Prevalence and Distribution of Rotavirus Genotypes Among Children With Acute Gastroenteritis in Areas Other Than Java Island, Indonesia, 2016-2018.

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.

Human herpes virus 8 antibodies in HIV-positive patients in Surabaya, Indonesia.

Background: Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection is etiologically related to Kaposi's sarcoma. Antibodies directed against HHV-8 can be detected in 80-95% of HIV-seropositive patients with KS. HHV-8 serological tests have been done in several countries in Southeast Asia such as Malaysia, and Thailand however no serological data is available in Indonesia. This study was to examine the presence of HHV- 8 antibodies in HIV-positive patients in Surabaya, Indonesia. Material and methods: Ninety-one serum samples were collected from HIVpositive patients in Surabaya, Indonesia. Human immunodeficiency virus-positive serum samples were collected from 10 homosexual men, 25 intravenous drug users (IVDUs) and 56 heterosexuals. Serums were then tested for the presence of HHV-8 antibody by using sandwich ELISA (Abbexa Ltd, Cambridge, UK). Results: The total of 91 HIV-infected were testing with antibodies to HHV-8 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Antibodies of HHV-8 were detected in 7/91 (7.7%) of the samples. According to a gender, six men (85.7%) and a women (14.3%) were positive of HHV-8 antibodies. No correlation regarding the gender and age from this study. The antibodies of HHV-8 was detected among intravenous drug users (IVDUs) men 5/7 (42.8%) and 2/7 (28.6%) from homosexual and heterosexual, respectively. Conclusion: This study found the presence of HHV-8 antibodies in 7.7% of patients in Surabaya, Indonesia. This finding was higher more than Southeast Asian countries. The patients with a positive result could suggest measures to prevent HHV-8 infection.

The Emergence of HIV-1 Transmitted Drug Resistance Mutations Among Antiretroviral Therapy-naive Individuals in Buleleng, Bali, Indonesia.

BACKGROUND: the global scale-up of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the primary factor contributing to the decline in deaths from acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related illnesses. However, the emergence of transmitted drug resistance (TDR) compromises the effects of ART in treatment-naïve individuals, which may hinder treatment success. The present study aimed to identify the presence of TDR among treatment-naive individuals in Buleleng, Bali, which is currently ranked sixth among Indonesian provinces with the highest cumulative human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection cases. METHODS: thirty-nine ART-naive individuals in Buleleng Regency General Hospital were enrolled in the present study. Blood samples from participants were subjected to a genotypic analysis. RESULTS: 28 protease (PR) and 30 reverse transcriptase (RT) genes were successfully amplified and sequenced from 37 samples. HIV-1 subtyping revealed CRF01_AE as the dominant circulating recombinant form in the region. No TDR for PR inhibitors was detected; however, TDR for RT inhibitors was identified in five out of 30 samples (16.7%). CONCLUSION: these results indicate the emergence of TDR among ART-naive individuals in Buleleng, Bali. This issue warrants serious consideration because TDR may hamper treatment success and reduce ART efficacy among newly diagnosed individuals. Continuous surveillance with a larger sample size is necessary to monitor TDR among ART-naive individuals.

DETECTION OF HUMAN HERPESVIRUS-8 ANTIGEN IN HIV-INFECTED PATIENTS IN EAST JAVA, INDONESIA.

BACKGROUND: Co-infection of human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) in HIV-positive people might cause Kaposi's sarcoma. Early detection of HHV-8 may prevent the onset of clinical manifestations. In Indonesia, detection of HHV-8 antigen in HIV-positive patients has yet to be reported. The intention of this research was to examine the presence of HHV-8 antigen in HIV-positive patients in East Java, Indonesia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 103 serum samples were collected from HIV-positive patients in Surabaya and Tulungagung, East Java, Indonesia. Serums were then tested for the presence of HHV-8 antigen by using sandwich ELISA. RESULTS: Human Herpesvirus-8 antigen was detected in 15 samples (14.5%). The presence of HHV-8 infection in HIV-positive patients did not present differently in males and females and among different age groups. Human immunodeficiency virus-positive serum samples were collected from 23 homosexual men, 25 intravenous drug users (IVDUs) and 52 heterosexuals. In the male homosexual group, HHV-8 antigen was detected in 21.7% (5/23) of the samples, while in the intravenous drug user group (IVDUs), 16% (4/25) of the samples were found to have HHV-8 antigen. CONCLUSION: This research found the presence of HHV-8 antigen in 14.5% of patients in East Java, Indonesia. It is recommended that patients with a positive result should receive further examination to detect any clinical manifestations related to HHV-8 infection, especially in the form of Kaposi's sarcoma lesions, so that the illness can be appropriately managed.