Emerging Infectious Diseases (Dec 2011)

Hepatitis E Virus Antibodies in Blood Donors, France

  • Jean-Michel Mansuy,
  • Richard Bendall,
  • Florence Legrand-Abravanel,
  • Karine Sauné,
  • Marcel Miédouge,
  • Vic Ellis,
  • Henri Rech,
  • François Destruel,
  • Nassim Kamar,
  • Harry R. Dalton,
  • Jacques Izopet

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid1712.110371
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17, no. 12
pp. 2309 – 2312

Abstract

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Using a validated sensitive assay, we found hepatitis E virus (HEV) IgG in 52.5% of voluntary blood donors in southwestern France. This finding suggests HEV is highly endemic to this region. The high HEV prevalence may reflect local dietary practices, such as eating uncooked pork and game products.

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