Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Among Pregnant Women in Urmia, Iran

Background: While hepatitis E virus (HEV) mostly causes self-limited disease in general population, it is more severe in pregnant women. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG among a population of pregnant women in West Azerbaijan of Iran. Patients and Methods: One hundred thirty six pregnant women referred to urban health centers of Urmia for pursuing pregnancy-related health services were enrolled in a descriptive, cross-sectional study. Anti-HEV IgG antibody was evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA; Dia. Pro; Diagnostic Bioprobes). Results: Only five (3.6%) of 136 cases had positive results for anti-HEV IgG. There was no significant difference between age (P=0.88), and income level (P=0.19) of the two seropositive and seronegative groups. All seropositive cases were from urban areas. Conclusions: The seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG is low in the population of pregnant women in, similar to the rates reported from developed countries. Effective health services and provision of safe water supplies in Urmia may take role in this low prevalence rate.