Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Virus Infection in Children After Liver Transplantation: A Single-center Experience in France

Introduction: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide, usually asymptomatic in children. However, a growing number of publications over the last decade have documented cases of chronic hepatitis related to HEV-genotype 3 infection, and progressing to cirrhosis in immuno-compromised patients, particularly in adult kidney transplant recipients. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence and severity of HEV infection among pediatric liver transplant (PLT) recipients managed in our center.

Material And Methods: Between November 1 2014 and January 1 2016, PLT recipients (less than 18 years-old) were screened for HEV infection [determined by HEV serology, HEV- immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG), and HEV-ribonucleic acid (RNA) by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction] at their annual follow-up visit.

Results: Eighty children were tested for HEV infection a mean of 5.4±5.3 years after liver transplantation (LT). The main indication for LT was biliary atresia (n=47, 59%). The prevalence of HEV-IgG was 8% (n=6; age range 1.3 to 14.2 years-old at the time of HEV testing). Prevalence increased to 30% when considering only the 20 children with a past history of an unexplained episode of elevated transaminases since LT. None had HEV IgM, serum HEV-RNA, or increased transaminases at the time of HEV testing. Among the six IgG seropositive children, two had received intravenous immunoglobulins prior to screening and four children had a negative control (seroreversion) 3 to 42 months after the first testing.

Conclusion: The prevalence of HEV infection in our cohort is low and similar to other pediatric reports. We saw no cases of chronic hepatitis or fibrosis attributable to HEV. The lower immunosuppressive regimen used in PLT children compared to other solid organ transplant recipients may account for this good outcome.