Transmission of Hepatitis A Virus through Combined Liver-Small Intestine-Pancreas Transplantation

Donor-derived Transmission of Hepatitis A Virus Following Kidney Transplantation: Clinical Course of Two Cases From One Donor

Donor-derived transmission of infections is a rare complication of kidney transplant. Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a common cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide, but donor-derived transmission to organ recipients has been reported in the literature only twice previously. The timeline for HAV incubation and clearance in transplant recipients is not well understood.

Methods

In 2018, 2 kidneys and a liver were procured from a deceased donor resident of Kentucky, one of many states that was experiencing an HAV outbreak associated with person-to-person transmission through close contact, primarily among people who reported drug use. Both kidney recipients, residents of Virginia, subsequently developed acute HAV infections. We report the results of an investigation to determine the source of transmission and describe the clinical course of HAV infection in the infected kidney recipients.

Results

The liver recipient had evidence of immunity to HAV and did not become infected. The donor and both kidney recipients were found to have a genetically identical strain of HAV using a next-generation sequencing-based cyber molecular assay (Global Hepatitis Outbreak Surveillance Technology), confirming donor-derived HAV infections in kidney recipients. At least 1 kidney recipient experienced delayed development of detectable hepatitis A anti-IgM antibodies. By 383 and 198 d posttransplant, HAV RNA was no longer detectable in stool specimens from the left and right kidney recipients, respectively.

Conclusions

Adherence to current guidance for hepatitis A vaccination may prevent future morbidity due to HAV among organ recipients. http://links.lww.com/TXD/A548.

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 A: Epidemiology, High-Risk Groups, Prevention and Research on Antiviral Treatment

The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a leading cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide. It is transmitted mainly by direct contact with patients who have been infected or by ingesting contaminated water or food. The virus is endemic in low-income countries where sanitary and sociodemographic conditions are poor. Paradoxically, improving sanitary conditions in these countries, which reduces the incidence of HAV infections, can lead to more severe disease in susceptible adults. The populations of developed countries are highly susceptible to HAV, and large outbreaks can occur when the virus is spread by globalization and by increased travel and movement of foodstuffs. Most of these outbreaks occur among high-risk groups: travellers, men who have sex with men, people who use substances, and people facing homelessness. Hepatitis A infections can be prevented by vaccination; safe and effective vaccines have been available for decades. Several countries have successfully introduced universal mass vaccination for children, but high-risk groups in high-income countries remain insufficiently protected. The development of HAV antivirals may be important to control HAV outbreaks in developed countries where a universal vaccination programme is not recommended.

Vigilance for Medical Products of Human Origin-Progress on the Notify Library's Global Effort to Share Information and Learning

BACKGROUND

World Health Assembly Resolution 63.22 mandated World Health Organization to facilitate Member State access to appropriate information on medical products of human origin (MPHO), including collecting data on serious adverse events and reactions. To meet this challenge, the Italian National Transplant Center, with a mandate from World Health Organization, has built and maintained an open-access searchable database of instructive records on disease transmission and other MPHO adverse occurrences.

METHODS

One record in the Notify Library describes a specific type of adverse occurrence in 1 type of MPHO and might be linked with 1 or multiple different references. The record inclusion criteria are that it has been reliably documented in a published article or official vigilance reporting system and that it has instructive value for the fields of transfusion, transplantation, or assisted reproduction. The selection and review of references for publication is performed by international experts who collaborate in 5 topic-specific editorial groups: infection transmission, malignancy transmission, living-donor reactions, process-related incidents, and clinical complications. New relevant references are identified through systematic searches and proactive communication by the experts.

RESULTS

The Library contains 1733 records, quoting 2632 references. Of the records, 41.8% are related to organs, 20.8% to blood and blood components, 16.5% to hematopoietic progenitor cells, 15.2% to tissues, 4.2% to reproductive tissues and cells, and 1.5% to other MPHO.

CONCLUSIONS

Notify Library is the first open-access, searchable database of systematically identified reports of disease transmission and other adverse occurrences arising from the donation and clinical application of MPHO.

Immunoglobulin G Immunity to Hepatitis A Virus in Liver Transplant Candidates: A Serosurvey from Iran

Background: Becoming infected with hepatitis A virus (HAV) is deadlier in patients with end-stage liver disease. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of chronic immunity to HAV in liver transplant (LT) candidates to determine whether HAV vaccination is necessary for them or not. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on adult LT candidates who were referred to the LT center of Shiraz, Iran. The patients were interviewed for filling the data collection forms. These forms consisted of demographic information, medical backgrounds, etiology of chronic liver disease, a model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, laboratory findings, and abdominal sonography report. Furthermore, a 3-cc blood sample was obtained from each patient, and anti-HAV IgG was detected by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using standard Diapro kits. Univariable and multivariable data analyses were performed using SPSS version 20. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered the significant cutoff in regression analysis. Results: A total of 291 patients with a mean age of 47.73 ± 12.9 years were recruited in this study of whom, 197 (67.7%) patients were males, 237 (81.4%) were married, 229 (78.7%) were educated lower than 12 years, 250 (85.9%) were living in urban areas, and (221) 75.9% had access to sanitary water in their living area. anti-HAV IgG was detected in 269 (92.4%, 95% CI: 89.4 - 95.4%) patients. Multivariable analysis showed that lower knowledge of hepatitis A transmission routes (OR: 11.9, 95% CI: 1.39 - 101.8, P = 0.024), no waterpipe smoking (OR: 9.5, 95% CI: 1.6 - 55.5, P = 0.014), and older age (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1 - 1.24, P = 0.03) were the main predictors of HAV immunity, in sequence. Conclusions: Most LT candidates are HAV IgG positive, but due to the growing number of LT candidates and high mortality of HAV in non-immune cases, LT candidates should be checked for HAV IgG, especially younger or waterpipe smoking patients who are less immune. Also, all non-immune patients should be vaccinated against HAV, if possible.

Prevention of Hepatitis A Virus Infection in the United States: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, 2020

HEPATITIS A IS A VACCINE-PREVENTABLE, COMMUNICABLE DISEASE OF THE LIVER CAUSED BY THE HEPATITIS A VIRUS (HAV). THE INFECTION IS TRANSMITTED VIA THE FECAL-ORAL ROUTE, USUALLY FROM DIRECT PERSON-TO-PERSON CONTACT OR CONSUMPTION OF CONTAMINATED FOOD OR WATER. HEPATITIS A IS AN ACUTE, SELF-LIMITED DISEASE THAT DOES NOT RESULT IN CHRONIC INFECTION. HAV ANTIBODIES (IMMUNOGLOBULIN G [IGG] ANTI-HAV) PRODUCED IN RESPONSE TO HAV INFECTION PERSIST FOR LIFE AND PROTECT AGAINST REINFECTION; IGG ANTI-HAV PRODUCED AFTER VACCINATION CONFER LONG-TERM IMMUNITY. THIS REPORT SUPPLANTS AND SUMMARIZES PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON IMMUNIZATION PRACTICES (ACIP) REGARDING THE PREVENTION OF HAV INFECTION IN THE UNITED STATES. ACIP RECOMMENDS ROUTINE VACCINATION OF CHILDREN AGED 12-23 MONTHS AND CATCH-UP VACCINATION FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS AGED 2-18 YEARS WHO HAVE NOT PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED HEPATITIS A (HEPA) VACCINE AT ANY AGE. ACIP RECOMMENDS HEPA VACCINATION FOR ADULTS AT RISK FOR HAV INFECTION OR SEVERE DISEASE FROM HAV INFECTION AND FOR ADULTS REQUESTING PROTECTION AGAINST HAV WITHOUT ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF A RISK FACTOR. THESE RECOMMENDATIONS ALSO PROVIDE GUIDANCE FOR VACCINATION BEFORE TRAVEL, FOR POSTEXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS, IN SETTINGS PROVIDING SERVICES TO ADULTS, AND DURING OUTBREAKS.

Emerging Threat: Changing Epidemiology of Hepatitis A and Acute Kidney Injury

In the past decade, hepatitis A has been considered a rare disease in the United States, largely due to targeted vaccination of at-risk children. Evolving epidemiology has resulted in decreasing immunity and increasing hepatitis A infections among adults who are more likely to experience severe disease. A surge in outbreaks has been noted in the past 2 years, resulting in a high volume of hepatitis A related hospitalizations and complications in otherwise healthy individuals. The traditional understanding that acute kidney injury is a rare extrahepatic manifestation is being challenged by the resurgence of hepatitis A in a more vulnerable population. This review examines the epidemiologic factors that contributed to current public health concern and the association between hepatitis A and acute kidney injury.

Donor-derived Viral Infections in Liver Transplantation

Donor-derived infections are defined as any infection present in the donor that is transmitted to 1 or more recipients. Donor-derived infections can be categorized into 2 groups: "expected" and "unexpected" infections. Expected transmissions occur when the donor is known to have an infection, such as positive serology for cytomegalovirus, Epstein Barr virus, or hepatitis B core antibody, at the time of donation. Unexpected transmissions occur when a donor has no known infection before donation, but 1 or more transplant recipients develop an infection derived from the common donor. Unexpected infections are estimated to occur in far less than 1% of solid organ transplant recipients. We will review the epidemiology, risk factors, and approaches to prevention and management of donor-derived viral infectious disease transmission in liver transplantation.

Epidemiology and Transmission of Hepatitis A Virus and Hepatitis E Virus Infections in the United States

There are many similarities in the epidemiology and transmission of hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype (gt)3 infections in the United States. Both viruses are enterically transmitted, although specific routes of transmission are more clearly established for HAV than for HEV: HAV is restricted to humans and primarily spread through the fecal-oral route, while HEV is zoonotic with poorly understood modes of transmission in the United States. New cases of HAV infection have decreased dramatically in the United States since infant vaccination was recommended in 1996. In recent years, however, outbreaks have occurred among an increasingly susceptible adult population. Although HEV is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis in developing countries, it is rarely diagnosed in the United States.

Innate Immunity to Enteric Hepatitis Viruses

Although hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) are both positive-strand RNA viruses that replicate in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes, there are important differences in the ways they induce and counteract host innate immune responses. HAV is remarkably stealthy because of its ability to evade and disrupt innate signaling pathways that lead to interferon production. In contrast, HEV does not block interferon production. Instead, it persists in the presence of an interferon response. These differences may provide insight into HEV persistence in immunocompromised patients, an emerging health problem in developed countries.

Common viral infections in kidney transplant recipients

Infectious complications have been considered as a major cause of morbidity and mortality after kidney transplantation, especially in the Asian population. Therefore, prevention, early detection, and prompt treatment of such infections are crucial in kidney transplant recipients. Among all infectious complications, viruses are considered to be the most common agents because of their abundance, infectivity, and latency ability. Herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, hepatitis B virus, BK polyomavirus, and adenovirus are well-known etiologic agents of viral infections in kidney transplant patients worldwide because of their wide range of distribution. As DNA viruses, they are able to reactivate after affected patients receive immunosuppressive agents. These DNA viruses can cause systemic diseases or allograft dysfunction, especially in the first six months after transplantation. Pretransplant evaluation and immunization as well as appropriate prophylaxis and preemptive approaches after transplant have been established in the guidelines and are used effectively to reduce the incidence of these viral infections. This review will describe the etiology, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of viral infections that commonly affect kidney transplant recipients.