[Detection of IgM antibodies against hepatitis E virus].
BACKGROUND
Hepatitis E virus is the main enterically transmitted non A non B hepatitis agent. The host IgM response in the acute infection phase is short lived. Therefore, only IgG antibodies against E virus are usually investigated.


OBJECTIVE
To measure IgM antibodies against virus E in serum samples.


METHODS
IgM antibodies against virus E were measured by ELISA in 35 positive and 18 negative serum samples for IgG antibodies against hepatitis virus E, without evidence of infection with hepatitis A, B or C virus. Measurement of the same antibodies in 25 additional samples positive for IgM antibodies against hepatitis A virus but without study for hepatitis virus B or C.


RESULTS
IgM antibodies against virus E were detected in 12 of the 35 samples positive for IgG antibodies (34%) and in five of the 25 samples positive for antibodies against virus A (20%).


CONCLUSIONS
An acute hepatitis E virus infection was detected in 34% of samples positive for IgG antibodies against this virus. The absence of IgM antibodies in the rest of the IgG positive samples could be due to an old or a recent virus E infection in the stage of antibody titer reduction. The detection of IgM antibodies against virus E in samples positive for virus A antibodies, could be due to co infection by virus A and E or a cross reaction of assays.
Hurtado
Carmen
C
Sección de Gastroenterología, Departamento de Medicina, Hospital Clínico, Universidad de Chile, Chile. Churtado@redclinicauchile.cl
Muñoz
Gabriela
G
Brahm
Javier
J
D000208:Acute Disease; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000175:diagnosis; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D016751:Hepatitis E / Q000175:diagnosis; D016752:Hepatitis E virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D007075:Immunoglobulin M