2 Prevalence rates of different markers for hepatitis viruses by age (a) and sex (b) among studied population in Hormozgan province southern Iran (2016C2017) The overall prevalence of anti-HEV IgG was 15

2 Prevalence rates of different markers for hepatitis viruses by age (a) and sex (b) among studied population in Hormozgan province southern Iran (2016C2017) The overall prevalence of anti-HEV IgG was 15.8% which is higher than Irans previous studies found in the general population of the Fars province (13.4%) [4], pregnant women at northern shores of Persian Gulf (6.3%) [9], and blood donors in Tehran (8.1%) [23]; but lower than the seroprevalence of HEV infection among adults in Khuzestan province (46.1%) [24]. causing thousands of deaths due to acute and persistent infection, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Providing updated serologic data can improve both surveillance and disease control programs. This study is aimed to determine the seroprevalence of markers for viral hepatitis (A, B, C, D and E) and the epidemiology of such infections in the general population of southern Irans Hormozgan province. Methods Between 2016 and 2017, a total Dimethyl trisulfide of 562 individuals with ages ranging from 1 to 86?years, who visited governmental public laboratories for routine check-ups, were tested for the presence of serological markers to hepatitis virus types A to E using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results The overall anti-hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibody seroprevalence Dimethyl trisulfide was 93.2% (524/562). The prevalence of anti-hepatitis E virus (HEV) antibodies was 15.8% (89/562) among which 1.6% (9/562) of the seropositive individuals also had evidence of recent exposure to the virus (IgM positivity). Two and a half percent (14/562) were positive for hepatitis B surface (HBs) antigen, whereas 11.6% (65/562) tested positive for anti-hepatitis B core (HBc) antibodies. Among anti-HBc positive patients, 11% (7/65) had HBs Ag and 5% (3/65) were positive for anti-hepatitis D virus (HDV) antibodies. The prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies was 0.7% (4/562). The seroprevalence of anti-HAV, HEV IgG, anti-HBc antibodies, and HBs Ag increased with age. Conclusion The present study confirms a high seroprevalence of HAV infection among the examined population and reveals high levels of endemicity for HEV in the region. Planned vaccination policies against HAV should be considered in all parts of Iran. In addition, improvements on public sanitation and hygiene management of drinking water sources for the studied area are recommended. via the fecal-route especially through contaminated water and it is associated with large water-borne outbreaks. Although HAV and HEV transmission routes are similar, their epidemiology is substantially different. HEV can also be transmitted parenterally by blood transfusion or direct contact with infected animals [6C8]. The KBTBD7 infection is self-limiting with mortality rate of about 1 to 2% in the general population. However, the mortality rate can increase up to 45% in high risk populations such as pregnant women [9]. In Immunodeficient or immunocompromised patients HEV infection Dimethyl trisulfide may result in chronic infections. A meta-analysis study among Iranians reported an HEV seroprevalence of about 10% [10]. However, this prevalence improved up to 25.5% in high density populated areas of metropolitan cities of Dimethyl trisulfide Iran [11]. Hepatitis B computer virus (HBV) and hepatitis C computer virus (HCV) infections are the major risk factors for the development of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. It is estimated that 350 and 200 million people around the world are chronically infected with HBV and HCV, respectively. The routes of transmission for both HBV and HCV are the same and include exposure to contaminated blood or additional body fluids during injection of drugs, sexual contact, or mother-to-child transmission during the perinatal period. In Iran, the prevalence of HBV illness is about 2.2% among the general population [12]. In contrast to HAV, Iran has a nationwide HBV vaccination system. In a recently published meta-analysis study based on the data of 340 published papers, anti-HCV IgG was found in 0.3% of low risk populace consisting Dimethyl trisulfide of blood donors, pregnant women, children, and adults; in 6.2% of intermediate risk populace including healthcare workers, household contacts of HCV infected individuals, female sex workers, prisoners, and homeless individuals; in 32.1% of high risk population such as HIV-infected individuals, hemodialysis individuals, hemophilia individuals, thalassemia individuals; and in 4.6% among individuals under specific clinical conditions affecting the liver such as chronic liver disease, acute viral hepatitis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver cirrhosis [13]. Most epidemiological studies on viral hepatitis have been limited to organizations with different risk factors, like hemodialysis individuals, HIV positive individuals, etc., therefore, limited local and nationwide data is available in the general populace. The aim of the present study is to determine the current seroprevalence of HAV, HBV,.