Seroprevalence and Genotypes of Hepatitis A Virus among Acute Hepatitis Patients and Food Handlers in Kenya

Abstract

BACKGROUND Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a common cause of acute hepatitis worldwide. The epidemiology of HAV is highly dynamic. This necessitates current epidemiological data that can inform actionable recommendations on HAV vaccination and other preventive measures. The study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and genotypes of HAV infections among acute viral hepatitis patients during the January to March 2016 Mombasa outbreak and Kenyan food handlers. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study involved 227 healthy food handlers from Bomet County and 43 acute hepatitis patients from Mombasa General Hospital during the 2015–2016 outbreak. This study was approved by the KEMRI Scientific and Ethics Review Unit (SERU No: 2209), and all respondents provided informed written consent. Samples were tested for anti-HAV IgM antibodies to confirm HAV infection. Positive cases underwent nested PCR, sequencing, and genotyping to identify HAV genotypes, providing insights into the genetic characteristics of the circulating strains in these populations. RESULTS The mean age of the study subjects was 34.9 years. 16 of 270 (5.93%) samples were positive for anti-HAV IgM antibodies. The HAV seroprevalence was higher among acute hepatitis patients in Mombasa (n=12/43; 27.9%) compared to the food handlers in Bomet (n=4/227; 1.76%). Of the 16 seropositive samples, only four collected from acute viral hepatitis patients were HAV RNA positive. RNA sequencing from these four samples demonstrated the presence of HAV genotype IB (GenBank accession numbers ON832830–832833). CONCLUSION The overall HAV seroprevalence rate in our studied populations was 5.93%, with a higher rate among the acute hepatitis patients in Mombasa. HAV genotype IB, associated with water contamination, was observed within the study population.