Meat consumption is a major risk factor for hepatitis E virus infection

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Abstract

Background The incidence of autochthonous hepatitis E virus genotype 3 (HEV gt3) infections in Western Europe is high. Although pigs are a major reservoir of the virus, the exact sources and transmission route(s) of HEV gt3 to humans remain unclear. Methods To determine the role of meat consumption at a population level, the seroprevalence of anti- HEV IgG antibodies was compared between Dutch blood donors with a vegetarian lifestyle and donors who consume meat on a daily basis. Results The age-weighted anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence among donors not eating meat was significantly lower than among meat-eating donors (12.4% vs 20.5%, p = 0.002). For both groups the prevalence strongly increased with age and the difference in prevalence was apparent for all age groups. Conclusions Compared with meat-eating donors, the incidence of HEV infection is significantly lower among donors not eating meat, indicating that meat consumption is a major risk factor for HEV infection.

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Slot, E., Zaaijer, H. L., Molier, M., Van Den Hurk, K., Prinsze, F., & Hogema, B. M. (2017). Meat consumption is a major risk factor for hepatitis E virus infection. PLoS ONE, 12(4). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0176414

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