Blood-transmitted viral hepatitis E in virus-inactivated plasma recipients

There were evaluated the first case of transfusion transmission of hepatitis E virus (HEV) to recipients of donor pathogen-inactivated plasma treated by amotosalen/ultraviolet A. Conclusions: 1) HEV is resistant to this method of pathogen-inactivation; 2) HEV becomes a significant cause of post-transfusion hepatitis, and 3) in France should consider the need HEV screening for all donors, or a group of blood donors to be transfused to patients at high risk. In addition, it is important for our practice: 1) to transfuse plasma only on strict conditions, 2) to minimize donor explosure for the recipient, 3) to implement donor blood samples archive, 4) to investigate cases of post-transfusion hepatitis with genomic sequences, and 5) to improve methods for donor screening and pathogen inactivation.