Anti-Hepatitis E Antibody in Hemodialysis Patients in Isfahan, Iran: Prevalence and Risk Factors.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Many studies have been performed regarding the prevalence of hepatitis E in the general population, but there is controversial evidence for an increased risk of the infection in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD).

OBJECTIVES:

The primary end point of the present study was to determine if the prevalence of anti-hepatitis E virus IgG (anti-HEV IgG) is higher in patients on maintenance HD than in the normal population in Isfahan.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

In a case-control study performed in Isfahan in June 2012, we compared the seroprevalence of HEV among 274 patients on maintenance HD and 275 otherwise healthy individuals. The patients were recruited from 3 HD centers in Isfahan. Anti-HEV IgG was detected using a Dia Pro Diagnostic HEV enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) kit. Demographic and clinical data (sex, age, blood transfusion history, HD duration, age at HD initiation, and evidence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections) were obtained from the medical records of the HD patients.

RESULTS:

Anti-HEV IgG was detected in 27 (9.9%) controls and 78 (28.3%) patients, with the difference being statistically significant (P < 0.05). Furthermore, there was a significant association between positive anti-HEV antibody, HD duration, and blood transfusion history in the HD patients.

CONCLUSIONS:

Considering the results, it seems necessary to conduct prospective studies in order to identify factors responsible for the high seroprevalence of HEV in Isfahan HD units.

• Authors: Seyed Moayed Alavian, Behrooz Ataei, Ali Ebrahimi, Omid Pirhaji, Roya Azad, Behrooz Olya, Amir Mohammad Ataei
• Journal: Hepatitis monthly (Hepat Mon) Vol. 15 Issue 9 Pg. e23633 (Sep 2015) ISSN: 1735-143X [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 26500681 (Publication Type: Journal Article)