Hepatitis E Virus among Animal Handlers and Non-Animal Handlers in Osun State, Nigeria
I. R. Gidado
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
F. A. Osundare
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria. and Department of Science Laboratory, Federal Polytechnics, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria.
I. O. Okonko *
Virus Research Unit, Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
O. O. Opaleye
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: Increase in the epidemiological information is important for effective control of hepatitis E virus (HEV). This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of HEV among butchers, pig handlers and non-animal handlers in Osun State, Nigeria.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Molecular Biology Laboratory, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Isale Osun, Osogbo, Nigeria, between June 2015 and July 2019.
Methods: A total of 180 blood samples were obtained and screened for HEV from cohorts of 90 animal handlers (69 butchers and 21 pig handlers) and 90 non-animal handlers. Questionnaires on HEV were administered to obtain a demographic characteristic of the participants. Anti-hepatitis E viruses were also screened using HEV ELISA kit.
Results: Results showed an overall prevalence of HEV to be 21.7%. The rate of anti-HEV IgG/IgM antibodies was higher among butchers (27.5%), followed by non-animal handlers (18.9%) and was least among the pig handlers (14.3%) while the two IgM positive persons were butchers and non-animal handlers. However, 39(21.7%) of the 180 samples were positive for either anti-HEV IgG antibodies (37/180, 20.6%) or anti-HEV IgM (2/180, 1.1%). Also, the rate of anti-HEV IgG antibodies was higher among butchers (26.1%), followed by non-animal handlers (17.8%) and the pig handlers (14.3%) had the least. The two IgM positive persons were butchers (1.4%), non-animal handlers (1.1%) and pig handlers had a zero prevalence. There was no statistical significance in the prevalence of HEV IgG and HEV IgM in animal handlers as compared to non-animal handlers (P > 0.05). One (1.4%) of the butchers and 1 (1.1%) of non-animal handlers showed evidence of recent HEV infection by being positive to HEV IgM. Sources of drinking water were the only HEV predisposition factor for HEV (P =0.023).
Conclusion: This study reported an acute HEV infection in a butcher and a non-animal handler in Osun State, Nigeria. No prevalence rates of acute HEV infection was observed among pig handlers in Osun State, Nigeria. The study also showed a low prevalence of anti-HEV IgG antibodies among these study populations. Proper hygiene is recommended for further reduction in HEV transmission in Nigeria.
Keywords: HEV, animal handlers, non-animal handlers, prevalence, Nigeria.