Abstract

ALBERTO, S. Folgado et al. Prevalence of Hepatitis E virus antibody in a non endemic population - prospective study. J Port Gastrenterol. [online]. 2009, vol.16, n.5, pp.192-198. ISSN 0872-8178.

BACKGROUND hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection occurs as large outbreaks in endemic countries. In Europe, it is generally associated with travelling to those countries. However, sporadic cases of HEV infection without previous history of travelling have been appearing. AIM: To identify the prevalence of HEV antibodies in our population as a non endemic country. METHODS: 237 patients were selected (152 patients from the gastroenterology department and 85 healthy blood donors). Blood samples were collected to measure total HEV-antibody (HEV-ab). A questionnaire that included personal, epidemiologic and biochemical data was completed. RESULTS: 10 individuals (7 patients - 4.6% and 3 healthy donors - 3.5%) were positive for anti-HEV. Two patients from the first group had a travelling history but the other 5 didn’t. No other risk factors were found. A parametric test for identity of proportions was used: there was no differences between the characteristics of the two groups and the positivity for anti-HEV. CONCLUSION: As a non-endemic country, we found that 4.2% of our population have anti-HEV virus antibodies. The majority (3.4%) of them weren’t related to travelling or to other epidemiologic risk factors. The results are similar to that found around Europe. According to that, in Portugal we may need to start considering testing for HEV in patients with jaundice or acute hepatitis.

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