[New aspects of HEV infection]

The hepatitis E virus (HEV), known for being the cause of major outbreaks of waterborne hepatitis in Asia and Africa, is an emerging pathogen in industrialized countries. Virologic analyses of sporadic cases in Europe, Japan and the United States have shown that the origin of the infection was through autochthonous viral strains suggesting that the virus is present locally. In addition, transmission is not only enterically through contaminated water but also through ingestion of undercooked infected meat (swine or wild animals) or through infected blood products. Recently, a persistent HEV infection with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis has been reported in patients with reduced immune surveillance as induced by chemotherapy or post-transplant immunesuppression.