• Journal of Korean Medical Science
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• v.33 no.50
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• pp.321.1-321.7
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• 2018

Background: Pertussis is highly contagious respiratory disease. Healthcare workers (HCWs) can be an important mediator of the disease. A seroprevalence of pertussis was investigated in HCWs to determine the immune status against pertussis and to detect the unidentified pertussis. Methods: This study was conducted for HCWs at a hospital located in Korea in 2011. After obtaining written informed consent for HCWs voluntarily participating in the study, 10 mL of blood was collected from each subject. Demographic and medical data were collected using questionnaire. Data on the underlying disease and vaccination history were reviewed again through medical records. The presence of anti-pertussis toxin (anti-PT) immunoglobulin G (IgG), and immunoglobulin A (IgA) was detected by quantitative analysis using a commercially available ELISA kit (EUROIMMUN, $L{\ddot{u}}beck$, Germany). Results: A total of 412 HCW participated in the study. Among them, 14 were excluded due to the inadequate sample amount or medical history not secured. Of the 398 HCWs analyzed, 16.6% (66/398) were men and the mean age was $33.82{\pm}9.10years$ (range, 21-67). The mean anti-PT IgG titer was $8.32{\pm}20.40IU/mL$ (range, 0.4-287.5 IU/mL). The overall seroprevalence (rate of anti-PT IgG antibody [Ab] titer > 5 IU/mL) was 33.7%. Three (0.8%) HCWs had the Ab level > 100 IU/mL indicated acute infection. There was no statistically significant difference in the seroprevalence and mean titer of anti-PT IgG Ab according to age group, type of occupation, patient-facing position, or working in the pediatric department. Conclusion: The seroprevalence of pertussis of the HCWs of a university hospital in Korea was low, and there were some unrecognized acute infections. Therefore, booster immunization of pertussis to HCWs should be actively considered.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.1823-1831
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• 2018

This study examined the efficacy of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (AMK) protein and polysaccharide extracts as adjuvant or adjuvant booster when given together with porcine pleuropneumonia vaccine. Experimental mice (n = 5/group) were subcutaneously immunized with $25{\mu}g$ ApxIIA #3 antigen, a target protein against A. pleuropneumoniae, together with alum and/or various concentrations ($0-500{\mu}g$) of the AMK extracts, while the control group received PBS only. Immunization with ApxIIA #3 antigen increased the antigen-specific IgG titer and this increase was enhanced in the immunization together with AMK protein, but not polysaccharide extract. Supplementation of AMK protein extract exhibited dose-dependent increases in the antigen-induced protective immunity against A. pleuropneumoniae challenge and in the lymphocyte proliferation specific to the antigen. Glycoproteins present in the AMK extract were the active components responsible for immune response induction. Collectively, the present findings suggest that AMK glycoproteins are useful as immune stimulating adjuvant or adjuvant booster.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2013

Induction of effective and increased levels of antibody production may be major points in vaccine development. This is especially the case when the antigenic sources are carbohydrates. Thus, in our Lab various types of formulations such as liposomal and conjugate vaccines have been researched. However, the fastidious formulation process and high costs are a problem. For this reason, there is currently a focus on utilizing immunoadjuvants. In this present study, we tested whether ginsenosides Re (a panaxdiol) and Rg1 (a panaxtriol) from Panax ginseng have immunoadjuvant activity against the cell wall of Candida albicans (CACW). The resulting data showed that Rd and Rg1 caused LPS-treated B lymphocytes to be proliferative. Rd had greater proliferation activity than that of Rg1. In the murine model of antibody production, CACW combined with Rd [CACW/Rd/IFA] or Rg1 [CACW/Rg1/IFA] increased the production of antibodies specific to C. albicans when compared to the antibody production by [CACW/IFA]-induction, which was used as a negative control (P<0.05). In the case of [CFA/Rd/IFA], the antibody production was almost twice as that of the CFA. In addition, formulations containing either had a prolonged antibody inducing activity as compared to the CFA formula. In conclusion, Rd and Rg1 have an immunologic activity, and yet Rd can be a better candidate than Rg1 for a new immunoadjuvant.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.45.1-45.13
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• 2021

Background: Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an infectious disease caused by the peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) that mainly produces respiratory symptoms in affected animals, resulting in great losses in the world's agriculture industry every year. Single-domain variable heavy chain (VHH) antibody fragments, also referred to as nanobodies, have high expression yields and other advantages including ease of purification and high solubility. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to obtain a single-domain antibody with good reactivity and high specificity against PPRV. Methods: A VHH cDNA library was established by immunizing camels with PPRV vaccine, and the capacity and diversity of the library were examined. Four PPRV VHHs were selected, and the biological activity and antigen-binding capacity of the four VHHs were identified by western blot, indirect immunofluorescence, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analyses. ELISA was used to identify whether the four VHHs were specific for PPRV, and VHH neutralization tests were carried out. ELISA and western blot analyses were used to identify which PPRV protein was targeted by VHH2. Results: The PPRV cDNA library was constructed successfully. The library capacity was greater than 2.0 × 10⁶ cfu/mL, and the inserted fragment size was approximately 400 bp to 2000 bp. The average length of the cDNA library fragment was about 1000 bp, and the recombination rate was approximately 100%. Four single-domain antibody sequences were selected, and proteins expressed in the supernatant were obtained. The four VHHs were shown to have biological activity, close affinity to PPRV, and no cross-reaction with common sheep diseases. All four VHHs had neutralization activity, and VHH2 was specific to the PPRV M protein. Conclusions: The results of this preliminary research of PPRV VHHs showed that four screened VHH antibodies could be useful in future applications. This study provided new materials for inclusion in PPRV research.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.38.1-38.17
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• 2021

Background: The feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia (FVRCP) vaccine, prepared from viruses grown in the Crandell-Rees feline kidney cell line, can induce antibodies to cross-react with feline kidney tissues. Objectives: This study surveyed the prevalence of autoantibodies to feline kidney tissues and their association with the frequency of FVRCP vaccination. Methods: Serum samples and kidneys were collected from 156 live and 26 cadaveric cats. Antibodies that bind to kidney tissues and antibodies to the FVRCP antigen were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and kidney-bound antibody patterns were investigated by examining immunofluorescence. Proteins recognized by antibodies were identified by Western blot analysis. Results: The prevalences of autoantibodies that bind to kidney tissues in cats were 41% and 13% by ELISA and immunofluorescence, respectively. Kidney-bound antibodies were observed at interstitial cells, apical border, and cytoplasm of proximal and distal tubules; the antibodies were bound to proteins with molecular weights of 40, 47, 38, and 20 kDa. There was no direct link between vaccination and anti-kidney antibodies, but positive antibodies to kidney tissues were significantly associated with the anti-FVRCP antibody. The odds ratio or association in finding the autoantibody in cats with the antibody to FVRCP was 2.8 times higher than that in cats without the antibody to FVRCP. Conclusions: These preliminary results demonstrate an association between anti-FVRCP and anti-cat kidney tissues. However, an increase in the risk of inducing kidney-bound antibodies by repeat vaccinations could not be shown directly. It will be interesting to expand the sample size and follow-up on whether these autoantibodies can lead to kidney function impairment.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.207-217
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors in which employee's health beliefs affect their intention to get COVID-19 vaccines. Methods: The participants of this survey were 237 emlpoyees living in Busan. Data were collected using structured online questionnaires from April 26th to May 6th, 2021. The data were analyzed in SPSS WIN version 25.0 using descriptive statistics, t-test, chi-square test, multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: At the average score for each area of health beliefs regarding COVID-19, self-efficacy was 4.45 points, perceived sensitivity 4.71 points, perceived severity 3.59 points, perceived benefit 4.46 points, and perceived disability 2.19 points. Monthly income, perceived sensitivity, perceived severity, and perceived benefit were found to be factors affecting the intention to get COVID-19 vaccines. Conclusions: In order to improve the vaccination intention of COVID-19, it is necessary for subjects to recognize the seriousness of the disease, increase their sensitivity to the disease, and actively promote and educate the community about the benefits of vaccination.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.369-376
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• 2021

In Korea, fish is a major food source, and sustainable production of fish is critical for the aquaculture industry. Recently, infectious diseases have become an unavoidable problem in aquaculture and have caused serious economic losses. Therefore, there is an urgent need to overcome this challenge to increase productivity in aquaculture. Vaccination is the most effective and long-term measure for improving the management of a fish farm. Sales of fish vaccines in Korea have been steadily increasing, with a confirmed increase from 600 million won in 2007 to 3.4 billion won in 2018. As of 2021, 30 licensed fish vaccines, including both single and combination vaccines containing more than two inactivated pathogens, have been approved in Korea for 10 fish pathogens. Twenty-eight of these are used in olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus; however, only two vaccines are used in starry flounder Platichthys stellatus, red seabream Ragrus major and rock bream Oplegnathus fasciatus. Therefore, vaccine development is required not only for the olive flounder but also for other cultured fish species. The development of effective vaccines and vaccination programs for fish is a continuous requirement for a sustainable aquaculture industry.

• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.65-77
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• 2021

COVID-19 has recently impacted the world with the large numbers of infected and deaths. The development of effective COVID-19 vaccine has not been successful. Hence, people have a high concern on the infection of this disease. The infection information from the governmantal public organizations are mainly based on simple summary statistics. Consequently, it is hard to assess the infection risks of individual person and the current location of the person. In this paper, we present a machine learning-based software system that analyzes COVID-19 infection risks and guidelines for safe activities.This paper proposes a suite of risk factors regarding COVID-19 infection and deaths and methods to quantitatively measure the individual and group risks using the proposed metrics. The proposed system utilizes a clustering algorithms and various software approaches that reflect the information and features of inviduals and their geograpical locations.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.35.1-35.13
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• 2021

Background: African swine fever (ASF) is an infectious viral disease of domestic pigs that presents as a hemorrhagic fever, and for which no effective vaccine is available. The disease has a serious negative social and economic impact on pig keepers. There is limited information on the potential risk factors responsible for the spread of ASF in South Kivu. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the potential risk factors associated with ASF infection in suspected ASF virus (ASFV)-infected pigs. Methods: We sampled whole blood from 391 pigs. Additionally, 300 pig farmers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Viral DNA was detected by using the real-time polymerase chain reaction technique. Results: The majority of pigs sampled, 78% (95% confidence interval [CI], 74.4-82.6), were of local breeds. Over half, 60.4% (95% CI, 55.5-65.2), were female, and most of them, 90.5% (95% CI, 87.6-93.4), were adult pigs (> 1 year old). Viral DNA was detected in 72 of the 391 sampled pigs, indicating an overall infection rate of 18.4% (95% CI, 14.5-22.4). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed several risk factors positively associated with ASFV infection: feeding with swill in pen (odds ratio [OR], 3.8; 95% CI, 2.12-6.77); mixed ages of pigs in the same pen (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.99-5.57); introduction of new animals to the farm (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 1.91-15.28). The risk factors that were negatively (protective) correlated with ASFV positivity were the presence of male animals and the use of an in-pen breeding system. Conclusion: Local pig farmers should be encouraged to adopt proper husbandry and feeding practices in order to increase the number of ASF-free farms.

• Journal of Information Technology Services
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.45-62
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• 2021

After the COVID-19 outbreak in 2019, the spread of COVID-19 has not been easily caught despite preventive measures in each country. The spread of COVID-19 has hit the world, especially in the economic and tourism sectors. Countries around the world are easing restrictions on the movement of vaccinated people in preparation for the post-corona era. Under the name of "Vaccine Passport," "Vaccination Certificate," and "Digital Health Pass," vaccination measures are being implemented to allow vaccination recipients to use multi-use facilities. However, there is no international agreement on the movement of countries, and each country has its own immigration policy. In order to return to pre-corona daily life, global agreements must be reached from the movement of vaccinated people between countries, and standards and implementation methods must be determined. This study focuses on the implementation and utilization of vaccination certificates suitable for the COVID-19 era. We will look at the spread of COVID-19 and its international response policies. In the case of COVID-19, we will investigate why vaccination certificate installation should be standardized and how far the current standardization has been discussed, and discuss the characteristics of vaccination certificate installation and considerations. In order for the immunization certificate discussed in the previous chapter to be recognized internationally, institutional and technical considerations are identified and security factors that may occur in each implementation are also presented. Finally, the international recognition case of vaccination certificate is discussed, and the method of installation and utilization of vaccination certificate is proposed. This paper can be used as a policy because of its timeliness in studying the standards of vaccination certificates and considerations for international recognition to restore movement between countries in the spread of COVID-19. In addition, if other infectious diseases occur in the future or similar cases where movement between countries is restricted, it can be used as a reference to support the movement of verified people.