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Kevorkyan A, Golkocheva-Markova E, Raycheva R, Rangelova V, Komitova R, Atanasova M, Tzekov V, Kostadinova T, Chardakova T. Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Infection among Hemodialysis Patients from Southern Bulgaria. Pathogens 2023; 12:1208. [PMID: 37887724 PMCID: PMC10610113 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12101208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral hepatitis B and C are widely recognized problems in hemodialysis (HD) patients. There have been increasing reports of the importance of the hepatitis E virus (HEV) in recent years, but the worldwide data on the seroprevalence of HEV among them are conflicting. The aim of the present study was to assess the seroprevalence of HEV in HD patients and to analyze the predictors of seropositivity. This study was conducted in 2020 in the central part of southern Bulgaria. A total of 225 patients were enrolled. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the determination of anti-HEV IgM/IgG was used. All patients were tested for the presence of HEV RNA. Anti-HEV IgM alone and anti-HEV IgG alone were found in 6 (2.7%) and 14 (6.2%) patients, respectively, and in 4 (1.8%) patients, they were found simultaneously. All patients were HEV RNA-negative. The overall HEV seroprevalence was 10.7% (24/225). The binominal logistic regression analysis of available predictors confirmed the role of vascular access and a duration of dialysis treatment over 5 years as predictors significantly associated with increased risk for HEV, and the consumption of bottled water with lower levels of HEV IgG seroprevalence among hemodialysis patients. The accumulated data are the basis for comparative analysis in subsequent trials in the same dialysis centers and for enhancing the range of screening markers used in this particular patient group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ani Kevorkyan
- Department of Epidemiology and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
| | - Elitsa Golkocheva-Markova
- National Reference Laboratory “Hepatitis Viruses”, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1233 Sofia, Bulgaria;
| | - Ralitsa Raycheva
- Department of Social Medical and Public Health, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
| | - Vanya Rangelova
- Department of Epidemiology and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
| | - Radka Komitova
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
| | - Mariya Atanasova
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
- Laboratory of Virology, University Multi-Profile Hospital for Active Treatment “St. George”, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Valeri Tzekov
- Section of Nephrology, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
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Samala N, Wang RY, Auh S, Balla AK, Dakhoul L, Alter HJ, Farci P, Ghabril M, Lucey MR, Rangnekar AS, Reddy KR, Ghany MG. Hepatitis E prevalence and infection in solid-organ transplant recipients in the United States. J Viral Hepat 2022; 29:1134-1142. [PMID: 36036116 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide. An increased risk for HEV infection has been reported in organ-transplant recipients, mainly from Europe. Prospective data on HEV prevalence in the United States (U.S.) organ transplant population are limited. To determine the prevalence and factors associated with HEV infection among solid organ transplant-recipients, we conducted a prospective, cross-sectional, multicentre study among transplant-recipients and age- and organ-matched waitlist patients. Participants answered a risk-exposure questionnaire and were tested for HEV-RNA (in-house PCR), HEV-IgG, and IgM (ELISA, Wantai). Among 456 participants, 224 were transplant-recipients, and 232 were waitlist patients. The mean age was 58 years, 35% female, and 74% White. HEV seroprevalence of the entire cohort was 20.2% and associated with older age (p < 0.0001) and organ transplantation (p = 0.02). The HEV seropositivity was significantly higher among transplant-recipients compared with waitlist patients (24% vs. 16.4%, p = 0.042). Among transplant recipients, relative-risk of being HEV seropositive increased with older age (RR = 3.4 [1.07-10.74] in patients >70 years compared with ≤50 years, p = 0.037); history of graft hepatitis (2.2 [1.27-3.72], p = 0.005); calcineurin inhibitor use (RR = 1.9 [1.03-3.34], p = 0.02); and kidney transplantation (2.4 [1.15-5.16], p = 0.02). HEV-RNA, genotype 3 was detected in only two patients (0.4%), both transplant-recipients. HEV seroprevalence was higher among transplant-recipients than waitlist patients. HEV should be considered in transplant-recipients presenting with graft hepatitis. Detection of HEV-RNA was rare, suggesting that progression to chronic HEV infection is uncommon in transplant-recipients in the U.S.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niharika Samala
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Richard Y Wang
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sungyoung Auh
- Office of the Director, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Abdalla Kara Balla
- MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Lara Dakhoul
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Harvey J Alter
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Patrizia Farci
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Marwan Ghabril
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Michael R Lucey
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Amol S Rangnekar
- MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - K Rajender Reddy
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Marc G Ghany
- Liver Disease Branch (LDB), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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3
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Ouji M, Taherkhani R, Farshadpour F. High prevalence of hepatitis E among regular hemodialysis patients in South of Iran. Int J Artif Organs 2021; 44:658-663. [PMID: 34308705 DOI: 10.1177/03913988211027177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the prevalent nosocomially transmitted agents among patients on maintenance hemodialysis due to parenteral transmission of HEV and immunocompromised condition of chronic hemodialysis patients. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate prevalence, risk factors, and genotypic pattern of HEV infection among hemodialysis patients in South of Iran. METHODS All patients on maintenance hemodialysis attending the hemodialysis centers of Bushehr, Borazjan, and Genaveh cities for regular hemodialysis were enrolled in this study. Serum samples were tested for the presence of anti-HEV antibodies using ELISA kit. The serum samples were further tested for detection of HEV RNA using nested RT-PCR. RESULTS Of 226 hemodialysis patients, 155 patients (68.6%, 95% CI: 62.3%-74.3%) were positive for anti-HEV IgG antibody, of which 33 patients (14.6%, 95% CI: 10.6%-19.8%) had anti-HEV IgM antibody. The prevalence of anti-HEV IgG and anti-IgM antibodies in non-hemodialysis controls were 65.1% and 9.6%, respectively. Although the hemodialysis patients had higher prevalence of HEV than the controls, the difference was not significant. All samples were negative for HEV RNA. HEV seroprevalence among hemodialysis patients was not significantly associated with place of residency, ethnicity, level of education, gender distribution, hemodialysis duration, and levels of liver enzymes. HEV seropositive patients had significantly higher mean age compared to seronegative patients. CONCLUSION This study reports the highest seroprevalence of HEV among hemodialysis patients in Iran. Inapparent HEV infection in the dialysis setting calls for regular screening of hemodialysis patients regardless of the hemodialysis duration, clinical symptoms, and liver function parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahbube Ouji
- Department of Microbiology, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz Branch, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Reza Taherkhani
- Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Farshadpour
- Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
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4
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Wilhelm B, Waddell L, Greig J, Young I. A systematic review and meta-analysis of predictors of human hepatitis E virus exposure in non-endemic countries. Zoonoses Public Health 2020; 67:391-406. [PMID: 32196945 PMCID: PMC7317350 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The reported incidence of clinical hepatitis E cases is rising in some non-endemic countries, with concurrent concerns regarding potential hepatitis E virus (HEV) contamination of the blood supply. Therefore, the characterization of major potential sources of human HEV exposure is important to inform risk assessment and public health policy. A systematic review was conducted, including a comprehensive search in six electronic bibliographic databases, verified by hand-searching reference lists of HEV reviews, and a grey literature search, of the broad research question 'what is the evidence of the association between predictors of human HEV exposure, and HEV IgG seropositivity, in non-endemic countries?' Using forms designed a priori, captured studies were appraised at first-level screening, second-level characterization, and third-level data extraction and risk of bias assessment. Meta-analysis yielded summary estimates of association between potential predictors and odds of HEV seropositivity. Meta-analysis and meta-regression of the odds of HEV seroprevalence in specific groups characterized potential sources of HEV exposure. From 4,163 captured citations, 245 relevant studies underwent data extraction, investigating HEV seroprevalence or predictors in both healthy subjects and targeted patient groups. Across these groups, increasing age was a predictor of HEV IgG seropositivity. Both human immunodeficiency virus patients and haemodialysis patients had significantly increased odds of HEV seropositivity relative to the general population. Working with pigs, in forestry, or in hospitals, was significantly associated with increased odds of HEV seropositivity, as were consumption of meat, pork or game meat, or hunting. Chronological time was not associated with HEV seropositivity within our data sets. Further study of the distribution of potential dietary or behavioural predictors between high and lower prevalence areas within non-endemic countries could improve our understanding of the relative importance of specific HEV transmission pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lisa Waddell
- Public Health Risk Sciences DivisionNational Microbiology LaboratoryPublic Health Agency of CanadaGuelphONCanada
| | - Judy Greig
- Public Health Risk Sciences DivisionNational Microbiology LaboratoryPublic Health Agency of CanadaGuelphONCanada
| | - Ian Young
- School of Occupational and Public HealthRyerson UniversityTorontoONCanada
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5
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Tavakoli A, Alavian SM, Moghoofei M, Mostafaei S, Abbasi S, Farahmand M. Seroepidemiology of hepatitis E virus infection in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Ther Apher Dial 2020; 25:4-15. [PMID: 32348032 DOI: 10.1111/1744-9987.13507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Revised: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Patients undergoing regular hemodialysis (HD) are at an extreme risk of acquiring bloodstream infections compared to the general population. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is an important emerging health issue in these patients. To date, numerous studies have investigated the seroprevalence of HEV among HD patients across the world; however, the data are conflicting. The present study aimed to measure the exposure rate of HD patients to HEV infection by estimating the overall seroprevalence of HEV in this high-risk group. A systematic literature search was carried out using five electronic databases from inception to January 10, 2020, with standard keywords. Pooled seroprevalence estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random intercept logistic regression model. The seroprevalence of HEV increased from 6.6% between the years of 1994 and 2000 to 11.13% from 2016 to 2020. Blood transfusion was associated with a nearly 2-fold increase in the rate of HEV seropositivity (OR = 1.99; 95% CI: 1.50-2.63, P < .0001, I2 = 6.5%). HEV seroprevalence among patients with HD for more than 60 months was significantly higher than those with HD for less than 60 months (27.69%, 95% CI: 20.69%-35.99% vs 15.78%, 95%CI: 8.85%-26.57%, respectively) (P = .06). Our results indicated increased exposure of HD patients with HEV infection over the last decade. We concluded that blood transfusion and duration of HD are considerable risk factors for acquiring HEV infection among HD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Tavakoli
- Department of Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Moayed Alavian
- Baqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases (BRCGL), Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Middle East Liver Disease (MELD) Center, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Moghoofei
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.,Medical Biology Research Center, Institute of Health and Technology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Shayan Mostafaei
- Medical Biology Research Center, Institute of Health and Technology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.,Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeedeh Abbasi
- Department of Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Farahmand
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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6
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Ismail MB, Al Kassaa I, El Safadi D, Al Omari S, Mallat H, Dabboussi F, Hamze M. Prevalence of anti-hepatitis E virus IgG antibodies in sera from hemodialysis patients in Tripoli, Lebanon. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0233256. [PMID: 32421697 PMCID: PMC7233529 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an important global public health concern. Several studies reported a higher HEV prevalence in patients undergoing regular hemodialysis (HD). In Lebanon, the epidemiology of HEV among HD patients has never been investigated previously. In this study, we examine the seroprevalence of HEV infection among 171 HD patients recruited from three hospital dialysis units in Tripoli, North Lebanon. Prevalence of anti-HEV IgG antibodies was evaluated in participant's sera using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The association of socio-demographic and clinical parameters with HEV infection in patients was also evaluated. Overall, 96 women and 75 men were enrolled in this study. Anti-HEV IgG antibodies were found positive in 37/171 HD patients showing a positivity rate of 21.63%. Among all examined variables, only the age of patients was significantly associated with seropositivity (P = 0.001). This first epidemiological study reveals a high seroprevalence of HEV infection among Lebanese HD patients. However, further evaluations that enroll larger samples and include control groups are required to identify exact causative factors of the important seropositivity rate in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad Bachar Ismail
- Laboratoire Microbiologie Santé et Environnement (LMSE), Doctoral School of Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Tripoli, Lebanon
- Faculty of Science, Lebanese University, Tripoli, Lebanon
| | - Imad Al Kassaa
- Laboratoire Microbiologie Santé et Environnement (LMSE), Doctoral School of Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Tripoli, Lebanon
| | - Dima El Safadi
- Laboratoire Microbiologie Santé et Environnement (LMSE), Doctoral School of Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Tripoli, Lebanon
| | - Sarah Al Omari
- Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Tripoli, Lebanon
| | - Hassan Mallat
- Laboratoire Microbiologie Santé et Environnement (LMSE), Doctoral School of Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Tripoli, Lebanon
| | - Fouad Dabboussi
- Laboratoire Microbiologie Santé et Environnement (LMSE), Doctoral School of Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Tripoli, Lebanon
| | - Monzer Hamze
- Laboratoire Microbiologie Santé et Environnement (LMSE), Doctoral School of Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Tripoli, Lebanon
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7
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Bura M, Łagiedo-Żelazowska M, Michalak M, Mozer-Lisewska I, Grzegorzewska AE. Exposure to hepatitis E virus in hemodialysis patients from west-central Poland. J Med Virol 2020; 92:1363-1368. [PMID: 32017168 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.25696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes travel-related but also locally acquired infections in industrialized parts of the world, including European countries. Food and blood transfusions are possible sources of transmission. Infections caused by zoonotic variants of the virus (particularly HEV-3) may progress to chronic liver disease in a nonnegligible proportion of immunocompromised people. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of serological markers of HEV infection in 189 patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT, currently on hemodialysis, HD) living in west-central Poland and to determine the factors related to HEV exposure in this group. Testing was carried out using commonly used commercial assays (Wantai Biological Pharmacy Enterprise Co, Beijing, China). Anti-HEV IgG was detected in 94 patients (49.7%); none of the participants had anti-HEV IgM or HEV Ag. Patients on RRT (HD) for less than 6 months were significantly more likely to be anti-HEV IgG-positive than dependent of RRT (HD) for more than half a year (80% vs 47%; P = .014). Exposure to HEV in patients from west-central Poland is frequent, but no clear sources of this infection have been identified. There were no serological features of ongoing liver disease caused by HEV in the study subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Bura
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hepatology and Acquired Immunodeficiencies, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | | | - Michał Michalak
- Department of Computer Science and Statistics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Iwona Mozer-Lisewska
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hepatology and Acquired Immunodeficiencies, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Alicja E Grzegorzewska
- Chair and Department of Nephrology, Transplantology and Internal Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
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8
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Mrzljak A, Dinjar-Kujundzic P, Knotek M, Kudumija B, Ilic M, Gulin M, Zibar L, Hrstic I, Jurekovic Z, Kolaric B, Jemersic L, Prpic J, Tomljenovic M, Vilibic-Cavlek T. Seroepidemiology of hepatitis E in patients on haemodialysis in Croatia. Int Urol Nephrol 2020; 52:371-378. [PMID: 31894559 DOI: 10.1007/s11255-019-02363-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Data on the seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in heamodialysis (HD) patients are conflicting, ranging from 0 to 44%. The aim of this study was to determine the HEV seroprevalence and risk factors among HD patients in Croatia. METHODS A total of 394 HD patients from six medical facilities in five Croatian cities (three sites in the continental and three sites in the coastal region) were tested for HEV IgM/IgG antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Additionally, all samples were tested for HEV RNA by RT-PCR. Sociodemographic data and risk factors were collected using a questionnaire. RESULTS HEV IgG antibodies were detected in 110 (27.9%) patients. The seroprevalence varied significantly between dialysis centres, ranging from 5.2 to 43.4% (p = 0.001). HEV IgM antibodies were found in 0.04% of IgG positive patients. All patients tested negative for HEV RNA. Factors associated with HEV IgG seropositivity were age > 60 years (OR 8.17; 95% CI 1.08-62.14), living in the continental parts of the country (OR 2.58; 95% CI 1.55-4.30), and transfusion of blood products (OR 1.66; 95% CI 1.01-2.73). After adjusting for age and gender, patients from continental regions had higher odds of HEV seropositivity compared to patients from coastal regions (OR 2.88; 95% CI 1.71-4.85) and those who had RBC transfusions (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.02-2.69) compared to those who did not. CONCLUSION The study showed a high HEV seropositivity among HD patients in Croatia, with significant variations between geographical regions. Continental area of residence and RBC transfusion were the most significant risk factors for HEV seropositivity. Due to the high seroprevalence, routine HEV screening among HD patients, especially in transplant candidates should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Mrzljak
- Department of Internal Medicine, Merkur University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia.
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | | | - Mladen Knotek
- Department of Internal Medicine, Merkur University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Boris Kudumija
- Policlinic for Internal Medicine and Dialysis B. Braun Avitum, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mario Ilic
- Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik, Croatia
| | - Marijana Gulin
- Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital Sibenik, Sibenik, Croatia
| | - Lada Zibar
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Centre Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
- Faculty of Medicine, University Josip Juraj Strossmayer in Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Irena Hrstic
- Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital Pula, Pula, Croatia
| | - Zeljka Jurekovic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Merkur University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Branko Kolaric
- Andrija Stampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | | | - Jelena Prpic
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Morana Tomljenovic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
- European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tatjana Vilibic-Cavlek
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
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9
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Friebus-Kardash J, Eisenberger U, Ackermann J, Kribben A, Witzke O, Wenzel J, Rohn H, Fiedler M. Prevalence of active hepatitis E virus infection and efficacy of ribavirin treatment in renal allograft recipients. Transpl Infect Dis 2019; 21:e13088. [PMID: 30929308 DOI: 10.1111/tid.13088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 infection frequently progresses to chronic disease with persisting HEV viremia in immunocompromised patients. Here, we evaluated the prevalence of HEV infection in renal allograft recipients and investigated the efficacy and tolerability of ribavirin monotherapy. METHODS A total of 947 recipients on average 8.7 years post transplant were screened for anti-HEV IgG, IgM and HEV-RNA. Sixteen HEV-viremic renal allograft recipients were treated with ribavirin for 12 weeks. HEV-RNA concentration, laboratory and clinical parameters were assessed at baseline, during therapy and 12 weeks after treatment cessation. HEV-genotyping was performed in all HEV-viremic patients. RESULTS Past HEV infection was detected serologically in 18% of the renal allograft recipients. Ongoing HEV replication was found in 16 recipients (all genotype 3). Unanimously, distinct HEV sequences were revealed in all HEV-viremic patients. At the start of ribavirin treatment, median HEV-RNA viral load was 4.3 × 106 (8000-5.0 × 106 ) IU/mL. Ninety-four percentage of HEV-infected allograft recipients showed a sustained virological response 12 weeks after treatment cessation. Ribavirin treatment was associated with rapid decrease in liver enzymes and rare occurrence of anemia. CONCLUSIONS Prevalence of active HEV infection is important in renal transplant patients without signs of nosocomial infection. Ribavirin treatment was safe and effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justa Friebus-Kardash
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
| | - Ute Eisenberger
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
| | - Jessica Ackermann
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Kribben
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Witzke
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Wenzel
- Institute for Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, National Consultant Laboratory for HAV and HEV, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hana Rohn
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Fiedler
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
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10
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Transmission of Hepatitis E Virus With Plasma Exchange in Kidney Transplant Recipients. Transplantation 2018; 102:1351-1357. [DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000002185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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11
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Pisano MB, Leathers J, Balderramo DC, Diehl F, Bolomo A, Fernández P, Martínez-Wassaf M, Cristani C, Di Cola G, De la Fuente J, Debes JD, E. Ré V. Hepatitis E virus infection in hemodialysis patients: A prospective analysis. Semin Dial 2018; 31:528-529. [DOI: 10.1111/sdi.12722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- María Belén Pisano
- Instituto de Virología “Dr. Vanella”; Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; Córdoba Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas; Universidad Católica de Córdoba; Córdoba Argentina
| | - James Leathers
- Vanderbilt University School of Medicine; Nashville TN USA
| | - Domingo C. Balderramo
- Departamento de Gastroenterología; Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba; IUCBC; Córdoba Argentina
| | - Fernando Diehl
- Departamento de Gastroenterología; Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba; IUCBC; Córdoba Argentina
| | - Andrea Bolomo
- Departamento de Gastroenterología; Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba; IUCBC; Córdoba Argentina
| | - Pehuen Fernández
- Departamento de Nefrología; Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba; IUCBC; Córdoba Argentina
| | - Maribel Martínez-Wassaf
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas; Universidad Católica de Córdoba; Córdoba Argentina
- LACE Laboratorios; Córdoba Argentina
| | - Carla Cristani
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas; Universidad Católica de Córdoba; Córdoba Argentina
| | - Guadalupe Di Cola
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas; Universidad Católica de Córdoba; Córdoba Argentina
| | - Jorge De la Fuente
- Departamento de Nefrología; Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba; IUCBC; Córdoba Argentina
| | | | - Viviana E. Ré
- Instituto de Virología “Dr. Vanella”; Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; Córdoba Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas; Universidad Católica de Córdoba; Córdoba Argentina
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12
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Hepatitis E virus infection in different groups of Estonian patients and people who inject drugs. J Clin Virol 2018; 104:5-10. [PMID: 29702351 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2018.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Revised: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previously we demonstrated a high prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in domestic pigs and wild boars, the main reservoir and possible source of HEV infections in humans. But so far there are no reports about spread of HEV in Estonian human population. OBJECTIVES The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and genotyping of HEV in different groups of the Estonian adult population. STUDY DESIGN Totally 1426 human serum samples were tested (763 patients with clinically diagnosed nonA/B/C hepatitis, 176 hemodialysis patients, 282 patients with suspected HEV infection and 205 people who injected drugs (PWID)). Presence of anti-HEVantibodies was assessed by ELISA and confirmed by immunoblotting. All anti-HEV positive sera were analyzed for RNA by qPCR. Amplified ORF2 region was sequenced and used for phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS Antibody assay revealed 49 samples from 1426 (3.4%) with acute (17) or past (32) HEV infection. HEV RNA was detected in 10 anti-HEV IgM positive samples, including 9 samples from patients with suspected HEV infection and 1 hemodialysis patient. Anti-HEV IgG were found in 7.8% patients with suspected HEV infection, in 4% hemodialysis patients, in 2.4% PWID and in 1.96% patients with nonA/B/C hepatitis. All groups demonstrated a trend to share of anti-HEV seroprevalence increasing with age. Phylogenetic analysis of 9 HEV RNA sequences revealed that 3 sequences belonged to HEV genotype 1; 6 ones to genotype 3 (1 sequence belonged to sub-genotype 3a, two ones - sub-genotype 3e, and three ones - to sub-genotype 3f). CONCLUSIONS Despite the high seroprevalence among domestic pigs, no evidence of HEV transmission from Estonian pigs to humans was found. The results of our study suggest that HEV infections in Estonia are most likely associated with travel or with consumption of imported food products.
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de Oliveira JMNS, Freitas NRD, Teles SA, Bottino FDO, Lemos AS, de Oliveira JM, de Paula V, Pinto MA, Martins RMB. Prevalence of hepatitis E virus RNA and antibodies in a cohort of kidney transplant recipients in Central Brazil. Int J Infect Dis 2018; 69:41-43. [PMID: 29408465 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2018.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Revised: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) RNA and antibodies among kidney transplant recipients (KTR) in Central Brazil. The presence of chronic HEV infection was also investigated. METHODS A cohort study was conducted among 316 KTR treated at a referral center for kidney transplantation in Goiânia, Brazil. All serum samples were tested for the presence of HEV RNA (real-time PCR) and anti-HEV IgG/IgM (ELISA). Anti-HEV-positive samples were confirmed using an immunoblot test. HEV chronicity was investigated in a subgroup of patients with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT >40IU/l) through HEV RNA detection in additional serum samples collected 3 and 6 months apart. RESULTS A seroprevalence of 2.5% (95% confidence interval 1.2-5.1%) was found for anti-HEV IgG. There was no difference in characteristics between the anti-HEV IgG seropositive and seronegative KTR groups. Anti-HEV IgM was detected in only one patient (0.3%). All KTR were negative for HEV RNA. CONCLUSIONS These results show that HEV infection is infrequent in KTR in Central Brazil, with low seroprevalence rates of past and recent infection, and also an absence of active and chronic HEV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nara Rubia de Freitas
- Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Vanessa de Paula
- Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Shrestha A, Adhikari A, Bhattarai M, Rauniyar R, Debes JD, Boonstra A, Lama TK, Al Mahtab M, Butt AS, Akbar SMF, Aryal N, Karn S, Manandhar KD, Gupta BP. Prevalence and risk of hepatitis E virus infection in the HIV population of Nepal. Virol J 2017; 14:228. [PMID: 29162143 PMCID: PMC5696774 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-017-0899-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infection with the hepatitis E virus (HEV) can cause acute hepatitis in endemic areas in immune-competent hosts, as well as chronic infection in immune-compromised subjects in non-endemic areas. Most studies assessing HEV infection in HIV-infected populations have been performed in developed countries that are usually affected by HEV genotype 3. The objective of this study is to measure the prevalence and risk of acquiring HEV among HIV-infected individuals in Nepal. METHODS We prospectively evaluated 459 Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-positive individuals from Nepal, an endemic country for HEV, for seroprevalence of HEV and assessed risk factors associated with HEV infection. All individuals were on antiretroviral therapy and healthy blood donors were used as controls. RESULTS We found a high prevalence of HEV IgG (39.4%) and HEV IgM (15.3%) in HIV-positive subjects when compared to healthy HIV-negative controls: 9.5% and 4.4%, respectively (OR: 6.17, 95% CI 4.42-8.61, p < 0.001 and OR: 3.7, 95% CI 2.35-5.92, p < 0.001, respectively). Individuals residing in the Kathmandu area showed a significantly higher HEV IgG seroprevalance compared to individuals residing outside of Kathmandu (76.8% vs 11.1%, OR: 30.33, 95% CI 18.02-51.04, p = 0.001). Mean CD4 counts, HIV viral load and presence of hepatitis B surface antigen correlated with higher HEV IgM rate, while presence of hepatitis C antibody correlated with higher rate of HEV IgG in serum. Overall, individuals with HEV IgM positivity had higher levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) than IgM negative subjects, suggesting active acute infection. However, no specific symptoms for hepatitis were identified. CONCLUSIONS HIV-positive subjects living in Kathmandu are at higher risk of acquiring HEV infection as compared to the general population and to HIV-positive subjects living outside Kathmandu.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anurag Adhikari
- Kathmandu Research Institute for Biological Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal
| | - Manjula Bhattarai
- Kathmandu Research Institute for Biological Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal
| | - Ramanuj Rauniyar
- Kathmandu Research Institute for Biological Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal
| | - Jose D Debes
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - André Boonstra
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Mamun Al Mahtab
- Department of Hepatology, BangabandhuShiekhMujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Amna Subhan Butt
- Department of Medicine, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | - Nirmal Aryal
- Virology Unit, Central Department of Biotechnology, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Sapana Karn
- St. Xavier's College Maitighar, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Krishna Das Manandhar
- Virology Unit, Central Department of Biotechnology, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Birendra Prasad Gupta
- Virology Unit, Central Department of Biotechnology, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal.
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15
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Haffar S, Bazerbachi F, Leise MD, Dillon JJ, Albright RC, Murad MH, Kamath PS, Watt KD. Systematic review with meta-analysis: the association between hepatitis E seroprevalence and haemodialysis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2017; 46:790-799. [PMID: 28869287 DOI: 10.1111/apt.14285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Revised: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 08/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection appears to be more common than previously thought. HEV seroprevalence in patients on maintenance haemodialysis (HD) is unclear with a range from 0% to 44%. In addition, risk factors of transmission of HEV in patients on haemodialysis are unknown. AIM To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of HEV seroprevalence in HD patients compared with controls. METHODS A systematic search of several databases identified all observational studies with comparative arms. Two reviewers extracted data and assessed the methodological quality. A random-effects model was used for pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of positive anti-HEV IgG in both groups. Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed with appropriate tests. RESULTS We identified 31 studies from 17 countries between 1994 and 2016. Sixteen studies were judged to have adequate quality and 15 to have moderate limitations. HEV infection was more prevalent in patients on haemodialysis compared with controls (OR 2.47, 95% CI 1.79-3.40, I2 = 75.2%, P < .01). We conducted several subgroup analyses without difference in results. Egger regression test did not suggest publication bias (P = .83). Specific risk factors of HEV transmission in patients on haemodialysis were not clearly identified. CONCLUSIONS Hepatitis E virus infection is more prevalent in patients on haemodialysis compared with non-haemodialysis control groups. Further studies are needed to determine risk factors of acquisition, impact on health, and risk for chronic HEV especially among those patients going to receive organ transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Haffar
- Digestive Center for Diagnosis & Treatment, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
| | - F Bazerbachi
- Digestive Center for Diagnosis & Treatment, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
| | - M D Leise
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - J J Dillon
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - R C Albright
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - M H Murad
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - P S Kamath
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - K D Watt
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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16
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Pischke S, Hartl J, Pas SD, Lohse AW, Jacobs BC, Van der Eijk AA. Hepatitis E virus: Infection beyond the liver? J Hepatol 2017; 66:1082-1095. [PMID: 27913223 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2016.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Revised: 11/13/2016] [Accepted: 11/20/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections are not limited to the liver but may also affect other organs. Several diseases, including Guillain-Barré syndrome, neuralgic amyotrophy, glomerulonephritis, cryoglobulinemia, pancreatitis, lymphoma, thrombopenia, meningitis, thyroiditis and myocarditis have been observed in the context of hepatitis E. To date, the definite pathophysiological links between HEV and extrahepatic manifestations are not yet established. However, it is suggested that HEV infection might be causative based on serological studies, case series, in vitro data and animal models. In particular, neuronal and renal diseases as well as pancreatitis seem to be caused by HEV, while a causative relationship between HEV and other diseases is more doubtful. Either direct cytopathic tissue damage by extrahepatic replication, or immunological processes induced by an overwhelming host immune response, are possible origins of HEV-associated extrahepatic manifestations. Hepatologists should be aware of the possibility that acute or chronically HEV-infected patients could develop extrahepatic manifestations. Neurologists, nephrologists, rheumatologists and other groups of physicians should consider HEV infection as a potential differential diagnosis when observing one of the diseases described in this review. Ribavirin and steroids have been used in small groups of patients with extrahepatic manifestations of HEV, but the efficacy of these drugs still needs to be verified by large, multicenter studies. This article comprehensively reviews the published literature regarding HEV and extrahepatic manifestations. We discuss the probability of specific extrahepatic diseases being caused by previous or ongoing HEV infection, and summarize the published knowledge about antiviral treatment in extrahepatic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Pischke
- Department of Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Johannes Hartl
- Department of Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Suzan D Pas
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ansgar W Lohse
- Department of Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bart C Jacobs
- Department of Neurology and Immunology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Netherlands
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17
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Hepatitis E Virus in Industrialized Countries: The Silent Threat. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 2016:9838041. [PMID: 28070522 PMCID: PMC5192302 DOI: 10.1155/2016/9838041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2016] [Revised: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the main cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide. Its presence in developing countries has been documented for decades. Developed countries were supposed to be virus-free and initially only imported cases were detected in those areas. However, sporadic and autochthonous cases of HEV infection have been identified and studies reveal that the virus is worldwide spread. Chronic hepatitis and multiple extrahepatic manifestations have also been associated with HEV. We review the data from European countries, where human, animal, and environmental data have been collected since the 90s. In Europe, autochthonous HEV strains were first detected in the late 90s and early 2000s. Since then, serological data have shown that the virus infects quite frequently the European population and that some species, such as pigs, wild boars, and deer, are reservoirs. HEV strains can be isolated from environmental samples and reach the food chain, as shown by the detection of the virus in mussels and in contaminated pork products as sausages or meat. All these data highlight the need of studies directed to control the sources of HEV to protect immunocompromised individuals that seem the weakest link of the HEV epidemiology in industrialized regions.
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18
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Pisano MB, Balderramo D, Wassaf MM, Lotto M, Carlino Y, Ré VE, Debes JD. Hepatitis E virus infection in patients on dialysis and in solid organ transplant recipients in Argentina: exploring associated risk factors. Arch Virol 2016; 162:787-792. [DOI: 10.1007/s00705-016-3171-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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19
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Vilibic-Cavlek T, Vilibic M, Kolaric B, Jemersic L, Kucinar J, Barbic L, Bagaric A, Stevanovic V, Tabain I, Sviben M, Jukic V, Mlinaric-Galinovic G. Seroepidemiology of Hepatitis E in Selected Population Groups in Croatia: A Prospective Pilot Study. Zoonoses Public Health 2016; 63:494-502. [PMID: 26776465 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E has become an emerging infection in many European countries. We analysed the prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in selected population groups in Croatia. Overall HEV IgG seropositivity was 5.6%, while 1.9% participants showed IgM antibodies suggestive of recent infection. No IgM-positive sample was positive for HEV RNA. HEV IgG antibodies were most prevalent in alcohol abusers (8.9%) and war veterans (8.6%), compared with 6.1% among injecting drug users and 2.7% in healthcare professionals. No individual with high-risk sexual behaviour tested HEV seropositive. HEV IgG positivity increased significantly with age from 1.8% to 2.3% in individuals younger than 40 years to 11.3% in individuals older than 50 years (P = 0.023). The mean age of HEV-positive participants was significantly higher than that of HEV-negative participants (50.9 ± 11.8 years versus 41.2 ± 11.8 years, P = 0.008). Seroprevalence rates were significantly higher in residents of suburban and rural areas compared with residents of urban areas (14.5% versus 2.5%, P = 0.003). Additionally, an increasing prevalence of HEV IgG antibodies was observed from 1.8% in participants living in families with two household members to 12.1% in those living with more than four members (P = 0.046). Gender, marital status, educational level, sexual orientation, source of drinking water, history of blood transfusions, surgical procedures, tattooing and travelling were not associated with HEV seroprevalence. Logistic regression showed that living in suburban/rural areas was the main risk factor for HEV seropositivity (OR = 6.67; 95%CI = 1.89-25.0; AOR = 7.14, 95%CI = 1.89-25.0).
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Affiliation(s)
- T Vilibic-Cavlek
- Department of Virology, Croatian National Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia.,School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - M Vilibic
- Vrapce University Psychiatric Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - B Kolaric
- Department of Epidemiology, Teaching Institute 'Dr Andrija Stampar', Zagreb, Croatia.,School of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - L Jemersic
- Department of Virology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - J Kucinar
- Department of Microbiology, Istria County Institute of Public Health, Pula, Croatia
| | - L Barbic
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - A Bagaric
- Vrapce University Psychiatric Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - V Stevanovic
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - I Tabain
- Department of Virology, Croatian National Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - M Sviben
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - V Jukic
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.,Vrapce University Psychiatric Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - G Mlinaric-Galinovic
- Department of Virology, Croatian National Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia.,School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
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Lapa D, Capobianchi MR, Garbuglia AR. Epidemiology of Hepatitis E Virus in European Countries. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:25711-43. [PMID: 26516843 PMCID: PMC4632823 DOI: 10.3390/ijms161025711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Revised: 09/12/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last decade the seroprevalence of immunoglobulin (IgG) anti hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been increasing in European countries and shows significant variability among different geographical areas. In this review, we describe the serological data concerning the general population and risk groups in different European countries. Anti-HEV antibody prevalence ranged from 1.3% (blood donors in Italy) to 52% (blood donors in France). Various studies performed on risk groups in Denmark, Moldova and Sweden revealed that swine farmers have a high seroprevalence of HEV IgG (range 13%-51.1%), confirming that pigs represent an important risk factor in HEV infection in humans. Subtypes 3e,f are the main genotypes detected in the European population. Sporadic cases of autochthonous genotype 4 have been described in Spain, France, and Italy. Although most HEV infections are subclinical, in immune-suppressed and transplant patients they could provoke chronic infection. Fulminant hepatitis has rarely been observed and it was related to genotype 3. Interferon and ribavirin treatment was seen to represent the most promising therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Lapa
- Laboratory of Virology, "Lazzaro Spallanzani" National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Via Portuense 292, Rome 00149, Italy.
| | - Maria Rosaria Capobianchi
- Laboratory of Virology, "Lazzaro Spallanzani" National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Via Portuense 292, Rome 00149, Italy.
| | - Anna Rosa Garbuglia
- Laboratory of Virology, "Lazzaro Spallanzani" National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Via Portuense 292, Rome 00149, Italy.
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[Hepatitis E virus: opinions of the Working Group of the Federal Ministry of Health Blood]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2015; 58:198-218. [PMID: 25608627 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-014-2103-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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22
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Laverdure N, Scholtès-Brunel C, Rivet C, Heissat S, Restier L, Bacchetta J, Boillot O, Dumortier J, Lachaux A. Paediatric liver transplanted patients and prevalence of hepatitis E virus. J Clin Virol 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2015.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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23
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Pauli G, Aepfelbacher M, Bauerfeind U, Blümel J, Burger R, Gärtner B, Gröner A, Gürtler L, Heiden M, Hildebrandt M, Jansen B, Offergeld R, Schlenkrich U, Schottstedt V, Seitz R, Strobel J, Willkommen H, Baylis SA. Hepatitis E Virus. Transfus Med Hemother 2015; 42:247-65. [PMID: 26557817 DOI: 10.1159/000431191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 02/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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Scotto G, Aucella F, Grandaliano G, Martinelli D, Querques M, Gesuete A, Infante B, Carri PD, Massa S, Salatino G, Bulla F, Fazio V. Hepatitis E in hemodialysis and kidney transplant patients in south-east Italy. World J Gastroenterol 2015; 21:3266-3273. [PMID: 25805933 PMCID: PMC4363756 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i11.3266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2014] [Revised: 11/04/2014] [Accepted: 01/08/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the serovirological prevalence and clinical features of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in end-stage renal failure patients and in the healthy population.
METHODS: HEV infection is a viral disease that can cause sporadic and epidemic hepatitis. Previous studies unexpectedly showed a high prevalence of HEV antibodies in immunosuppressed subjects, including hemodialysis (HD) patients and patients who had undergone kidney transplant. A cohort/case-control study was carried out from January 2012 to August 2013 in two hospitals in southern Italy (Foggia and S. Giovanni Rotondo, Apulia). The seroprevalence of HEV was determined in 801 subjects; 231 HD patients, 120 renal transplant recipients, and 450 health individuals. All HD patients and the recipients of renal transplants were attending the Departments of Nephrology and Dialysis at two hospitals located in Southern Italy, and were included progressively in this study. Serum samples were tested for HEV antibodies (IgG/IgM); in the case of positivity they were confirmed by a Western blot assay and were also tested for HEV-RNA, and the HEV genotypes were determined.
RESULTS: A total of 30/801 (3.7%) patients were positive for anti-HEV Ig (IgG and/or IgM) and by Western blot. The healthy population presented with a prevalence of 2.7%, HD patients had a prevalence of 6.0%, and transplant recipients had a prevalence of 3.3%. The overall combined HEV-positive prevalence in the two groups with chronic renal failure was 5.1%. The rates of exposure to HEV (positivity of HEV-IgG/M in the early samples) were lower in the healthy controls, but the difference among the three groups was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Positivity for anti-HEV/IgM was detected in 4/30 (13.33%) anti-HEV Ig positive individuals, in 2/14 HD patients, in 1/4 transplant individuals, and in 1/12 of the healthy population. The relative risk of being HEV-IgM-positive was significantly higher among transplant recipients compared to the other two groups (OR = 65.4, 95%CI: 7.2-592.7, P < 0.001), but the subjects with HEV-IgM positivity were numerically too few to calculate a significant difference. No patient presented with chronic hepatitis from HEV infection alone.
CONCLUSION: This study indicated a higher, but not significant, circulation of HEV in hemodialysis patients vs the healthy population. Chronic hepatitis due to the HEV virus was not observed.
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Systematic serological testing for hepatitis E virus in kidney transplant recipients. J Clin Microbiol 2015; 53:1523-30. [PMID: 25694530 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.03624-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2014] [Accepted: 02/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 is endemic in Europe and hyperendemic in southern France. Recent reports of a high prevalence of HEV RNA in blood donations and in culinary specialties from this geographical area confirmed the endemicity of HEV and sources of viral transmission in this geographical area. HEV causes acute and chronic hepatitis in solid organ transplant recipients. Since March 2012, we have implemented systematic HEV serological testing in our cohort of kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) in Marseille in southeastern France. The aim of our study was to assess HEV exposure in this cohort between March 2012 and May 2014. During these 27 months, we found that 39% of the patients who underwent kidney transplantation had an anti-HEV IgG response using a sensitive microplate enzyme immunoassay. This seroprevalence was approximately 43% at both 1 and 8 years after, using the same assay. In addition, systematic HEV serological testing detected 6 cases of HEV infection among 578 KTRs (1%) during the 27 months of the study, with 5 at an acute stage and 1 at a chronic stage. In conclusion, continuous HEV monitoring in this population is useful for better understanding the epidemiology of HEV in France, because these patients are a well-monitored population. Moreover, HEV monitoring in KTRs is clinically relevant because HEV represents a clinical threat in these patients. Nevertheless, HEV serological testing may be more fruitful for identifying HEV infections when performed in cases of biological liver abnormalities than when performed systematically.
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Kmush BL, Nelson KE, Labrique AB. Risk factors for hepatitis E virus infection and disease. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2014; 13:41-53. [DOI: 10.1586/14787210.2015.981158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Buffaz C, Scholtes C, Dron AG, Chevallier-Queyron P, Ritter J, André P, Ramière C. Hepatitis E in liver transplant recipients in the Rhône-Alpes region in France. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2014; 33:1037-43. [PMID: 24445407 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-013-2042-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2013] [Accepted: 12/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE In developed countries, hepatitis E virus (HEV) is considered an emerging pathogen, but prevalence seems highly variable according to previous European studies. As HEV can lead to chronic infections in immunosuppressed patients, it is thus essential to evaluate the prevalence and incidence of this infection. METHODS We determined retrospectively, in a cohort of 206 pediatric and adult liver transplant recipients from the Rhône-Alpes region in France, pre-transplant anti-HEV-IgG prevalence and incidence of HEV infections during post-transplant follow-up (HEV IgG and IgM ± HEV-RNA). RESULTS Transplantations were carried out between 2005 and 2012 and mean post-transplant follow-up was 32.8 months. Global pre-transplant prevalence of anti-HEV IgG was 29%, increasing regularly with age from 7% for children under 15 to 49% for patients older than 60. From the 142 seronegative patients before transplant, 11 seroconversions (7.7%) were observed during follow-up (incidence of 2.83 cases per 100 person-years). HEV RNA-tested at transaminases peak or randomly-was detected in only one case of seroconversion. For at least 2 HEV-seropositive patients, who had negative RNAemia before transplantation, viral RNA was detected chronically during follow-up, suggesting reinfection with HEV. CONCLUSION Acute infections were largely more frequent than chronic infections and were asymptomatic or misdiagnosed, suggesting that liver transplant patients may not be particularly prone to developing severe HEV hepatitis. In addition, the presence of IgG anti-HEV may not protect against re-infection. Serological testing, therefore, appears to be of limited interest for the diagnosis of HEV infections in liver transplant recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Buffaz
- Laboratoire de Virologie, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 103 grande rue de la Croix Rousse, 69004, Lyon, France
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Riveiro-Barciela M, Buti M, Homs M, Campos-Varela I, Cantarell C, Crespo M, Castells L, Tabernero D, Quer J, Esteban R, Rodriguez-Frías F. Cirrhosis, liver transplantation and HIV infection are risk factors associated with hepatitis E virus infection. PLoS One 2014; 9:e103028. [PMID: 25068388 PMCID: PMC4113416 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2014] [Accepted: 06/26/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute and chronic hepatitis E have been associated with high mortality and development of cirrhosis, particularly in solid-organ recipients and patients infected by human immunodeficiency virus. However, data regarding the epidemiology of hepatitis E in special populations is still limited. AIMS Investigate seroprevalence and possible factors associated with HEV infection in a large cohort of immunosuppressed patients. METHODS Cross-sectional study testing IgG anti-HEV in serum samples from 1373 consecutive individuals: 332 liver-transplant, 296 kidney-transplant, 6 dual organ recipients, 301 non-transplanted patients with chronic liver disease, 238 HIV-infected patients and 200 healthy controls. RESULTS IgG anti-HEV was detected in 3.5% controls, 3.7% kidney recipients, 7.4% liver transplant without cirrhosis and 32.1% patients who developed post-transplant cirrhosis (p<0.01). In patients with chronic liver disease, IgG anti-HEV was also statistically higher in those with liver cirrhosis (2% vs 17.5%, p<0.01). HIV-infected patients showed an IgG anti-HEV rate of 9.2%, higher than those patients without HIV infection (p<0.03). Multivariate analysis showed that the factors independently associated with anti-HEV detection were liver cirrhosis, liver transplantation and HIV infection (OR: 7.6, 3.1 and 2.4). HCV infection was a protective factor for HEV infection (OR: 0.4). CONCLUSIONS HEV seroprevalence was high in liver transplant recipients, particularly those with liver cirrhosis. The difference in anti-HEV prevalence between Liver and Kidney transplanted cases suggests an association with advanced liver disease. Further research is needed to ascertain whether cirrhosis is a predisposing factor for HEV infection or whether HEV infection may play a role in the pathogeneses of cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mar Riveiro-Barciela
- Liver Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Buti
- Liver Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - María Homs
- Liver Pathology Unit/Virology Unit Biochemistry and Microbiology Departments, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Campos-Varela
- Liver Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen Cantarell
- Nephrology Department, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manuel Crespo
- Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lluís Castells
- Liver Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Tabernero
- Liver Pathology Unit/Virology Unit Biochemistry and Microbiology Departments, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Quer
- Liver Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael Esteban
- Liver Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francisco Rodriguez-Frías
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Pathology Unit/Virology Unit Biochemistry and Microbiology Departments, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveen Kumar
- Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
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