# High seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus in the Free State province of South Africa

## TL;DR

A study in South Africa found a high rate of past exposure to hepatitis E virus in the Free State province.

## Contribution

The study reports a high HEV seroprevalence in a South African region with limited prior data.

## Key findings

- 60.9% of specimens tested positive for anti-HEV IgG.
- Only 0.33% of specimens tested positive for anti-HEV IgM.
- High HEV seroprevalence was observed across different age groups.

## Abstract

The seroepidemiology of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in South Africa is limited. We investigated anti-HEV IgM and IgG, in residual hepatitis A, B, and C negative serology specimens, at our public sector Free State (FS) laboratory. Of 299 specimens (01 May–31 October 2020), 182/299 (60.9%) had anti-HEV IgG and 1/299 (0.33%) had anti-HEV IgM. High HEV seroprevalence across different age groups suggests a different epidemiology in the FS, necessitating further research.

The need for HEV research in South Africa is highlighted. Clinicians should consider HEV in their differential diagnosis of patients with hepatitis.