Hepatitis E Virus Infections in Blood Donors,France

We screened plasma samples (minipools of 96 samples, corresponding to 53,234 blood donations) from France that had been processed with solvent–detergent for hepatitis E virus RNA. The detection rate was 1 HEV-positive sample/2,218 blood donations. Most samples (22/24) from viremic donors were negative for IgG and IgM against HEV.     

Frequent Hepatitis E Virus Contamination in Food Containing Raw Pork Liver,France

Food products containing raw pork liver are suspected to be vehicles for transmission of hepatitis E virus. Four categories of food products, comprising 394 samples, were analyzed to determine hepatitis E virus prevalence. Virus was detected in 3%–30% of the different categories. Phylogenetic analysis showed high identity with human and swine sequences.     

Transfusion-Transmitted Hepatitis A Virus,France, 2018

We report a transfusion-transmitted hepatitis A virus infection in an immunocompromised patient in France, detected shortly after a transfusion of pathogen-reduced pooled platelets. This case raises questions about the efficacy of donor screening methods. Additional safety measures, such as routine donation screening, should be considered.     

Hepatitis E virus infection in sheltered homeless persons, France

To determine the prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection among sheltered homeless persons in Marseille, France, we retrospectively tested 490 such persons. A total of 11.6% had immunoglobulin (Ig) G and 2.5% had IgM against HEV; 1 person had HEV genotype 3f. Injection drug use was associated with IgG against HEV.     

KIs Virus and Blood Donors, France

TO THE EDITOR: KIs virus (KIs-V) is a putative new virus identified recently in the blood of persons in Japan (1). The first partial sequence of KIs-V was characterized unexpectedly, when PCR primers were used that were directed primarily to the consensus domain of helicase of positive-stranded RNA viruses. Extensive physicochemical and molecular analysis suggested that KIs-V is an enveloped virus with a circular, double-stranded DNA genome of ≈9,500 bp (prototype isolate: GenBank accession no. AB550431); its genetic diversity is presumed to be extremely low because the 4 complete genomes already characterized in Japan harbor strict identical sequences. The 13 potential genes identified by in silico analysis exhibit an overall low sequence homology to other known viral proteins (1). Until now, KIs-V epidemiologic data have been related only to the original study in which the authors analyzed plasma samples from 516 blood donors categorized into 4 groups by alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level (either <60 IU/L or >60 IU/L) and the presence or absence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) antibodies. As a result, KIs-V DNA was detectable at elevated prevalence in the high ALT level/HEV antibody-positive group (36%, n = 100); viral loads, checked for a few samples, ranged from 10(6) to 10(8) copies/mL. KIs-V DNA also was identified in HEV antibody-negative samples, with low or high ALT level (≈0.8%, n = 120, and 1%, n = 100, respectively) (1).     

Hepatitis E Virus Seroprevalence among Adults, Germany

We assessed hepatitis E virus (HEV) antibody seroprevalence in a sample of the adult population in Germany. Overall HEV IgG prevalence was 16.8% (95% CI 15.6%–17.9%) and increased with age, leveling off at >60 years of age. HEV is endemic in Germany, and the lifetime risk for exposure is high.     

Hepatitis E virus antibodies in blood donors, France

Using a validated sensitive assay, we found hepatitis E virus (HEV) IgG in 52.5% of voluntary blood donors in southwestern France. This finding suggests HEV is highly endemic to this region. The high HEV prevalence may reflect local dietary practices, such as eating uncooked pork and game products.     

Neurologic disorders and hepatitis E, France, 2010

We report meningitis with diffuse neuralgic pain or polyradiculoneuropathy associated with PCR-documented acute hepatitis E in 2 adults. These observations suggest that diagnostic testing for hepatitis E virus should be conducted for patients who have neurologic symptoms and liver cytolysis.     

Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 4, Nanjing,China, 2001–2011

During 2001–2011, hepatitis E virus (HEV) was found in the blood of patients in Nanjing, China. All HEV-positive patients had virus genotype 4; subgenotype 4a was predominant. The effective population of HEV in Nanjing increased in ≈1980 and continued until ≈2003 when it plateaued.     

Hepatitis E virus infection without reactivation in solid-organ transplant recipients, France

Infections with hepatitis E virus (HEV) in solid-organ transplant recipients can lead to chronic hepatitis. However, the incidence of de novo HEV infections after transplantation and risk for reactivation in patients with antibodies against HEV before transplantation are unknown. Pretransplant prevalence of these antibodies in 700 solid-organ transplant recipients at Toulouse University Hospital in France was 14.1%. We found no HEV reactivation among patients with antibodies against HEV at the first annual checkup or by measuring liver enzyme activities and HEV RNA. In contrast, we found 34 locally acquired HEV infections among patients with no antibodies against HEV, 47% of whom had a chronic infection, resulting in an incidence of 3.2/100 person-years. Independent risk factors for HEV infection were an age <52 years at transplantation and receiving a liver transplant. Effective prophylactic measures that include those for potential zoonotic infections should reduce the risk for HEV transmission in this population.     

Analysis of Avian Hepatitis E Virus from Chickens, China

Avian hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been identified in chickens; however, only 4 complete or near-complete genomic sequences have been reported. We found that the near-complete genomic sequence of avian HEV in chickens from China shared the highest identity (98.3%) with avian HEV from Europe and belonged to avian HEV genotype 3.     

Hepatitis E Virus Variant in Farmed Mink,Denmark

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a zoonotic virus for which pigs are the primary animal reservoir. To investigate whether HEV occurs in mink in Denmark, we screened feces and tissues from domestic and wild mink. Our finding of a novel HEV variant supports previous findings of HEV variants in a variety of species.     

Hepatitis E Virus Infections in Free-Ranging and Captive Cetaceans,Spain, 2011–2022

Epidemiologic surveillance of hepatitis E virus in over 300 free-ranging and captive cetaceans in waters off Spain revealed extensive exposure to this pathogen. We suggest the persistent and widespread presence of hepatitis E in the marine environment off the coast of Spain may be driven by terrestrial sources of contamination.