Author/Authors :
Naeimi، Behrouz نويسنده Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, IR Iran , , Mazloom Kalimani، Farnaz نويسنده Student Research Committee, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, IR Iran , , Pourfatolah، Ali Akbar نويسنده Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, IR Iran , , Azimzadeh، Masoud نويسنده Student Research Committee, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, IR Iran , , Mankhian، Alireza نويسنده Bushehr Blood Transfusion Organization, Bushehr, IR Iran , , Akbarzadeh، Samad نويسنده , , Hajiani، Gholamreza نويسنده Bushehr Blood Transfusion Organization, Bushehr, IR Iran , , Kooshesh، Faramarz نويسنده Department of Surgical Technology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, IR Iran , , Khamisipour، Gholamreza نويسنده Hematology Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran ,
Abstract :
Although so far several studies have determined the hepatitis E virus (HEV) prevalence in some parts of Iran, no data exists regarding the HEV seroprevalence in Bushehr province as the southernmost point in Iran yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG among the blood donors in Bushehr. A total of 628 blood donor samples were collected from September to October 2013, after obtaining informed written consents, and analyzed for the presence of anti-HEV IgG using commercial HEV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. All the samples were tested by two ELISA kits and evaluated for liver function test. Overall, 105 (16.7%) blood samples were positive for HEV-specific-IgG antibodies, while 523 (83.8%) were negative. The presence of anti-HEV IgG was not associated with gender; however, it was correlated with age. It was indicated that the anti-HEV prevalence increases by age and there was a significant difference between the age groups regarding HEV seropositivity. High HEV seroprevalence (16.7%) was observed among the blood donors in Bushehr province. It appears that exposure to HEV increases with age; although, more people should be examined.
