Acute Hepatitis E Virus infection in two geographical regions of Nigeria

Abstract

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) remains a major public health concern in resource limited regions of the world. Yet data reporting is suboptimal and surveillance system inadequate. In Nigeria, there is dearth of information on prevalence of acute HEV infection. This study was therefore designed to describe acute HEV infection among antenatal clinic attendees and asymptomatic community dwellers from two geographical regions in Nigeria.\n\nIn this study 750 plasma samples were tested for HEV IgM by Enzyme Linked lmmunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique. The tested samples were randomly selected from a pool of 1,115 samples previously collected from selected populations (pregnant women - 272, Oyo community dwellers - 438, Anambra community dwellers - 405) for viral hepatitis studies between September 2012 and August 2013.\n\nOne (0.4%) pregnant woman in her 3rd trimester had detectable HEV IgM, while community dwellers from the two study locations had zero prevalence rates of HEV IgM.\n\nDetection of HEV IgM in a pregnant woman, especially in her 3rd trimester is of clinical and epidemiological significance. The need therefore exists for establishment of a robust HEV surveillance system in Nigeria, and especially amidst the pregnant population in a bid to improve maternal and child health.