Seroprevalence of hepatitis E in swine farms workers in Aburra Valley 2011-2012

Abstract

Introduction: hepatitis E virus is a frequent cause of hepatitis in Latin America, but in our country there are no publications of his presence. Objective: to describe the seroprevalence of this virus in a population at risk as is that of the swine farm workers. Method: we determined the presence of IgG against hepatitis E virus by ELISA test in 98 swine farm workers from neighboring municipalities to the city of Medellin. Results: there were 11 samples positive for IgG against hepatitis E (11.25%) in a group of 89 men and 9 women with mean age of 41.7 for the positive and 35 years for the negative by relating their seropositivity with age (p = 0.04 ). Conclusion: in Colombia also exists the hepatitis E virus and itsseroprevalence is 11.22% in a risk group by contact with a contaminant source like the pigs