PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.14 No.32, August 05, 2021 Article TypeEpidemiology and SurveillanceNoncommunicable Disease Statistics

• Epidemiology and Surveillance 2021-08-05

  0 254 137

  Cross reactivity of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 patients by classification of clade

  Lee Hyeokjin, Lee EunJu, Oh Sae Jin, Kim Heui Man, Kim Jeong-Min, Rhee JeeEun, Kim Eun-Jin

  Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14(32): 2289-2294

  

  

  Abstract

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  Variant viruses or mutant viruses are neither new nor unexpected. It is the nature of RNA viruses, such as the SARS CoV-2 coronavirus, to evolve and change over time. In addition to the Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) virus that was first detected in China, Korea has recorded multiple variants.
  The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics of the neutralization antibody cross-reaction of various COVID-19 variant viruses through an analysis of the neutralization antibody cross-reaction of the COVID-19 non-variant virus. Furthermore, by examining the neutralizing ability of variant viruses, this study aimed to analyze whether the neutralizing ability also acts on different viruses.
  Seven clades (S, L, V, GR, G, GH, GV) were isolated. The clades were confirmed through analysis of the sera (i.e., upper respiratory tract tissue samples) of 19 confirmed COVID-19 patients. The sera were analyzed using Real-time RT-PCR and full-length genomic analysis and the cross reactivity of neutralizing antibodies was confirmed using the non-variant viruses of the seven clades.
  Among the sera samples, there were 10 cases of S clade, five cases of V clade, and four cases of GH clade identified through a full-length genomic analysis. A plaque reduction neutralization antibody test was performed using seven types of non-variant virus isolates. Results showed that neutralizing antibodies against the same clade virus in one case of V clade serum and one GH genotype serum exhibited more than four times the neutralizing ability against viruses of different clades (i.e., GR, G and GV). Although differences in the neutralizing ability of viruses of the same or different clades were found, this study confirmed that a similar level of neutralizing antibody cross-reactivity was observed in all 19 sera.
  In this study, we confirmed the possibility of protecting existing infected people from exposure to the risk of re-infection because the existence of neutralizing antibody cross-reactivity against COVID-19. Nevertheless, we still can't rule out the risk of re-infection completely. Further study need to inform strategies for the development of effective immunotherapies and universal vaccines against emerging variant COVID-19 viruses because of antigenic cross-reactivity is a key scientific question that needs to be addressed.

• Epidemiology and Surveillance 2021-08-05

  0 241 156

  Hepatitis B perinatal infection awareness survey results and future directions presented

  Lee Siyeon, Kim Seungyeon, Lee Jaeyoung, Hong Jungik

  Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14(32): 2295-2305

  

  

  Abstract

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  Since July 1^st, 2002 the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) has run a national project to prevent perinatal hepatitis B infection. The main content of the project is to provide the cost of the hepatitis B vaccine, immunoglobulin as well as hepatitis B antigen and antibody laboratory tests up to 3 times, targeting newborns who were born to mothers who are hepatitis B carriers. From December 19^th to 20^th, 2019 the KDCA conducted a mobile survey targeting 3,097 project participants regarding their acknowledgement of the disease and the national project as well as the evaluation of the health care facilities providing the services. The purpose of the survey was to collect basic data as evidence to establish the future direction of the project.
  The results showed that participants had high acknowledgement of the disease (hepatitis B infection) and the project. Furthermore, the hepatitis B vaccination rate and the rate of receiving the first antigen/antibody test were high. The evaluation of the health care facilities revealed that explanations of the disease, and warnings after receiving vaccination were insufficient and needed to be improved. Satisfaction with the project was relatively high, and participants perceived that the project was helpful in preventing hepatitis B infection in their children and believed that it reduced the economic burden of child support.
  Based on the survey results, the efforts of the health care facilities providing basic information on hepatitis B infection and the necessity of performing laboratory tests should be emphasized to provide better understanding of the project and to enhance patient participation. As a result, this study recommended that the KDCA continue to produce brochures or leaflets that highlight that the project provides practical help preventing perinatal hepatitis B infection as well as reducing the economic burden of child support.

• Noncommunicable Disease Statistics 2021-08-05

  0 195 144

  International comparison of perceived health status among OECD countries in 2019 (or nearest available year)

  Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14(32): 2306-2307

  

  

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