SEN virus. A clinical review.
SEN-V is a newly discovered single-stranded DNA virus that is distantly related to TT virus. Eight genotypes of SEN-V, designated SEN-V: A to H, have been identified although it has been suggested that genotypes SEN-V: H & C as well as SEN-V: D & F be combined. SEN-V is clearly transmitted via transfusion of blood products and parenteral contact. It appears to have a world-wide distribution as it has been isolated in every country that has been studied including remote communities. Interest in SEN-V arises from initial reports that two SEN-V genotypes, SEN-V: D & H, were associated with post-transfusion non-A, non-E hepatitis. The focus of investigations of SEN-V and liver disease has been exclusively with these two genotypes. Although one study documented a clear temporal relation between post-transfusion SEN-V infection and NANE hepatitis, and found that over 90% of a small cluster of NANE hepatitis cases were associated with SEN-V, it is also clear that the majority of patients who acquire SEN-V do not suffer hepatitis. Furthermore, other studies have failed to find a significant difference in prevalence between SEN-V and etiologically known vs cryptogenic acute or chronic liver disease, cryptogenic hepatoma vs HBV & HCV-associated hepatoma and post-liver transplant biochemical abnormalities. Despite the fact that there is no consensus that SEN-V is a cause of liver disease, it does appear to be responsive to interferon-based therapy.
Yoshida
E M
EM
Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, British Columbia Transplant Society, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Wong
S G M
SG