Introduction China's human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rate remains far below World Health Organization (WHO) targets. This study examined whether HPV vaccine discourse on Weibo is associated with regional vaccine coverage in China. Methods We collected HPV vaccine–related Weibo posts from January 2022 to December 2022, with additional posts from January 2025 to December 2025 for temporal comparison. We fine-tuned a Chinese-RoBERTa-wwm-ext model to classify post themes, enabling us to identify discourse focuses and distinguish the nature of its association with coverage. Multivariate regression with nested leave-one-out cross-validation was performed to assess the association between Weibo post related variables and regional coverage rates, comparing against models using socioeconomic indicators (economy, education, healthcare, employment). Results A total of 29,638 valid posts were included in the primary analysis. Approximately 30% of the posts were related to “vaccine promotion” and “vaccination experiences”, making them the two most frequent themes. Total post volume correlated strongly with HPV vaccine coverage (one-dose: r = 0.869, 95% confidence interval [0.744, 0.936], P < 0.001; three-dose: r = 0.920 [0.840, 0.961], P < 0.001), exceeding all included socioeconomic factors. Total post volume models outperformed socioeconomic models (LOOCV R2: one-dose 0.643 vs 0.606; three-dose 0.818 vs 0.662). After excluding retrospective themes, potentially prospective posts plus socioeconomic factors improved prediction (LOOCV R2: one-dose 0.620 vs 0.593; three-dose 0.797 vs 0.720). In 2025, posts decreased by 48.1% and decline in posts related to Theme 1 was the most pronounced. Conclusion HPV vaccine discourse on Weibo was associated with regional coverage. Social-media signals deliver supplementary information beyond conventional socioeconomic indicators, which could serve as a complementary public-health surveillance tool to identify regional needs and barriers.
Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) are zoonotic pathogens that exhibit periodic pandemics globally, posing significant public health risks. In this study, we developed a quadruplex RT-qPCR method that targets the M gene for universal AIV detection and the HA gene for simultaneous differentiation of the H5, H7, and H9 subtypes. The assay achieved a detection limit of 1 copy/μL for the H5, H7, and H9 reference materials based on HA gene quantification, equivalent to 5 copies per reaction. No cross-reactivity was observed with a panel of common avian pathogens. The reproducibility evaluation demonstrated both intra-batch and inter-batch coefficients of variation (CVs) to be less than 5%. Furthermore, the assay results were consistent with the expected outcomes for the reference materials tested, and the subtyping results were in agreement with whole-genome sequencing for the environmental samples. These findings indicate that the quadruplex RT-qPCR assay is a reliable tool for broad AIV detection and H5/H7/H9 subtyping, supporting its application in AIV surveillance.
HIV cure-related research encompasses an expanding range of investigational strategies, but its global impact will depend on whether cure-related interventions are scientifically valid, acceptable and implementable in the populations most affected by the epidemic. Low- and middle-income countries carry a disproportionate HIV burden, yet cure-related research remains concentrated in high-income settings. This imbalance is not only an issue of access or social justice. Differences in viral subtypes, reservoir characteristics, timing of antiretroviral therapy initiation, co-infections and anatomical persistence may affect the safety, efficacy and generalizability of cure-related interventions. Psychological and structural factors, including stigma, trust in research, treatment-interruption anxiety, partner-protection needs, financial insecurity, research infrastructure and health-system capacity also influence participation, retention and the interpretation of trial outcomes. We argue that equity should therefore be embedded throughout HIV cure-related research, from study design and population selection to analytical treatment interruption, community engagement and planning for implementation. Priorities include conducting studies in biologically diverse populations, strengthening locally led research capacity, treating partner protection and repeated informed consent as core trial requirements, protecting existing HIV services and anticipating affordability and delivery before efficacy is established. Without these measures, advances in HIV cure may reinforce rather than reduce existing global disparities.
Introduction Rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) remain vaccine-preventable priorities. Although the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries maintain high routine rubella-containing vaccine (RCV) coverage and well-established immunisation programmes, the region is also characterised by large migrant populations, intense international mobility, and complex population immunity profiles that may sustain vulnerability to rubella transmission even in high-coverage settings. This study assessed progress toward rubella and CRS elimination in the GCC during 2020–2024 and examined the policy implications of the observed patterns. Methods A retrospective ecological analysis conducted using aggregated country-level rubella surveillance, CRS, and immunization data from the six GCC countries for 2020–2024. Rubella incidence per 1,000,000 population was calculated and compared with the WHO elimination threshold of less than 1 case/1,000,000/year. Scenario-based Poisson regression models projected annual reported cases for 2026–2055 under four vaccination coverage scenarios: baseline, optimistic, pessimistic, and disruption. Results Bahrain and Oman maintained zero rubella incidence with sustained two-dose coverage of 97–99%. Kuwait reported six total cases (peak incidence: 0.7/1,000,000). Qatar recorded 16 cases in 2023 (incidence: 5.4/1,000,000) despite three consecutive years of 99% two-dose coverage. Saudi Arabia reported 476 total cases (peak incidence: 5.5/1,000,000) despite 96–98% RCV1 coverage. The UAE reported 67 total cases with a persistent non-zero burden. No CRS cases were reported region-wide. Pooled GCC countries rubella incidence did not meet the WHO elimination threshold in any study year, peaking at 4.7/1,000,000 in 2023. Under the optimistic scenario, all countries are projected to reach zero cases by 2040. Conclusions The GCC countries have achieved substantial rubella control, with two member states demonstrating elimination-consistent epidemiological patterns. However, high childhood coverage alone did not prevent episodic transmission in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, reflecting residual immunity gaps. Sustaining regional elimination requires targeted strategies for adult migrant populations, strengthened active CRS surveillance, and a coordinated regional importation response.
Background: The 'Shock and Kill' strategy is pivotal in the quest for an HIV/AIDS cure. Our study explores Euphorbia kansui (Kansui), a traditional Chinese medicine, for its potential to reverse HIV latency while rigorously assessing safety. Methods: We conducted a phase 1b/2a clinical trial at the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center (NCT04503928). People with HIV (PWH) on ART were assigned to three groups: 1 g qd (once per day) for 7 days, 1g bid (twice per day) for 7 days, or 1 g qd for 14 days. Blood was collected on Days 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, and 21. Primary en dpoints included changes from baseline in cell-associated (CA) HIV RNA and plasma HIV viral load, while secondary endpoints involved integrated HIV DNA levels and safety assessments. Results: Nine PWHs male participants (mean age: 38.78 +/- 13.85 years old) with a median antiviral treatment duration of 49 months, were enrolled in the clinical study. HIV latency reversal was primarily observed within the first seven days following Kansui administration. A >= 2-fold increase in cell-associated (CA) HIV RNA was detected in four participants, three of whom received the 1 g qd dose. Additionally, two participants exhibited a transient increase in plasma HIV RNA to >50 copies/mL, with one case in the 1 g qd for 7 days group and the other in the 1 g qd for 14 days group. Integrated HIV DNA levels transiently increased during the intervention and then quickly returned to baseline levels without significant decline. Kansui demonstrated a favorable safety profile, with no serious adverse events reported and only mild adverse events observed. Conclusion: Kansui can reactivate latent HIV viral reservoirs at a low-level in vivo and is well tolerated by PWHs on antiretroviral therapy which warrant further investigation.
