Sero-epidemiology of hepatitis E virus infection in Isfahan-Iran: a community-based study

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis E virus [HEV] is an enterically transmitted acute viral hepatitis with the highest incidence in Asia, Africa, Middle East and Central America. There is little published data on the epidemiology of the infection in Iran. Thus, this study was carried out to evaluate anti-HEV sero-prevalence in Isfahan Province [Iran]. In a cross sectional study extending over 6 years, 816 subjects were selected from urban and rural areas of Isfahan Province in 2005 using multi stage cluster sampling method. Demographic data and blood samples were collected and anti-HEV antibodies were measured by ELISA method. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis and P<0.05 was considered significant. The subjects of this study included 428 females [52.5%] and 388 males [47.5%]. The overall anti-HEV sero-prevalence rate was 3.8%. There was no significant difference in HEV sero-positivity between the subjects grouped according to sex [4.2% in females and 3.4% in males, P=0.78], household number [P=0.095] and living area [2.7% in rural and 4.1% in urban areas, P=0.09]. HEV sero-prevalence increased with age from 0.9% in children 6-9 years to 8% in persons over 50 years without statistical differences in them [P=0.08]. There was statistical difference between HEV sero-positivity in different regions of Isfahan Province, with the highest prevalence in Khomeini Shahr [13.3%] [P< 0.001]. HEV sero-prevalence in Isfahan Province is lower than previous reports from other parts of Iran and Middle East. Further -studies in other parts of Iran are needed to obtain a prevalence map for planning preventional strategies