[Hepatitis E virus infection in Chile: preliminary report].
BACKGROUND
Hepatitis E virus is an enterally transmitted virus that produces an acute self limited infection.


OBJECTIVE
To study serum antibodies against hepatitis E virus in different patients.


METHODS
Using and ELISA technique, IgG antibodies against hepatitis E virus were measured in 40 alcoholics, 40 hemophiliacs, 174 blood donors, 36 subjects with acute non A-non B-non C hepatitis and 66 subjects with acute hepatitis A.


RESULTS
Antibodies were detected in one alcoholic (2.5%), 3 hemophiliacs (7.5%), 7 blood donors (4%), 3 patients with non A-non B-non C hepatitis (8.3%) and 3 patients with acute hepatitis A (4.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
A low frequency of hepatitis E infection was detected in the studied subjects.
Brahm
J
J
Centro de Gastroenteroogía y Banco de Sangre, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile.
Hurtado
C
C
Moraga
M
M
Gil
L C
LC
Velasco
M
M
Alegría
S
S
Pagliero
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D016751:Hepatitis E / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies