An adenovirus (AAV2), previously thought to be harmless, is likely to be the cause of the previously mysterious acute hepatitis illnesses seen in about 1,000 children worldwide in recent months. In some cases, liver transplants were even necessary. There were also some deaths.
In April this year, acute liver inflammation in children of unknown cause was first reported from Scotland. Serious hepatitis diseases are extremely rare in children. To date, 1010 such cases from 35 countries have already been reported worldwide.
As the Deutsches Ärzteblatt reported on Tuesday, citing a study by British scientists (not reviewed by independent experts), the cause of the disease should now be known. were investigated Blood and tissue samples from a total of 25 children with this hepatitis. They sequenced the DNA of all the genes in the samples and checked whether they could come from viruses. As a result, they encountered the so-called adeono-associated virus 2, namely AAV2.
AAV2 needs “helper viruses”
The result, according to the Deutsches Ärzteblatt (Online): “The AAV2 genes were present in all liver biopsies and in ten of the eleven plasma samples.” The small DNA virus AAV2 with a genome of only 4675 “letters” belongs to the so-called dependoparvoviruses. To reproduce, they need the help of other viruses, for example HAdV or a type of herpes virus (HHV-6B). The “helpers” give AAV2 the ability to infect liver cells.
Even though the pathogens have not yet been visualized under the electron microscope and there is no experimental evidence of transmission, there is apparently evidence that AAV2 is the trigger for the diseases. The scientists documented dual infections of AAV2 and the herpes virus, or HAdV, in nine children. AAV2, discovered as early as 1965, is widespread. About 80 percent of all adults have had previous contact with the virus. Infection usually occurs in early childhood.
Impact of the Corona pandemic
It is not yet entirely clear why the problem with AAV2 and the previously mysterious liver inflammation in children has now become acute. The British scientists suspect that with the corona pandemic, infections with AAV2 or its ‘helpers’, which normally occur separately according to the seasons, have shifted and overlapped. As a result, there were more of the problematic diseases.
Genetic factors may also make some children more susceptible. In May of this year, two such diseases were registered in Austria. The new research results should rule out a direct link with Covid-19.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
