Abstract:
Introduction. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is an increasingly recognized public
health concern, particularly for pregnant women who are at greater risk of severe disease
and adverse pregnancy outcomes. In regions where sanitation and water safety may be
variable, understanding the prevalence of HEV and related factors is essential to develop
effective preventive strategies.
Purpose of the study. This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of Anti-HEV IgG and
IgM antibodies in pregnant women from different geographic areas of Moldova and to
explore their obstetric histories, presence of recent clinical symptoms, and previous
pregnancy complications.
Material and methods. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted involving 256
pregnant women from northern, central, and southern regions of Moldova. Each participant
underwent serological testing for Anti-HEV IgG and IgM antibodies. Information was also
collected regarding the number of previous pregnancies, history of obstetric complications,
presence of recent symptoms suggestive of viral infection, and environmental risk exposures
such as source of drinking water and contact with animals. Data analysis involved
descriptive statistics including frequency distributions and mean values.
Results. The seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG was 6.6% (17 of 256 women), while 5.1% (13
women) tested positive for anti-HEV IgM, indicating recent infection. The majority of
participants (64%) resided in the central region, followed by 19% in the north and 17% in the
south. The mean number of previous pregnancies was 1.87, with some women having up to
nine. Complications in previous pregnancies were reported by approximately 25% of
participants, the most common being cesarean sections, antenatal deaths, and pregnancy
stagnation. Notably, 75% of women reported no prior complications. Regarding clinical
presentation, 94% of women denied recent symptoms, 5.5% reported fatigue, and only one
case presented with both fatigue and dark urine. Concerning environmental exposure, most
participants used centralized water supplies and denied high-risk behaviors such as
consuming undercooked meat or contact with pigs or wild animals.
Conclusions. This study revealed a moderate prevalence of HEV exposure among pregnant
women in Moldova, with most cases remaining asymptomatic. The findings highlight the
importance of continued monitoring of HEV infection, especially among women with
complex obstetric histories. Early recognition of HEV exposure, coupled with targeted public
health education and improved sanitation measures, may help mitigate adverse outcomes
for both mothers and infants.
