Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science

Review articles

Infectious Disease
Impact of varicella vaccination on the epidemiology of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia: a narrative review: Hyeon-Soo Park, Gyeong-Jo Byeon; J Yeungnam Med Sci. 2026;43:22. Published online March 18, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/jyms.2026.43.22

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Abstract PDF: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) establishes lifelong latency following primary infection and can reactivate later in life to cause herpes zoster (HZ) and its debilitating complication postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). The implementation of varicella vaccinations has profoundly altered the epidemiological landscape of VZV. This narrative review examines the current literature to evaluate the impact of these vaccination programs on the incidence of HZ and PHN. Early mathematical models based on the “exogenous boosting” hypothesis predicted a substantial surge in adult HZ due to reduced exposure to circulating wild-type virus. However, long-term epidemiological data demonstrate that the incidence of adult HZ was already increasing prior to the introduction of vaccination programs and did not accelerate post-implementation, suggesting other primary drivers, such as an aging population. This review highlights the significant decline in HZ incidence among vaccinated pediatric populations, as the attenuated vOka vaccine strain is substantially less prone to reactivation than the wild-type virus. Furthermore, HZ that does occur in vaccinated individuals tends to be milder, resulting in a reduced risk of progression to PHN. To address the persistent risk in older adults, a recombinant zoster vaccine is recommended as a highly effective secondary prevention strategy. Despite challenges, such as breakthrough infections and the need for long-term monitoring of vaccine-induced immunity, varicella vaccination remains a cornerstone of public health, offering broad protection across different ages. Further research is needed to fully understand the long-term impact of varicella vaccinations on the incidence of HZ and PHN and to identify additional risk factors for these conditions.

Infectious Disease
Vaccine trends: a narrative review: Jacob Sangwoon Bae; J Yeungnam Med Sci. 2025;42:71. Published online November 5, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/jyms.2025.42.71

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Abstract PDF: Vaccination has played a central role in the historical and modern fight against infectious diseases. This review explores the evolution of infectious disease perception from ancient humoral theories to the modern “One Health” framework, reflecting the integration of environmental, animal, and human health. Vaccines have not only reduced morbidity and mortality but have also provided profound economic and developmental benefits across societies. Climate change, antimicrobial resistance, and the rapid emergence of new infectious threats have prompted innovations in vaccine technologies, including messenger RNA, DNA, viral vector, and nanoparticle-based platforms. These advances support personalized vaccine strategies, such as vaccinomics, and extend their application to noncommunicable diseases, including cancer and Alzheimer disease. Despite their success, vaccines face challenges including global access disparities, waning immunity, pathogen evolution, and vaccine hesitancy. Nonetheless, vaccination remains a cornerstone of global health security, with strong returns on investment and crucial roles in socioeconomic stabilization during pandemics. Future vaccine strategies must integrate technological innovation with equitable access and public trust, for instance, through global initiatives like the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and the World Health Organization COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access, and the establishment of regional manufacturing hubs to effectively respond to unpredictable threats like “Disease X.”

Original Article

Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Clinical Characteristics of Adult Patients with Acute Hepatitis A.: Jong Ryul Eun, Heon Ju Lee, Tae Nyeun Kim, Byung Ik Jang, Hee Jung Moon; Yeungnam Univ J Med. 2007;24(2):170-178. Published online December 31, 2007; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/yujm.2007.24.2.170

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Abstract PDF

BACKGROUND
The incidence of acute hepatitis A in adults has recently been increasing. This study was conducted to investigate the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of acute hepatitis A in Daegu province over the past 10 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 55 patients (male/female: 34/21), who were diagnosed with acute hepatitis A by confirmation of the IgM anti-HAV between January 1998 and June 2007. RESULTS: The mean age was 29.7+/-10.3 years (range; 17-65 years). The incidence was most common between March and June (56.1%), in the third and fourth decades of life (78.2%) and 90.9% (50/55) of the patients were diagnosed from 2003 to present. The common symptoms included anorexia, nausea or vomiting (69.1%), fever and chills (49.1%), myalgia (47.3%), weight loss (47.3%), fatigue (40.0%), abdominal pain (36.4%), diarrhea (9.1%) and pruritus (5.5%). The mean duration of hospital stay was 8.6+/-3.4 days (range; 3-20 days). The route of transmission was identified in only 11 patients (20.0%); 7 patients (12.7%) traveled (abroad or domestic), 2 patients (3.6%) ingested raw food and 2 patients (3.6%) had friends with acute hepatitis A. Fifty four patients recovered without complication; one patient developed fulminant hepatitis and recovered after a liver transplantation. CONCLUSION: The incidence of acute hepatitis A in adults is increasing. Because of the cost of treatment and potential for serious disease, persons, under 40 are recommened to have hepatitis A vaccination and confirmation of IgG anti-HAV.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Pattern of Hepatitis A Incidence According to Area Characteristics Using National Health Insurance Data
Joo Youn Seo, Jae Hee Seo, Myoung Hee Kim, Moran Ki, Hee Suk Park, Bo Youl Choi
Journal of Preventive Medicine & Public Health.2012; 45(3): 164. CrossRef

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