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[Viral hepatitis E. The problems of its study].
Voprosy Virusologii
|August 5, 2005
Summary
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) investigations in Russia reveal widespread antibodies in the population and HEV RNA in pigs and wild boars. This suggests HEV may be a zoonotic disease, transmitted from animals to humans.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Zoonotic Diseases
Context:
- Investigations conducted at the M. P. Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences.
- M. S. Balayan's discovery of the hepatitis E virus (HEV) enabled etiological interpretation of non-A, non-B hepatitis cases.
- HEV is characterized by fecal-oral transmission.
Purpose:
- To investigate the prevalence and potential sources of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) in Russia.
- To explore the zoonotic potential of HEV in a non-endemic region.
Summary:
- Antibodies to HEV were detected in diverse Russian populations, often without reported disease.
- Hepatitis E virus RNA was identified in domestic pigs and wild boars within Russia.
- These findings support the hypothesis of HEV as a zoonosis, with animal reservoirs playing a role in transmission.
Impact:
- Highlights the potential for HEV transmission in non-endemic regions.
- Underscores the importance of considering animal populations in HEV surveillance and control.
- Contributes to understanding the epidemiology of Hepatitis E globally.