Intervirology. 2017;60(5):201-206. doi: 10.1159/000487052. Epub 2018 Mar 1.
An acute hepatitis, caused by hepatitis E virus (HEV), is a significant global health concern, especially in developing countries. HEV has 1 serotype and 8 genotypes, which are further divided into subtypes. Despite the availability of sporadic cases and outbreak data from India, specific information regarding HEV epidemiological data is lacking from central India. This study was conducted to understand epidemiological and molecular features of HEV in central India.
In this 3-year study conducted from July 2012 to June 2015, IgM ELISA was used for the diagnosis of suspected HEV cases. For identifying the genotype, nRT PCR was conducted and the PCR products were sequenced and analysed. Clinical and demographic data were analysed using statistical tools to highlight the trends.
Out of 1,369 suspected cases, 341 (24.9%) were positive for HEV. The positivity was significantly higher in males (69.2%) and in the age group of > 15-45 years (72.5%). The HEV cases peaked during the summer. Subtypes 1a and 1f of genotype 1 were detected in the area during the study period.
HEV is a major aetiological agent of viral hepatitis in central India with adults and males at higher risk of infection. Two subtypes of the virus were detected in the region. Continuous serological surveillance and molecular monitoring will help to understand the epidemiology of HEV infection, outbreak mitigation and aid in providing treatment.
由戊型肝炎病毒（HEV）引起的急性肝炎是一个重大的全球健康问题，尤其在发展中国家。HEV 有 1 个血清型和 8 个基因型，进一步分为亚型。尽管印度有散发病例和暴发数据，但印度中部缺乏关于 HEV 流行病学数据的具体信息。本研究旨在了解印度中部 HEV 的流行病学和分子特征。
在这项为期 3 年的研究中，从 2012 年 7 月至 2015 年 6 月，采用 IgM ELISA 诊断疑似 HEV 病例。为了确定基因型，进行了 nRT-PCR，对 PCR 产物进行测序和分析。使用统计工具分析临床和人口统计学数据，以突出趋势。
在 1369 例疑似病例中，有 341 例（24.9%）HEV 阳性。男性（69.2%）和年龄组>15-45 岁（72.5%）的阳性率显著更高。HEV 病例在夏季达到高峰。在研究期间，该地区检测到基因型 1 的 1a 和 1f 亚型。
HEV 是印度中部病毒性肝炎的主要病因，成年人和男性感染风险更高。该地区检测到两种病毒亚型。持续的血清学监测和分子监测将有助于了解 HEV 感染的流行病学、暴发缓解，并有助于提供治疗。
