Seroprevalence In Blood Donors Research Articles

Zika virus seroprevalence in blood donors from the Northeastern region of São Paulo State, Brazil, between 2015 and 2017

Although primarily transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitos, Zika virus (ZIKV) can also be transmitted by blood transfusion, due to the fact that some of the infected donors can establish asymptomatic viremia. ZIKV seroprevalence in Brazilian blood donors is unknown. The main reason for this gap in the knowledge originates from the difficulty in evaluating ZIKV humoral immunity due to antigenic cross-reactivity between the different Brazilian flaviviruses and, in particular, dengue virus (DENV). The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-ZIKV IgG prevalence in blood donors from the Northeast region of the São Paulo State, Brazil, which experienced a ZIKV outbreak in 2016. We evaluated the ZIKV seroprevalence using the NS1 anti-ZIKV IgG test (Euroimmun), followed by confirmation of the positive and borderline results using the Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT). ZIKV seroprevalence was estimated by testing plasma samples collected in 2015 (before the ZIKV outbreak), 2016 (during the outbreak) and 2017 (after the outbreak). In order to investigate possible antigenic cross - reactivity between ZIKV and DENV we also included samples that were taken well before the ZIKV outbreak, in years 2010 and 2013. The results obtained by the Euroimmun anti-ZIKV IgG test demonstrated ZIKV seroreactivity in 2015, 2016, and 2017 with prevalences of 5.3%, 12.8% and 13.2%, respectively. The inclusion of blood donor samples from 2010 to 2013, demonstrated anti-ZIKV IgG reactivity only for 2013 (1.7%). The PRNT testing of the ZIKV positive and borderline ELISA reacting samples generated positive results only for the years of 2016 and 2017 (prevalences of 5.6% and 9.1%) which coincided with the introduction of ZIKV in our region. Our results estimate for the first time the ZIKV seroprevalence among Brazilian blood donors from a region with apparently extensive ZIKV circulation and which, at the same time, is highly endemic for DENV. We detected relatively low ZIKV seroprevalence in blood donors from the studied region probably due to the lower intensity of the outbreak compared to other Brazilian locations. Our study adds to the global understanding of ZIKV circulation and the herd immunity of the exposed population.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus in the general population across non-endemic countries.

BackgroundHepatitis E virus (HEV) has commonly been associated with large waterborne outbreaks of human jaundice in endemic areas but it has been increasingly recognised as a cause of sporadic human cases of jaundice in non-endemic areas, in individuals with no history of travel. Zoonotic exposure is widely hypothesized to be an important potential transmission route in these sporadic human cases. Serosurveys conducted to determine the frequency of HEV human exposure report wide ranges in prevalence across studies and locations. Our study objective was to compute meta-analysis summary estimates of human seroprevalence of HEV IgG within countries considered HEV non-endemic, where possible, and to determine whether this varied significantly across these countries, as well as investigating the role of potential HEV seroprevalence predictors such as population age structure.Materials and methodsA broad literature search was conducted in six electronic databases. Citations were appraised, and relevant data extracted using forms designed and pre-tested a priori. Meta-analysis and meta-regression were conducted in R, with HEV IgG seroprevalence in blood donors or the general population being the outcome of interest, and country, assay, population age and sex structure, and chronological time investigated as predictors of the outcome.ResultsFrom 4163 unique citations initially captured, data were extracted from 135 studies investigating HEV serology in blood donors or the general population, of 31 countries among those categorised as ‘very high human development’ by the United Nations. Country of sampling and assay employed were consistently significant predictors of HEV IgG seroprevalence with chronological time being a non-significant predictor in the dataset of captured studies.ConclusionsWhile country of sampling and assay employed were significant predictors of HEV seroprevalence, comparison of HEV seroprevalence across non-endemic countries is hampered by the lack of a gold standard assay and uncertainty regarding residual bias across studies, as well as regional differences within some countries.

SAT-171-HEV seroprevalence in blood donors in Turkey: Comparison of two commercial anti-HEV total Ab ELISA kit

SAT-171-HEV seroprevalence in blood donors in Turkey: Comparison of two commercial anti-HEV total Ab ELISA kit

Parvovirus B19 seroprevalence in Turkish blood donors

Background/aim: Parvovirus risk in blood transfusion has become a popular research topic since there are limited data on parvovirus seroprevalence in blood donors in Turkey. The aim of this study was to investigate parvovirus seroprevalence in blood donors in Turkey. Materials and methods: Blood samples of 988 blood donors admitted to a university blood bank were obtained for parvovirus B19 IgM and IgG detection. The samples were analyzed using the ELISA method. Results: IgM positivity of 3.92% and IgG positivity of 58.9% was detected in the blood samples. Parvovirus IgM positivity was found to be the highest in the age group of 41-50 years (P = 0.045) and IgG positivity was detected to be the highest in the age group of 31-40 years (P < 0.001). Parvovirus IgG positivity was significantly higher in women (P = 0.041). However, there was no difference regarding parvovirus IgM positivity in terms of sex (P = 0.245). Conclusion: Although this study does not represent the whole country, it is still the largest investigation carried out on the topic in Turkey and the obtained results are generally similar to those of European countries. Therefore, it is thought that the results obtained from this study may be supportive for the first steps regarding plasma fractionation, which will soon begin in Turkey.

SHTLV-I/II seroprevalence in blood donors of Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe Blood Bank during the period 2014-2015

The human-T cell lymphotropic virus is a retrovirus with various types known so far. HTLV-I and HTLV-II are of clinically importance as they cause different diseases such as adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, tropical spastic paraparesis, and human T-lymphotropic virus type I-associated myelopathy (HAM). To estimate the prevalence of presumptive and confirmatory reactivity to HTLV-I/II in blood donors of Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe Blood Bank between 2014 and 2015. The information was obtained from the Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe Blood Bank database. We analyzed age, sex, place of origin, and place of residence of donors, and the reactivity using the screening test (ELISA) as well as the confirmatory test (immunoblot). The donor population studied included 6,275 men and 8,148 women, for a total of 14,423 donors recruited between March 1, 2014, and June 30, 2015. Of all tested donors, 25 were positive for HTLV-I/II by the screening test (ELISA). After performing the confirmatory test (immunoblot), only nine patients were positive for HTLV-I/II (36%), of whom eight were reactive to HTLV-I (32%) and one to HTLV-II (4%), for a global seroprevalence of 0.06% (CI 95%: 0.10-0.25). Our findings were consistent with those found in similar studies in non-endemic areas of the country and with those from studies at international level reported in the literature.

Lack of evidence for the transmission of hepatitis E virus by coagulation factor concentrates based on seroprevalence data

Whether hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection can be transmitted by coagulation factor concentrates remains unclear. The HEV seroprevalence in blood donors and recipients of coagulation factor concentrates was compared to obtain evidence of whether a transmission of HEV by coagulation factor concentrates could occur. Archived samples from whole blood donors and patients who had received coagulation factor concentrates were investigated for the presence of anti-HEV IgG by ELISA. Western blotting was used to confirm the positive samples that showed reactivity in the ELISA. Of 357 blood donors, 68 (19%) presented IgG antibodies against HEV. Two of 92 patients who had received coagulation factor concentrates (2·2%) and 1 of the 69 patients who had received plasma-derived products (1·5%) tested positive for anti-HEV IgG. The seroprevalence of HEV in the patient group was significantly lower (P=0·038) than that in the donor group. The two positive patients were a 72-year-old man treated with plasma-derived products and a 5-year-old girl treated with a recombinant coagulation factor concentrate. HEV seroprevalence was significantly higher in the blood donors than in the patients with a history of coagulation factor concentrate administration. In one of two patients with detectable anti-HEV IgG antibodies, the coagulation factor concentrate was not the probable source of infection. Our data suggest that HEV is efficiently inactivated during the manufacturing process of coagulation factor concentrates. Thus, testing for the presence of HEV RNA in plasma donated for the preparation of coagulation factor concentrates may not be necessary.

Prevalence of Bartonella henselae in blood donors and risk of blood transmission in Chile

Bartonella henselae is the causal agent of cat scratch disease in immunocompetent persons and bacterial angiomatosis in immunocompromised patients. In Chile, the prevalence of antibodies against B. henselae in healthy children and adolescents is 13.3%, in persons with occupational risk 60.5%, and in cats 85.6%. There are no published data regarding the seroprevalence in blood donors in our country, so determining if B. henselae is present in the blood of donors at the time of donation is very important, since this microorganism can survive up to 35 days in the red blood cells stored in a blood bank at 4 °C. To determine the prevalence of B. henselae in blood donors. 140 donor blood samples were analyzed to detect the presence of B. henselae, using the polymerase chain reaction technique. 13.6% of the blood donors with positive polymerase chain reaction for B. henselae were obtained. The sequence of the amplified fragments showed an identity of over 98% with respect to B. henselae reference sequences. The risk of blood transmission is due to a country with high B. henselae infection.

Usutu Virus Antibodies in Blood Donors and Healthy Forestry Workers in the Lombardy Region, Northern Italy.

Usutu virus (USUV), a member of the genus Flavivirus, is known to circulate at low prevalence in Northern Italy, and has been reported to cause overt infection. USUV was first reported in Europe in 2001, but a retrospective study showed that it has been present in Italy at least since 1996. Seroprevalence data for USUV antibodies in sera are being collected in different European countries, showing circulation at low prevalence in human populations. Interestingly, two consecutive studies in Northern Italy indicate a possible increase in the presence of the virus, from 0% to 0.23% seroprevalence in blood donors. In this study, antibodies against USUV were measured in 3 consecutive blood samples collected from October 2014 to December 2015 from 33 forestry workers in the Po river valley, while samples from 200 blood donors from the same geographical area were tested in parallel. Neutralizing and IgG antibodies were found in six forestry workers (18.1%) and in two blood donors (1%). Our results indicate that USUV circulation in the examined area, part of a highly populated region in Northern Italy, is higher than expected. Healthy subjects exhibit a higher prevalence than what was found in a previous report in an adjoining region (0.23%), while the population at risk shows a much higher prevalence value (18.1%).

Prevalence of Trypanosoma Cruzi antibodies in blood donors from the Sao Paulo State, Brazil, between 2012 and 2014.

American tripanosomiasis (Chagas disease), the second most neglected disease in the world, is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Though natural transmission by insect vectors has been controlled, there is significant risk of T. cruzi transmission by blood transfusion in non-endemic regions, generally due to immigration processes from endemic areas. The objective of this study was to evaluate anti-T. cruzi seroprevalence in blood donors from the western part of São Paulo State, Brazil, by serologic and immunofluorescence confirmation tests for the period between 2012 and 2014. Currently, this region is regarded as a non-endemic area for Chagas disease. The confirmed overall T. cruzi seroprevalence among blood donors was 0.10%, which can be considered low compared to other Brazilian regions. Nevertheless, the distribution of the anti-T. cruzi antibodies within the examined region was uneven, and some areas of significantly higher prevalence were observed. We could consider two tendencies in the prevalence of T. cruzi: (i) residual older undiagnosed cases from São Paulo State, and (ii) immigration from endemic Brazilian or South American regions. The discordance obtained for T. cruzi prevalence by serologic and immunofluorescence methods demonstrates that more specific routine diagnosis is needed to diminish the cost of the assays and the loss of blood supply once all seropositive blood bags are immediately discarded.

Séroprévalence des virus des hépatites B et C, du VIH-1/2 et de la syphilis chez les donneurs de sang de l’hôpital central de Yaoundé, région du centre, Cameroun

ObjectivesPrevention of blood transfusion-transmitted infections includes blood donor screening and effective infectious markers screening for donated blood. This study had two main objectives: to determine seroprevalence of HBV, HCV, HIV and syphilis in blood donors of the Yaoundé Central Hospital and to study sociodemographic factors of blood donors. Patients and methodsA retrospective study of consecutive blood donors’ records from January to December 2013 was conducted. Seroprevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, human immunodeficiency viruses and syphilis were determined in 9024 whole blood donations collected in the Yaoundé Central Hospital in the centre region, Cameroon using Elisa kits. ResultsMean age of donors was 28 years. The male to female ratio was 14.8. Most of blood donors were replacement donors (97.2%) and first-time donors (76.8%). Up to 19.3% of the donors tested positive for at least one infectious agent, in which 0.1% presented a positive test for three viruses (HIV, HCV and HBV). The overall seroprevalence in blood donors was 12.6% for HBsAg, 3.2% for hepatitis C antibody, 3.3% for HIV-1/2 antibodies and 0.2% for syphilis. The prevalence of HBsAg was significantly higher in men (P=0.001), among first-time donors (P=0.003), in blood group A (P=0.01) and those with the rhesus positive blood (P=0.01). The prevalence of anti-HCV was significantly higher among first-time donors (P=0.05). The prevalence of anti-HIV was significantly higher in first-time donors (3.7% vs 2.2%, P=0.02). ConclusionFirst-time blood donors and replacement donors are the two types of donors in Cameroon. Replacement donors are considered as having a major risk of transmission of infections to recipients. The seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV, and syphilis among these donors is high and reflects how much these agents are present in Cameroon. Effective infectious markers screening and organization of blood donors into an association of volunteer's donors are necessary to secure blood transfusion in Cameroon.

Trends in human immunodeficiency virus seroprevalence in blood donors in northern Pakistan

ObjectiveTo study trends in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroprevalence in blood donors in northern Pakistan. Study designAnalysis of annual data from blood transfusion centre. Place and duration of studyData records from people who had donated blood at the Armed Forces Institute of Transfusion (AFIT) between 1998 and 2013 were retrieved and analysed. MethodsAll blood donations were tested for the presence of HIV antibodies using Abbott Inc's AxSYM from 1998 to 2006, and Abbott Inc's Architect 2000i with chemiluminescence microplate immunoassay from 2007 to 2013. ResultsOver the 16-year study period, 66 donors tested positive for HIV antibodies out of 626,413 donations (0.01%, i.e. 10 per 100,000 donations). From 1998 to 2006, 16 HIV-positive cases were detected out of 280,245 donations (0.0057%, i.e. 5.7 per 100,000 donations). However, from 2007 to 2013, 50 HIV-positive cases were detected out of 346,168 donations (0.0144%, i.e. 14 per 100,000 donations). The difference in HIV positivity between the two groups was found to be significant (0.0057% vs 0.0144%, χ2 = 10.4, P = 0.008). ConclusionA gradual and persistent increase in the number of HIV-positive cases among blood donors in northern Pakistan was seen over the study period. The HIV-positive cases reported one or more high-risk activities in the past which predisposed them to HIV infection.

Seroprevalence of Babesia microti infection in Canadian blood donors.

Human babesiosis, caused by the intraerythrocytic protozoan parasite Babesia microti, is primarily transmitted by tick bites and is also transmitted by transfusion. Infections have been identified in U.S. blood donors close to Canadian borders. We aimed to assess the risk of transfusion-transmitted babesiosis in Canada by examining infections in ticks and seroprevalence in blood donors. Passive surveillance (receipt of ticks submitted by the public) was used to identify regions for tick drag sampling (active surveillance, 2009-2014). All ticks were tested for B. microti using an indirect immunofluorescent antibody assay (Imugen, Inc.). Between July and December 2013, blood donations from selected sites (southern Manitoba, Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia) near endemic U.S. regions were tested for antibody to B. microti. Donors completed a questionnaire about risk travel and possible tick exposure. Of approximately 12,000 ticks submitted, 14 were B. microti positive (10 in Manitoba, one in Ontario, one in Québec, two in New Brunswick). From active tick surveillance, six of 361 ticks in Manitoba were positive (1.7%), three of 641 (0.5%) in Québec, and none elsewhere. There were 26,260 donors at the selected sites of whom 13,993 (53%) were tested. None were positive for antibody to B. microti. In 2013, 47% of donors visited forested areas in Canada, and 41% traveled to the United States. The data do not suggest that laboratory-based testing is warranted at this time. However, there are indicators that B. microti may be advancing into Canada and ongoing monitoring of tick populations and donor seroprevalence is indicated.

Meta-analysis of cytomegalovirus seroprevalence in volunteer blood donors and healthy subjects in Iran from 1992 to 2013.

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV), a double-strand DNA herpesvirus, can be transmitted via blood transfusion which is especially important for immunocompromised recipients and can cause a fatal infection. CMV seroprevalence in Iran was studied on blood donors, healthy subjects, and some patients. Highly variable rates were detected. The purpose of this study was to review CMV seroprevalence in blood donors and apparently healthy individuals, in Iran. One hundred and fifty-eight electronic and paper-based resources and databases including published articles in internal and external journals, seminars, dissertations, and theses available in the database and different websites were used to be systematically reviewed as a meta-analysis. Less related articles to the issue, papers of specific high risk population, and articles with not enough information, were excluded. Eventually 22 articles that satisfied our selection criteria were systematically reviewed and analyzed. To explore heterogeneity between studies the I square (I(2)) index was used. Data were analyzed using the statistical software package (STATA) 11. The heterogeneity between selected studies was 97% with an I(2) statistic. In this study a random effects model was used for meta-analysis. The prevalence of CMV IgG and CMV IgM antibodies in the country were estimated to be 92% (95% CI: 90-94) and 2.6% (95% CI: 1.7-3.6), respectively. Given high rate of CMV seropositivity in Iran, it seems that CMVAbs screening would not be a reasonable and affordable approach to prevent CMV infection via transfusion especially for immune compromised recipients, so alternative strategies should be considered.

Risk Factors Associated with Ebola and Marburg Viruses Seroprevalence in Blood Donors in the Republic of Congo.

BackgroundEbola and Marburg viruses (family Filoviridae, genera Ebolavirus and Marburgvirus) cause haemorrhagic fevers in humans, often associated with high mortality rates. The presence of antibodies to Ebola virus (EBOV) and Marburg virus (MARV) has been reported in some African countries in individuals without a history of haemorrhagic fever. In this study, we present a MARV and EBOV seroprevalence study conducted amongst blood donors in the Republic of Congo and the analysis of risk factors for contact with EBOV.Methodology and FindingsIn 2011, we conducted a MARV and EBOV seroprevalence study amongst 809 blood donors recruited in rural (75; 9.3%) and urban (734; 90.7%) areas of the Republic of Congo. Serum titres of IgG antibodies to MARV and EBOV were assessed by indirect double-immunofluorescence microscopy. MARV seroprevalence was 0.5% (4 in 809) without any identified risk factors. Prevalence of IgG to EBOV was 2.5%, peaking at 4% in rural areas and in Pointe Noire. Independent risk factors identified by multivariate analysis were contact with bats and exposure to birds.Conclusions/SignificanceThis MARV and EBOV serological survey performed in the Republic of Congo identifies a probable role for environmental determinants of exposure to EBOV. It highlights the requirement for extending our understanding of the ecological and epidemiological risk of bats (previously identified as a potential ecological reservoir) and birds as vectors of EBOV to humans, and characterising the protection potentially afforded by EBOV-specific antibodies as detected in blood donors.

Seroprevalence in blood donors reveals widespread, multi-source exposure to hepatitis E virus, southern France, October 2011

The apparent seroprevalence of hepatitis E Virus (HEV)varies greatly among developed countries depending on the geographical area and the sensitivity of immunoassays. We used a validated assay to determine the prevalence of HEV IgG and IgM antibodies among 3,353 blood donors living in southern France,who gave blood during the two first weeks of October 2011 and participated in the study. Demographic and epidemiological information was collected using aspecific questionnaire. We also screened 591 samples for HEV RNA. Overall IgG seroprevalence was 39.1%and varied from 20% to 71.3% depending on the geographical area (p < 0.001) while IgM seroprevalence was 3.31%. Anti-HEV IgG was significantly correlated with increasing age (p < 0.001), eating uncooked pork liver sausages (p < 0.001), offal (p = 0.003), or mussels(p = 0.02). Anti-HEV IgM was associated with being male (p = 0.01) and eating uncooked pork liver sausages(p = 0.02). HEV RNA was detected in one of the 99 anti-HEV IgM-positive samples, but in none of the 492 anti-HEV IgM-negative samples. HEV is hyperendemic in southern France. Dietary and culinary habits alone cannot explain the epidemiology of HEV in this region, indicating that other modes of contamination should be investigated.

Mystery of hepatitis e virus: recent advances in its diagnosis and management.

Mysterious aspects of the long presumed to be well-known hepatitis E virus (HEV) have recently surfaced that distinguish it from other hepatotropic viruses. It is a cause of chronic hepatitis in immunosuppressed patients. It has human to human transmission through blood and mantains high seroprevalence in blood donors. HEV has also been found to occur more frequently in the West in those without a history of travel to endemic countries. It has varied extrahepatic manifestations and has multiple non-human reservoirs including pigs and rats. Considering these recent discoveries, it appears odd that HEV is not sought more frequently when working up acute and chronic hepatitis patients. The disease is particularly severe among pregnant women and has a high attack rate in young adults. What adds to its ambiguity is the absence of a well-established diagnostic criteria for its detection and that there is no specific antiviral drug for hepatitis E, except for isolated cases where ribavirin or pegylated interferon alpha has been used with occasional success. This review paper discusses the recent advances in the knowledge of the virus itself, its epidemiology, diagnostic approach and prevention, and the treatment options available.

High seroprevalence of Borrelia miyamotoi antibodies in forestry workers and individuals suspected of human granulocytic anaplasmosis in the Netherlands.

Substantial exposure to Borrelia miyamotoi occurs through bites from Ixodes ricinus ticks in the Netherlands, which also transmit Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Direct evidence for B. miyamotoi infection in European populations is scarce. A flu-like illness with high fever, resembling human granulocytic anaplasmosis, has been attributed to B. miyamotoi infections in relatively small groups. Borrelia miyamotoi infections associated with chronic meningoencephalitis have also been described in case reports. Assuming that an IgG antibody response against B. miyamotoi antigens reflects (endured) infection, the seroprevalence in different risk groups was examined. Sera from nine out of ten confirmed B. miyamotoi infections from Russia were found to be positive with the recombinant antigen used, and no significant cross-reactivity was observed in secondary syphilis patients. The seroprevalence in blood donors was set at 2.0% (95% CI 0.4–5.7%). Elevated seroprevalences in individuals with serologically confirmed, 7.4% (2.0–17.9%), or unconfirmed, 8.6% (1.8–23%), Lyme neuroborreliosis were not significantly different from those in blood donors. The prevalence of anti-B. miyamotoi antibodies among forestry workers was 10% (5.3–16.8%) and in patients with serologically unconfirmed but suspected human granulocytic anaplasmosis was 14.6% (9.0–21.8%); these were significantly higher compared with the seroprevalence in blood donors. Our findings indicate that infections with B. miyamotoi occur in tick-exposed individuals in the Netherlands. In addition, B. miyamotoi infections should be considered in patients reporting tick bites and febrile illness with unresolved aetiology in the Netherlands, and other countries where I. ricinus ticks are endemic.

Babesia microti seroprevalence in Minnesota blood donors

The increasing frequency of transfusion-transmitted babesiosis represents a concern for the safety of the US blood supply. The agent responsible for the disease, the intraerythrocytic parasite Babesia microti, is naturally transmitted to humans by a tick bite and is endemic in areas of the Northeast and Upper Midwest United States. In this study, we explored B. microti seroprevalence in blood donors from different areas of Minnesota (MN). We tested 2150 blood donors in MN for the presence of antibodies against B. microti using an immunofluorescent assay (IFA). Donors identified as positive (≥64) were also tested by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of parasite DNA. Seropositive donors were contacted by phone and asked questions regarding tick exposure. Donors positive by IFA were indefinitely deferred from donating blood. A total of 2150 donations were tested between October 2010 and November 2011. Forty-two donors (2.0%) were positive by IFA and one was also PCR positive. All positive donors reported extended outdoor activities, 12 recalled finding ticks on their body, and six had flu-like symptoms since their last blood draw. This study provides new data about B. microti seroprevalence in MN blood donors. Possibly because the targeted collection areas were mostly expected to be endemic for the parasite, the observed seroprevalence levels were higher than expected, although the geographic distribution of positive donors did not completely overlap with the distribution of reported clinical cases in MN.

P79 Hepatitis E virus is highly endemic in South West France

IntroductionLocally acquired hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is an emerging infection in developed countries. South West France has a high incidence of HEV and has reported a large number of...

A comparison of two commercially available anti‐HEV IgG kits and a re‐evaluation of anti‐HEV IgG seroprevalence data in developed countries

In developed countries, the incidence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection and the resulting seroprevalence are uncertain. Published estimates of seroprevalnce in these populations range from 0.26% to 31%, which may in part reflect the variety of assays used by different studies. This study compared the performance of two commercial assays (Genelabs [Singapore] and Wantai 'Beijing, China' HEV IgG EIA kits) and reviewed published estimates of anti-HEV seroprevalence in developed countries. The assays were compared using the WHO anti-HEV reference serum, sera from UK-acquired cases of genotype 3 HEV infections and 500 UK blood donor sera. The PE2 assay was found to be more sensitive than the GL assay (lower limit of detection for HEV IgG 0.25 vs. 2.5 WHO units/ml); it was positive in more sera from proven cases (98% vs. 56%), remained positive for longer post infection and resulted in a substantially higher estimate of seroprevalence in blood donors (16.2% vs. 3.6%). these results suggest that published studies of HEV seroprevalence using the GL assay have underestimated the true figure and that a properly validated method is required to make meaningful comparisons of HEV seroprevalence between populations.