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Hepatitis E: are psychiatric patients on special risk?
Claudia Reinheimer1, Regina Allwinn, Annemarie Berger
1Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Paul Ehrlich-Strasse 40, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. claudia.reinheimer@kgu.de
Medical Microbiology and Immunology
|October 19, 2011
Summary
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections are rising in developed countries. This study found a higher seroprevalence of anti-HEV-IgG in Frankfurt, particularly among psychiatric and liver enzyme elevation patients.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Hepatology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections are increasingly reported in non-endemic regions.
- Autochthonous HEV cases are rising, with potential reservoirs including wild boar meat and contaminated water.
- Hepatitis E typically presents as a self-limiting acute hepatitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the seroprevalence of anti-HEV-IgG in a German population.
- To compare HEV seropositivity rates across different patient groups and blood donors.
- To assess the prevalence of HEV infection in Frankfurt am Main.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 833 serum samples collected between June 2008 and December 2010.
- Use of ELISA to detect anti-HEV-IgG antibodies.
- Comparison of seroprevalence in patients with acute elevation of liver enzymes (AELE), psychiatric conditions (PSYCH), infectious diseases, and blood donors.
Main Results:
- Overall anti-HEV-IgG seroprevalence was 11.2% in Frankfurt am Main.
- Significantly higher seropositivity rates were observed in patients with AELE (30.0%) and PSYCH (26.0%).
- HEV seroprevalence in Frankfurt was higher than the German average.
Conclusions:
- The study indicates a notable prevalence of HEV infection in Frankfurt, exceeding national averages.
- Patients with acute liver enzyme elevation and psychiatric conditions show a disproportionately higher rate of HEV infection.
- Further research is warranted to understand the transmission routes and clinical significance of HEV in developed countries.
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