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Updated: Jun 9, 2026
10:28
A Cell Culture Model for Producing High Titer Hepatitis E Virus Stocks
Published on: June 26, 2020
[Acute hepatitis, but not A, B, or C: consider E]
Gunnar I Andriesse1, Mustafa Donmez, Jamie Vissers
1Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, Afd. Medische Microbiologie, the Netherlands. gunnar.andriesse@gmail.com
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|August 26, 2010
Summary
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections are common in patients with unexplained hepatitis, with 11.5% testing positive. Missed HEV diagnoses can lead to unnecessary procedures and incorrect treatments.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology and Virology
- Infectious Diseases Diagnostics
Context:
- Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging cause of acute hepatitis globally.
- Distinguishing HEV from other viral hepatitis types (A, B, C) is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.
- Patients with unexplained infectious hepatitis often undergo extensive workups without considering HEV.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence of HEV infections in patients with negative serology for hepatitis A, B, and C.
- To investigate the clinical consequences of undiagnosed acute HEV infection.
Summary:
- A retrospective study analyzed 139 serum samples from patients with infectious hepatitis negative for hepatitis A, B, and C.
- HEV infection was confirmed in 11.5% (16/139) of cases using ELISA and immunoblot assays.
- Inaccurate initial diagnoses led to invasive procedures and inappropriate treatments in several patients.
Impact:
- Highlights the significant prevalence of HEV in patients presenting with hepatitis of unknown etiology.
- Underscores the potential for misdiagnosis and its associated clinical and healthcare utilization consequences.
- Recommends integrating HEV serology into the standard diagnostic workup for infectious hepatitis.
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