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A Cell Culture Model for Producing High Titer Hepatitis E Virus Stocks
Published on: June 26, 2020
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Hepatitis E virus infections in humans and animals
Young-Jo Song1, Woo-Jung Park1, Byung-Joo Park1
1Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea.
Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
|January 16, 2014
Summary
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging zoonotic agent, increasingly found in industrialized nations. Human infections often stem from consuming undercooked pork, highlighting animal reservoirs and the need for vaccine development.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Hepatitis E was historically endemic to developing regions, primarily waterborne.
- Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections are increasingly detected in industrialized countries.
- Autochthonous HEV cases in developed nations are rising, often linked to foodborne transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the characteristics of HEV strains from human and animal sources.
- To identify risk factors associated with human HEV infection.
- To update on the progress of human HEV vaccine development.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of seroprevalence studies.
- Analysis of HEV transmission routes in humans and animals.
- Summary of epidemiological data on HEV infections.
Main Results:
- HEV is recognized as a significant zoonotic agent.
- Pigs are identified as key reservoirs for HEV transmission to humans.
- Raw or undercooked pork products are major sources of HEV infection in developed countries.
Conclusions:
- HEV poses a growing public health concern globally, including in industrialized nations.
- Understanding zoonotic transmission is crucial for preventing HEV infections.
- Development of effective human vaccines is a priority for controlling HEV spread.
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