Transfusion-transmitted hepatitis E in a 'nonhyperendemic' country.
Indigenous hepatitis E is increasingly recognized in developed countries, where it may be a zoonosis. We describe the first case of transfusion-transmitted hepatitis E in the UK from a blood donor who had no history of recent travel abroad. Follow-up of the donor and recipients of the blood products was carried out using serological and molecular techniques. Acute hepatitis E was transmitted to one of two recipients. The infected patient would have received a larger volume of the donor's plasma. HEV subgenomic sequences carried by the donor and recipient were identical. This is the first case of post-transfusion hepatitis E in the UK. Secondary transmission of hepatitis E indigenous to a nonhyperendemic country may occur by blood transfusion. It is important that blood donors inform the transfusion service of all post-donation illnesses so that appropriate interventions can take place.
Boxall
E
E
National Blood Service, Vincent Drive, Birmingham, UK. elizabeth.boxall@heartofengland.nhs.uk
Herborn
A
A
Kochethu
G
G
Pratt
G
G
Adams
D
D
Ijaz
S
S
Teo
C-G
CG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016913:Blood Component Transfusion; D001782:Blood Donors; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005260:Female; D016751:Hepatitis E / Q000209:etiology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010949:Plasma / Q000821:virology*; D006113:United Kingdom; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000209:etiology / Q000635:transmission