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HEV infection in French HIV-infected patients

Florence Abravanel1, Sébastien Lhomme1, Mélanie Fougère1

  • 1Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan, INSERM U1043/CNRS UMR5282/Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, F-31024, Toulouse, France; CHU Toulouse, Hôpital Purpan, Laboratoire de virologie, Centre National de Référence Hépatite E, Institut Fédératif de Biologie, F-31300, Toulouse, France.

The Journal of Infection
|December 22, 2016
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

HIV-positive patients in France showed lower concentrations of anti-hepatitis E virus IgG antibodies but similar IgM levels compared to controls. This suggests a weaker immune response in HIV patients, though hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection incidence remains high.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Prevalence of anti-hepatitis E virus (HEV) antibodies varies in HIV-positive individuals from industrialized nations.
  • Comparing HEV antibody data between HIV-positive patients and the general population is challenging due to unmatched demographics.
  • Men who have sex with men (MSM) face a higher risk of viral hepatitis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of anti-HEV IgM and IgG antibodies in HIV-infected patients in southwestern France.
  • To compare HEV antibody prevalence and concentrations between HIV-infected patients and matched healthy controls.
  • To assess the implications for HEV infection incidence and transmission in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 300 HIV-infected patients from Toulouse University Hospital was studied.
  • Each HIV-infected patient was age- and sex-matched with two healthy blood donors from the same region.
  • Patients and controls were tested for the presence of anti-HEV IgM and IgG antibodies.

Main Results:

  • Anti-HEV IgG was detected in 38.7% of HIV-infected patients versus 47.3% in controls (p=0.027).
  • Concentrations of anti-HEV IgG tended to be lower in HIV-infected patients.
  • Prevalence of anti-HEV IgM was similar in both groups (3.6% in HIV-infected patients vs. 3.8% in controls, p=0.85).

Conclusions:

  • HIV-infected patients in Southern France exhibit lower prevalence and concentrations of anti-HEV IgG, indicating a potentially weaker humoral response.
  • Similar anti-HEV IgM prevalence suggests a comparable incidence of recent HEV infection in HIV-infected patients and controls.
  • The findings do not support sexual transmission of the hepatitis E virus.
Keywords:
HEVHIVHumoral responseSeroprevalenceSexual transmission

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