FREQUENCY OF HEPATITIS E VIRUS AMONG RENAL TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS PATIENTS IN KHARTOUM - SUDAN

Abstract

Background: Renal transplant recipients are known to be susceptible to viral infections, with more severe clinical presentations compared to healthy persons. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is generally a self-limited disease, but it is a significant public health problem in organ transplant recipients, because it's responsible for chronic hepatitis in this group. Objective: This study aimed to detect the presence of anti-HEV IgG among organ transplantation recipient patient in Khartoum state during the period from July to September 2013. Methods: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect anti-HEV IgG among 91-kidney transplant recipient patients. Results: 18 out of 91 patients (19.8%) were seropositive for anti-HEV IgG. There was no significant statistical correlation between HEV infection and duration of transplantation (P = 0.305), and history of jaundice and HEV infection (P = 0.830). Conclusion: This study found a high frequency of anti-HEV IgG antibody in Sudanese kidney transplant recipients.

Key words: Hepatitis E virus, ELISA, Anti-HEV IgG, Renal transplantation, Sudan