Lack of hepatitis E virus infection in HIV patients with advanced immunodeficiency or idiopathic liver enzyme elevations

Authors: Madejón, A.; Vispo, E.¹; Bottecchia, M.; Sánchez-Carrillo, M.; García-Samaniego, J.²; Soriano, V.¹

Source: Journal of Viral Hepatitis, Volume 16, Number 12, December 2009 , pp. 895-896(2)

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $48.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

Summary.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an enterically transmissible RNA agent that causes self-limited acute hepatitis. Recent reports have highlighted that organ-transplant recipients may develop chronic hepatitis E and progress to cirrhosis. Similar cases could occur in HIV patients. We have investigated 50 HIV-infected individuals with CD4 counts <200 cells/mm³ and 43 with cryptogenic hepatitis. None of them showed HEV viremia. Thus, HEV infection does not seem to be prevalent in the HIV population and accordingly universal HEV vaccination is not warranted in these patients.

Keywords: chronic hepatitis; hepatitis E; HIV

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2893.2009.01138.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Infectious Diseases 2: Department of Hepatology, Hospital Carlos III and CIBERehd, Madrid, Spain

Publication date: 2009-12-01