Seroprevalence of hepatitis E in blood donors in Santiago, Chile: a monocentric cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is emerging but under-recognized worldwide. However, the epidemiology and ecology of this infection in Chile are poorly understood. This study aimed to detect and analyze hepatitis E seroprevalence among blood donors at a private health care center in Santiago, Chile.

METHODS

Leftover sera were collected from 354 volunteer blood donors aged 18-65 years in July 2020. After recording sex, age, and municipality of residence, the specimens were anonymized and tested for anti-HEV immunoglobulin G antibodies using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (Wantai BioPharm). Municipalities were classified according to socioeconomic status as a proxy for income level. Statistical analyses were conducted using R software.

RESULTS

The overall seroprevalence was 15.3% (95% confidence interval, 11.9-19.4%). The prevalence increased significantly with age (50-65 years, 33.9%) and was higher among residents of lower-income municipalities than among those of higher-income municipalities (21.9% vs 11.7%). Multivariate analysis confirmed that age 50-65 years (odds ratio, 20.2) and residence in a lower-income municipality (odds ratio, 2.3) were independent predictors of HEV seropositivity.

CONCLUSION

This study provides information on HEV exposure in adults in Santiago, Chile. Seroprevalence was highest in older age groups and among residents of lower-income municipalities. Further studies on HEV are needed to clarify its transmission cycle, circulating genotypes, and clinical relevance in Chile.