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Comparative Study
. 2015 Apr 30;10(4):e0126184.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0126184. eCollection 2015.

Swine is a possible source of hepatitis E virus infection by comparative study of hepatitis A and E seroprevalence in Thailand

Pattaratida Sa-nguanmoo  1 , Nawarat Posuwan  1 , Preeyaporn Vichaiwattana  1 , Norra Wutthiratkowit  2 , Somchai Owatanapanich  3 , Rujipat Wasitthankasem  1 , Thanunrat Thongmee  1 , Kittiyod Poovorawan  4 , Apiradee Theamboonlers  1 , Sompong Vongpunsawad  1 , Yong Poovorawan  1
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Swine is a possible source of hepatitis E virus infection by comparative study of hepatitis A and E seroprevalence in Thailand

Pattaratida Sa-nguanmoo et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in developing countries are associated with contaminated food or water. Although Thailand is non-endemic for HEV, sporadic infections may occur from zoonotic transmission. Individuals between 7 months to 69 years (mean age = 32.8) from predominantly Islamic Narathiwat (n = 305) and swine farm-dense Lop Buri (n = 416) provinces were screened for anti-HEV and anti-HAV antibodies by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and automated chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay, respectively. Seroprevalence and relative antibody titers were analyzed according to age groups. HAV IgG antibody positive rates in Lop Buri and Narathiwat residents were 39.9% and 58%, respectively (p < 0.001). Greater than 90% of individuals >50 years old in both provinces possessed anti-HAV IgG. In contrast, seroprevalence for anti-HEV IgG was much higher in Lop Buri (37.3%) than in Narathiwat (8.9%) (p < 0.001). Highest anti-HEV IgG prevalence was found among 21-30 year-olds (50%) in Lop Buri and 41-50 year-olds (14.1%) in Narathiwat. In summary, fewer individuals possessed anti-HEV IgG in Narathiwat where most residents abstained from pork and fewer swine farms are present. Therefore, an increased anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence was associated with the density of swine farm and possibly pork consumption. Adults were more likely than children to have antibodies to both HEV and HAV.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors received funding from a commercial source, MK Restaurant Company Limited. However, this does not alter the authors' adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Geographical and population characteristics in the provinces of Lop Buri and Narathiwat.
Map indicates the locations of Lop Buri and Narathiwat with information on their respective population density. The number of samples from individuals residing in each district is indicated on the map. Approximate pig population, pig farmers, and slaughter houses in each district are noted.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Distribution of seroprevalence for Lop Buri and Narathiwat by age group.
(A) anti-HEV IgG antibody and (B) anti-HAV IgG antibody prevalence in different age groups.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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