Evidence of hepatitis E virus exposure among seronegative healthy residents of an endemic area

Husain, Mohammad Mushtaq ; Srivastava, Ratika ; Akondy, Rama ; Aggarwal, Rakesh ; Jameel, Shahid ; Naik, Sita (2011) Evidence of hepatitis E virus exposure among seronegative healthy residents of an endemic area Intervirology, 54 (3). pp. 139-143. ISSN 0300-5526

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Related URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000319840

Abstract

Objective: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is endemic in the Indian subcontinent. Detection of serum anti-HEV IgG has traditionally been used to determine prior exposure to this virus. We studied HEV-specific recall immune responses in healthy subjects with and without detectable anti-HEV IgG. Methods: Memory B and T cells specific for HEV recombinant proteins pORF2 and pORF3 were estimated among healthy subjects residing in an HEV-endemic region using enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assays. Results: Anti-HEV IgG-negative and anti-HEV IgG-positive healthy subjects had a similar median (range) number of IgG-secreting memory B cells specific for HEV pORF2 [percent of total IgG-producing cells: 0.39 (0-13.63) vs. 0.83 (0-12.78)] and HEV pORF3 [0.33 (0.05-12.35) vs. 1.01 (0.08-9.48)], and of IFN-γ-secreting memory T cells specific for HEV pORF2 [per one million PBMCs: 16 (0-220) vs. 36.5 (0-474)] and HEV pORF3 [166 (0-957) vs. 70.5 (0-533)]. Eight healthy volunteers residing in the USA and studied as controls lacked detectable T cells specific for HEV pORF2. Conclusion: ELISPOT assays may detect evidence of prior HEV infection in persons residing in areas endemic for this infection and lacking detectable anti-HEV IgG. Seroepidemiological studies that use the serum anti-HEV IgG test may underestimate the frequency of exposure to HEV.

Item Type:Article
Source:Copyright of this article belongs to S. Karger AG.
Keywords:Anti-HEV Antibodies; ELISPOT Assay; Cellular Responses
ID Code:81926
Deposited On:08 Feb 2012 15:29
Last Modified:08 Feb 2012 15:29

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