[Prevalence of hepatitis E virus antibodies in blood donors and other population groups in southern Chile].

Little is known about hepatitis E virus (HEV) prevalence in South American countries. Anti-HEV was studied in 1,773 subjects from 1,360 blood donors of 3 cities in Chile, 72 in health care workers, 241 inmates in state jails, and in 100 Araucanian indians. Anti-HEV was detected in 109 out of 1,360 (8.0%) total donors (6.3%, 6.1%, and 18.8% from the cities of Valdivia, Osorno and Puerto Montt respectively); 9 out of 72 (12.5%) health care workers; 18 out of 241 (7.5%) inmates, and 17 out of 100 (17%) Araucanian indians. Prevalence of anti-HEV was not related to age and sex. Hepatitis E is an endemic infection in some population groups of Southern Chile, associated to environmental pollution, crowding and low socioeconomic level.