A nationwide retrospective study on prevalence of hepatitis E virus infection in Italian blood donors

Blood Transfusion = Trasfusione Del Sangue
Enea SpadaGiancarlo M Liumbruno

Abstract

In Europe, hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is mainly a food-borne zoonosis, but it can also be transmitted by blood transfusion. It is usually a mild and self-limited infection. However, immunocompromised persons, who are also those more likely to undergo blood transfusions, may develop chronic hepatitis and often cirrhosis. Since this is a potential threat to blood safety, we aimed to investigate HEV prevalence in Italian blood donors. We used plasma donations collected during 2015-2016 by blood services (BS) scattered throughout the Italian regions and intended for the production of plasma-derived medicines. Plasma samples were tested for IgG and IgM anti-HEV and for HEV RNA using validated assays. Data concerning donor's age and sex, and the location of the BS were collected. A total of 10,011 plasma samples were tested. Overall IgG and IgM prevalence rates were 8.7 and 0.4%, respectively. No sample was HEV RNA-positive. IgG prevalence was significantly higher in males and in donors aged 44 years and over. IgG prevalence differed greatly according to region. Overall regional rates over 15% were found in Abruzzo and in Sardinia, and rates of 10-15% were found in Lazio, Umbria and the Marche. Considering IgG prevalence accor...Continue Reading

Citations

Mar 3, 2020·Frontiers in Microbiology·Luca De SabatoAnna Rosa Garbuglia
Apr 5, 2020·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Marcello IaconelliGiuseppina La Rosa
Dec 16, 2020·Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI·Andrea PalombieriBarbara Di Martino
Jul 3, 2021·Viruses·Anna Rosa Garbuglia The Other Members Of The Hev Outbreak Working Group
Sep 4, 2021·Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare·Reem A Al DossaryKhaled R Alkharsah

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