[Three sporadic cases of acute hepatitis E]

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Infectious Diseases
• Virology

Background:

• Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is endemic in several regions, including the Indian subcontinent, China, Africa, and Central America.
• While typically self-limiting, HEV can pose risks, particularly to pregnant individuals.
• Sporadic cases globally are often linked to travel to endemic areas, making autochthonous infections rare.

Observation:

• Hepatitis E is infrequently reported in Korea.
• Three cases of sporadic acute Hepatitis E were identified in Korea.
• These cases lacked any travel history to HEV-endemic regions.

Findings:

• All patients presented with typical acute hepatitis symptoms and elevated aminotransferase levels.
• Hepatitis E virus (HEV) IgM antibody was positive in all three individuals.
• Clinical symptoms and aminotransferase levels normalized during hospitalization.
• HEV IgM antibodies converted to negative within 4-8 months post-onset.

Implications:

• These findings suggest the possibility of autochthonous HEV transmission in non-endemic areas like Korea.
• The occurrence of sporadic cases without travel history warrants further investigation into local transmission routes.
• This highlights the importance of considering HEV in differential diagnoses of acute hepatitis, even in regions where it is not considered endemic.