N-S Xia1, J Zhang, Y-J Zheng, S-X Ge, X-Z Ye, S-H Ou. 1. Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Cell Biology and Tumor Cell Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China. nsxia@jingxian.xmu.edu.cn
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is normally transmitted via the faeco-oral route. The possibility that the infection might be transmissible by blood has been suggested. Direct evidence of blood-borne transmission of hepatitis E infection is, however, absent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this report, 10 ml of plasma obtained from a healthy, but hepatitis E viraemic, blood donor was transfused to a Rhesus monkey. RESULTS: Acute hepatitis E developed following transfusion of blood from the hepatitis E viraemic donor. This was confirmed by virological, immunological, biochemical and histopathological data. CONCLUSIONS: These results, combined with other epidemiological findings previously reported, indicate that transfusion-associated hepatitis E can occur. The risk of transfusion-associated HEV infection in endemic areas should be assessed and strategies developed to reduce it.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is normally transmitted via the faeco-oral route. The possibility that the infection might be transmissible by blood has been suggested. Direct evidence of blood-borne transmission of hepatitis E infection is, however, absent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this report, 10 ml of plasma obtained from a healthy, but hepatitis E viraemic, blood donor was transfused to a Rhesus monkey. RESULTS: Acute hepatitis E developed following transfusion of blood from the hepatitis E viraemicdonor. This was confirmed by virological, immunological, biochemical and histopathological data. CONCLUSIONS: These results, combined with other epidemiological findings previously reported, indicate that transfusion-associated hepatitis E can occur. The risk of transfusion-associated HEV infection in endemic areas should be assessed and strategies developed to reduce it.