Environmental hepatitis E virus detection supported by serological evidence in the Northwest of Argentina.

MARÍA B. PISANO; BELÉN C. LUGOA; RAMIRO POMA; HECTOR ANTONIO CRISTÓBAL; VIVIANA RASKOVSKY; MARIBEL G. MARTÍNEZ WASSAF; VERONICA B RAJAL; VIVIANA E. RÉA

TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE

ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2018 vol. 112 p. 181 - 187

0035-9203

Background: Hepatitis E virus is an emergent agent of acute hepatitis worldwide. Water contamination is a possible source of viral infection. However, in America -particularly in Argentina- little is known about environmental HEV circulation, including recreational water. The aim of this work was to provide evidence of current environmental and human circulation of HEV in Northern Argentina. Methods: Molecular detection in water samples from Arias-Arenales river in the city of Salta, by nested-PCR (HEV ORF2 region), and serological HEV detection in general population by ELISA (IgG and IgM) were carried out. Results: One point six percent (1.6%; 3/189) of the environmental samples resulted positive for RNA detection. All sequences belonged to HEV genotype 3 and were very similar to those previously detected in the country. The general prevalence for IgG anti-HEV was 9% (13/143). Three samples were positive for specific IgM detection. Conclusions: Circulation of HEV in the Northwest of Argentina was demonstrated for the first time, showing viral presence in environmental samples and infections in general population. These findings position recreational waters as a possible source of virus and highlight the need to incorporate HEV detection in the diagnostic algorithm for viral hepatitis. Accession numbers: KX812463, KY511413.