563875, PP563840 and PP563879) in 2023, with nucleotide homology ranging from 99.5 –99.8% and amino acid homology of 100%. The JX202301 DENV-2 sequence had the highest homology with the epidemic strains of 2019 Thailand (MZ636805, MZ636802, MZ636803 and MW512454, and MW512419), with nucleotide homology ranging from 98.4–99.2%and amino acid homology of 99.7%. By analysing the amino acid mutation sites, we found that, compared with the corre-sponding reference strains and the epidemic strains in the same branch, there were 52 amino acid difference sites in the viral coding region of the DENV-1 sequence and 51 amino acid difference sites in the viral coding region of the DENV-2 sequence, which were mainly concentrated in the NS1 and NS5 region of the nonstructural proteins. In this study, we described for the first time the genome-wide sequence, genetic variation and phylogenetic analysis of imported DENV-1 and DENV-2 mixed cases in Jiaxing city. These results provide a scientific basis for dengue fever out-break surveillance, viral evolution studies, and prevention and control strategy development in Jiaxing city.

In 2023, one case of coinfection with type I and type II dengue virus of imported origin was first reported in Jiaxing city. Therefore, we analysed the results of the molecular tracing analysis of this case. We collected serum samples for whole-genome amplification and sequencing and further analysed the whole-genome sequence for homology analysis, evolutionary tree analysis, and protein amino acid mutation site analysis. The results revealed that the JX202301 DENV-1 sequence had the highest homology with the epidemic strains in Guangdong (PP563909, PP563875, PP563840, and PP563879) in 2023, with nucleotide homology ranging from 99.5 to 99.8% and amino acid homology of 100%. The JX202301 DENV-2 sequence had the highest homology with the epidemic strains of 2019 Thailand (MZ636805, MZ636802, MZ636803, MW512454, and MW512419), with nucleotide homology ranging from 98.4 to 99.2% and amino acid homology of 99.7%. By analysing the amino acid mutation sites, we found that, compared with the corresponding reference strains and the epidemic strains in the same branch, there were 52 amino acid difference sites in the viral coding region of the DENV-1 sequence and 51 amino acid difference sites in the viral coding region of the DENV-2 sequence, which were mainly concentrated in the NS1 and NS5 region of the nonstructural proteins. In this study, we described for the first time the genome-wide sequence, genetic variation, and phylogenetic analysis of imported DENV-1 and DENV-2 mixed cases in Jiaxing city. These results provide a scientific basis for dengue fever outbreak surveillance, viral evolution studies, and prevention and control strategy development in Jiaxing city.

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) represents a leading cause of both upper and lower respiratory tract infections among children and adults globally. To investigate the prevalence and evolution of hMPV in the Jiaxing area of China between 2023 and 2025, we screened 3600 pharyngeal swab specimens by real-time PCR, identified 101 positives, and obtained genomic sequences of 48 viral isolates using high-throughput sequencing. Using the sequencing data, we reconstructed a phylogenetic tree and examined amino acid substitutions. The epidemiological analysis revealed an overall hMPV positivity rate of 2.81% (101/3600) in Jiaxing during 2023–2025. Although positive cases were detected across all age groups, they were mainly children, with no significant difference between genders. Regarding seasonal patterns, the peak of hMPV activity occurred predominantly during winter and spring. Over the study period, four genotypes co-circulated, in the order of B2 (41.67%), A2.2.2 (37.50%), A2.2.1 (16.67%), and B1 (4.17%). Further phylogenetic analysis showed that the B1 strains from Jiaxing clustered primarily with those from Beijing, China, while B2, A2.2.1, and A2.2.2 strains were more closely related to strains from the United States and Beijing. Of note, an A2c_111nt-dup variant was identified in Jiaxing in 2023. Starting from November 2024, the prevailing genotype transitioned from A2.2.1/A2.2.2 to B2, and B2 emerged as the absolutely dominant strain by 2025. In comparison with earlier circulating strains, several amino acid substitutions have accumulated in current isolates, such as T223N, D280N, I392T, R396Q, S444N, K450R, and T521A in the F protein of B2 strains. Furthermore, the G, L, P, and SH proteins also displayed temporally patterned amino acid replacements. While the biological significance of these mutations is yet to be determined, these results highlight the public health importance of ongoing hMPV surveillance and dynamic monitoring of its genetic evolution.