Key result
Among 251 HIV-infected patients in southern Iran, 10.4% were positive for anti-HEV IgG antibodies and 2.4% for HEV antigens, indicating a relatively low prevalence of HEV infection.
Why the study?
HIV-infected patients have immunological and clinical features that might affect the pathogenesis and outcome of HIV/HEV co-infection, prompting evaluation of HEV seroprevalence in this population.
Cross-Sectional (n=251)
No
The relatively low seroprevalence of HEV antibodies (10.4%) in HIV-infected patients in southern Iran suggests they may not be at greater risk of HEV infection than the general population.
Does not support increased HEV screening in HIV patients; leaves open whether seroprevalence matches general population rates in Iran.
OBJECTIVE: HIV-infected patients have immunological and clinical features that might affect the pathogenesis, as well as the outcome of the HIV/HEV co-infection. The current study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of anti-HEV antibodies and HEV antigens among HIV-infected patients in Fars Province, Southwest Iran. METHODS: Blood samples (5 mL) were collected from 251 HIV-confirmed patients. Respective data, including patients' demographic information, were obtained for each patient. The presence of HEV antigens and anti-HEV antibodies (IgG) were assessed by commercial ELISA kits, based on the manufacturers' instructions. RESULTS: Out of 251 cases, 158 (62.9%) were male and 91 (36.3%) were female. Patients' age varied from 14 to 83 (mean: 40 ± 9.7) years. Out of 251 HIV positive cases, 26 (10.4%) were positive for anti-HEV IgG antibodies and 6 (2.4%) were positive for HEV-antigens. Also, 2 (0.8%) of the patients were positive for both anti-HEV IgG antibodies and antigens. Statistical analysis revealed no significant association between sex and seropositivity to either HEV antigen or antibodies. Moreover, no significant association was seen between age and seropositivity to HEV antigen or antibody (P = 0.622 and 0.945, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our results showed a relatively low prevalence of HEV-antibodies in HIV-infected patients, indicating that HIV positive patients may not be at greater risk of HEV infection than the general population. Moreover, HEV-antigen was detected in a few cases of HIV-infected individuals which indicate an acute or chronic HEV infection in these patients.
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Shahriarirad et al. (2020) conducted a cross-sectional in HIV infection (n=251). HIV infection was evaluated on Seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG antibodies. Among 251 HIV-infected patients in southern Iran, 10.4% were positive for anti-HEV IgG antibodies and 2.4% for HEV antigens, indicating a relatively low prevalence of HEV infection.
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