Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives

Volume 15(4); August 2024

Editorial

Preparedness for the recent increase in COVID-19 cases: Jong-Koo Lee; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2024;15(4):265-266. Published online August 29, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2024.0236

492 View
116 Download

PDF

Review Article

Pandemics: past, present, and future: multitasking challenges in need of cross-disciplinary, transdisciplinary, and multidisciplinary collaborative solutions: Amir Khorram-Manesh, Frederick Martin Burkle Jr, Krzysztof Goniewicz; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2024;15(4):267-285. Published online July 23, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2023.0372

3,909 View
581 Download
1 Web of Science
3 Crossref

Graphical Abstract Abstract PDF

The extensive history of pandemics has spanned many centuries, profoundly impacting societies, economies, and public health, and thereby shaping the course of history in various ways. Advances in medicine, science, and public health practices have played a pivotal role in mitigating the effects of pandemics over time. This review explores the scientific landscape of contemporary pandemics, examining their diverse and complex nature. It goes beyond the biological aspects of pandemics to consider socioeconomic, environmental, and technological factors. Through a scientific lens, this study aims to understand the complexities of pandemics and contribute to the expanding knowledge base that helps humanity strengthen its defenses against global health threats. By elucidating the enigmas of pandemics, the study hopes to foster a more resilient and prepared global health environment. Highlighting the importance of a multidisciplinary, cross-disciplinary, and transdisciplinary approach, this exploration emphasizes the critical need to integrate biological, socioeconomic, environmental, and technological domains to develop more robust defenses against these global health challenges.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Shaping Safety: Unveiling the Dynamics of Incident Reporting and Safety Culture in Saudi Arabian Healthcare
Hind Alsahli, Ahmed Al-Wathinani, Tariq Althobaiti, Mohammed Abahussain, Krzysztof Goniewicz
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare.2024; Volume 17: 3775. CrossRef
The Impacts of Narcissistic Leadership on Achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals—A Scoping Review
Amir Khorram-Manesh, Krzysztof Goniewicz, Frederick M. Burkle
Challenges.2024; 15(3): 37. CrossRef
Global Health Emergencies of Extreme Drought Events: Historical Impacts and Future Preparedness
Zakaria A. Mani, Amir Khorram-Manesh, Krzysztof Goniewicz
Atmosphere.2024; 15(9): 1137. CrossRef

Original Articles

Novel prophylactic and therapeutic multi-epitope vaccine based on Ag85A, Ag85B, ESAT-6, and CFP-10 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using an immunoinformatics approach: Muhammad Fikri Nugraha, Daniel Alexander Changestu, Rizky Ramadhan, Tasya Salsabila, Arsila Nurizati, Sari Eka Pratiwi, Ysrafil Ysrafil; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2024;15(4):286-306. Published online July 26, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2024.0026

1,098 View
59 Download

Graphical Abstract Abstract PDF: Objectives
Current tuberculosis (TB) control strategies face limitations, such as low antibiotic treatment compliance and a rise in multidrug resistance. Furthermore, the lack of a safe and effective vaccine compounds these challenges. The limited efficacy of existing vaccines against TB underscores the urgency for innovative strategies, such as immunoinformatics. Consequently, this study aimed to design a targeted multi-epitope vaccine against TB infection utilizing an immunoinformatics approach.
Methods
The multi-epitope vaccine targeted Ag85A, Ag85B, ESAT-6, and CFP-10 proteins. The design adopted various immunoinformatics tools for cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), helper T lymphocyte (HTL), and linear B lymphocyte (LBL) epitope prediction, the assessment of vaccine characteristics, structure modeling, population coverage analysis, disulfide engineering, solubility prediction, molecular docking/dynamics with toll-like receptors (TLRs), codon optimization/cloning, and immune simulation.
Results
The multi-epitope vaccine, which was assembled using 12 CTL, 25 HTL, and 21 LBL epitopes associated with CpG adjuvants, showed promising characteristics. The immunoinformatics analysis confirmed the antigenicity, immunogenicity, and lack of allergenicity. Physicochemical evaluations indicated that the proteins were stable, thermostable, hydrophilic, and highly soluble. Docking simulations suggested high-affinity binding to TLRs, including TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9. In silico immune simulation predicted strong T cell (cytokine release) and B cell (immunoglobulin release) responses.
Conclusion
This immunoinformatics-designed multi-epitope vaccine targeting Ag85A, Ag85B, ESAT-6, and CFP-10 proteins showed promising characteristics in terms of stability, immunogenicity, antigenicity, solubility, and predicted induction of humoral and adaptive immune responses. This suggests its potential as a prophylactic and therapeutic vaccine against TB.

Immunoinformatics approach for design novel multi-epitope prophylactic and therapeutic vaccine based on capsid proteins L1 and L2 and oncoproteins E6 and E7 of human papillomavirus 16 and human papillomavirus 18 against cervical cancer: Nicholas Ryan, Sari Eka Pratiwi, Mardhia Mardhia, Ysrafil Ysrafil, Delima Fajar Liana, Mahyarudin Mahyarudin; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2024;15(4):307-328. Published online July 23, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2024.0013

1,194 View
64 Download

Graphical Abstract Abstract PDF: Objectives
This study aimed to identify the optimal protein construction for designing a multi-epitope vaccine with both prophylactic and therapeutic effects against cervical cancer, utilizing an immunoinformatics approach. The construction process involved using capsid epitopes L1 and L2, as well as oncoproteins E5, E6, and E7 from human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18.
Methods
An experimental in silico analysis with an immunoinformatics approach was used to develop 2 multi-epitope vaccine constructs (A and B). Further analysis was then conducted to compare the constructs and select the one with the highest potential against cervical cancer.
Results
This study produced 2 antigenic, non-allergenic, and nontoxic multi-epitope vaccine constructs (A and B), which exhibited the ideal physicochemical properties for a vaccine. Further analysis revealed that construct B effectively induced both cellular and humoral immune responses.
Conclusion
The multi-epitope vaccine construct B for HPV 16 and 18, designed for both prophylactic and therapeutic purposes, met the development criteria for a cervical cancer vaccine. However, these findings need to be validated through in vitro and in vivo experiments.

Infectious disease research in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region: a scientometric analysis: Joseph Christian Obnial, Catherine Joy Escuadra, Adriana Viola Miranda, Don Eliseo Lucero-Prisno, III; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2024;15(4):329-339. Published online August 2, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2024.0058

827 View
46 Download

Graphical Abstract Abstract PDF: Objectives
This study compared the research output of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries to understand research trends and clarify past, present, and future patterns using scientometric techniques.
Methods
This scientometric study systematically mined health and social science publications from the Web of Science and Scopus databases using keywords associated with infectious disease. The analysis included only English-language articles and review articles by authors from any ASEAN country. Publication, citation, and text co-occurrence network analyses were performed. R Studio and VOSviewer enabled data management, analysis, and visualization.
Results
Searches identified 12,511 articles published between 1925 and 2022, with a notable increase in research publications since 2003. The leading journals on infectious disease were associated with established publishing houses, including BMC, BMJ, and The Lancet. The most-cited articles were primarily global burden of disease studies, with 7,367 citations. Among ASEAN countries, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore had the most publications and collaborative efforts on the topic. Analysis of keyword co-occurrence revealed clusters related to global health, dengue, bacterial studies, non-dengue viral topics, and diagnostics. Most early studies examined diagnostics, gene and sequencing methodologies, and virology; later, the focus shifted toward herbal and alternative medicine.
Conclusion
Recently, the research capacity of Southeast Asia has expanded dramatically, with substantial contributions from high-income countries. Intense cooperation between member states is essential, emphasizing the role of HICs in supporting their neighbors. Increased research efforts and collaboration must be dedicated to innovative approaches to combat persistent health conditions, along with emerging issues like climate change.

Impact of COVID-19 on human immunodeficiency virus tests, new diagnoses, and healthcare visits in the Republic of Korea: a retrospective study from 2016 to 2021: Yeonju Kim, Eonjoo Park, Yoonhee Jung, Koun Kim, Taeyoung Kim, Hwa Su Kim; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2024;15(4):340-352. Published online August 1, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2024.0123

597 View
26 Download

Graphical Abstract Abstract PDF: Objectives
Public health workers have been at the forefront of treating patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and managing the pandemic. The redeployment of this workforce has limited or interrupted other public health services, including testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This study aims to examine the impact of COVID-19 on HIV testing and diagnosis in the Republic of Korea from 2016 to 2021, comparing data before and after the onset of COVID-19.
Methods
Annual HIV testing data were collected from each institution through direct communication or from open-source databases. The annual number of new HIV cases was obtained from the official report of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Data on healthcare visits for HIV diagnosis or treatment were extracted from the open-source database of the National Insurance Health Service of Korea. Interrupted time series regression was conducted, stratified by institution type.
Results
In 2020, HIV tests, diagnoses, and visits decreased. Notably, public health centers experienced a substantial reduction in 2020−2021 compared to previous years. The annual percentage change in HIV tests was −53.0%, while for HIV diagnoses, it was −31.6%. The decrease in visits for HIV was also most pronounced for public facilities: −33.3% in 2020 and −45.6% in 2021 relative to 2019.
Conclusion
The numbers of tests, diagnoses, and healthcare visits for HIV at public health centers in the Republic of Korea substantially decreased in 2020 and 2021. The impacts of these changes on the early diagnosis and treatment of HIV necessitate further monitoring.

Evaluation of the acute hepatitis B surveillance system in the Republic of Korea following the transition to mandatory surveillance: Jaehwa Chung, Jeonghee Yu, Myeongeun Cheon, Sangwoo Tak; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2024;15(4):353-363. Published online August 1, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2024.0083

506 View
29 Download

Graphical Abstract Abstract PDF: Objectives
The prevalence of hepatitis B in the Republic of Korea has declined, yet the disease burden persists. After various changes in targets and methods, the national hepatitis B surveillance system now exclusively monitors acute cases. We aimed to assess the alignment of this system with its intended purpose and to recommend improvements supporting the national strategic plan for viral hepatitis management.
Methods
This study assessed acute hepatitis B cases reported to the Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s mandatory surveillance system over a 10-year period (2013–2022). It evaluated 5 factors from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Updated Guidelines for Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems: simplicity, positive predictive value, data quality, timeliness, and usefulness.
Results
The nonspecific nature of acute hepatitis B symptoms, along with the complexity of diagnostic criteria, indicated a high potential for misreporting. The surveillance system demonstrated a high positive predictive value (94.4%), with data quality and timeliness also rated high. However, data following the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic indicate the need for improvement. Moreover, given the relative importance of specific characteristics of chronic infectious diseases, only limited interventions are implementable through the current surveillance system.
Conclusion
The evaluation of the Republic of Korea’s acute hepatitis B surveillance system revealed high positive predictive value, data quality, and timeliness. However, improvements can be made in the misreporting of chronic cases and the system’s usefulness. More accurate reflection of the characteristics of acute hepatitis B cases is essential for better management of viral hepatitis.

Comparative safety of monovalent and bivalent mRNA COVID-19 booster vaccines in adolescents aged 12 to 17 years in the Republic of Korea: Mijeong Ko, Seontae Kim, Seok-Kyoung Choi, Seung Hwan Shin, Yeon-Kyeng Lee, Yunhyung Kwon; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2024;15(4):364-374. Published online July 9, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2024.0081

920 View
54 Download

Graphical Abstract Abstract PDF: Objectives
This study analyzed the safety of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) bivalent and monovalent booster vaccines, including the frequency of adverse events (AEs) such as myocarditis and pericarditis, in adolescents aged 12 to 17 years in the Republic of Korea. We aimed to share the safety profile of the COVID-19 bivalent vaccine booster doses.
Methods
We analyzed the frequencies of AEs reported to the COVID-19 vaccination management system (CVMS) or self-reported through the text message survey (TMS). Diagnostic eligibility and causality with vaccines were compared using odds ratios (ORs) by vaccine type, and incidence rates per 100,000 person-days were calculated for confirmed cases of myocarditis and pericarditis following monovalent and bivalent booster doses.
Results
In the CVMS, the AE reporting rate (per 100,000 doses) was lower after the bivalent booster (66.5) than after the monovalent booster (264.6). Among the AEs reported for both monovalent and bivalent vaccines 98.3% were non-serious and 1.7% were serious. According to the TMS, both local and systemic AEs were reported less frequently after the bivalent vaccination than after the monovalent vaccination in adolescents aged 12 to 17 years (p<0.001). The incidence rates per 100,000 person-days for confirmed myocarditis/pericarditis following monovalent and bivalent booster doses were 0.03 and 0.05, respectively; this difference was not statistically significant (OR, 1.797; 95% confidence interval, 0.210–15.386).
Conclusion
AEs in 12- to 17-year-olds following the bivalent booster were less frequent than those following the monovalent booster in the Republic of Korea, and no major safety issues were identified. However, the reporting rates for AEs were low.

Identifying risk factors for COVID-19 cluster infections in schools in the Republic of Korea: a case-control study: Jihyun Choi, Seongju Choi, Baigu Lee, Young-Joon Park, Sang Eun Lee; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2024;15(4):375-382. Published online July 11, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2023.0351

2,059 View
40 Download

Graphical Abstract Abstract PDF: Objectives
No study has yet analyzed risk factors to determine whether students with confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections may affect students at neighboring schools. Therefore, this study aimed to determine risk factors for COVID-19 transmission among schools within a community in the Republic of Korea.
Methods
An epidemiological investigation was conducted among 696 students and school staff members at 3 schools where COVID-19 clusters began on October 15, 2021. Interviews, visit history surveys, a facility risk assessment, and closed-circuit television were used to identify risk factors. The statistical significance of risk factors was also evaluated.
Results
We confirmed 129 cases (18.5%) among the individuals exposed to COVID-19 at the 3 schools, many of whom had a history of visiting the same multi-use facilities. The odds ratio of having visited multi-use facilities such as karaoke rooms was 1.90 (95% confidence interval, 1.03–3.50); the number of visits to a karaoke room and the visit durations were significantly higher among confirmed cases than non-confirmed cases (p=0.02 and p=0.03, respectively).
Conclusion
Having a history of visiting karaoke rooms often and spending a long time there were risk factors for COVID-19 infection and inter-school transmission. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the status of multi-use facilities frequently visited by adolescents and consider incorporating them into the scope of school quarantine to prevent infectious diseases at schools in a community.

First
Prev
Page of 1
Next
Last

Current issue