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Indonesia began deploying a COVID-19 vaccine in January 2021, prioritising vaccination for high-risk groups such as healthcare workers, the elderly and those with comorbidities, and ending with the general public due to limited vaccine availability. Our study aimed to evaluate antibody response in Indonesians who had received two doses of the vaccine vs. those who had not. The study design was a cohort study involving 46 unvaccinated people and 23 people who had received the second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine in three months. Methods used for the qualitative and quantitative detection of IgG antibodies included rapid RI-GHA and ELISA tests. Findings showed that positive IgG antibodies qualitatively detected by the rapid RI-GHA test were significantly higher in those vaccinated (60.9%) than in unvaccinated people (26.1%). Using the ELISA assay, all vaccinated individuals qualitatively showed positive antibodies (cut-off ≥4.33 BAU/ml), and the average quantitative titer of anti-SARS-CoV-2 s-RBD IgG was significantly higher in vaccinated (157.06±238.68 BAU/ml) than in unvaccinated (51.90±87.60 BAU/ml) individuals. Some unvaccinated individuals with no history of infection were found to have anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies that may have been previously asymptomatic, although their mean antibody titers were certainly lower than those in the 2-dose group. Approximately 56% of vaccinated individuals had antibody titers above 60 BAU/ml as a cut-off for protective threshold, a significantly higher proportion than unvaccinated individuals. In conclusion, vaccination with two doses AstraZeneca increased anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies which resulted in enhanced immunity against symptomatic COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Norovirus (NoV) is a leading cause of epidemic and sporadic gastroenteritis in people of all ages. Humans are the primary source of NoV and household contact is one of the risk factors for NoV transmission. However, the mechanisms underlying person‐to‐person NoV transmission are poorly understood. Here we conducted a survey to profile the frequency and characteristics of intrafamily NoV transmission. Stool samples were collected every week from three households between 2016 and 2020; the total number of samples was 1105. The detection of NoV and the genotyping were performed by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction targeting the capsid region and direct sequencing methods. NoV was detected in 3.4% of all samples. Eight NoV genotypes were identified. The most common genotype was GII.17, followed in order by GII.6, GI.6, GII.4, GI.3, and GI.2/GI.8/GI.9. Most NoV‐positive samples were obtained from asymptomatic individuals. The highest number of NoV transmissions was found in household 3 (6 infections), followed by household 2 (2 infections), while household 1 had no NoV transmission, suggesting that asymptomatic NoV carriers play a major role in infection as NoV reservoirs in the households. Further clarification of the mode of infection will contribute to improved understanding and an appropriate prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on public transportation worldwide. At the beginning of the pandemic, public transportation systems reduced their performance by 80-90% in major cities in China, Iran, and the United States, and by 70% in the UK, including a significant decline in Indonesia. Several studies have shown that public transportation contributes significantly to the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This study aims to review the use of public transportation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: A systematic review using the PRISMA guidelines was conducted on literature published between 2020-2023 with inclusion criteria of national and international research articles in English related to the title "Public Transportation Strategy in Response to COVID-19". The database sources used were Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed. Results: Based on the literature review, it is concluded that efforts to reduce the risk of COVID19 transmission in public transportation include providing personal protective equipment (PPE) for all public transportation crew, implementing strict physical distancing policies among passengers inside the vehicle, ensuring good ventilation, and enforcing the use of masks and hand hygiene. Another solution is to provide non-cash payment options to reduce physical contact between passengers and transportation personnel. The government and public transportation operators should consistently prepare supporting facilities and educate users about physical distancing, using masks, and hand hygiene through posters, social media, and regular announcements in public transportation areas. Implementing strategies in public transportation in response to COVID-19 requires collaboration between the government, transportation operators, and the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To limit the SARS-CoV-2 transmission, the Indonesian government launched a COVID-19 vaccination program in January 2021. Studies on the clinical treatment and implementation of COVID-19 vaccination have shown promising results; however, it is necessary to estimate the effectiveness of the vaccines. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, studies have highlighted the impact of COVID-19 vaccines, especially CoronaVac, on Indonesian healthcare workers. To get a better picture of how the vaccines work in Indonesia, it is necessary to estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 anti-S IgG antibody induced by the COVID-19 vaccine in individuals who have already received two-to-three doses of vaccines. Materials and Methods: Four-hundred and ninety-six whole-blood samples were collected from participants residing in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia, who received a minimum of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine. Serums were then isolated from the blood and subjected to detect SARS-CoV-2 anti-S IgG antibodies using a lateral flow immunochromatographic assay. Results: The prevalence of positive anti-S-IgG antibodies was 91.7% (455/496) in all participants receiving a minimum of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine. As many as 209 (85.3%) and 141 (96.6%) participants were seropositive for receiving CoronaVac and AstraZeneca, respectively. Meanwhile, all participants receiving two-dose CoronaVac with one booster dose of Moderna (105/100%) were seropositive (p < 0.05). Age, comorbidity, and time after the last vaccine were significantly correlated with seropositivity (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Different vaccines might produce different antibody responses. Adopting a stronger policy regarding the administration of booster doses might be beneficial to elicit positive anti-S-IgG antibodies, especially among older individuals, those with comorbid diseases, and those with a longer time after the second vaccination dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Tuberculosis is a contagious disease that can grow fast due to its transmissibility through aerosols. One of the countries with the highest tuberculosis rates is Indonesia with a case fatality rate of 11.59%. This study's objective was to examine the relationship between the physical condition of the house and the immune system and the incidence of tuberculosis in toddlers in Surabaya. Methods: This study used an analytic survey research design with a case control research methodology. The case population consisted of pediatric patients aged 0-5 years who were clinically diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis. The Chi-Square test was used to analyze bivariate data with a confidence level of 0.05 (a = 5%). Results and Discussion: The physical condition of the house that influenced the incidence of tuberculosis in toddlers were room temperature (p = 0.009; OR = 8.300; CI = 1.480-46.936) and room humidity (p = 0.000; OR = 7.600; CI = 1.609-35.906) while the immune system that affected the incidence of tuberculosis in toddlers were history of tuberculosis sufferers in the family (p = 0.018; OR = 6.000; CI = 1.266-28.498) and exclusive breastfeeding (p = 0.003; OR = 10.000; CI = 1.998-50.042). Conclusion: Houses with inadequate room temperature and humidity have an increased risk of tuberculosis development. Moreover, tuberculosis risk factors include a history of exclusive breastfeeding and a family history of tuberculosis. Health promotion by community health centers is expected to increase awareness of pediatric tuberculosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotavirus A (RVA) is a major viral cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) worldwide. G12 RVA strains have emerged globally since 2007. There has been no report of the whole genome sequences of G12 RVAs in Indonesia. We performed the complete genome analysis by the next‐generation sequencing of five G12 strains from hospitalized children with AGE in Surabaya from 2017 to 2018. All five G12 strains were Wa‐like strains (G12‐P[8]‐I1‐R1‐C1‐M1‐A1‐N1‐T1‐E1‐H1) and were clustered into lineage‐III of VP7 gene phylogenetic tree. STM430 sample was observed as a mixed‐infection between G12 and G1 strains: G12/G1‐P[8]‐I1‐R1‐C1‐M1‐A1‐N1‐T1‐E1‐H1. A phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that all five Indonesian G12 strains (SOEP379, STM371, STM413, STM430, and STM433) were genetically close to each other in all 11 genome segments with 98.0%–100% nucleotide identities, except VP3 and NSP4 of STM430, suggesting that these strains have originated from a similar ancestral G12 RVA. The VP3 and NSP4 genome segments of STM430‐G12P[8] were separated phylogenetically from those of the other four G12 strains, probably due to intra‐genotype reassortment between the G12 and G1 Wa‐like strains. The change from G12P[6] lineage‐II in 2007 to G12P[8] lineage‐III 2017–2018 suggests the evolution and diversity of G12 RVAs in Indonesia over the past approximately 10 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic had a severe global impact. A range of campaigns and activities, including vaccines, are being implemented to counteract this pandemic. Using observational data, the goal of this scoping review is to identify adverse events connected with COVID-19 vaccinations. We conduct a scoping study and searched three databases from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 through June 2022. Based on our criteria and searched keywords, the review included eleven papers in total, with the majority of the studies being conducted in developed countries. The study populations varied and included general community populations, healthcare professionals, military forces, and patients with systemic lupus and cancer. This study includes vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, and Moderna. The COVID-19 vaccine-related adverse events were classified into three types: local side effects, systemic side effects, and other side effects such as allergies. The adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines are mild to moderate in severity, with no significant influence or interference in individual daily activities and no unique patterns in cause of death among vaccine-related deaths. According to the findings of these investigations, the COVID-19 vaccine is safe to administer and induces protection. It is vital to convey accurate information to the public about vaccination side effects, potential adverse responses, and the safety level of the vaccines supplied. Multiple strategies must be implemented at the individual, organizational, and population levels to eliminate vaccine hesitance. Future studies could investigate the vaccine's effect on people of various ages and medical conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We followed 45 participants in Surabaya, Indonesia, for 10 months and compared their PCR and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) immunoglobulin G (IgG) results. As much as 13 out of 45 participants were IgG seropositive at least once while the remaining 32 stayed IgG seronegative throughout the study. Among 13 seropositive participants, 9 were consecutively seropositive at least twice and were eligible for IgG longevity evaluation. The duration of IgG detection varied from 47 to ≥233 days. We observed intermittent re‐positive PCR results suggestive of viral shedding in participants with a longer duration of IgG detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to a global pandemic, including Indonesia. However, there are only limited data regarding the precise prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. Here, to estimate the magnitude of SARS-CoV-2 infection in East Java, Indonesia, we investigated the prevalence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies. We enrolled 1,819 individuals from June to December 2020 and observed that the subjects' overall prevalence of IgG antibody to SARS-CoV-2 was 11.4% (207/1,819). The prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies differed significantly between the job/occupation groups (P = 0.0001). A greater prevalence of IgG was detected in laboratory technicians (who take samples from suspected cases and deal with polymerase chain reaction [PCR] procedures, 22.2%) compared to medical personnel who see and take direct care of patients with COVID-19 (e.g., physicians and nurses, 6.0%), other staff in medical facilities (2.9%), general population (12.1%) and non-COVID-19 patients (14.6%). The highest prevalence among age groups was in the 40–49-year-olds (14.8%), and the lowest prevalence was in the 20–29-year-olds (7.4%). However, the younger population still showed a higher prevalence than generally reported, suggesting greater exposure to the virus but less susceptibility to the disease. A geographical difference was also observed: a higher prevalence in Surabaya (13.1%) than in Jombang (9.9%). In conclusion, the COVID-19 outbreak among asymptomatic populations was characterized by a high prevalence of infection in East Java, Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Group A rotaviruses (RVAs) are the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis, which is often associated with severe symptoms in children under 5 years old. Genetic reassortments and interspecies transmission commonly occur, resulting in a great diversity of RVA circulating in the world. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and distribution of RVA genotypes among children in Indonesia over the years 2016–2018 across representative areas of the country. Stool samples were collected from 202 pediatric patients with acute gastroenteritis in three regions of Indonesia (West Nusa Tenggara, South Sumatra, and West Papua) in 2016–2018. Rotavirus G and P genotypes were determined by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and direct sequencing analysis. The prevalences of RVA in South Sumatra (55.4%) and West Papua (54.0%) were significantly higher than that in East Java (31.7%) as determined in our previous study. The prevalence in West Nusa Tenggara (42.6%) was the lowest among three regions, but higher than that in East Java. Interestingly, equine-like G3 rotavirus strains were found as predominant strains in South Sumatra in 2016 and in West Papua in 2017–2018. Moreover, the equine-like G3 strains in South Sumatra detected in 2016 were completely replaced by human G1 and G2 in 2018. In conclusion, RVA infection in South Sumatra and West Papua was highly endemic. Equine-like G3 strains were also spread to South Sumatra (West Indonesia) and West Papua (East Indonesia), as well as Java Island. Dynamic change in rotavirus genotypes from equine-like G3 to human genotypes was also observed. Continuous monitoring may be warranted in isolated areas in Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Proving that the wild polio virus no longer exists in Indonesia, the symptoms must be found that resemble polio. These symptoms are found in patients with AFP (Acute Flaccid Paralysis). AFP surveillance is an observation made of all cases of acute paralysis or AFP in children aged <15 years who are vulnerable to polio. The priority problem that is still found in the East Java Provincial Health Office regarding AFP surveillance is the reduction in the discovery of non-polio AFP cases and adequate specimens. Aims: The purpose of this study was to analyze the implementation of AFP surveillance activities in the East Java Province Health Office in 2019. Methods: Data collection was carried out by primary and secondary to study the AFP surveillance overview. Primary data were obtained from in depth interviews with AFP surveillance program holders in East Java Provincial Health Office. Secondary data is processed using Microsoft Office Excel, Epi Info and Quantum GIS. Results: The result is in 2019 the rate of non-polio AFP and the percentage of adequate specimens in East Java Province has under the target. In 2019 there was a decrease compared to the previous year, the nonpolio AFP rate was 1.64 and the percentage of adequate specimens was 56.2%. Only as many as six districts / cities in East Java Province had pass these two indicators. Conclusion: The lack of visits and reports from both the hospital and the community is one of causative factor. Intensive and routine AFP surveillance is needed to monitor the emergence of polio cases [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Norovirus (NoV) is one of the most important viral causes of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children worldwide. Only a few studies have reported AGE with NoV‐positive in some cities in Indonesia. This study aimed to investigate the incidence and clinical characteristic of NoV infection, and also genotype distribution of NoV in children with AGE in Jambi, as the capital and the largest city of Jambi province, Indonesia. Stool samples were collected from children (≤15 years of age) with AGE at three participating hospitals in Jambi from February to April 2019. The detection of NoV and its genotyping were carried out by reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing. Of the 91 stool samples collected, 14 (15.4%) were positive for NoV. Fever, vomiting, and severe diarrhea were commonly observed in AGE with NoV, while level of dehydration was statistically significant difference between children with NoV‐positive and those with NoV‐negative. The most prevalent genotype was GI.4 (42.9%), followed by GII.6 (28.6%) and some other genotypes. Interestingly, this study found the predominance of GI.4, differed from previous reports in Indonesia. Continuously investigation of the circulating genotype is needed to control the NoV‐infected AGE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Mutations in the hepatitis B virus (HBV) X region and truncation of the preS2 region are well-known to affect the progression of liver disease. Recently, it has been observed that an increasing number of S region quasispecies variants are associated with disease progression. However, few studies have analysed quasispecies of the whole genome using high-throughput sequencing methods. Using high-throughput sequencing, whole-genome variations in 12 Indonesian patients infected with HBV (eight with advanced liver disease and four with chronic hepatitis) were examined. Variations with cut-off values of ≥1% of the total viral population were investigated. It was revealed that within the four open reading frames, quasispecies variations of the S and X regions were higher in advanced liver diseases compared with in chronic hepatitis (S region: 89.53 vs. 50.69%, P=0.047; X region: 76.95 vs. 35.88%, P=0.044). Notably, the mutation frequencies in the basal core promoter, B cell epitope, RT Box G, RNAseH and small S region were greater in advanced liver disease. The proportion of quasispecies variants increased for the majority of the mutations, with the exception for W196* in the small S gene, during disease progression. The present study demonstrated that quasispecies in the S and X regions of the HBV genome changed during disease progression and were associated with advanced liver disease development in Indonesian patients with HBV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outbreaks of hepatitis A have occurred in some cities in Indonesia. In Surabaya, the capital city of East Java province, Indonesia, hepatitis A outbreaks have been reported since2013, with a marked increase in the number of cases in 2015. The aim of the present study was to analyze the genetic and serology of acute symptomatic cases (early infection) during a hepatitis A outbreak and asymptomatic cases after the outbreak in two junior high schools in Surabaya in 2015 to 2016. Students with acute symptomatic hepatitis A during the outbreak and other students who were asymptomatic 3 to 4 months after the outbreak were enrolled. Asymptomatic students had no symptoms from the outbreak until they were enrolled. Sera were collected to identify anti‐hepatitis A virus (HAV) IgM (by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay) and HAV genetic variations/genotypes (using polymerase chain reaction [PCR]‐sequencing and phylogenetic analysis). A total of 33 (97.1%) out of 34 sera of students with acute symptoms were positive for anti‐HAV IgM and 18% of them were positive by PCR, identified as HAV subgenotype IA. No prominent amino acid variations were observed from reported HAV sequences from Indonesia. Among 38 sera of asymptomatic students, most (55.3%) were positive for anti‐HAV IgM, while none were positive by PCR. In conclusion, HAV‐IA was the only subgenotype identified in acute symptomatic cases during the outbreak. The percentage of HAV‐specific IgM‐positive cases was very high among acute symptomatic students, but that was also high among asymptomatic students, which might contribute as the important source of infection during the outbreak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are life-threatening conditions frequently associated with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Asian countries, including Indonesia. HBV genotypes and several specific mutations are associated with disease progression. To clarify the geographical variation in viral characteristics, HBV genotypes and gene mutations were investigated in patients with advanced liver disease (ALD) in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Sera were collected from 41 patients with ALD at Abdul Wahab Sjahranie Hospital and HBV carriers from Red Cross Center blood bank in Samarinda, and screened for hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B e-antigen. Liver function data were obtained from the medical records from each patient. HBV genotype and gene mutations were determined by polymerase chain reaction sequencing. Analysis of HBV isolates indicated that genotype B was the most frequent genotype, at 85.4 and 97.8%, followed by C, at 14.6 and 2.2%, in patients with ALD and in HBV carriers, respectively. The C1505A mutation in X region, T1753V and A1762T/G1764A mutations in the basal core promoter region and C1858T in precore (PC) region were frequent and only detected in patients with ALD (28.9, 40, 73.5 and 17.6%, respectively), whereas the G1896A mutation in the PC region was frequently detected in HBV carriers. The presence of HBV genotype B and certain HBV gene mutations were characteristic of patients with ALD in East Kalimantan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The long-term administration of a nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B may encourage the emergence of viral mutations associated with drug resistance. Minor populations of viruses may exist before treatment, but are difficult to detect because of technological limitations. Identifying minor viral quasispecies should be useful in the clinical management of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Methods: Six treatment-naïve Indonesian patients with chronic HBV infection participated in this study. The polymerase region of the HBV genome, including regions with known drug-resistant mutations, was subjected to capillary sequencing and MiSeq sequencing (Illumina). Mutations were analyzed with Genomics Workbench software version 6.0.1 (CLC bio). Results: The mean mapping reads for the six samples was 745,654, and the mean number of amplified fragments ranged from 17,926 to 25,336 DNA reads. Several known drug-resistant mutations in the reverse transcriptase region were identified in all patients, although the frequencies were low (0.12-1.06%). The proportions of the total number of reads containing mutations I169L/M, S202R, M204I/L or N236S were >1.0%. Conclusion: Several known NA-resistant mutations were detected in treatment-naïve patients in Indonesia using deep sequencing. Careful management of such patients is essential to prevent drug-resistant mutations from spreading to other patients. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]