The Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) is widely expanded in the world. It has an estimated incidence of 20 billion each year [1]. The virus infects humans and animals such as pork and primates [2] [3]. A zoonotic transmission exists in humans through the consumption of porcine or monkeys foods, thought the consumption of the latter is prohibited [3] [4]. Contaminated water is also a route of transmission [2] [3] [5]. Low-incomes countries with poor hygiene conditions are most affected [6]. This infection is commonly benign and asymptomatic, with spontaneous healing in less than 6 months. But it can lead to a fulminant hepatitis with a risk of death in elderly patients and in pregnant women [7] [8]. Studies done in the West seem to show that in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infected patients, the HEV infection can cause a chronic hepatitis and favor the onset of complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer [6] [9] [10]. Thus, HEV and HIV coinfection could be a poor prognosis factor in patients living with HIV. Some studies have been done in Central Africa to access the prevalence of HEV antibodies among HIV infected patients. Feldt and Modiyinji obtained 14.2% and 8.5% respectively of anti-HEV Immunoglobulins (IgG) in Cameroon in 2019, Bivigou-Mboumba obtained a seroprevalence 3.5% in Franceville (Gabon) in 2017, and Demi Sibiro obtained 68% of IgG in Central African Republic in 2018 [7] [8] [11] [12]. Assessing the prevalence and identifying risk factors of HEV infection in patients living with HIV can help to prevent their transmission, and the onset of complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and associated factors with the presence of HEV antibodies in HIV infected patients in Yaoundé (Cameroon).

We conducted a cross sectional descriptive study in the care and treatment center of persons living with HIV at the Yaoundé Central Hospital (Cameroon) over a period of 3 months (February to April 2019). We conveniently included all patients aged above fifteen living with HIV infection who gave their oral consent and who came for their routine consultation during our period of recruitment. Using a questionnaire, we collected data concerning age, gender, area of residency, consumptions habits (well water, porcine food) and patient comorbidities. The last CD4 count and HIV viral load results which were less than three months old were equally recorded. Then samples of blood (20 ml) each were collected, centrifuged and sent to the virology unit of the national laboratory Pasteur Center of Cameroon. Concerning the HEV, we have looked for the presence of IgG and Ig M determined through the Elisa method using the immunologic test MP DIAGNOSTIC® 3.0. The result could be positive, negative or undetermined. A cut-off of 0.4 was considered positive for IgM while a cut-off of 0.5 positive for IgG. In case of undetermined result, the patient was excluded. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Fisher’s exact test and Chi 2 test were used to determine factors associated with the presence of HEV antibodies and a p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The ethical committee of the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Yaoundé I gave its approval for this study, and we obtained the administrative authorization of the Yaoundé Central Hospital.

A total of 90 patients were included, with 29 men (32.2%) and 61 women (67.8%). The mean age was 46 ± 11.4 years old (21 - 74). Most of them (72.2%) were leaving in urban areas. With respect to consumption habits, 24 patients (26.7%) were eating porcine food, 30 patients (33.3%) were drinking well water. Concerning comorbidities, 3 patients (3.3%) also had hypertension, 2 (2.2%) had diabetes, and 3 patients (3.3%) were under treatment of tuberculosis. All our patients were taking the antiretroviral treatment as recommended by national guidelines. Sixty-nine patients (76.7%) had a CD4 count greater than 200 cells per mm³. The HIV viral load was undetectable for 68 patients (75.6%). IgG antibodies were positive for 6 patients (6.7%) while Ig M antibodies were positive for 11 patients (12.2%). Both IgG and IgM were positive for 2 patients (2.2%), while 15 patients (16.7%) had at least one immunoglobin positive. Factors associated with the presence of IgM HEV antibodies were the consumption of well water (OR = 4.3; p = 0.031) and the consumption of porcine food (OR = 2.5; p = 0.041) (Table 1). We didn’t find any association between CD4 count, HIV viral load and the presence of HEV antibodies (Table 1).

The mean age of our HIV infected population was 44 years old. This age is relatively elevated due to the efficacy of the antiretroviral treatment against HIV. The antiretroviral treatment significantly increases the life expectancy with the infection. Studies have also shown that the prevalence of HEV markers increases significantly with age [7] [13]. Thus, an elevated mean age could explain a significant prevalence of the HEV immunoglobulins in our population. The infection is generally asymptomatic. Thus, a normal clinical exam does not exclude the possibility of the presence of the HEV.

Our results have showed that 16.7% of HIV infected patients had already been infected by the HEV. This percentage is low but not negligible regarding previous studies in Africa. Bivigou-Mboumba in Gabon in 2017 found a seroprevalence of 3.5% among 762 adults infected with HIV-1 [11]. Feldt obtained a

prevalence of 14.2% anti-HEV IgG and IgM among 515 HIV infected patients [8]. Modiyinji obtained a prevalence of 7% anti-HEV IgM and 8.5% anti-HEV IgG among 270 HIV infected patients in Cameroon in 2019 [7]. Demi Sibiro et al. obtained a prevalence of 7.5% and 68% of anti-HEV IgM and IgG respectively in Central African Republic among 200 patients living with HIV in 2018 [12]. Our results are comparable to the results observed in previous studies. With the immunodeficiency due to the HIV infection, some of these patients could develop a chronic HEV [8] [9].

We found a significant association between the consumption of well water, which is supposed to be dirty, and the consumption of porcine food with the presence of IgM HEV antibodies. The consumption of these potentially infected water or porcine food can be the means of transmission for HEV. The association between dietary habits and the presence of HEV antibodies has been found in a prior study in the country without a significant value [7]. Some biological studies of these waters and foods should be done to better understand ways of the transmission of the HEV. The consumption of monkey’s food is supposed to be prohibited, so this transmission cannot be assessed.

We didn’t find any association between the CD4 count and HIV viral load with the presence of HEV antibodies, as previously observed by Ferreira in Brazil [14]. But, a low CD4 count has been found as a risk factor of unexplained persistant Alanine aminotransferase elevation in Switherland [6] [9]. These suggest that an immunodeficiency do not increase the risk of the presence of HEV serological markers, but increase the risk of evolution towards a chronic hepatitis E infection [13]. However, the onset of this ongoing infection is not common [11] [14]. The genotype of the HEV can play a major [8]. But we did not assess genotype in our study and thus constitutes a limit of this study.

Serological tests have showed evidences of recent or past infection by the HEV in our population. But the quantitative HEV RNA is necessary to look for the presence of the virus in the blood sample or not [14]. Looking our objectives, we did not realize this molecular analysis in our study.

The prevalence of immunoglobulins IgM and IgG of the HEV is low, but not negligible among HIV infected persons of the care center of Central Hospital in Yaoundé. The consumption of well water and/or the consumption of porcine food was significantly associated with the presence of IgM HEV antibodies. We didn’t find any association between CD4 count and HIV viral load with the presence of HEV antibodies.

The authors declare they have no conflict interests.

We don’t receive any funds for this research.

The faculty of medicine and biomedical sciences of the University of Yaoundé I gave an ethical approval.

Ndam, A.W.N., Njoya, O.N.M., Njouom, R., Kowo, M., Billong, S.C., Ankouane, F., Njoya, O. and Ndam, E.C.N. (2020) Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Virus Infection and Factors Associated in HIV Infected Patients in Yaoundé (Cameroon). Open Journal of Gastroenterology, 10, 181-186. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojgas.2020.107018