Publications by authors named "Bengu Said"
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis in England. Substantial yearly increases of autochthonous infections were observed during 2003-2016 and again during 2017-2019. Previous studies associated acute HEV cases with consumption of processed pork products, we investigated risk factors for autochthonous HEV infections in the blood donor population in England.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe first clinical case of persistent HEV infection in England was reported in 2009. We describe the demography, virology and outcomes of patients identified with persistent HEV infection in England and Wales between 2009 and 2017. A series of 94 patients with persistent HEV infection, defined by HEV viraemia of more than 12 weeks, was identified through routine reference laboratory testing.
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- In September 2018, a healthcare worker in the UK contracted monkeypox from a patient, likely through contaminated bedding.
- Infection control measures included vaccinating contacts, daily health monitoring, and requiring those at risk to stay home from work.
- Out of 134 potential contacts, 4 showed symptoms of monkeypox, but all patients recovered.
Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is not notifiable at EU/EEA level, therefore surveillance relies on national policies only. Between 2005 and 2015, more than 20,000 cases were reported in EU/EEA countries. HEV testing is established in 26 countries and 19 countries sequence HEV viruses.
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- Indigenous foodborne transmission of hepatitis E virus genotype 3 (HEV G3) is becoming a significant issue in industrialized countries, potentially leading to severe health outcomes, especially for immunocompromised individuals.
- Public Health England has been tracking acute HEV infections since 2003, revealing a notable rise in cases from 2008 to 2016, followed by a decrease in 2017, with older men being the most affected demographic.
- There is a strong association between HEV G3 infections and the consumption of pork products, contrasting with previous reports linking infections to shellfish consumption, indicating a need for ongoing surveillance and further investigation into animal husbandry practices.
In early September 2018, two cases of monkeypox were reported in the United Kingdom (UK), diagnosed on 7 September in Cornwall (South West England) and 11 September in Blackpool (North West England). The cases were epidemiologically unconnected and had recently travelled to the UK from Nigeria, where monkeypox is currently circulating. We describe the epidemiology and the public health response for the first diagnosed cases outside the African continent since 2003.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHepatitis E virus (HEV) is an under-recognised cause of acute hepatitis in high-income countries. The purpose of this study was to provide an overview of testing, diagnosis, surveillance activities, and data on confirmed cases in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA). A semi-structured survey was developed and sent to 31 EU/EEA countries in February 2016, 30 responded.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is endemic in EU/EEA countries, but the understanding of the burden of the infection in humans is inconsistent as the disease is not under EU surveillance but subject to national policies.
Study: Countries were asked to nominate experts and to complete a standardised questionnaire about the epidemiological situation and surveillance of HEV in their respective EU/EEA country. This study reviewed surveillance systems for human cases of HEV in EU/EEA countries and nominated experts assessed the epidemiology in particular examining the recent increase in the number of autochthonous cases.
Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) Genotype 3 (G3) in England comprises two principal phylogenetic groups (Group 1 and Group 2) and can be transmitted by transfusion. Unselected screening identified 79 viremic donors; 76 participated in a follow-up study.
Study Design And Methods: Viral RNA dynamics, phylogenetics, and seroconversion were characterized in the donors.
Background: Enhanced surveillance and molecular characterisation studies of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in England and Wales have been undertaken since 2003. The dynamics of hepatitis E have changed recently with an increase in the number of indigenous cases and an observed viral shift.
Methods: HEV antibody and RNA data were analysed to ascertain the annual number of acute infections, the HEV genotype disposition and viral phylogeny.
In 2008, acute hepatitis E infection was confirmed in 4 passengers returning to the United Kingdom after a world cruise. Epidemiologic investigation showed that of 789 persons who provided blood samples, 195 (25%) were seropositive, 33 (4%) had immunoglobulin [Ig] M levels consistent with recent acute infection (11 of these persons were symptomatic), and 162 (21%) had IgG only, consistent with past infection. Passenger mean age was 68 years.
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