• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.564-568
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• 2020

Although studies on Hepatitis A virus (HAV) were crucial in the establishment of the HAV infection prevention programs, no systematic investigation into HAV has been conducted since 1999. We retrospectively analyzed the data between January 2010 to December 2018 from all the patients who underwent HAV antibody tests at the Dankook University Hospital Health Care Center. Data were collected from 56,204 individuals. Overall, 34,834 (62.0%) individuals from this cohort were positive for HAV antibodies and the annual rate of anti-HAV antibody positivity was highest in 2010 (68.5%) and lowest in 2013 (54.8%). The average decline in the antibody positivity rate was 0.62% per year, showing a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). In the over 40s age group, anti-HAV antibody positivity rates decreased from 89% in 2010 to 64% in 2018 (p < 0.001), with an annual decrease of 3.1%. In the over 30s age group, it decreased from 48.2% in 2010 to 34.7% in 2018 (p < 0.001), with an annual decrease of 1.82%. This study shows that the antibody positivity rate is decreasing across age groups but given that HAV infection poses more significant risks in older patients it is important to expand the evaluations of the current and future antibody positivity rates for HAV in various age groups.

• 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.

• 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.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.5917-5935
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• 2012

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes acute and chronic human hepatitis infection and as such is an important global health problem. The virus was discovered in the USA in 1989 and it is now known that three to four million people are infected every year, WHO estimating that 3 percent of the 7 billion people worldwide being chronically infected. Humans are the natural hosts of HCV and this virus can eventually lead to permanent liver damage and carcinoma. HCV is a member of the Flaviviridae family and Hepacivirus genus. The diameter of the virus is about 50-60 nm and the virion contains a single-stranded positive RNA approximately 10,000 nucleotides in length and consisting of one ORF which is encapsulated by an external lipid envelope and icosahedral capsid. HCV is a heterogeneous virus, classified into 6 genotypes and more than 50 subtypes. Because of the genome variability, nucleotide sequences of genotypes differ by approximately 31-34%, and by 20-23% among subtypes. Quasi-species of mixed virus populations provide a survival advantage for the virus to create multiple variant genomes and a high rate of generation of variants to allow rapid selection of mutants for new environmental conditions. Direct contact with infected blood and blood products, sexual relationships and availability of injectable drugs have had remarkable effects on HCV epidemiology. Hundreds of thousands of people die each year from hepatitis and liver cancer caused by HCV virus infection. Approximately 80% of patients with acute hepatitis C progress into a chronic disease state leading to serious hepatic disorders, 10-20% of which develop chronic liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The incubation period of HCV is 6-8 weeks and the infection is often asymptomatic so it is very hard to detect at early stages, making early treatment very difficult. Therefore, hepatitis C is called a "silent disease". Neutralizing antibodies are produced against several HCV proteins during infection but the virus mutates to escape from antibodies. Some patients with chronic hepatitis C may have some symptoms such as fatigue, muscle aches, nausea and pain. Autoimmune and immunecomplex-mediated diseases have also been reported with chronic HCV infection.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.337-341
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• 1999

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a positive strand RNA virus of the Flaviviridae family and the major cause of post-transfusion non-A, non-B hepatitis. Vaccine development for HCV is essential but has been slowed by poor understanding of the type of immunity that naturally terminates HCV infection. The DNA-based immunization technique offers the potential advantage of including cellular immune responses against conserved internal proteins of a virus, as well as the generation of antibodies to viral surface proteins. Here, we demonstrate that cell lines expressing the HCV core and/or NS3 proteins can induce a specific CTL response in mice, and these results suggest a possibility that the HCV core and NS3 DNA can be used to induce CTL activity against the antigen in mice and can be further developed as a therapeutic and preventive DNA vaccine.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.124-129
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• 2017

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections mainly involve respiratory tract; however, also can manifestate other symptoms by site involved. Extrapulmonary manifestations of M. pneumoniae infection are rarely known to occur without pneumonia. Herein we report a case of a 9-year-old boy who presented with acute cholestatic hepatitis in the absence of pneumonia. Rhabdomyolysis, skin rash, and initial laboratory results suspicious of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy were also observed in this patient. M. pneumoniae infection was identified by a 4-fold increase in immunoglobulin G antibodies to M. pneumoniae between acute and convalescent sera by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. This is the first pediatric case in Korea of M. pneumoniae infection presenting with acute cholestatic hepatitis in the absence of pneumonia.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3663-3667
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• 2012

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the hepatitis C virus (HCV) are still public health problems in Yemen, with older individuals having much higher prevalence than younger generations. However, research on the prevalence of viral hepatitis in association with hepatocellular cancer (HCC) has not yet been undertaken in Yemen. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection among HCC patients and to estimate the risk of these infections being associated with the development of HCC. A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients attending oncology outpatient in Sana'a, Yemen, through the period 2008-mid 2010 with confirmed diagnosis of HCC. A total of 88 cases were studied thoroughly with different investigations such as CT-scan, ultrasound, tumour marker, alpha-feto-protein and histopathological biopsy. A structured questionnaire was also applied and physical examination done to assess the general condition of the patients. Statistical package (SPSS version 16) was used for analysis of the data. The mean age of the cases was 61.2 years (${\pm}12.6$) with half over 60 years. There were fewer male patients (36%) compared to females and most (97%) only had basic /no formal education. Seventy nine (89%) were diagnosed as HCC cases with histopathological biopsy while the rest were diagnosed by ultrasound, CT scan, tumour marker, and alpha-feto-protein. Around one-third of the subjects were positive for HBsAg and HCV antibodies. Multivariate analysis showed infection with HCV and use of smoking was associated with HCC diagnosis. Although an association was observed between the occurrence of HCC and viral hepatitis (either HBV or HCV) and cigarette smoking, but the rate of viral infection was lower than what has been reported elsewhere.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.33.1-33.10
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• 2022

Background: Endemic circulation of human-specific hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotypes 1 and 2 may occult the importance of sporadic zoonotic HEV transmissions in Africa. Increasing numbers of studies reporting anti-HEV antibodies in cattle and the discovery of infectious HEV in cow milk has raised public health concern, but cattle exposure has seldom been investigated in Africa. Objectives: This study aimed at investigating the role of cows in the epidemiology of HEV in Burkina Faso and farmers habits in terms of dairy product consumption as a prerequisite to estimate the risk of transmission to humans. Methods: Sera from 475 cattle and 192 pigs were screened for the presence of anti-HEV antibodies while HEV RNA in swine stools was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Data on mixed farming, dairy product consumption and selling habits were gathered through questionnaires. Results: The overall seroprevalence in cattle was 5.1% and herd seroprevalence reached 32.4% (11/34). Herd seropositivity was not associated with husbandry practice or presence of rabbits on the farms. However, herd seropositivity was associated with on-site presence of pigs, 80.7% of which had anti-HEV antibodies. The majority of farmers reported to preferentially consume raw milk based dairy products. Conclusions: Concomitant presence of pigs on cattle farms constitutes a risk factor for HEV exposure of cattle. However, the risk of HEV infections associated with raw cow dairy product consumption is currently considered as low.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.125-136
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the recognition of the infection routes, symptoms and treatments of HBV by students of health-related departments so as to help students learn correct knowledge about hepatitis B and provide the basic data for establishment of oral health policies to prevent hepatitis B and improve the quality of infection management. For the subjects of this study, 666 students of health-related departments and other departments of universities in Daegu City, Gyeongbuk Province were arbitrarily chosen and given a questionnaire. Then the questionnaires collected between October 1st and 31st, 2007 were analyzed. Major findings from this study are summarized below. 1. Regarding general characteristics of the subjects, 311 were students of health-related departments and 355 were students of other departments. 55.9% of the health-related department students and 49.0% of the other department students received immunization against hepatitis. 36.0% of the health-related department students and 31.6% of the other department students had antibodies. 2. Regarding the recognition of the infection routes of HBV, the right answer "Infected through placenta" was chosen by more juniors(94.4%), sophomores(93.8%) and freshmen(74.1%) of health-related departments than other students in this order (P<0.05). The answer "Infected through sexual intercourse" was chosen by the highest percentage(75.0%) of juniors followed by freshmen(69.2%) and sophomores(31.9%) (P<0.05). 3. The percentages of health-related department students who knew that "HBV can develop into hepatic cirrhosis or liver cirrhosis were the highest among juniors(88.9%), freshmen(87.7%) and sophomores(68.8%) in this order(P<0.05). Among the other department students, the percentages of right answers to the question "Acute HBV infection shows jaundice" were the highest among juniors(75.0%), sophomores(74.8%) and freshmen(58.7%)(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.