Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Virus Infection and Factors Associated in HIV Infected Patients in Yaoundé (Cameroon)

The Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) infection is one of the main causes of acute\r\nviral hepatitis. This affection is generally asymptomatic and benign. Its incidence\r\nis elevated in sub Saharan Africa. In Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)\r\ninfected patients, the HEV can cause chronic hepatitis with risks of cirrhosis\r\nand cancer. Assessing the prevalence and risk factors of an HEV infection in\r\npeople living with HIV can help to prevent the transmission and the onset of\r\ntheir complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence\r\nof HEV markers and associated factors among HIV infected patients in Yaounde\r\n(Cameroon). Ninety HIV infected patients were included in this study, with 29\r\nmen (32.2%) and 61 women (67.8%). The mean age was 46 ± 11.4 years old (21\r\n- 74). The prevalence of HEV serological markers was 6.7% and 12.2% for\r\nimmunoglobulins (IgG) and IgM respectively. Both IgG and IgM were positive for 2 patients\r\n(2.2%), while 15 patients (16.7%) had at least one immunoglobin positive. The\r\nconsumption of well water and porcine foods was found to be associated with the\r\npresence of IgM HEV antibodies. There was no association between CD4 count,\r\nviral load and the presence of HEV serological markers.