Hepatitis E Could Be A Cause Of Unexplained Changes In Liver Function In People Living With HIV.

Hepatitis E infection originates in pigs and a major mode of transmission in Europe and North America is via contaminated meat. It is also transmitted through faecal-oral contact, for example, in contaminated water.

The virus can cause disturbances in liver function and tends to lead to short-term illness with the same pattern of symptoms as hepatitis A before the virus is cleared. However in some people hepatitis E infection may lead to acute liver failure. This risk appears highest in pregnant women.

Cases of the infection have been detected in HIV-positive people.

Swiss researchers wanted to see if infection with hepatitis E was a cause of unexplained changes in liver function in people with HIV.

Their research involved people who had persistent elevations in ALTs (alanine aminotransferase) – a key measure of liver function. None had hepatitis B or hepatitis C.

A total of 735 people were included in the study and 19 (2.6%) had hepatitis E.

Antibody tests for hepatitis E didn’t work as well in people with a CD4 count below 150.

Even though the prevalence of hepatitis E infection was low, the authors conclude, “when investigating unexplained, elevated ALT level in HIV-infected patients, we propose that hepatitis E virus infection should be considered.”

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