Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus in chronic hepatitis C in Brazil

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Hepatitis E virus infection in patients with underlying chronic liver disease is associated with liver decompensation and increased lethality. The seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus in patients with chronic hepatitis C in Brazil is unknown. This study aims to estimate the seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus in patients with chronic hepatitis C and to describe associated risk factors. METHODS: A total of 618 patients chronically infected with hepatitis C virus from three reference centers of São Paulo, Brazil were included. Presence of anti-HEV IgG was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (WANTAI HEV-IgG ELISA). RESULTS: Out of the 618 patients tested, 10.2% turned out positive for anti-HEV IgG (95% CI 8.0-12.8%). Higher seroprevalence was found independently associated with age over 60 years (OR=2.04; p=0.02) and previous contact with pigs (OR=1.99; p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with chronic hepatitis C are under risk of hepatitis E virus superinfection in São Paulo. Contact with pigs is a risk factor for the infection, suggesting a possible zoonosis with oral transmission.