Olivier Marion1, Nicolas Capelli2, Sebastien Lhomme3, Martine Dubois2, Mélanie Pucelle4, Florence Abravanel3, Nassim Kamar5, Jacques Izopet6. 1. Department of Nephrology and Organ Transplantation, CHU Rangueil, Toulouse, France; Inserm UMR1043, Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan, Toulouse, France. 2. Inserm UMR1043, Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan, Toulouse, France; Laboratory of Virology, CHU Purpan, Toulouse, France. 3. Inserm UMR1043, Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan, Toulouse, France; Laboratory of Virology, CHU Purpan, Toulouse, France; Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France. 4. Laboratory of Virology, CHU Purpan, Toulouse, France. 5. Department of Nephrology and Organ Transplantation, CHU Rangueil, Toulouse, France; Inserm UMR1043, Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan, Toulouse, France; Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France. 6. Inserm UMR1043, Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan, Toulouse, France; Laboratory of Virology, CHU Purpan, Toulouse, France; Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France. Electronic address: izopet.j@chu-toulouse.fr.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Hepatitis E virus genotype 3 (HEV3) is responsible for acute and chronic liver disease in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. HEV was recently found in the urine of some acutely and chronically genotype 4-infected patients. METHODS: We examined the urinary excretion of HEV3 by 24 consecutive SOT recipients at the acute phase of HEV hepatitis and characterized the excreted virus. RESULTS: Urinary HEV RNA was detected in 12 (50%) of the 24 transplanted patients diagnosed with HEV hepatitis. Urinary HEV antigen (Ag) was detected in all but one of the patients (96%). The density of RNA-containing HEV particles in urine was low (1.11-1.12 g/cm3), corresponding to lipid-associated virions. The urinary HEV RNA/Ag detected was not associated with impaired kidney function or de novo proteinuria. Finally, there was more HEV Ag in the serum at the acute phase of HEV infection in SOT recipients whose infection became chronic. CONCLUSIONS: HEV3 excreted via the urine of SOT recipients at the acute phase of HEV hepatitis has a lipid envelope. Renal function was not impaired. While urinary HEV Ag was a sensitive indicator of HEV infection, only acute phase serum HEV Ag indicated the development of a chronic infection.
OBJECTIVES:Hepatitis E virus genotype 3 (HEV3) is responsible for acute and chronic liver disease in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. HEV was recently found in the urine of some acutely and chronically genotype 4-infected patients. METHODS: We examined the urinary excretion of HEV3 by 24 consecutive SOT recipients at the acute phase of HEV hepatitis and characterized the excreted virus. RESULTS: Urinary HEV RNA was detected in 12 (50%) of the 24 transplanted patients diagnosed with HEV hepatitis. Urinary HEV antigen (Ag) was detected in all but one of the patients (96%). The density of RNA-containing HEV particles in urine was low (1.11-1.12 g/cm3), corresponding to lipid-associated virions. The urinary HEV RNA/Ag detected was not associated with impaired kidney function or de novo proteinuria. Finally, there was more HEV Ag in the serum at the acute phase of HEV infection in SOT recipients whose infection became chronic. CONCLUSIONS:HEV3 excreted via the urine of SOT recipients at the acute phase of HEV hepatitis has a lipid envelope. Renal function was not impaired. While urinary HEV Ag was a sensitive indicator of HEV infection, only acute phase serum HEV Ag indicated the development of a chronic infection.
Authors: Mohamed A El-Mokhtar; Haidi Karam-Allah Ramadan; Muhamad R Abdel Hameed; Ayat M Kamel; Sahar A Mandour; Maha Ali; Mohamed A Y Abdel-Malek; Doaa M Abd El-Kareem; Sara Adel; Eman H Salama; Khaled Abo Bakr Khalaf; Ibrahim M Sayed Journal: Virulence Date: 2021-12 Impact factor: 5.882