Related Experiment Videos
Hepatitis E virus infection in hemophiliacs
A Barzilai1, S Schulman, Y V Karetnyi
1National Hemophilia Center, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
Journal of Medical Virology
|June 1, 1995
Summary
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is common in Israel. This study found HEV is not transmitted via blood products in hemophilic patients, suggesting feco-oral transmission is the primary route.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Transfusion Medicine
Background:
- Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is endemic in Israel, causing enteric non-A, non-B hepatitis.
- Transmission is typically feco-oral, but blood transfusion transmission is a concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential transmission of HEV through blood transfusion in hemophilic patients in Israel.
- To determine the seroprevalence of HEV infection in this high-risk population.
Main Methods:
- Sera from 188 hemophilic patients were tested for antibodies against HEV (anti-HEV) using enzyme immunoassay (EIA).
- Positive results were confirmed with a neutralization test.
- Seroprevalence was compared to a matched healthy Israeli control group.
Main Results:
- Sixteen (9%) hemophilic patients were seropositive for anti-HEV.
- No significant difference in HEV seroprevalence was found between hemophilic patients and the control group.
- HEV-seropositive patients showed similar rates of hepatitis B, C, and HIV coinfection and chronic hepatitis compared to HEV-seronegative patients.
- A higher prevalence of hepatitis A virus antibodies (anti-HAV) was observed in the HEV-seropositive group.
Conclusions:
- Hepatitis E virus is unlikely to be transmitted via cryoprecipitate or lyophilized factor concentrates in hemophilic patients.
- The high prevalence of hepatitis A coinfection supports feco-oral transmission as the main route of HEV infection in Israeli hemophiliacs.