title: Hepatitis E, the neglected one.
abstract: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is a worldwide disease. It is the first cause of acute viral hepatitis in the world with an estimated 20 million cases every year and 56 000 deaths. In developing countries, hepatitis E is a waterborne infection. In these countries, HEV genotypes 1 and 2 cause large outbreaks and affect young subjects with a significant mortality rate in pregnant women and patients with cirrhosis. In the developed countries, HEV genotypes 3 and 4 are responsible for autochthonous, sporadic hepatitis and transmission is zoonotic. HEV can cause neurological disorders and in immunocompromised patients, chronic infections. The progression of acute hepatitis E is most often mild and resolves spontaneously. Diagnostic tools include anti-HEV IgM antibodies in serum and/or viral RNA in the blood or stools by PCR. Ribavirin is used to treat chronic infection. A vaccine has been developed in China.
authors.affiliation: Service d'hépato-Gastro-Entérologie, Hôpital Purpan CHU Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier III, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Blasco-Perrin
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Virologie, Hôpital Purpan CHU Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier III, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Florence
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Abravanel
authors.affiliation: Unité INSERM U1048, Institut des Maladies Métaboliques et Cardiovasculaire, Université Paul Sabatier III, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Blasco-Baque
authors.affiliation: Service d'hépato-Gastro-Entérologie, Hôpital Purpan CHU Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier III, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Jean Marie
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Péron
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003906:Developing Countries; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D016751:Hepatitis E / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D016752:Hepatitis E virus / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host / Q000187:drug effects; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D012367:RNA, Viral; D012254:Ribavirin
keywords: acute viral hepatitis; chronic hepatitis; hepatitis E virus; neurological symptoms; ribavirin; zoonosis