/ News, Research
Discovery and description of the first human circovirus infection in Switzerland (Mertz Lab)
We would like to congratulate Professor Kirsten Mertz and her team on their study on human Circovirus 1 (HCirV-1), now published in Emerging Infectious Diseases. Their research documents the second reported circovirus-associated hepatitis in humans worldwide – and the first in Switzerland. HCirV-1 was initially identified by researchers from the Institut Pasteur, AP-HP and EnVa in France. The Swiss study advances our understanding of this emerging pathogen and its potential impact on human health, particularly in immunosuppressed individuals.
In a collaboration with the Institute of Medical Virology from the University of Zürich and the Institut Pasteur in France, the Mertz lab analyzed the first confirmed case of Human Circovirus 1 (HCirV-1) associated hepatitis in a 66-year-old immunosuppressed female patient in Switzerland. The patient, who had been treated for rheumatoid arthritis with immunosuppressive drugs, experienced a sudden rise in liver enzymes, leading to a liver biopsy that indicated acute hepatitis of likely infectious origin. Metagenomic sequencing identified HCirV-1 as the responsible pathogen, marking this as a novel strain distinct from previously known circoviruses.
The study showed that the virus persisted in the patient's body for at least 21 months and was shed in various body fluids, including blood, urine, and saliva. This persistence underscores the ability of the virus to maintain a chronic infection, particularly in an immunocompromised host. Importantly, the study highlighted the potential for horizontal transmission through body fluids.
The findings suggest that HCirV-1, like its porcine counterparts, may be capable of widespread transmission and persistent infection in human populations. Human circovirus 1 was initially identified and characterized by researchers from the Institut Pasteur, AP-HP and EnVa in France. This new study emphasizes the need for further research into the prevalence and transmission mechanisms of HCirV-1, including the potential benefits of monitoring donor plasma pools and wastewater for viral presence.