Abstract:
This study was descriptive and cross sectionalstudy, and aimed of this study was to determine the frequency of HEV antibodies (IgG,IgM) among pregnant women at Maternity Hospital of Dongola,Northren Sudan using Enzyme Linked Immuno sorbent Assay(ELISA).The study was conducted during the period of November 2015.Serum samples were collected and preserved at ( -20C) until they performed.The study concluded that there was 13(14.44%)were positive for anti_HEV IgG ,while 77(85.56%)were negative,while all IgM samples showed seronegative IgM. 14(15.6%) with history of jaundies, 2(2.2%)
were anti_HEV IgG positive while 12(13.3%) were negative for anti_HEV IgG. 18(20%) were in first trimester ,3(3.3%) positive to IgG while 15(16.7%) negative to anti-HEV IgG,19(21.1%)were in second trimester2(2.2%), were positive to IgG while 17(18.9%)were negative to IgG,53(58.9%)were in third trimester,8(8.9%) positive to IgG,while 45(50%) negative to IgG,there was no significant correlation (p value> 0.05)between history of jaundice and trimester with seropositive IgG .8(8.9%)were illustrated ,1(1.1%)positive to IgG,while 7(7.8%)negative to IgG,36 (40%) were primarly school educated 3(3.3%)positive to IgG while 33(36.7%) negative to IgG,1(1.1%)was a middle school educated and she was negative to IgG ,25(27.8%)were high school educated,5(5.6)positive to IgG ,while 20(22.2%)negative to IgG,20(22.2%)were a university educated,4(4.4%)positive to IgG,while 16(17.8%)negative to IgG.36(40%)in rural area,2(2.2%)positive to IgG while 34(36.8%) negative to IgG ,54(60%) were in urban area 11(12.2%)positive to IgG ,while 43(47.8%) negative to IgG.31(34.4%)with history of miscarriage,5(5.6%)positive to IgG,while 26(28.9%)negative to IgG,59(65.6%)with no history of miscarriage
8(8.9%)positive to IgG,while 51(56.7%)negative to IgG, also there was no significant correlation (p value >0.05 ) between level of education , locality and history of miscarriage.The highest seropositive IgG found in age group between (26-35) and there was asignificant correlation (p value <0.05)between age groups and HEV-IgG seropositive .This study concluded that HEV antibody(IgG)has a low frequency among pregnant women,and recommended that the policy of screening for HEV antibodies in pregnant women in Sudan should be employed. Moreover, antenatal screening of pregnant women would ensure that treating clinicians could take further precautions to protect against perinatal HEV transmission (treated infected mothers,vaccine and educated the socity about the disease).also the tested for hepatitis E viruse shoud be performed in all acute hepatitis cases,especially those who negative to hepatitis B and C.
