Clinical significance of post-liver transplant hepatitis E seropositivity in high prevalence area of hepatitis E genotype 3: a prospective study.

Abstract

High hepatitis E (HEV) seroprevalence has been reported in the general population and in post-liver transplant (LT) cases in several regions, including Thailand, with genotype 3 being a predominant genotype. We hypothesized that HEV might persist at a subclinical level and might pose clinical risks in the post-LT period. We performed a cross-sectional study with 108 post-LT patients and found an IgG seroprevalence of 55.6%. Subsequently, 91 cases without clinical evidence of HEV-related hepatitis were enrolled in 1 year of prospective follow-up to determine clinical status, serologies and serum/feces HEV RNA every 4 months. HEV RNA was detected, indicating subclinical infections in patients with or without seropositivity, with an annual incidence of 7.7%. Our results suggest that subclinical HEV infection exists among LT patients in this high-prevalence area. Thus, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of disease reemergence and HEV viral transmission in LT patients.

• Authors: Piyawat Komolmit, Vinita Oranrap, Sirinporn Suksawatamnuay, Kessarin Thanapirom, Supachaya Sriphoosanaphan, Nunthiya Srisoonthorn, Nawarat Posuwan, Thanunrat Thongmee, Sombat Treeprasertsuk, Yong Poovorawan
• Journal: Scientific reports (Sci Rep) Vol. 10 Issue 1 Pg. 7352 (04 30 2020) ISSN: 2045-2322 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 32355268 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• RNA, Viral

Topics

• Aged
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Female
• Genotype
• Hepatitis E (epidemiology, genetics)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prevalence
• Prospective Studies
• RNA, Viral (genetics)
• Seroepidemiologic Studies