Epidemiology of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV): A Cohort Study in Kathmandu, Nepal

Hepatitis E is endemic to Kathmandu. To determine age- and sex-specific prevalence and risk factors for antibody to HEV (anti-HEV), blood and historic information was obtained from 4486 volunteers in March 1992 and again in September. Sera were assayed for anti-HEV IgG by enzyme immunoassay. The anti-HEV prevalence (10.2%) was greater in males than in females, and was shown to increase with age in males but not females. Anti-HEV prevalence was greater in subjects with a recent history of jaundice, but most anti-HEV positive subjects had no such history. We concluded that anti-HEV prevalence in female and male children was similar, prevalence in males increased during the young adult years, prevalence was greater in subjects with a recent history of jaundice, and most HEV infection was subclinical.