title: Time course of hepatitis E-specific antibodies in adults.
abstract: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is highly endemic in industrialized countries, but there is a lack of knowledge on individual and overall antibody concentration dynamics. The aim of this study was to characterize longitudinal concentration changes of anti-HEV immunoglobulin G (anti-HEV IgG) by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). In total, 199 serum samples collected from 45 subjects over 18 years were analysed. A wide range of anti-HEV IgG levels was found. Overall, anti-HEV IgG significantly decreased after an observation period of at least 5 years. One negative seroconversion was observed. Four individual profiles suggested single and even multiple HEV reinfections despite pre-existing HEV antibodies.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schemmerer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rauh
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jilg
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: J J
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-8422-6581
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Wenzel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D016751:Hepatitis E / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G
keywords: anti-HEV IgG; antibody dynamics; hepatitis E virus; negative seroconversion; reinfection