[Detection of IgM antibodies against hepatitis E virus].

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis E virus is the main enterically transmitted non A non B hepatitis agent. The host IgM response in the acute infection phase is short lived. Therefore, only IgG antibodies against E virus are usually investigated.

AIM: To measure IgM antibodies against virus E in serum samples.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

IgM antibodies against virus E were measured by ELISA in 35 positive and 18 negative serum samples for IgG antibodies against hepatitis virus E, without evidence of infection with hepatitis A, B or C virus. Measurement of the same antibodies in 25 additional samples positive for IgM antibodies against hepatitis A virus but without study for hepatitis virus B or C.

RESULTS

IgM antibodies against virus E were detected in 12 of the 35 samples positive for IgG antibodies (34%) and in five of the 25 samples positive for antibodies against virus A (20%).

CONCLUSIONS

An acute hepatitis E virus infection was detected in 34% of samples positive for IgG antibodies against this virus. The absence of IgM antibodies in the rest of the IgG positive samples could be due to an old or a recent virus E infection in the stage of antibody titer reduction. The detection of IgM antibodies against virus E in samples positive for virus A antibodies, could be due to co infection by virus A and E or a cross reaction of assays.