Variability of hepatitis E serologic assays in a pediatric liver transplant recipient: challenges to diagnosing hepatitis E virus infection in the United States

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging cause of viral hepatitis among immunocompromised individuals in developed countries. Yet the diagnosis of HEV infection in the United States remains challenging, because of the variable sensitivity and specificity of currently available tests, and the lack of a US Food and Drug Administration-approved test. We report a case of multiple discordant HEV serology results in a pediatric liver transplant recipient with idiopathic hepatitis, and review the challenges to diagnosis of HEV infection in the United States.

Chronic diarrhea, ascites, and protein-losing enteropathy in an infant with hepatic venous outflow obstruction after liver transplantation

An 18-month-old female status post-orthotopic liver transplant for biliary atresia presented nine months after transplant with severe diarrhea and intolerance of feeds. She was found to have a PLE as evidenced by a low serum albumin and a persistent elevation of fecal A1AT. Investigation eventually revealed that the cause of the PLE was a stricture at the anastomosis site between the hepatic vein and inferior cava, supported by resolution of the PLE after venoplasty of the stricture. The patient has subsequently required several repeat venoplasties for recurrence of her symptoms correlating with recurrence of the stricture. This is a very rare presentation of hepatic venous outflow obstruction. Moreover, normal duplex ultrasound imaging of liver vasculature and her unusual presentation led to a delay in her diagnosis highlighting the need for an increased index of suspicion.

Living donor liver transplantation in children: a single North American center experience over two decades

Little data concerning hospital charges and long-term outcomes of LDLT in North American children according to transplant indications have been published. To compare outcomes of patient and graft survival and healthcare charges for LDLT for those with BA vs. other diagnoses (non-BA). A retrospective review of 52 children receiving 53 LDLT (38 BA and 14 non-BA) from 1992 to 2010 at our institution was performed. One-, five-, and 10-yr patient and graft survival data were comparable to national figures reported to UNOS. Average one-yr charges for recipients and donors were $242 849 for BA patients and $183 614 for non-BA (p = 0.074). BA patients were 1.23 ± 1.20 yr of age vs. 4.25 ± 5.02 for non-BA, p = 0.045. Examination of the total population of patients who were alive in 2010 in five chronological groupings showed that the crude five-yr survival rates were 1992-1995: 9/11 (82%); 1995-1997: 6/10 (60%); 1997-1999: 8/10 (80%); 1999-2001: 9/10 (90%); and 2001-2003: 7/7 (100%). Thus, examination of the clinical and financial data together over the entire period of the transplant program suggests that the dramatic improvement in patient survival was accomplished without a dramatic increase in indexed charges. All 53 donors survived, and only 10% had complications requiring hospitalization. LDLT in children results in excellent outcomes for patients and donors. Ways to lower costs and maximize graft outcome should be investigated.