P-42 SEROPREVALENCE OF IgG and IgM ANTI-HEV ANTIBODIES USING AN AUTOMATED METHOD: EXPERIENCE OF A UNIVERSITY CENTER

Abstract

Introduction: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) seroprevalence studies have great variability depending the test used. In 2015, with a manual ELISA method, we reported an anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence of 32.6% in patients evaluated for hepatitis. Recently, the first automated method was developed that correlates with the world reference ELISA, standardizing and optimizing the process. In Chile there are no reports with this method. Objective: To evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG and IgM antibodies, using a new automated method. Methods: 179 anti-HEV IgG and/or IgM antibody results were collected from patients studied between May 2018 and August 2019 (53% female, mean age 45 years, range: 1-82 years). Measurements were made with automated ELFA, VIDAS® ANTI-HEV IgM and IgG technique, test duration: 40 minutes. Statistical analysis with chi2 test. Results: We found 27.2% (47/173) of positivity for anti-HEV IgG, and 4.2% (7/168) for anti-HEV IgM. Only 3 samples had both positive antibodies. The seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG increased significantly with age, 9.7% in <40 years and 39.6% in ≥ 40 years (p <0.001), without differences by gender. Conclusion: The seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG obtained was similar to that previously reported with the manual ELISA kit. The VIDAS® ANTI-HEV IgM and IgG Assay is a new automated, useful and rapid tool for the serological study of HEV. The existence of acute infection by HEV suggests its incorporation in the differential diagnosis of acute hepatitis.