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Gömer A, Dinkelborg K, Klöhn M, Jagst M, Wißing MH, Frericks N, Nörenberg P, Behrendt P, Cornberg M, Wedemeyer H, Steinmann E, Maasoumy B, Todt D. Dynamic evolution of the sofosbuvir-associated variant A1343V in HEV-infected patients under concomitant sofosbuvir-ribavirin treatment. JHEP Rep 2024; 6:100989. [PMID: 38434938 PMCID: PMC10906529 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims In the absence of a hepatitis E virus (HEV)-specific antiviral treatment, sofosbuvir has recently been shown to have antiviral activity against HEV in vivo. However, a variant, A1343V, that is strongly associated with viral relapse impedes treatment success. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of variants during sofosbuvir and ribavirin treatment in vivo and assessed the sensitivity of resistance-associated variants to concurrent treatment in cell culture. Methods Two patients with chronic HEV infection that did not clear infection under ribavirin treatment were subsequently treated with a combination of sofosbuvir and ribavirin. We determined response to treatment by measuring liver enzymes and viral load in blood and stool. Moreover, we analyzed viral evolution using polymerase-targeted high-throughput sequencing and assessed replication fitness of resistance-associated variants using a HEV replicon system. Results Combination treatment was successful in decreasing viral load towards the limit of quantification. However, during treatment sustained virological response was not achieved. Variants associated with sofosbuvir or ribavirin treatment emerged during treatment, including A1343V and G1634R. Moreover, A1343V, as a single or double mutation with G1634R, was associated with sofosbuvir resistance during concomitant treatment in vitro. Conclusions These results highlight the importance of variant profiling during antiviral treatment of patients with chronic infection. Understanding how intra-host viral evolution impedes treatment success will help guide the design of next-generation antivirals. Impact and implications The lack of hepatitis E virus (HEV)-specific antivirals to treat chronic infection remains a serious health burden. Although ribavirin, interferon and sofosbuvir have been reported as anti-HEV drugs, not all patients are eligible for treatment or clear infection, since resistant-associated variants can rapidly emerge. In this study, we analyzed the efficacy of sofosbuvir and ribavirin combination treatment in terms of HEV suppression, the emergence of resistance-associated variants and their ability to escape treatment inhibition in vitro. Our results provide novel insights into evolutionary dynamics of HEV during treatment and thus will help guide the design of next-generation antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Gömer
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Katja Dinkelborg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Germany
- TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a Joint Venture between the Medical School Hannover (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infectious Disease Research (DZIF); Partner Sites Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Mara Klöhn
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Michelle Jagst
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Nicola Frericks
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Pia Nörenberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Germany
- TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a Joint Venture between the Medical School Hannover (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Hannover, Germany
| | - Patrick Behrendt
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Germany
- TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a Joint Venture between the Medical School Hannover (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infectious Disease Research (DZIF); Partner Sites Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Germany
- German Center for Infectious Disease Research (DZIF); Partner Sites Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
- Excellence Cluster 2155 RESIST, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Germany
- German Center for Infectious Disease Research (DZIF); Partner Sites Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
- Excellence Cluster 2155 RESIST, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Eike Steinmann
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), External Partner Site, Bochum, Germany
| | - Benjamin Maasoumy
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Germany
- German Center for Infectious Disease Research (DZIF); Partner Sites Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Daniel Todt
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center (EVBC), Jena, Germany
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Iqbal H, Mehmood BF, Sohal A, Roytman M. Hepatitis E infection: A review. World J Virol 2023; 12:262-271. [PMID: 38187497 PMCID: PMC10768387 DOI: 10.5501/wjv.v12.i5.262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a small non-enveloped virus that is transmitted via the fecal-oral route. It is a highly common cause of acute hepatitis, particularly in low to middle income regions of Asia, Africa, and Central America. Most cases are self-limited, and symptomatic patients usually present with acute icteric hepatitis. A subset of patients including pregnant women, older men, those with pre-existing liver disease and immunocompromised patients however, may develop severe disease and hepatic failure. Immunocompromised patients are also at risk for chronic infection, and their immunosuppression should be decreased in order to facilitate viral clearance. HEV can also present with a variety of extra-intestinal manifestations including neurological, renal, hematological, and pancreatic derangements. The gold standard of diagnosis is HEV ribonucleic acid detection via nucleic acid amplification testing. Currently, there are no approved treatments for Hepatitis E, though ribavirin is the most commonly used agent to reduce viral load. Studies assessing the safety and efficacy of other antiviral agents for HEV are currently underway. HEV vaccination has been approved in China, and is currently being investigated in other regions as well. This review article aims to discuss the epidemiology, pathogenesis, presentation, diagnosis, complications, and treatment of Hepatitis E infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Humzah Iqbal
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California San Francisco, Fresno, CA 93701, United States
| | - Bilal Fazal Mehmood
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California San Francisco, Fresno, CA 93701, United States
| | - Aalam Sohal
- Department of Hepatology, Liver Institute Northwest, Seattle, WA 98105, United States
| | - Marina Roytman
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of California San Francisco, Fresno, CA 93701, United States
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Colomer-Castell S, Gregori J, Garcia-Cehic D, Riveiro-Barciela M, Buti M, Rando-Segura A, Vico-Romero J, Campos C, Ibañez-Lligoña M, Adombi CM, Cortese MF, Tabernero D, Esteban JI, Rodriguez-Frias F, Quer J. In-Host HEV Quasispecies Evolution Shows the Limits of Mutagenic Antiviral Treatments. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17185. [PMID: 38139013 PMCID: PMC10743355 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we report the in-host hepatitis E virus (HEV) quasispecies evolution in a chronically infected patient who was treated with three different regimens of ribavirin (RBV) for nearly 6 years. Sequential plasma samples were collected at different time points and subjected to RNA extraction and deep sequencing using the MiSeq Illumina platforms. Specifically, we RT-PCR amplified a single amplicon from the core region located in the open-reading frame 2 (ORF2). At the nucleotide level (genotype), our analysis showed an increase in the number of rare haplotypes and a drastic reduction in the frequency of the master (most represented) sequence during the period when the virus was found to be insensitive to RBV treatment. Contrarily, at the amino acid level (phenotype), our study revealed conservation of the amino acids, which is represented by a high prevalence of the master sequence. Our findings suggest that using mutagenic antivirals concomitant with high viral loads can lead to the selection and proliferation of a rich set of synonymous haplotypes that express the same phenotype. This can also lead to the selection and proliferation of conservative substitutions that express fitness-enhanced phenotypes. These results have important clinical implications, as they suggest that using mutagenic agents as a monotherapy treatment regimen in the absence of sufficiently effective viral inhibitors can result in diversification and proliferation of a highly diverse quasispecies resistant to further treatment. Therefore, such approaches should be avoided whenever possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Colomer-Castell
- Liver Diseases-Viral Hepatitis, Liver Unit, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (S.C.-C.); (D.G.-C.); (M.R.-B.); (M.B.); (J.V.-R.); (C.C.); (M.I.-L.); (C.M.A.); (J.I.E.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (A.R.-S.); (M.F.C.); (D.T.); (F.R.-F.)
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Campus de la UAB, Plaça Cívica, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Josep Gregori
- Liver Diseases-Viral Hepatitis, Liver Unit, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (S.C.-C.); (D.G.-C.); (M.R.-B.); (M.B.); (J.V.-R.); (C.C.); (M.I.-L.); (C.M.A.); (J.I.E.)
| | - Damir Garcia-Cehic
- Liver Diseases-Viral Hepatitis, Liver Unit, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (S.C.-C.); (D.G.-C.); (M.R.-B.); (M.B.); (J.V.-R.); (C.C.); (M.I.-L.); (C.M.A.); (J.I.E.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (A.R.-S.); (M.F.C.); (D.T.); (F.R.-F.)
| | - Mar Riveiro-Barciela
- Liver Diseases-Viral Hepatitis, Liver Unit, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (S.C.-C.); (D.G.-C.); (M.R.-B.); (M.B.); (J.V.-R.); (C.C.); (M.I.-L.); (C.M.A.); (J.I.E.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (A.R.-S.); (M.F.C.); (D.T.); (F.R.-F.)
- Medicine Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Campus de la UAB, Plaça Cívica, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Maria Buti
- Liver Diseases-Viral Hepatitis, Liver Unit, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (S.C.-C.); (D.G.-C.); (M.R.-B.); (M.B.); (J.V.-R.); (C.C.); (M.I.-L.); (C.M.A.); (J.I.E.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (A.R.-S.); (M.F.C.); (D.T.); (F.R.-F.)
- Medicine Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Campus de la UAB, Plaça Cívica, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Ariadna Rando-Segura
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (A.R.-S.); (M.F.C.); (D.T.); (F.R.-F.)
- Microbiology Department, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Judit Vico-Romero
- Liver Diseases-Viral Hepatitis, Liver Unit, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (S.C.-C.); (D.G.-C.); (M.R.-B.); (M.B.); (J.V.-R.); (C.C.); (M.I.-L.); (C.M.A.); (J.I.E.)
| | - Carolina Campos
- Liver Diseases-Viral Hepatitis, Liver Unit, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (S.C.-C.); (D.G.-C.); (M.R.-B.); (M.B.); (J.V.-R.); (C.C.); (M.I.-L.); (C.M.A.); (J.I.E.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (A.R.-S.); (M.F.C.); (D.T.); (F.R.-F.)
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Campus de la UAB, Plaça Cívica, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Marta Ibañez-Lligoña
- Liver Diseases-Viral Hepatitis, Liver Unit, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (S.C.-C.); (D.G.-C.); (M.R.-B.); (M.B.); (J.V.-R.); (C.C.); (M.I.-L.); (C.M.A.); (J.I.E.)
- Medicine Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Campus de la UAB, Plaça Cívica, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Caroline Melanie Adombi
- Liver Diseases-Viral Hepatitis, Liver Unit, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (S.C.-C.); (D.G.-C.); (M.R.-B.); (M.B.); (J.V.-R.); (C.C.); (M.I.-L.); (C.M.A.); (J.I.E.)
- Institute of Agropastoral Management, University Peleforo Gon Coulibaly, Korhogo BP 1328, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Maria Francesca Cortese
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (A.R.-S.); (M.F.C.); (D.T.); (F.R.-F.)
- Biochemistry Department, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Tabernero
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (A.R.-S.); (M.F.C.); (D.T.); (F.R.-F.)
- Biochemistry Department, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Ignacio Esteban
- Liver Diseases-Viral Hepatitis, Liver Unit, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (S.C.-C.); (D.G.-C.); (M.R.-B.); (M.B.); (J.V.-R.); (C.C.); (M.I.-L.); (C.M.A.); (J.I.E.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (A.R.-S.); (M.F.C.); (D.T.); (F.R.-F.)
- Medicine Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Campus de la UAB, Plaça Cívica, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Francisco Rodriguez-Frias
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (A.R.-S.); (M.F.C.); (D.T.); (F.R.-F.)
- Biochemistry Department, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Quer
- Liver Diseases-Viral Hepatitis, Liver Unit, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (S.C.-C.); (D.G.-C.); (M.R.-B.); (M.B.); (J.V.-R.); (C.C.); (M.I.-L.); (C.M.A.); (J.I.E.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (A.R.-S.); (M.F.C.); (D.T.); (F.R.-F.)
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Campus de la UAB, Plaça Cívica, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
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Gömer A, Klöhn M, Jagst M, Nocke MK, Pischke S, Horvatits T, Schulze zur Wiesch J, Müller T, Hardtke S, Cornberg M, Wedemeyer H, Behrendt P, Steinmann E, Todt D. Emergence of resistance-associated variants during sofosbuvir treatment in chronically infected hepatitis E patients. Hepatology 2023; 78:1882-1895. [PMID: 37334496 PMCID: PMC10653298 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Chronic HEV infections remain a serious problem in immunocompromised patients, as specifically approved antiviral drugs are unavailable. In 2020, a 24-week multicenter phase II pilot trial was carried out, evaluating the nucleotide analog sofosbuvir by treating nine chronically HEV-infected patients with sofosbuvir (Trial Number NCT03282474). During the study, antiviral therapy reduced virus RNA levels initially but did not lead to a sustained virologic response. Here, we characterize the changes in HEV intrahost populations during sofosbuvir treatment to identify the emergence of treatment-associated variants. APPROACH AND RESULTS We performed high-throughput sequencing on RNA-dependent RNA polymerase sequences to characterize viral population dynamics in study participants. Subsequently, we used an HEV-based reporter replicon system to investigate sofosbuvir sensitivity in high-frequency variants. Most patients had heterogenous HEV populations, suggesting high adaptability to treatment-related selection pressures. We identified numerous amino acid alterations emerging during treatment and found that the EC 50 of patient-derived replicon constructs was up to ~12-fold higher than the wild-type control, suggesting that variants associated with lower drug sensitivity were selected during sofosbuvir treatment. In particular, a single amino acid substitution (A1343V) in the finger domain of ORF1 could reduce susceptibility to sofosbuvir significantly in 8 of 9 patients. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, viral population dynamics played a critical role during antiviral treatment. High population diversity during sofosbuvir treatment led to the selection of variants (especially A1343V) with lower sensitivity to the drug, uncovering a novel mechanism of resistance-associated variants during sofosbuvir treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Gömer
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Mara Klöhn
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Michelle Jagst
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Maximilian K. Nocke
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sven Pischke
- Medical Clinic and Polyclinic, University Medical Centre Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Germany
| | - Thomas Horvatits
- Medical Clinic and Polyclinic, University Medical Centre Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Germany
- Gastromedics Health Center, Eisenstadt, Austria
| | - Julian Schulze zur Wiesch
- Medical Clinic and Polyclinic, University Medical Centre Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Germany
| | - Tobias Müller
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Charité Campus Virchow-Klinikum (CVK), Berlin, Germany
| | - Svenja Hardtke
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF); HepNet Study-House/German Liver Foundation (DLS), Hannover, Germany
- Institute for Infections Research and Vaccine, University Medical Centre Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Markus Cornberg
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF); HepNet Study-House/German Liver Foundation (DLS), Hannover, Germany
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF); Partner Site Hannover Braunschweig, Germany
- Center for Individualized Infection Medicine (CiiM), Hannover, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF); HepNet Study-House/German Liver Foundation (DLS), Hannover, Germany
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF); Partner Site Hannover Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Patrick Behrendt
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF); Partner Site Hannover Braunschweig, Germany
- Institute of Experimental Virology, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Eike Steinmann
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Bochum, Germany
| | - Daniel Todt
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center (EVBC), Jena, Germany
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Hui W, Wei L. Treatment of Hepatitis E. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1417:215-226. [PMID: 37223869 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-99-1304-6_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections are the most common cause of acute hepatitis, but they can also take a chronic course. There is no specific therapy for acute hepatitis, and current treatment is supportive. Choosing ribavirin as the first-line therapy for chronic HEV is advisable, especially immunosuppressed individuals. Moreover, ribavirin therapy in the acute phase of infection provides major benefits for those at high risk of acute liver failure (ALF)/acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). Pegylated interferon α has been used successfully for treatment of hepatitis E but is associated with major side effects. Cholestasis is one of the most common, but devastating, manifestations in hepatitis E. Current therapy for HEV aims to treat symptoms. Therapy generally involves several measures, such as vitamins, albumin, and plasma for supporting treatment, symptomatic treatment for cutaneous pruritus, ursodeoxycholic acid, Obeticholic acid, S-adenosylmethionine, etc. for removing jaundice. HEV infection during pregnancy and patients with underlying liver disease may develop liver failure. For these patients, active monitoring, standard care, and supportive treatment are the foundations. Ribavirin has successfully been used to prevent liver transplantation (LT). Prevention and treatment of complications are important for treatment of liver failure. Liver support devices are intended to support liver function until such time as native liver function recovers, or until LT. LT is widely considered as irreplaceable and definitive treatment for liver failure, particularly for patients who do not improve with supportive measures to sustain life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Hui
- Chronic Disease Management Center, Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Linlin Wei
- The Second Department of Liver Disease Center, Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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Wang L, Wang Y, Zhuang H. Puzzles for Hepatitis E Virus. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1417:247-256. [PMID: 37223871 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-99-1304-6_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an important but understudied virus that has been the major cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide. In recent decades, our understanding of this neglected virus has changed greatly: novel forms of viral proteins and their functions have been discovered; HEV can transmit via blood transfusion and organ transplantation; HEV can infect many animal species and the number is still increasing; HEV can induce chronic hepatitis and extra-hepatic manifestations. However, we are short of effective treatment measures to counter the virus. In this chapter we tend to briefly introduce the puzzles and major knowledge gaps existed in the field of HEV research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Youchun Wang
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China
| | - Hui Zhuang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
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7
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Aziz AB, Øverbø J, Dudman S, Julin CH, Kwon YJG, Jahan Y, Ali M, Dembinski JL. Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Synopsis: General Aspects and Focus on Bangladesh. Viruses 2022; 15:63. [PMID: 36680103 PMCID: PMC9866510 DOI: 10.3390/v15010063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
HEV is the most common cause of acute hepatitis globally. This review summarizes the latest knowledge on the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, testing, and treatment of HEV infection. We also focused on Bangladesh to highlight the distinct challenges and the possible remedies. In low-income settings, the virus is mainly transmitted between people by fecal contamination of drinking water causing large outbreaks, and sporadic cases. The disease is usually mild and self-limiting acute hepatitis. Still, pregnant women and their offspring in low-income countries are at particular risk for severe disease, with up to 20% maternal mortality. Despite the high burden of the disease, HEV remains a relatively neglected virus, with detection hampered by costly tests and a lack of suitable treatments. Molecular PCR diagnostics, together with ELISA antibody tests, remain the preferred methods for diagnosis of HEV; however, rapid bedside diagnostics are available and could offer a practical alternative, especially in low-income countries. One vaccine (HEV 239) is only available in China and Pakistan, as efficacy against the other genotypes remains uncertain. The effectiveness trial conducted in Bangladesh might lead the way in gathering more efficacy data and could, together with improved surveillance and raised awareness, dramatically reduce the global burden of HEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Binte Aziz
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0315 Oslo, Norway
- International Vaccine Institute (IVI), Seoul 08800, Republic of Korea
| | - Joakim Øverbø
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0315 Oslo, Norway
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, 0213 Oslo, Norway
| | - Susanne Dudman
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0315 Oslo, Norway
| | - Cathinka Halle Julin
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, 0213 Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Yasmin Jahan
- Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-0046, Japan
| | - Mohammad Ali
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jennifer L. Dembinski
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, 0213 Oslo, Norway
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8
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Nagra N, Kozarek RA, Burman BE. Therapeutic Advances in Viral Hepatitis A-E. Adv Ther 2022; 39:1524-1552. [PMID: 35220557 DOI: 10.1007/s12325-022-02070-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Viral hepatitis remains a significant global health problem. All forms of viral hepatitis A through E (A-E) can lead to acute symptomatic infection, while hepatitis B and C can lead to chronic infection associated with significant morbidity and mortality related to progression to cirrhosis, end-stage-liver disease, and liver cancer. Viral hepatitis occurs worldwide, though certain regions are disproportionately affected. We now, remarkably, have highly effective curative regimens for hepatitis C, and safe and tolerable medications to suppress hepatitis B activity, and to prevent liver damage and slow disease progression. We have effective vaccines for hepatitis A and B which provide long-lasting immunity, while improved sanitation and awareness can curb outbreaks of hepatitis A and E. However, more effective and available preventive and curative strategies are needed to achieve global eradication of viral hepatitis. This review provides an overview of the epidemiology, transmission, diagnosis, and clinical features of each viral hepatitis with a primary focus on current and future therapeutic and curative options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navroop Nagra
- Department of Gastroenterology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Richard A Kozarek
- Center for Digestive Health, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, 1100 9th Ave., Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
| | - Blaire E Burman
- Center for Digestive Health, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, 1100 9th Ave., Seattle, WA, 98101, USA.
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9
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Damiris K, Aghaie Meybodi M, Niazi M, Pyrsopoulos N. Hepatitis E in immunocompromised individuals. World J Hepatol 2022; 14:482-494. [PMID: 35582299 PMCID: PMC9055194 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v14.i3.482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) originally identified as a cause of acute icteric hepatitis in developing countries has grown to be a cause of zoonotic viral hepatitis in developed countries such as the United States. While there are eight identified genotypes to date, genotype 1 (HEV1), HEV2, HEV3, HEV4 are the most common to infect humans. HEV1 and HEV2 are most common in developing countries including Latina America, Africa and Asia, and are commonly transmitted through contaminated water supplies leading to regional outbreaks. In contrast HEV3 and HEV4 circulate freely in many mammalian animals and can lead to occasional transmission to humans through fecal contamination or consumption of undercooked meat. The incidence and prevalence of HEV in the United States is undetermined given the absence of FDA approved serological assays and the lack of commercially available testing. In majority of cases, HEV infection is a self-limiting hepatitis requiring only symptomatic treatment. However, this is not the case in immunocompromised individuals, including those that have undergone solid organ or stem cell transplantation. In this subset of patients, chronic infection can be life threatening as hepatic insult can lead to inflammation and fibrosis with subsequent cirrhosis and death. The need for re-transplantation as a result of post-transplant hepatitis is of great concern. In addition, there have been many reported incidents of extrahepatic manifestations, for which the exact mechanisms remain to be elucidated. The cornerstone of treatment in immunocompromised solid organ transplant recipients is reduction of immunosuppressive therapies, while attempting to minimize the risk of organ rejection. Subsequent treatment options include ribavirin, and pegylated interferon alpha in those who have demonstrated ribavirin resistance. Further investigation assessing safety and efficacy of anti-viral therapy is imperative given the rising global health burden. Given this concern, vaccination has been approved in China with other investigations underway throughout the world. In this review we introduce the epidemiology, diagnosis, clinical manifestations, and treatment of HEV, with emphasis on immunocompromised individuals in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Damiris
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers - New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, United States
| | - Mohamad Aghaie Meybodi
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers - New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, United States
| | - Mumtaz Niazi
- Department of Medicine - Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Rutgers - New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, United States
| | - Nikolaos Pyrsopoulos
- Department of Medicine - Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Rutgers - New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, United States
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10
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Advanced sequencing approaches detected insertions of viral and human origin in the viral genome of chronic hepatitis E virus patients. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1720. [PMID: 35110582 PMCID: PMC8811047 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05706-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The awareness of hepatitis E virus (HEV) increased significantly in the last decade due to its unexpectedly high prevalence in high-income countries. There, infections with HEV-genotype 3 (HEV-3) are predominant which can progress to chronicity in immunocompromised individuals. Persistent infection and antiviral therapy can select HEV-3 variants; however, the spectrum and occurrence of HEV-3 variants is underreported. To gain in-depth insights into the viral population and to perform detailed characterization of viral genomes, we used a new approach combining long-range PCR with next-generation and third-generation sequencing which allowed near full-length sequencing of HEV-3 genomes. Furthermore, we developed a targeted ultra-deep sequencing approach to assess the dynamics of clinically relevant mutations in the RdRp-region and to detect insertions in the HVR-domain in the HEV genomes. Using this new approach, we not only identified several insertions of human (AHNAK, RPL18) and viral origin (RdRp-derived) in the HVR-region isolated from an exemplary sample but detected a variant containing two different insertions simultaneously (AHNAK- and RdRp-derived). This finding is the first HEV-variant recognized as such showing various insertions in the HVR-domain. Thus, this molecular approach will add incrementally to our current knowledge of the HEV-genome organization and pathogenesis in chronic hepatitis E.
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11
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Lampejo T. Sofosbuvir in the Treatment of Hepatitis E virus Infection: A Review of in vitro and in vivo Evidence. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2022; 12:1225-1237. [PMID: 35814503 PMCID: PMC9257862 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2022.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection, which occurs almost exclusively in immunocompromised patients, if untreated may progress to cirrhosis and possibly hepatocellular carcinoma. The reduction of immunosuppression and/or administration of ribavirin is frequently curative but there remain many immunocompromised individuals whose HEV infection is refractory to these therapeutic strategies. Moreover, the haematological toxicity of ribavirin limits its use. Pegylated interferon has demonstrated success in a small number of patients with chronic HEV infection; however, the potentially increased risk of graft rejection associated with its use renders it unsuitable for many transplant recipients. Alternative therapeutic strategies are therefore required. This article reviews the in vitro and in vivo literature to date of the antiviral agent sofosbuvir (well established in the treatment of hepatitis C) in the treatment of HEV infection.
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12
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Velavan TP, Pallerla SR, Johne R, Todt D, Steinmann E, Schemmerer M, Wenzel JJ, Hofmann J, Shih JWK, Wedemeyer H, Bock CT. Hepatitis E: An update on One Health and clinical medicine. Liver Int 2021; 41:1462-1473. [PMID: 33960603 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the main causes of acute hepatitis and the de facto global burden is underestimated. HEV-related clinical complications are often undetected and are not considered in the differential diagnosis. Convincing findings from studies suggest that HEV is clinically relevant not only in developing countries but also in industrialized countries. Eight HEV genotypes (HEV-1 to HEV-8) with different human and animal hosts and other HEV-related viruses are in circulation. Transmission routes vary by genotype and location, with large waterborne outbreaks in developing countries and zoonotic food-borne infections in developed countries. An acute infection can be aggravated in pregnant women, organ transplant recipients, patients with pre-existing liver disease and immunosuppressed patients. HEV during pregnancy affects the fetus and newborn with an increased risk of vertical transmission, preterm and stillbirth, neonatal jaundice and miscarriage. Hepatitis E is associated with extrahepatic manifestations that include neurological disorders such as neuralgic amyotrophy, Guillain-Barré syndrome and encephalitis, renal injury and haematological disorders. The risk of transfusion-transmitted HEV is increasingly recognized in Western countries where the risk may be because of a zoonosis. RNA testing of blood components is essential to determine the risk of transfusion-transmitted HEV. There are currently no approved drugs or vaccines for HEV infections. This review focuses on updating the latest developments in zoonoses, screening and diagnostics, drugs in use and under development, and vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thirumalaisamy P Velavan
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Vietnamese-German Center for Medical Research, VG-CARE, Hanoi, Vietnam.,Faculty of Medicine, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Vietnam
| | - Srinivas R Pallerla
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Vietnamese-German Center for Medical Research, VG-CARE, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Reimar Johne
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Todt
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,European Virus Bioinformatics Center (EVBC), Jena, Germany
| | - Eike Steinmann
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Mathias Schemmerer
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, National Consultant Laboratory for HAV and HEV, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen J Wenzel
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, National Consultant Laboratory for HAV and HEV, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jörg Hofmann
- Institute of Virology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Labor Berlin-Charité-Vivantes GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Partner Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Claus-Thomas Bock
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Division of Viral Gastroenteritis and Hepatitis Pathogens and Enteroviruses, Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
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13
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Aslan AT, Balaban HY. Hepatitis E virus: Epidemiology, diagnosis, clinical manifestations, and treatment. World J Gastroenterol 2020; 26:5543-5560. [PMID: 33071523 PMCID: PMC7545399 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i37.5543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the fifth known form of viral hepatitis and was first recognized as the cause of an epidemic of unexplained acute hepatitis in the early 1980s. Globally, it is one of the most frequent causes of acute viral hepatitis. The majority of HEV infections are asymptomatic and lead to the spontaneous clearance of the virus. Among the eight different genotypes identified to date, HEV genotype 1 (HEV1), HEV2, HEV3, and HEV4 are the most frequent genotypes causing infections in humans. HEV1 and HEV2 are prevalent in developing regions and able to result in large-scale outbreaks originating from contaminated water supplies. They are also responsible for severe hepatitis in pregnant patients and infants. In contrast, HEV3 and HEV4 are zoonotic, and the transmission of these genotypes to humans occurs mainly through the fecal contamination of water and consumption of contaminated meat from infected animals. Their main reservoir is the pig, and they are mostly encountered in developed countries. The major risk groups for HEV infection and its ensuing adverse consequences are pregnant women, infants, older people, immunocompromised individuals, patients with underlying chronic liver diseases, and workers that come into close contact with HEV-infected animals. In the clinical perspective, HEV infections have diverse clinical manifestations including acute and self-limiting hepatitis, acute-on-chronic liver disease, chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure. Although HEV mainly results in acute self-limiting infection, chronic HEV infection may occur among immunocompromised patients (e.g., solid-organ transplant recipients). Additionally, HEV-associated extrahepatic manifestations involving various organs have been reported in the last decade, although the causal link for many of them still needs to be proven. Ribavirin and interferon-alpha are the most widely used agents for the treatment of HEV infections with a certain level of success. However, ribavirin is contraindicated in pregnant patients, and interferon-alpha cannot be used in most transplant recipients. Therefore, there is an urgent need for novel antiviral compounds that are safe and effective particularly for patients having contraindications for ribavirin or interferon-alpha and infected by the ribavirin-resistant HEV. In this review article, a literature search using PubMed and MEDLINE databases was performed, up to March 2020. Only the articles published in English were reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hatice Yasemin Balaban
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara 06100, Turkey
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14
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Cornberg M, Pischke S, Müller T, Behrendt P, Piecha F, Benckert J, Todt D, Steinmann E, Papkalla A, von Karpowitz M, Koch A, Lohse A, Hardtke S, Manns MP, Wedemeyer H. Sofosbuvir monotherapy fails to achieve HEV RNA elimination in patients with chronic hepatitis E - The HepNet SofE pilot study. J Hepatol 2020; 73:696-699. [PMID: 32624195 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Markus Cornberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Germany; Center for Individualised Infection Medicine (CiiM), Hannover, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF); HepNet Study-House, Hannover, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF); Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Sven Pischke
- I.Medical Clinic and Polyclinic, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Germany
| | - Tobias Müller
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Charité Campus Virchow-Klinikum (CVK), Berlin, Germany
| | - Patrick Behrendt
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF); Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Felix Piecha
- I.Medical Clinic and Polyclinic, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julia Benckert
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Charité Campus Virchow-Klinikum (CVK), Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Todt
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Eike Steinmann
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Armin Papkalla
- Hannover Clinical Trial Center (HCTC-KKS), Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Armin Koch
- Institute for Biometry, Hannover Medical School, Germany
| | - Ansgar Lohse
- I.Medical Clinic and Polyclinic, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Germany
| | - Svenja Hardtke
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF); HepNet Study-House, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael P Manns
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF); HepNet Study-House, Hannover, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF); Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany.
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15
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Hepatitis E virus (HEV) has gained increased global recognition in recent years, particularly in developed countries. We summarized here a selection of the literature published since the 1st of June, 2017. RECENT FINDINGS Longitudinal studies are increasingly conducted in Europe, to determine trends in HEV prevalence. The spectrum of mammals infected with HEV and potentially capable to transmit it to humans has widened. New virological data on HEV repCon and pathogenicity have been reported and clinical features of HEV infections have been precised or newly described. Finally, there are some new data on the therapeutic management of HEV infections in various clinical settings. SUMMARY HEV emergence in developed countries appears to be based on improved diagnosis tools and increased awareness of clinicians that HEV transmission is essentially autochthonous and is a possible cause of life-threatening acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and extra-hepatic symptoms. In addition, the distribution of HEV strains evolves. Ribavirin remains to date the only specific treatment recommended for HEV infection, being efficient in the majority but not in all cases.
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16
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Rituximab-Containing Treatment Regimens May Imply a Long-Term Risk for Difficult-To-Treat Chronic Hepatitis E. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17010341. [PMID: 31947836 PMCID: PMC6982013 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17010341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is an emerging disease in industrialized countries which is usually characterized by a self-limited course. However, there is an increased risk of HEV persistence in immunocompromised risk populations, comprising patients following solid organ transplantation or hematological malignancies. Recently, chronic HEV infection following rituximab-containing treatment regimens has been described. Here we report five patients with chronic hepatitis E after prior rituximab therapy for various indications. We determined the immunological characteristics of these patients and analyzed the development of ribavirin (RBV) treatment failure-associated mutations in the HEV genome. One patient became chronically HEV-infected 110 months after administration of rituximab (RTX). Immunological characterization revealed that all patients exhibited significant hypogammaglobulinemia and CD4+ T cell lymphopenia. One patient permanently cleared HEV following weight-based ribavirin treatment while three patients failed to reach a sustained virological response. In depth mutational analysis confirmed the presence of specific mutations associated with RBV treatment failure in these patients. Our cases indicate that rituximab-containing treatment regimens might imply a relevant risk for persistent HEV infection even years after the last rituximab application. Moreover, we provide further evidence to prior observations suggesting that chronically HEV infected patients following RTX-containing treatment regimens might be difficult to treat.
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17
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Rivero-Juarez A, Vallejo N, Lopez-Lopez P, Díaz-Mareque AI, Frias M, Vallejo A, Caballero-Gómez J, Rodríguez-Velasco M, Molina E, Aguilera A. Ribavirin as a First Treatment Approach for Hepatitis E Virus Infection in Transplant Recipient Patients. Microorganisms 2019; 8:E51. [PMID: 31888090 PMCID: PMC7022260 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8010051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the major cause of acute hepatitis of viral origin worldwide. Despite its usual course as an asymptomatic self-limited hepatitis, there are highly susceptible populations, such as those with underlying immunosuppression, which could develop chronic hepatitis. In this situation, implementation of therapy is mandatory in the sense to facilitate viral clearance. Currently, there are no specific drugs approved for HEV infection, but ribavirin (RBV), the drug of choice, is used for off-label treatment. Here, we present two cases of chronic HEV infection in transplant patients, reviewing and discussing the therapeutic approach available in the literature. The use of RBV for the treatment of an HEV infection in organ transplant patients seems to be effective. The recommendation of 12 weeks of therapy is adequate in terms of efficacy. Nevertheless, there are important issues that urgently need to be assessed, such as optimal duration of therapy and drug dosage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Rivero-Juarez
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Clinical Virology and Zoonoses research group, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía de Córdoba, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Universidad de Córdoba, 14006 Cordoba, Spain; (P.L.-L.); (M.F.); (J.C.-G.)
| | - Nicolau Vallejo
- Digestive Unit, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (N.V.); (E.M.)
| | - Pedro Lopez-Lopez
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Clinical Virology and Zoonoses research group, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía de Córdoba, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Universidad de Córdoba, 14006 Cordoba, Spain; (P.L.-L.); (M.F.); (J.C.-G.)
| | - Ana Isabel Díaz-Mareque
- Nephrology Unit, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
| | - Mario Frias
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Clinical Virology and Zoonoses research group, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía de Córdoba, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Universidad de Córdoba, 14006 Cordoba, Spain; (P.L.-L.); (M.F.); (J.C.-G.)
| | - Aldara Vallejo
- Microbiology Unit, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (A.V.); (M.R.-V.); (A.A.)
| | - Javier Caballero-Gómez
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Clinical Virology and Zoonoses research group, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía de Córdoba, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Universidad de Córdoba, 14006 Cordoba, Spain; (P.L.-L.); (M.F.); (J.C.-G.)
- Animal Health Department, University of Cordoba-Agrifood Excellence International Campus (ceiA3), 15705 Cordoba, Spain
| | - María Rodríguez-Velasco
- Microbiology Unit, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (A.V.); (M.R.-V.); (A.A.)
| | - Esther Molina
- Digestive Unit, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (N.V.); (E.M.)
| | - Antonio Aguilera
- Microbiology Unit, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (A.V.); (M.R.-V.); (A.A.)
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18
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Hepatitis E Virus Drug Development. Viruses 2019; 11:v11060485. [PMID: 31141919 PMCID: PMC6631701 DOI: 10.3390/v11060485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an underestimated disease, leading to estimated 20 million infections and up to 70,000 deaths annually. Infections are mostly asymptomatic but can reach mortality rates up to 25% in pregnant women or become chronic in immunocompromised patients. The current therapy options are limited to the unspecific antivirals Ribavirin (RBV) and pegylated Interferon-α (pegIFN-α). RBV leads to viral clearance in only 80% of patients treated, and is, similar to pegIFN-α, contraindicated in the major risk group of pregnant women, emphasizing the importance of new therapy options. In this review, we focus on the urgent need and current efforts in HEV drug development. We provide an overview of the current status of HEV antiviral research. Furthermore, we discuss strategies for drug development and the limitations of the approaches with respect to HEV.
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