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Seroepidemiology of Hepatitis E virus Infection in Isfahan, Iran: A Community-Based Study

2008; Elsevier BV; Volume: 12; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.ijid.2008.05.212

1878-3511

Behrooz Ataei, Zary Nokhodian, Abbasali Javadi, Nazila Kassaian, Parisa Shoaei, Ziba Farajzadegan, Peyman Adibi,

Hepatitis B Virus Studies

Introduction: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an enterically transmitted acute viral hepatitis with the highest incidence in Asia, Africa, Middle East and Central America. There are few published data about the epidemiology of the infection in Iran. So, this study was carried on to evaluate anti-HEV seroprevalence in Isfahan Province-Iran. Methods: In a cross sectional study, 816 subjects over 6 years rural from urban and rural areas of Isfahan Province in 2005 using multi stage cluster sampling method were selected. Demographic dada and blood samples were collected and anti-HEV antibodies were measured by ELISA method. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis and P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The subjects of this study included 428 female (52.5%) and 388 male (47.5%). The overall anti-HEV seroprevalence rate was 3.8%. There was no significant difference in HEV seropositivity between the subjects grouped according to sex (4.2% in females and 3.4% in males, P = o.78), household number (P = 0.095) and living area (2.7% in rural and 4.1% in urban areas, P = 0.09). HEV seroprevalence increased with age from 0.9% in children 6-9 years to 8% in persons over 50 years old without statistical differences in them (P = 0.08). There were statistical differences between HEV seropositivity in regions of Isfahan Province which the most was seen in Khomeini Shahr (13.3%) (P < 0.001). Conclusion: HEV seroprevalence in Isfahan Province is lower than previous reports in other parts of Iran and Middle East area. More studies in other parts of Iran are needed to obtain a prevalence map for creating prevention strategies.