This paper should be cited as: Tahamtan, A. Moradi, A. Ghaemi, A. Kelishadi, M. Ghafari, H. Hashemi, P.

Seroepidemiology of Hepatitis E Virus in Hemodialysis Patients in Gorgan-Iran

Tahamtan,A (MSc)1,Moradi, A.(PhD)2,Ghaemi, A.(PhD)3,Kelishadi, M.(MSc)4, Ghafari, H.(MSc)5, Hashemi,P. (MSc)6,Tabarraei,A.(PhD)*7

1. MSc Student of Virology, Student Research Committee, Golestan University of Medical Sciences

2. Professor of Virology, Department of Microbiology, Golestan University of Medical Science, Iran

3. Assistant Professor of Virology, Infectious Diseases Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences

4. MSc of Virilogy, Infectious Diseases Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences

5. MSc Student of Virology, Student Research Committee, Golestan University of Medical Sciences

6. MSc Student of Virology, Student Research Committee, Golestan University of Medical Sciences

7. Assistant Professor of Virology, Infectious Diseases Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences

Abstract
Background & Objective: Hepatitis E virus is one of the most common causes of acute infection in adults. Pregnant and transplant patients are more in risk of HEV infection. Fecal-oral is the main route of HEV transmission but recently transmission by blood transfusion has been observed. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of HEV-Ab in hemodialysis patients in Gorgan, Iran.

Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, we investigated 150 hemodialysis patients of Panje Azar hospital in Gorgan. These patients were evaluated for the presence of HEV total Ab by ELISA method.

Results: of 150, 6 patients (4%) are positive for HEV-Ab. There has been no significant relation between anti HEV Ab and variables such as age, gender, ethnicity, duration and number of hemodialysis in a week and (P>0.05).

Conclusion: This study, which is the first report from this area, show that the lower prevalence of anti HEV Ab in hemodialysis patients in comparison with pregnant and childbearing age women.

Keywords: Hepatitis E; Hemodialysis; Elisa; Gorgan

Corresponding author:Tabarraei,A

Email: alijant@yahoo.com

Received 13 Aug 2012 Revised 3 Mar 2013 Accepted 4 Mar 2013