Flu b test: WHO: It is expected to verify the relationship between the two within a week

Flu b test: WHO: It is expected to verify the relationship between the two within a week

The UK, which has reported the most cases, has completed a comprehensive series of studies to determine the cause of the infection, according to Easterbrook, head of the WHO's global hepatitis programme. As of 6 May, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has listed 6 hypotheses:

1. Common adenovirus infection;

But because adenovirus itself is a common virus that commonly causes colds, vomiting and diarrhoea in children, and does not usually cause severe hepatitis in children without underlying health problems, UKHSA lists possible "co-factors" leading to the emergence of common adenoviruses Abnormal susceptibility or adenovirus infection caused severe inflammation or immunopathological response in the liver of children: ①For example, during the epidemic, children lacked early exposure to adenovirus, resulting in poor immunity to adenovirus; ②A large number of adenovirus infection waves , leading to rare or under-recognized complications; ③ previous infection with new crown or other infections, etc.; ④ co-infection with new crown or other infections; ⑤ exposure to toxins, drugs or the environment

2. Caused by a new mutated adenovirus;

3. One of the manifestations of the new coronavirus (including the Omikron variant) infection syndrome;

4. Caused by factors such as drugs, toxins or environmental exposure;

5. Caused by a single or co-infection of an unknown pathogen;

6. Caused by a new variant of the new coronavirus.

All of the above hypotheses are yet to be tested while international health officials and experts are currently conducting research into possible causes of unknown hepatitis. According to foreign media reports, some top experts predict that it may take another two months to identify the real cause behind the unknown hepatitis.

Experts question hypothesis triggered by adenovirus

Foreign media: more evidence exposed and new crown link

At present, adenoviruses are considered to be the main possible cause of unexplained hepatitis. Because according to a statement issued by WHO on April 23, at least 74 patients were tested for adenovirus infection, of which 18 were identified as adenovirus F subgenus type 41 infection (Ad41. In general, adenovirus type 41 generally associated with gastroenteritis). WHO expert Easterbrook said on the 10th that further screening in the past week confirmed that about 70% of cases tested positive for adenovirus.

▲ Transmission electron micrograph of adenovirus, which is thought to be the main cause of this type of hepatitis

However, some infectious disease experts questioned the adenovirus hypothesis, pointing out that although adenovirus infection was detected in patients, it was not enough to prove that adenovirus was the direct cause of acute hepatitis. Isabella Eckerle, head of the Center for Emerging Viral Diseases at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, publicly stated on social media on the 9th that no adenovirus was found in the liver biopsy of a British infected child, but if it was caused by adenovirus, then The liver should exhibit typical symptoms associated with adenovirus-associated infection.

In addition, she said that even if adenovirus was detected in blood samples from some cases, it would be difficult to say that it was the culprit. She pointed out that the viral load in the blood is low, and the virus that usually causes hepatitis is high. In some cases, the patient's adenoviral DNA was only present in whole blood and not in plasma.