Hepatitis E virus seroprevalence among adults, Germany

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a growing public health concern globally.
• Understanding HEV seroprevalence is crucial for assessing population exposure and disease burden.
• Data on HEV epidemiology in developed countries like Germany remains important for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against Hepatitis E virus (HEV) in the adult population of Germany.
• To investigate the association between HEV seroprevalence and demographic factors, particularly age.
• To evaluate the endemicity and lifetime exposure risk of HEV in Germany.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study design.
• Analysis of HEV IgG antibody seroprevalence in a representative sample of the German adult population.
• Statistical analysis to determine prevalence, confidence intervals, and age-specific trends.

Main Results:

• Overall HEV IgG seroprevalence was 16.8% (95% CI 15.6%-17.9%).
• Seroprevalence significantly increased with age, plateauing in individuals over 60 years old.
• The findings indicate a substantial level of past HEV exposure in the German adult population.

Conclusions:

• Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is endemic in Germany.
• The high seroprevalence, particularly in older age groups, points to a significant lifetime risk of HEV exposure.
• These results highlight the need for continued surveillance and awareness of HEV in Germany.