OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) RNA and antibodies among kidney transplant recipients (KTR) in Central Brazil. The presence of chronic HEV infection was also investigated. METHODS: A cohort study was conducted among 316 KTR treated at a referral center for kidney transplantation in Goiânia, Brazil. All serum samples were tested for the presence of HEV RNA (real-time PCR) and anti-HEV IgG/IgM (ELISA). Anti-HEV-positive samples were confirmed using an immunoblot test. HEV chronicity was investigated in a subgroup of patients with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT >40IU/l) through HEV RNA detection in additional serum samples collected 3 and 6 months apart. RESULTS: A seroprevalence of 2.5% (95% confidence interval 1.2-5.1%) was found for anti-HEV IgG. There was no difference in characteristics between the anti-HEV IgG seropositive and seronegative KTR groups. Anti-HEV IgM was detected in only one patient (0.3%). All KTR were negative for HEV RNA. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that HEV infection is infrequent in KTR in Central Brazil, with low seroprevalence rates of past and recent infection, and also an absence of active and chronic HEV infections.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) RNA and antibodies among kidney transplant recipients (KTR) in Central Brazil. The presence of chronic HEV infection was also investigated. METHODS: A cohort study was conducted among 316 KTR treated at a referral center for kidney transplantation in Goiânia, Brazil. All serum samples were tested for the presence of HEV RNA (real-time PCR) and anti-HEV IgG/IgM (ELISA). Anti-HEV-positive samples were confirmed using an immunoblot test. HEV chronicity was investigated in a subgroup of patients with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT >40IU/l) through HEV RNA detection in additional serum samples collected 3 and 6 months apart. RESULTS: A seroprevalence of 2.5% (95% confidence interval 1.2-5.1%) was found for anti-HEV IgG. There was no difference in characteristics between the anti-HEV IgG seropositive and seronegative KTR groups. Anti-HEV IgM was detected in only one patient (0.3%). All KTR were negative for HEV RNA. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that HEV infection is infrequent in KTR in Central Brazil, with low seroprevalence rates of past and recent infection, and also an absence of active and chronic HEV infections.
Authors: Grazielle Rosa da Costa E Silva; Thaynara Lorrane Silva Martins; Carla de Almeida Silva; Karlla Antonieta Amorim Caetano; Megmar Aparecida Dos Santos Carneiro; Bruno Vinicius Diniz E Silva; Leonora Rezende Pacheco; Livia Melo Villar; Vanessa Salete de Paula; Regina Maria Bringel Martins; Sheila Araújo Teles Journal: Rev Saude Publica Date: 2022-04-22 Impact factor: 2.772
Authors: Fátima Mitiko Tengan; Gerusa M Figueiredo; Arielle K S Nunes; Carol Manchiero; Bianca P Dantas; Mariana C Magri; Thamiris V G Prata; Marisa Nascimento; Celso C Mazza; Edson Abdala; Antonio A Barone; Wanderley M Bernardo Journal: Infect Dis Poverty Date: 2019-01-16 Impact factor: 4.520