Abstract
ObjectivesHepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging pathogen. We evaluated the seroprevalence of HEV infection among swine farmers and the general population in Taiwan, a nonendemic country.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional seroepidemiologic study in rural Taiwan in 2012 and 2013. The study included swine farmers, health examination attendees, pregnant women, and students. A commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM against HEV. Pertinent information was collected using a questionnaire.ResultsIn total, 660 participants were enrolled in the study, including 156 swine farmers, 314 health examination attendees, 100 pregnant women, and 90 students. IgG anti-HEV was detected in 29.5% of swine farmers, 11.5% of health examination attendees, 2% of pregnant women, and 1.1% of students. Two subjects were positive for IgM anti-HEV. Logistic regression analysis revealed that swine farmers had an approximately 3.5-fold increased risk (odds ratio [OR], 3.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.91–6.27; p<0.0001) for being seropositive for IgG anti-HEV as compared to the general population. Age was positively associated with seropositive rate (OR, 1.07 per year; 95% CI, 1.05–1.09; p<0.0001).ConclusionHEV infection is prevalent in Taiwan. The seroprevalence of HEV infection is high in swine farmers and in the elderly population.
Highlights
Hepatitis E virus (HEV), a small non-enveloped RNA virus, is the only member of the genus Hepevirus in the family Hepeviridae [1]
Study Population and Demographics A total of 660 participants, including 156 swine farmers, 314 health examination attendees, 100 pregnant women, and 90 students were enrolled in the study
Seroprevalence Rate of HEV Infection Seropositivity of immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-HEV was detected in 46 swine farmers (29.5%), 36 health examination attendees (11.5%), 2 pregnant women (2%), and 1 student (1.1%)
Summary
Hepatitis E virus (HEV), a small non-enveloped RNA virus, is the only member of the genus Hepevirus in the family Hepeviridae [1]. HEV genotypes 1 and 2 infect only humans and typically cause either sporadic cases or outbreaks in developing countries [6]. HEV genotypes 3 and 4 infect pigs and other mammalian animals in both developing and developed countries (autochthonous infection); humans are accidental hosts [7]. There has been an emergence of HEV infections and zoonotic transmission in developed countries, in Japan [10] and Europe [11]. Chronic HEV infections have received increasing attention in recent years because they pose a threat to immunocompromised hosts, including solid-organtransplant recipients [12], patients with hematological disorders receiving chemotherapy [13], and those with human immunodeficiency virus infections [14]
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