April 26, 2022, 4:57 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Reports of mysterious hepatitis cases in children in Europe and the U.S. have been increasing for some time. British researchers now have a well-founded suspicion of what might be causing the illness.
As of April 21, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least 169 cases of hepatitis of unknown origin have been found in children across 11 countries. The affected countries include Spain, Israel, the U.S., France, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Italy, Norway, Romania, and Belgium. Most cases (114) have been reported in the United Kingdom.1 A report from there now suggests a specific virus as the cause.
Overview
Hepatitis Cases in the UK
At the time of the report, British health organizations were aware of 111 mysterious cases of hepatitis or acute liver inflammation. The affected children were under ten years old, and the cause of their illness was unclear. Ten children required a liver transplant.
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Adenovirus Detected in 75 Percent of Cases
Investigations revealed that the viruses typically causing hepatitis A through E were not found in the bodies of the affected children. Instead, researchers detected adenoviruses in 75 percent of the cases.2
“The information we have gathered during our investigations increasingly suggests that this rise in sudden hepatitis in children is linked to an adenovirus infection,” said Dr. Meera Chand, director of clinical and emerging infections at the UK Health Security Agency. “However, we are thoroughly investigating other possible causes.” Chand presented the British data during an emergency session of the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases in Lisbon.
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What Are Adenoviruses?
Adenoviruses are a group of viruses that can cause a variety of ailments. Typical conditions include respiratory, gastrointestinal, or eye (conjunctivitis and keratitis) infections.
The adenoviruses found in a majority of children with hepatitis are now considered likely culprits. Nine children with hepatitis in Alabama also tested positive for these pathogens, as U.S. authorities reported in mid-April. They are investigating a specific version of the virus, adenovirus 41.3 This is usually associated with intestinal inflammation.
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What Role Does the Coronavirus Pandemic Play?
Coronaviruses were not found in the samples from the affected children. British health authorities also rule out a connection with COVID-19 vaccines, as none of the children were vaccinated.
Nevertheless, researchers suspect that the coronavirus pandemic played an indirect role. Due to lockdowns and contact restrictions, children had not been exposed to adenoviruses for two years. This changed with the easing of COVID-19 measures this year. The possibility that children, now increasingly coming into contact with the pathogens, are currently reacting more strongly to adenoviruses than before the pandemic is being further investigated.
Sources
- 1. World Health Organization. (2022). Multi-Country – Acute, severe hepatitis of unknown origin in children. (accessed on 04/26/2022)
- 2. UK Health Security Agency. (2022). Investigation into acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology in children in England.
- 3. Stubblefield, W. (2022). Investigations of nine young children with adenovirus are underway. Alabama Department of Public Health.