title: Low prevalence of hepatitis E infection among pregnant women in Madrid, Spain.
abstract: Hepatitis E virus, a cause of sporadic hepatitis in developed countries is present in Spain. The aims of this study were to determine whether the prevalence of IgG anti-hepatitis E virus antibodies has increased in recent years in Spain and the prevalence in a study population at risk of developing the disease following the infection. Serum samples from 1,040 women in the first trimester of pregnancy were studied. The prevalence rate of 3.6% has not increased significantly since 1999 in spite of the large number of immigrants from endemic regions. IgM anti-HEV antibodies were detected in 0.67% of the patients suggesting that although subclinical infection exists the prevalence is very low. The reasons for the differences in the morbidity of HEV in pregnant women in different geographical areas remain unclear. Good hygienic measures and public health conditions are important factors for ensuring low prevalence of hepatitis E in Spain.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Microbiología y Parasitología, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain. mmateos.hrc@salud.madrid.org
authors.forename: Maria Luisa Mateos
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Lindemann
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gabilondo
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.forename: Oihane Martín S
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: de la Maza
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Pérez-Gracia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D016751:Hepatitis E / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016752:Hepatitis E virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M