Incidence of Hepatitis E Antibodies in Swedish Lung Transplant Recipients

• Background. Hepatitis E virus (REV) is an important cause of acute and chronic hepatitis in solid organ transplant recipients, especially liver transplant recipients. However, less is known of the incidence and prevalence of HEV in lung transplant recipients. Methods. In a prospective study, 62 patients were observed during the first year after lung transplantation. Sera were analyzed for anti-REV immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM at 12 months after transplantation. Samples positive for anti-REV were also analyzed for REV RNA by polymerase chain reaction. Pretransplantation samples were analyzed for patients with detectable anti-REV 1 year after transplantation. Results. Eight patients (13%) had anti-REV IgG at the 12-month follow-up sample. HEV RNA could not be detected in any of these samples. One of these patients seroconverted during the follow-up without developing acute or chronic hepatitis. Conclusions. Our results show that the prevalence of REV antibodies among Swedish lung transplant recipients is similar when compared to the general population. It also suggests that the risk for REV antibody seroconversion during first year is limited.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Kirurgi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Surgery (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Immunologi inom det medicinska området (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Immunology in the medical area (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

E VIRUS-INFECTION

PREVALENCE

SWEDEN

ASSAYS

Immunology

Surgery

Transplantation

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)