title: Seroprevalence of antibodies to hepatitis E virus in two large communities in Havana, Cuba.
abstract: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is an important cause of acute viral hepatitis in tropical and sub-tropical regions that occurs both as epidemic episodes and sporadic cases. The aim of this investigation was to estimate the prevalence of total immunoglobulin (Ig) anti-hepatitis E virus (anti-HEV) and the risk factors associated to two communities in Havana City. Serum samples (n=469) obtained from healthy individuals with no history of viral hepatitis were screened for total anti-HEV by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). An overall prevalence of 10% (47/469) (95% CI; 7.52-13.19%) was obtained. Higher anti-HEV prevalence was found in the municipality of Marianao (12.1%) compared to Playa (7.1%). Analysis of risk factors revealed a significant association of total anti-HEV prevalence in age group 41-60 years old, with a risk ratio of 3.21 (95% CI: 1.09-9.7) (P=0.01). No relation was found between anti-HEV and other variables such as gender, risk occupations, surgery and transfusions. The detection of total anti-HEV in individuals with no overt acute hepatitis suggests the existence of sub-clinical or anicteric HEV infection in these municipalities.
authors.affiliation: National Reference Laboratory on Viral Hepatitis, Institute of Tropical Medicine 'Pedro Kour' (IPK), Autopista Novia del Mediodía Km 6 ½ e/ Autopista Nacional y Carretera Central, La Lisa. P.O. Box 601, Marianao 13, Havana City, Cuba. mcary@ipk.sld.cu
authors.forename: María C Montalvo
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Villalba
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pérez
authors.forename: Marité Bello
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Corredor
authors.forename: Susel Sariego
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Frometa
authors.forename: Aidonis Gutiérrez
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.forename: Wei P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: Licel A Rodríguez
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Lay
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003462:Cuba / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D016751:Hepatitis E / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D016752:Hepatitis E virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene / Q000592:standards; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014504:Urban Health; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G