Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus in chronic hepatitis C in Brazil

• Autor(a) principal: Bricks,Guilherme
• Data de Publicação: 2018
• Outros Autores: Senise,Jorge Figueiredo, Pott Junior,Henrique, Grandi,Giuliano, Passarini,Amanda, Caldeira,Débora Bellini, Carnaúba Junior,Dimas, Moraes,Hamilton Antonio Bonilha de, Granato,Celso Franscisco Hernandes, Castelo,Adauto
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases
• Texto Completo: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1413-86702018000200085
• topic: Hepatitis E virus; Hepatitis C virus; Brazil; Seroprevalence

ABSTRACT Background and aims: Hepatitis E virus infection in patients with underlying chronic liver disease is associated with liver decompensation and increased lethality. The seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus in patients with chronic hepatitis C in Brazil is unknown. This study aims to estimate the seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus in patients with chronic hepatitis C and to describe associated risk factors. Methods: A total of 618 patients chronically infected with hepatitis C virus from three reference centers of São Paulo, Brazil were included. Presence of anti-HEV IgG was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (WANTAI HEV-IgG ELISA). Results: Out of the 618 patients tested, 10.2% turned out positive for anti-HEV IgG (95% CI 8.0–12.8%). Higher seroprevalence was found independently associated with age over 60 years (OR = 2.04; p = 0.02) and previous contact with pigs (OR = 1.99; p = 0.03). Conclusions: Patients with chronic hepatitis C are under risk of hepatitis E virus superinfection in São Paulo. Contact with pigs is a risk factor for the infection, suggesting a possible zoonosis with oral transmission.