Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus after pediatric liver transplantation
1
Issued Date
2023-02-06
Resource Type
eISSN
14653664
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85148773224
Pubmed ID
36811578
Journal Title
Journal of tropical pediatrics
Volume
69
Issue
2
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of tropical pediatrics Vol.69 No.2 (2023)
Suggested Citation
Getsuwan S., Pasomsub E., Yutthanakarnwikom P., Tongsook C., Butsriphum N., Tanpowpong P., Janchompoo P., Treepongkaruna S., Lertudomphonwanit C. Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus after pediatric liver transplantation. Journal of tropical pediatrics Vol.69 No.2 (2023). doi:10.1093/tropej/fmad011 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/82400
Title
Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus after pediatric liver transplantation
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Southeast Asia is the endemic area of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection. We aimed to determine the seroprevalence of the virus, its association, and the prevalence of chronic infection after pediatric liver transplantation (LT). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in Bangkok, Thailand. Patients aged <18 years who had LT for >2 years underwent serologic and real-time polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR) tests. Acute HEV infection was defined by the presence of positive anti-HEV immunoglobulin (Ig)M and HEV viremia from the rt-PCR. If the viremia persisted for >6 months, chronic HEV infection was diagnosed. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients had a median age of 8.4 years [interqartile range (IQR): 5.8-11.7]. The seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG and IgM was 15% and 4%, respectively. Positive IgM and/or IgG were associated with a history of elevated transaminases with an unknown cause after LT (p = 0.04 and p = 0.01, respectively). The presence of HEV IgM was associated with a history of elevated transaminases with an unknown cause within 6 months (p = 0.01). The two patients (2%) diagnosed with chronic HEV infection did not fully respond to the reduction of immunosuppression but responded well to ribavirin treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Seroprevalence of HEV among pediatric LT recipients was not rare in Southeast Asia. Since HEV seropositivity was associated with elevated transaminases of an unknown cause, investigation for the virus should be offered in LT children with hepatitis after excluding other etiologies. Pediatric LT recipients with chronic HEV infection may receive a benefit from a specific antiviral treatment.