TY - JOUR
T1 - Seroprevalence of hepatitis e antibodies and risk profile of HEV seropositivity in the Netherlands, 2006-2007
AU - Verhoef, L.
AU - Koopmans, M.
AU - Duizer, E.
AU - Bakker, J.
AU - Reimerink, J.
AU - Van Pelt, W.
PY - 2012/1/24
Y1 - 2012/1/24
N2 - Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is now considered an endemic pathogen in industrialized countries, leading to acute and sometimes chronic hepatitis, mostly in vulnerable people. The endemic sources are unclear. A survey in The Netherlands in 2006-2007 showed a 1.9% seroprevalence of HEV antibodies measured by ELISA and confirmed by immunoblot in a nationwide sample. Overall, in 134/7072 (1.9%) seropositive individuals, older age (P<0.01), being male (P<0.01), working with patients (P=0.03), working with animals (P=0.07), recent diarrhoeal complaints (P=0.07) and adhering to a religion that considers pigs unclean (P<0.01) were independently associated with seropositivity in multivariate analysis. Sub-analysis of 59/4022 (1.5%) anti-HEV antibody-positive subjects with probable endemic exposure showed independent association with youngest household member being aged <5 years or between 19 and <65 years (P=0.05) in multivariate analysis. These findings may contribute to a better understanding of the sources of endemic HEV exposure, and also highlight the need for systematic epidemiological and serological evaluation of new cases.
AB - Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is now considered an endemic pathogen in industrialized countries, leading to acute and sometimes chronic hepatitis, mostly in vulnerable people. The endemic sources are unclear. A survey in The Netherlands in 2006-2007 showed a 1.9% seroprevalence of HEV antibodies measured by ELISA and confirmed by immunoblot in a nationwide sample. Overall, in 134/7072 (1.9%) seropositive individuals, older age (P<0.01), being male (P<0.01), working with patients (P=0.03), working with animals (P=0.07), recent diarrhoeal complaints (P=0.07) and adhering to a religion that considers pigs unclean (P<0.01) were independently associated with seropositivity in multivariate analysis. Sub-analysis of 59/4022 (1.5%) anti-HEV antibody-positive subjects with probable endemic exposure showed independent association with youngest household member being aged <5 years or between 19 and <65 years (P=0.05) in multivariate analysis. These findings may contribute to a better understanding of the sources of endemic HEV exposure, and also highlight the need for systematic epidemiological and serological evaluation of new cases.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/84865499201
U2 - 10.1017/S0950268811002913
DO - 10.1017/S0950268811002913
M3 - Article
C2 - 22269886
AN - SCOPUS:84865499201
SN - 0950-2688
VL - 140
SP - 1838
EP - 1847
JO - Epidemiology and Infection
JF - Epidemiology and Infection
IS - 10
ER -
