Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E virus in five high-risk populations from the Republic of Moldova: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

The study has assessed the seroprevalence of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) markers in different at-risk groups within the Republic of Moldova. The risk groups included blood donors, hemodialysed pаtients, medical workers, tuberculosis (TB) patients, and intravenous drug users (IDUS). A cross-sectional descriptive-epidemiological study was conducted from 2019 to 2023, with participants randomly selected from different risk groups. Blood samples were collected and tested using ELISA for Anti-HEV IgG and IgM markers. Seroprevalence was calculated with 95% confidence intervals, and statistical analyses were conducted using Epi Info 72 software. Among 794 tested blood donors, 9.6% (95% Cl: 7.7-11.8) were positive for Anti-HEV IgG, indicating past exposure, and 8.3% (95% CI: 6.3-10.8) for Anti-HEV IgM, suggesting recent infection. Hemodialyzed patients had a significantly higher seroprevalence: 45.8% (95% CI: 34.8-571) for Anti-HEV IgG and 21.6% (95% CI: 9.8-38.2) for Anti-HEV IgM. Medical workers exhibited moderate IgG prevalence at 118% (95% Cl: 9.1-15.0) and substantially higher IgM prevalence at 38.1% (95% CI: 26.1-51.2). ТВ раtients had lower IgG (11.9%, 95% Cl: 7.8-17.2) and IgM (78%, 95% Cl: 3.6-14.3) prevalences. IDUs had a notable IgG prevalence of 20.5% (95% Cl: 12.6-30.4) but no detectable IgM. This study highlights the significant burden of hepatitis E virus infection among at-risk populations in the Republic of Moldova.

Studiul a evaluat seroprevalenţa markerilor virusului hepatitei E (VHE) în grupuri de risc din Republica Moldova: donatori de sânge, pacienţi hemodializați, lucrători medicali, pacienţi cu tuberculoză (TB) şi utilizatori de droguri intravenoase (UDI). Între 2019 şi 2023, s-a efectuat un studiu transversal descriptiv-epidemiologic, cu participanți selectați aleatoriu. Probele de sânge au fost analizate prin ELISA pentru Anti-HEV IgG şi IgM. Seroprevalentaa fost calculată cu intervale de încredere de 95%, iar analizele statistice au fost efectuate cu Epi Info 7.2. Dintre cei 794 de donatori de sânge, 9,6% (IC 95%: 7,7-11,8) au fost pozitivi pentru Anti-HEV IgG şi 8,3% (IC 95%: 6,3-10,8) pentru Anti-HEV IgM. Pacienții hemodializați au prezentat seroprevalenţe mai mari: 45,8% (IC 95%: 34,8-57,1) pentru IgG şi 21,6% (IC 95%: 9,8-38,2) pentru IgM. La lucrătorii medicali, prevalenţa IgG a fost de 11,8% (IC 95%: 9,1-15,0), iar cea a IgM de 38,1% (IC 95%: 26,1-51,2). Pacienții cu TB au avut prevalenţe de 11,9% (IC 95%: 7,8-17,2) pentru IgG şi 7,8% (IC 95%: 3,6-14,3) pentru IgM. UDI au prezentat o prevalență de 20,5% (IC 95%: 12,6-30,4) pentru IgG, färä IgM detectabil. Studiul nostru relevä severitatea infecţiei cu virusul hepatitis E în grupurile de risc din Republica Moldova.