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Related Experiment Videos

Hepatitis E virus.

Suzanne U Emerson1, Robert H Purcell

  • 1National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. semerson@niaid.nih.gov

Reviews in Medical Virology
|May 13, 2003
PubMed
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Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes acute hepatitis globally, with potential zoonotic origins. Research indicates HEV may be endemic in industrialized nations, prompting vaccine development.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Hepatology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a positive-stranded RNA virus causing acute hepatitis, prevalent in Asia and Africa.
  • HEV is enterically transmitted, presenting as epidemics and sporadic cases, but is rarely symptomatic in industrialized nations.
  • Recent serological studies indicate HEV may be endemic in the United States and Europe, with evidence of zoonotic potential across various animal species.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of Hepatitis E virus epidemiology, transmission, and classification.
  • To highlight the potential for zoonotic transmission and endemicity in industrialized countries.
  • To discuss the development of a recombinant HEV vaccine candidate.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of HEV classification, genome organization, and serological studies.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Analysis of epidemiological data on HEV distribution and disease prevalence.
  • Evaluation of research on animal reservoirs and zoonotic transmission potential.
  • Review of vaccine development efforts for Hepatitis E.

    • Main Results:

    • HEV genome organization resembles Caliciviridae, but sequence analysis suggests Togaviridae relatedness; it remains unclassified.
    • HEV is endemic in Asia and Africa, with serological evidence suggesting endemicity in the US and Europe, often with subclinical infections.
    • Antibodies to HEV are widespread in animal populations, indicating significant zoonotic potential, though direct human transmission is undocumented.
    • Four HEV genotypes are recognized, with two found in both swine and humans; all strains appear to belong to a single serotype.
    • A recombinant capsid protein vaccine candidate is under evaluation.

    Conclusions:

    • Hepatitis E virus represents a significant global health concern with a broader distribution than previously thought.
    • The zoonotic potential of HEV necessitates further investigation into animal-to-human transmission routes.
    • Ongoing vaccine development offers a promising strategy for controlling Hepatitis E infection.