Incidence of Hepatitis E Virus Infection in Recipients of Blood or Blood Products Transfusion

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis E, generally known to be transmitted faeco-orally, has been shown to have significant transmission by blood borne route. Paucity of data on asymptomatic viremia in blood donors and higher incidence of Hepatitis E in haemodialysis patients and thalassemics mandate a prospective study of blood recipients to elucidate the exact incidence and natural history of post transfusion Hepatitis E. Methods: A total of 2000 recipients of blood or blood products transfusion were followed up for two months to detect development of post transfusion Hepatitis E, by clinical examination, transaminases and immunoglobulin M anti hepatitis E virus (IgM anti HEV). Estimation of hepatitis E virus ribonucleic acid (HEV RNA) was done in patients with elevated levels of transaminases. Result: Out of 2000 patients, 5(0.25%) were positive for IgM anti HEV at the time of transfusion and were excluded from the study. Rest of 1995 patients were followed up for two months post transfusion. A total of 1303 (65.3%) patients were followed up for two months and 1636 (82.0%) patients at least once in two visits. None of the followed up patients reported development of jaundice or had clinically evident hepatitis, although 62 patients had raised transaminases detected at either one or both the visits. Conclusion: All followed up patients were tested for IgM anti HEV at both the visits and none were found to be positive. Patients with raised transaminases were subjected to HEV RNA and all were found to be negative. MJAFI 2010; 66 : 204-207

Prevalence of Hepatitis E Virus Antibodies Among Blood Donors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Responsible agencies should consider HEV screening in blood transfusions to avoid its infection and complications, especially in endemic areas where a higher risk is present, considering that every effort to minimize the potential of the transfusion-transmitted disease is valuable (31,33,34).…”

“…Another factor that contributes to the lack of information about the frequency of HEV transmission by the transfusion route is underreported cases (33), which are possible associated with subclinical infections.…”