Acute hepatitis E virus infection in a migrant population in North East Italy: A retrospective analysis. Issue 20 (November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bradanini, Lucia; Youkee, Daniel; Fabris, Paolo; Romanò, Luisa; Brunetti, Enrico; Giordani, Maria Teresa
• Is Part Of: Travel medicine and infectious disease. Issue 20(2017)
• Page Start: 37
• Page End: 42
• Publication Date: 2017-11
• Subjects: Hepatitis E virus -- HEV -- Migrant -- Italy -- Viral hepatitis; Travel -- Health aspects -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Tropical medicine -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2017.03.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1477-8939

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To study the epidemiological and clinical features of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) infection in a migrant population. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review, identifying a cohort of 21 symptomatic patients of migrant origin with confirmed HEV infection admitted in the period between January 1995–November 2014. Results: 20 (95%) patients came from South Asian countries highly endemic for HEV, all positive for HEV genotype 1. Recent travel to a highly endemic country was the most consistent risk factor identified in 90% of cases, duration from return to Italy to hospitalization ranged from 10 to 120 days. Nausea and vomiting (100%), jaundice (95.2%), and anorexia (85.7%) were the most common reported symptoms. Fever was present in 57.1% of cases. Transaminase values were elevated in all patients and serum bilirubin was raised in 86% of patients. We found no statistically significant differences between clinical symptoms, laboratory results or duration of hospitalization in patients with co-morbidities compared to those without. We also report a secondary case of HEV genotype 1 transmitted within Italy. Conclusion: Our study highlights the epidemiological risk factors and clinical features of HEV infection in a migrant population in Italy and should stimulate further research regarding the prevalence and morbidity of HEV within migrant populations in Europe.