Elsevier

Journal of Clinical Virology

Volume 88, March 2017, Pages 39-45
Journal of Clinical Virology

High seroprevalence against hepatitis E virus in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcv.2017.01.005Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • HEV is not commonly transmitted by IDU in Sweden.

  • Anti-HEV IgG is as common in HCV infected individuals as in age matched blood donors.

  • The prevalence of anti-HEV antibodies increases with increasing age of the individuals.

  • Previous HEV infection may be related to malignancies in HCV infected patients.

Abstract

Background

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 is endemic in Europe. Superinfection with HEV in patients with underlying chronic liver disease can cause hepatic decompensation leading to increased morbidity and mortality.

Objectives

The prevalence of anti-HEV antibodies was investigated in 204 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and different stages of fibrosis.

Study design

Sera were analyzed for anti-HEV IgG, IgM and HEV RNA.

Results

The median age of the patients was 55 years (IQR 40–62 years); 126 (62%) were men. Ninety-eight (48%) patients had a METAVIR fibrosis stage F2 or higher. The prevalence of anti-HEV IgG was 30% (62/204), which was significantly higher than among Swedish blood donors (17%, p < 0.01). The prevalence of anti-HEV antibodies was associated with higher age (OR 1.08 (1.05–1.11); p < 0.01). It was also higher for patients with a prior history of blood transfusion (48%) as compared to intravenous drug use (IDU; 26%) as the risk factor for acquisition of the HCV infection (OR 2.72 (1.2–6.19); p < 0.02). The prevalence of anti-HEV IgG was also significantly higher in patients with significant fibrosis, i.e. ≥F2 (38%; OR 2.04 (1.11–3.76); p = 0.02) and/or neoplasm (72%; OR 7.27 (2.46–21.44); p < 0.01).

Conclusions

When adjusted for age, the prevalence of anti-HEV antibodies was significantly higher in patients with previous or current malignant liver disease compared to blood donors. The lack of significant correlation between HCV and HEV infections indicate low level of transmission of HEV by IDU. HEV infections warrant more attention, especially in patients with preexisting liver disease.

Abbreviations

HEV
hepatitis E virus
HCV
hepatitis C virus
APRI
AST to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI)
F2
fibrosis stage 2
F4
fibrosis stage 4
IQR
interquartile range
IDU
intravenous drug use
OR
odds ratio
CLD
chronic liver diease

Keywords

Chronic liver disease
HCV
HEV

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