Hepatitis E Virus Infection: Circulation, Molecular Epidemiology, and Impact on Global Health
Srinivas Reddy Pallerla,
Dominik Harms,
Reimar Johne,
Daniel Todt,
Eike Steinmann,
Mathias Schemmerer,
Jürgen J. Wenzel,
Jörg Hofmann,
James Wai Kuo Shih,
Heiner Wedemeyer,
C.-Thomas Bock,
Thirumalaisamy P. Velavan
Affiliations
Srinivas Reddy Pallerla
Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
Dominik Harms
Division of Viral Gastroenteritis and Hepatitis Pathogens and Enteroviruses, Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany
Reimar Johne
Unit Viruses in Food, Department Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, 10589 Berlin, Germany
Daniel Todt
Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
Eike Steinmann
Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
Mathias Schemmerer
Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, National Consultant Laboratory for HAV and HEV, University Medical Center Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
Jürgen J. Wenzel
Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, National Consultant Laboratory for HAV and HEV, University Medical Center Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
Jörg Hofmann
Institute of Virology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Labor Berlin-Charité-Vivantes GmbH, 13353 Berlin, Germany
James Wai Kuo Shih
Xiamen Innovax Biotech Co., Ltd., Haicang, Xiamen 361022, China
Heiner Wedemeyer
Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30623 Hannover, Germany
C.-Thomas Bock
Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
Thirumalaisamy P. Velavan
Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
Infection with hepatitis E virus (HEV) represents the most common source of viral hepatitis globally. Although infecting over 20 million people annually in endemic regions, with major outbreaks described since the 1950s, hepatitis E remains an underestimated disease. This review gives a current view of the global circulation and epidemiology of this emerging virus. The history of HEV, from the first reported enteric non-A non-B hepatitis outbreaks, to the discovery of the viral agent and the molecular characterization of the different human pathogenic genotypes, is discussed. Furthermore, the current state of research regarding the virology of HEV is critically assessed, and the challenges towards prevention and diagnosis, as well as clinical risks of the disease described. Together, these points aim to underline the significant impact of hepatitis E on global health and the need for further in-depth research to better understand the pathophysiology and its role in the complex disease manifestations of HEV infection.
