Atsama MA, et al. – This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in patients with chronic hepatitis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to assess its potential consequences for disease progression. Findings suggested a high prevalence of HEV infection in Cameroonian patients with CLD and HCC. Data thus suggested either that patients with liver tumors are more susceptible to hepeviral infection or that, in a tropical context, HEV might promote the progression of liver diseases towards tumor.

Methods

• A prospective case-control study was conducted on patients with HCC hepatitis B or C related and non-HCC patients including patients with CLD and patients without clinical evidence of liver disease.
• Authors tested anti-HEV IgG and IgM by ELISA using commercially available kits.
• Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, platelets and prothrombin measurements were performed to assess liver damage.

Results

• A significant anti-HEV IgG carriage in HCC patients compared to non-HCC subjects with CLD (41.8% vs 12.6%; P = 9.1 E-6; OR = 4.8, 95%CI: 2.3-10.6) was observed.
• HCC patients with HEV infection showed greater alterations of circulating liver enzymes, platelets count and prothrombin time than HCC patients without sero-reactivity to HEV.