Scientific Journal of

  Abstract

 Background and Objectives

  Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes enterically transmitted acute viral hepatitis. Hepatitis E virus infection spreads by the fecal-oral route. However, blood donors might transmit HEV during the transient phase of viremia that precedes the onset of symptoms. To our knowledge, few reports on the prevalence of Hepatitis E in Iranian blood donors exist. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of anti-HEV among male blood donors in Tabriz.

  Materials and Methods

  This cross-sectional study was carried out between July and August 2004 in Tabriz. Serum samples were collected from 399 voluntary male blood donors and tested for anti-HEV IgG using EIA. All the subjects were negative for anti-HIV, anti-HBV and anti-HCV antibodies.

 Results

  The prevalence of anti-HEV IgG among 399 blood donors was 7.8% (95% CI: 5.2%-10.4%). Seropositive subjects had a mean of 40.7 ± 12.4 SD. Donors who were 40 and older (14 out of 83) had significantly higher seroprevalence than those who were younger than 40 (17 of 316) (p<0.001). 3 of 11 illiterate donors had anti-HEV IgG. Among educated donors 10 of 88, 14 of 206 and 4 of 94 in elementary, intermediate and college levels were positive respectively (p<0.025).

 Conclusions

  These findings demonstrate the high seropositive rate of anti-HEV among male blood donors in Iran that is compatible with endemicity of this virus in our country.

 Key words: Blood donor, Hepatitis E, HEV