Evidence of hepatitis E virus infections among persons who use crack cocaine from the Midwest region of Brazil. Issue 1 (9th October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Castro, Vivianne O. L.; Tejada‐Strop, Alexandra; Weis, Sabrina M. S.; Stábile, Andrea C.; de Oliveira, Sandra M. V. L.; Teles, Sheila A.; Kamili, Saleem; Motta‐Castro, Ana Rita C.
• Is Part Of: Journal of medical virology. Volume 91:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 151
• Page End: 154
• Publication Date: 2018-10-09
• Subjects: Brazil -- crack cocaine -- hepatitis E virus -- seroprevalence; Virology -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1002/jmv.25288
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0146-6615

Abstract

Abstract : The current study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection among persons who use crack from Midwest region of Brazil. Sera samples from 698 users of crack, collected from November 2013 to July 2015 were tested for anti‐HEV immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) markers. Of the 698 serum samples, 99 (14.2%) were positive for anti‐HEV IgG. Two samples were positive for anti‐HEV IgM but both were negative for HEV RNA. The variables independently associated with anti‐HEV positivity were increasing age and absence of stable partnership. This study showed high prevalence of past hepatitis E virus infection among persons who use crack.