Author/Authors :
Fazel, H Virology Department - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Shadmand, E Department of Microbiology and Immunology - Jahrom University of Medical Sciences , Baharlou, R Department of Immunology - School of medicine - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Shokouh, M R Department of Microbiology and Immunology - Jahrom University of Medical Sciences , Hashemi, S M A Virology Department - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Farahmand, M Virology Department - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Ahmadi Vasmehjani, A Department of Microbiology and Immunology - Jahrom University of Medical Sciences , Sadeghi, K Virology Department - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences
Abstract :
Background and Aims: Co-infection of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in chronic hepatitis C virus
(HCV) infected patients can develop and cause an increase in liver disease and hepatic
complications in the world. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of HEV
infection in patients suffering from chronic HCV infection.
Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study testing anti-HEV antibodies in serum
samples belonged to 53 chronic HCV infected patients were evaluated. Demographic and
clinical data such as liver function tests and enzymes level were prospectively collected on
each patient with chronic HCV infection.
Results: There were 5 HEV infected patients IgG positive among the 53 chronic HCV
infected patients. These patients had an alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level twice the upper
level about of the 48 HEV negative patients (p<0.0001).
Conclusions: Prevalence of HEV sero-positivity patients with HCV co-infection patients was
9.4%. Our results suggest that HEV screening should be implemented in HCV-infected
patients with cancer.
