Objective To study the epidemiological and clinical features of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) infection in a migrant population. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review, identifying a cohort of 21 symptomatic patients of migrant origin with confirmed HEV infection admitted in the period between January 1995–November 2014. Results 20 (95%) patients came from South Asian countries highly endemic for HEV, all positive for HEV genotype 1. Recent travel to a highly endemic country was the most consistent risk factor identified in 90% of cases, duration from return to Italy to hospitalization ranged from 10 to 120 days. Nausea and vomiting (100%), jaundice (95.2%), and anorexia (85.7%) were the most common reported symptoms. Fever was present in 57.1% of cases. Transaminase values were elevated in all patients and serum bilirubin was raised in 86% of patients. We found no statistically significant differences between clinical symptoms, laboratory results or duration of hospitalization in patients with co-morbidities compared to those without. We also report a secondary case of HEV genotype 1 transmitted within Italy. Conclusion Our study highlights the epidemiological risk factors and clinical features of HEV infection in a migrant population in Italy and should stimulate further research regarding the prevalence and morbidity of HEV within migrant populations in Europe. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd

Hepatitis E virus HEV Viral hepatitis Italy migrant

genetics genotype hospital admission hospitalization Antibodies, Viral bilirubin blood level South Asian bilirubin clinical feature human comorbidity middle aged travel statistics and numerical data priority journal pathology morbidity nausea and vomiting aminotransferase Young Adult Humans migrant jaundice classification virology Adolescent Asia, Southeastern male Southeast Asia female risk factor Risk Factors acute hepatitis clinical article Communicable Diseases, Imported prevalence Article disease transmission Retrospective Studies blood communicable disease adult fever migration infection risk endemic disease Italy Transients and Migrants Travel Medicine emporiatrics retrospective study anorexia Hepatitis E virus Hepatitis E virus antibody