title: Hepatitis E in the south west of France in individuals who have never visited an endemic area.
abstract: A total of 431 consecutive patients from the Midi Pyrenees area with acute hepatitis with unknown etiology in 2001-2002 were tested for the presence of immunoglobulin G-class (IgG) anti-hepatitis E virus (HEV) antibodies. Forty-six (10.7%) had anti-HEV IgG, and the results were questionable for a further 17 (3.9%). Real time PCR based on TaqMan detection was used to identify HEV genome fragments in the serum of patients with positive or questionable anti-HEV serology. HEV RNA was found in 25.4% of cases. All amplification products were sequenced and analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all the strains were genotype 3. In conclusion, virological and epidemiological data indicate that genotype 3 viruses are circulating in the south west part of France (Midi-Pyrenees) in patients with acute hepatitis and who have not visited recently areas in which HEV is endemic.
authors.affiliation: Virology Laboratory, Purpan University Hospital, Place du Dr Baylac TSA 40031, 31059, Toulouse, France. mansuy.jm@chu-toulouse.fr
authors.forename: Jean Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mansuy
authors.forename: Jean Marie
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Peron
authors.forename: Florence
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Abravanel
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Poirson
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dubois
authors.forename: Marcel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miedouge
authors.forename: Françoise
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vischi
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alric
authors.forename: Jean Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Vinel
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Izopet
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D016751:Hepatitis E / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016752:Hepatitis E virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010802:Phylogeny; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral