Hepatitis E Virus Infection in Bulgaria: A Brief Analysis of the Situation in the Country

BACKGROUND: Over the past two decades, more thorough investigations for hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection have been done in the world. Reports from Southeast European countries have increased. AIM: The current article presents a critical analysis of all studies for HEV in Bulgaria. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A literature search was done using available medical databases. We analysed the literature in PubMed databases and Bulgarian medical databases for English and Bulgarian languages sources. Preference was given to the sources published within the past 24 years (January 1995 – September 2018). RESULTS: Two thousand two hundred and fifty-seven blood serums were tested for the analysed period (1995 – 2018), and 13.1% of them were positive for acute HEV (Mean ± SD: 20.38 ± 25.77%; 95% CI: 1.29 – 39.47%). The following subtypes were established in the country – HEV Subtype 3e, HEV Subtype 3f, HEV Subtype 3c, HEV Subtype 3i, HEV Subtype 3hi and HEV Subtype 1. CONCLUSION: We hope that the National Health Organizations will take adequate and timely measures to increase the knowledge and research for HEV among Bulgarian citizens.