The research, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, identified a generally harmless virus as the main culprit in the uncommon liver disease that sickened 200 children. United Kingdom And at least a dozen needed a transplant.
mid of April 2022 OMS Reported outbreaks of acute hepatitis of unknown origin in young, generally healthy children in the United Kingdom.
The number of hepatitis cases since grew at a dizzying pace and spread to many countries,
Scientists explain that possible causes of sudden onset of hepatitis in children under the age of 10 are due to coincidence with Adenovirus 41F and another AAV2 virus and to some extent viruses Herpes HHV6,
both teams said The increase in adenovirus infections after the lockdown may have contributed to the outbreak, as children had low levels of immunity from staying indoors and not exposed to the normal range of viruses.,
“While we still have some unanswered questions about what exactly caused this increase in acute hepatitis, we hope that these results can reassure parents concerned about Covid-19, as neither team has found direct results of infection by SARS-CoV-2,” said Judy Breuer, a virologist at GOSH.
quarantine period
He told that during the quarantine period when the children were isolated. Viruses were not transmitted between themSo they weren’t developing immunity to the common infections they’d normally deal with.
“When the restrictions were lifted, the children began to mingle, the virus began to spread freely, and suddenly they came out with a lack of previous immunity to a whole battery of new infections”He added.
At the same time, Emma ThomsonThe University of Glasgow who led the research said there are still many unanswered questions.
“Large studies are urgently needed to investigate the role of AAV2 in pediatric hepatitis cases”Told.
According to Thomson, more needs to be understood about the seasonal circulation of aav2In a virus that is not routinely monitored, a peak in adenovirus infection may coincide with a peak in AAV2 exposure.
agency of UK Health Protection (UKHSA) Together published a technical report stating that all affected children were submitted to health services between January 2022 and June 21, 2022.
The most commonly reported symptoms were vomiting, jaundice, nausea, abdominal pain and malaise.
in explaining why only some children develop hepatitis, Jim McMenamin, Head of Health Protection, Consultant Epidemiologist, Public Health ScotlandSaid these findings are important.
“They explain why not all young children with adenovirus infection develop severe disease.And. Importantly, children must have co-infection with an additional second virus that can affect the liver and also have a specific genetic makeup before serious disease can develop,” he said.
“While it is reassuring that the cases have now subsided, We continue to remind parents and caregivers that children should continue to practice good hand and respiratory hygiene to help reduce the spread of common infections such as adenoviruses.”He concluded.
