Research Article | 25 Jul 2024

Prevalence and risk factors of Hepatitis E virus infection among Bactrian camel herders in Bayankhongor province, Mongolia

Enkhbaatar Batmagnai1, Bat-Erdene Chimedregzen2, Khurelbaatar Nyamdavaa2, Buyankhuu Osorjin3, Boldbaatar Bazartseren4, Ser-Od Khuyagaa2, Sarangoo Ganbold5, Erdenechimeg Dashzevge1, Odbileg Raadan1, Odonchimeg Myagmarsuren1, Tseden-Ish Manaljav2, Damdinbazar Otgonbayar2, Tsetsegdolgor Damchaaperenlei2, Enkhmandakh Yondonjamts1, Munkhtsetseg Ariunbold1, and Bira Tsatsralt-Od2Show more

1. Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Mongolian University of Life Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

2. Department of Physiology, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

3. Department of Training, Scientific Research and Cooperation, Khuree Maternal Hospital, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

4. Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Mongolian University of Life Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

5. National Center for Communicable Diseases, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Corresponding author: Bira Tsatsralt-Od (tsatsraltod@mnums.edu.mn)

Received: 2024-03-08, Accepted: 2024-05-29, Published: 2024-07-25

VETERINARY WORLD | pg no. 172-177 | Vol. 10, Issue 2 | DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2024.172-177
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Abstract

          
Background and Aim: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) poses a global public health concern. HEV has a single serotype and 8 genotypes. There is inadequate knowledge about risk factors and zoonotic transmission pathways of hepatitis E virus in Mongolia, although the prevalence of HEV is, on average, 12% among the Mongolian population. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of HEV G8 infection in Bayankhongor province, Mongolia.
Materials and Methods: Human serum samples (309) were collected in Bogd, Bayangovi, and Bayanlig districts of Bayankhongor province, Mongolia, with a control group consisting of non-camel herders. An in-house indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was used to detect anti-HEV IgG. The interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to gather the data. The assessment factors included age, sex, and occupation for the respondents. Univariate analyses were conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26. The same population was tested for hepatitis B and C viruses (HBVs and HCVs) using rapid tests.
Results: Of 309 samples, 41 (13.3%) tested positive for anti-HEV immunoglobulin G antibodies, 23 (7.4%) for HBV and 11 (3.6%) for HCV. HEV seropositivity was linked with water supply, khoormog consumption, and co-infection with HBV and HCV.
Conclusion: HEV prevalence among Bayankhongor residents underscores potential transmission routes related to water supply and khoormog consumption, emphasizing the need for sequencing from human positive sera of HEV and preventive measures. We did not conduct the genotyping of positive human samples.

         
Keywords: Bactrian camel herder, genotype 8, hepatitis E virus, indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, seroprevalence.