Hepatitis A Virus and Hepatitis E Virus Seroprevalence in Izmir

• Main Authors: Hale Kalfaoğlu, Ayşin Zeytinoğlu, Zeliha Aslı Öcek
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bilimsel Tip Yayinevi 2017-03-01
• Series: Flora Infeksiyon Hastalıkları ve Klinik Mikrobiyoloji Dergisi
• Subjects: Food and waterborne hepatitis; Hepatitis A virus; Hepatitis E virus; Seroprevalence
• Online Access: http://www.floradergisi.org/getFileContent.aspx?op=REDPDF&file_name=2017-22-01-017-028.pdf
• ISSN: 1300-932X; 1300-932X

Introduction: Hepatitis A infection which is usually seen in childhood and hepatitis E infection which is observed more frequently in young adulthood, occur as epidemics and also sporadically mostly in tropical and subtropical countries with poor hygene conditions and poor socio-economical status. Defining the seroprevalance of the disease and changes in years in a population is very important for determining the protective measures of hepatitis A and hepatitis E virus influencing wide populations. In this study, our aim was to determine the seroprevalance of HAV and HEV infections and to conduct a comperative evaulation with previous studies in our region. Materials and Methods: The population of the study comprises those between the ages of 7 and 80 living in the central districts of Izmir province as regards the 2013 data of Turkish Statistical Institute. Serum samples were taken from 424 healthy subjects between the ages of 7 and 80 in the central district of Izmir between November 2013 and January 2014. HAV IgG (Abbott Architect MEIA, Germany) and HEV IgG (Dia.Pro Diagnostic Bioprobes EIA, Italy) were determined using macro and micro EIA methods in Ege University Medical Faculty, Department of Medical Microbiology. A questionnaire form was used to survey the socioeconomic characteristics. Results: Of the 424 subjects, 358 (83.2%) were positive of anti-HAV IgG and 28 (6.6%) were positive of anti-HEV IgG. Anti-HAV IgG positivity was 30% (n= 6) in the pediatric group and 87.1% (n= 352) in the adult group. Anti-HEV IgG positivity was 100% (n= 424) in the adult group. Anti-HAV seroprevalence of the subjects born outside the Aegean region (p= 0.000), subjects who spent most of their life outside the Aegean region (p= 0.017), subjects who were married (p= 0.000), unemployed (p= 0.011), subjects whose monthly income was ≤ 1000 TL (p= 0.011), subjects who were once hospitalized or once operated (p= 0.000) and those doing their military service (p= 0.019) were found to be higher compared to other groups. Anti-HEV seroprevalance of subjects born outside the Aegean region (p= 0.000), in males (p= 0.017) and in those doing their military service (p= 0.019) were found to be higher compared to other groups. Conclusion: Anti-HAV IgG positivity was 83.2% (n= 358) and anti-HEV IgG positivity was 6.6% (n= 28) in our region. As expected for both viruses, seropositivity in adults was higher than that of children. Hepatitis A seroprevalence of the subjects born outside the Aegean region, subjects who spent most of their life outside the Aegean region, subjects who were married, unemployed, subjects whose monthly income was ≤ 1000 TL, subjects who were once hospitalized or once operated and in soldiers; hepatitis E seroprevalance of subjects born outside the Aegean region, in males and in those doing their military service were found to be statistically significantly higher when compared to other groups. Improving education levels/socioeceonomic status and vaccination against hepatitis A virus are important for protection.