Jeggli S, Steiner D, Joller H, Steffen R, Hotz P
Abteilung für Arbeits- und Umweltmedizin, Abteilung für Epidemiologie und Prävention übertragbarer Krankheiten und Abteilung für klinische Immunologie.
Praxis (Bern 1994). 2003 Mar 5;92(10):433-5. doi: 10.1024/0369-8394.92.10.433.
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is found in waste water which represents a route of infection. However, the risk for sewage workers is unknown. Thus, we aimed at determining the prevalence of anti-HEV antibodies in sewage workers from the Canton of Zurich. The anti-HEV antibodies evaluated in 288 subjects with exposure to sewage and 306 controls, a total of 594 subjects. Overall, twenty-two (3.7%) subjects had anti-HEV, the seroprevalence was similar in those exposed and controls. The most important risk factor, travelling in endemic areas, was lacking in two workers, who both were exposed to sewage. A follow up study in the population will soon give further evidence on the incidence rate.
