Prevalence of hepatitis E infection in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients in Spain (2012–2014)

Abstract

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) has emerged as a relevant pathogen for HIV-infected patients. However, there is scarce data on HEV infection in HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals with advanced fibrosis, which seems to increase the risk of HEV infection and worsen the prognosis of liver disease. We aimed to determine the prevalence of anti-HEV antibodies, acute hepatitis E, resolved hepatitis E, and exposure to HEV in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients and to evaluate associations with clinical and epidemiological characteristics. We performed a cross-sectional study on 198 HIV/HCV-coinfected patients, 30 healthy controls and 36 HIV-monoinfected patients. We found a low concordance between techniques used for detection of anti-HEV antibodies (ELISA versus Immunoblot), particularly in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients. HIV/HCV-coinfected patients showed the highest prevalence of IgG against HEV, resolved hepatitis E, and exposure to HEV (19.2%, 17.2%, and 22.2% respectively). However, we did not find any samples positive for HEV-RNA nor significant differences between groups. Moreover, HIV/HCV-coinfected patients with CD4 T-cells <350 cells/mm3 had higher prevalence for anti-HEV IgG antibodies, resolved hepatitis E, and exposure to HEV than healthy controls or those with CD4 T-cells ≥ 350 cells/mm3 (p = 0.034, p = 0.035, and p = 0.053; respectively). In conclusion, HIV/HCV-coinfected patients in Spain have a high prevalence for IgG anti-HEV antibodies, resolved hepatitis E, and exposure to HEV; particularly patients with CD4+T-cells <350 cells/mm3.

HIV gp120 Induces the Release of Proinflammatory, Angiogenic, and Lymphangiogenic Factors from Human Lung Mast Cells

“…Although the combined antiretroviral therapy (ART) can successfully suppress HIV viremia and delays the progression of disease [ 1 ], the chronic infection requires lifetime treatment due to the viral persistence in latent reservoirs [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Importantly, a significant percentage of HIV-infected individuals has hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection [ 5 ] resulting in increased HIV reservoir size [ 6 ]. The advent of ART has improved survival of HIV-infected adults and children leading to chronic illnesses such as different pulmonary diseases [ 7 , 8 ].…”

Hepatitis E Infection in Nigeria: A Systematic Review

“…Generally, the risk factors of the disease include lack of access to cheap, safe and potable drinking water, unhygienic living conditions and indiscriminate disposal of human wastes, poverty, the insecurity that results to a strain on access to basic life amenities and limited access to quality health services [2]. Symptoms of the disease include mild fever, anorexia, nausea, jaundice, dark urine, pale stools and slight liver inflammation, although, rare cases have been reported to result to fulminant hepatitis in pregnant women [3], [4]. Diagnosis of HEV infection includes detection of the HEV in stool or serum samples and serological tests for identification of anti-HEV Ig G and Ig M [1].…”

Current Paradigm of Hepatitis E Virus Among Pediatric and Adult Patients

“…Even if progression to acute liver failure is rare, there are several studies that reveals a progression to acute liver failure (ALF) in 10% of patients ( 122 ). Genotype 3 and 4 seems to affect often male at age of 63, which are more susceptible to develop ALF ( 123 ). Studies analysis seems to reveal that this fact is related to host factors rather than differential viral expression.…”