Exploring hepatitis E virus seroprevalence and associated risk factors among the human population in Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina

RIVERO, MARIANA ALEJANDRA; ARCE, LORENA PAOLA; GUTIÉRREZ, SILVINA ELENA; TISNÉS, ADELA; PASSUCCI, JUAN ANTONIO; SILVA, JULIA ANALIA; BARÓN PRATO, AYELÉN; SÁNCHEZ, FLORENCIA; MATIAS BRANCHER, JULIA; ESTEIN, SILVIA MARCELA; VIZOSO-PINTO, MARÍA GUADALUPE

Frontiers in Public Health

Reino Unido

Año: 2023 vol. 11 p. 1 - 13

Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is a common cause of acute clinicalhepatitis worldwide and is emerging as a disease in Argentina. It is primarilytransmitted through contaminated water and food, following the fecal-oral route.Furthermore, is a zoonotic disease with swine as the primary reservoir. Prevalenceof HEV infection in humans in several regions of Argentina remains unknown.Objectives: (i) Determine the seroprevalence of HEV among the human populationin Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina; (ii) Evaluate its association with demographic,socioeconomic and other risk exposures variables, and (iii) Describe and analyzespatial patterns related to HEV infection.Methods: From August 2020 to July 2021, serum samples were collected from969 individuals aged 1–80 years. Seroprevalence and 95% Confidence Intervalwas determined. To assess the factors associated with the presence of anti-HEVantibodies, associations between the variables and seropositivity were evaluatedthrough bivariate and multivariate analysis. Spatial scanning for clusters of positivitywas carried out. Factors associated with these clusters were also assessed.Results: Anti-HEV antibodies were detected in 4.64% (IC 95% 3.27–6.02) ofsamples. Dark urine was associated with seropositivity (p = 0.02). Seropositivitywas linked with the presence of natural water courses near their households(p = 0.02); the age (p = 0.04); and previous travel to Europe (p = 0.04). A spatialcluster of low rates of HEV seropositivity was detected, with greater distance ofthe households to water courses associated to the cluster, and male sex inverselyassociated to it.Discussion and conclusion: This study is the first study to investigate the prevalenceof HEV in the population from Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Considering HEVinfection in the differential diagnosis in individuals presenting acute hepatitisis highlighted. The incorporation of HEV testing into blood screening policiesshould be mandatory. Factors related to the infection and spatial patterns of high and low risk were determined, and should be considered when implementing specific preventive measures.