Hepatitis E virus infection in haemodialysis patients: a seroepidemiological survey.
BACKGROUND
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the causative agent for enteric non-A, non-B hepatitis. Transmission is via the faecal route but the possibility of transmission by blood has been raised. Data concerning anti-HEV prevalence among chronic haemodialysis (HD) patients are few and give conflicting results.


METHODS
We tested for anti-HEV antibody 204 chronic HD patients attending a single dialysis unit. A specific solid-phase enzyme-linked immunoassay (Abbott HEV EIA) was used.


RESULTS
We found six anti-HEV-positive patients, the anti-HEV prevalence was 3% (95% CI 0-6%). The prevalence rates of HBV and HCV infections were 39% (31-45%) and 22% (16-28%) respectively. No anti-HEV-positive patient showed past or current biochemical signs of liver damage. One of six (17%) anti-HEV-positive patients was an immigrant; no risk factor for anti-HEV antibody was identified in the other anti-HEV-positive individuals.


CONCLUSIONS
We observed a low anti-HEV prevalence: there was no association between HEV and blood-borne infections (HBV, HCV, and HIV) in our HD patients; most anti-HEV-positive patients we found were probably related to a local infection by HEV. This is one of the first reports concerning seroepidemiology of HEV infection in a large cohort of chronic HD individuals.
Fabrizi
F
F
Nephrology Department, Hospital, Lecco, Italy.
Lunghi
G
G
Bacchini
G
G
Corti
M
M
Pagano
A
A
Locatelli
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015981:Epidemiologic Factors; D005260:Female; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D016751:Hepatitis E / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission; D016752:Hepatitis E virus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G