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HEV uncommon among kidney, heart transplant candidates

Researchers found that positivity for hepatitis E virus infection was not common among patients undergoing heart or kidney transplantation. However, they recommended further investigation to deem universal screening necessary.

“We consider that routine screening for HEV infection in the pretransplant solid organ population requires further investigation,” Alberto Unzueta, MD, division of gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition, University of Florida, and colleagues wrote. “The possible role of HEV antibodies as protective for HEV infection or if they are a marker of risk for infection in the post-transplant population needs additional investigation.”

Researchers analyzed frozen serum of 333 patients seen at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona, who underwent evaluation for heart transplant (n = 132) or kidney transplant (n = 201). Assays were used to measure HEV immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies and HEV RNA to determine prevalence of the infection.

Overall, the prevalence of anti-HEV IgG was 9.6% (n = 32), with a prevalence of 11.4% among heart transplant candidates (n = 15), and 8.5% among kidney transplant candidates (n = 17). None of the patients tested positive for HEV RNA, indicating there was no active infection.

Univariate analysis showed age greater than 60 years, white race, and bilirubin, among other factors, were associated with anti-HEV IgG antibodies. Multivariate analysis showed only age greater than 60 years was associated with HEV (adjusted OR = 3.34; 95% CI, 1.54-7.24).

The researchers concluded: “The prevalence of HEV IgG antibodies was higher in heart than in kidney transplant candidates and that there was no evidence of active infection in any of the patients.” – by Melinda Stevens

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.