Study on hepatitis E virus infection in rural general population in Zhejiang province

  Objective   To investigate the seroprevalence, epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in rural area of Zhenjiang provine and explore the association between breeding livestocks and hepatitis E virus infection.

  Methods   Cluster sampling was used in norther nrural area of Zhejiang province in 2003.In a door to door survey, 850 healthy persons aged over 7 years were interviewed. Anti-HEV IgG and IgM were tested by commercial ELISA kits. Correlated risk factors were studied.

  Results   The anti-HEV IgG and IgM prevalence were 46.35% (394/850) and 3.06% (26/850), respectively in the general population. The seropositivity rates of anti-HEV IgG in male and female were 53.62% and 39.45% respectively (P < 0.001) and the anti-HEV IgM were 1.45% and 4.59% respectively (P < 0.01). The antibodies increased with advancing age, but remain a stable level from the age of 45, the seropositivity rates of aged 25 and > 25 were 15.22% and 52.88% respectively (P < 0.001).

  Conclusion   The prevalence of hepatitis E virus infection in this district was higher than any other reported districts in China. HEV infection was significantly associated with gender and age. Males were easily to contact hepatitis E virus. The prevalence of heaptitis E increased with age, but remained a stable level from certain age. No statistical association was met between HEV infection and the risk factors was assessed.