Abstract
Backround/Aims: The aims of this study were to examine the decline of IgG anti-HEV antibodies over
a period of 7 years in rhesus monkeys experimentally infected with hepatitis E virus,
and to assess the protectivity of these antibodies by challenging the monkeys with
a heterologous i solate of hepatitis E virus, 5 years after the primary inoculation.
Methods: Nine rhesus monkeys (six non-pregnant and three pregnant at the time of hepatitis
E virus inoculation) were followed serologically and biochemically for 7 years post-inoculation.
Based on regression analysis, estimated time for IgG anti-HEV titers to reach 1:100
or 1:50 was calculated. Three of the monkeys inoculated initially with AKL-90 isolate
and challenged 2 years later with PUN-85 isolate of hepatitis E virus were rechallenged
with KOL-91 isolate of the virus, 5 years post-primary inoculation. Evidence of viral
replication was assessed by measuring serum alanine aminotransferase levels, excretion
of the virus in feces or bile (reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction) and
rise in IgG anti-HEV titers (ELISA).
Results: None of the challenged monkeys showed evidence of disease. In contrast to extensive
replication of the virus in anti-HEV-negative control monkeys, limited replication
was noted in one of the challenged monkeys. The estimated time for the titers to reach
1:100 or 1:50 varied from 3.15 to 44.9 years (19.4±11.6 years) and 6.9 to 84.3 years
(35.4±21.3 years), respectively. Decline in titers was independent of the pregnancy
status at the time of infection or reexposure of the monkeys to HEV.
Conclusion: The results show persistence of IgG anti-HEV antibodies for a long time and protectivity
of low titered antibodies against reinfection, leading to disease even after intravenous
exposure to a heterologous isolate of hepatitis E virus.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
September 7,
1998
Received in revised form:
July 23,
1998
Received:
March 30,
1998
Identification
Copyright
© 1999 Published by Elsevier Inc.
