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. 2017 Sep-Oct;21(5):535-539.
doi: 10.1016/j.bjid.2017.05.004. Epub 2017 Jun 9.

High prevalence of hepatitis E virus antibodies in Sao Paulo, Southeastern Brazil: analysis of a group of blood donors representative of the general population

Ana Maria Passos-Castilho  1 , Mônica Renata Reinaldo  2 , Anne de Sena  3 , Celso F H Granato  3
Affiliations

High prevalence of hepatitis E virus antibodies in Sao Paulo, Southeastern Brazil: analysis of a group of blood donors representative of the general population

Ana Maria Passos-Castilho et al. Braz J Infect Dis. 2017 Sep-Oct.

Abstract

Brazil is a non-endemic country for hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection with seroprevalence from 1% to 4% in blood donors and the general population. However, data on seroprevalence of HEV in the country are still limited. This study evaluated the prevalence of past or present HEV infection in a group of blood donors representative of the general population of the city of Sao Paulo, Southeastern Brazil. Serum samples from 500 blood donors were tested from July to September 2014 by serological and molecular methods. Anti-HEV IgG antibodies were detected in 49 (9.8%) subjects and categorized age groups revealed an age-dependent increase of HEV seroprevalence. Among the anti-HEV IgG positive subjects, only 1 had anti-HEV IgM while none tested positive for HEV-RNA. The present data demonstrate a higher seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG than previously reported in the region.

Keywords: Blood donors; Brazil; Hepatitis E virus; Seroprevalence.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Estimated prevalence of anti-HEV IgG by age group in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
City map of the city of Sao Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, and anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence according to city zone.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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