Hepatitis E, caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV), is endemic in China. However, the molecular characteristics of HEV circulating in eastern China and the seroprevalence of HEV infection in eastern China are relatively unknown. In this study, 25 HEV strains, isolated from sporadic hepatitis E cases in eastern China, were sequenced in the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase region and subjected to phylogenetic analysis. These HEV strains were 74.6-98.7% identical in nucleotides and were all clustered into HEV genotype 4. Most of them formed new sub-genotypes and revealed a high degree of genetic variance. In addition, 12,052 serum samples were collected from people of different ages, living in urban or rural areas in eastern China. Anti-HEV IgG activity was detected in 2073 (17.20%). The prevalence of anti-HEV IgG significantly increased with age (P<0.0001), ranging from 7.92% in children (<10 years old) to 21.48% among older persons (>or=60 years old). Moreover, statistical analysis showed that there was a significant difference between rural and urban areas, with higher prevalence for people living in rural neighborhoods (P<0.001).

Background: HAV infection is still a common infectious disease, and can easily spread by the fecal-oral route, either via person-to-person contact or consumption of contaminated food or water. People at high risk of HAV infection include overseas travelers and workers from high endemic areas. HAV seroprevalence rate of international traveled healthy worker was not reported in Taiwan.Aim: Survey the prevalence of seroprevalence of hepatitis A antibody in overseas workers.Method: A total of 406 healthy overseas workers of three international companies during their annual health examinations were enrolled and examined for antihepatitis A virus IgG.Result: Of these 406 participants, 158 (38.9%) were found to be anti-hepatitis A virus IgG positive. The sero-positive rate of anti-HAV was significantly different between overseas workers aged below or equal to 30 years and those above 30 years (0% vs. 45.9%, p<0.0001). Conclusion:The vast majority of overseas workers aged ≤30 years are susceptible to HAV infection. Mass hepatitis A vaccination should be applied to overseas workers ≤ 30 years or that sero-negative for anti-HAV after screening.