Transfusion-associated Hepatitis E, France

Philippe Colson,Mireille Henry,Carole Coze,Catherine Tamalet,Pierre Gallian,Philippe De Micco

doi:10.3201/eid1304.061387

Abstract

Transfusion-associated Hepatitis E, France

Highlights

A 7-year-old boy was examined in June 2006; he had erythematouspapulous skin and an increased level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT, 796 IU/L) of 1 week’s duration
Serum samples taken from 12 U of blood products that the child received during the 3-month period before onset of hepatitis were tested for Hepatitis E virus (HEV) RNA; 1 sample was positive
Concentrated erythrocytes (310 mL) from this positive blood donation were transfused to the child in May 2006, 4 weeks after collection and 6 weeks before acute hepatitis developed

Summary

Introduction

A 7-year-old boy was examined in June 2006; he had erythematouspapulous skin and an increased level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT, 796 IU/L) of 1 week’s duration. Peak levels of ALT and bilirubin were reached 4 weeks after onset of hepatitis (2,001 IU/L and 49 μmol/L, respectively), and ALT levels returned to normal range (8–45 IU/L) 6 weeks later. HEV diagnosis was established by detection in serum of HEV antibodies (EIAgen Kits, Adaltis Development Inc., Laval, Quebec, Canada) and HEV RNA with in-house assays. HEV immunoglobulin M (IgM) was weakly positive in June 2006 (optical density ratio = 1.6), strongly positive the month (ratio = 10.8); IgG remained negative.

Results

Conclusion