The epidemiology of hepatitis E virus infections in developed countries and among immunocompromised patients

2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1133-1148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenrad E Nelson ◽  
Brittany Kmush ◽  
Alain B Labrique
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Immunocompromised Patients ◽  
Virus Infections

scholarly journals Beyond the Usual Suspects: Hepatitis E Virus and Its Implications in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 5867
Author(s):  
Mara Klöhn ◽  
Jil Alexandra Schrader ◽  
Yannick Brüggemann ◽  
Daniel Todt ◽  
Eike Steinmann
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Viral Hepatitis ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Clinical Evidence ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Clinical Spectrum ◽  
Immunocompromised Patients ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Liver Infection

Hepatitis E virus infections are the leading cause of viral hepatitis in humans, contributing to an estimated 3.3 million symptomatic cases and almost 44,000 deaths annually. Recently, HEV infections have been found to result in chronic liver infection and cirrhosis in severely immunocompromised patients, suggesting the possibility of HEV-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. While HEV-associated formation of HCC has rarely been reported, the expansion of HEV’s clinical spectrum and the increasing evidence of chronic HEV infections raise questions about the connection between HEV and HCC. The present review summarizes current clinical evidence of the relationship between HEV and HCC and discusses mechanisms of virus-induced HCC development with regard to HEV pathogenesis. We further elucidate why the development of HEV-induced hepatocellular carcinoma has so rarely been observed and provide an outlook on possible experimental set-ups to study the relationship between HEV and HCC formation.

Transfusion-transmitted hepatitis E virus infections: a risk for immunosuppressed patients

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (01) ◽  
pp. E2-E89
Author(s):  
D Westhölter ◽  
J Hartl ◽  
J Hiller ◽  
U Denzer ◽  
S Peine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
Immunosuppressed Patients

scholarly journals Identification and genetic diversity of hepatitis E virus in domestic swine from Slovakia

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Jackova ◽  
Katarina Dudasova ◽  
Slavomira Salamunova ◽  
Rene Mandelik ◽  
Jaroslav Novotny ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Major Clade ◽  
Information Gap ◽  
Production Stages ◽  
Suckling Piglets ◽  
Domestic Swine

Abstract Background Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is agent causing hepatitis worldwide. Originally considered to be limited to developing countries, this virus was also detected in developed countries. In recent years an increasing number of reports indicate that farmed domestic pigs are widely infected with HEV in several European countries. The HEV status in Slovakia is still missing. Results In this study, the circulation of HEV among domestic swine in Slovakia and genetic diversity of the virus was studied. Overall HEV RNA was detected in 53/388 (13.7, 95% CI: 10.40–17.48%) pig rectal swabs in five production stages (age categories) with statistically significant differences among all the stages. The highest HEV prevalence was observed in weaners 24/81 (29.6, 95% CI: 19.99–40.81%) and then significantly declined in growers and fatteners. No HEV was detected in suckling piglets and sows. Twenty-eight partial sequences of ORF1 (242 bp) and seventeen of ORF2 (304 bp) were analysed. Phylogenetic analysis and p-distance comparisons confirmed in both ORFs that all Slovak HEV sequences belong to the genotype HEV-3, major clade 3abchij with higher identity to 3a and 3i subtypes. Three sequences were outside of all lastly updated HEV-3 subtypes. Conclusion This is the first report to fill the information gap about HEV infection in pigs in Slovakia. The results suggested a lower prevalence of HEV in Slovak pig farms than observed in other European countries. While most HEV isolates were typed as HEV-3 clade 3abchij, three sequences were unclassified.

scholarly journals First Report of Hepatitis E Virus in Shellfish in Southeast Italy

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
Gianfranco La Bella ◽  
Maria Grazia Basanisi ◽  
Gaia Nobili ◽  
Valentina Terio ◽  
Elisabetta Suffredini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Viral Pathogens ◽  
Apulia Region ◽  
Causative Agents

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) represents one of the principal causative agents of hepatitis globally. Among the five HEV genotypes affecting humans, genotypes 3 and 4 are zoonotic and are the main source of hepatitis E in developed countries. HEV has been detected in several foods. The present work investigated the presence of this virus in shellfish sold at retail in the Apulia region of Italy. The presence of HEV RNA was assessed by real-time RT-PCR in 225 shellfish samples collected during 2018. Overall, two (0.89%) of these samples tested positive for HEV RNA. To our knowledge, this is the first notification of the detection of HEV in mussels sold at retail in the Apulia region. These data highlight the potential role of shellfish as a vehicle for the transmission of viral pathogens.

scholarly journals Hepatitis E Virus Quasispecies and the Outcome of Acute Hepatitis E in Solid-Organ Transplant Patients

2012 ◽  
Vol 86 (18) ◽  
pp. 10006-10014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastien Lhomme ◽  
Florence Abravanel ◽  
Martine Dubois ◽  
Karine Sandres-Saune ◽  
Lionel Rostaing ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Acute Hepatitis ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Organ Transplant ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Solid Organ Transplant ◽  
First Year ◽  
Solid Organ ◽  
Immunocompromised Patients ◽  
Serum Concentrations

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections are responsible for chronic hepatitis in immunocompromised patients, and this can evolve to cirrhosis. Like all RNA viruses, HEV exists as a mixture of heterogeneous viruses defining quasispecies. The relationship between the genetic heterogeneity described as a quasispecies, cytokine secretion, and the outcome of acute hepatitis in immunocompromised patients remains to be elucidated. We cloned and sequenced the region encoding the M and P capsid domains of HEV from eight solid-organ transplant (SOT) patients with acute HEV infection who subsequently cleared the virus and from eight SOT patients whose infection became chronic. We analyzed the cytokines and chemokines in the sera of these SOT patients by multianalyte profiling. The nucleotide sequence entropy and genetic distances were greater in patients whose infections became chronic. A lowerKa/Ksratio was associated with the persistence of HEV. The patients who developed chronic infection had lower serum concentrations of interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist and soluble IL-2 receptor. Increased concentrations of the chemokines implicated in leukocyte recruitment to the liver were associated with persistent infection. Those patients with chronic HEV infection and progressing liver fibrosis had less quasispecies diversification during the first year than patients without liver fibrosis progression. Great quasispecies heterogeneity, a weak inflammatory response, and high serum concentrations of the chemokines involved in leukocyte recruitment to the liver in the acute phase were associated with persistent HEV infection. Slow quasispecies diversification during the first year was associated with rapidly developing liver fibrosis.

scholarly journals Demographic, epidemiological, and virological characteristics of hepatitis E virus infections in Japan based on 254 human cases collected nationwide

Kanzo ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 384-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshinori Abe ◽  
Tatsuya Aikawa ◽  
Yoshihiro Akahane ◽  
Masahiro Arai ◽  
Yasuhiro Asahina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Virus Infections

scholarly journals The Prevalence of Hepatitis E Virus Infections among Swine, Swine Farmers and the General Population in Guangdong Province, China

PLoS ONE ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. e88106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huanbin Liang ◽  
Shuo Su ◽  
Shengchao Deng ◽  
Honglang Gu ◽  
Fangxiao Ji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Guangdong Province ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Virus Infections

Performance of a new rapid test for detecting anti-hepatitis E virus immunoglobulin M in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients

2015 ◽  
Vol 70 ◽  
pp. 101-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florence Abravanel ◽  
Sébastien Lhomme ◽  
Sabine Chapuy-Regaud ◽  
Jean-Marie Peron ◽  
Laurent Alric ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Rapid Test ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Immunocompromised Patients

scholarly journals Hepatitis E Virus Immunopathogenesis

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1180
Author(s):  
Kush Kumar Yadav ◽  
Scott P. Kenney
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Organ Transplant ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Oral Route ◽  
Solid Organ ◽  
Immunocompromised Patients ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Transplant Patients

Hepatitis E virus is an important emerging pathogen producing a lethal impact on the pregnant population and immunocompromised patients. Starting in 1983, it has been described as the cause for acute hepatitis transmitted via the fecal–oral route. However, zoonotic and blood transfusion transmission of HEV have been reported in the past few decades, leading to the detailed research of HEV pathogenesis. The reason behind HEV being highly virulent to the pregnant population particularly during the third trimester, leading to maternal and fetal death, remains unknown. Various host factors (immunological, nutritional, hormonal) and viral factors have been studied to define the key determinants assisting HEV to be virulent in pregnant and immunocompromised patients. Similarly, chronic hepatitis is seen particularly in solid organ transplant patients, resulting in fatal conditions. This review describes recent advances in the immunopathophysiology of HEV infections in general, pregnant, and immunocompromised populations, and further elucidates the in vitro and in vivo models utilized to understand HEV pathogenesis.

scholarly journals Viral hepatitis E: A disease of humans and animals

2012 ◽  
Vol 66 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 449-462
Author(s):  
Branislav Kureljusic ◽  
Vojin Ivetic ◽  
Bozidar Savic ◽  
Jasna Kureljusic ◽  
Nemanja Jezdimirovic
Keyword(s):  
Viral Hepatitis ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Animal Origin ◽  
Oral Transmission ◽  
Source Of Infection ◽  
Pig Farms ◽  
The Usa

The hepatitis E virus is ubiquitous in all parts of the world where pig production exists. The infection occurs in several animal species and its course is mostly asymptomatic. Viral strains isolated from pigs and humans are genetically similar, which indicates a potential zoonotic nature of the disease, and the possibility that pigs, and perhaps also other species of animals diseased with viral hepatitis E are a source of infection to humans. The pig hepatitis E virus, which is similar to the hepatitis E virus in humans, was isolated and described for the first time in the USA in 1997. The infection of pigs with hepatitis E virus occurs through faeco-oral transmission, by ingestion of feed and water contaminated with the virus, or through direct contact between infected and healthy animals. The pathogenesis of this infection in pigs differs from its pathogenesis in humans and it has not been sufficiently examined in all its aspects. Even though viral hepatitis E in pigs has been described as a subclinical disease, some authors describe changes in the concentration of certain biochemical parameters in blood serum of the infected pigs. Histologically, a mild to moderate lymphotic-plasma cellular infiltration is observed in livers of infected pigs, as well as focal areas of hepatocyte necrosis. Viral hepatitis E is an endemic disease of humans in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. In developed countries, hepatitis E sporadically occurs in humans, but it is becoming of increasing importance in particular in Japan, North America, and Europe, because the populations of these areas travel extensively to the endemic regions or as a result of the consumption of thermally untreated meat of wild boar and products made from thermally untreated meat. Pork products can be contaminated with hepatitis E virus. Further proof that indicates the zoonotic potential of this virus and places this diseases among the group of professional diseases of farmers and veterinarians is the finding of antibodies to hepatitis E virus in farmers and veterinarians who work on pig farms without showing any clinical signs of the disease. Having in mind the fact that viral hepatitis E has been proven in pig farms in Serbia and neighboruign countries, there should be strict respect of biosecutiry measures from the episootiological and epidemiological aspects, and the principle of good production and hygiene practice should be adhered to on pig farms. This disease should in future also be included in the legal regulations of our country in order to ensure the production of products of animal origin that are safe from the aspect of hygiene.

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