Seroepidemiology of hepatitis A and E virus infections in Tehran, Iran: A population based study

Seyed Reza Mohebbi, Mohammad Rostami Nejad, Seyed Mohammad Ebrahim Tahaei, Mohammad Amin Pourhoseingholi, Manijeh Habibi, Pedram Azimzadeh, Hamed Naghoosi, Peter Karayiannis, Mohammad Reza Zali

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) are enteric hepatotropic viruses and their prevalence is related to the sanitary conditions of the region under investigation. There are only a few studies on the seroepidemiology of these two viruses in the general Iranian population. The purpose of this investigation was to measure the prevalence of hepatitis A and E infections in the general population.Between 2006 and 2007, a cross sectional study was performed in Tehran, Iran. Blood specimens were collected and questionnaires were filled in for 551 persons. Patient sera were tested by ELISA for anti-HEV and anti-HAV IgGs. The χ2 test and independent t-test were used for statistical analysis and p<0.05 was considered significant.The overall seroprevalence rates of anti-HEV IgG and anti-HAV IgG were 9.3% and 90%, respectively. The prevalence of antibodies to HAV and HEV was greater among men than women and increased with age. However, there was no significant relationship between age and gender with the existence of anti- HAV and HEV IgG antibodies.Our results show the seroprevalence of HAV and HEV antibodies are high and both viruses are endemic in this region. These findings are in accordance with results obtained from previous studies. We recommend that foreign travelers to Iran are vaccinated against HAV.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)528-531
Number of pages4
JournalTransactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume106
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2012

Keywords

  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis E
  • Iran
  • Seroepidemiology
  • Tehran

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