A cross-sectional study of SEN virus in liver transplant recipients

Citation
Em. Yoshida et al., A cross-sectional study of SEN virus in liver transplant recipients, LIVER TRANS, 7(6), 2001, pp. 521-525
Citations number
27
Categorie Soggetti
Gastroenerology and Hepatology
Journal title
LIVER TRANSPLANTATION
ISSN journal
15276465 → ACNP
Volume
7
Issue
6
Year of publication
2001
Pages
521 - 525
Database
ISI
SICI code
1527-6465(200106)7:6<521:ACSOSV>2.0.ZU;2-Z
Abstract
A new DNA virus, referred to as SEN virus (SEN V), has been isolated and is associated with blood-product transfusion and possibly Non A to Non E hepa titis. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of SEN V in Liver transplant recipients at our center. Polymerase chain reaction was used to test for 2 genotypes of SEN V (SENV:C/H and SEN V:D) in 58 unselected patients. Compa risons were made between SEN V-positive and SEN V-negative groups in terms of age, time posttransplantation, indications for transplantation, serum al anine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, a nd cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus status. Thirty of 58 transplant r ecipients (51.7%) were SEN V positive; 15.5% were positive for SEN V:C/H, 2 4.1% for SEN:D, and 12.1% for both strains. No significant differences were found based on primary indication for transplantation, including hepatitis C virus (HCV), Of the 14 of 21 patients with HCV seropositivity and HCV re infection, 79% were positive for SEN V (P = .02), There was no difference i n the proportion of patients with abnormal serum ALT and/or AST levels. A t rend for the SEN V-positive group to have a greater mean ALT level (82 v 41 U/L; P = .067) was attributable to the subgroup with HCV recurrence becaus e there was no difference in mean ALT levels (34.9 v 34.5 U/L; P = .968) in non-HCV-infected transplant recipients. Even in the subgroup (n = 14) with recurrent HCV, there was no statistically significant difference in mean A LT levels (140 v 105 U/L; P = .665). Age and cytomegalovirus or Epstein-Bar r virus status were not significantly different between the 2 groups, but a significant difference in posttransplantation time was noted (16.8 v 32 mo nths; P = .021). We conclude that SENV is common among liver transplant rec ipients but does not appear to cause graft dysfunction as an isolated agent . There is a suggestion that SEN V may be associated with HCV recurrence, b ut we did not detect biochemical differences attributable to SEN V.