HEV and HAV seroprevalence in men that have sex with men (MSM): An update from Milan, Italy

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a feco-orally transmitted pathogen and one of the most common cause of acute hepatitis worldwide. Recent studies in developed countries suggested that a direct human-to-human contact such as for sexually transmitted diseases may play a significant role in the HEV spread. The aim of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of HEV and HAV in a group of MSM, including subjects HIV, and Treponema infected, in Milan, Italy. The overall anti HEV IgG seroprevalence in MSM was 10.2% (65/636), instead in the control group the detection rate was 5.2% (15/288) (P<0.05); the anti HAV seroprevalence was 42.8% in MSM, when in the control group the positivity rate was 29.2% (P<0.05). The rate of coinfection HEV/HAV was 14.6% in MSM and 1% in control group (P<0.05). In the future, sexual history, HIV status, and STI risk might address specific investigations to prevent spread of pathogens such HEV in MSM, before becoming a substantial public health problem like for HAV outbreaks.