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Background: Screening for Tuberculosis (TB) is a critical tactic for minimizing the prevalence of illness within schools. Tuberculosis Preventive Therapy (TPT), in turn, effectively staves off the development of TB from latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Unfortunately, there is limited research on LTBI and TPT among students. This study aimed to assess LTBI among freshmen in Changping District and advocate for the implementation of TPT. Methods: The prospective study collected data from 12 educational institutions within the Changping District of Beijing. The Kolmogorov − Smirnov test and other statistical methods were used for statistical analysis, x 2 was obtained using the formula x 2 = nΣA2/nRnC-1, df = (C-1) (R-1). We analyzed potential factors impacting the LTBI rate, and scrutinized the possible causes behind the low application of TPT and its efficacy for LTBI treatment, China. Results: Among 19,872 freshmen included in this study, 18 active TB cases (91 per 10,0000) and 2236 LTBI cases (11.6% of 19,223) were identified, respectively. Furthermore, of those with LTBI, 1045 (5.4% of 19,223) showed a strong positive for purified protein derivative (PPD), but only 312 opted for TB preventive treatment. There appeared to be no significant difference in the prevalence of LTBI and TPT rate between male and female students. Concurrently, 11 (71 per 100,000) and 7 (158 per 100,000) cases of active tuberculosis were identified in 6 universities and 6 higher vocational colleges, respectively. Interestingly, almost all freshmen who underwent TPT came from universities, suggesting a statistically significant disparity in TPT rate (χ2 = 139.829, P < 0.001) between these two types of educational institutions. Meanwhile, as for the age-wise distribution of latent infection among 17–20 years old freshmen, the LTBI rate exhibited 10.5%, 11.6%, 12.1% and 13.5%, respectively. Correlation between LTBI rate, the strong positive rate was statistically significant among different ages (χ2 = 34.559, P < 0.001). Over a follow-up period of 2 years, three students were diagnosed with active tuberculosis, one of which was resistant to rifampicin. All three students manifested a strong positive for PPD and declined preventive treatment during TB screening. Conclusions: The data indicates a high rate of LTBI amongst students in areas with a heavy TB burden, potentially leading to cross-regional TB transmission due to the migration of students. Education level might contribute to the limited uptake of TPT. Therefore, improving the implementation of TB preventive treatments is crucial in controlling and preventing TB across schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Root rot is a major disease of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa cv. Duchesne) worldwide affecting production and leading to huge economic losses. In 2018 and 2019, strawberry plants displaying root rot symptoms accompanied by plant wilting were observed on commercial farms in Beijing, China. A fungus with the general morphological characters of Neopestalotiopsis was consistently isolated from necrotic lesions in symptomatic roots. Eight representative isolates were selected for further studies. Based on morphological characters and phylogenetic analyses of the combined internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, partial sequences of the β-tubulin gene (tub2) and the transcription elongation factor 1-α (tef1), all isolates were identified as Neopestalotiopsis rosae. Pathogenicity test showed that N. rosae can produce wilt and root rot symptoms on strawberry plants. Therefore, N. rosae was recognized as the causal agent of root rot of strawberry. This is the first report that discusses the role of N. rosae in causing root rot disease on strawberries in China. 1. Root rot symptoms accompany with plant wilt were observed on strawberry in Beijing, China. 2. Neopestalotiopsis rosae was identified based on morphological characteristics and multilocus phylogenetic analyses. 3. The isolates fulfilled Koch's postulate. 4. This is the first report of N. rosae causing root rot of strawberry in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]