Epidemiology of Hepatitis E in Iran and Pakistan

authors:

avatar Seyed Moayed Alavian 1 , * , avatar Farahnaz Fallahian 2 , avatar Kamran Bagheri Lankarani 3

aqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Disease, Alavian@thc.ir, IR-Iran
Baqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Disease, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, IR-Iran
Gastroenterohepatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, IR-Iran
Hepatitis Monthly: Vol.9, issue 1; 60-65
article type: Review Article
received: May 30, 2008
accepted: August 3, 2008

how to cite: Alavian S, Fallahian F, Lankarani K. Epidemiology of Hepatitis E in Iran and Pakistan. Hepat Mon. 2009;9(1): 60-65. 

Abstract

Background and Aims: Hepatitis E virus is a major cause of outbreaks and sporadic cases of viral hepatitis in developing countries.

Methods: Literature search using the Medline (1966 to July 2008), EMBASE/Excerpta Medica (1980 to July 2008), OVID (1966 to July 2008), Google Scholar (for Local websites and medical journals), SID, websites of Iranian universities and IranMedex was done.

Results: The prevalence of hepatitis E infection in Iranian general population is increasing significantly with age. The prevalence in Iran is less than Pakistan. Consumption of contaminated water is an important mean for the spread of this enteric transmissible disease.  Pigs and animals have a low role in HEV infection in our region.

Conclusions: Primary prevention of HEV infection is the cornerstone of HEV control in our region and purely depends upon the improvement of the sanitary conditions of the society, provision of sanitary water, proper disposal of waste, and avoidance of contamination of food.

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