[Acute sporadic hepatitis caused by the E virus in Chile. Clinical case]

A 53 year old female nurse presenting with malaise, jaundice and pruritus is reported. Physical examination only disclosed jaundice and laboratory values showed an ALT of 445 U/l, ASAT of 179 U/l, alkaline phosphatases of 455 U/l and a total bilirubin of 7.7 mg/dl. Serological markers for hepatitis virus E were positive and negative for hepatitis virus A, B and C, cytomegalovirus and Epstein Barr virus. The patient recovered fully in 10 weeks and is asymptomatic after 5 years of follow up. Health care workers probably have a higher risk for hepatitis E than the general population and this is the first acute sporadic case described in Chile.