• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.186-194
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• 2005

Purpose : Hepatitis A viral infections have been continued after re-emerging since mid 1990s in Korea. The incidence of this disease has been increased in young adults younger than 30 years of age since 2000. This study was performed to evaluate the prevalence of antibody to hepatitis A in Korea(two regions; Incheon and Changwon) in 2005, and was compared with the results of similar studies in mid 1990s. Methods : The study was conducted from January 2005 to June 2005, and consisted of 1,301 enrolled subjects, neonates to 50 years old, living in Incheon and Changwon in Korea. All sera were frozen and stored at $-70^{\circ}C$ until assayed. Anti-HAV IgG antibodies were measured by microparticle enzyme immunoassay(HAVAB, Abbott Lab., IL, USA). Results : The prevalence of anti-HAV IgG was 61.1% in infants younger than 1 year old, 30.5% in 1~5 years, 14.6% in 6~10 years, 1.7% in 11~15 years, 6.5% in 16~20 years, 36.6%in 21~30 years, 77.5% in 31~40 years, and 99.8% in 41~50 years. Statistical differences were not found between male and female, but there was statistical difference in 6~10 years old age group between the two areas. Conclusion : Our study indicate that the prevalence of antihepatitis A virus antibody has shifted from children to old adolescents and young adults. This result suggests that the risk of sudden outbreaks or increasing incidence of hepatitis A viral infections in young adults may be expected in our society. The preventive strategies of hepatitis A including vaccination should be prepared.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2011

Purpose: We previously reported that concurrent reactivation of latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in children with hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is common and EBV reactivation with HAV infection adversely affects the clinical features of hepatitis. However, the incidence of concurrent reactivation was not accurate because the detection of EBV reactivation was based on serologic methods. Therefore, we studied the effects of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-proven EBV reactivation, thus a more precise concurrence, on acute HAV infection in children. Methods: PCR were conducted in 34 patients, who had enrolled previous study and diagnosed with acute HAV infection between January 2008 and June 2010. Their medical records were reviewed. Results: Among 34 patients with acute HAV infection, 12 patients (35.3%) had EBV reactivation which was proven using serologic and molecular biologic techniques. There were significant differences in the peak levels of AST and ALT between the reactivated and non-reactivated groups (p=0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). The duration of full recovery from hepatitis was more prolonged in the reactivated group (p<0.001). Clinical parameters, such as serum protein (p<0.001) and albumin concentrations (p<0.001), atypical lymphocyte count (p=0.001), prothrombin time-international normalized ratio (PT-INR, p<0.001), and splenomegaly (p<0.001), showed significant differences. The clinical features in the reactivated sub-group >10 years of age revealed more liver dysfunction compared to the non-reactivated sub-group. A comparison with a previous study was performed. Conclusion: PCR-proven reactivation of latent EBV in children with HAV infection is common and EBV reactivation with HAV infection adversely affects the clinical features of hepatitis, especially in older children.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 2011

Purpose: Recently, the incidence of acute hepatitis A has increased nationwide and is related to a low rate of IgG anti-HAV production. To establish effective measures for preventing hepatitis A virus infection, an epidemiologic study on the seroprevalence of anti-HAV is needed. Thus, we investigated the seroprevalence of IgG anti-HAV in children living in Gwangju and Jeonnam. Methods: IgG anti-HAV levels were measured in a total of 1,435 patients who visited Chosun University Hospital between January 2009 and December 2009. Results: The overall seropositve rate was 40.8% (586/1,435). The seropositive rates were 41% among children under the age of 1 year, 49.9% for children 1~5 years old, 51.1% among individuals 5~10 years old, 12.9% for individuals 10~15 years old, and 8.2% for subjects over 15 years old. There was no significant difference between genders in any group. The seropositive rates in Gwangju and Jeonnam were 57.3% and 32.9% for children under the age of 1 year, 52.5% and 44.3% for children 1~5 years old, 60.2% and 33.9% among children 5~10 years old, 14.1% and 9.7% for children 10~15 years old, and 10.8% and 4.2% for individuals over 15 years old. Conclusion: The results demonstrated the low rates of IgG anti-HAV, particularly among subjects over 10 years old, which suggests the possibility of increasing clinical HAV infection rates among adults in the near future. We should actively prevent the spread of hepatitis A virus. Vaccination is the most effective means of preventing hepatitis A virus transmission among persons at risk for infection. Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for children who have low IgG anti-HAV seropositive rates.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2005

Purpose: Non-A, B, C viral hepatitis is the name given to the disease with clinical viral hepatitis, but in which serologic evidence of A, B, C hepatitis has not been found. Little is known about the etiology and clinical features of non-A, B, C viral hepatitis in children. Methods: A clinical analysis of 45 cases with non-A, B, C viral hepatitis who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Pusan National University Hospital, from January 2001 to June 2004 was carried out retrospectively. Patients who were positive for HBsAg, anti-HAV and anti-HCV and had toxic, metabolic, autoimmune, or neonatal hepatitis were excluded in this study. Results: Among 45 cases of non-A, B, C viral hepatitis, the etiology was unknown in 26 (57.8%), CMV (cytomegalovirus) in 14 (31.1%), EBV (Epstein Barr virus) in 2 (4.4%), HSV (herpes simplex virus) in 2 (4.4%) and RV (rubella virus) in 1 (2.2%). Twenty seven out of 45 (60.0%) patients were under 1 year of age. Sixteen (33.3%) patients had no specific clinical symptoms and were diagnosed incidentally. On physical examination, twenty seven out of 45 patients (60.0%) had no abnormal findings. Forty three out of 45 patients (95.6%) showed classic clinical course of acute viral hepatitis, whereas fulminant hepatitis developed in two patients. Mean serum ALT (alanine aminotransferase) level was $448.7{\pm}771.9IU/L$. Serum ALT level was normalized in 31 out of 45 patients (81.6%) within 6 months and all patients within 18 months. Aplastic anemia was complicated in a case. Conclusion: Although most patients with non-A, B, C viral hepatitis showed a good prognosis, a careful follow-up would be necessary because some of them had a clinical course of chronic hepatitis, fulminant hepatitis and severe complication such as aplastic anemia.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.638-642
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• 2012

Human pathogenic viruses such as hepatitis A and E virus (HAV and HEV), which lead to acute liver failure and death, are foodborne pathogens associated with the consumption of virus-contaminated meats, filter-feeding bivalves, fruits, and salads. Two of the three swine farms examined in this study had HAV and HEV positive stool samples in a nested RT-PCR assay. The use of the immunomagnetic separation (IMS) facilitated the separation of HAV through interactions between the ligand on the virion surface and the antibody from the swine feces containing both HAV and HEV. The nested RT-PCR analysis was performed for the detection of HAV obtained from hepatocarcinoma cell line (PLC/PRF/5) contaminated with eluent fraction of IMS. This indicated that IMS has the potential to simultaneously isolate and concentrate target viruses by changing antibodies linked on the magnetic beads.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.202-212
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• 2005

Purpose: Transfusion transmitted virus (TTV) is a newly discovered virus and to date the contribution of TTV to liver disease remains unclear. Little is known about the frequency of TTV infection in children in Korea. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and genotypic distribution of TTV carried by healthy children and patients with hepatitis in Korea. Methods: Eighty eight of healthy children and three groups of patients with hepatitis-14 patients with chronic hepatitis B, 12 patients with chronic hepatitis C and 25 patients with hepatitis of unknown etiology-were tested. TTV DNA was detected by semi-nested PCR using primer sets generated from N-22 region and from 5' noncoding region (NCR) of the viral genome. PCR products derived from 8 patients with hepatitis and from 11 healthy children were sequenced and a phylogenetic tree was constructed. Results: TTV was found by PCR with N22 primer in 11.3% of healthy children, 28.5% of children with hepatitis B, 25% of children with hepatitis C, 24% of children with hepatitis of unknown etiology. TTV DNA was found by PCR with 5'NCR primer in 32.9% of healthy children, 71.4% of patients with chronic hepatitis B, in 50% of patients with hepatitis C and in 48% of patients with hepatitis of unknown etiology. TLMV DNA was found in 48.9% of healthy children, 21.4% of patients with hepatitis B, 16.6% of patients with hepatitis C, 40% of patients with hepatitis of unknown etiology. Among the sequenced isolates, 10(52%) belonged to genotype 1 (G1) and others belonged to genotype 2 (G2) or genotype 3 (G3). Among the G1 sequences, 7 were grouped as G1a. Conclusion: TTV infection was common in healthy children and in patients with hepatitis. But, the prevalence of TTV DNA by 5'NCR primer was relatively high in patients with hepatitis B and there may be some association between TTV and hepatitis B virus infection. G1 was the major genotype of the studied population.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.919-928
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• 2022

As seen in the COVID-19 pandemic, unexpected emergence of new viruses presents serious concern on public health. Especially, the absence of effective vaccines or antiviral drugs against emerging viruses significantly increases the severity of disease and duration of viral circulation among population. Natural products have served as a major source for safe and effective antiviral drugs. In this study, we examined the virucidal activity of medical herb extracts with a view to discover novel antiviral agents with desired levels of safety and antiviral efficacy. Ethanol extracts of ten selected medical herbs were tested for antioxidant activity and in-vitro cytotoxicity in various animal cell lines. Of note, the herbal extracts showed broad and potent virucidal activities against rotavirus, hepatitis A virus, and influenza A virus. The extracts of Sorbus commixta and Glycyrrhiza uralensis showed strong virucidal activities against influenza A virus. We also examined whether the extracts of Sorbus commixta and Glycyrrhiza uralensis can be used as inactivating agents to prepare an inactivated viral vaccine. In a mouse model, influenza A virus inactivated by the extracts elicited high levels of neutralizing antibodies, and the vaccination provided complete protection against lethal challenge. These results suggest that herb-derived natural products can be developed to antiviral drugs as well as inactivating agents for preparation of inactivated viral vaccines.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.234-238
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• 1999

Purpose : This study was performed to evaluate the seropositivities and levels of Hepatitis A Virus(Hav) antibody in term pregnant women and their neonates, and the transplacental transfer rate of maternal Hav-specific IgG(Hav IgG) from tenn pregnant women to their neonates. Methods : During Jan. 1st, 1998 to May. 31 tho 1998, we collected the 42 pairs of sera from pregnant women and umbilical cord of their neonates in Korea University Ansan Hospital. The serum levels of Hav IgG were measured by the RIA method. Results : 1) The seropositivities of Hav IgG were 78.6% in mothers and 81.0% in neonates. There was no statistical difference of mean antibody(Ab) levels between mothers and neonates. There was significant correlation of Ab levels between maternal sera and neonatal umbilical cord sera(correlation coefficient r=0.9285, P<0.001). 2) There were no significant correlations between neonatal Hav IgG level and other factors such as maternal age, gestational age and initial body weight of neonates. Conclusion : Seropositivities of Hav IgG tenn-pregnant women was comparable to those of their neonates. Pregnant women and their neonates can be protected from Hav infection.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.261-266
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• 2018

To determine the clinical utility of an immunoblot test and RT-PCR-hybridization test, 160 samples from patients with a chronic HCV infection were analyzed by two tests. A total of 133 samples out of 150 positive samples were positive by RT-PCR-hybridization. The true positive rate of the immunoblot tests and the concordance rate of the two tests was 88.6% and 89.3%, respectively. Serotyping and genotyping were performed to evaluate the distribution of the HCV subtype in Korean isolates. HCV serotypes 1 and 2, and genotypes 1b and 2a were the most common sources of HCV infections in this group. In 49 cases studied with the serotypes and genotypes, serotypes 1 and 2 were 57.1% and 42.9%, respectively. Genotypes 1b, 1b/2b, 2a, 2a/2c, and 2b were 51.0%, 2.0%, 34.7%, 8.2%, and 4.1%, respectively. This study shows that immunoblot tests are more useful for screening HCV infections. The RT-PCR-hybridization test confirmed the HCV infection in patients with positive immunoblot test results. The serotype test is preferred over the genotype test for monitoring the progression or response to treatment. On the other hand, there were no significant differences in the response to an ${\alpha}$-interferon treatment of HCV infection with serotype type 1 or type 2 in Korea.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.170-174
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• 2014

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection leads to acute liver failure and death through the intake of contaminated food. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been used to detect HAV in food samples. HAV detection takes a long time, however, due to the virus concentration step required before PCR assay. In this study, a rapid method of detecting the HAVs present in lettuce using immunomagnetic separation combined with quantum dots (IMS-QDs) assay was developed. The detection limit of IMS-QDs for HAV was 10 $TCID_{50}/mL$, similar to the result that was obtained using RT-PCR combined with PEG or IMS. The application of IMS-QDs assay completed the viral detection within one hour, but this was not possible using PEG combined with RT-PCR. In conclusion, IMS-QDs assay is a rapid and efficient method for detecting HAV at a low concentration in agricultural products.