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Lack of persistent hepatitis E virus infection as a cause for unexplained transaminase elevation in renal transplant recipients in India.
- Source :
- Indian Journal of Gastroenterology; Nov2014, Vol. 33 Issue 6, p550-553, 4p
- Publication Year :
- 2014
-
Abstract
- Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is highly endemic in India, being the most common cause of acute hepatitis; however, no case of chronic infection has been reported. All the human isolates of HEV from India till date have belonged to genotype 1. In contrast, in non-endemic areas, genotype 3 is the most prevalent, and persistent HEV infection has been reported among solid-organ transplant recipients. Whether persistent infection occurs with genotype 1 HEV is unclear. We therefore looked for evidence of HEV infection among renal transplant recipients with elevated alanine transaminase (ALT). Methods: Renal transplant recipients receiving immunosuppressive therapy were screened for ALT levels, irrespective of time duration since renal transplant. For those with ALT levels equal to or exceeding 50 IU/mL on at least two occasions ≥3 weeks apart, serum was tested for HEV RNA using a sensitive real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay. For those testing positive, HEV genotyping and follow up for duration of viral persistence were planned. Results: Of the 275 patients studied, 49 (17.8 %, 44 male, median age = 39.5 years) had elevated ALT levels (median = 62 [range = 50-477] IU/L). None of these 49 patients had detectable HEV RNA in the serum using an assay with detection sensitivity of 300 copies of RNA/mL of specimen. Conclusion: Our data indicate that persistent HEV infection is an infrequent cause of ALT elevation in Indian renal transplant recipients who are receiving immunosuppressive drugs. This suggests that infection with genotype 1 HEV may have either no or low potential to cause persistent infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 02548860
- Volume :
- 33
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Indian Journal of Gastroenterology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 100852945
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s12664-014-0508-5