Seroepidemiological survey of hepatitis E in Hong Kong by recombinant-based enzyme immunoassays.
The agent that causes the enterally transmitted form of non-A, non-B hepatitis has been cloned and called hepatitis E virus (HEV). We have carried out a seroepidemiological survey on the prevalence of hepatitis E in Hong Kong. In a retrospective study, serum from 394 patients with acute viral hepatitis and 355 healthy subjects was tested for antibodies to HEV (anti-HEV) with a recombinant-based enzyme immunoassay. 65 (16.5%) patients with hepatitis were positive for IgM anti-HEV and 23 (5.8%) were also positive for IgM anti-HEV. Of 18 patients diagnosed as having acute non-A, non-B, non-C hepatitis, 6 were IgM anti-HEV positive. 17 (6%) patients in whom acute hepatitis A was diagnosed were also infected with HEV. None of 70 patients with acute hepatitis B or C or exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B was IgM anti-HEV positive. 57 (16.1%) of the healthy subjects were positive for IgG anti-HEV. The prevalence of IgG anti-HEV was higher in subjects over 20 years old than in younger subjects (24% vs 4%, p < 0.0001). IgG anti-HEV was detected in 26% of subjects who were positive for IgG antibody to HAV and in 7% of those negative for that antibody (p < 0.0001). We demonstrated the validity of the recombinant-based enzyme immunoassays for the diagnosis of hepatitis E. Our results suggest that hepatitis E accounts for a third of non-A, non-B, non-C hepatitis in Hong Kong and that coinfection of hepatitis A and E can occur.
Lok
A S
AS
Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong.
Kwan
W K
WK
Moeckli
R
R
Yarbough
P O
PO
Chan
R T
RT
Reyes
G R
GR
Lai
C L
CL
Chung
H T
HT
Lai
T S
TS
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D016751:Hepatitis E / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000379:methods
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins