• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.314-320
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to provide basic data on hepatitis B infection control in the community through the results of the hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody tests conducted at the Cheongyang-County Health Medical Center. From 2012 to 2020, we retrospectively analyzed the HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb, and HBV DNA results of 7,329 hepatitis B-related testers. Among 7,329 subjects, the HBsAg positivity rate was 1.7%, and the positivity rate according to age was the highest at 4.4% in their 30s, 4.2% in their 40s, 4.1% in their 50s, 2.0% in their 60s, 1.9% in their 70s and over, and 10 it was shown in the order of 0.3% from less than large. The HBsAb positivity rate was 43.1% for men, 38.2% for men, and 46.7% for women (P<0.001). To summarize the above results, for infection control of hepatitis B in Cheongyang-County, hepatitis surface antigen proton management is required for those in their 30s or older, and it is thought that efforts to acquire immunity are necessary for those in their 20s or younger.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.233-241
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• 1986

Patients of chronic hepatic diseases(n=107) including chronic hepatitis caused by hepatitis B virus infections(n=31), liver cirrhosis(n=53), and hepatocellular carcinoma(n=23) were examined to ascertain genetic relationship between chronic hepatic diseases and histocompatibility antigen. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were separated from whole blood by the method of Ficoll/Hypaque gradient. Total 54 histocompatibility antigens(class I antigens: 41, class II antigens: 13) were analysed by performing of complement dependent microlymphocytotoxicity method using Terasaki's and Catholic Medical College tissue typing plates. HLA antigen frequencies were compared with those of 661 normal controls. The following results were obtained: 1. HLA antigen frequencies of HLA-Bw46, -Bw76, -Cw1, -Cw6, and HLA-DR8 in chronic hepatitis patients were shown to be higher than those in controls(P<0.01). 2. HLA antigen frequencies of HLA-Bw46, -Cw7(P<0.01), and HLA-B37, -Bw58, -Cw1, -MT1(P < 0.05) in liver cirrhosis patients were shown relatively higher frequencies than those in controls. 3. In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, antigens of HLA-A1, -A26, -Cw3, -Cw7 and HLA-DR6 were dominantly detected. 4. There were negative associations with HLA-Cw4, and -DR4 in patients of chronic hepatic diseases(P < 0.05).

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.44-50
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• 1997

A method of dual-signal generation from two different enzymes was developed and utilized to simultaneously perform dual immunoassays in a single microwell. Two enzymes selected as tracers were horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and β-galactosidase (GAL). 3, 3', 5, 5'-Tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and chlorophenolred-β-galactopyranoside (CPRG) as chromogenic substrates for the respective enzyme were used. Although the two enzymes showed their maximum activities at distinct pH conditions (pH 5.1 for HRP and 7.5 for GAL), the enzyme reactions were able to be concurrently carried out at pH 5.75 in a dual-substrate solution without signal loss. This performance was achieved by increasing TMB concentration two-fold, introducing potassium salt as activator of GAL reaction, and extending total reaction time 50%. The signal generation method was then used for dual-enzyme immunoassays to detect antibodies with co-immobilized Hepatitis C virus antigens (core and NS5) and a Hepatitis B virus antigen (PreS(2)) in a microwell. Dose-response curves of the assays revealed cooperativity between different antigen-antibody complex formation, which suggested that dual immunoassays can only be used for qualitative screening tests unless the antigens immobilized were spatially separated.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.823-828
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• 2000

The complete nucleotide sequence of hepatitis B virus DNA isolated from Korean patient serum was determined and characterized, and its phylogenetic relation was then investigated. The viral genome was 3,215 base pairs long and included four well known open reading frames (i.e. surface antigens, core antigens, X protein and DNA polymerase). The sequence of the surface antigen showed that the HBV genome under investigation, designated HBV 315, was characteristic of subtype adr. A phylogenetic analysis using the total genome sequence revealed that HBV315 was grouped into genomic group C together with isolates from Japan, China, Thailand, Polynesia, and New Caledonia. The mean percent similarity between HBV315 and other HBV isolates in genomic group C was 97.25%, and that with other genomic groups ranged from 86.16% to 91.25%. The predicted amino acid sequences of HBV315 were compared with two closely related subtype adr isolates, M38636 and D12980. The results showed that the X gene product was identical in the three strains, while there were significant amino acid sequence differences between HBV315 and M38636 in the Pre-S1 and Pre-S2 regions.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.347-355
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• 1992

To elucidate structure of group "a" epitope, mouse antibodies that express idiotype monoclonal antibody and anti-idiotype monoclonal antibody against the group specific "a" determinant were purified by hydroxyapatite column. To obtain hepatitis B surface antigens (HBsAg). HBsAg positive blood was sequencially purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, hydroxyapatite, sepharose 4B column chromatography and ultracentrifugation. The major protein (p25) and glycoprotein (gp30) of HBsAg were isolated by concanavalin-A-sepharose 4B. The ability of p25-gp30 among the HBsAg to inhibit the idiotype-anti-idiotype reaction was dependent on conformation, since reduced and alkylated p25-gp30 virtualy lost their inhibitory capacity when compared to native HBsAg. The data suggest that hepatitis B antigen is a conformational antigen critically dependent upon the disulfide bonds of p25-gp30.

• Laboratory Medicine and Quality Assurance
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.51-69
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• 2018

As part of the immunoserology program of the Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service, we organized two trials on the external quality assessment of hepatitis viral markers in 2016 and 2017. The hepatitis viral antigens and antibodies program consisted of 10 test items. We delivered two and three types of pooled sera specimens to 965 and 965 institutions for the first and second trials of external proficiency testing in 2016, respectively. The number of participating laboratories was 915 (94.8%) and 913 (95.0%) in the first and second trials in 2016, respectively. We also delivered three kinds of pooled sera specimens to 936 and 1,015 institutions for the first and second trials of external proficiency testing in 2017, respectively. The number of participating laboratories was 920 (98.3%) and 996 (98.1%) in the first and second trials in 2017, respectively. The most commonly tested items were hepatitis B surface antigen, followed by the antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B envelope antigen, antibodies to hepatitis B envelope antigen, anti-hepatitis A virus and antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen. The most frequently used methods for detecting viral markers were the chemiluminescence immunoassay and the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, but they yielded a few-false positive results due to the matrix effect. The immunochromatographic assay yielded false-negative results for anti-hepatitis A virus due to low sensitivity. Continuous improvement in the quality of viral hepatitis testing through participation in the survey seems necessary.

• 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.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.197-207
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• 2004

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term therapeutic efficacy and durability of lamivudine in Korean children with chronic hepatitis B. Methods: A total of 48 children (31 male and 17 female; age, 1~18 years, mean, 8 years) with chronic hepatitis B who received lamivudine for at least six months from March 1999 to September 2004 were followed for a mean period of 29 months (8~66 months) at Department of Pediatrics, Kyungpook National University Hospital in Korea. Response to treatment was defined as the normalization of ALT and HBV DNA levels, and HBeAg seroconversion after the initiation of treatment. Results: Twenty nine (60%) among the 48 children treated with lamivudine responded and nine (19%) children lost HBsAg during therapy. ALT and HBV DNA level had normalized in 94% one year after the initiation of treatment. Kaplan-Meier estimates of cumulative HBeAg seroconversion rates over the years were 13% (0.5 year), 34% (1 year), 50% (1.5 years), 68% (2 years), 79% (2.5 years) and 90% at 3 years respectively. Above all, among the 22 children treated before the age of seven, loss of HBsAg occurred in eight (36%), which showed superior rate of HBsAg loss (p=0.002 vs age >7). Conclusion: Long-term treatment of lamivudine improved the rate of HBeAg seroconversion in Korean children with chronic hepatitis B. After three years' observation, most of treated children have sustained HBeAg clearance. We believe that lamivudine should be tried as the first therapeutic option for children with chronic hepatitis B in immune clearance phase.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2005

Purpose : We compared the therapeutic efficacy of lamivudine and alpha-interferon in children with chronic hepatitis B two years after the initiation of treatment, so that we could verify the safety and long term efficacy of lamivudine in children. Methods : We prospectively studied 44 children(32 male and 12 female; age, 1-18 years, mean, 9 years) treated for chronic hepatitis B from September 1996 to June 2004 in Kyungpook National University Hospital in Korea. Twenty three children were treated with interferon, and 21 with lamivudine. Treatment efficacy was defined as the normalization of ALT and hepatitis B virus(HBV) DNA levels, loss of HBsAg and HBeAg seroconversion at two years after the initiation of treatment. Results : Among the 23 children treated with interferon, the ALT level normalized in 10 children(43 %) and HBV DNA was undetectable in 12 children(52%). HBsAg was undetectable in one child (4 %) and HBeAg seroconversion occurred in nine children(39%) two years after the initiation of treatment. In comparison, among the 21 children treated with lamivudine, ALT normalized in 20 children (95%), HBV DNA in 19(90%), HBsAg in 5(24%), and HBeAg seroconversion occurred in 13(62%). Above all, in the lamivudine treated group under the age of seven, HBeAg and HBsAg seroconversion occurred in six(75%) and five(63%) out of the eight children respectively, which showed superior HBsAg seroconversion rate if treated in preschool aged children. Conclusion : We believe that the therapeutic efficacy of lamivudine in children with chronic hepatitis B could be better than interferon with fewer side effects, especially in preschool aged children.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.203-207
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• 2010

Purpose: Hepatitis B is infection caused by Hepatitis B virus (HBV). Currently, there are several methods, Kits and equipments for conducting Hepatitis B test. Due to ununiformed methods, it would cause some differences. To manage these differences, it needs process evaluating function of test system and reagent using particular standard substance. The aim of this study is to investigate tendency of RIA method's reagent used in Asan Medical Center through comparing several other test reagents using national standard substance. Materials and Methods: The standard substance in National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation's biology medicine consists of 5 things, 4 antigens and 1 antibody. We tested reagents using A, B company's Kits according to each test method. All tests are measured repeatedly to obtain accurate results. Results: Test result of "HBs Ag Mixed titer Performance panel" is obtained match rate compared S/CO unit standard with RIA method and EIA 3 reagents, CIA 2 reagents is that company A's reagent is 94.4% (17/18), 83.3% (15/18), B is 88.9% (16/18), 77.8% (14/18). Test result of "HBs Ag Low titer Performance panel" is obtain that EIA 2 reagents is shown 7 posive results, CIA 3 reagents is 11, and RIA method's company A's reagent is 3, B is 2 of 13 in low panel. "HBV surface antigen 86.76 IU/vial" tested dilution. A is obtain positive results to 600 times(0.14 IU/mL), B is 300 times (0.29 IU/mL). Case of "HBV human immunoglobulin 95.45 IU/vial", A is shown positive result to 10,000 times (9.5 mIU/mL) and B is 4,000 times (24 mIU/mL). Test result of "HBs Ag Working Standards 0.02~11.52 IU/mL" is shown that Company A's kit concentration level was 0.38IU/mL, company B was 2.23 IU/mL and higher level of concentration was positive results. Conclusion: When comparing various test reagents and RIA method according to National Standard substances for Hepatitis B test, we recognized that there were no significant trends between reagents. For hepatitis B virus antigen-antibody titers even in parts of the test up to 600 times the antigen, antibodies to 10,000 times the maximum positive results could be obtained. Therefore, we confirmed that results from Asan Medical Center are performed smoothly by reagents and system for hepatitis B virus test.