A Less Common Cause of Acute Hepatitis in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Case Series.
Transplant Proc
; 54(5): 1278-1281, 2022 Jun.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35768296
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a cause of significant morbidity and mortality, representing an important global public health problem. Immunocompetent patients with acute hepatitis E can clear the infection spontaneously; however, in approximately two thirds of cases, immunosuppressed patients, such as kidney transplant (KT) recipients, fail to clear the HEV infection and develop chronic hepatitis. PATIENTS ANDMETHODS:
We report 3 cases of HEV infection in KT patients. Two presented only with laboratory abnormalities and elevated liver enzymes, and 1 presented with symptomatic disease motivating hospital admission. None was able to clear the infection spontaneously, and they were all treated with ribavirin, accompanied with reduction of immunosuppressive drugs. Adverse effects of the treatment were reported in 2 patients, and in 1 case, a dose reduction was necessary. All patients responded to the treatment and have no current evidence of active disease. No alterations of basal kidney function during or related to the treatment were registered.DISCUSSION:
HEV screening in KT patients presenting with abnormal liver function of undetermined cause is fundamental, as it might have poorer outcomes in this specific population. The treatment with ribavirin seems to be safe and effective, although we must always be alert to potential side effects, maintaining a close follow-up of these patients.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Kidney Transplantation
/
Hepatitis E virus
/
Hepatitis E
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Transplant Proc
Year:
2022
Document type:
Article
Publication country:
EEUU
/
ESTADOS UNIDOS
/
ESTADOS UNIDOS DA AMERICA
/
EUA
/
UNITED STATES
/
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
/
US
/
USA