Sero-epidemiology and Risk Assessment of Hepatitis E Virus Among Blood Donors in North Lebanon

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the causative agent of over 50% of acute viral hepatitis cases. The blood transfusion route has emerged as a possible route of transmission of HEV.

This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of IgM and IgG anti-HEV among blood donors in North Lebanon and to assess the risk factors associated with its occurrence.

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November to December 2020. Blood samples were collected from 78 healthy blood donors. A standardized questionnaire containing sociodemographic, food consumption, lifestyle, and health-related characteristics, was filled out to assess the risk factors of HEV exposure. Serum samples were tested for IgM and IgG anti-HEV by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

The seroprevalence of IgM and IgG anti-HEV antibodies was reported in our study, and it reached 1.09% (1/78) and 12.82% (10/78), respectively. The use of private wells as a drinking source and the travel history to endemic countries have been identified as risk factors for HEV infections (P <0.05).

Our data, support the implementation of HEV antigen screening before blood donation, to reduce the risk of HEV transmission via blood transfusion.