Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus among solid organ transplant recipients: insights from southern Iran.

Aim: This study assessed the prevalence of anti-Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) IgG and IgM antibodies in Solid Organ Transplant (SOT) recipients in Fars Province, southern Iran.

Background: HEV is a common cause of viral hepatitis worldwide. Immunocompromised individuals, particularly SOT recipients, are at risk of chronic HEV infection.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 150 serum samples were collected from SOT recipients, including those with liver, kidney, intestinal, or simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation. The sera were stored at -20°C and analyzed for anti-HEV IgG and IgM, using a commercial ELISA kit. Data were analyzed, using SPSS.

Results: The mean age of participants was 46.24 ± 15.14 years; with 96 (64%) being male. Anti-HEV IgG antibodies were detected in 53 (35.3%) patients. The prevalence among liver and kidney recipient recipients was 33.3% and 39.2%, respectively (p = 0.63). Anti-HEV IgG seropositivity was significantly associated with older age (p < 0.001) and elevated blood urea nitrogen levels (p = 0.008). No significant associations were observed with other demographic or clinical variables (p > 0.05). All patients tested negative for anti-HEV IgM antibodies.

Conclusion: HEV exposure is relatively common among SOT recipients in southern Iran. The significant association with elevated blood urea nitrogen levels highlights the importance of renal function monitoring in this population.