Seroprevalence Hepatitis E Infection in Healthy Blood Donors

Observational Study on Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Infection in Healthy Blood Donors in the Canton Ticino

This is a HEV seroprevalence in the health donors in the Canton Ticino study. The pre-donation sampling pouch of each blood donor coming form the Cantone Ticino region will be collected and tested for HEV serology (IgM and IgG).

Pre-donation sampling pouch of fresh and stored frozen plasma collected within the last 5 years will be tested for HEV IgG serology at the National Reference Laboratory of the Blood Transfusion Services SRC in Berne Collected data will be used to determine HEV seroprevalence, actual and in the last 5 years, in the Canton Ticino and to investigate trend and pattern of the HEV infection (seroprevalence by different regional areas, comparison with national HEV data, and correlation with age, sex and place of residence).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy and voluntary blood donors
• Subjects living in the Canton Ticino
• Inclusion criteria for blood donation
• Signed informed consent of the STCRS SI for blood donation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Exclusion criteria for blood donation