Supplementary Data.

BackgroundHepatitis E virus (HEV) causes sporadic outbreaks worldwide, with zoonotic and waterborne genotypes contributing to infections. In Vietnam, HEV genotypes 3 and 4 circulate among humans and swine, but data from remote, ethnic minority populations remain limited.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 272 ethnic minority students at Thai Nguyen University of Medicine and Pharmacy (TUMP) to determine HEV infection markers and associated risk factors. Anti-HEV IgM and IgG were tested in serum samples using Wantai ELISA kits, and HEV RNA was detected by nested PCR targeting the ORF1 region. Demographic and exposure data were collected via structured questionnaires. Statistical analyses were performed using binary logistic regression.ResultsOne participant (0.37%) tested positive for anti-HEV IgM, and 69 (25%) were positive for anti-HEV IgG, while HEV RNA was undetectable. HEV-IgG seroprevalence increased significantly with age (p = 0.004) but showed no sex-related differences. Consumption of tap or mixed water sources (p = 0.043) and raw or undercooked pork liver (p = 0.018) were significantly associated with HEV-IgG positivity. Multivariate analysis confirmed these factors as independent predictors of prior HEV exposure (adjusted OR = 1.6 and 4.8, respectively).ConclusionsA moderate HEV seroprevalence among ethnic minorities indicates substantial prior exposure in northern Vietnam. Strengthening water sanitation, food safety awareness, and routine HEV surveillance is recommended to mitigate infection risk in vulnerable communities.戊型肝炎病毒（Hepatitis E virus, HEV）在全球范围内引发散发病例与暴发疫情，动物源性与水传播基因型是其感染的主要致病类型。在越南，戊型肝炎病毒基因型3与4在人群与猪群中循环传播，但针对偏远少数民族群体的相关研究数据仍较为匮乏。 本研究采用横断面研究设计，于越南太原医科大学（Thai Nguyen University of Medicine and Pharmacy, TUMP）招募272名少数民族学生，旨在检测戊型肝炎病毒感染标志物并分析相关危险因素。采用Wantai ELISA试剂盒检测血清样本中的抗HEV IgM与抗HEV IgG抗体，通过靶向ORF1区域的巢式PCR（nested PCR）检测戊型肝炎病毒RNA。通过结构化问卷收集人口学特征与暴露相关数据，采用二元logistic回归开展统计学分析。 研究结果显示，1名受试者（0.37%）抗HEV IgM检测呈阳性，69名受试者（25%）抗HEV IgG检测呈阳性，未检出戊型肝炎病毒RNA。抗HEV IgG血清阳性率随年龄增长显著升高（p=0.004），但未表现出性别差异。饮用自来水或混合水源（p=0.043）、食用生或未煮熟的猪肝（p=0.018）与抗HEV IgG阳性显著相关。多变量分析证实上述因素为既往戊型肝炎病毒暴露的独立预测因子（校正比值比分别为1.6与4.8）。 越南北部少数民族群体中检出的中等水平戊型肝炎病毒血清阳性率，提示该群体既往已存在广泛的病毒暴露。建议加强水卫生管理、食品安全宣教以及常规戊型肝炎病毒监测，以降低脆弱社区的感染风险。