The determination of fraquency and risk factors of hepatitis E virus infection in the viral hepatitis population in our region

Aim: We aimed to detect prevalence and associated risk factors of hepatitis E virüs in patients with viral hepatitis as compared to control group in our region. Material and methods: 18 years old or older 1025 patients who admitted to Dicle University Faculty of Medicine Department of Gastroenterolgy between may 2011 and march 2015 were enrolled to our study. Epidemiological, clinical and laboratory parameters of patients were analysed retrospectively. Patients were divided in to groups as HBsAg positive (n=284), anti-HCV positive (n=38), anti-delta positive (n=82) and control group (n=621) which HBsAg, anti-HCV ve anti-delta were negative in these patients. Patients files and test results were analysed retrospectively. Anti-HEV IgG ve IgM were studied by micro-ELISA method. Results: The mean age of the patients was 49.29±15.39 years and Anti-HEV IgG seropositivity was determined 56,4% of all patients (578/1025). HEV seropositivity was 76,3% in patients with HCV (29/38), 50% in patients with HBV (142/284), 70,7% in patients with HDV (58/82) and 56.2% in control group (349/621). Highest mean age in the groups was detected in HCV patients as 51.84±15.77 years ( p=0.001). Rate of Anti-HEV IgG seropositivity according to age groups was highest in patients older than 61 years old ( 141/578, 24.4%) and lowest in patients between 18-30 years old (68/578, 11.8%) (p<0.001). Advanced age, rural origin, low education level, being married, history of contact with animals, high ALT levels, high GGT levels, low platelet levels, anti-delta seropositivity, ani-HCV seropositivity and anti-HAV IgG seropositivity was found to be significant risk factors for HEV seropositivity in the logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: The study revealed that statistically significantly higher HEV seropositivity in patients with HCV and /or HDV according to control group in our region. HEV seropositivity was more frequent in married patients and patients with low education level, rural origin and cirrhosis. These findings may contribute the control of HEV infection, determination of patients at risk for HEV infection and taking preventive measures. Keywords: Hepatitis E virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, hepatitis D virus, etiology, epidemiology.