scholarly journals Racial differences in seroprevalence of HAV and HEV in blood donors in the Western Cape, South Africa: a clue to the predominant HEV genotype?

2017 ◽  
Vol 145 (9) ◽  
pp. 1910-1912 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. LOPES ◽  
R. CABLE ◽  
C. PISTORIUS ◽  
T. MAPONGA ◽  
S. IJAZ ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Racial Differences ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Hepatitis A Virus ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Genotype 3 ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Genotype 2 ◽  
Industrialised Countries

SUMMARYHepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is a major cause of acute hepatitis worldwide. This infection causes major water-borne outbreaks in low- and middle-income countries, whilst in industrialised countries this infection is zoonotic. These differences in epidemiology are related to different HEV genotypes. HEV genotype 3 is a zoonotic infection, whilst genotype 2 causes large outbreaks. This study determined the seroprevalence of HEV in blood donors from the Western Cape. Anti-hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV) antibody was detected in 184/300 (61%) donors. Antibody to HEV (anti-HEV) was detected in 78 of 300 donors (26%). It was highest in mixed race donors (62/100), followed by white donors (23/100) and lowest in black donors (19/100) P = 0.019. Since it is thought that genotypes 1 and 2 predominate both viruses would be acquired by the oro-faecal route, it is surprising that HEV seroprevalence does not mirror that of HAV. We postulate that this may reflect differences in socio-economic status and consumption of dietary meat. So the marked divergence between HEV and HAV seroprevalence may be the result of different routes of transmission. Further data are needed to explore the risk factors associated with HEV infection.

scholarly journals An Epidemiologic Investigation of a Case of Acute Hepatitis E

2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (11) ◽  
pp. 3547-3552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Souvik Sarkar ◽  
Elenita M. Rivera ◽  
Ronald E. Engle ◽  
Hanh T. Nguyen ◽  
Cathy A. Schechterly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Hepatitis ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Genotype 3 ◽  
Modes Of Transmission ◽  
Parenteral Transmission ◽  
Potential Mode ◽  
Acute Hepatitis E ◽  
Animal Handlers

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is considered a zoonotic infection in developed nations. A case of acute hepatitis E in a researcher following a scalpel injury while working on a pig prompted a seroepidemiologic study to identify potential modes of transmission and determine the seroprevalence of HEV among animal handlers at the institute. Sera from personnel (n= 64) in two animal facilities and age/sex-matched blood donors (n= 63) as controls were tested for IgG anti-HEV and, if positive, for IgM anti-HEV and HEV RNA. Sera and stool from pigs aged 6 to 12 weeks from the breeding farm and older pigs from animal facilities were tested similarly. The median age of personnel was 36 years, 74% were white, 56% were male, and 74% had direct exposure to pigs. The prevalence of anti-HEV was 3.1% among personnel compared to 3.2% among blood donors; none were positive for IgM anti-HEV or HEV RNA. IgG anti-HEV was detected in sera from 10% of pigs aged 6 to 8 weeks, 80% aged 10 weeks, 100% aged 12 weeks, and 76% aged >12 weeks. HEV RNA was detected in stool but not sera from three 12-week-old pigs. Sequencing revealed HEV genotype 3 with ∼10% difference between the patient and pig sequences. Parenteral transmission is a potential mode of acute HEV infection. The low and similar seroprevalence of anti-HEV between the at-risk group and age-matched blood donors suggests low transmission risk with universal precautions among animal handlers.

Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis E virus among Japanese blood donors: Identification of three blood donors infected with a genotype 3 hepatitis E virus

2004 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 554-561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satoko Fukuda ◽  
Junko Sunaga ◽  
Nobuo Saito ◽  
Kuniko Fujimura ◽  
Yaeko Itoh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Genotype 3

scholarly journals High prevalence of anti-hepatitis E virus antibodies among blood donors in central Italy, February to March 2014

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (30) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Lucarelli ◽  
Enea Spada ◽  
Gloria Taliani ◽  
Paola Chionne ◽  
Elisabetta Madonna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Genotype 3 ◽  
Recent Infection ◽  
Assay Sensitivity ◽  
Prevalence Rate Ratio

Prevalence of anti-hepatitis E virus (HEV) antibodies is highly variable in developed countries, which seems partly due to differences in assay sensitivity. Using validated sensitive assays, we tested 313 blood donors attending a hospital transfusion unit in central Italy in January and February 2014 for anti-HEV IgG and IgM and HEV RNA. Data on HEV exposure were collected from all donors. Overall anti-HEV IgG prevalence was 49% (153/313). Eating raw dried pig-liver sausage was the only independent predictor of HEV infection (adjusted prevalence rate ratio = 2.14; 95% confidence interval: 1.23–3.74). Three donors were positive for either anti-HEV IgM (n = 2; 0.6%) or HEV RNA (n = 2; 0.6%); they were completely asymptomatic, without alanine aminotransferase (ALT) abnormalities. Of the two HEV RNA-positive donors (both harbouring genotype 3), one was anti-HEV IgG- and IgM-positive, the other was anti-HEV IgG- and IgM-negative. The third donor was positive for anti-HEV IgG and IgM but HEV RNA-negative. HEV infection is therefore hyperendemic among blood donors (80% men 18–64 years-old) from central Italy and associated with local dietary habits. Nearly 1% of donors have acute or recent infection, implying potential transmission to blood recipients. Neither ALT nor anti-HEV IgM testing seems useful to prevent transfusion-transmitted HEV infection.

scholarly journals Comparison of Hepatitis E Virus Sequences from Humans and Swine, the Netherlands, 1998–2015

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1265
Author(s):  
Boris M. Hogema ◽  
Renate W. Hakze-van der Hakze-van der Honing ◽  
Michel Molier ◽  
Hans L. Zaaijer ◽  
Wim H. M. van der van der Poel
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Sequence Comparison ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Transmission Route ◽  
Industrialized Countries ◽  
Genotype 3 ◽  
Travel History ◽  
Predominant Subtype

Pigs are suspected to be a major source of zoonotic hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in industrialized countries, but the transmission route(s) from pigs to humans are ill-defined. Sequence comparison of HEV isolates from pigs with those from blood donors and patients in 372 samples collected in the Netherlands in 1998 and 1999 and between 2008 and 2015 showed that all sequences were genotype 3 except for six patients (with travel history). Subgenotype 3c (gt3c) was the most common subtype. While the proportion of gt3c increased significantly between 1998 and 2008, it remained constant between 2008 and 2015. Among the few circulating HEV subtypes, there was no difference observed between the human and the pig isolates. Hepatitis E viruses in humans are very likely to originate from pigs, but it is unclear why HEV gt3c has become the predominant subtype in the Netherlands.

scholarly journals Screening of Swiss Pig Herds for Hepatitis E Virus: A Pilot Study

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3050
Author(s):  
Julia Lienhard ◽  
Isabelle Vonlanthen-Specker ◽  
Xaver Sidler ◽  
Claudia Bachofen
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Genotype 3 ◽  
Sequence Collection ◽  
Pig Farms ◽  
Industrialised Countries ◽  
Fattening Pigs ◽  
Subtype 3 ◽  
Specific Cluster

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an important cause of acute hepatitis in humans worldwide. In industrialised countries, most infections are caused by the zoonotic genotype 3. The main reservoir was found in pigs, with fattening pigs as the main shedders. The aim of this study was to establish a screening tool to detect HEV in pig farms. HEV-positive samples were sequenced using Sanger sequencing. First, different sample materials, including floor swabs, slurry, dust swabs and faeces were tested for HEV. Floor swabs turned out to give the best results and, in the form of sock swabs, were used for the screening of Swiss pig herds. A total of 138 pig farms were tested, with a focus on fattening pigs. Overall, 81 farms (58.8%) were HEV positive. Most sequences belonged to subtype 3h, in which they formed a specific cluster (Swiss cluster). In addition, subtype 3 l and two unassigned sequences were detected. As a conclusion, sock swabs were found to be a helpful tool to screen pig herds for HEV and establish a sequence collection that may enable molecular epidemiology and support outbreak investigation and prevention.

scholarly journals Direct-acting antiviral treatment for hepatitis C genotypes uncommon in high-income countries: a Dutch nationwide cohort study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cas J Isfordink ◽  
Thijs J W van de Laar ◽  
Sjoerd P H Rebers ◽  
Els Wessels ◽  
Richard Molenkamp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Antiviral Treatment ◽  
High Income ◽  
Genotype 3 ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Hcv Genotype ◽  
Direct Acting Antiviral ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Genotype 2 ◽  
Direct Acting

Abstract Background The majority of HCV infections are found in low- and middle-income countries, harboring many region-specific HCV subtypes. Nevertheless, direct-acting antivirals (DAA) trials were almost exclusively conducted in high-income countries, where mainly epidemically spread HCV subtypes are present. Recently, several studies demonstrated sub-optimal DAA efficacy for certain non-epidemic subtypes, which could hamper global HCV elimination. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate DAA efficacy in patients treated for a non-epidemic HCV genotype infection in the Netherlands. Methods We performed a nationwide retrospective study including patients treated with interferon-free DAA for a HCV genotype other than 1a/1b/2a/2b/3a/4a/4d. Genotype was determined by NS5B-region phylogenetic analysis. Primary endpoint was SVR-12. If stored samples were available, NS5A and NS5B sequences were obtained for resistance-associated substitutions (RAS) evaluation. Results We included 160 patients, mainly infected with non-epidemic genotype 2 (41%) and 4 (31%) subtypes. Most patients originated in Africa (45%) or South America (24%); 51 (32%) were cirrhotic. SVR-12 was achieved in 92% (140/152) of patients with available SVR-12 data. Only 73% (8/11) genotype 3 infected patients achieved SVR-12, the majority being genotype 3b patients with 63% (5/8) SVR. Regardless of SVR, all genotype 3b patients had 30K and 31M RAS. Conclusions DAA efficacy in most non-epidemic genotypes in the Netherlands seems reassuring. However, the low SVR-12 rate in subtype 3b infections is alarming, especially as it is common in several HCV endemic countries. Alongside earlier results, our results indicate that a remaining challenge for global HCV elimination is confirming and monitoring DAA efficacy in non-epidemic genotypes.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence for hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection among volunteer blood donors of the Regional Blood Bank of Londrina, State of Paraná , Brazil

2006 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
André Luiz Bortoliero ◽  
Ana Maria Bonametti ◽  
Helena Kaminami Morimoto ◽  
Tiemi Matsuo ◽  
Edna Maria Vissoci Reiche
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Hepatitis A Virus ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Blood Bank ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Sociodemographic Variables

A cross-sectional study was carried out among 996 volunteer blood donors enrolled from May 1999 to December 1999 to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection among volunteer blood donors of the Regional Blood Bank of Londrina, State of Paraná, Brazil, and to evaluate whether the rate of seroprevalence of IgG anti-HEV antibodies is associated with sociodemographic variables and with seropositivity for hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection. All participants answered the questionnaire regarding the sociodemographic characterisitcs. Serum samples were tested for IgG antibodies to HEV (anti-HEV) by an enzyme linked immunoassay (ELISA). All serum samples positive for anti-HEV IgG and 237 serum samples negative for anti-HEV were also assayed for IgG anti-HAV antibodies by ELISA. Anti-HEV IgG was confirmed in 23/996 samples, resulting in a seroprevalence of 2.3% for HEV infection, similar to previous results obtained in developed countries. No significant association was found between the presence of anti-HEV IgG antibodies and the sociodemographic variables including gender, age, educational level, rural or urban areas, source of water, and sewer system (p > 0.05). Also, no association with seropositivity for anti-HAV IgG antibodies was observed (p > 0.05). Although this study revealed a low seroprevalence of HEV infection in the population evaluated, the results showed that this virus is circulating among the population from Londrina, South Brazil, and point out the need of further studies to define the clinical and epidemiological importance of HEV infection and to identify additional risk factors involved in the epidemiology and pathogenesis of this infection in this population.

scholarly journals Hepatitis A Virus and Hepatitis E Virus Seroprevalence Among Blood Donors in Tehran, Iran

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Khashayar Hesamizadeh ◽  
Heidar Sharafi ◽  
Hossein Keyvani ◽  
Seyed Moayed Alavian ◽  
Azar Najafi-Tireh Shabankareh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Hepatitis A ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Hepatitis A Virus ◽  
Hepatitis E

scholarly journals Silent hepatitis E virus infection in Dutch blood donors, 2011 to 2012

2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (31) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Slot ◽  
B M Hogema ◽  
A Riezebos-Brilman ◽  
T M Kok ◽  
M Molier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virus Infection ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Blood Donation ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Genotype 3

In Europe, the dynamics of endemic hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection remain enigmatic. We studied the presence of silent HEV infection among Dutch blood donors. Using donations collected throughout the Netherlands in 2011 and 2012, 40,176 donations were tested for HEV RNA in 459 pools of 48 or 480 donations. Deconstruction of the reactive pools identified 13 viraemic donors. In addition, 5,239 donors were tested for presence of anti-HEV IgG and IgM and for HEV RNA when IgM-positive. Of the 5,239 donations, 1,401 (27%) tested repeat-positive for HEV IgG, of which 49 (3.5%) also tested positive for anti-HEV IgM. Four of the HEV IgM-positive donors tested positive for HEV RNA. HEV IgG seroprevalence ranged from 13% among donors younger than 30 years to 43% in donors older than 60 years. The finding of 17 HEV RNA-positive donations among 45,415 donations corresponds to one HEV-positive blood donation per day in the Netherlands. For 16 of the 17 HEV RNA-positive donors, genotyping succeeded, revealing HEV genotype 3, which is circulating among Dutch pigs. Apparently, silent HEV infection is common in the Netherlands, which possibly applies to larger parts of Europe.

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