title: Hepatitis E virus infection.
abstract: Hepatitis resulting from viral infection is common worldwide and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Caused by a group of unrelated viruses that target the liver, hepatitis E virus is not well understood and is consequently often perceived in many countries as unimportant. This article describes the main features of hepatitis E virus and reviews global patterns of transmission, endemicity and the variable clinical outcomes of infection, especially in pregnant women and anyone who is immunocompromised. Infection prevention measures are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare, University of West London, Brentford. robert.pratt@uwl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pratt
mesh_terms: D016752:Hepatitis E virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology