scholarly journals Hepatitis E Virus Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors in Apparently Healthy Individuals from Osun State, Nigeria

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Folakemi Abiodun Osundare ◽  
Patrycja Klink ◽  
Catharina Majer ◽  
Olusola Aanuoluwapo Akanbi ◽  
Bo Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Associated Risk Factors ◽  
Apparently Healthy

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is a major public health concern in low-income countries, yet incidence and prevalence estimates are often lacking. Serum (n = 653) and faecal (n = 150) samples were collected from apparently healthy individuals using convenience sampling technique in six communities (Ore, Oke-Osun, Osogbo, Ede, Esa-Odo, and Iperindo) from Osun State, Nigeria. Serum samples were analysed for total anti-HEV IgG/IgM and anti-HEV IgM using commercially available HEV ELISA kits. Total anti-HEV positive serum and all stool samples were analysed for HEV RNA by RT-PCR. Overall, 15.0% (n = 98/653) and 3.8% (n = 25/653) of the serum samples were positive for anti-HEV total and IgM antibodies, respectively. Total anti-HEV and IgM in Ore, Oke-Osun, Osogbo, Ede, Esa-Odo, and Iperindo was 21.0% (n = 13/62) and 3.2% (n = 2/62), 19.4% (n = 20/103) and 6.8% (n = 7/103), 11.4% (n = 12/105) and 2.9% (n = 3/105), 8.0% (n = 16/199) and 1.5% (n = 3/199), 22.0% (n = 22/100) and 10.0% (n = 10/100), and 17.9% (n = 15/84) and 0.0% (n = 0/84), respectively. All samples (stool and serum) were HEV RNA negative. Anti-HEV seroprevalence was associated with rural location, increasing age, alcohol consumption, and rearing of animals. This study demonstrated a high anti-HEV seroprevalence in Osun State, indicating the need to implement surveillance and asses the hepatitis E burden in Nigeria.

Serological and molecular studies on subclinical hepatitis E virus infection using periodic serum samples obtained from healthy individuals

2005 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 526-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takehiro Mitsui ◽  
Yukie Tsukamoto ◽  
Shigeru Suzuki ◽  
Chikao Yamazaki ◽  
Kazuo Masuko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virus Infection ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Molecular Studies

scholarly journals Zinc Salts Block Hepatitis E Virus Replication by Inhibiting the Activity of Viral RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase

2017 ◽  
Vol 91 (21) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nidhi Kaushik ◽  
Chandru Subramani ◽  
Saumya Anang ◽  
Rajagopalan Muthumohan ◽  
Shalimar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Zinc Supplementation ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Genomic Rna ◽  
Rna Dependent Rna Polymerase ◽  
Zinc Salts

ABSTRACT Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes an acute, self-limiting hepatitis in healthy individuals and leads to chronic disease in immunocompromised individuals. HEV infection in pregnant women results in a more severe outcome, with the mortality rate going up to 30%. Though the virus usually causes sporadic infection, epidemics have been reported in developing and resource-starved countries. No specific antiviral exists against HEV. A combination of interferon and ribavirin therapy has been used to control the disease with some success. Zinc is an essential micronutrient that plays crucial roles in multiple cellular processes. Zinc salts are known to be effective in reducing infections caused by few viruses. Here, we investigated the effect of zinc salts on HEV replication. In a human hepatoma cell (Huh7) culture model, zinc salts inhibited the replication of genotype 1 (g-1) and g-3 HEV replicons and g-1 HEV infectious genomic RNA in a dose-dependent manner. Analysis of a replication-defective mutant of g-1 HEV genomic RNA under similar conditions ruled out the possibility of zinc salts acting on replication-independent processes. An ORF4-Huh7 cell line-based infection model of g-1 HEV further confirmed the above observations. Zinc salts did not show any effect on the entry of g-1 HEV into the host cell. Furthermore, our data reveal that zinc salts directly inhibit the activity of viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), leading to inhibition of viral replication. Taken together, these studies unravel the ability of zinc salts in inhibiting HEV replication, suggesting their possible therapeutic value in controlling HEV infection. IMPORTANCE Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a public health concern in resource-starved countries due to frequent outbreaks. It is also emerging as a health concern in developed countries owing to its ability to cause acute and chronic infection in organ transplant and immunocompromised individuals. Although antivirals such as ribavirin have been used to treat HEV cases, there are known side effects and limitations of such therapy. Our discovery of the ability of zinc salts to block HEV replication by virtue of their ability to inhibit the activity of viral RdRp is important because these findings pave the way to test the efficacy of zinc supplementation therapy in HEV-infected patients. Since zinc supplementation therapy is known to be safe in healthy individuals and since high-dose zinc is used in the treatment of Wilson's disease, it may be possible to control HEV-associated health problems following a similar treatment regimen.

scholarly journals Hepatitis E Vaccine to Prevent Morbidity and Mortality During Epidemics

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenrad E. Nelson ◽  
James W. K. Shih ◽  
Jun Zhang ◽  
Qinjian Zhao ◽  
Ningshao Xia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
World Health ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Regulatory Agencies ◽  
Large Clinical Trial ◽  
Humanitarian Crises ◽  
A Subunit ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract Recurrent, large, waterborne epidemics of hepatitis E virus (HEV) occur regularly after monsoon rains contaminate water supplies in Asia or during humanitarian crises in Africa. These epidemics commonly affect thousands of persons, and it has a high mortality in pregnant women who become infected. Although a subunit HEV vaccine has been developed by Chinese investigators and was found to be highly effective and safe in a large clinical trial, this vaccine is only available in China. Until it is prequalified by the World Health Organization, the vaccine may not be available for use outside of China in low-income countries that lack national vaccine regulatory agencies. In this manuscript, we explore possible strategies for providing access to this potentially important vaccine for international use in responding to epidemics of HEV in low-resource countries.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors for Anaemia Among Pregnant Women Attending Ante-Natal Clinic, Eswatini

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rumbidzai Dodzo ◽  
Ropo Ebenezer Ogunsakin ◽  
Themba G. Ginindza
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Neonatal Deaths ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Anaemia In Pregnancy ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

Abstract Background: Anaemia is one of the most common nutritional deficiency diseases observed globally and it affects about a third of the world’s population. Anaemia in pregnant women is a worldwide public health concern that has severe consequences for both mothers and infants, including maternal death and foetal and infant mortality. In Low-income countries (LICs), 25% of indirect maternal mortality and 30% of neonatal deaths are due to anaemia in pregnancy. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of anaemia and assess associated factors among pregnant women attending ante-natal care (ANC) clinic in the Kingdom of Eswatini, which might help for screening, prevention and treatment of anaemia and ultimately prevent its adverse effects. Method: A total of 550 pregnant women between 15 and 49 years from three health facilities were randomly enrolled using a cross-sectional study design, from January to March 2021. Non-probability sampling approach was used to select the appropriate study unit. A face-toface interview was done using a structured questionnaire to collect data. Multiple logistic regression was performed to assess the factors associated with anaemia among the women.Results: The overall anaemia prevalence among pregnant women was 43.1% (95% CI: 38.947.3). The mild, moderate and severe cases of anaemia were 21.3% (95%CI: 17.9-24.9); 21.1% (95%CI: 17.8-24.7) and 0.7% (95%CI: 0.2-1.9), respectively. The prevalence of anaemia was high among women aged 20-24 (11.1%, 95%CI: 8.6-14.0) and 25-29years (11.1%, 95%CI: 8.6-14.0). Factors associated with anaemia included living in the urban area (OR=1.8, 95%CI: 1.19-2.72, p=0.005) and having anaemia 6 months before pregnancy (OR=4.64, 95%CI: 1.1518.71, p=0.031). Additionally, gestational age at first ANC also was positively associated with anaemia: 3rd trimester (OR=10.42, 95%CI: 4.27-25.4, p<0.001) and 2nd trimester (OR=1.62, 95%CI: 1.02-2.60, p=0.043) Conclusion: Anaemia remains prevalent among pregnant women in Eswatini. Thus, a comprehensive anaemia prevention program would be justified and could lower the country’s burden of anemia.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of Dromedary Camel HEV in Domestic and Imported Camels from Saudi Arabia

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 553
Author(s):  
Sherif Aly El-Kafrawy ◽  
Ahmed Mohamed Hassan ◽  
Mai Mohamed El-Daly ◽  
Ishtiaq Qadri ◽  
Ahmed Majdi Tolah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
P Value ◽  
Contaminated Water ◽  
Dromedary Camel ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Major Health

Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) imposes a major health concern in areas with very poor sanitation in Africa and Asia. The pathogen is transmitted mainly through ingesting contaminated water or food, coming into contact with affected people, and blood transfusions. Very few reports including old reports are available on the prevalence of HEV in Saudi Arabia in humans and no reports exist on HEV prevalence in camels. Dromedary camel trade and farming are increasing in Saudi Arabia with importation occurring unidirectionally from Africa to Saudi Arabia. DcHEV transmission to humans has been reported in one case from the United Arab Emeritus (UAE). This instigated us to perform this investigation of the seroprevalence of HEV in imported and domestic camels in Saudi Arabia. Serum samples were collected from imported and domestic camels. DcHEV-Abs were detected in collected sera using ELISA. The prevalence of DcHEV in the collected samples was 23.1% with slightly lower prevalence in imported camels than domestic camels (22.4% vs. 25.4%, p value = 0.3). Gender was significantly associated with the prevalence of HEV in the collected camels (p value = 0.015) where males (31.6%) were more infected than females (13.4%). This study is the first study to investigate the prevalence of HEV in dromedary camels from Saudi Arabia. The high seroprevalence of DcHEV in dromedaries might indicate their role as a zoonotic reservoir for viral infection to humans. Future HEV seroprevalence studies in humans are needed to investigate the role of DcHEV in the Saudi human population.

scholarly journals Serological Evidence of Hepatitis E Virus in Dromedary Camels in the Sahelian Zone of West Africa

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Jean Bienvenue Ouoba ◽  
Anne Ouedraogo ◽  
Kuan Abdoulaye Traore ◽  
Bruno L. Ouoba ◽  
Hortense Rouamba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Epidemiological Survey ◽  
Dromedary Camel ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
African Mammals ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

Aim: This study was undertaken to determine the sero-epidemiological information and associated risk factors, of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) among dromedaries in Sub-sahelian region. Study Design: Cross sectional epidemiological survey. Place and Duration: The study was carried out in three countries of West Africa (Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger), over a two month period from February to March 2015. Methodology: A total of 133 serum samples collected from dromedaries (Camelus dromedarius) were examined for the detection of anti-DcHEV total antibody by a mammals targeted ELISA kit (ID vet, France), using a multispecies conjugate. Results: Eleven of the 133 (8.33%; 95%CI [3.6 – 13.0]) dromedaries were positive for anti-DcHEV antibodies. Positive cases had a random geographic distribution (p˃0.05) and all seropositive dromedaries were in close contact with other domestic animals. Conclusion: This study highlight the circulation of HEV in West African mammals and specifically in dromedaries. This is the first study reporting HEV circulation in dromedaries in West Africa. Further studies is needed to identify the HEV genotype involved in the dromedary camel infection, and evaluation of potential transmission to dromedary’s care keepers.

scholarly journals Epidemiology and genotype 3 subtype dynamics of hepatitis E virus in Belgium, 2010 to 2017

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Suin ◽  
Sofieke E Klamer ◽  
Veronik Hutse ◽  
Magali Wautier ◽  
Marjorie Jacques ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Rna Virus ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Genotype 3 ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Genotype 4 ◽  
Reference Centre ◽  
Surveillance Report ◽  
Epidemiological Trends

Background Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging public health concern in high-income countries and can cause acute and chronic hepatitis. Reported numbers of indigenously acquired HEV infection have increased in the past decade in many European countries. Since 2010, the National Reference Centre (NRC) for Hepatitis Viruses has been testing samples of suspected hepatitis E cases in Belgium. Aim In this surveillance report, we present the epidemiological trends of symptomatic HEV infections in Belgium, from the distribution by age, sex and geography to the molecular characterisation of the viral strains. Method Serum samples of suspected cases sent to the NRC between 2010 and 2017 were analysed for the presence of HEV-specific IgM and RNA. Virus was sequenced for genotyping and phylogenetic analysis in all samples containing sufficient viral RNA. Results The NRC reported an increase in the number of samples from suspected cases (from 309 to 2,663 per year) and in the number of laboratory-confirmed hepatitis E cases (from 25 to 117 per year). Among 217 sequenced samples, 92.6% were genotype 3 (HEV-3), followed by 6.5% of genotype 1 and 0.9% of genotype 4. HEV-3 subtype viruses were mainly 3f, 3c and 3e. HEV-3f was the most common subtype until 2015, while HEV-3c became the most common subtype in 2016 and 2017. Conclusion The increasing trend of HEV diagnoses in Belgium may be largely explained by increased awareness and testing.

scholarly journals Will Households Invest in Safe Sanitation? Results from an Experimental Demand Trial in Nakuru, Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4462
Author(s):  
Rachel Peletz ◽  
Caroline Delaire ◽  
Joan Kones ◽  
Clara MacLeod ◽  
Edinah Samuel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Market Prices ◽  
Price Point ◽  
Improved Sanitation ◽  
Sanitation Infrastructure ◽  
The City ◽  
Experimental Demand

Unsafe sanitation is an increasing public health concern for rapidly expanding cities in low-income countries. Understanding household demand for improved sanitation infrastructure is critical for planning effective sanitation investments. In this study, we compared the stated and revealed willingness to pay (WTP) for high-quality, pour-flush latrines among households in low-income areas in the city of Nakuru, Kenya. We found that stated WTP for high-quality, pour-flush latrines was much lower than market prices: less than 5% of households were willing to pay the full costs, which we estimated between 87,100–82,900 Kenyan Shillings (KES), or 871–829 USD. In addition, we found large discrepancies between stated and revealed WTP. For example, 90% of households stated that they would be willing to pay a discounted amount of 10,000 KES (100 USD) for a high-quality, pour-flush latrine, but only 10% of households redeemed vouchers at this price point (paid via six installment payments). Households reported that financial constraints (i.e., lack of cash, other spending priorities) were the main barriers to voucher redemption, even at highly discounted prices. Our results emphasize the importance of financial interventions that address the sizable gaps between the costs of sanitation products and customer demand among low-income populations.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and associated risk factors in domestic pigs raised from Cuba

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julio César Castillo-Cuenca ◽  
Álvaro Martínez-Moreno ◽  
José Manuel Diaz-Cao ◽  
Angel Entrena-García ◽  
Jorge Fraga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Meat Products ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Weaning Pigs ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

AbstractA cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and associated risk factors in pigs in the largest pork-producing region in Cuba. Serum samples from 420 pigs, including 210 sows and 210 post-weaning pigs, were tested for antibodies against T. gondii using a commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Anti-T. gondii antibodies were detected in 56 animals (13.3%, 95% CI: 10.1–16.6). A generalized estimating equations model revealed that the risk factors associated with higher seropositivity in pigs were altitude (higher in farm’s location < 250 m above sea level (masl) versus ≥ 250 masl) and age (higher in sows compared to post-weaning pigs). The results indicated that this protozoan parasite is widely distributed on pig farms in the study area, which is a public health concern since the consumption of raw or undercooked pork meat products containing tissue cysts is considered one of the main routes of T. gondii transmission worldwide. Control measures should be implemented to reduce the risk of exposure to T. gondii in pigs in Cuba.

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