Current epidemiology of hepatitis E virus infection in the United States: Low seroprevalence in the National Health and Nutrition Evaluation Survey. Issue 3 (17th July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ditah, Ivo; Ditah, Fausta; Devaki, Pardha; Ditah, Calistus; Kamath, Patrick S.; Charlton, Michael
• Is Part Of: Hepatology. Volume 60:Issue 3(2014:Sep.)
• Page Start: 815
• Page End: 822
• Publication Date: 2014-07-17
• Subjects: Heart -- Diseases -- Nursing -- Periodicals; Lungs -- Diseases -- Nursing -- Periodicals; Intensive care nursing -- Periodicals; Foie -- Maladies -- Périodiques; 616.362
• DOI: 10.1002/hep.27219
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0270-9139

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Evaluation Survey (NHANES) 1988‐1994 dataset found a relatively high seroprevalence (21%) of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in the U.S. general population. Using data obtained within the NHANES 2009‐2010 survey, where a high performance assay for HEV was used, we estimated the weighted seroprevalence of HEV infection among U.S. individuals 6 years and older. We also evaluated factors associated with HEV seropositivity. A total of 8, 814 individuals were included in the analysis. The median age of study participants was 37 years (interquartile range [IQR] 17‐58 years), with 51.2% being female. The weighted national seroprevalence of HEV was 6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.1%‐6.9%). About 0.5% of those with HEV had evidence of recent exposure (immunoglobulin M‐positive). In the univariate analyses, factors associated with HEV seropositivity were increasing age (<italic>P</italic>‐trend < 0.001), birth outside of the U.S., Hispanic race, and "meat" consumption (>10 times/month). No significant association was observed with low socioeconomic status, water source, or level of education. In the multivariate analysis, only older age remained predictive of HEV seropositivity. <italic>Conclusion</italic>: The weighted national seroprevalence of HEV in the U.S. is much less than previously reported. Using data obtained with a high performance assay, the seroprevalence of HEV was estimated at 6.0% in the U.S. Based on these results, the seroprevalence of HEV is only one‐third as high as previously reported. (H<sc>epatology</sc> 2014;60:815–822)</p> </abstract>