Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E among Boston Area Travelers, 2009-2010
Date
2017-01
Authors
Barbre, Kira A.
Jentes, Emily S.
Drobeniuc, Jan
Kamilli, Saleem
Hamer, Davidson H.
Barnett, Elizabeth D.
Version
OA Version
Citation
Kira A. Barbre, Emily S. Jentes, Jan Drobeniuc, Saleem Kamili, Davidson H. Hamer, Elizabeth D. Barnett. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygience. 2017 Jan; 96(4):929-934. 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0727
Abstract
We determined the prevalence of IgG antibodies to hepatitis E virus (anti-HEV IgG) among travelers
attending Boston-area travel health clinics from 2009 to 2010. Pre-travel samples were available for 1,356 travelers,
with paired pre- and post-travel samples for 450 (33%). Eighty of 1,356 (6%) pre-travel samples were positive
for anti-HEV IgG. Compared with participants who had never lived in nor traveled to a highly endemic
country, the pre-travel prevalence odds ratio (POR) of anti-HEV IgG among participants born in or with a history
of previous travel to a highly endemic country was increased (POR = 4.8, 95% CI = 2.3–10.3 and POR = 2.6,
95% CI = 1.4–5.0, respectively). Among participants with previous travel to a highly endemic country, anti-HEV
IgG was associated with age > 40 years (POR = 3.7, 95% CI = 1.3–10.2) and travel history to ≥ 3 highly endemic
countries (POR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.2–5.9). Two participants may have contracted HEV infection during their
2009–2010 trip.
Description
License
Copyright © 2017 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene