TY - JOUR
T1 - Autochthonous hepatitis e virus infections: A new transfusion-associated risk?
AU - Dreier, Jens
AU - Juhl, David
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2014 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg.
Copyright:
Copyright 2015 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2014/4/20
Y1 - 2014/4/20
N2 - Hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been recognized since 2004 as a transfusion-transmissible infectious agent, and recent epidemiological data suggest that it may pose a safety threat to the blood supply. It has recently become obvious that hepatitis E is endemic in industrialized countries, and that more infections are autochthonous than travel-associated. Epidemiological and phylogenetic analysis suggests that HEV infection has to be considered as a zoonosis and that viral transmission from animals (pigs, wild animals) occurs through food or direct contact. The seroprevalence and incidence of HEV in the general population and blood donors in European countries indicate an underestimated risk for transfusion transmissions. Recently reported cases of transfusion transmission of HEV infection, and detection of viremic, asymptomatic blood donors in nucleic acid amplification technique screening programs give an indication of the importance of this virus. Diagnostic assays for detection of anti-HEV antibodies, HEV antigens and RNA are discussed. Recent studies support the idea that active immunization can prevent hepatitis E, highlighting the need for vaccination programs. Here we review current knowledge of HEV and its epidemiology, blood transmission and prevention of this disease with emphasis on blood supply.
AB - Hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been recognized since 2004 as a transfusion-transmissible infectious agent, and recent epidemiological data suggest that it may pose a safety threat to the blood supply. It has recently become obvious that hepatitis E is endemic in industrialized countries, and that more infections are autochthonous than travel-associated. Epidemiological and phylogenetic analysis suggests that HEV infection has to be considered as a zoonosis and that viral transmission from animals (pigs, wild animals) occurs through food or direct contact. The seroprevalence and incidence of HEV in the general population and blood donors in European countries indicate an underestimated risk for transfusion transmissions. Recently reported cases of transfusion transmission of HEV infection, and detection of viremic, asymptomatic blood donors in nucleic acid amplification technique screening programs give an indication of the importance of this virus. Diagnostic assays for detection of anti-HEV antibodies, HEV antigens and RNA are discussed. Recent studies support the idea that active immunization can prevent hepatitis E, highlighting the need for vaccination programs. Here we review current knowledge of HEV and its epidemiology, blood transmission and prevention of this disease with emphasis on blood supply.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84901673215&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1159/000357098
DO - 10.1159/000357098
M3 - Scientific review articles
AN - SCOPUS:84901673215
SN - 1660-3796
VL - 41
SP - 29
EP - 39
JO - Transfusion Medicine and Hemotherapy
JF - Transfusion Medicine and Hemotherapy
IS - 1
ER -