The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis E infection in oncological patients in a rural region of Germany. Consequently, we conducted prospective testing of blood samples from patients with haematological malignancies for evidence of HEV infection using two distinct anti-HEV IgG and IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Serum was taken from each patient before treatment initiation and during treatment follow-up. Primary endpoint was determination of HEV seroprevalence. A healthy cohort was established alongside a cohort of patients who had been hospitalised due to a diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition, oncological participants completed a questionnaire consisting of eight questions focusing on quantitative aspects, to identify risk factors for HEV infection.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
197
Diagnostic testing was performed by testing all serum samples using the HEV ELISA Wantai and Euroimmun kit.
Medical School (MHB) Theodor Fontane
Brandenburg, Brandenburg, Germany
Anti HEV-IgM and IgG prevalences
Anti-HEV prevalences were determined in each arm with two different assays
Time frame: In the oncological cohort, multiple samples were prospectively collected over a one-year period, commencing on 1 September 2020 and concluding at the end of October 2021. In the remaining two control samples, analysis was conducted retrospectively.
Identification of risk factors for HEV infection in oncological patients
Oncological participants completed a questionnaire consisting of eight questions focusing on quantitative aspects, to identify risk factors for HEV infection. Part of the questions were posed in a binary format, requiring a "yes" or "no" response. Additionally, we inquired as to the frequency with which risk factors such as pork are consumed. A multiple-choice format was employed, with the majority of questions comprising single-select multiple-choice options. To illustrate, the question for example enquired as to the frequency with which the patient consumed raw or undercooked pork products. The options ranged from "never" to "more than once a month".
Time frame: The questionnaire was handed out at the beginning of the study
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