Progesterone-Mediated Enhancement of Hepatitis E Virus Replication in Human Liver Cells

Abstract

Hepatitis E is usually a self-limiting acute disease; however, during pregnancy, a severe form of fulminant hepatic failure and high mortality rate are associated with hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection. Increased levels of progesterone and HEV RNA are observed in pregnant women with fulminant hepatic failures.