[Seroprevalence and risk factors of hepatitis E among pregnant women in central Tunisia].
OBJECTIVE
The study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in Tunisian pregnant women.


METHODS
A total of 404 pregnant women were enrolled. Data were collected through a standard questionnaire which covered sociodemographic characteristics and risk factors. Blood samples were collected and were tested for HEV IgM and IgG antibodies, IgG against hepatitis A (anti-HAV IgG), hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV). Risk factors were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models.


RESULTS
Prevalence of anti-HEV IgG, anti-HEV IgM, anti-HAV IgG, HBs Ag and anti-HCV was 12.1 %, 0 %, 97 %, 3 % and 0,5 %, respectively. In multivariate analysis age (>30 years) and the number of persons per room (>2) in the house were independent factors predicting HEV infection. History of agricultural work, kind of water, sewage treatment, use detergent to wash vegetables, contact with animals and parenteral risk factors were not correlated with the presence of anti-HEV IgG.


CONCLUSIONS
The important seropositive rate among pregnant women is compatible with endemicity of HEV in Tunisia. Hepatitis E should be considered in the diagnosis of acute hepatitis during pregnancy. Our result suggests that infection occurs sporadically by person-to-person transmission route but further investigations are needed to determine the natural reservoir of infection.
Hannachi
N
N
Laboratoire de microbiologie-immunologie, unité de recherche UR02SP13, CHU Farhat Hached, avenue Ibn Jazzar, 4000 Sousse, Tunisie. nhannachi@lycos.com
Hidar
S
S
Harrabi
I
I
Mhalla
S
S
Marzouk
M
M
Ghzel
H
H
Ghannem
H
H
Khairi
H
H
Boukadida
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D016751:Hepatitis E / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016752:Hepatitis E virus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M