Hepatitis E virus genotype 1f outbreak in Bangladesh, 2018

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection poses a significant public health challenge, particularly in developing nations, leading to waterborne epidemics and sporadic hepatitis cases.
• Waterborne transmission of HEV is a major concern, necessitating robust surveillance and control measures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and characterize an outbreak of Hepatitis E virus infection in Bangladesh.
• To identify the specific genotype of HEV responsible for the outbreak and its potential source.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of patients admitted with acute hepatitis symptoms.
• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for HEV-specific IgM detection.
• Genotyping, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis of HEV strains using the ORF2 region.

Main Results:

• A total of 933 patients presented with acute hepatitis symptoms; 550 tested positive for HEV IgM.
• Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the outbreak was caused by HEV genotype 1f.
• The identified HEV 1f strains were closely related to those from a 2010 outbreak in Bangladesh, suggesting persistent circulation.
• Fecal contamination in the local water supply was evident, strongly linking the outbreak to contaminated water.

Conclusions:

• The 2018 Halisohor outbreak was caused by HEV genotype 1f, linked to contaminated water sources.
• Ensuring access to safe drinking water is crucial for preventing future HEV outbreaks in the region.
• The findings underscore the importance of continued HEV surveillance and water quality monitoring in Bangladesh.