Risk Of Hepatitis E From Consumption Of Deer? (p 371)July 30, 2003Japanese authors of a research letter in this week's issue of THE LANCET provide evidence that hepatitis E infection may be transmitted by consumption of Sika deer, a Japanese delicacy. Hepatitis E is rare in economically developed countries. An animal route (zoonosis) has been suggested for hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection, despite a lack of direct evidence. Shunji Mishiro from Toshiba General Hospital, Tokyo, Japan, and colleagues report how four members of two Japanese families contracted hepatitis E after eating raw Japanese deer meat (a local delicacy) on three occasions over seven weeks before the first family member had hepatitis confirmed after hospital admission. On testing, a left over portion of the deer meat, kept frozen to eat in the future, was positive for HEV RNA, whose genetic sequence was identical to those from the patients. Shunji Mishiro comments: "Our patients became infected with HEV by eating the raw meat (or sashimi in Japanese) of an infected deer. We know of no report that has described the presence of HEV RNA or antibodies in deer, whereas many have described its presence in swine, cows, goats, and rodents. We suggest the Sika deer and consumption of its raw meat be added to the list of foods with a risk of transmitting HEV." Lancet |
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| Related Hepatitis Current Events and Hepatitis News Articles Toward explaining why hepatitis B hits men harder than women Scientists in China are reporting discovery of unusual liver proteins, found only in males, that may help explain the long-standing mystery of why the hepatitis B virus (HBV) sexually discriminates -- hitting men harder than women. Largest-ever database for liver proteins may lead to treatments for hepatitis Scientists at a group of 11 research centers in China are reporting for the first time assembly of the largest-ever collection of data about the proteins produced by genes in a single human organ. Mount Sinai finds those with more difficult to treat forms of HCV are half as likely to get treated A new study by Mount Sinai researchers has for the first time found that patients with more difficult to treat forms of hepatitis C are half as likely to initiate treatment for the disease, when compared to patients with hepatitis C that is easier to treat. Extending treatment after liver transplant may benefit patients with hepatitis C recurrence Extending hepatitis C treatment for liver transplant patients beyond current practice results in high rates of clearance of the hepatitis C virus from the blood, as well as a low rate of relapse, according to a Henry Ford Hospital study. Hepatitis B does not increase risk for pancreatic cancer A Henry Ford Hospital study found that hepatitis B does not increase the risk for pancreatic cancer - and that only age is a contributing factor. Governor recognizes stem cell research at Einstein Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University hosted a roundtable discussion on stem cell research with New York Governor David A. Paterson today. Liver cells grown from patients' skin cells Scientists at The Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee have successfully produced liver cells from patients' skin cells opening the possibility of treating a wide range of diseases that affect liver function. Injury and hazards in home health care nursing are a growing concern Patients continue to enter home healthcare ''sicker and quicker," often with complex health problems that may require extensive nursing care. Medication effective for acute liver failure in early stages of disease The antidote for acute liver failure caused by acetaminophen poisoning also can treat acute liver failure due to most other causes if given before severe injury occurs, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers and their colleagues at 21 other institutions have found. New aging studies improving vaccine efficacy for the elderly A new study from the Trudeau Institute in Saranac Lake, New York, demonstrates that immune system cells important for both pathogen resistance and vaccine efficacy live longer in older animals but because of this longevity acquire functional defects. More Hepatitis Current Events and Hepatitis News Articles |
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