Prevalence of hepatitis E virus in Egyptian children presented with minor hepatic disorders

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is considered as one of the common causes of particular hepatitis in developing countries. It is transmitted in a fecal-oral manner. It causes sporadic infections and large epidemics. To estimate the prevalence of anti-HEV IgG and IgM antibodies to ORF3 peptide of Hepatitis E virus genome in an age of children, study subjects (100 children) between 6 months and 10 years with minor, hepatic illnesses were recruited for the study during the period from September 2004 to September 2005. Serum anti-HEV IgG and anti-HEV IgM antibodies were screened in all subjects, anti-HEV IgM antibodies were assayed as an indicator of recent infection. Serum transaminases (AST and ALT) were estimated in positive subjects. Out of 100 subjects recruited, 26 subjects (26%) demonstrated anti-HEV IgG and 6 (6 %) were anti-HEV IgM and IgG positive. Anti-HEV IgG were present since the first year of age till 10 years of age and increased with advancing age. Serum transaminases were raised in one (17%) of subjects with anti-HEV IgM antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: Children are susceptible to HEV infection since early infancy. Seropositivity to HEV antibodies increased by over 2 times beyond 4 years of age as compared to younger age.     

福建省不同人群中戊型肝炎病毒感染的血清流行病学调查分析

目的了解福建省不同人群中戊型肝炎病毒的感染情况。方法收集普通人群血清2209份,职业危险人群血清1722份,应用双抗原夹心ELISA法检测抗HEV抗体。普通人群由健康体检人员和健康献血者组成,职业危险人群由养鸡场或养猪场的饲养员、屠宰工、兽医、厨师或从事鸡鸭批发者组成,使用SPSS软件比较不同人群的感染率。结果普通人群HEV的阳性率为23.3%,职业危险人群HEV阳性率为33.3%(χ2=48.51,P<0.001)。在职业危险人群中与鸡密切接触者HEV的阳性率显著高于与猪密切接触者。HEV阳性率有随年龄的增长而上升的趋势,在普通人群中男、女性HEV阳性率无显著性差异(P>0.05)。在职业危险人群中男性HEV阳性率显著高于女性。结论普通人群HEV的感染率较高,提示HEV亚临床感染的存在。与猪、鸡密切接触者HEV阳性率高于普通人群,这些数据进一步证明了HEV可能是一种人兽共患病的假设。     

Markers of hepatitis viruses and human T-lymphotropic virus types I/II in patients who have undergone open-heart surgery: evidence of increased risk for exposure to HBV and HEV

BACKGROUND: Open-heart procedure is characterized by a high-risk for contracting blood-borne infections. We evaluated the prevalence of several markers of hepatitis viruses (B-E) and human T-cell lymphotropic virus types I/II (HTLV-I/II) in a consecutive series of patients who had undergone open-heart surgery. METHODS: 204 patients and 158 selected age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were investigated. Samples were collected at least 6-12 months postoperatively. Commercial enzyme immunoassays and confirmatory immunoblot assays for HCV, HEV and HTLV-I/II were used. RESULTS: None of the subjects tested positive for antibodies to HTLV-I/II. Prevalence of markers of past HBV infection and antibodies to HEV (anti-HEV) were higher in patients than in healthy controls (anti-HBc: 45.1% vs. 31%, p=0.009; anti-HBs: 31.9% vs. 22.2%, p=0.02; anti-HBe: 32.4% vs. 10.1%, p=0.000; anti-HEV: 5.4% vs. 0%, p=0.008). HBsAg and antibodies to HCV did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: HTLV, HBsAg and HCV infection markers did not differ between patients and healthy controls. However, patients had significantly increased prevalence of markers of previous HBV infection suggesting that an intensive vaccination schedule against HBV preoperatively might be helpful in minimizing the risk. The increased prevalence of anti-HEV in cardiac patients requires further investigation. Prospective studies are needed in order to definitely address whether the high prevalence of exposure to HBV and HEV infections in patients who had undergone open-heart surgery is procedure-related or not and whether it has any impact on morbidity of these patients.     

生猪屠宰销售职业人群戊型肝炎病毒感染的危险因素研究

目的　生猪屠宰销售职业人群戊型肝炎病毒的感染情况 ,流行特征及研究工作时间长短与戊型肝炎病毒感染的关系。方法　 2 0 0 3年在浙江省北部地区采用横断面调查方法 ,调查 2 1- 6 1岁生猪屠宰销售人员 189人 ,用ELISA法检测该人群中HEV -IgG和HEV -IgM抗体水平 ,同时调查相关的职业危险因素。 结果　在调查的 189名与生猪屠宰销售相关的职业人群中 ,抗HEV -IgG和抗HEV -IgM阳性者分别为 14 6例和 5例 ,人群总感染率分别为 77 2 5 %和 2 6 5 %。在 189例抗HEV -IgG阳性者中有男性 139例 ,女性为 7例 ,男女的感染率分别为 77 6 5 %和 70 0 0 % ,戊肝感染和性别没有关系。 5例HEV -IgM阳性者都为男性。戊肝感染可见于各个年龄段 ,但流行率分布不平衡 ,差异有显著性 (χ2 =11 2 2 ,P =0 0 11) ,随着年龄的增长感染率有上升的趋势 ,但是到 4 5岁以后戊肝感染率保持在一个相对稳定水平。戊肝感染随着职业人群和猪接触的年限增加而呈现上升趋势 (χ2 =9 5 74 ,P =0 0 0 2 )。结论　浙江省生猪屠宰销售人员的感染率高于当地人群。和密切猪接触是戊型肝炎感染的危险因素之一 ,同时与猪接触的工作年限也是戊肝感染的危险因素。戊肝感染随着年龄的增加而感染率上升 ,4 5岁以后维持一个相对稳定状态。     

High prevalence of hepatitis E virus antibodies in Sao Paulo,Southeastern Brazil: analysis of a group of blood donors representative of the general population

Brazil is a non-endemic country for hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection with seroprevalence from 1% to 4% in blood donors and the general population. However, data on seroprevalence of HEV in the country are still limited. This study evaluated the prevalence of past or present HEV infection in a group of blood donors representative of the general population of the city of Sao Paulo, Southeastern Brazil. Serum samples from 500 blood donors were tested from July to September 2014 by serological and molecular methods. Anti-HEV IgG antibodies were detected in 49 (9.8%) subjects and categorized age groups revealed an age-dependent increase of HEV seroprevalence. Among the anti-HEV IgG positive subjects, only 1 had anti-HEV IgM while none tested positive for HEV-RNA. The present data demonstrate a higher seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG than previously reported in the region.     

Seroepidemiology and genetic characterization of hepatitis E virus in western Yunnan Province

Objective:To investigate the seroepidemiology and genetic characterization of hepatitis E virus(HEV) in western Yunnan Province.Methods:Questionnaire survey was conducted among1638 residents in western Yunnan Province using stratified sampling method.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum anti-HEV IgG and IgM.HEV RNA was extracted from patients with serum anti-HEV IgM positive.The open reading flame 2(ORF2) of HEV that was amplified by nested RT-PCR was sequenced and compared with standard HEV genotypes 1-4.Results:Serum anti-HEV positive was found in 13.929(228/1638) residents.The HEV infection rate in males was significantly higher than that in females with a ratio of 1.47(P0.01).20-30 and30-40 years old young men showed the highest incidence.20.57%and 20.78%.respectively.While10-20 and 20-30 years old young women exhibited the highest infection rate,11.85%and 15.60%,respectively.According to occupation,the highest HEV infection rate was observed in farmers(20.35%) and migrants(16.50%).We isolated 10 individual HEV isolates from 31 patients with serum anti-HEV IgM positive.Homology analysis and phylogenetic analysis indicated that these10 HEV isolates belonged to HEV genotype 4 with the homology of 78.65%-94.71%.Conclusions:The HEV infection rate is high in western Yunnan Province.HEV genotype 4 is the leading cause of HEV infection and young farmers and migrants are the main infected population.     

Antibodies against hepatitis E virus in old world monkeys

SUMMARY. To examine whether Indian monkeys are infected with hepatitis E virus (HEV) in nature, serum samples from wild rhesus (Macaca mullata) , bonnet (M. radiata) and langur (Presbytes entellus) monkeys were screened for anti-HEV IgG antibodies in recombinant antigen-based ELISA assays. The positivity rates were 36.7%. 19.1% and 2% respectively. The protection of such antibodies against human HEV was studied in four rhesus monkeys. Of the two rhesus monkeys with anti-HEV titres of 100 and 1000 respectively which were inoculated with the KOL-91 strain of HEV, the former demonstrated a 10-fold rise in anti-HEV titres. Anti-HEV titre in the second rhesus monkey remained unchanged. Neither of the monkeys showed any rise in serum alanine transaminase (ALT) or presence of virus in the faeces, as tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Two other rhesus monkeys with anti-HEV titres of 10000 and 100 respectively were inoculated with the AKL-90 strain of HEV. Serum ALT levels and anti-HEV titres remained unchanged in the first monkey. Excretion of virus in faeces was not noted (PCR). The second monkey developed a typical HEV infection. HEV infection could be produced in anti-HEV negative control monkeys inoculated with both strains of HEV. These results show that either human or simian HEV, or a closely related agent, is circulating among Indian macaques. Titre-dependent protection of naturally occurring anti-HEV antibodies supports this view.     

Hepatitis E in hemodialysis and kidney transplant patients in south-east Italy

AIM:To investigate the serovirological prevalence and clinical features of hepatitis E virus(HEV) infection in end-stage renal failure patients and in the healthy population.METHODS:HEV infection is a viral disease that can cause sporadic and epidemic hepatitis.Previous studies unexpectedly showed a high prevalence of HEV antibodies in immunosuppressed subjects,including hemodialysis(HD)patients and patients who had undergone kidney transplant.A cohort/case-control study was carried out from January 2012 to August 2013 in two hospitals in southern Italy(Foggia and S.Giovanni Rotondo,Apulia).The seroprevalence of HEV was determined in 801 subjects;231 HD patients,120 renal transplant recipients,and450 health individuals.All HD patients and the recipients of renal transplants were attending the Departments of Nephrology and Dialysis at two hospitals located in Southern Italy,and were included progressively in this study.Serum samples were tested for HEV antibodies(Ig G/Ig M);in the case of positivity they were confirmed by a Western blot assay and were also tested for HEV-RNA,and the HEV genotypes were determined.RESULTS:A total of 30/801(3.7%)patients were positive for anti-HEV Ig(Ig G and/or Ig M)and by Western blot.The healthy population presented with a prevalence of 2.7%,HD patients had a prevalence of 6.0%,and transplant recipients had a prevalence of 3.3%.The overall combined HEV-positive prevalence in the two groups with chronic renal failure was 5.1%.The rates of exposure to HEV(positivity of HEV-Ig G/M in the early samples)were lower in the healthy controls,but the difference among the three groups was not statistically significant(P>0.05).Positivity for anti-HEV/Ig M was detected in 4/30(13.33%)anti-HEV Ig positive individuals,in 2/14 HD patients,in1/4 transplant individuals,and in 1/12 of the healthy population.The relative risk of being HEV-Ig M-positive was significantly higher among transplant recipients compared to the other two groups(OR=65.4,95%CI:7.2-592.7,P<0.001),but the subjects with HEV-Ig M positivity were numerically too few to calculate a significant difference.No patient presented with chronic hepatitis from HEV infection alone.CONCLUSION:This study indicated a higher,but not significant,circulation of HEV in hemodialysis patients vs the healthy population.Chronic hepatitis due to the HEV virus was not observed.     

Antibody to hepatitis E virus in HIV-infected individuals and AIDS patients

Antibody to hepatitis E virus of IgG class (anti-HEV IgG) is regularly detected in industrialized countries, where HEV is non-endemic, at levels not exceeding 2–3%; seropositive individuals are often found in certain groups of patients and professionals exposed to an increased risk of blood-borne infections. The present study was aimed at the identification of anti-HEV IgG in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, including acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), living in Russia and Belarus, an area of low anti-HEV prevalence with a moderate spread of HIV infection and AIDS. In Russia, 13 out of 117 HIV-infected patients (11.1%) were found to be anti-HEV seropositive. This differed significantly from the frequency observed in the normal population (1.7%) but not from the frequency in a matching control, high-risk group consisting of male prisoners (8.0%). No difference in the frequency of anti-HEV IgG seropositivity was found between groups of HIV-infected men subdivided by sexual orientation. The rate of anti-HEV seropositivity increased with the progression of HIV infection, reaching 43.3% in AIDS patients and 38.1% in those who died from AIDS. In Belarus, anti-HEV IgG seropositivity was not found among 20 HIV-infected subjects nor among individuals from the control risk group, which consisted of 25 intravenous drug users. In conclusion, HEV infection may have common transmission mechanisms (risk factors) with HIV infection rather than represent an additional opportunistic infection in AIDS.     

Hepatitis E virus serum antibodies and RNA prevalence in patients evaluated for heart and kidney transplantation

Background. Acute hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in solid organ transplant recipients is rare, but can cause severe hepatic and extrahepatic complications. We sought to identify the pretransplant prevalence of HEV infection in heart and kidney candidates and any associated risk factors for infection.Material and methods. Stored frozen serum from patients undergoing evaluation for transplant was tested for HEV immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies and HEV RNA. All patients were seen at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona, with 333 patients evaluated for heart (n = 132) or kidney (n = 201) transplant. HEV IgG antibodies (anti-HEV IgG) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and HEV RNA by a noncommercial nucleic acid amplification assay.Results. The prevalence of anti-HEV IgG was 11.4% (15/132) for heart transplant candidates and 8.5% (17/201) for kidney transplant candidates, with an overall seroprevalence of 9.6% (32/333). None of the patients tested positive for HEV RNA in the serum. On multivariable analysis, age older than 60 years was associated with HEV infection (adjusted odds ratio, 3.34; 95% CI, 1.54-7.24; P = 0.002).Conclusions. We conclude that there was no evidence of acute HEV infection in this pretransplant population and that older age seems to be associated with positive anti-HEV IgG.     

Molecular Characterization and Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Virus in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients and Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Seroprevalence rates and molecular characterization of hepatitis E virus (HEV) prevalent in the Lithuanian human population has not yet been evaluated. Immunosuppressed individuals have been recognized as a risk group for chronic hepatitis due to HEV genotype 3 (HEV-3) infections. The objectives of the present study were to determine prevalence rates of anti-HEV antibodies among inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients and solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, to isolate and characterize HEV strain present in the Lithuanian human population, and to investigate its capacity to infect non-human primate (MARC-145 and Vero), swine (PK-15) and murine (Neuro-2a) cells in vitro. In the present study, the significant difference of anti-HEV IgG prevalence between healthy (3.0% (95% CI 0–6.3)) and immunosuppressed individuals (12.0% [95% CI 8.1–15.9]) was described. Moreover, our findings showed that anti-HEV IgG seropositivity can be significantly predicted by increasing age (OR = 1.032, p < 0.01), diagnosis of IBD (OR = 4.541, p < 0.01) and reception of SOT (OR = 4.042, <0.05). Locally isolated HEV strain clustered within genotype 3i subtype of genotype 3 and was capable of infecting MARC-145 cells. This study demonstrates higher HEV seroprevalence in the risk group compared to healthy control individuals without confidence interval overlap. The high level of genetic homology between human and animal strains in Lithuania and the capacity of locally isolated strains to infect cells of non-human origin suggests its potential for zoonotic transmission.     

Prevalence of anti-hepatitis E virus antibodies in different Indian animal species

Prevalence of IgG antibodies to hepatitis E virus (IgG-anti-HEV) was determined among different animal species from India. Seropositivity varied from 4.4% to 6.9% in cattle, 54.6–74.4% in pigs and 2.1–21.5% in rodents. Of the 44 dogs screened, 10 were positive (22.7%). None of the 250 goat sera tested were found to be anti-HEV positive. Among rodents, over 50% serum samples collected in 1985 from Bandicota bengalensis were positive for anti-HEV antibodies. No evidence of HEV infection was obtained following experimental inoculation of an Indian strain (AKL-90) of HEV into anti-HEV negative pigs and goats. The results document varied prevalence of anti-HEV antibodies in different animal species from India and of inability of Indian pigs and goats to support replication of at least one human strain of HEV.     

Prevalence of hepatitis virus infections in Kosovar refugees.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of viral hepatitis infections in a sample of Kosovar refugees having arrived in southern Italy as a result of the 1999 war in the Balkans. METHODS: The 526 subjects who enrolled on voluntary basis from all age groups were tested for the prevalence of serologic markers for hepatitis virus types A, B, C, D, and E (HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, HEV). RESULTS: Among the 526 refugees, the prevalence of total anti-HAV antibodies was 81%. A relevant finding was the presence of total anti-HAV antibodies in 61% of the children up to 10 years of age. The prevalence of anti-HEV antibodies was 2.5% among the subjects. Fifteen subjects (2.9%) were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), whereas 17.5% tested positive for anti-hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). In children up to 10 years of age, the prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HBc was found to be 0.4% and 6%, respectively. In subjects aged 11 to 20 years, 4.2% tested positive for HBsAg and 20.2% for anti-HBc. In the age group 21 to 30 years, 7.1% of the subjects were found to be HBsAg carriers, whereas 25.9% were found to be positive for anti-HBc. Among the refugees over 30 years of age, the prevalence of HBsAg was 4.2%, whereas anti-HBc was 43.7%. None of the refugees tested positive for anti-HDV. The prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies was 0.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this seroepidemiologic study indicate a high circulation of HAV in the Kosovar population, whereas the prevalence of HEV antibodies was low and comparable to that of other European countries. The HBV infection seems to be at an intermediate level of endemicity and an immunization policy against HBV infection, through vaccination of all newborns and children before adolescence, may be advisable. Results of this study indicate that the level of endemicity of HCV infection in the Kosovar population is low.     

Prevalence of hepatitis viruses in an anti-human immunodeficiency virus-positive population from Argentina. A multicentre study

The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence of infections with hepatotrophic viruses in an anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive population from Buenos Aires and to compare it among the main risk groups for HIV infection. Four hundred and eighty-four consecutive patients attending the HIV outpatients clinic were studied: 359 men and 125 women, median age 29 years (range 16-67 years); 35.5% had presented acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-defining conditions. Two hundred and thirty-four patients were intravenous drug users (IVDU), 99 had homosexual and 142 heterosexual preference, seven had received blood transfusions and two had no risk factors. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAb) and to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) were investigated in all patients; antibodies to HBsAg (HBsAb) and IgG antibodies to hepatitis D virus (anti-HDV) in all HBcAb-positive patients; hepatitis B e antigen and antibodies to HBeAg (HBeAg) in all HBsAg-positive patients; IgG antibodies to hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV) in the first 307 patients; and IgG antibodies to hepatitis E virus (anti-HEV) in the first 91 patients. As control groups, contemporary voluntary blood donors were studied for prevalence of HAV, HBV, HCV and HEV. The percentages of HBcAb, HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti-HEV (58.5, 14.5, 58.5 and 6.6%, respectively) were significantly higher in anti-HIV-positive patients than in control groups (3.2, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.8%, respectively) (P = 0.000). The prevalence of HBcAb was significantly higher in IVDU (72.6%) than in heterosexuals (33.8%) (P = 0.0001) and in homosexuals (59.6%) (P = 0.0189). The percentage of HBsAg was significantly higher in IVDU (19.2%) than in heterosexuals (6.3%) (P = 0.0004). Anti-HCV was significantly higher in IVDU (92.3%) than in homosexuals (14.1%) and in heterosexuals (33.1%) (P = 0.000 in both cases). The prevalence of anti-HDV was relatively low (1.9%). There was no difference in the percentage of anti-HAV between HIV-positive and negative subjects. In conclusion, there is a high prevalence of HBV and HCV infections in HIV-positive patients from our area. Drug use is the main route of transmission, but prevalence of HCV in patients with, probably, sexually acquired HIV infection is also higher than in the control group. The increased prevalence of HEV infection in HIV-positive individuals is another provocative finding that warrants further study.     

Updating the knowledge of hepatitis E: new variants and higher prevalence of anti-HEV in Argentina

Introduction. Hepatitis E is a disease of global distribution, with significant morbidity and mortality, whose scope and burden continue to emerge in low endemic countries.Material and methods. In 2012, we studied the prevalence of anti-HEV antibodies in 202 adult serum samples. We also analyzed samples from 143 patients with acute non-A-C hepatitis from January 2011 to December 2013. Acute HEV infections were diagnosed with anti-HEV IgM and/or HEV RNA. HEV RNA was also investigated in 94 swine fecal samples. HEV RNA was sequenced and characterized.Results. We found higher values of prevalence than those previously reported in the 1990s. The overall prevalence of anti-HEV IgG antibodies was 15.4%. The prevalence was 10.6% in the 123 adults voluntarily screened on World Hepatitis Day 2012 in Buenos Aires city and 14.8, 16.7 and 35.7% respectively in the smaller groups of healthcare workers, blood donors and HIV-positive patients from different regions of the country. Nine acute HEV infections were diagnosed in the three years analyzed. We characterized new human variants of subgenotype 3a and 3i. New subgenotype 3i variants were found in swine from two distant provinces closely related to the human ones.Conclusions. These results enlarge the knowledge of HEV and contribute with new information. However, higher values of prevalence found in small groups need to be confirmed in larger studies. Many aspects of the spectrum of the disease and the reservoirs and routes of transmission are still unknown and thus deserve additional research.     

Hepatitis E virus genotype 3 is associated with gallstone-related disease

Abstract

Objective: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 is endemic in Northern Europe and despite a high seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG antibodies among blood donors (≈17%), few clinical cases are notified in Sweden. Low awareness of hepatitis E and its possible symptoms may contribute to this discrepancy. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of acute HEV infection among hospital admitted patients with abdominal pain and elevated liver enzymes.

Materials and methods: During 2016–2017, 148 adult patients with serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) > twice normal levels were prospectively enrolled at surgical wards at three Swedish hospitals. Serum samples were analyzed for HEV RNA as well as anti-HEV IgM and IgG, and medical records were reviewed.

Results: Six (6/148, 4.1%) patients were HEV infected confirmed by detectable HEV RNA, but only one of these patients had detectable anti-HEV antibodies. Four of the HEV infected patients were diagnosed with gallstone-related disease: three with biliary pancreatitis and one with biliary colic. The remaining two were diagnosed with bowel obstruction and pancreatic malignancy. Four HEV strains were typed by sequencing to genotype 3.

Conclusions: This study identified acute HEV3 infection in 4% of the patients with elevated liver enzymes admitted to a surgical ward. HEV infection was not the solitary disease leading to hospitalization, instead it was found to be associated with other surgical conditions such as gallstone-related disease including biliary pancreatitis. Additionally, HEV RNA might be the preferential diagnostic tool for detecting ongoing HEV infection.     

Prevalence of enteric hepatitis A and E viruses in the Mekong River delta region of Vietnam

A study of antibody prevalence for hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) was carried out in southwestern Vietnam in an area adjacent to a known focus of epidemic HEV transmission. The purpose of this investigation was first to provide a prevalence measure of hepatitis infections, and second to determine the outbreak potential of HEV as a function of the susceptible population. Blood specimens collected from 646 persons in randomly selected village hamlets were examined by an ELISA for anti-HEV IgG and anti-HAV IgG. The prevalences of anti-HEV IgG and anti-HAV IgG were 9% and 97%, respectively. There was a significant increase (P < 0.01) in age-specific anti-HEV IgG. A notable increase in anti-HAV IgG prevalence (P < 0.0001) occurred between child populations 0-4 (64%) and 5-9 (95%) years of age. No evidence of familial clustering of anti-HEV IgG-positive individuals was detected, and household crowding was not associated with the spread of HEV. Boiling of water was found to be of protective value against HEV transmission. A relatively low prevalence of anti-HEV indicates considerable HEV outbreak potential, against a background of 1) poor, water-related hygiene/sanitation, 2) dependence on a (likely human/animal waste)-contaminated Mekong riverine system, and 3) periodic river flooding.     

献血员戊型肝炎病毒亚临床感染情况调查

目的了解献血员中戊型肝炎病毒(HEV)亚临床感染情况。方法对2002年7～8月向北京市血液中心义务献血的所有人员进行整群抽样，检测抗-HEV IgM和IgG抗体。结果北京献血员中抗-HEV IgM阳性率为1．74％，其丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)异常比例高于抗-HEV IgM阴性献血员。ALT异常与HEV相关的比例为2．68％，与HBV相当，但高于丙型肝炎病毒。结论献血员中存在HEV亚临床感染者，并且是献血员中ALT异常的原因之一。