Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is one of the most frequent causes of acute hepatitis worldwide. However, in Spain, HEV causes only a tiny number of cases of acute hepatitis, the most prevalent cause being hepatitis A. Most cases of HEV in Spain are "imported", being acquired through travel to areas where this infection is endemic. Nevertheless, in the last few years a growing number of "autochthonous cases" have been reported in persons with no history of travelling to HEV-endemic areas. The prevalence of IgG antibodies against HEV, indicating exposure to this virus, is approximately 0.6-7.3% in the general population in Spain and is 19% in persons with risk factors such as exposure to pigs.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier España, S.L. and AEEH y AEG. All rights reserved.
MeSH terms
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Animal Husbandry
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Animals
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Antibodies, Viral / blood
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Disease Outbreaks
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Food Contamination
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Genotype
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Hepatitis E / epidemiology*
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Hepatitis E / transmission
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Hepatitis E / veterinary
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Hepatitis E / virology
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Hepatitis E virus / classification
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Hepatitis E virus / genetics
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Hepatitis E virus / immunology
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Hepatitis E virus / isolation & purification
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Humans
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Immunoglobulin G / blood
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Immunoglobulin G / immunology
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Immunoglobulin M / blood
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Immunoglobulin M / immunology
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Liver Cirrhosis / etiology
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Liver Cirrhosis / virology
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Occupational Diseases / epidemiology
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Occupational Diseases / virology
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Prevalence
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Risk Factors
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Spain / epidemiology
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Swine
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Swine Diseases / transmission
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Swine Diseases / virology
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Transfusion Reaction
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Tourismus
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Water Pollution
Substances
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Antibodies, Viral
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Immunoglobulin G
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Immunoglobulin M