Researchers suggest the cause behind the acute childhood hepatitis epidemic

British studies indicate the presence of adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV2) in patients who had the disease and rule out a relationship with Covid-19.

Since April of this year, a mysterious spate of childhood acute hepatitis cases with no known cause has raised concerns among children’s parents and guardians. In this period there has been no lack of hypotheses put forward in an attempt to find the culprit (or culprits) of the outbreak of the disease. Now it seems British researchers have finally managed to unravel the riddle.

Analyzed by experts from University College London (UCL), two British studies – pre-published in the scientific journal MedRxiv in July this year – discovered the presence of adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV2) in 96% of patients with mysterious hepatitis.

However, what is known about the AAV2 virus is that its infection does not normally cause disease and the agent is unable to replicate in the body without “helpers”. Therefore, the researchers believe that the severity of the hepatitis condition developed by children is the result of a co-infection of the adeno-associated virus 2 and another adenovirus – also a herpesvirus, identified in some samples.

The first study (conducted in collaboration with the Scottish National Public Health Agency) looked at 9 confirmed cases of the disease and 58 healthy patients, while the second study (supported by the UK’s Health Safety Agency) examined in depth 28 episodes of hepatitis, including liver samples from five children who needed organ transplants.

For scientists, it is not yet possible to know precisely the reason behind the mysterious wave, but the possibility has been raised that we are experiencing an outbreak of adenovirus contagion – an infection avoidable with basic hygiene care – after the period of isolation from Covid-19, which contributed to the reduction of the general immunity of the population and the change in the circulation patterns of the virus.

“While we still have some unanswered questions about what exactly led to this increase in acute hepatitis cases, We hope the findings will reassure parents concerned about their relationship with Covid-19, as none of the teams have found any direct link to SARS-CoV-2.“UCL Professor Judy Breuer said in a statement.

Source: Terra

Benjamin

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