Hepatitis E virus infection

Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017 Nov 16:3:17086. doi: 10.1038/nrdp.2017.86.

Abstract

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection can lead to acute and chronic hepatitis as well as to extrahepatic manifestations such as neurological and renal disease; it is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide. Four genotypes are responsible for most infection in humans, of which HEV genotypes 1 and 2 are obligate human pathogens and HEV genotypes 3 and 4 are mostly zoonotic. Until quite recently, HEV was considered to be mainly responsible for epidemics of acute hepatitis in developing regions owing to contamination of drinking water supplies with human faeces. However, HEV is increasingly being recognized as endemic in some developed regions. In this setting, infections occur through zoonotic transmission or contaminated blood products and can cause chronic hepatitis in immunocompromised individuals. HEV infections can be diagnosed by measuring anti-HEV antibodies, HEV RNA or viral capsid antigen in blood or stool. Although an effective HEV vaccine exists, it is only licensed for use in China. Acute hepatitis E is usually self-limiting and does not require specific treatment. Management of immunocompromised individuals involves lowering the dose of immunosuppressive drugs and/or treatment with the antiviral agent ribavirin.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Blood Donors
  • Hepatitis E / complications*
  • Hepatitis E / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis E / physiopathology*
  • Hepatitis E virus / drug effects
  • Hepatitis E virus / pathogenicity*
  • Hepatitis, Chronic / drug therapy
  • Hepatitis, Chronic / etiology
  • Humans
  • Ribavirin / therapeutic use
  • Risk Factors
  • Zoonoses / physiopathology

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Ribavirin