Investigation of hepatitis E virus seroprevalence in Malatya

52 SUMMARY This study was performed to determine hepatitis E virus seroprevalance in Malatya and investigate epidemiological properties of HEV. Using Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) anti-HEV IgG and IgM antibodies were searched in 1261 sera collected from 600 persons showing different socio-economic level and age groups, 310 persons for seasonal distribution, 216 blood donors, 74 hemodialysis patients and 61 pregnants. Anti-HEV antibodies were detected in 59 (9.8%) of 600 sera from normal population. Of 59 seropositive samples 42 (7%) had IgG, 11 (1.8%) had IgM, 6 (1%) had both IgG and IgM antibodies. Seropositivity was 6.6% in the group having the person with high socio-economic level and 13% in the group having the persons with low socio-economic level. There was statically significant differences between these two groups. The highest seropositivity was found in 1 1-20 aged group. Hepatitis E virus seroprevalance was 9.8% in blood donors (21/216), 1.4% in hemodialysis patient (1/74) and 14.8% in pregnants (9/61). The highest seropositivity was recorded in Spring (13%) followed by winter (10.8%), fall (5.4%) and summer (4.3%) seasons. In conclusion; HEV seropositivity was increased in raining seasons and in the groups with low socio-economic and educational levels. Being hemodialysis patients, blood donor or pregnant was not a risk factor for Hepatitis E virus infection.