Hepatitis E virus: the current scenario

Summary Hepatitis E infection, caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV), is a common cause of acute hepatitis in developing countries with poor sanitation and hygiene. The virus is classified into four genotypes (1–4) with one serotype. Genotypes 1 and 2 exclusively infect humans, whereas genotypes 3 a...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of infectious diseases 2013-04, Vol.17 (4), p.e228-e233
Main Authors: Kumar, Subrat, Subhadra, Subhra, Singh, Bhupinder, Panda, B.K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Genotypes
Hepatitis E - epidemiology
Hepatitis E - genetics
Hepatitis E - prevention & control
Hepatitis E - transmission
Hepatitis E virus
Hepatitis E virus - immunology
Hepatitis E virus - pathogenicity
Humans
Infectious Disease
Pulmonary/Respiratory
Severe hepatitis
Viral hepatitis
Viral Vaccines - administration & dosage
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Summary Hepatitis E infection, caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV), is a common cause of acute hepatitis in developing countries with poor sanitation and hygiene. The virus is classified into four genotypes (1–4) with one serotype. Genotypes 1 and 2 exclusively infect humans, whereas genotypes 3 and 4 also infect other animals, particularly pigs. In endemic areas, large outbreaks of acute hepatitis caused by viruses of genotype 1 or 2 frequently occur due to fecal–oral transmission, usually through contamination of drinking water. With a high attack rate in young adults (aged 15–45 years), the disease is particularly severe among pregnant women (20–30% mortality). HEV appears to be a zoonotic disease, with transmission from pigs, wild boars, and deer, or foodborne. Chronic infections are rare, except in immunosuppressed persons, such as organ transplant recipients. A subunit vaccine has been shown to be effective in preventing the clinical disease, but is not yet commercially available. Our understanding of HEV has undergone major changes in recent years and in this article we review the currently available information with regard to the molecular biology, pathobiology, and epidemiology of HEV infection. We also review the current therapeutic interventions and strategies being used to control HEV infection, with emphasis on possible approaches that could be used to develop an effective vaccine against HEV.
ISSN:1201-9712
1878-3511
DOI:10.1016/j.ijid.2012.11.026