Hepatitis E virus seroprevalence in Austrian adults: a nationwide cross-sectional study among civilians and military professionals.
BACKGROUND
Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) infection is globally increasing. The present study was performed to investigate the HEV seroprevalence, exposure risks as well as occupational risks for military personnel in Austria, a Central European country.


RESULTS
A nationwide cross-sectional seroprevalence study was performed in 997 healthy Austrian adults, professional soldiers and civilians. Routine laboratory and HEV specific antibodies were determined. In addition, epidemiological information on possible risk factors for exposure to HEV was obtained. The overall seropositivity for HEV antibodies was 14.3% and significantly increased with age. Seroprevalence was significantly higher among individuals with previous military employments abroad (21.4% vs. 9.9%) and among professional soldiers aged 30-39 years (20.2% vs. 7.3%). No association was found for private travel, occupational or private animal contact or regular outdoor activities. Individuals who tested positive for antibodies against HEV had significantly higher laboratory values regarding liver enzymes, lipid levels and blood fasting glucose.


CONCLUSIONS
Exposure to HEV is common in Austria. Military employment abroad could be a potential risk factor for HEV infection. Further studies are required to investigate the significance of pathological laboratory results found among asymptomatic individuals previously exposed to HEV.
Department of Medicine I, Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Heimo
H
Lagler
Department of Medicine I, Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria ; Department of Dermatology and Tropical Medicine, Military Hospital Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Wolfgang
W
Poeppl
Department of Medicine I, Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Heidi
H
Winkler
Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Harald
H
Herkner
Institute for Medical Support, Military Hospital Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Angelus
A
Faas
Department of Dermatology and Tropical Medicine, Military Hospital Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Gerhard
G
Mooseder
Department of Medicine I, Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Heinz
H
Burgmann
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001317:Austria / Q000453:epidemiology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D016751:Hepatitis E / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D016752:Hepatitis E virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011634:Public Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D008055:Lipids; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase