Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in Ireland

C. Hickey; D. Spillane; J. Benson; J. Levis; L. J. Fanning; B. Cryan; Michael B. Prentice

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in Ireland

C. Hickey
, D. Spillane
, J. Benson
, J. Levis
, L. J. Fanning
, B. Cryan
, Michael B. Prentice

School of Medicine

University College Cork

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a single stranded RNA virus causing infection worldwide. In developing countries HEV genotypes 1 and 2 spread faeco-orally via water. Recently,infections with HEV have been detected in Europe and North America in patients with no travel history. These are food-borne HEV genotypes 3 and 4,a pig-associated zoonosis. Most infections are asymptomatic but morbidity and chronic infection may occur with prior liver disease or immunosuppression. International seroprevalence rates vary and with improved diagnostics have increased. To determine the current prevalence in this region we studied anonymised serum samples submitted in 2015 for routine testing. We detected anti-HEV IgG in 16/198 (8%) individuals,highest rate in 40-59 year olds (43.8%). This is higher than reported for the same region in 1995 (0.4%) using a previous generation assay. This study provides evidence of HEV circulation in Ireland and reinforces the need for ongoing surveillance.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	451
Number of pages	1
Journal	Irish Medical Journal
Volume	109
Issue number	8
Publication status	Published - Sep 2016

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This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Cite this

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title = "Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in Ireland",

abstract = "Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a single stranded RNA virus causing infection worldwide. In developing countries HEV genotypes 1 and 2 spread faeco-orally via water. Recently,infections with HEV have been detected in Europe and North America in patients with no travel history. These are food-borne HEV genotypes 3 and 4,a pig-associated zoonosis. Most infections are asymptomatic but morbidity and chronic infection may occur with prior liver disease or immunosuppression. International seroprevalence rates vary and with improved diagnostics have increased. To determine the current prevalence in this region we studied anonymised serum samples submitted in 2015 for routine testing. We detected anti-HEV IgG in 16/198 (8\%) individuals,highest rate in 40-59 year olds (43.8\%). This is higher than reported for the same region in 1995 (0.4\%) using a previous generation assay. This study provides evidence of HEV circulation in Ireland and reinforces the need for ongoing surveillance.",

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T1 - Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in Ireland

AU - Hickey, C.

AU - Spillane, D.

AU - Benson, J.

AU - Levis, J.

AU - Fanning, L. J.

AU - Cryan, B.

AU - Prentice, Michael B.

PY - 2016/9

Y1 - 2016/9

N2 - Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a single stranded RNA virus causing infection worldwide. In developing countries HEV genotypes 1 and 2 spread faeco-orally via water. Recently,infections with HEV have been detected in Europe and North America in patients with no travel history. These are food-borne HEV genotypes 3 and 4,a pig-associated zoonosis. Most infections are asymptomatic but morbidity and chronic infection may occur with prior liver disease or immunosuppression. International seroprevalence rates vary and with improved diagnostics have increased. To determine the current prevalence in this region we studied anonymised serum samples submitted in 2015 for routine testing. We detected anti-HEV IgG in 16/198 (8%) individuals,highest rate in 40-59 year olds (43.8%). This is higher than reported for the same region in 1995 (0.4%) using a previous generation assay. This study provides evidence of HEV circulation in Ireland and reinforces the need for ongoing surveillance.

AB - Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a single stranded RNA virus causing infection worldwide. In developing countries HEV genotypes 1 and 2 spread faeco-orally via water. Recently,infections with HEV have been detected in Europe and North America in patients with no travel history. These are food-borne HEV genotypes 3 and 4,a pig-associated zoonosis. Most infections are asymptomatic but morbidity and chronic infection may occur with prior liver disease or immunosuppression. International seroprevalence rates vary and with improved diagnostics have increased. To determine the current prevalence in this region we studied anonymised serum samples submitted in 2015 for routine testing. We detected anti-HEV IgG in 16/198 (8%) individuals,highest rate in 40-59 year olds (43.8%). This is higher than reported for the same region in 1995 (0.4%) using a previous generation assay. This study provides evidence of HEV circulation in Ireland and reinforces the need for ongoing surveillance.

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M3 - Article

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SN - 0332-3102

VL - 109

SP - 451

JO - Irish Medical Journal

JF - Irish Medical Journal

IS - 8

ER -

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in Ireland

Abstract

UN SDGs

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