Is hepatitis E just an imported infection in the Czech Republic?

Klin Mikrobiol Infekc Lek. 2006 Feb;12(1):25-8.
[Article in Czech, English]

Abstract

The article deals with the issue of virus hepatitis E (VHE) whose increased incidence emerged in some Moravian districts in the monitored period from January 2004 to June 2005. The uncoated RNA virus, which is not taxonomically classified at present, is considered to be a causative agent of VHE. In the BIO-PLUS, the company with limited liability, 1 078 sera samples from various hospital and outpatient departments were tested by the ELISA method. The positive IgG and IgM VHE antibodies were found in 24 cases, that corresponded to the clinic condition of patient and to the biochemical findings showing an acute hepatitis. Other virus hepatitis (VHA, VHB, VHC) as well as further hepatotrophic infections were negative in all cases. Until recently the VHE was considered as an imported infection from endemic areas. However, only seven of our 24 positive cases showed a stay abroad, the traveller history was negative in the rest. In our work 18 VHE cases, diagnosed in the infection departments of the hospitals in Breclav and Prostejov, are analysed in details in the referred period.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease*
  • Czech Republic / epidemiology
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Hepatitis E*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood
  • Incidence

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin M