Hepatitis E seroprevalence and viremia rate in immunocompromised patients: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract Background and Aims Hepatitis E is an infectious disease of the liver caused by hepatitis virus (HEV). Immunocompromised patients present a particular risk group, as chronification leading to life‐threatening cirrhosis occurs when these are infected. Therefore, this study aims estimate compare anti‐HEV seroprevalence rate HEV RNA positivity in transplant recipients with human immunodeficiency (HIV). Methods This systematic review meta‐analysis involved literature search (PubMed, Scopus; 1,138 studies) including 120 studies from 1996 2019, reporting and/or HEV‐RNA positivity. Statistical analysis was performed using linear mixed‐effects meta regression model. Results Anti‐HEV 14 626 ranged 6% (95% CI: 1.9‐17.2) 29.6% 21.6‐39.) different commercially available assays did not differ significantly compared 20 825 HIV positive (range: 3.5% 0.9‐12.8) – 19.4% 13.5‐26.9). In contrast, higher than (1.2% 0.9‐1.6) vs 0.39% 0.2‐0.7); P ‐value = 0.0011). Conclusion between patients. Interestingly, rates positivity, indicating ongoing infection, were recipients. These findings demonstrate that have elevated chronic infection comparison at comparable HEV‐exposure.