Mohammad M Obaidat1, Amira A Roess2. 1. Department of Veterinary Pathology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan. Electronic address: mmobaidat@just.edu.jo. 2. Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington D.C., USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is hyperendemic in many countries, but data on this virus are not available in Jordan. This study determined the seroprevalence, risk factors and zoonotic potential of HEV in a Jordanian population. METHODS: A total of 450 sera samples from 8 different governorates were tested for HEV-IgG. A pre-tested and validated questionnaire was used to collect risk factor data including animal interaction and environmental exposures. RESULTS: The overall seroprevalence was 30.9%. Eating undercooked meat was significantly associated with HEV seropositivity (OR=2.06, 95%CI 1.04-4.06) after controlling for age, gender, travel history and source of water. Age was also associated with HEV seropositivity; the youngest (≤14 years of age) and oldest age groups (60 and 80 years of age) had the highest prevalence (45.5% and 53.2%, respectively), compared to those between 20 to 29 years of age and 30 to 39 years of age (20.2 and 15.2%, respectively), although the small sample size among the youngest group tempers this association. There was evidence of a marginal association between owning camels and an increased odds of HEV seropositivity. Place of residence and source of drinking water were not associated with infection. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to report HEV seroprevalence in Jordan and shows that HEV exposure is high in Jordan. Surveillance for acute and chronic Hepatitis E is needed to estimate the frequency of the actual disease.
OBJECTIVES:Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is hyperendemic in many countries, but data on this virus are not available in Jordan. This study determined the seroprevalence, risk factors and zoonotic potential of HEV in a Jordanian population. METHODS: A total of 450 sera samples from 8 different governorates were tested for HEV-IgG. A pre-tested and validated questionnaire was used to collect risk factor data including animal interaction and environmental exposures. RESULTS: The overall seroprevalence was 30.9%. Eating undercooked meat was significantly associated with HEV seropositivity (OR=2.06, 95%CI 1.04-4.06) after controlling for age, gender, travel history and source of water. Age was also associated with HEV seropositivity; the youngest (≤14 years of age) and oldest age groups (60 and 80 years of age) had the highest prevalence (45.5% and 53.2%, respectively), compared to those between 20 to 29 years of age and 30 to 39 years of age (20.2 and 15.2%, respectively), although the small sample size among the youngest group tempers this association. There was evidence of a marginal association between owning camels and an increased odds of HEV seropositivity. Place of residence and source of drinking water were not associated with infection. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to report HEV seroprevalence in Jordan and shows that HEV exposure is high in Jordan. Surveillance for acute and chronic Hepatitis E is needed to estimate the frequency of the actual disease.
Authors: R Bassal; M Wax; R Shirazi; T Shohat; D Cohen; D David; S Abu-Mouch; Y Abu-Ghanem; E Mendelson; Z Ben-Ari; O Mor Journal: Epidemiol Infect Date: 2019-01 Impact factor: 2.451
Authors: Sherif A El-Kafrawy; Ahmed M Hassan; Mai M El-Daly; Mohammed Al-Hajri; Elmoubashar Farag; Fatimah Ahmed Elnour; Anas Khan; Ahmed M Tolah; Thamir A Alandijany; Noura A Othman; Ziad A Memish; Victor M Corman; Christian Drosten; Alimuddin Zumla; Esam I Azhar Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2022-04-29 Impact factor: 4.996