Seroprevalence of Hepatitis-E infection in healthy blood donors in an endemic country

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of Hepatitis-E prevalence among blood donors at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among healthy blood donors at the blood donation facility of Liaquat National Hospital (LNH) by Departments of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Microbiology from October 2020 to January 2022. The blood samples were screened for Hepatitis E virus (HEV) using anti-HEV antibodies (IgG and IgM). Those who tested positive for anti-HEV IgM were tested for HEV-RNA by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain (PCR).

Results: A total of 515 individuals were screened. The mean age was 30.08±7.56 years, and all were males. The mean ALT values recorded were 42.8447±32. Anti HEV IgG was positive in 366 individuals (71%). Anti HEV IgM was positive in 31 (6%) individuals, but HEV - RNA PCR was negative in all IgM+ individuals.

Conclusion: The high seroprevalence of Anti HEV IgM among healthy blood donors emphasizes the need for robust measures of routine screening for HEV of all blood products in endemic countries to prevent transfusion dependent transmission with special consideration when the recipients are either immunocompromised or pregnant.