Hepatitis E virus infection in north-east Italy: serological study in the open population and groups at risk.
Developed western countries are considered to be relatively free from endemic foci of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections. The aim of this study was to assess the seroepidemiology of HEV in north-east Italy. Of the 2361 individuals studied 1889 were representative of the general population and 472 were from groups at high risk for viral infections: 279 drug users and 193 patients on chronic haemodialysis. All sera were tested for hepatitis C virus antibody (HCVAb), human immunodeficiency virus antibody (HIVAb) and for hepatitis B virus (HBV) serology. Two solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were used to study the seroepidemiology of HEV IgG, the first (using recombinant antigens) for confirmation of initially reactive samples. The prevalence of circulating hepatitis E virus antibody (HEVAb) was 2.6% in the open population, 5.4% among drug users and 9.3% among patients on chronic haemodialysis. In the open population a positive relationship between age and prevalence of HEVAb was observed. A relationship between presence of HEVAb and serological evidence of previous HBV or HCV infections was also observed in this study. It was concluded that HEV infections are present in north-east Italy and are more frequent among subjects at risk for blood-borne viral infections. The positive correlation, observed in the open population, between age and prevalence of HEVAb suggests the presence of a cohort effect.
Gessoni
G
G
Transfusional Centre, Community Hospital, Chioggia (Venice), Italy.
Manoni
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D016751:Hepatitis E / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016752:Hepatitis E virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010455:Peptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000276:immunology; D015995:Prevalence; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000821:virology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D010455:Peptides; D011994:Recombinant Proteins