Sero-Detection of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) among Pregnant Women Attending Khartoum North Hospital in Khartoum State

Abstract

HEV infection in pregnant women is more common and fatal in the third trimester and the incidence of viral hepatitis E is known for being the cause of major outbreaks of waterborne hepatitis in Africa. This descriptive, cross- sectional, hospital based studywas aimed to detect HEV among pregnant women attending Khartoum North Hospital during the period from February to December 2019. A total of 90 subjects (n=90) were included in this study with age ranged from 19-42 years and the mean age was 30.5±5S.D and mostly in third trimester. Blood samples were collectedand tested for total anti-HEV, anti-HEV IgM and IgG antibodies by Enzyme Linked ImmunosorbantAssay (ELISA). Out of the 90 pregnant women who took part in the study, 36 (40%) were found positive for HEV and 5/90 (5.6%) were positive for HEV IgM antibodies, while 36/90 (40%) were positive for HEV IgG. Regarding age groups, there were13(14.4%)in age group 19-26 years, 11(12.3%) in age between 27 to 34 years were positive for HEV and 12(13.3%) in age group from 35 to 42 years. There was no significant association (P=0.833) between age and HEV result. Concerning trimester,13(14.5) were found positivefor HEV in third trimester and 11(12.2%),12 (13.3%) were in first and second trimester respectively with significant association (P=0.051) between them. Relating to source of drinking water, 25 (28.8%) were positive for HEV antibodies in pregnant women drink from non filtered water and 11(12.2%) was positive they drink from filtered water and there no significant association (P=0.926) between them. Regarding education level there were20(22.2%) HEV positive in educated women and 16(17.8%) in non- educated women and there was no significant association (P=0.482) between them. HEV was associated with previous miscarriage in which about 24% were HEV IgGpositive. From the above findings we concluded that, there was high percentage of HEV infection among pregnant women attending Khartoum North Hospital.