Prevalence of hepatitis E virus antibodies in patients with chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of hepatitis E virus ( HEV) among patients with chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C, serum samples were collected between January and December 2004 from patients with chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C. Methods: There were 190 adult patients with chronic hepatitis B virus ( HBV) and 174 with chronic hepatitis C virus ( HCV) infection in the study group. As the control group, a cohort of 178 age- and sex- matched individuals without known liver disease was selected. Results: Anti-HEV IgG antibodies were positive in 26/190 ( 13.7%) of chronic HBV and 94/174 (54%) of chronic HCV patients. In the control group anti-HEV positivity was 15.7% ( 28/178). There was no difference in the percentage of chronic HBV patients and control group who were positive for anti-HEV antibody, but the presence of HEV infection was significantly higher in chronic HCV patients. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that HEV and HCV might share a common route of transmission in our region. We recommend that preventive measures against HEV should be undertaken in chronic HCV patients as superinfection with HEV can cause a more severe pattern of disease in chronic hepatitis patients. Copyright (C) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.