• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.64-70
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify awareness and knowledge about hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among North Korean immigrants who had resided in South Korea. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, community based study. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 198 North Korean immigrants aged 18 years old through 65 years old among those who had attended community centers, local churches, and gathering places in four cities. The questionnaire included 15 items about participants' knowledge on HBV infection and its consequences, mode of transmission, and preventive measures. Results: The mean score of HBV knowledge was $6.3{\pm}3.8$ (range 0~15). The items that over 60% of the respondents checked correct answer regarding knowledge about HBV were 'There is blood screening for hepatitis B infection', 'Hepatitis B can be transmitted through sharing needles with infected person'. Multivariate analysis showed that received education for the prevention of HBV infection and disease morbidity were significantly associated with the knowledge of HBV infection. Overall, approximately 11% of total variability in the knowledge of HBV infection could be explained by the 2 variables in this model ($R^2=.109$, p<.001). Conclusion: The results showed that North Korean immigrants need more education on HBV infection and prevention to improve their knowledge about HBV.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.1336-1344
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• 2017

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. With recent identification of HBV receptor, inhibition of virus entry has become a promising concept in the development of new antiviral drugs. To date, 10 HBV genotypes (A-J) have been defined. We previously generated two murine anti-preS1 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), KR359 and KR127, that recognize amino acids (aa) 19-26 and 37-45, respectively, in the receptor binding site (aa 13-58, genotype C). Each mAb exhibited virus neutralizing activity in vitro, and a humanized version of KR127 effectively neutralized HBV infection in chimpanzees. In the present study, we constructed a humanized version (HzKR359-1) of KR359 whose antigen binding activity is 4.4-fold higher than that of KR359, as assessed by competitive ELISA, and produced recombinant preS1 antigens (aa 1-60) of different genotypes to investigate the binding capacities of HzKR359-1 and a humanized version (HzKR127-3.2) of KR127 to the 10 HBV genotypes. The results indicate that HzKR359-1 can bind to five genotypes (A, B, C, H, and J), and HzKR127-3.2 can also bind to five genotypes (A, C, D, G, and I). The combination of these two antibodies can bind to eight genotypes (A-D, G-J), and to genotype C additively. Considering that genotypes A-D are common, whereas genotypes E and F are occasionally represented in small patient population, the combination of these two antibodies might block the entry of most virus genotypes and thus broadly neutralize HBV infection.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2013

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has recently shown to be associated with diabetes mellitus. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between chronic hepatitis B and diabetes mellitus indicators. We evaluated anthropometry, metabolic syndrome risk factors, fasting glucose, HbA1c, and C-peptide among the normal and HBV subjects. The partial correlation and average comparison analysis were used to assess the independent association between chronic hepatitis B and diabetes mellitus indicators. Average comparisons of normal and HBV subjects were significantly different in fasting glucose (p<0.000), HbA1c (p<0.000), C-peptide (p<0.000), alanine transaminase (ALT) (p<0.000) and aspartate transaminase (AST) (p<0.000). We may suggest that HBV infection is related to diabetes mellitus indicators such as fasting glucose, HbA1c and C-peptide.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.53-62
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• 2011

Radiation-induced liver disease (RILD) has been characterized as a veno-occlusive disease with anicteric elevation of alkaline phosphatase (ALP). However, some RILD patients present with elevated transaminase levels rather than with anicteric elevation of ALP, and these findings are common in the Asia-Pacific region where hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is associated with 70~90% of hepatocelluar carcinoma (HCC) cases. In addition, the development of RILD is more common in patients with hepatitis B virus-related HCC. These findings indicate that susceptibility to RILD might be different in HBV carriers and non-carriers, and moreover, RILD in patients with HBV-related HCC might be associated with another unique pathogenesis such as HBV reactivation. However, HBV reactivation after hepatic irradiation has been reported in only a few studies. This study reports three cases of HBV reactivation alter hepatic tomotherapy for management of HCC.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.30 no.1 s.56
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• pp.1-15
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• 1997

To investigate the association between hepatocellular carcinema(HCC) and infection of hepatitis B virus(HBV) and hepatitis C virus(HCV) in an HBV endemic area, a case-control study of 254 patients with HCC and of 1,270 age and sex matched health control subjects was done. Among the 254 HCC patients 166(65.4%) were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg), 49(19.3%) were positive for HCV antibody (anti-HCV Ab). The crude odd ratio of patients with HBsAg was 36.1(95% CI :22.4-58.2) and with anti-HCV Ab was 9.0(95% CI :5.5-14.6). In an analysis, which HBsAg(-), HBcAb(-), anti-HCV Ab(-) group was chosen as referent group, odd ratio of HBsAg(+) group was 14.4(95% CI: 7.2-28.9) and of anti- HCV Ab(+) was 10.7(95% CI: 2.9-40.0). odd ratio of anti-HCV Ab(+), HBsAg(+) group and anti-HCV Ab(+), HBsAg(-), HbcAb(+) group for HCC were elevated to 27.3(95% CI : 9.0-82.9), 15.9(95% CI:7.1-35.8) respectly, The odd ratio of anti-HCV Ab(-), HBsAg(-), HBcAb(+) group was 2.4(95% CI : 1.1-5.0). These result suggested that HBV and HCV were associated with HCC. In HBV endemic area patients with HBcAb alone should be considered risk group for HCC.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.106-110
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• 2010

Reactivation of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a well-recognized complication in patients with chronic HBV infection who receive cytotoxic or other immunosuppressive therapy. In cases of patients treated by radiotherapy however, only a few of such reports exist and most of these include the patients previously treated by chemotherapy or transarterial chemoembolization. The results of this study point to a case of a patient with reactivation of HBV after radiotherapy alone. This study shows the possibility of HBV reactivation by partial hepatic irradiation alone hence, special attention should be paid to patients with HBV disease.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2008

Comprehensive understanding of the natural course of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is mandatory for the management and treatment of chronic hepatitis B, of which the natural course consists of immune tolerance, immune clearance, inactive carrier state, and reactivation phase. Evidence based medical approach is essential for the management of HBV carriers and treatment of active hepatitis to decrease risks of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma as well as to increase survival. In addition, education of patients or their parents are required to achieve a better therapeutic outcome and to prevent unconfirmed alternative medicine and anecdotal approaches.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.133-137
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• 1999

This study was undertaken to test for anti-Hepatitis B virus (HBV) activity of the aqueous extracts prepared from Eugenia caryophyllate, Ephedra sinica, Cinnamomum cassia. Aqueous extracts were assayed for the inhibition of HBV replication by measurement of HBV DNA and surface antigen (HBsAg) levels in the extracellular medium of HePG2 2.2.15 cells. All extracts decreased the levels of extracellular HBV virion DNA at concentrations ranging from 128 to 256 $\mu$g/ml and inhibited the production of HBsAg dose-dependently. Our findings suggest that these three hebal medicinal plants may have potential to develop as specific anti-HBV drugs in the future.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.708-714
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• 2001

Many studies have provided evidences that hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) including preS region could be an ideal candidate for a new hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine with higher efficacy. We established CHO cell lines, IY-CHO-2 and IY-CHO-11 expressing high levels of HBsAg containing preS2 and S protein by stable transfection method. These cell lines expressed the correct size (about 1 kb in length) of HBsAg mRNA as expected. The purified protein from the culture supernatants of the clones showed the same sizes as those expressed in native hepatitis B virus (24 kDa, 27 kDa, 34 kDa and 36 kDa). Antibody productivity of CHO-derived HBsAg protein at lower dose challenge was higher than the protein containing S region alone expressed in yeast system. These results indicate that CHO-derived HBsAg protein containing preS2 and S region can be effectively used for a better immune response as a HBV vaccine.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.263-272
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• 2022

Objectives: Infections with hepatitis B, C, and D virus (HBV, HCV, and HDV) are a major public health problem and lead to serious complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. We aimed to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HCV, anti-HDV immunoglobulin G, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and dual and triple hepatitis virus infections in Mongolia. Methods: A total of 2313 participants from urban and rural regions were randomly recruited for this cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was used to identify the risk factors for hepatitis virus infections, and the seromarkers were measured using immunoassay kits. Results: Among all participants, the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HDV was 15.6%, 36.6%, and 14.3%, respectively. The infection rates were significantly higher in females and participants with a lower education level, rural residence, older age, and a history of blood transfusion. HBV and HCV co-infection was found in 120 (5.2%) participants and HBV, HCV, and HDV triple infection was detected in 67 (2.9%) participants. The prevalence of elevated AFP was 2.7%, 5.5%, and 2.6% higher in participants who were seropositive for HBsAg (p=0.01), anti-HCV (p<0.001), and anti-HDV (p=0.022), respectively. Elevated AFP was more prevalent in participants co-infected with HBV and HCV (5.8%, p=0.023), HBV and HDV (6.0%, p<0.001), and triple-infected with HBV, HCV, and HDV (7.5%) than in uninfected individuals. Conclusions: Nearly half (49.8%) of the study population aged ≥40 years were infected with HBV, HCV, or HDV, and 22.4% had dual or triple infections.