Hepatitis E in the south west of France in individuals who have never visited an endemic area

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Abstract
A total of 431 consecutive patients from the Midi Pyrenees area with acute hepatitis with unknown etiology in 2001–2002 were tested for the presence of immunoglobulin G‐class (IgG) anti‐hepatitis E virus (HEV) antibodies. Forty‐six (10.7%) had anti‐HEV IgG, and the results were questionable for a further 17 (3.9%). Real time PCR based on TaqMan detection was used to identify HEV genome fragments in the serum of patients with positive or questionable anti‐HEV serology. HEV RNA was found in 25.4% of cases. All amplification products were sequenced and analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all the strains were genotype 3. In conclusion, virological and epidemiological data indicate that genotype 3 viruses are circulating in the south west part of France (Midi‐Pyrenees) in patients with acute hepatitis and who have not visited recently areas in which HEV is endemic. J. Med. Virol. 74:419–424, 2004.