Hepatitis E virus and chronic hepatitis in organ-transplant recipients.
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is considered an agent responsible for acute hepatitis that does not progress to chronic hepatitis. We identified 14 cases of acute HEV infection in three patients receiving liver transplants, nine receiving kidney transplants, and two receiving kidney and pancreas transplants. All patients were positive for serum HEV RNA. Chronic hepatitis developed in eight patients, as confirmed by persistently elevated aminotransferase levels, serum HEV RNA, and histologic features of chronic hepatitis. The time from transplantation to diagnosis was significantly shorter and the total counts of lymphocytes and of CD2, CD3, and CD4 T cells were significantly lower in patients in whom chronic disease developed.
Kamar
Nassim
N
Department of Nephrology, Dialysis, and Multiorgan Transplantation, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Rangueil, France. kamar.n@chu-toulouse.fr
Selves
Janick
J
Mansuy
Jean-Michel
JM
Ouezzani
Leila
L
Péron
Jean-Marie
JM
Guitard
Joëlle
J
Cointault
Olivier
O
Esposito
Laure
L
Abravanel
Florence
F
Danjoux
Marie
M
Durand
Dominique
D
Vinel
Jean-Pierre
JP
Izopet
Jacques
J
Rostaing
Lionel
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D016751:Hepatitis E / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000635:transmission*; D016752:Hepatitis E virus; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016035:Pancreas Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects