Περίληψη:
Background/Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of
hepatitis E virus infection in a cohort of patients with acute non-A,
non-B hepatitis in Greece.
Methods: Serial serum samples of 198 patients with acute non-A, non-B
hepatitis and a single serum specimen from 316 healthy subjects were
tested for IgG and IgM antibodies to hepatitis E virus (anti-HEV).
Results: Anti-HEV IgG was found in 15/198 (7.6%) of acute non-A, non-B
hepatitis patients and 7/316 (2.2%) of healthy controls (p=0.007).
Anti-HEV IgM was found in 2/198 (1.0%) acute non-A, non-B hepatitis
patients and in none of the healthy subjects. Neither anti-HEV IgM (+)
case reported any risk factor and neither had travelled in areas endemic
for hepatitis E virus infection. HEV-RNA was detected by reverse
transcription polymerase chain reaction in one patient. The prevalence
of anti-HEV IgG was 7/45 (15.6%), 1/46 (2.2%), 5/30 (16.7%) and 2/77
(2.6%) in acute non-A, non-B hepatitis reporting transfusion,
intravenous drug use, occupational/hospitalization, and unknown
transmission, respectively (p=0.007). Anti-HEV IgG was found in 13/122
(10.7%) and 2/76 (2.6%) of acute non-A, non-B hepatitis patients
positive and negative for anti-HCV: respectively (p=0.03). A similar
association was found with anti-HBc (p=0.007). The prevalence of
anti-HEV IgG was significantly higher in cases reporting transfusion
[OR=7.3, 95% C.I. 1.4-37.7, p=0.0171 and occupational/hospitalization
[OR=6.8, 95% C.I. 1.238.2, p=0.0291, as transmission category after
controlling for age.
Conclusions: These findings indicate that: (a) hepatitis E virus may be
a cause - although not a frequent one - of sporadic or
community-acquired acute non-A, non-B hepatitis in Greece; (b) hepatitis
E virus may share transmission routes with hepatitis B and C viruses;
and (c) the hypothesis that hepatitis E virus may be transmitted by
parenteral routes deserves careful consideration.
Συγγραφείς:
Psichogiou, MA
Tassopoulos, NC
Papatheodoridis, GV
Tzala, E
and Klarmann, R
Witteler, H
Schlauder, GG
Troonen, H and
Hatzakis, A
