BACKGROUND: HEV causes an enteric infectious disease endemic in developing areas with hot climate. A case of endogenous HEV infection has been reported in the US. Recently, HEV-like virus was isolated from swine in Iowa. Swine production is a major industry in Iowa with the potential for human exposure to swine in and around industrial and family farm operations. OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to determine whether individuals in Iowa are exposed to HEV. STUDY DESIGN: Anti-HEV antibody prevalence in four selected Iowa populations was determined. Sera were collected from 204 patients with non-A, non-B, non-C hepatitis (non-A-C); 87 staff members of the Department of Natural Resources (DRN); 332 volunteer blood donors in 1989; and 111 volunteer blood donors in 1998. All sera were tested for anti-human HEV IgM and IgG by ELISA with confirmation of positivity by a peptide neutralization test. RESULTS: Both the patients with non-A, non-B, non-C hepatitis (4.9%) and the healthy field workers from the Iowa DNR (5.7%) showed significantly higher prevalence of anti-HEV IgG antibodies compared to normal blood donor sera collected in 1998 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Human HEV or a HEV-like agent circulates in the Iowa geographical area. At-risk human populations with occupational exposure to wild animals and environmental sources of domestic animal wastes or with unexplained hepatitis have increased seroprevalence of HEV antibodies.
BACKGROUND: HEV causes an enteric infectious disease endemic in developing areas with hot climate. A case of endogenous HEV infection has been reported in the US. Recently, HEV-like virus was isolated from swine in Iowa. Swine production is a major industry in Iowa with the potential for human exposure to swine in and around industrial and family farm operations. OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to determine whether individuals in Iowa are exposed to HEV. STUDY DESIGN: Anti-HEV antibody prevalence in four selected Iowa populations was determined. Sera were collected from 204 patients with non-A, non-B, non-C hepatitis (non-A-C); 87 staff members of the Department of Natural Resources (DRN); 332 volunteer blood donors in 1989; and 111 volunteer blood donors in 1998. All sera were tested for anti-human HEV IgM and IgG by ELISA with confirmation of positivity by a peptide neutralization test. RESULTS: Both the patients with non-A, non-B, non-C hepatitis (4.9%) and the healthy field workers from the Iowa DNR (5.7%) showed significantly higher prevalence of anti-HEV IgG antibodies compared to normal blood donor sera collected in 1998 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Human HEV or a HEV-like agent circulates in the Iowa geographical area. At-risk human populations with occupational exposure to wild animals and environmental sources of domestic animal wastes or with unexplained hepatitis have increased seroprevalence of HEV antibodies.
Authors: F F Huang; G Haqshenas; H L Shivaprasad; D K Guenette; P R Woolcock; C T Larsen; F W Pierson; F Elvinger; T E Toth; X J Meng Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 2002-11 Impact factor: 5.948
Authors: P G Halbur; C Kasorndorkbua; C Gilbert; D Guenette; M B Potters; R H Purcell; S U Emerson; T E Toth; X J Meng Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 2001-03 Impact factor: 5.948
Authors: D Yoo; P Willson; Y Pei; M A Hayes; A Deckert; C E Dewey; R M Friendship; Y Yoon; M Gottschalk; C Yason; A Giulivi Journal: Clin Diagn Lab Immunol Date: 2001-11