HEV Parentral Transmission among Egyptian Children with Multiple Blood Transfusion

HEV Parentral Transmission among Egyptian Children with Multiple Blood Transfusion

Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a small RNA virus and the etiological agent for hepatitis E. HEV is usually enterically transmitted virus; however parenteral transmission is a suggested risk factor especially in endemic areas. The aim of the present study is to address the issue of whether or not hepatitis E virus (HEV) is transmitted parenterally in children with multiple blood transfusions in presumptive endemic area of hepatitis E in Egypt. Study Design: The study was carried out on 210 children with history of multiple blood transfusions >3 times in the last two months. Blood samples were subjected to full biochemical study of liver function tests including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) aspartate amino transferase (AST) and bilirubin. Moreover, full virological markers for hepatitis A, B, C, E were performed including serological markers and molecular markers. Results: The commonest viral markers were significant increase of HCV IgG among children with hematological disorders (32.2%), followed by HCV IgG among hemodialysis (25%), followed by positive HEV markers (3.8%) (P=0.0001) among children with hematological disorders.