Anti-HEV seroprevalence in the area of Lecce

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the causative agent of an enterically transmitted viral hepatitis associated with inadequate hygienic conditions. Hepatitis E is endemic in developing countries where it occurs both in sporadic and epidemic form. Outbreaks have been reported in different areas of the world. The aim of the present work was to assess the seroprevalence of HEV infection in the general population and in different risk groups in the area of Lecce. The presence of anti-HEV antibodies was ascertained by qualitative ELISA (Abbott HEV EIA) and Western Blot (Recomblot HEV IgG/IgM, Mikrogen). The prevalence of anti-HEV in the general population was 2.9% while in intravenous drug users, hemodialized patients and immigrants the seroprevalence rates were 0.7%, 4.3% and 15.3% respectively. Our data show a circulation of HEV at low level in the area of Lecce which is endemic for hepatitis A. Higher seroprevalence rates were found in hemodialized patients and remarkably in immigrants coming from endemic areas like Turkey.