Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 16, 2026
10:28
A Cell Culture Model for Producing High Titer Hepatitis E Virus Stocks
Published on: June 26, 2020
10.4K
A Case Report About the Most Common Yet Most Forgotten Hepatitis E.
Madhuri Chandnani1, Mandeep Kaur1, Anusha Ramadhas1
1Department of Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Queens Hospital Center, Jamaica, NY, USA.
The American Journal of Case Reports
|August 17, 2016
Summary
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection, a common cause of acute viral hepatitis globally, is increasingly found in developed nations. Suspecting and testing for HEV is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a primary cause of enterically transmitted acute viral hepatitis globally.
- Sporadic cases of acute HEV infection are increasingly identified in developed countries.
- Current guidelines often overlook HEV testing in seronegative acute hepatitis cases in non-endemic regions.
Observation:
- A 59-year-old male in the US presented with cholestatic jaundice and fatigue.
- Standard hepatitis serology (A, B, C) and atypical infection workups were negative.
- Liver biopsy indicated acute hepatitis, leading to further testing.
Findings:
- Hepatitis E immunoglobulin M (IgM) was positive, confirming HEV infection.
- The patient received supportive care and showed gradual improvement with normalized liver function tests.
- This case highlights autochthonous HEV infection in a developed country.
Implications:
- Autochthonous HEV infection should be considered in differential diagnoses of acute viral hepatitis in developed countries.
- Early detection of HEV is vital, particularly for immunocompromised patients requiring specific treatment.
- This underscores the need to re-evaluate HEV testing protocols in non-endemic settings.
