Analysis of seroprevalence and risk factors for hepatitis E virus (HEV) in donation candidates and blood donors in Northeast Brazil

Full annotation of viral metagenomics in different components from Chinese blood donors using next-generation sequencing

BACKGROUND

Emerging viruses in the blood of healthy/qualified donors can seriously affect transfusion safety. However, the virus characteristics in different healthy blood donors and blood components are still not fully understood.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Buffy coat (BC) and plasma specimens were collected from 32 whole blood donors, and platelet (PLT) and BC specimens from 30 apheresis platelet donors to explore the full annotation of viral metagenomics in different blood components from Chinese blood donors using next-generation sequencing technology.

RESULTS

The study detected 56 viruses in the plasma and BC groups of whole blood donors. The plasma group had a significantly higher viral abundance and more types of viruses than the BC group. We detected 20 viruses in the PLT and BC groups of apheresis platelet donors. Viral abundance and types were significantly lower in the BC group than in the PLT group. According to β-diversity analysis, the plasma group had a significantly different community structure and composition than the BC group.

DISCUSSION

Viral nucleic acid is found in the blood of healthy Chinese blood donors, with the highest concentration in plasma, which could explain the distribution of viruses in the blood of healthy individuals.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus in patients with chronic liver disease

INTRODUCTION

The seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) is little known in Brazil. Studies have suggested that HEV may harmfully influence the course of CLD, with a higher risk of progression to cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of the anti-HEV antibody (IgG) in patients with CLD and to describe demographic data and risk factors, as well as clinical-laboratory and ultrasound parameters.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Cross-sectional study that included 227 patients with CLD followed at a referral outpatient clinic from June 2022 to March 2023. The patients were investigated clinically and tested for liver functions, anti-HEV IgG and, in positive cases, for HEV-RNA. Ultrasonography of the upper abdomen was also carried out.

RESULTS

Investigation of 227 patients (50 with hepatitis B, 49 with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, 33 with hepatitis C, 17 with alcoholic liver disease, 16 with schistosomiasis and 62 with mixed disease), 55.5% were female, with an average age of 57 ± 13 years; 37.9% had liver cirrhosis. Seven patients (3.08%) presented anti-HEV positive and HEV-RNA negative. Ultrasound identified association between anti-HEV and contact with pigs, presence of gynecomastia or palmar erythema, lower platelet count, higher APRI and FIB-4 values, and splenomegaly.

CONCLUSION

Although the prevalence of anti-HEV in patients with CLD was low in this study, the antibody was observed more frequently in cases with a history of contact with pigs and with clinical-laboratory or imaging evidence of more advanced chronic liver disease.

Hepatitis E Virus Research in Brazil: Looking Back and Forwards

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) has emerged as a public health concern in Brazil. From the first identification and characterization of porcine and human HEV-3 strains in the 2000s, new HEV subtypes have been identified from animal, human, and environmental isolates. As new potential animal reservoirs have emerged, there is a need to compile evidence on the zoonotic dissemination of the virus in animal hosts and the environment. The increasing amount of seroprevalence data on sampled and randomly selected populations must be systematically retrieved, interpreted, and considered under the One Health concept. This review focused on HEV seroprevalence data in distinct animal reservoirs and human populations reported in the last two decades. Furthermore, the expertise with experimental infection models using non-human primates may provide new insights into HEV pathogenesis, prevention, and environmental surveillance.