A still unknown species of circovirus has been identified by French researchers. This is the first circovirus linked to hepatitis in humans.
This is a discovery that happens rarely. Scientists from the Institut Pasteur, the Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital AP-HP, Inserm within the Imagine Institute, Paris Cité University and the National Veterinary School of Alfort (EnvA) have identified a yet unknown species of circovirus. On a provisional basis, he was appointed Human Circovirus 1 (HCirV-1). This discovery was reported on January 3 in the scientific journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.
mild symptoms
“This family of very resistant small DNA viruses was initially identified in 1974 in different animal species where they can be responsible for respiratory, renal, dermatological and reproductive problems.“, details the Pasteur Institute in a statement.
It was discovered thanks to the follow-up of a 61-year-old patient who received a double transplant “heart-lungs“, as explained by Marc Eloit, last author of the study, head of the Pathogen Discovery laboratory at the Pasteur Institute and Professor of Virology at the National Veterinary School of Alfort: “The patient had unexplained chronic hepatitis, with few symptoms. She had received a double heart and lung transplant 17 years earlier, with very regular follow-up. We were able to access many samples over several years, which allowed us to identify this new virus, which was unexpected to say the least.“.
Before the development of cirrhosis, symptoms that may alert to the presence of hepatitis are relatively common. The patient may feel more intense fatigue, vague feelings of discomfort or loss of appetite.
Antiviral treatment
Thanks to the analyses, the researchers confirmed the multiplication of the virus in the liver cells (2 to 3% of the liver cells were infected), thus demonstrating the role of HCirV-1 in the damage caused to the liver. “Indeed, once this virus has used the resources of the liver cell to multiply, it destroys it.“, note the researchers. This discovery allowed the implementation of an antiviral treatment. The liver enzymes returned to a normal level in the patient.
“To adapt the treatment and follow-up of patients, it is essential for us to know the cause of hepatitis, and in particular to know whether it is viral. The identification of this new pathogenic virus for humans and the development point of a test that can be performed by any hospital laboratory provides a new diagnostic and monitoring tool for patients with hepatitis”underlines Anne Jamet, from the clinical microbiology department of the Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital AP-HP and co-last author of the study.
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