Purpose
To review the achievements of the prevention and therapy of hepatitis B (HB) in China during the thirty years after the discovery of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 1967.
Data source
Data come from an English language literature search using MEDLINE 1966-1999, especially 1982-1999, and Chinese language literature, published and unpublished, from the Chinese Health Administration.
Study selection
After reviewing of the literature we select 14 articles to address our statement.
Data extraction
Two observers independently evaluated the quality of the data materials obtaining from these articles.
Results
Investigation of HBV vaccine development in China was almost simultaneously with the same kind of work in the international. At least 200 million people have accepted the vaccination of HBV vaccine. The vaccination of the HBV vaccine in China has decreased the prevalence of HBV infection no matter in urban cities or in rural area. The protection against HBV infection can be maintained at least for 9-11 years.
Conclusions
Vaccination of HBV vaccine in China is successful and has obtained great achievements in the prevention and therapy of HB.
Purpose
To review the studies on the etiology of trachoma and to honor Professor Tang Feifan (Prof. FF Tang). He is the first scientist who was successful in isolating and cultivating chlamydia trachomatis in 1946.
Data sources
The principal literatures are cited from Tang's papers published from the 1930s to the 1950s. Earlier literatures concerning early hypotheses for trachoma pathogenic agent are also studied.
Study selection and data extraction
Only important and conclusive breakthroughs in Tang's papers are selected and extracted.
Results and conclusions
In the 1930s Tang was intending to repeat Noguchi's experiments in isolating bacterium granulosis from cases of trachoma in China and to employ bacterium granulosis isolated by Noguchi in 1928 for reproducing experimental trachomatous human clinical manifestations in China. Both experiments showed negative results. In the 1950s, before isolated chlamydia trachomtas, Tang and his colleagues had finished two fundamental studies: (1) the histological nature of trachoma, their relationship to etiological agent as well as to the host cells; and (2) the clinical manifestations and the morphological pictures of trachoma in monkeys. Eventually chlamydia trachomatis was isolated successfully and cultivated continuously.
Purpose
To briefly review schistosomiasis situation in the past, progress in the control program and problems to be solved.
Data sources
Data from literature published at home and abroad on the control and research of schistosomiasis in China in biomedical journals and monographs, and a few data from the Office of Endemic Diseases Control, Ministry of Health, are collected.
Study selection
Information on this topic are screened and the important ones are selected.
Results
Schistosomiasis in China was serious. Through hard work for control for half decade, great progress has been achieved after implementation of the control program. Control approaches are introduced. Compared with data in the early 1950s, endemic provinces decreased from 12 to 5, infected persons, from more than 10 million to around 865,000, and the areas of Oncomelania snail habitats, from 14 billion m 2 to 3.6 billion m2. Proportion of symptomatic patients among those infected has a significant reduction. The national criteria for control and elimination of schistosomiasis in China are introduced.
Conclusions
The achievements of schistosomiasis control are tremendous but the tasks in China are arduous. Especially after last year's heavy flood, areas of snail habitats are increasing. To consolidate the success and to put the still endemic areas under control are long-term and arduous tasks confronting China.
