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.

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.

Genotypic characterization of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 isolated from ARTexperienced individuals in Buleleng Regency,

The HIV-1 epidemic has continued to grow in Indonesia; however, continuous updates on the epidemiology of HIV-1 in Indonesia remain challenging because it is the biggest archipelago in the world. Furthermore, the emergence of HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) has had a negative impact on the treatment of infected individuals. In the present study, we performed HIV-1 subtyping and the detection of HIVDR in 105 HIV-1-infected individuals residing in various cities in Indonesia in 2018 -2019. The results obtained identified CRF01_AE as the major epidemic HIV-1 strain, responsible for 81.9% of infection cases, followed by subtype B (12.4%), CRF02_AG (3.8%), CRF52_01B (1%), and a recombinants between CRF01_AE and CRF02_AG (1.0%). Major drug resistance-associated mutations against reverse transcriptase inhibitors were detected in 20% of samples. These results suggest that CRF01_AE is a major HIV-1 strain in Indonesia, while CRF02_AG is emerging. The prevalence of HIVDR in Indonesia needs to be monitored.

Background: Morbidity and mortality from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are often associated with the reactivation of a herpes virus infection. Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) is usually common in childhood infections that remain latent and can act as opportunists during immunosuppression to reactivate and cause disease. In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, the impact of HHV-6 infection can be an upregulator of HIV replication and accelerate progress towards AIDS. However, studies on HHV-6 infection have never been done in Surabaya, Indonesia. Purpose: To determine the presence of HHV-6 infection among HIV-infected individuals residing in Surabaya, Indonesia. Patients and Methods: Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from 85 HIV-infected individuals in Universitas Airlangga Hospital, Surabaya, as well as 85 healthy controls. DNA extracted from PBMCs was subjected to PCR to determine HHV-6 infection, while plasma of HIV-infected individuals was used for viral RNA quantification using real-time PCR. Results: HHV-6 infection was detected in 17.6% (15/85) of HIV-infected individuals, and in 3.53% (3/85) of healthy controls. Thus, HHV-6 infection was more likely to be found in HIVinfected individuals than in healthy controls (odds ratio 5.85; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-21). The HHV-6B was the most common subtype identified in both HIV-infected individuals (12/15) and healthy controls (3/3). The HHV-6A and co-infection between HHV-6A and HHV-6B were only found in HIV-infected individuals (2/15 and 1/15, respectively). Viral RNA load of HIV-infected individuals was not correlated to HHV-6 infection. Conclusion: Our results indicate the emergence of HHV-6 infection among HIV-infected individuals residing in Surabaya, Indonesia, and the risk of HHV-6 infection was higher in HIV-infected individuals than in healthy controls.