Transfusion-transmitted hepatitis E: Is screening warranted?

Bajpai, Meenu; Gupta, Ekta

doi:10.4103/0255-0857.90158

Cited by 27 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 42 publications

(70 reference statements)

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“…The two studies that focused on blood donors reported that 10.5% and 71.55% tested positive for serological markers of HEV infection. While the clinical relevance of transfusion-transmitted HEV remains unclear [ 29 ], studies have demonstrated the possibility of HEV transmission through blood transfusions in endemic areas, following retrospective evaluations of transfusion recipients [ 30 ]. As such, the high levels of HEV infection among blood donors in Ghana could pose serious concerns regarding the safety of blood supply [ 31 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hepatitis E infection among Ghanaians: a systematic review

Ofori‐Asenso¹,

Agyeman²

2017

Infect Dis Poverty

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BackgroundHepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is considered to be of significant public health importance in many developing countries. In this review, we aim to summarise studies on HEV with the aim of providing a further understanding of the epidemiology of the disease in Ghana.MethodsA systematic review was conducted by following the recommendations outlined in the PRISMA statement. Studies on HEV infection among Ghanaians were identified by searching for articles (published up until 4th August 2016) in the PubMed, ISI Web of Science, African Journals Online, Google Scholar and the WHO African Index Medicus databases. We also searched the websites of the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service to identify any related non-indexed studies. References of all retrieved studies were screened to identify additional publications.ResultsTen studies involving a total of 2 894 participants from six regions of Ghana were identified. The proportion of Ghanaians showing positive serological markers for HEV infection was within the range of 5.8–71.55%. In addition, 0.7–45.9% tested positive for IgM antibodies while the proportion of Ghanaians testing positive for IgG antibodies was within the range of 0–45.3%. One study reporting a case fatality rate of 66.7% among pregnant women was identified. No information on HEV genotypes was retrieved.ConclusionsAlthough based on a limited number of studies, this review does highlight that there is a high level of HEV infection among Ghanaians. Preventive measures including educational interventions as well as general improvements to sanitary and living conditions are needed to reduce the burden of the disease. Additionally, further research regarding the contribution of the various HEV genotypes is urgently needed to fully understand the burden of this disease in Ghana.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40249-017-0239-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hepatitis E infection among Ghanaians: a systematic review

Ofori‐Asenso¹,

Agyeman²

2017

Infect Dis Poverty

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“…However, even with controversial results, serious safety measurements should be considered to prevent dissemination of the HEV infection during blood and blood products transfusion mainly in endemic regions. [37] Such precaution could help to limit the risk of viral dissemination in the community and particular in patients with maintenance hemodialysis to avoid worsening their health condition. Standardized and comprehensive studies with more contributors should examine both the immune response and the virus simultaneously to find the truth.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Serological investigation for hepatitis E virus infection in the patients with chronic maintenance hemodialysis from southwest of Iran

Zekavat¹,

Makarem²,

Karami³

et al. 2013

Asian J Transfus Sci

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Background and Objectives:A global distribution has been shown for hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection. Although the fecal-oral was considered as the primary infection route, there is controversial evidence for increased risk of the infection and consequent problems in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) with suppressed immunity. The aim is to find if the prevalence of anti-HEV IgG, in patients with maintenance HD is higher than normal population in southwest of Iran.Materials and Methods:During November and December 2010, in a cross-sectional study we compared the seroprevalence of HEV among 80 patients with maintenance HD and 276 healthy individuals from Jahrom and Shiraz, Southwest of Iran. In addition to the clinical and laboratory records, serum samples were tested for the presence of IgG anti-HEV antibody by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) test. The Chi-square, the Student's ‘t’ and Fisher's exact tests were used for the statistical analysis.Results:ELISA tests detected anti-HEV antibody in five males of the patients (6.3%) and in eight of the healthy controls (2.9%, 6 males and 2 female) which statistically were not different. The mean levels of the aspartate aminotransferase and the alanine aminotransferase in the sera of the patients were 19.96±11.08U/L and 23.93±14.26 IU/L, respectively. However, no one of the individuals with positive anti-HEV antibody showed elevated liver enzymes. Moreover, there was not a significant association between positive anti-HEV antibody result, age and the history of the hemodialysis.Conclusions:We did not observe statistically significant higher anti-HEV prevalence among patients with chronic HD; however, more safety precaution is needed to keep HD patients from the risk of possible exposure to HEV infection.

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“… 17 However, a prolonged viremia is also possible, especially among children following acute HEV infection and immunosuppressed patients. 4 , 17 Anti-HEV IgM increases during the acute phase of infection. IgM level remains high for about 8 weeks, but declines rapidly and becomes undetectable in most patients after 3–8 months.…”

Section: Diagnosis Of Hev Infectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiology of Hepatitis E in Pregnant Women and Children in Iran: A General Overview

Taherkhani

Farshadpour

2016

JCTH

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From an epidemiological point of view, hepatitis E is an old infection in Iran, but only recently has its importance as a public health concern been considered from research and public health standpoints. As such, there is still a long road ahead to clarify the real burden of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in Iran. According to the available epidemiological studies, the seroprevalence of HEV infection among pregnant women is between 3.6% and 7.4%, and among Iranian children is between 0.9% to 8.5%, varying by geographic regions within the country and directly dependent upon the sanitary status of each. In addition to evaluating the sanitation level of a society, community-based seroprevalence studies of HEV infection demonstrate the most prevalent risk factors, the major routes of transmission, and the epidemiological patterns of HEV among that country’s population. In this review, the current knowledge about the pathogenesis and epidemiology of HEV infection in pregnant women and children in Iran, as well as the recent advances in diagnosis, prevention and treatment of HEV infection have been summarized.

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Transfusion-transmitted hepatitis E: Is screening warranted?

Cited by 27 publications

References 42 publications

Hepatitis E infection among Ghanaians: a systematic review

Hepatitis E infection among Ghanaians: a systematic review

Serological investigation for hepatitis E virus infection in the patients with chronic maintenance hemodialysis from southwest of Iran

Epidemiology of Hepatitis E in Pregnant Women and Children in Iran: A General Overview

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