• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.32-37
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• 2010

The author was performed to investigation of current status of prevalence for anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) among the health-checkup adults in Jeonbuk province. A toal of 1,553 (male 1,046, female 507) serum samples were diagnosed by 3rd generation enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for anti-HCV. Total prevalence of anti-HCV was 0.9%, and prevalence of male and female were 0.8% and 1.2%, respectively. The prevalence of female was higher than male. According to ages group, prevalence of anti-HCV was highest in 60 age group, but it was not found in 20 age group. 14 samples with anti-HCV positive were diagnosed by EIA for hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBs Ag), by chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) for serum albumin, alanine transaminase (ALT) and asparagine transaminase (AST). Positive for HBs Ag was not found. The mean of serum albumin levels was 4.5 g/dL, and mean of ALT and AST were 34.3 IU and 31.9 IU, respectively. Through this study, I know that the prevalence of anti-HCV among adults in Jeonbuk, and suggest that the positive of anti-HCV persons who have lower serum albumin, normal to mild elevations in serum enzymes are chronic hepatitis.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.20-25
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• 2002

We performed a basic experiment for rapid, on-line, real-time measurement of HBsAg by using a surface plasmon resonance biosensor to quantify the recognition and interaction of biomolecules. We immobilized the anti-HBsAg polyclonal antibody to the dextran layer on a CM5 chip surface which was pre-activated by N-hydroxysuccinimide for amine coupling. The binding of the HBsAg to the immobilized antibody was measured by the mass increase detected by the change in the SPR signal. The binding characteristics between HBsAg and its antibody followed typical monolayer adsorption isotherm. When the entire immobilized antibody was interacted, there was no additional, non-specific binding observed, which suggested the biointeraction was very specific as expected and independent of the ligand density. No significant steric hindrance was observed at 17.6 nm/$mm^2$ immobilization density. The relationship between the HBsAg concentration in the sample solution and the antigen bound to the chip surface was linear up to ca. $40\mu\textrm{g}$/mL, which is much wider than that of the ELISA method. It appeared the antigen-antibody binding was increased as the immobilized ligand density increased, but verification is warranted. This study showed the potential of this biosensor-based method as a rapid, simple, multi-sample, on-line assay. Once properly validated, it can serve as a more powerful method for HBsAg quantification replacing the current ELISA method.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.30 no.1 s.56
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• pp.17-29
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• 1997

To estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and to determine associated risk factors, a population-based seroepidemiologic study was carried out. In 1993, a health examination survey of the population was carried out in rural area known to have a high incidence of liver cancer. The study population were those who volunteered to participate in a health survey over 10 years of age. Examinees were interviewed by specially trained staffs. Sera from 1,033 study subjects were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) by .everse passive hemagglutinin (RPHA) estimation and for hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) by 2nd generation passive hemagglutinin (PHA) estimation. The age and sex standardized prevalence of HBsAg was 6.3% which was similar to national average, but that of anti-HCV was 5.1% which was 4 to 5 times higher than that of blood donors or other health examinees in Korea. In a multivariate analysis, transfusion history, surgical operative history, and acupuncture history were not associated with HBsAg positivity. In contrast, acupuncture history (adjusted odds ratio[OR]=2.2 : 95% Confidence interval[CI] 1.0-4.7) and surgical operative history(adjusted OR=2.0 : 95% CI 1.0-4.1) were associated with anti-HCV positivity. The present study suggest that there is an highly endemic area of HCV infection in Korea and probably this endemicity is associated with a parenteral source of HCV infection other than blood transfusion.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.637-642
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• 2014

The pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) related to habitual betel quid (BQ) chewing is unclear. Risk of HCCis increased with adverse hepatic fibrosis. This study aimed to assess the impact of chronic viral hepatitis on adverse hepatic fibrosis in HCC related to BQ chewing. This hospital-based case-control study enrolled 200 pairs of age- and gender-matched patients with HCC and unrelated healthy controls. Serologic hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), ${\alpha}$-fetoprotein (AFP), and surrogate markers for significant hepatic fibrosis were measured. Information on substance-use habits was obtained with a questionnaire. By analysis of surrogate markers for hepatic fibrosis, the prevalence of significant hepatic fibrosis in patients chewing BQ was between 45.8% and 91.7%, whereas that for patients without BQ chewing was between 18.4% and 57.9%. The difference was significant (P <0.05 for each surrogate marker). Multivariate analysis indicated that cirrhosis with Child-Pugh C (odds ratio (OR) = 3.28; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.29-8.37), thrombocytopenia (OR = 3.92, 95% CI, 1.77-8.68), AFP >400 mg/L (OR = 2.21, 95% CI, 1.05-4.66) and male gender (OR = 4.06, 95% CI, 1.29-12.77) were independent factors associated with habitual BQ chewing. In conclusion, adverse hepatic fibrosis and severe liver damage play important roles in the pathogenesis of BQ-related HCC, which could be aggravated by chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C. BQ-cessation programs and prevention of chronic HBV/HCV infection are needed to prevent HCC related to BQ chewing.

• 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.

• 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.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.338-343
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• 2003

Various factors, such as the adsorption pH, adjuvant dose, and adjuvant age, which affect the adsorption degree and immunogenicity of an antigen, were investigated. In addition, the effect of pH, antigen content, and adjuvant content on immunogenicity was also studied through animal experiments. Within the ranges studied, a low pH for adsorption, freshly preformed gel, and low pH formulation for the combined DTwP-HepB vaccine were preferrable for the adsorption of the antigens. In addition, a higher DT content was found to have a positive effect on the HBsAg immunogenicity in the combined vaccine. Accordingly, considering the factors affecting the adsorption rate and immunogenicity of the antigens, a novel DTwP-HepB vaccine (40 Lf/ml of diphtheria toxoid, 15 Lf/ml of tetanus toxoid, 20 OU/ml of detoxified whole cell pertussis, $24\;\mu\textrm{g}$ of HBsAg, $24\;\mu\textrm{g}\;Al/ml\;of \;Al(OH)_3\;gel,\;776\;\mu\textrm{g}\; Al/ml\;of\;AIPO_4\;gel$, and pH 7.1) was developed, whose immunogenicity was comparable to the case of administrating, separately and simultaneously, a combined DTwP vaccine (40 Lf/ml of diphtheria toxoid, 15 Lf/ml of tetanus toxoid, 20 OU/ml of detoxified whole cell pertussis, $300\;\mu\textrm{g}\;Al/ml\;of\; AIPO_4\;gel$, and pH 7.1) and mono HepB vaccine [$Hepavax^{\circledR},\;24\;\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ of HBsAg and $500\;\mu\textrm{g}\;Al/ml\;of\;Al(OH)_3\;gel$], which satisfies the potency criteria of the K-FDA for a combined DTwP vaccine and mono HepB vaccine.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1042-1048
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• 2006

Plasmid DNA vaccines encoding the hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface and hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope antigens, respectively, were constructed, and attempt were made to find the possibility of a divalent vaccine against HBV and HCV. The expression of each plasmid in Cos-1 cells was confirmed using immunocytochemistry. To measure the induced immune response by these plasmids in vivo, female BALB/c mice were immunized intramuscularly with $100\;{\mu}g$ of either both or just one of the plasmids. Anti-HBV and HCV-specific antibodies and related cytokines were evaluated to investigate the generation of both humoral and cellular immune responses. As a result, specific anti-HBV and anti-HCV serum antibodies from mice immunized with these plasmids were observed using immunoblot. The levels of IL-2 and RANTES showing a $Th_{1}$ immune response were significantly increased, but there was no change in the level of IL-4 ($Th_{1}$ immune response) in any of the immunized groups. Compared with each plasmid DNA vaccine, the combined vaccine elicited similar immune responses in both humoral and cell-mediated immunities. These results suggest that the combined DNA vaccine can induce not only comparable immunity experimentally without antigenic interference, but also humoral and $Th_{1}$ dominant cellular immune responses. Therefore, they could serve as candidates for a simultaneous bivalent vaccine against HBV and HCV infections.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.97-102
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• 2018

In this work, the surface of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was modified with small molecules including mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) and L-lysine for the development of highly sensitive lateral flow (LF) sensors. Uniformly sized AuNps were synthesized by a modified Turkevich-Frens method, showing an average size of $16.7{\pm}2.1nm$. Functionalized AuNPs were then characterized by transmission electron microscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The stable conjugation of AuNPs and antibodies was obtained at pH 7.07 and the antibody concentration of $10{\mu}g/mL$. The functionalized AuNP-based LF sensor exhibited lower detection limit of 10 ng/mL for hepatitis B surface antigens than that of using the bare AuNP-based LF sensor (100 ng/mL).

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.30 no.1 s.56
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• pp.103-128
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• 1997

The object of this study is to evaluate the possibility of chemical-induced liver disorder among workers exposed to various chemicals and to classify the the liver function abnormalities by causes and to analyse the risk factors for each liver disorders. A cross-sectional study including questionnaire survey, physical examination, laboratory tests and ultrasonography of liver was conducted on 1,126 workers, 459 workers in a coal chemical plant(company A) and 667 workers in an insulation material manufacturing factory(company B). An industrial hygienist reviewed the chemicals used in both companies and evaluated the work environments to classify the workers by chemical exposure semiquantitatively. The results are as follows: 1. Of 459 workers in company A, 83 workers(18.1%) are classified as nonexposed, group 163(35,5%) as short-term exposure group, 155(33.8%) as intermediately exposed group and 58(12.6%) as long-term exposed group bared on the mean daily exposure to hepatotoxic chemicals evaluated by an industrial hygienist. Of 667 workers in company B, 484(72.6%) workers were classified as nonexposed and 183(35.5%) as exposed group. 2. Workers with SGOT level higher than 40 IU/l were (10.0%) in company A and 77(11.5%) in company 3, and those with SGPT level higher than 35 IU/l were 118(25.7%) in company A and 198(29.7%) in company B. The differences were not significant between companies and between exposure groups(p>0.05). Workers with $\gamma-GT$ level higher than 62 IU/l were 29(6.3%) in company A and 77(11.5%) in company B (p<0.01). The difference between exposure groups was not significant(p>0.05) within companies. Workers with liver function abnormalities(defined as SGOT higher than 40 IU/l or SGPT higher than 35 IU/l) were 338(30.0%) among 1,126 workers. Of 338 workers with live. function abnormalities 139(12.3%) had fatty liver by ultrasonography, 79(7.0%) had alcoholic liver(defined as workers with liver function abnormalities with weekly alcohol consumption greater than 280 g for more than 5 years), 54(4.8%) had hepatitis B, 12(1.1%) had hepatitis C and the other 114(33.7%) was not otherwise classified. Prevalences of alcoholic liver and fatty liver were significantly lower in company A(prevalence ratio 0.24 for alcoholic liver, p<0.001, prevalence ratio 0.76 for fatty liver, p<0.05) but prevalences of liver disorders between exposure groups within companies were not significant(p>0.05). 3. Summary prevalence ratios(SPR) of live. function abnormalities, fatty live. and other liver disorders, adjusted by age and company were not significantly higher in exposed group in any chemicals(p>0.05) but in some chemicals, SPRs were significantly lower. 4. On simple analysis of risk factors for liver function abnormalities, prevalence odds ratio(POR) of those with age between 30 and 39 was 1.54(p<0.01) and those with age ever 40 was 1.51(p<0.01). POR of those with histories of liver disorders and general anesthesia was 1.77(p<0.001) and 4.02 for those with overweight and 6.23 for those with obesity, defined by body mass index(p<0.001). 5. On logistic regression analysis, risk factors of liver function abnormality were fatty liver(POR 2.92 for grade 1, 12.15 for grade 2), presence of hepatitis B surface antigen(POR 3.62) and obesity(POR 5.38 for overweight and 16.52 for obesity). Presence of hepatitis B surface antigen(POR 0.18) was the only preventive facto. of fatty live. Company(POR 0.30) and obesity(POR 2.49 for overweight, 4.52 for obesity) were related to the alcoholic live. Obesity(POR 2.94 for overweight) was the only significant risk factor of hepatitis B and there was no significant risk factor for liver function abnormality not otherwise classified. It is concluded that the evidence of liver disorder related with chemical exposure is not evident in these factories. It is also postulated that fatty liver and alcoholic liver is most common causes of liver function abnormalities among workers and effort for weight control and improvement of life style should be done.