Sero-Epidemiology of Hepatitis E Infections in patients with chronic Hepatitis C virus infection in Jahrom, Southern Iran

Background and Aims: Co-infection of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients can develop and cause an increase in liver disease and hepatic complications in the world. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of HEV infection in patients suffering from chronic HCV infection. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study testing anti-HEV antibodies in serum samples belonged to 53 chronic HCV infected patients were evaluated. Demographic and clinical data such as liver function tests and enzymes level were prospectively collected on each patient with chronic HCV infection. Results: There were 5 HEV infected patients IgG positive among the 53 chronic HCV infected patients. These patients had an alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level twice the upper level about of the 48 HEV negative patients (p<0.0001). Conclusions: Prevalence of HEV sero-positivity patients with HCV co-infection patients was 9.4%. Our results suggest that HEV screening should be implemented in HCV-infected patients with cancer.