Abstract
INTRODUCTION
The prevalence, public health impact, and epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis E virus (HEV) are poorly understood in Brazil.
METHODS
Serum samples from 535 individuals from three rural Afro-descendant communities located in eastern Brazilian Amazon were collected in October 2015 and tested for presence of anti-HEV IgM and IgG antibodies. Serologically positive samples were also tested for HEV-RNA.
RESULTS
Two cases were confirmed for anti-HEV IgM (0.3 %) and two cases for anti-HEV IgG (0.3 %). No sample was positive for HEV-RNA.
CONCLUSIONS
Results indicated low prevalence of HEV infection in Afro-descendant rural communities from the eastern Brazilian Amazon.
Keywords:
Hepatitis E; Quilombola; Zoonosis