Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Virus Infection among Patients with Acute Hepatitis Symptoms in Ahvaz, Iran

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is considered as one of the common causes of acute viral hepatitis in the world, particularly in the developing countries. It also causes fulminant hepatitis in pregnant women. Although HEV infection in Iran is endemic, there are numerous reports of epidemics caused by this infection in this part of the world. This study aimed to determine seroprevalence of HEV among patients with acute hepatitis symptoms in Ahvaz, Iran.
In this cross-sectional study patients were selected based on laboratory findings related to acute hepatitis including elevated serum bilirubin levels, markedly elevated levels of liver enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and mild increases in alkaline phosphatase activity.The plasma samples were tested for IgM/IgG Hepatitis E antibody (anti-HEV) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Out of 241 study patients, 125 (51.9%) were male and 116 (48.1%) female. The mean age±SD was 31.53±17.17 years. The results indicated 27.4% prevalence of anti-HEV antibodies among patients with acute hepatitis in Ahvaz.
In regard with the findings, HEV can play an important role in incidence of hepatitis. The study needs to be conducted in high-risk groups and in general populatios.