TY - JOUR
T1 - Epidemiological study of hepatitis e virus infection in the general population of Okinawa, Kyushu, Japan
AU - Toyoda, Kazuhiro
AU - Furusyo, Norihiro
AU - Takeoka, Hiroaki
AU - Masayuki, Murata
AU - Sawayama, Yasunori
AU - Hayashi, Jun
PY - 2008/1/1
Y1 - 2008/1/1
N2 - Background and Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in the general population of Japan by determining presence of the antibody to HEV (anti-HEV). Methods: The prevalence of HEV infection was determined by positivity of serum antibody to HEV (anti-HEV). Results: On retrospective analysis, a significant decrease in anti-HEV prevalence was found in Okinawa healthy residents from 1995 (15.8%) to 2005 (5.5%) (P < 0.0001). In 2005, the anti-HEV prevalence was significantly higher in Okinawa wild boar hunters (25.3%) than in the residents (male 7.7% and female 4.1%) (P < 0.0001). A significant difference was found in the history of consumption of undercooked or raw boar meat between anti-HEV positive and negative hunters (100% vs 64.3%) (P = 0.0018). Conclusions: In conclusion, the anti-HEV prevalence has decreased in the residents of this area, but HEV infection has continued at a high rate in the hunters through the custom of eating undercooked or raw boar meat.
AB - Background and Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in the general population of Japan by determining presence of the antibody to HEV (anti-HEV). Methods: The prevalence of HEV infection was determined by positivity of serum antibody to HEV (anti-HEV). Results: On retrospective analysis, a significant decrease in anti-HEV prevalence was found in Okinawa healthy residents from 1995 (15.8%) to 2005 (5.5%) (P < 0.0001). In 2005, the anti-HEV prevalence was significantly higher in Okinawa wild boar hunters (25.3%) than in the residents (male 7.7% and female 4.1%) (P < 0.0001). A significant difference was found in the history of consumption of undercooked or raw boar meat between anti-HEV positive and negative hunters (100% vs 64.3%) (P = 0.0018). Conclusions: In conclusion, the anti-HEV prevalence has decreased in the residents of this area, but HEV infection has continued at a high rate in the hunters through the custom of eating undercooked or raw boar meat.
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U2 - 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2008.05568.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2008.05568.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 19120876
AN - SCOPUS:57049180050
SN - 0815-9319
VL - 23
SP - 1885
EP - 1890
JO - Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (Australia)
JF - Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (Australia)
IS - 12
ER -
