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HEV not prevalent in LT recipients in Japan

VIENNA — In a country-wide survey conducted among a large cohort of Japanese liver transplant recipients, hepatitis E virus infection was not prevalent, according to data presented at the 2015 International Liver Congress.

“Reports of chronic hepatitis E have increased in organ transplant recipients,” Yukio Oshiro, MD, PhD, department of surgery, University of Tsukuba, Japan, said during his presentation. “We conducted a nationwide survey of the prevalence of HEV antibodies as well as the existence of liver transplant recipients with chronic HEV infection in Japan.”

Various serum samples of 1,893 liver transplant recipients from 19 hospitals across Japan were analyzed and included in the study. The researchers measured samples for anti-HEV immunoglobulin G (IgG), anti-HEV immunoglobulin M (IgM) and anti-HEV immunoglobulin A (IgA) using immunosorbent assay and measured for HEV RNA using real time polymerase chain reaction, according to the presentation. 

Overall, anti-HEV IgG was found in 2.9% of patients (n = 54); anti-HEV IgM in 0.05% of patients (n = 1); and anti-HEV IgA was found in no patients. Of all the patients, 1,574 were tested for HEV RNA in serum and only two patients were found to be HEV RNA-positive (0.12%).

Researchers found HEV RNA in a transfused blood unit used among the patients, therefore they matched and further analyzed HEV sequences between the donors and recipients. The one patient positive for HEV RNA after transplant was infected via transfused blood from a donor. However, the one patient was cleared of the infection after therapy with ribavirin for 1 month.

Blood screening for HEV RNA seems to be necessary all over Japan, according to the presentation.

“The prevalence of HEV infection in liver transplant recipients is relatively low in Japan; however, it was found that they have a risk for chronic HEV infection,” Oshiro said. “A potential risk of transfusion-transmitted hepatitis E should also be considered.” – by Melinda Stevens

For More Information:

Oshiro Y. Abstract O011. Presented at: International Liver Congress; April 22-26, 2015; Vienna.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.