A novel DNA virus (SEN) among patients on maintenance hemodialysis: prevalence and clinical importance

Autor: Bernhard Zöllner, Matthias Schröter, Rainer Laufs, Peter H. Schafer, Bärbel Knödler, Heinz Hubert Feucht
Rok vydání: 2003
Předmět:
Zdroj: Journal of Clinical Virology. 27:69-73
ISSN: 1386-6532
DOI: 10.1016/s1386-6532(02)00129-4
Popis: Background: A recently discovered DNA virus (SEN) has been assumed to be responsible for posttransfusion hepatitis in humans. Phylogenetic analysis of SEN virus has revealed the existence of 8 different strains. Two of them (SEN virus strain H (SENV-H) and SENV-D) have been described as possible candidate viruses for inducing posttransfusion hepatitis. Until now, it is unclear whether patients on maintenance hemodialysis are on increased risk for acquiring SEN virus. Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of SENV-H among patients on maintenance hemodialysis and to examine whether special measures have to be taken to prevent nosocomial spreading of the virus. Study design: Serum samples derived from 78 chronically hemodialysed patients were examined for SENV-H viremia by seminested polymerase chain reaction. A panel of 226 samples from healthy blood donors served as a control group. Results: The prevalence of SENV-H was determined to be 12.8% (n=10) among patients on maintenance hemodialysis. This is nearly the same prevalence as in healthy blood donors (16.8%; n=38). None of the solely SENV-H-viremic individuals had clinical or biochemical signs of liver disease. Enhanced severity of liver disease could not be observed in patients coinfected with hepatitis C virus and SENV-H. Conclusion: We conclude that SENV-H viremia is widespread among hemodialysis patients. Since no viremic patient had clinical or biochemical signs of liver disease, in our setting the hepatitis-inducing capacity of SENV-H remains unclear. On the basis of our results, at present, we do not regard it as necessary to dialyse SENV-H-viremic patients on separate machines.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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