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

Roya Pirmoradi; Manoochehr Makvandi; Azadeh Haghi Navand; Shokouh Shayanpour; Heshmatolah Shahbazian; Kimia Makvandi; Saeed Eynali Varnosfaderani; Sepideh Nasimzadeh

doi:10.18502/ijm.v14i5.10972

Roya Pirmoradi Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Manoochehr Makvandi Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Azadeh Haghi Navand Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Shokouh Shayanpour Department of Nephrology, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Heshmatolah Shahbazian Department of Nephrology, Golestan Hospital, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Kimia Makvandi Deputy of Health, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Saeed Eynali Varnosfaderani Deputy of Health, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Sepideh Nasimzadeh Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v14i5.10972

Keywords: Hepatitis E virus; Hemodialysis patients; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) account for acute hepatitis, fulminant liver failure and chronic hep- atitis worldwide. Several high riskgroups including hemodialysis (HD) patients are at risk of HEV infection. Based on con- sequences of HEV infection it is important to determine the serologicaland 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.

Materials and Methods: The sera of 84 HD patients were collected and tested for anti- HEV IgG and anti IgM antibodies using enzyme-linkedimmunosorbent 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.

Results: 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%) casesincluding 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 posi- tive for anti-HEV IgM (p=0.729) while the HEV RNA was negative in HD patients. Thedistribution of anti- HEV IgG was 62.75% and 33.33% among the age group >50 and <50 respectively (p=0.015).

Conclusion: This study showed high prevalence of anti-HEV IgG antibodies (51.19%) were observed among the HD pa- tients while the HEV RNA testednegative 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.