A high hepatitis E virus (HEV) seroprevalence among unpaid blood donors and haemodialysis patients in Egypt

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection among unpaid blood donors and haemodialysis patients in Egypt and to find out any possible relationship between HEV and HCV. METHODS: Serum samples collected from 95 unpaid blood donors and 96 haemodialysis patients were screened for HEV and HCV antibodies by enzyme immunoassay techniques. RESULTS: The prevalence of anti-HEV IgG was 45.2% (43/95) in blood donors and 39.6% (38/96) in haemodialysis patients. Anti-HEV IgG was found in 69.2% (18/26) and 28.6% (20/70) in haemodialysis patients positive and negative for HCV, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study emphasizes that HEV is endemic in Egypt and tends to accumulate in certain groups showing evidence of hepatitis C virus infection as in haemodialysis patients suggesting either shared parenteral risk or increased sensitivity to HEV coinfection; that is to say a possibility of combined route of transmission for HEV.