Seroprevalence and risk factors of Hepatitis E infection in Jordan's population: First report.

OBJECTIVES

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is hyperendemic in many countries, but data on this virus are not available in Jordan. This study determined the seroprevalence, risk factors and zoonotic potential of HEV in a Jordanian population.

METHODS

A total of 450 sera samples from 8 different governorates were tested for HEV-IgG. A pre-tested and validated questionnaire was used to collect risk factor data including animal interaction and environmental exposures.

RESULTS

The overall seroprevalence was 30.9%. Eating undercooked meat was significantly associated with HEV seropositivity (OR=2.06, 95%CI 1.04-4.06) after controlling for age, gender, travel history and source of water. Age was also associated with HEV seropositivity; the youngest (≤14 years of age) and oldest age groups (60 and 80 years of age) had the highest prevalence (45.5% and 53.2%, respectively), compared to those between 20 to 29 years of age and 30 to 39 years of age (20.2 and 15.2%, respectively), although the small sample size among the youngest group tempers this association. There was evidence of a marginal association between owning camels and an increased odds of HEV seropositivity. Place of residence and source of drinking water were not associated with infection.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to report HEV seroprevalence in Jordan and shows that HEV exposure is high in Jordan. Surveillance for acute and chronic Hepatitis E is needed to estimate the frequency of the actual disease.