Epidemic hepatitis E: serological evidence for lack of intrafamilial spread.
Artículo
en Inglés
| IMSEAR
| ID: sea-64828
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Hepatitis E presents as epidemic as well as sporadic disease. Fecal contamination of drinking water results in epidemics of hepatitis E. The extent of intrafamilial spread needs to be assessed employing serological assays.AIMS:
To understand the dynamics of intrafamilial spread of the disease.METHODS:
The study was conducted using blood samples collected during the 1988 and 1989 epidemics of viral hepatitis in Kudal and Atit villages of Maharashtra state; the epidemics were subsequently shown to be due to hepatitis E virus (HEV). The one-time collection carried out at the end of the Kudal epidemic was from 184 apparently healthy individuals irrespective of family history of jaundice during the epidemic. In the Atit epidemic, 153 family contacts of 49 IgM anti-HEV positive patients were bled. An additional 151 blood samples were collected from apparently healthy individuals irrespective of family history of jaundice during the epidemic. One month later, blood samples were collected from 64 of the 153 family contacts. Relevant history was recorded each time. All serum samples were tested for ALT levels and for IgM and IgG antibodies to hepatitis E virus employing ELISA.RESULTS:
IgM anti-HEV positivity among persons with family history of jaundice was not different from those without such a history (8/62 [12.9%] and 11/122 [9%] at Kudal; 9/57 [15.8%] and 22/94 [23.4%] at Atit; p > 0.1). Excluding IgG anti-HEV positive samples from the analysis also yielded non-significant results. Of the 32 follow-up samples collected from family contacts without IgG or IgM antibodies to HEV in the initial blood sample, 31 remained IgM and IgG anti-HEV negative at the end of 1 month. One of the family contacts was found to be IgG anti-HEV positive in the second blood sample. The disease was not related to the index case.CONCLUSION:
Intrafamilial spread of HEV is negligible.
Texto completo:
Disponible
Índice:
IMSEAR (Asia Sudoriental)
Asunto principal:
Abastecimiento de Agua
/
Humanos
/
Inmunoglobulina G
/
Inmunoglobulina M
/
Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática
/
Contaminación de Alimentos
/
Brotes de Enfermedades
/
Hepatitis E
/
India
/
Anticuerpos Antivirales
País/Región como asunto:
Asia
Idioma:
Inglés
Año:
2000
Tipo del documento:
Artículo
Similares
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS