Hepatitis E Virus Infection in HIV-Infected Patients with Elevated Serum Transaminases Levels
Author Information
Author(s): Sellier Pierre, Mazeron Marie-Christine, Tesse Sophie, Badsi Esma, Evans John, Magnier Jean-Dominique, Sanson-Le-Pors Marie-Jose, Bergmann Jean-François, Nicand Elisabeth
Primary Institution: Unite des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Hopital Lariboisiere, Paris, France
Hypothesis
What is the role and natural history of hepatitis E in HIV-infected patients with elevated aminotransferases levels?
Conclusion
Acute hepatitis E can occur in HIV-infected patients but rarely explains cryptogenic hepatitis in an urban population.
Supporting Evidence
- One acute HEV infection was diagnosed in a patient with elevated aminotransferases.
- Three past infections were identified based on the presence of anti-HEV IgG without IgM.
- Markers of HEV infection were detected in 3.7% of the HIV-infected patients with elevated transaminase levels.
Takeaway
This study looked at HIV patients with high liver enzyme levels to see if hepatitis E was the cause, and found only one case of acute infection.
Methodology
Retrospective testing of plasma samples for HEV infection markers in HIV-infected patients with elevated aminotransferases.
Limitations
The study did not estimate the prevalence of anti-HEV in the HIV-infected patients and lacked a control group.
Participant Demographics
Patients were predominantly male (M/F ratio 2.3) with an average age of 42.1 years for males and 38.3 years for females.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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