Hepatitis E virus genotype 3 is a common finding in liver-transplanted patients undergoing liver biopsy for elevated liver enzymes with a low De Ritis ratio and suspected acute rejection: A real-world cohort

Predicting Early Graft Dysfunction and Mortality After Liver Transplant Using the De Ritis Ratio

BACKGROUND

Predicting complications after liver transplantation (LT) remains challenging. We propose incorporating the De Ritis ratio (DRR), a widely known parameter of liver dysfunction, into current or future scoring models to predict early allograft dysfunction (EAD) and mortality after LT.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was conducted on 132 adults receiving a deceased donor LT from April 2015 to March 2020 and their matching donors. Donor variables, postoperative liver function, and DRR were correlated with the occurrence of EAD, post-transplant complications expressed by the Clavien-Dindo score, and 30-day mortality as outcome variables.

RESULTS

Early allograft dysfunction was observed in 26.5% of patients and 7.6% of patients who died within 30 days after transplant. Recipients were more likely to experience EAD when receiving grafts from donation after circulatory death (P = .04), donor risk index (DRI) >2 (P = .006), ischemic injury at time-zero biopsy (P = .02), longer secondary warm ischemia time (P < .05), or higher Clavien-Dindo scores (IIIb-V; P < .001). The DRI, total bilirubin, and DRR on postoperative day 5 yielded significant associations with the primary outcomes and were used to develop the Gala-Lopez score using a weighted scoring model. This accurately predicted EAD, high Clavien-Dindo, and 30-day mortality in 75%, 81%, and 64% of patients.

CONCLUSION

Including recipient and donor variables in predictive models, and for the first time DRR, as a constituent, should be regarded to predict EAD, severe complications, and 30-day mortality post-LT. Further studies will be required to validate the present findings and their applicability when using normothermic regional and machine perfusion technologies.

Treatment of Hepatitis E

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.

A High De Ritis Ratio is Associated with Mortality in Adult Trauma Patients

Introduction

The De Ritis ratio, which is the ratio of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to alanine aminotransferase (ALT), has been suggested as a potential prognostic marker for various diseases. This study aimed to investigate the association between the De Ritis ratio and in-hospital mortality in adult trauma patients.

Methods

A total of 17,472 adult trauma patients hospitalized between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2020, were allocated into groups according to the De Ritis ratio. The normal range of the De Ritis ratio was calculated from 3320 individuals in the National Taiwan Biobank. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software.

Results

Patients with a De Ritis ratio >1.6 had a significantly higher in-hospital mortality rate (7.3% vs 1.5%, odds ratio 5.29; Q1-Q3 2.72-10.30; p < 0.001) and a 2.71-fold higher in-hospital mortality rate (Q1-Q3 1.24-5.92; p = 0.012), after adjusting for sex, age, comorbidities, consciousness level, and injury severity, than those with a De Ritis ratio within the reference values.

Discussion

This study revealed that a De Ritis ratio >1.6 may serve as an early prognostic tool to identify adult trauma patients at high risk of in-hospital mortality.

Delta De Ritis Ratio Is Associated with Worse Mortality Outcomes in Adult Trauma Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Traumatic Brain Injuries

This study aimed to investigate whether changes in the De Ritis ratio (DRR) can be used to stratify the mortality risk of patients with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). This retrospective study reviewed data for 1347 adult trauma patients (134 deaths and 1213 survival) with moderate-to-severe TBI between 1 January 2009, and 31 December 2020, from the registered trauma database. The outcomes of the patients allocated into the two study groups were compared based on the best Delta DRR (ΔDRR) cutoff point. The first and second DRR of patients who died were significantly higher than those of patients who survived. Elevation of DRR 72-96 h later was found for patients who died, but not for those who survived; the ΔDRR of the patients who died was significantly higher than that of those who survived (1.4 ± 5.8 vs. -0.1 ± 3.3, p = 0.004). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that ΔDRR was a significant independent risk factor for mortality in these patients. Additionally, a ΔDRR of 0.7 was identified as the cutoff value for mortality stratification of adult trauma patients at high risk of mortality with moderate-to-severe TBI.

Using Second Measurement of De Ritis Ratio to Improve Mortality Prediction in Adult Trauma Patients in Intensive Care Unit

The De Ritis ratio (DRR), the ratio of serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase, has been reported to be a valuable biomarker in risk stratification for many liver and non-liver diseases. This study aimed to explore whether the inclusion of DRR at the date of intensive care unit (ICU) admission or days after ICU admission improves the predictive performance of various prognosis prediction models. This study reviewed 888 adult trauma patients (74 deaths and 814 survivors) in the trauma registered database between 1 January 2009, and 31 December 2020. Medical information with AST and ALT levels and derived DRR at the date of ICU admission (1st DRR) and 3-7 day after ICU admission (2nd DRR) was retrieved. Logistic regression was used to build new probability models for mortality prediction using additional DRR variables in various mortality prediction models. There was no significant difference in the 1st DRR between the death and survival patients; however, there was a significantly higher 2nd DRR in the death patients than the survival patients. This study showed that the inclusion of the additional DRR variable, measured 3-7 days after ICU admission, significantly increased the prediction performance in all studied prognosis prediction models.

Association between Elevated De Ritis Ratio and Mortality Outcome in Adult Patients with Thoracoabdominal Trauma

The De Ritis ratio is widely used to differentiate various causes of liver disease and serves as an independent prognostic predictor for different malignancies and non-malignant illnesses. This retrospective study aimed to identify the association between the De Ritis ratio on admission and mortality outcomes in adult thoracoabdominal trauma patients. A total of 2248 hospitalized adult trauma patients with thoracoabdominal injury, defined as an abbreviated injury scale (AIS) score ≥ 1 in the thoracic and abdominal regions, between 1 January 2009, and 31 December 2019, were included. They were categorized into three tertile groups according to the De Ritis ratio. A 1:1 propensity score-matched study group was established to attenuate the confounding effect of patient characteristics on the mortality outcome assessment. The AST levels of the tertile 1, 2, and 3 groups were 115.8 ± 174.9, 115.7 ± 262.0, and 140.5 ± 209.7 U/L, respectively. Patients in the tertile 3 group had a significantly higher level of AST than those in the tertile 1 group (p = 0.032). In addition, patients in the tertile 1 group had a significantly higher level of ALT than those in the tertile 2 and 3 groups (115.9 ± 158.1 U/L vs. 74.5 ± 107.0 U/L and 61.9 ± 86.0 U/L, p < 0.001). The increased De Ritis ratio in trauma patients with thoracoabdominal injuries was mainly attributed to elevated AST levels. The propensity score-matched patient cohorts revealed that the patients in the tertile 3 group presented a 3.89-fold higher risk of mortality than the patients in the tertile 2 group. In contrast, the patients in the tertile 1 group did not have a significantly different mortality rate than those in the tertile 2 group. This study suggests that a De Ritis ratio > 1.64 may be a useful biomarker to identify patients with a higher risk for mortality.

Epidemiology and treatment of hepatitis E in the liver transplantation setting: A literature review

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a common cause of acute hepatitis in developing countries, but it can also take a chronic course especially in immunocompromised patients. Its epidemiology after liver transplantation (LT) is hard to assess and treatment options are still explored. Between 2009 and 2020, literature reporting HEV prevalence and treatment in LT recipients was searched and a synthesis was attempted. Sixteen studies reported HEV prevalence in consecutive LT patients: HEV RNA positivity ranged between 0%-1.4% and 0%-7.7% for Western and Eastern cohorts, respectively. In studies published between 2009-2014 and 2015-2020, HEV RNA positivity ranged between 0.35%-1.3% (all European) and 0%-7.7% (European: 0%-1.4%), respectively. Five studies evaluated HEV prevalence in LT recipients with abnormal liver enzymes: HEV RNA positivity was 2.9% in studies published between 2009 and 2014 and from 3.5% to 20% in studies published between 2015 and 2020. Twenty-seven studies reported HEV treatment in LT recipients: sustained virologic response was achieved in 15% by immunosuppression reduction alone and in 83% of cases by ribavirin regiments. Chronic HEV infection is affecting LT recipients, mostly those with abnormal liver enzymes and in Eastern countries. HEV diagnoses should be based on PCR techniques. Successful treatment can be achieved with ribavirin in most cases.

Treatment for chronic hepatitis E virus infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Hepatitis E virus infection can cause chronic hepatitis in immunocompromised patients with significant chance of progressive fibrosis and possibly cirrhosis. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the efficacy and safety of the various treatment options for chronic hepatitis E. We performed a systematic literature search. The primary outcome measure was a sustained virological response (SVR). Secondary end points were rapid virological response (RVR), relapse rates, side effects and adverse events. Forty-four articles were included with a total of 582 patients. Reduction of immunosuppressive medication induced viral clearance in 55/174 (32%) of the patients. Meta-analysis of 395 patients showed a pooled SVR rate of 78% (95-CI 72%-84%) after ribavirin treatment. Twenty-five per cent of the patients obtained a RVR, whereas a relapse occurred in 18% of the patients. Anaemia during treatment led to dose reduction, use of erythropoietin and/or blood transfusion in 37% of the patients. A second treatment attempt with ribavirin led to a SVR in 39/51 (76%) of the patients. Pegylated interferon-alpha was administered to 13 patients and SVR was obtained in 85%. Two patients (15%) suffered from acute transplant rejection during treatment with interferon. In conclusion, reduction of immunosuppressive medication and treatment with ribavirin is safe, generally well tolerated and induced viral clearance in 32% and 78% of patients, respectively. Therefore, ribavirin should be considered as first treatment step for chronic hepatitis E. Treatment with pegylated interferon-alpha increases the risk of transplant rejection and should therefore be administered with great caution.

AST/ALT ratio as a predictor of mortality and exacerbations of PM/DM-ILD in 1 year-a retrospective cohort study with 522 cases

OBJECTIVE

To assess the associations between aspartate transaminase/alanine transaminase ratio (DRR) and mortality in patients with polymyositis/dermatomyositis-associated interstitial lung disease (PM/DM-ILD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study, which included 522 patients with PM/DM-ILD whose DRR on admission were tested at West China Hospital of Sichuan University during the period from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2018. Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios for mortality in four predefined DRR strata (≤ 0.91, 0.91-1.26, 1.26-1.73, and > 1.73), after adjusting for age, sex, DRR stratum, diagnosis, overlap syndrome, hemoglobin, platelet count, white blood cell count, the percentage of neutrophils, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, albumin, creatine kinase, uric acid/creatinine ratio, triglycerides, or low-density lipoprotein.

RESULTS

Higher DRR (> 1.73) was an independent predictor of 1-year mortality in multivariate Cox regression analysis (hazard ratio 3.423, 95% CI 1.481-7.911, p = .004). Patients with higher DRR more often required the use of mechanical ventilation and readmission for acute exacerbation of PM/DM-ILD at 1-year follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Higher DRR on admission for PM/DM-ILD patients are associated with increased mortality, risk of mechanical ventilation, and hospitalization in 1-year follow-up. This low-cost, easy-to-obtain, rapidly measured biomarker may be useful in the identification of high-risk PM/DM-ILD patients that could benefit from intensive management.

Swine hepatitis E virus: Cross-species infection, pork safety and chronic infection

Swine hepatitis E virus (swine HEV) belongs to the species Orthohepevirus A within the genus Orthohepevirus in the family Hepeviridae. Four different genotypes of swine HEV within the species Orthohepevirus A have been identified so far from domesticated and wild swine population: genotypes 3 (HEV-3) and 4 (HEV-4) swine HEVs are zoonotic and infect humans, whereas HEV-5 and HEV-6 are only identified from swine. As a zoonotic agent, swine HEV is an emerging public health concern in many industrialized countries. Pigs are natural reservoir for HEV, consumption of raw or undercooked pork is an important route of foodborne HEV transmission. Occupational risks such as direct contact with infected pigs also increase the risk of HEV transmission in humans. Cross-species infection of HEV-3 and HEV-4 have been documented under experimental and natural conditions. Both swine HEV-3 and swine HEV-4 infect non-human primates, the surrogates of man. Swine HEV, predominantly HEV-3, can establish chronic infection in immunocompromised patients especially in solid organ transplant recipients. The zoonotic HEV-3, and to lesser extent HEV-4, have also been shown to cause neurological diseases and kidney injury. In this review, we focus on the epidemiology of swine HEV, host and viral determinants influencing cross-species HEV infection, zoonotic infection and its associated pork safety concern, as well as swine HEV-associated chronic infection and neurological diseases.

Hepatitis E Is a Rare Finding in Liver Transplant Patients With Chronic Elevated Liver Enzymes and Biopsy-Proven Acute Rejection

BACKGROUND

In past decades, liver transplant (LT) patients were not routinely screened for hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection, and thus it might have been misdiagnosed as an acute rejection episode. Our aim was to analyze a real-world cohort of LT patients who presented with at least 1 episode of biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR) and suffered from persistent elevated transaminases, to evaluate the frequency of HEV infection misdiagnosed as a rejection episode.

METHODS

Data from 306 patients transplanted between 1997 and 2017, including 565 liver biopsies, were analyzed. Biopsies from patients suffering from hepatitis C (n = 79; 25.8%) and from patients who presented with a Rejection Activity Index <5 (n = 134; 43.8%) were excluded. A subgroup of 74 patients (with 134 BPAR) with persistently elevated liver enzymes was chosen for further HEV testing.

RESULTS

Positive HEV IgG was detectable in 18 of 73 patients (24.7%). Positive HEV RNA was diagnosed in 3 of 73 patients with BPAR (4.1%). Patients with HEV infection showed no difference in etiology of the liver disease, type of immunosuppression, or median Rejection Activity Index.

CONCLUSION

Few HEV infections were misdiagnosed as acute rejection episodes in this real-world cohort. Thus, HEV infection is an infrequent diagnosis in cases with persistent elevated liver enzymes and BPAR after LT.