Childhood Virus Linked to Severe Hepatitis Outbreak in US Kids
A new study has found that adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV2) may be a cause of acute severe hepatitis in children in the United States. The study analyzed liver tissue samples from 31 children with acute severe hepatitis of unknown cause and found that 10 of them had evidence of AAV2 infection. AAV2 is a common virus that usually causes no symptoms, but in rare cases can cause liver disease. The findings suggest that AAV2 should be considered as a potential cause of acute severe hepatitis in children.