Virulence (Dec 2021)

A systematic review of the epidemiology of Hepatitis E virus infection in South – Eastern Asia

  • Yakubu Egigogo Raji,
  • Ooi Peck Toung,
  • Niazlin Mohd Taib,
  • Zamberi Bin Sekawi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/21505594.2020.1865716
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1
pp. 114 – 129

Abstract

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Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is an emerging zoonotic viral disease, with an increasingly international public health challenge. Despite the concerns that the global disease burden may be underestimated. Therefore, evaluation of the disease epidemiology in South – eastern Asia through a systematic review will assist in unraveling the burden of the disease in the subregion. A priori protocol was prepared for the systematic review and followed by a literature search involving five electronic databases. Identified publications were screened for high quality studies and the elimination of bias and relevant data extracted. A total of 4157 citations were captured, and only 35 were included in the review. A wide range of HEV seroprevalence was recorded from 2% (urban blood donors in Malaysia) to 77.7% (lowland communities in Lao PDR). Sporadic HEV infection and epidemics were also detected in the subregion. Indicating hyperendemicity of the disease in South – eastern Asia.

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