SEROPREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS E VIRUS AMONG VOLUNTARY BLOOD DONORS IN CHENNAI -A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

A.ANBARASI; R.SREEDEVI; P.ARUMUGAM; SWATHANDRAN HAMSAVARDHINI

Volume : VIII, Issue : III, March - 2019

SEROPREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS E VIRUS AMONG VOLUNTARY BLOOD DONORS IN CHENNAI -A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

A. Anbarasi, R. Sreedevi, P. Arumugam, Swathandran Hamsavardhini

Abstract :

HEV is a transfusion transmissible infection. Samples from 89 whole blood donors were tested for anti–HEV immunoglobulin IgG and IgM by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Enzyme alanine aminotransferase (ALT) testing was also performed as a surrogate marker. A total of 10 of 89 blood donors tested positive for anti–HEV IgG (11.2% seroprevalence). None of the 89 donors were positive for IgM anti–HEV. Enzyme Alanine Amino Transferase (ALT) assay on all samples were within normal range (6–30 IU/ml). Most of the IgG HEV positive donors were from lower socioeconomic status, they reside in areas with poor infrastructure facilities wherein other water and food borne infectious diseases are also common. Since HEV infection is more severe among high risk populations like pregnant mothers, immunocompromised individuals and dialysis patients. At least for these restricted population, blood components if needed have to be screened for HEV.