Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus in pregnant women in northern Lebanon.

Background: Hepatitis E virus is the main cause of acute hepatitis globally. Infection is especially serious in pregnant women in whom the death rate can reach 25%. The prevalence of hepatitis E virus in pregnant women in Lebanon is not known.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus infection in a sample of pregnant women in northern Lebanon.

Methods: A total of 450 pregnant women from Tripoli, North Lebanon were enrolled in the study. Sera were tested for the presence of anti-hepatitis E virus IgG antibodies using an ELISA technique. Information was collected on the sociodemographic characteristics of the women and their risk factors for hepatitis E virus infection (drinking-water source, blood transfusion and contact with animals).

Results: Only one woman was positive for hepatitis E virus giving a prevalence of 0.22%. She had good living conditions, socioeconomic status and educational level and reported no exposure to any risk factors associated with hepatitis E virus infection. Most of the women (87.3%) had a medium or high income level, 47.1% had a university education and 64.9% drank bottled water. Only a small proportion were exposed to risk factors for hepatitis E virus infection: 14.7% had direct contact with animals and 3.8% had had a blood transfusion.

Conclusion: The prevalence of hepatitis E virus infection in the sample was low (0.22%). However, further epidemiological studies among other population groups are required to determine the national prevalence of hepatitis E virus in Lebanon.