Prevalence of hepatitis E virus infection in multiple transfused Brazilian patients with thalassemia and sickle cell disease

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a leading cause of acute hepatitis worldwide. The virus is acquired by fecal‐oral route; however, it can also be transmitted by blood transfusion. The objective of the study was to examine anti‐HEV immunoglobulin G and HEV RNA prevalence in multiple transfused patients with thalassemia and sickle cell disease (SCD), and in blood donors. The HEV seroprevalence in the patients was 13% (20% in thalassemics; 7.7% in SCD), and 11% in blood donors. No positive result for HEV RNA was obtained. This is a pioneer study examining HEV circulation in Brazilian patients with hemoglobinopathies. Highlight The prevalence of HEV in Brazil among multiple‐transfused patients is unknown. We detected HEV seroprevalence of 20% in the patients with thalassemia and 7.7% in the patients with Sickle‐Cell Disease. No patient was positive for HEV RNA. Different routes for HEV transmission might be suspected in Brazil.