Evidence of hepatitis E virus transmission by renal graft

Transpl Infect Dis. 2017 Feb;19(1). doi: 10.1111/tid.12624. Epub 2017 Jan 10.

Abstract

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) can cause chronic infection among immunocompromised patients, especially solid organ transplant recipients, and can evolve to cirrhosis. Several modes of transmission are known. Here we describe the first two cases, to our knowledge, of HEV infection transmitted by a kidney graft from the same infected donor that led to chronic hepatitis. Consequently, systematic screening of donors by HEV serology and HEV RNA detection by polymerase chain reaction, particularly in endemic regions, should be considered.

Keywords: chronic hepatitis E; renal graft; transmission; transplantation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Allografts / virology*
  • Hepatitis E / blood
  • Hepatitis E / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis E / transmission*
  • Hepatitis E / virology
  • Hepatitis E virus / isolation & purification*
  • Hepatitis, Chronic / blood
  • Hepatitis, Chronic / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis, Chronic / virology
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Immunosuppression Therapy / adverse effects*
  • Kidney Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Nephrosclerosis / surgery
  • RNA, Viral / isolation & purification*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • RNA, Viral