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Detection of group C rotavirus in infants with extrahepatic biliary atresia
M Riepenhoff-Talty1, V Gouvea, M J Evans
1Departments of Pediatrics, State University of New York at Buffalo, USA.
Insights
Group C rotavirus RNA was detected in liver tissue of children with biliary atresia, suggesting a potential link between this virus and the disease. Further research is warranted to confirm this association in cholestatic conditions.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Hepatology
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
Background:
- Cholestatic liver disease, particularly biliary atresia, presents significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in pediatric populations.
- The etiology of extrahepatic biliary atresia remains largely unknown, prompting investigations into infectious agents.
- Group C rotavirus is a known pathogen, but its role in non-gastrointestinal conditions is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of group C rotavirus RNA in liver tissue samples from patients with cholestatic liver disease.
- To explore a potential association between group C rotavirus and extrahepatic biliary atresia.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of liver tissue samples from 32 subjects (20 with biliary atresia/choledochal cyst, 12 controls).
- Detection of group C rotavirus RNA using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) targeting genes 5 and 6.
- Confirmation of PCR products via liquid hybridization with a radiolabeled probe and nested primer amplification.
Main Results:
- Group C rotavirus RNA was detected in 10 out of 20 patients with biliary atresia (50%).
- No rotavirus RNA was found in the control group (P < .003), indicating a statistically significant difference.
- Three positive patients had detectable RNA for both genes 5 and 6; six had positive results in multiple samples.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest a possible association between group C rotavirus infection and extrahepatic biliary atresia in the studied cohort.
- Further etiological studies are needed to elucidate the role of group C rotavirus in the pathogenesis of biliary atresia.
- This study highlights the potential for viral involvement in cholestatic liver diseases.
Abstract:
The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine liver tissue from patients with cholestatic disease for the presence of group C rotavirus RNA. The reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for genes 5 and 6 was used, and the PCR products were subjected to liquid hybridization with a 32P-labeled probe. A second amplification with nested primers was also used. Samples from 32 subjects (20 with biliary atresia or choledochal cyst and 12 controls) were tested. Ten of 20 biliary atresia patients were positive for group C rotavirus RNA; no controls were positive (P < .003). Three of the positive patients were positive for both genes 5 and 6. Six of the 10 had > 1 sample that was positive. These data suggest a possible relationship between group C rotavirus and extrahepatic biliary atresia in the 10 patients in whom virus RNA was detected.