Seroprevalence of anti-hepatitis E antibodies and antigens among HIV-infected patients in Fars Province, southern Iran

Abstract

Objective HIV-infected patients have immunological and clinical features that might affect the pathogenesis, as well as the outcome of the HIV/HEV co-infection. The current study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of anti-HEV antibodies and HEV antigens among HIV-infected patients in Fars Province, Southwest Iran. Methods Blood samples (5 mL) were collected from 251 HIV-confirmed patients. Respective data, including patients’ demographic information, were obtained for each patient. The presence of HEV antigens and anti-HEV antibodies (IgG) were assessed by commercial ELISA kits, based on the manufacturers’ instructions. Results Out of 251 cases, 158 (62.9%) were male and 91 (36.3%) were female. Patients’ age varied from 14 to 83 (mean: 40 ± 9.7) years. Out of 251 HIV positive cases, 26 (10.4%) were positive for anti-HEV IgG antibodies and 6 (2.4%) were positive for HEV-antigens. Also, 2 (0.8%) of the patients were positive for both anti-HEV IgG antibodies and antigens. Statistical analysis revealed no significant association between sex and seropositivity to either HEV antigen or antibodies. Moreover, no significant association was seen between age and seropositivity to HEV antigen or antibody ( P = 0.622 and 0.945, respectively). Conclusion Our results showed a relatively low prevalence of HEV-antibodies in HIV-infected patients, indicating that HIV positive patients may not be at greater risk of HEV infection than the general population. Moreover, HEV-antigen was detected in a few cases of HIV-infected individuals which indicate an acute or chronic HEV infection in these patients.

Serosurvey of hepatitis A virus and E virus infection among municipal sweepers working in the largest city in the south of Iran

“…In a noble nding, the study revealed that 6.7% of seropositive and 8.2% of seronegative individuals were aware of hepatitis vaccination although no signi cant association was reported. On the other hand, 0.6% of seronegative and none of the seropositive street sweepers were aware of the treatment of hepatitis with no statistically signi cant association (20). Vaidya and Asaei's studies revealed that the seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG is directly related to age in sewage collectors, which is in accordance with our results.…”

“…The primary idea has suspected a higher rate, more signi cant than the normal population, due to common route of transmission (fecal-oral) and exposure of this particular group to sewage, contaminated water, and poor occupational hygiene, especially when eating and drinking at work. A study carried out by Asaei et al in Shiraz reported the sero-prevalence of 13.4% for total anti-HEV among the healthy population (20). Recently, it has been reported that 10.4% (26/151) of HIV infected patients in Fars Province were positive for anti-HEV Ab (20).…”

“…A study carried out by Asaei et al in Shiraz reported the sero-prevalence of 13.4% for total anti-HEV among the healthy population (20). Recently, it has been reported that 10.4% (26/151) of HIV infected patients in Fars Province were positive for anti-HEV Ab (20).…”

Hepatitis E in a Portuguese cohort of human immunodeficiency virus positive patients: High seroprevalence but no chronic infections

“…We found a lower prevalence than previously reported in the Central African Republic (68%), 18 China (44%), 19 Nepal (43%), 20 Spain (26%), 21 but higher than the one described in Iran (10.4%) 22 and Brazil (6.7%) 23 . In Denmark, a large series of 2506 patients with HIV was investigated over three decades: The overall HEV seroprevalence rates were stable during the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000–2013 (23.1%, 22.9%, and 23.7%, respectively) 24 .…”

Therapeutic effects of stem cells in different body systems, a novel method that is yet to gain trust: A comprehensive review

“…Every year, infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) resulting in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) affects around 2 million people worldwide and 40,000 Americans, which leads to lifelong infection, accompanied by several co-infecting diseases in addition to high mortality rates with no effective treatment up to now (430,431). Stem cell therapy using PSCs has the potential to continuously replace T-lymphocytes, along with the inevitable occurrence of the graft versus host effect which can subsequently eliminate the reservoir from the old-infected cells and substitute them with healthy, new cells (432)(433)(434)(435)(436).…”