1. #PediatricHepatitis: 2 groups of researchers in the UK have posted preprints that flesh out a new theory on what may be behind the apparent increase in cases of pediatric hepatitis of unknown etiology seen this spring in the UK & Europe & first reported in Alabama last fall.
2. The tl;dr version: It's complicated.
A combination of 3 factors, exacerbated by a 4th, is likely responsible for these cases of #PediatricHepatitis, the studies conclude. statnews.com/2022/07/25/new…
A combination of 3 factors, exacerbated by a 4th, is likely responsible for these cases of #PediatricHepatitis, the studies conclude. statnews.com/2022/07/25/new…
3. For a time, the leading theory was that these unusual cases of #PediatricHepatitis were caused by adenovirus 41, which was found in all the Alabama cases & a number in the UK. But the new theory suggests it's more complicated than that.
4. The preprints suggest adeno-associated virus 2 + another virus (which could have been AdV41) + a genetic susceptibility may be the cause of the #PediatricHepatitis cases. AAV2 is a dependoparvovirus (great name) — a virus that can't replicate unless another virus is present.
5. AAV2 has been on the radar as a possible cause or contributing cause of these cases of #PediatricHepatitis for a while. @UKHSA reported on seeing it in blood & liver tissues of some of the cases in its 2nd technical brief published May 6. 
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