Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus in chronic hepatitis C in Brazil

• Main Authors: Guilherme Bricks, Jorge Figueiredo Senise, Henrique Pott Junior, Giuliano Grandi, Amanda Passarini, Débora Bellini Caldeira, Dimas Carnaúba Junior, Hamilton Antonio Bonilha de Moraes, Celso Franscisco Hernandes Granato, Adauto Castelo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2018-03-01
• Series: Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1413867017308541

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. Keywords: Hepatitis E virus, Hepatitis C virus, Brazil, Seroprevalence