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The prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in the Vietnamese population remains underestimated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the seroprevalence of HEV IgG/IgM antibodies and the presence of HEV RNA in blood donors as a part of epidemiological surveillance for transfusion-transmitted viruses. Serum samples from blood donors (n = 553) were analysed for markers of past (anti-HEV IgG) and recent/ongoing (anti-HEV IgM) HEV infections. In addition, all serum samples were subsequently tested for HEV RNA positivity. The overall prevalence of anti-HEV IgG was 26.8% (n = 148/553), while the seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgM was 0.5% (n = 3/553). Anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence in male and female donors was similar (27.1% and 25.5%, respectively). A higher risk of hepatitis E exposure was observed with increasing age. None of the blood donors were HEV RNA positive, and there was no evidence of HEV viraemia. Although the absence of HEV viraemia in blood donors from Northern Vietnam is encouraging, further epidemiological surveillance in other geographical regions is warranted to rule out transfusion-transmitted HEV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parasites of Entamoeba and Cryptosporidium genera, prevalent among various vertebrates such as humans and pigs, pose a zoonotic threat as common protozoan pathogens. This study investigated the prevalence and genetic diversity of Entamoeba and Cryptosporidium species in pigs and wild boars across central and southern Vietnam, to ascertain parasite transmission dynamics. Methods: A total of 113 independent stool samples from 77 pigs and 36 wild boars were analyzed using PCR-based molecular methodologies to detect the presence of Entamoeba spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. The identified species were further characterized through Sanger sequencing, and phylogenetic relationships were analyzed. Results: The study revealed a high prevalence of Entamoeba spp. (62%, n = 70/113) and Cryptosporidium spp. (31%, n = 35/113). Entamoeba suis (57%, n = 40) was predominant, followed by Entamoeba polecki (40%, n = 40) and Entamoeba hartmanni (3%, n = 2). Among Cryptosporidium species, Cryptosporidium scrofarum (89%, n = 31) was the most common, followed by Cryptosporidium suis (11%, n = 4). Wild boars exhibited a higher prevalence of Entamoeba infection compared with domestic pigs ( p = 0.019). Conclusions: The study highlights a high prevalence of Entamoeba and Cryptosporidium, suggesting a potential for zoonotic transmission in Vietnam. Further investigations are necessary to determine the extent to which these parasites in pigs and wild boars contribute to the burden in the human population.