Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (Apr 2019)

Serological and molecular retrospective analysis of hepatitis E suspected cases from the Eastern Brazilian Amazon 1993-2014

  • Alex Junior Souza de Souza,
  • Andreza Pinheiro Malheiros,
  • Vânia Pinto Sarmento,
  • Fabricio de Souza Resende,
  • Max Moreira Alves,
  • Heloisa Marceliano Nunes,
  • Manoel do Carmo Pereira Soares,
  • Lilian Rose Marques de Sá

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0465-2018
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 52, no. 0

Abstract

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Abstract INTRODUCTION We evaluated the anti-hepatitis E virus (HEV) antibody prevalence and HEV-RNA in archived serum samples of non-A-C hepatitis, or suspected cases of HEV infection from the Eastern Brazilian Amazon from 1993 to 2014. METHODS Serum samples (n = 318) were tested using ELISA and immunoblotting, and screened for HEV-RNA by RT-qPCR. RESULTS Anti-HEV IgM and IgG were detected in 3.4% (11/318) and 5.9% (19/318) of the samples, respectively. All samples were HEV-RNA negative. CONCLUSIONS HEV was detected at a low prevalence. Broader serological and molecular evaluation of HEV infection in the Amazon region should be carried out.

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