Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been associated with immunological phenomena. Their clinical significance, however, still needs to be clarified, that is, whether cryoglobulins or autoantibodies impact overt disease in HEV-infected individuals. To better understand, we analyzed these different immune phenomena in three cohorts, each representing different types of HEV infection.
Methods: The cohorts included: (i) immunocompetent patients with acute hepatitis E, (ii) immunosuppressed patients with chronic hepatitis E, and (iii) individuals with asymptomatic HEV infection. Together, they consisted of 57 individuals and were studied retrospectively for the presence of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANAs), cryoglobulins, and serum total IgG. They were then compared with a control cohort of 17 untreated patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
Results: Thirteen (23%) were immunocompetent patients with acute hepatitis E (median alanine aminotransferase (ALT) = 872 U/L), 15 (26%) were immunosuppressed patients with chronic hepatitis E (median ALT = 137 U/L), and 29 (51%) were blood donors with asymptomatic HEV infection (median ALT = 35 U/L). Overall, 24% tested positive for elevated ANA titers of >1:160, and 11% presented with a specific ANA pattern. ANA detection was not associated with the type of HEV infection, IgG levels, sex, or age. All individuals tested negative for anti-mitochondrial antibodies, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, liver-kidney microsomal antibodies, anti-myeloperoxidase-, and anti-proteinase-3 antibodies. Five patients (9%) tested positive for cryoglobulins. Notably, cryoglobulinemia was present in overt hepatitis E (Groups (i) and (ii); one acute and four chronic HEV infections), but was not present in any of the asymptomatic blood donors ( = 0.02). The frequency of cryoglobulins and elevated ANAs did not differ significantly between HEV and HBV/HCV patients.
Conclusion: In line with findings on HBV and HCV infections, we frequently observed detection of ANAs (24%) and cryoglobulins (9%) in association with HEV infections. The presence of cryoglobulins was limited to patients with overt hepatitis E. We add to the findings on the immune phenomena of hepatitis E.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9090755 | DOI Listing |
Viruses
January 2025
Department of Biomedical & Nutritional Sciences, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USA.
Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) is a globally widespread pathogen that causes acute hepatitis infection. Beyond hepatic pathogenesis, HEV has been proven to cause several extrahepatic manifestations, such as neurological, renal, and hematological manifestations. It was also associated with mortality in pregnant females.
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December 2024
Department of Levante Ligure, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via degli Stagnoni 96, 19100 La Spezia, Italy.
Bivalve molluscs are filter-feeding organisms, capable of concentrating pathogenic microorganisms from the surrounding environment, thus contributing to the spread of viral pathogens, which they can transmit to humans, especially if eaten raw or undercooked. Although norovirus (NoV) and the hepatitis A virus (HAV) are considered the most common causes of foodborne infections, in recent years, other viruses with a zoonotic potential have been identified in shellfish, such as the hepatitis E virus (HEV), astrovirus (AsV), and aichi virus (AiV). The aim of the study was to investigate the presence of classical and emerging pathogenic enteric viruses in oysters () and mussels () from a mollusc farming area in the northwest of Italy, between April 2022 and March 2023.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnimals (Basel)
January 2025
Scientific Veterinary Institute "Novi Sad", Rumenački put 20, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia.
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the causative agent of acute hepatitis E infection in humans. Two epidemiological patterns of the disease exist-endemic and sporadic. Genotypes 1 (HEV-1) and 2 (HEV-2) are transmitted through contaminated water and are responsible for the outbreaks of many large-scale epidemics in developing countries of Asia and Africa.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVaccines (Basel)
January 2025
Kauno Kolegija Higher Education, Faculty of Medicine, Pramones pr 20, 50468 Kaunas, Lithuania.
Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection presents a significant health risk in endemic regions, especially for pregnant women, who face higher risks of severe complications, including maternal and fetal mortality. The recombinant HEV vaccine, HEV239, has demonstrated high efficacy in the general population, yet data on its safety and efficacy in women of a childbearing age remain limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of HEV239 in this specific population, with a focus on pregnancy-related outcomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVaccines (Basel)
December 2024
Department of Gastroenterology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry 605006, India.
: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a leading cause of acute viral hepatitis in adults. The schedule for HEV 239, the only approved anti-HEV vaccine, consists of three doses at 0, 1, and 6 months, which is unsuitable for use in emergency and outbreak situations where quick protection is desired. We, therefore, undertook a systematic review of data on immunogenicity, efficacy, and effectiveness of alternative accelerated schedules.
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