Seroprevalence of antibodies to hepatitis E virus in two large communities in Havana, Cuba

Abstract

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is an important cause of acute viral hepatitis in tropical and sub-tropical regions that occurs both as epidemic episodes and sporadic cases. The aim of this investigation was to estimate the prevalence of total immunoglobulin (Ig) anti-hepatitis E virus (anti-HEV) and the risk factors associated to two communities in Havana City. Serum samples (n=469) obtained from healthy individuals with no history of viral hepatitis were screened for total anti-HEV by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). An overall prevalence of 10% (47/469) (95% CI; 7.52-13.19%) was obtained. Higher anti-HEV prevalence was found in the municipality of Marianao (12.1%) compared to Playa (7.1%). Analysis of risk factors revealed a significant association of total anti-HEV prevalence in age group 41-60 years old, with a risk ratio of 3.21 (95% CI: 1.09-9.7) (P=0.01). No relation was found between anti-HEV and other variables such as gender, risk occupations, surgery and transfusions. The detection of total anti-HEV in individuals with no overt acute hepatitis suggests the existence of sub-clinical or anicteric HEV infection in these municipalities.

Epidemiology of Hepatitis E Virus in China: Results from the Third National Viral Hepatitis Prevalence Survey, 2005–2006

“…The seroprevalence of HEV in a population generally increases with age [15]–[18], [22], [25]. In our study, the seroprevalence of HEV increased throughout the whole age range, the first marked increase in seropositivity occurred at 15 to 29 years in males and 20 to 39 years in females.…”

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Virus in Humans and Geographically Matched Food Animals in Egypt

“…However, the positivity of HEV antibodies in Northeastern China, South Korea and Japan, was 50.7% in Korean Chinese, 47.7% in native Chinese, 34% in South Koreans, 14.3% in Koreans living in Japan and 6% in native Japanese (Taniguchi et al., 2009). Villalba et al. (2010) stated the prevalence of anti‐HEV in 47 of total 469 randomly selected humans in Havana, Cuba.…”

Hepatitis E virus: seroprevalence and frequency of viral RNA detection among US blood donors

“…The antigen source for the fourth‐generation total antibody assay (solid phase and the conjugate) is the recombinant protein (ET2.1) from the C‐terminal ORF‐2 (Chinese strain) having 96% homology to all HEV strains in GenBank including avian and swine strains. Testing was performed as outlined by Villalba et al Briefly, test samples and controls were diluted 1 in 5 and added to antigen‐coated wells and incubated for 30 minutes at 37°C. After washing six times, 100 µL of peroxidase‐labeled conjugate was added and incubated for 30 minutes at 37°C.…”