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ABSTRACT: Background
Secondary spread of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection occurs often in endemic settings in developing countries. The host immune signatures contributing to protection against subsequent HEV reinfection are unknown.Methods
Twelve seroconverted rhesus macaques were reinoculated with homologous HEV genotype 1 (gt1, Sar-55) and followed for 115 days. HEV RNA, HEV-specific T-cell responses, IgG anti-HEV antibody, and the IgG anti-HEV avidity index were tested.Results
Four animals with baseline IgG anti-HEV levels from 1.5 to 13.4 World Health Organization (WHO) U/mL evidenced reinfection as determined by HEV RNA in stool, and increase in IgG anti-HEV levels between 63- and 285-fold (P = .003). Eight animals with baseline IgG anti-HEV levels from 2.8 to 90.7 WHO U/mL did not develop infection or shed virus in feces, and IgG anti-HEV antibody levels were unchanged (P = .017). The 4 reinfected animals showed a lower HEV-IgG avidity index (average 35.5%) than the 8 protected animals (average 62.1%). HEV-specific interferon-gamma-producing T cells were 2-fold higher in reinfected animals (P = .018).Conclusions
Preexisting antibody and high IgG avidity index (>50%) are important factors for protection against HEV reinfection. HEV-specific T-cell responses were elevated in reinfected animals after subsequent exposure to HEV.
SUBMITTER: Choi Y
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8996334 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Choi Youkyung Y Zhang Xiugen X Skinner Brianna B
The Journal of infectious diseases 20190201 6
<h4>Background</h4>Secondary spread of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection occurs often in endemic settings in developing countries. The host immune signatures contributing to protection against subsequent HEV reinfection are unknown.<h4>Methods</h4>Twelve seroconverted rhesus macaques were reinoculated with homologous HEV genotype 1 (gt1, Sar-55) and followed for 115 days. HEV RNA, HEV-specific T-cell responses, IgG anti-HEV antibody, and the IgG anti-HEV avidity index were tested.<h4>Results</h4 ...[more]