title: [Epidemiology of hepatitis E: a (re) emerging disease?].
abstract: Hepatitis E virus (VHE) is a RNA, non-enveloped, enterically transmitted virus. VHE is present all around the world, with different distribution of its genotypes. VHE of genotypes 1 and 2 predominate in Asia, Africa and in Mexico, responsible for outbreaks transmitted through contaminated water, with an increased mortality in pregnant women. Genotype 3 VHE are globally distributed, with an animal reservoir (swine mainly) endemic in high-income countries. They are transmitted by the ingestion of raw or poorly cooked meat, and possibly by other routes (water, molluscs?) not yet firmly established. Rare post-transfusion hepatitis E cases have been reported. The prevalence of viremic blood donations is around 5 to 10,000 in Europe and in France. Screening tests and/or alternative strategies for viral elimination could be implemented soon.
authors: Centre hospitalier de Pau, unité d'hépatogastro-entérologie, 64046 Pau cedex, France. Electronic address: alexandre.pariente@ch-pau.fr.
authors: Alexandre
authors: A
authors: Pariente
authors: Centre hospitalier d'Hyères, hôpital de jour, 83400 Hyères, France.
authors: Christophe
authors: C
authors: Renou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D016751:Hepatitis E / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D016752:Hepatitis E virus / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000453:epidemiology