Rat Hepatitis E Virus as Cause of Persistent Hepatitis after Liver Transplant

• DOI: 10.3201/eid2412.180937
• Publication Date: 2018-11-07T12:03:16Z
• Authors: Siddharth Sridhar; Cyril C.Y. Yip; Shusheng Wu; Jianpiao Cai; Anna Jin-Xia Zhang; Kit-Hang Leung; Tom W.H. Chung; Jasper F.W. Chan; Wan-Mui Chan; Jade L.L. Teng; Rex K.H. Au-Yeung; Vincent C.C. Cheng; Honglin Chen; Susanna K.P. Lau; Patrick C.Y. Woo; Ning-Shao Xia; Chung-Mau Lo; Kwok-Yung Yuen
• Keywords: Hepatitis E Virus; Viremia; Hepatitis E

Abstract All hepatitis E virus (HEV) variants reported to infect humans belong the species Orthohepevirus A (HEV-A). The zoonotic potential of C (HEV-C), which circulates in rats and is highly divergent from HEV-A, unknown. We report a liver transplant recipient with caused by HEV-C infection. detected RNA multiple clinical samples antigen liver. complete genome isolate had 93.7% nt similarity an strain Vietnam. patient preexisting HEV antibodies, were not protective against Ribavirin was effective treatment, resulting resolution clearance viremia. Testing for this should be performed immunocompromised immunocompetent patients unexplained because routine diagnostic tests may miss also threat blood product supply.