OBJECTIVE: To determine the percentage of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections in serum samples from patients with negative serology for hepatitis A, B and C and to find out what may be the harmful consequences of a missed diagnosis of acute HEV infection. DESIGN: Retrospective study. METHOD: Serum samples were selected from patients with infectious hepatitis who tested negative for hepatitis A, B and C virus. Serum samples that had elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT; > 34 U/l) were included in this study. All samples were then tested for HEV using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblot assay. Of patients with serological evidence of acute HEV, files were checked for the originally documented diagnosis at hospital discharge. RESULTS: In the period October 2007-September 2008, 139 serum samples met the inclusion criteria. In 23 serum samples the ELISA was positive (IgM positive and/or Ig total positive); in 16/23 serum samples immunoblot assay was also positive. The percentage of confirmed HEV infections was 11.5% (16/139). In only one patient was the originally documented diagnosis correct. Several patients underwent invasive diagnostic procedures and treatment as a result of an incorrect diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Hepatitis E serology should be a standard tool in the diagnostic workup of infectious hepatitis patients in the Netherlands.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the percentage of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections in serum samples from patients with negative serology for hepatitis A, B and C and to find out what may be the harmful consequences of a missed diagnosis of acute HEV infection. DESIGN: Retrospective study. METHOD: Serum samples were selected from patients with infectious hepatitis who tested negative for hepatitis A, B and C virus. Serum samples that had elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT; > 34 U/l) were included in this study. All samples were then tested for HEV using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblot assay. Of patients with serological evidence of acute HEV, files were checked for the originally documented diagnosis at hospital discharge. RESULTS: In the period October 2007-September 2008, 139 serum samples met the inclusion criteria. In 23 serum samples the ELISA was positive (IgM positive and/or Ig total positive); in 16/23 serum samples immunoblot assay was also positive. The percentage of confirmed HEV infections was 11.5% (16/139). In only one patient was the originally documented diagnosis correct. Several patients underwent invasive diagnostic procedures and treatment as a result of an incorrect diagnosis. CONCLUSION:Hepatitis E serology should be a standard tool in the diagnostic workup of infectious hepatitispatients in the Netherlands.