Hepatitis E virus seroepidemiology among Malaysian blood donors: Prevalence and associated risk factors.

IF 1.6 4区医学 Q3 HEMATOLOGY

Vox Sanguinis Pub Date : 2026-08-18 DOI:10.1111/vox.70336

Christina Lai Ling Lee, Li Ping Wong, Lee Lee Lai, Boon Pin Kee, Kek Heng Chua, Muhammad Amir Rasyid Ahmad Makmom, Shi Ya Chang, Mohammad Izzad Ishak, Mun Sin Chow, Haridah Alias, Kee Seong Ng, Choon Jiat Lee, Zizheng Zheng, Ting Wu, Qinjian Zhao

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Abstract

Background and objectives: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a recognized transfusion-transmissible pathogen with significant impact in immunocompromised recipients. Data from Southeast Asia are limited, and the epidemiology of HEV in Muslim-majority populations with low pork consumption remains poorly characterized. This study aimed to determine anti-HEV immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) seroprevalence and associated demographic, dietary, environmental, zoonotic and knowledge-related factors among Malaysian blood donors.

Materials and methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 consecutive blood donors at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre. Anti-HEV IgG and IgM were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A structured questionnaire assessed demographic, dietary, environmental and zoonotic exposures. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression identified predictors of anti-HEV IgG seropositivity.

Results: Anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence was 2.8% (14/500), and IgM positivity was 0.6% (3/500). IgG seropositivity increased with age but showed no association with dietary exposures, including pork consumption. Knowledge of HEV was low, with a median score of 1 out of 12. Multivariable analysis identified freshwater recreational exposure (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 20.04; p = 0.017) and direct rodent contact (aOR 13.36; p = 0.030) as factors associated with anti-HEV IgG seropositivity; however, these findings were based on small numbers of exposed individuals and should be interpreted cautiously.

Conclusion: HEV seroprevalence in Malaysian blood donors was low, indicating a limited burden of previous HEV infection. The observed epidemiological profile suggests that environmental and zoonotic exposures may be associated with HEV seropositivity, although these findings require cautious interpretation. These findings provide baseline data for continued surveillance and future evaluation of transfusion-transmitted HEV risk in Malaysia.

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马来西亚献血者中戊型肝炎病毒的血清流行病学：流行率和相关危险因素

背景和目的：戊型肝炎病毒（HEV）是一种公认的输血传播病原体，对免疫功能低下的受者有重大影响。来自东南亚的数据有限，并且在猪肉消费量低的穆斯林占多数的人群中，HEV的流行病学特征仍然很差。本研究旨在确定马来西亚献血者中抗hev免疫球蛋白G （IgG）和免疫球蛋白M （IgM）的血清阳性率以及相关的人口统计学、饮食、环境、人畜共患病和知识相关因素。材料和方法：在马来亚大学医学中心对500名连续献血者进行了前瞻性横断面研究。采用酶联免疫吸附法检测抗hev IgG和IgM。一份结构化问卷评估了人口、饮食、环境和人畜共患疾病暴露情况。单变量和多变量logistic回归确定了抗hev IgG血清阳性的预测因子。结果：抗hev IgG血清阳性率为2.8% (14/500)，IgM血清阳性率为0.6%（3/500）。IgG血清阳性随年龄增长而增加，但与饮食暴露（包括猪肉消费）无关。对HEV的了解程度很低，平均得分为1分（满分12分）。多变量分析确定淡水休闲暴露（调整优势比[aOR] 20.04, p = 0.017）和直接接触啮齿动物（aOR 13.36, p = 0.030）是与抗hev IgG血清阳性相关的因素；然而，这些发现是基于少数暴露的个体，应该谨慎解释。结论：马来西亚献血者的HEV血清患病率较低，表明既往HEV感染的负担有限。观察到的流行病学资料表明，环境和人畜共患暴露可能与戊型肝炎血清阳性有关，尽管这些发现需要谨慎解释。这些发现为马来西亚继续监测和未来评估输血传播的HEV风险提供了基线数据。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Vox Sanguinis 医学-血液学

CiteScore

4.40

自引率

11.10%

发文量

156

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： Vox Sanguinis reports on important, novel developments in transfusion medicine. Original papers, reviews and international fora are published on all aspects of blood transfusion and tissue transplantation, comprising five main sections: 1) Transfusion - Transmitted Disease and its Prevention: Identification and epidemiology of infectious agents transmissible by blood; Bacterial contamination of blood components; Donor recruitment and selection methods; Pathogen inactivation. 2) Blood Component Collection and Production: Blood collection methods and devices (including apheresis); Plasma fractionation techniques and plasma derivatives; Preparation of labile blood components; Inventory management; Hematopoietic progenitor cell collection and storage; Collection and storage of tissues; Quality management and good manufacturing practice; Automation and information technology. 3) Transfusion Medicine and New Therapies: Transfusion thresholds and audits; Haemovigilance; Clinical trials regarding appropriate haemotherapy; Non-infectious adverse affects of transfusion; Therapeutic apheresis; Support of transplant patients; Gene therapy and immunotherapy. 4) Immunohaematology and Immunogenetics: Autoimmunity in haematology; Alloimmunity of blood; Pre-transfusion testing; Immunodiagnostics; Immunobiology; Complement in immunohaematology; Blood typing reagents; Genetic markers of blood cells and serum proteins: polymorphisms and function; Genetic markers and disease; Parentage testing and forensic immunohaematology. 5) Cellular Therapy: Cell-based therapies; Stem cell sources; Stem cell processing and storage; Stem cell products; Stem cell plasticity; Regenerative medicine with cells; Cellular immunotherapy; Molecular therapy; Gene therapy.