Status of anti-HEV IgG and IgM antibodies among the hemodialysis patients in southwest region of Iran

Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) account for acute hepatitis, fulminant liver failure and chronic hepatitis worldwide. Several high risk groups including hemodialysis (HD) patients are at risk of HEV infection. Based on consequences of HEV infection it is important to determine the serological and molecular epidemiology of HEV in HD patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of HEV antibodies and HEV RNA in HD patients.

The sera of 84 HD patients were collected and tested for anti- HEV IgG and anti IgM antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at Golestan hospital in Ahvaz city during October 2014 and November 2014. HEV RNA was tested in HD patients using RT PCR. The prevalence of anti- HEV IgG was evaluated in the age group (52/84) > 50 and (31/84) < 50 years.

Out of 84 patients, 52 (61.9%) were males and 32 (38.1%) females. The mean age of participants was 52 ± 1.57 years. 43/84 (51.19%) cases including 26/52 (50%) males and 17/32 (53.1%) females were positive for anti-HEV IgG (p=0.95). Among the 43 cases positive anti-HEV IgG 8 cases including 5 (9.61%) males and 3 (9.37%) females tested positive for anti-HEV IgM (p=0.729) while the HEV RNA was negative in HD patients. The distribution of anti- HEV IgG was 62.75% and 33.33% among the age group >50 and <50 respectively (p=0.015).

This study showed high prevalence of anti-HEV IgG antibodies (51.19%) were observed among the HD patients while the HEV RNA tested negative in HD patients. The rate of HEV IgG is significantly higher with increased age. Further investigation require to identify the factors account for high seroprevalence of HEV in Ahvaz HD units.