Investigation of Hepatitis E Virus Seroprevalence at Bursa Uludağ University Faculty of Medicine Hospital

This study aimed to determine Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) seroprevalence in patients at a tertiary center in Southern Marmara, Türkiye, and evaluate regional epidemiology. A retrospective analysis of 288 serum samples (May 2023–June 2025) was performed. Anti-HEV IgM and IgG were measured by ELISA, and data were statistically analyzed. Anti-HEV IgG positivity was 1.7%, anti-HEV IgM positivity was 2.1%, and 96.2% of the samples were negative for both markers. No acute HEV infection was confirmed in IgM-positive patients. Children with IgM positivity often had hematological diseases and Epstein-Barr or parvovirus co-infections, suggesting possible cross-reactivity. HEV prevalence is low in Southern Marmara. Due to serological test limitations and false positives, molecular methods like HEV RNA testing are needed for accurate acute infection diagnosis. Broader epidemiological studies incorporating molecular confirmation methods are recommended for a more definitive understanding of HEV status.