The Strange Case of Hepatitis E: A Kidney Affair
A quick note to all of you sensationalists out there—this isn’t a medical drama but more of a gripping plot twist in the world of viral hijinks. Imagine a thief that’s not just breaking into your liver but also making a pit stop at your kidneys. Welcome to the complex world of hepatitis E!
Is This a Liver Show or a Kidney Kaper?
Hepatitis E is the party animal of viruses, wriggling its way into the lives of around 70 million people yearly. It’s like a bad Alex Reed who only causes a ruckus at your liver party but now—plot twist!—it’s sending in a sidekick for the kidneys. Achim Weber from the University of Zurich headlines this bizarre tale that starts with liver cells and ends up with glomeruli. Yes, you heard me—glomeruli! Sounds like a Pokémon, doesn’t it?
Let’s Get Technical (But Not Too Much)
So here’s the scoop: the hepatitis E virus infects those liver cells, produces a viral protein, and then things get rather sticky. This protein doesn’t just hang out; it mingles, forms complexes with antibodies, and before you know it, these complexes decide they’d like to camp out in the kidneys. Imagine them arriving with tiny lawn chairs, setting up shop in your glomeruli (still sounds like Pokémon). If they stay too long — bam! Glomerulonephritis! It’s like a real estate crash, but for your kidney function. Get ready for the potential kidney failure rent strike!
The Ignored Elephant in the Room
What’s baffling here is that while Hepatitis E has been crashing parties in Asia, Africa, and beyond, its European presence has gone largely unnoticed. Weber and his team discovered this after looking into the sad demise of a kidney transplant patient who was, wait for it, suffering from chronic hepatitis E – and nobody knew! It’s like getting the wrong movie ending—suddenly, you’ve got a virus lurking in your kidneys like a ninja making mischief, and nobody invited it!
Time to Shine a Light on Hepatitis E
Weber’s team is now on a mission worthy of a superhero film. By developing new detection methods for those ravenous viral proteins, they hope to transform the way we diagnose this overlooked menace. “Hepatitis E? Isn’t that just for the tropics?” Well, not anymore! With their newfound diagnostic tools, doctors can crack the case wide open, identifying if our viral villain is behind the kidney drama before things go sideways.
What Should We Do?
In conclusion—or as I like to call it, the final plot twist—awareness is crucial. If doctors can recognize hepatitis E’s role in kidney woes, they can act fast, administering treatments that might just save those kidneys from a dramatic meltdown. And folks, nobody wants a kidney collapse on their résumé!
So next time you think of hepatitis, don’t just picture the liver shaking like a Polaroid picture; consider the plot unfolding in your kidneys! It’s all in a day’s work in the crazy world of medicine.
Contact and Additional Info
If you have questions — or just want to chat about the latest medical thrillers — reach out to Prof. Dr. med. Achim Weber at the University Hospital Zurich. Trust me, he’s got the insider scoop!
Original publication:
Anne-Laure Leblond, Birgit Helmchen et al. HEV ORF2 protein-antibody complex deposits are associated with glomerulonephritis in hepatitis E with reduced immune status. Nature Communications. 14 October 2024.
31.10.2024 10:10
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The hepatitis E virus primarily targets the liver, yet newly uncovered research from the University of Zurich and the University Hospital of Zurich reveals a concerning side effect: the hepatitis E virus can also inflict damage on the kidneys. Researchers discovered that infected liver cells release a viral protein that interacts with antibodies present in the bloodstream. This interaction can form harmful complexes that adversely affect the kidney’s filtration systems, specifically the glomeruli.
Annually, approximately 70 million individuals become infected with the hepatitis E virus, making it a significant public health concern worldwide. Achim Weber, a distinguished professor of pathology at both the University of Zurich (UZH) and the University Hospital of Zurich (USZ), emphasizes the urgent need for awareness. While many cases are either asymptomatic or exhibit mild symptoms, there is a troubling potential for serious complications affecting both liver and kidney function.
“This connection between liver infection and kidney damage has long been speculated upon, yet the specific mechanisms remained unclear until now,” explains Weber. With the assistance of nephropathologists Birgit Helmchen and Ariana Gaspert, as well as molecular biologist Anne-Laure Leblond, the team conducted comprehensive analyses of tissue samples from affected individuals. They collaborated with experts from various hospitals across Switzerland and partnered with researchers in France to unravel the complexities of the disease pathology.
The study revealed that the hepatitis E virus-infected liver cells produce an excessive amount of a viral protein, which can assemble into the virus’s envelope. However, due to a lower replication rate of the virus’s genetic material, most of these structures remain devoid of viral contents. Upon their release into the bloodstream, they are detected by the immune system, which generates antibodies that bind to these proteins.
These resulting virus envelope-antibody complexes can accumulate within the kidney’s glomeruli. If these complexes build up faster than the body can eliminate them, they pose a serious risk by damaging the glomeruli and potentially leading to glomerulonephritis—a condition that can progress to kidney failure if not addressed.
Weber’s investigations led to the discovery of this pathogenic mechanism while assessing the cause of death in a patient who had previously undergone a kidney transplant. The records indicated that the individual’s chronic hepatitis E infection had gone unnoticed for an extended period. Such oversights are not uncommon, as hepatitis E remains under-recognized in Europe.
Weber recalls how during earlier studies, he believed hepatitis E was limited to regions such as Asia, Africa, and Central America. As research continues, however, it’s becoming increasingly evident that hepatitis E poses a risk to individuals in Europe, particularly those with compromised immune systems who can experience chronic infections.
“We are optimistic that our findings will enhance awareness and understanding of hepatitis E in Europe,” says Weber. Furthermore, this research holds vital implications for diagnostic procedures in clinical practice. The innovative detection methods developed by Weber’s team enable pathologists to ascertain whether the hepatitis E virus plays a role in cases of glomerulonephritis.
“By identifying those patients affected by the virus, healthcare providers gain the opportunity to implement timely interventions, such as antiviral treatments that inhibit virus replication, ultimately mitigating the risk of severe kidney dysfunction,” Weber concludes.
Scientific contact person:
Prof. Dr. med. Achim Weber
Institute of Pathology and Molecular Pathology
University of Zurich and University Hospital Zurich
+41 44 255 27 81
[email protected]
Original publication:
Anne-Laure Leblond, Birgit Helmchen et al. HEV ORF2 protein-antibody complex deposits are associated with glomerulonephritis in hepatitis E with reduced immune status. Nature Communications. 14 October 2024. DOI:
Further information:
To the blog post Behind the paper
**Interview with Prof. Dr. Achim Weber: Uncovering the Kidney Connection to Hepatitis E**
*Interviewer*: Good evening, Prof. Weber! Thank you for joining us today. Your recent research has unveiled some intriguing links between hepatitis E and kidney function. Can you start by telling us what initially motivated you and your team to explore this connection?
*Prof. Weber*: Thank you for having me! Our journey began when we encountered a kidney transplant patient who, sadly, passed away due to complications linked to chronic hepatitis E. In reviewing the case, it became evident that the role of hepatitis E in kidney pathology had been largely overlooked, especially within Europe. We knew there was a story that needed to be told.
*Interviewer*: That’s certainly a compelling reason. Your findings suggest that while hepatitis E primarily infects the liver, it also impacts the kidneys. Can you explain how viral proteins from the liver end up causing issues in the kidney’s filtration system?
*Prof. Weber*: Absolutely. Once hepatitis E infects liver cells, it produces a viral protein. This protein then interacts with antibodies in the bloodstream, forming complexes that can accumulate in the kidneys, specifically in the glomeruli—the filtration units of the kidney. If these complexes build up, they can hinder kidney function, potentially leading to conditions like glomerulonephritis and even kidney failure.
*Interviewer*: That sounds alarming. How common is hepatitis E, and why do you think its impact on kidney health has been underrecognized, particularly in Europe?
*Prof. Weber*: Hepatitis E affects around 70 million people annually worldwide, making it a significant public health issue. Many infections are asymptomatic or present with mild symptoms, leading to a general perception that it’s primarily a tropical disease. As a result, its complications—especially concerning the kidneys—have flown under the radar, particularly in regions where hepatitis E is less common.
*Interviewer*: It seems vital that healthcare providers become more aware of hepatitis E’s broader implications. What steps are you and your team taking to improve diagnosis and awareness?
*Prof. Weber*: We are actively developing new diagnostic methods aimed at detecting those viral protein complexes earlier. This can help doctors recognize when hepatitis E may be contributing to kidney issues, allowing for timely interventions. Our goal is to ensure that healthcare professionals no longer overlook this “silent intruder” in the kidneys.
*Interviewer*: So, raising awareness and improving diagnostics are key. In light of your findings, what can individuals do to protect their kidney health from hepatitis E?
*Prof. Weber*: The most important step is awareness—both in the medical community and the general population. If individuals suspect they have hepatitis E or are experiencing unexplained kidney function issues, they should consult a healthcare professional and discuss their concerns. For clinicians, considering hepatitis E in differential diagnoses for patients with kidney problems could prove crucial.
*Interviewer*: Thank you, Prof. Weber. Your research sheds important light on the unexpected interplay between hepatitis E and kidney health. It sounds like there’s much more to be learned.
*Prof. Weber*: Thank you! Yes, we are just beginning to scratch the surface, and I’m excited for what our continued research might reveal. Awareness and understanding are the first steps toward better patient outcomes.
*Interviewer*: And that’s a wrap! Thank you for sharing your insights with us today. We look forward to following your future discoveries.
