Stable HEV IgG seroprevalence in Belgium between 2006 and 2014

Abstract

Recent European studies suggest an emergence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection. We evaluated trends in birth cohort-specific HEV seroprevalence and regional differences in Belgium. HEV IgG seroprevalence was analysed on national serum banks (1579 and 2087 samples for 2006 and 2014, respectively. Hepatitis E virus antigen was tested on positive samples. Observed data were modelled using a generalized additive model with a complementary log-log link. No significant differences between birth cohorts or sexes were found. Modelling identified the individual's age and province as relevant factors. The probability of HEV seropositivity increases significantly with age. An estimated total of 434 819 (yearly rate of 54,352) (sero-)infec

Hepatitis E virus as a trigger for Guillain-Barré syndrome

“…The reason for the unexpectedly high IgG seroprevalence in our study remains unclear, even when taking seroprevalence variability dependent on birth year, age [ 2 ] and serological assay [ 29 ] into consideration. It was comparable to the Dutch study (46%) [ 10 ], but considerably higher in comparison to the Belgian study (18%) [ 11 ], and to previous studies investigating infection rates in the general population in the Netherlands (29%) [ 35 ], in Belgium (4–14%) [ 36 , 37 ], and in Germany (6–24%) [ 2 , 38 ]. However, high seroprevalence rates indicate high infection rates and thus further emphasize the importance of HEV as a potential trigger of neurological disorders.…”

A Randomized Large-Scale Cross-Sectional Serological Survey of Hepatitis E Virus Infection in Belgian Pig Farms

“…While sporadic HEV infections, which occur in industrialised countries (Europe and North America) and are typically due to HEV 3 or 4 [ 8 ], are frequently asymptomatic and self-limiting, a chronic form of the disease can lead to liver cirrhosis in immunocompromised individuals and are more commonly associated with neurological symptoms [ 7 , 9 , 10 ]. HEV seroprevalences in Belgium were recently estimated as 4.1% (95% CI 3.1–5.1) and 5.8% (CI 4.8–6.9) in 2006 and 2014, respectively [ 11 ]. Pigs share HEV 3 and 4 genotypes and are thus considered a major animal reservoir [ 12 , 13 ].…”

Treatment induced clearance of hepatitis E viruses by interferon‐lambda in liver‐humanized mice

“…In addition, a chronic HEV gt3 infection in patients with an immunocompromised status, such as patients who received a solid organ transplant, with autoimmune disease or human immunodeficiency virus infection has recently emerged as a significant health problem. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] No controlled clinical studies have determined the optimal treatment for chronic HEV infections.…”

“…Of eight identified genotypes (gt), gt1 to 4 and gt7 can infect humans, 2 resulting in waterborne HEV gt1 and two epidemics in developing countries, or in zoonotic HEV gt3, gt4 and gt7 infections, characterized by a mostly self‐limiting acute hepatitis. In addition, a chronic HEV gt3 infection in patients with an immunocompromised status, such as patients who received a solid organ transplant, with autoimmune disease or human immunodeficiency virus infection has recently emerged as a significant health problem 2‐10 . No controlled clinical studies have determined the optimal treatment for chronic HEV infections.…”

“…In addition, a chronic HEV gt3 infection in patients with an immunocompromised status, such as patients who received a solid organ transplant, with autoimmune disease or human immunodeficiency virus infection has recently emerged as a significant health problem. 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 No controlled clinical studies have determined the optimal treatment for chronic HEV infections. Expert guidance lists dose reduction of immunosuppressive drugs, ribavirin (RBV) monotherapy or pegylated‐Interferon α (pegIFNα) as therapeutic options.…”