A Survey on the Status of Hepatitis E Virus Infection among the Slaughterhouse Workers in Korea

Abstract

Objectives:The seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) among high-risk groups overseas is high, but studies in these groups are rare in South Korea. We conducted the present study from April to November 2012 to obtain data on the seroprevalence and associated risk factors for HEV among slaughterhouse workers in South Korea.Methods:Slaughterhouse workers from 80 workplaces nationwide were surveyed in South Korea in 2012. The subjects comprised 1848 cases: 1434 slaughter workers and 414 residual products handlers. By visiting 80 slaughterhouses, which were mixed with 75 of which also performed residual products handling, we conducted a questionnaire survey for risk factors and obtained blood samples in order to determine the seropositivity and seroprevalence of HEV. Anti-HEV IgG and IgM were measured using HEV IgG and IgM enzyme-linked immunospecific assay kits and HEV antigen was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Results:The seropositivity of anti-HEV IgG was 33.5% (slaughter workers 32.8% and residual products handlers 36.2%), and among the seropositive individuals the seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgM was 0.5% (slaughter workers 0.5%, residual products handlers 0.7%). The response rate of HEV-antigen as measured by RT-PCR was 0.2%. Risk factors significantly related to anti-HEV IgG seropositivity were age, sex , and working duration (slaughter workers only).Conclusions:There were significant risk factors (sex, age, and working duration) for HEV identified in our study. All three positive cases for HEV-antigen by RT-PCR were related to pig slaughter but without statistical significance. To prevent HEV, an educational program and working guidelines may be needed for high risk groups.

Seroepidemiology and molecular characterization of hepatitis E virus infection in swine and occupationally exposed workers in Punjab, India

“…Anti‐HEV IgM seropositivity among the control population was non‐existent. The results of the present study are in agreement with previous studies where anti‐HEV IgM was detected in only 0.5% subjects (Kim et al., ).…”

“…Several other studies have reported the seropositivity for anti-HEV IgG in pigs in the range of 6.1%-7.2% from Belgium, 31.0% to 65.0% from France, 49.8% from Germany, 68.0% from the Netherlands and 87.0% from northern Italy (Kim et al, 2015;Van Hoecke et al, 2012).…”

“…Results of this study showing an overall seroprevalence of 65.0% in pigs were consistent with previous findings in mixed age group swine populations reported from western India and China where the anti‐HEV IgG seropositivity was 54% and 50.3%, respectively (Arankalle et al., ; Liu et al., ), although a high seropositivity of 96.50% was reported from adult pigs in Lucknow, India (Shukla et al., ). Several other studies have reported the seropositivity for anti‐HEV IgG in pigs in the range of 6.1%–7.2% from Belgium, 31.0% to 65.0% from France, 49.8% from Germany, 68.0% from the Netherlands and 87.0% from northern Italy (Kim et al., ; Van Hoecke et al., ). The high anti‐HEV seropositivity in pigs found in current study corroborates with findings from previous studies wherein swine served as a potential reservoir for HEV infection (Meng et al., ).…”

“…In Taiwan and the USA, seropositivity for anti‐HEV IgG was 8% and 18%, respectively, in the general population and as high as 27% and 26% in swine handlers (Hsieh, Yang, Ho, Chu, & Liaw, ; Meng et al., ). Similarly, seropositivity was 33.5% in South Korea and 94.1% in India for anti‐HEV IgG among slaughterhouse workers and swine farmers (Kim et al., ; Vivek & Kang, ). Contact with sewerage without or with minimum self‐protection gear could also be one of the independent variables associated with higher anti‐HEV seropositivity in developing countries (Vaidya, Tilekar, Walimbe, & Arankalle, ).…”

“…in India for anti-HEV IgG among slaughterhouse workers and swine farmers (Kim et al, 2015;Vivek & Kang, 2011). Contact with sewerage without or with minimum self-protection gear could also be one of the independent variables associated with higher anti-HEV seropositivity in developing countries (Vaidya, Tilekar, Walimbe, & Arankalle, 2003).…”