Southern Tunisia: A still high endemicity area for hepatitis A.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hepatitis A (HAV) and E (HEV) viruses are responsible for enterically transmitted hepatitis. Tunisia is reported to be of intermediate endemicity for HAV and of low seroprevalence for HEV; however, data from rural areas of South Tunisia are lacking.

Methods

Sera from 216 asymptomatic pregnant women and from 92 patients with acute hepatitis were collected between October 2014 and November 2015. Total and IgM anti-HAV immunoglobulins and anti-HEV IgG and IgM were investigated. Anti-HAV IgM-positive samples were subjected to RT-PCR targeting the VP1/2A region and sequenced. HEV IgM positive samples and all samples from acute hepatitis patients were assessed for HEV RNA.

Results

Among pregnant women (mean age 32+/-8), HAV seroprevalence was 98.6%, none presente

SUBMITTER: Neffatti H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5398567 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature