Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Among Boston Area Travelers, 2009-2010

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2017 Apr;96(4):929-934. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0727. Epub 2017 Jan 30.

Abstract

AbstractWe determined the prevalence of IgG antibodies to hepatitis E virus (anti-HEV IgG) among travelers attending Boston-area travel health clinics from 2009 to 2010. Pre-travel samples were available for 1,356 travelers, with paired pre- and post-travel samples for 450 (33%). Eighty of 1,356 (6%) pre-travel samples were positive for anti-HEV IgG. Compared with participants who had never lived in nor traveled to a highly endemic country, the pre-travel prevalence odds ratio (POR) of anti-HEV IgG among participants born in or with a history of previous travel to a highly endemic country was increased (POR = 4.8, 95% CI = 2.3-10.3 and POR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.4-5.0, respectively). Among participants with previous travel to a highly endemic country, anti-HEV IgG was associated with age > 40 years (POR = 3.7, 95% CI = 1.3-10.2) and travel history to ≥ 3 highly endemic countries (POR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.2-5.9). Two participants may have contracted HEV infection during their 2009-2010 trip.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Boston
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Endemic Diseases
  • Female
  • Global Health
  • Hepatitis E / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Seroconversion
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies*
  • Travel*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin G