Title:Hepatitis E virus and Zoonosis: Recent Advances and Therapeutic Implications
Volume: 17
Issue: 1
Author(s): Kam L.E. Hon*, Alexander K.C. Leung, Alex H.C. Wong and Siddharth Sridhar
Affiliation:
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, CUHK Medical Centre, Shatin, Hong Kong,
China
Keywords:
Hepatitis E, zoonosis, hepatitis E virus, ribavirin, sofosbuvir, pegylated interferon.
Abstract: Hepatitis E is viral hepatitis caused by infection with the hepatitis E virus (HEV). This
article aims to review HEV disease and recent advances in the management of hepatitis E. We
used PubMed Clinical Queries and keywords of “hepatitis E”, “hepatitis E virus” AND “zoonosis”
as the search engine. “Therapy”, “Clinical Prediction Guides”, “Diagnosis”, “Etiology” and
“Prognosis” were used as filters, and “Narrow” scope was used. The search was conducted in
April 2022. The information retrieved from the above search was used in the compilation of the
present article. Hepatitis E is viral hepatitis caused by infection with the hepatitis E virus (HEV).
Hepatitis E has mainly a fecal-oral transmission route. Hepatitis E infection usually follows an
acute and self-limiting course of illness with low death rates in resource-rich areas; however, it can
be more severe in pregnant women and immunocompromised people. The mortality rates in these
groups are substantially higher. A vaccine for HEV is available but is not universally approved.
Ribavirin remains the most efficacious medication for the treatment of HEV but is contraindicated
in pregnancy. Sofosbuvir and pegylated interferon, with or without ribavirin, have not been shown
in the latest literature reviews to provide reliable additional benefits to the treatment of hepatitis.
Sofosbuvir should not be used as monotherapy for HEV. Food is an important source of infection
in many countries while rats are the primary vector in developing nations. Management must include
an understanding of the rat habitats for this zoonotic disease. Hepatitis E remains an important
cause of hepatitis and a zoonotic disease globally. Public health policies are key to containing
this viral infectious disease, including policy in the transfusion of blood products.
