Transfusion-transmitted hepatitis E in Germany, 2013

The reported IgG seroprevalence against hepatitis E virus (HEV) in German blood donations is 6.8%, and HEV RNA detected in 0.08%, but documented evidence for HEV transmission is lacking. We identified two donations from a single donor containing 120 IU HEV RNA/mL plasma and 490 IU/mL. An infectious dose of 7,056 IU HEV RNA was transmitted via apheresis platelets to an immunosuppressed patient who developed chronic HEV. Further, transmission was probable in an immunocompetent child. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection was diagnosed in December 2013 in Germany. Retrospective analysis identified the event as the first transfusion-associated hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in the country. Here, we report baseline virological data on the case.