Protracted viremia during acute sporadic hepatitis E virus infection

Nanda, Santosh Kumar ; Ansari, Israrul Haque ; Acharya, Subrat Kumar ; Jameel, Shahid ; Panda, Subrat Kumar (1995) Protracted viremia during acute sporadic hepatitis E virus infection Gastroenterology, 108 (1). pp. 225-230. ISSN 0016-5085

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Official URL: http://www.gastrojournal.org/article/0016-5085(95)...

Abstract

Background/Aims: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is associated with epidemic and sporadic hepatitis in developing countries. The disease is largely self-limited with no long-term sequelae. The source of HEV for maintenance of the disease in an endemic area is unknown. This study investigated the occurrence and duration of viremia in patients with acute sporadic HEV infection. Methods: In 26 of 37 patients with sporadic acute non-A, non-B viral hepatitis, HEV infection was diagnosed based on positivity for immunoglobulin M anti-HEV and/or presence of viremia as shown by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. In 4 patients, fecal samples were analyzed for presence of virus using polymerase chain reaction. Multiple samples were studied at varying times in 20 patients. Results: Viremia was detected in 19 of 26 patients. Two patients had viremia in the absence of immunoglobulin M anti-HEV. Four patients had protracted viremia of 45-112 days' duration. One patient showed fecal virus shedding up to the 52nd day of illness. Conclusions: Protracted viremia and prolonged fecal shedding of HEV were shown in a small group of patients. These patients may serve as temporary virus carriers responsible for continuous contamination of the sewage water.

Item Type:Article
Source:Copyright of this article belongs to American Gastroenterological Association.
ID Code:136
Deposited On:17 Sep 2010 07:56
Last Modified:11 Jul 2012 10:29

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