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Epidemiological study of hepatitis E virus infection in the general population of Okinawa, Kyushu, Japan
Author(s) -
Toyoda Kazuhiro,
Furusyo Norihiro,
Takeoka Hiroaki,
Murata Masayuki,
Sawayama Yasunori,
Hayashi Jun
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2008.05568.x
Subject(s) - hepatitis e virus , medicine , wild boar , epidemiology , hepatitis e , population , virology , veterinary medicine , environmental health , biology , biochemistry , gene , genotype
Background and Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in the general population of Japan by determining presence of the antibody to HEV (anti‐HEV). Methods: The prevalence of HEV infection was determined by positivity of serum antibody to HEV (anti‐HEV). Results: On retrospective analysis, a significant decrease in anti‐HEV prevalence was found in Okinawa healthy residents from 1995 (15.8%) to 2005 (5.5%) ( P < 0.0001). In 2005, the anti‐HEV prevalence was significantly higher in Okinawa wild boar hunters (25.3%) than in the residents (male 7.7% and female 4.1%) ( P < 0.0001). A significant difference was found in the history of consumption of undercooked or raw boar meat between anti‐HEV positive and negative hunters (100% vs 64.3%) ( P = 0.0018). Conclusions: In conclusion, the anti‐HEV prevalence has decreased in the residents of this area, but HEV infection has continued at a high rate in the hunters through the custom of eating undercooked or raw boar meat.