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Viruses
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Recent Progress in Hepatitis E Virus Research
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Recent Progress in Hepatitis E Virus Research

A special issue of Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Viruses".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2016) | Viewed by 132691

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Jacques Izopet

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Virology – Federative Institute of Biology, Toulouse University Hospital & INSERM U1043/CNRS5282, Toulouse, France
Interests: hepatitis E virus (HEV) tropism; HEV pathogenesis; acute hepatitis; chronic hepatitis; ribavirin; zoonoses
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) was discovered over three decades ago but it remains an enigmatic virus. HEV is hyperendemic in many developing countries where it causes waterborne acute hepatitis that can be severe in pregnant women and patients with underlying chronic liver disease. In developped countries, HEV infection was previously thought to be rare and restricted to travellers returning from developing countries. Thanks to improvements in serologic and molecular tools, the large prevalence of HEV infection in industrialized regions is now recognized. In these areas, HEV is transmitted locally from an animal reservoir and causes acute hepatitis in middle-aged adults and chronic hepatitis in immunocompromised individuals. Extra-hepatic manifestations including neurological and renal manifestations are also increasingly reported. These advances in our understanding of HEV infection were accompanied by major breakthroughs on antiviral drugs and vaccine.

This special issue of Viruses is dedicated to current knowledge on HEV and future directions of research. We hope to assemble a collection of research papers and reviews on HEV life cycle, molecular epidemiology, diagnostic tools, transmission, pathogenesis, treatment and prevention.

Prof. Jacques Izopet
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Viruses is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • HEV
  • HEV life cycle
  • HEV genotypes
  • anti-HEV antibodies
  • HEV RNA
  • zoonosis
  • pathogenesis
  • immune response
  • ribavirin
  • alpha-interferon
  • vaccine

Published Papers (15 papers)

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Research

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3794 KiB  
Article
Cutthroat Trout Virus—Towards a Virus Model to Support Hepatitis E Research
by Marcus Von Nordheim, Michel Boinay, Remo Leisi, Christoph Kempf and Carlos Ros
Viruses 2016, 8(10), 289; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/v8100289 - 20 Oct 2016
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 6534
Abstract
Cutthroat trout virus (CTV) is a non-pathogenic fish virus belonging to the Hepeviridae family, and it is distantly related to hepatitis E virus (HEV). Here, we report the development of an efficient cell culture system where CTV can consistently replicate to titers never [...] Read more.
Cutthroat trout virus (CTV) is a non-pathogenic fish virus belonging to the Hepeviridae family, and it is distantly related to hepatitis E virus (HEV). Here, we report the development of an efficient cell culture system where CTV can consistently replicate to titers never observed before with a hepevirus. By using the rainbow trout gill (RTGill-W1) cell line, CTV reaches 1010 geq/mL intracellularly and 109 geq/mL extracellularly within 5–6 days in culture. We additionally established a qPCR system to investigate CTV infectivity, and developed a specific antibody directed against the viral capsid protein encoded by ORF2. With these methods, we were able to follow the progressive accumulation of viral RNA and the capsid protein, and their intracellular distribution during virus replication. Virus progeny purified through iodixanol density gradients indicated—that similar to HEV—CTV produced in cell culture is also lipid-associated. The lack of an efficient cell culture system has greatly impeded studies with HEV, a major human pathogen that causes hepatitis worldwide. Although several cell culture systems have recently been established, the replication efficiency of HEV is not robust enough to allow studies on different aspects of the virus replication cycle. Therefore, a surrogate virus that can replicate easily and efficiently in cultured cells would be helpful to boost research studies with hepeviruses. Due to its similarities, but also its key differences to HEV, CTV represents a promising tool to elucidate aspects of the replication cycle of Hepeviridae in general, and HEV in particular. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Hepatitis E Virus Research)
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893 KiB  
Article
A Single Lineage of Hepatitis E Virus Causes Both Outbreaks and Sporadic Hepatitis in Sudan
by Adel Hussein Elduma, Mai Mohammed Adam Zein, Marie Karlsson, Isam M.E. Elkhidir and Heléne Norder
Viruses 2016, 8(10), 273; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/v8100273 - 06 Oct 2016
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5083
Abstract
Few studies have reported sporadic hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections during non‐outbreak periods in Africa. In this study, the prevalence of HEV infection in Sudan was investigated in 432 patients with acute hepatitis from 12 localities in North Kordofan, and from 152 patients [...] Read more.
Few studies have reported sporadic hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections during non‐outbreak periods in Africa. In this study, the prevalence of HEV infection in Sudan was investigated in 432 patients with acute hepatitis from 12 localities in North Kordofan, and from 152 patients involved in smaller outbreaks of hepatitis in the neighbouring Darfur. HEV infection was diagnosed in 147 (25%) patients: 98 from Kordofan and 49 from Darfur. The mortality was 10%; six of the patients who died from the infection were pregnant women. HEV RNA was detected by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) in 38 (26%) patients: 22 from Kordofan and 16 from Darfur. Partial open reading frame (ORF) 1 and ORF2 were sequenced from HEV from nine and three patients, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Sudanese strains belonged to genotype 1 (HEV1), and confirmed the segregation of African HEV1 strains into one branch divergent from Asian HEV1. It also revealed that the Sudanese strains from this study and from an outbreak in 2004 formed a separate clade with a common ancestor, distinct from strains from the neighbouring Chad and Egypt. This HEV strain has thus spread in a large area of Sudan, where it has caused both sporadic hepatitis E and outbreaks from at least 2004 and onwards. These data demonstrate that hepatitis E is a constant, on‐going public health problem in Sudan and that there is a need for hepatitis E surveillance, outbreak preparedness, and general improvements of the sanitation in these remote areas of the country. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Hepatitis E Virus Research)
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2699 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Replication of Hepatitis E Virus Strain 47832c in an A549-Derived Subclonal Cell Line
by Mathias Schemmerer, Silke Apelt, Eva Trojnar, Rainer G. Ulrich, Jürgen J. Wenzel and Reimar Johne
Viruses 2016, 8(10), 267; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/v8100267 - 29 Sep 2016
Cited by 44 | Viewed by 6101
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a human pathogen with increasing importance. The lack of efficient cell culture systems hampers systematic studies on its replication cycle, virus neutralization and inactivation. Here, several cell lines were inoculated with the HEV genotype 3c strain 47832c, previously [...] Read more.
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a human pathogen with increasing importance. The lack of efficient cell culture systems hampers systematic studies on its replication cycle, virus neutralization and inactivation. Here, several cell lines were inoculated with the HEV genotype 3c strain 47832c, previously isolated from a chronically infected transplant patient. At 14 days after inoculation the highest HEV genome copy numbers were found in A549 cells, followed by PLC/PRF/5 cells, whereas HepG2/C3A, Huh-7 Lunet BLR and MRC-5 cells only weakly supported virus replication. Inoculation of A549-derived subclone cell lines resulted in most cases in reduced HEV replication. However, the subclone A549/D3 was susceptible to lower virus concentrations and resulted in higher virus yields as compared to parental A549 cells. Transcriptome analysis indicated a downregulation of genes for carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecules (CEACAM) 5 and 6, and an upregulation of the syndecan 2 (SDC2) gene in A549/D3 cells compared to A549 cells. However, treatment of A549/D3 cells or A549 cells with CEACAM- or syndecan 2-specific antisera did not influence HEV replication. The results show that cells supporting more efficient HEV replication can be selected from the A549 cell line. The specific mechanisms responsible for the enhanced replication remain unknown. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Hepatitis E Virus Research)
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Article
Monitoring of Anti-Hepatitis E Virus Antibody Seroconversion in Asymptomatically Infected Blood Donors: Systematic Comparison of Nine Commercial Anti-HEV IgM and IgG Assays
by Tanja Vollmer, Juergen Diekmann, Matthias Eberhardt, Cornelius Knabbe and Jens Dreier
Viruses 2016, 8(8), 232; https://doi.org/10.3390/v8080232 - 22 Aug 2016
Cited by 42 | Viewed by 7202
Abstract
Diagnosis of hepatitis E virus (HEV) is usually determined serologically by detection of the presence of immunoglobulin (Ig)M antibodies or rising anti-HEV IgG titers. However, serological assays have demonstrated a significant variation in their sensitivities and specificities. In this study, we present the [...] Read more.
Diagnosis of hepatitis E virus (HEV) is usually determined serologically by detection of the presence of immunoglobulin (Ig)M antibodies or rising anti-HEV IgG titers. However, serological assays have demonstrated a significant variation in their sensitivities and specificities. In this study, we present the systematic comparison of different immunological anti-HEV assays using complete seroconversion panels of 10 virologically confirmed HEV genotype 3 infected individuals. Assay sensitivities were further evaluated by testing serially diluted World Health Organization (WHO) reference reagent for hepatitis E virus antibody and one patient sample infected with HEV genotype 3. Anti-HEV IgM and IgG antibody presence was determined using the immunological assays Wantai HEV IgM/IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Sanbio, Uden, The Netherlands), recomWell HEV IgM/IgG (Mikrogen, Neuried, Germany), HEV IgM ELISA 3.0, HEV ELISA, HEV ELISA 4.0, Assure HEV IgM Rapid Test (all MP Biomedicals Europe, Illkirch Cedex, France) and Anti-HEV ELISA (IgM/IgG, Euroimmun, Lübeck, Germany). The assays showed differences regarding their analytical and diagnostic sensitivities, with anti-HEV IgM assays (n = 5) being more divergent compared to anti-HEV IgG (n = 4) assays in this study. Considerable variations were observed particularly for the detection period of IgM antibodies. This is the first study systematically characterizing serologic assays on the basis of seroconversion panels, providing sample conformity for a conclusive comparison. Future studies should include the assay comparison covering the four different genotypes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Hepatitis E Virus Research)
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Article
Assessment of Domestic Pigs, Wild Boars and Feral Hybrid Pigs as Reservoirs of Hepatitis E Virus in Corsica, France
by Ferran Jori, Morgane Laval, Oscar Maestrini, François Casabianca, François Charrier and Nicole Pavio
Viruses 2016, 8(8), 236; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/v8080236 - 20 Aug 2016
Cited by 49 | Viewed by 8255
Abstract
In Corsica, extensive pig breeding systems allow frequent interactions between wild boars and domestic pigs, which are suspected to act as reservoirs of several zoonotic diseases including hepatitis E virus (HEV). In this context, 370 sera and 166 liver samples were collected from [...] Read more.
In Corsica, extensive pig breeding systems allow frequent interactions between wild boars and domestic pigs, which are suspected to act as reservoirs of several zoonotic diseases including hepatitis E virus (HEV). In this context, 370 sera and 166 liver samples were collected from phenotypically characterized as pure or hybrid wild boars, between 2009 and 2012. In addition, serum and liver from 208 domestic pigs belonging to 30 farms were collected at the abattoir during the end of 2013. Anti-HEV antibodies were detected in 26% (21%–31.6%) of the pure wild boar, 43.5% (31%–56.7%) of hybrid wild boar and 88% (82.6%–91.9%) of the domestic pig sera. In addition, HEV RNA was detected in five wild boars, three hybrid wild boars and two domestic pig livers tested. Our findings provide evidence that both domestic pig and wild boar (pure and hybrid) act as reservoirs of HEV in Corsica, representing an important zoonotic risk for Corsican hunters and farmers but also for the large population of consumers of raw pig liver specialties produced in Corsica. In addition, hybrid wild boars seem to play an important ecological role in the dissemination of HEV between domestic pig and wild boar populations, unnoticed to date, that deserves further investigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Hepatitis E Virus Research)
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538 KiB  
Article
Quantification of HEV RNA by Droplet Digital PCR
by Florence Nicot, Michelle Cazabat, Sébastien Lhomme, Olivier Marion, Karine Sauné, Julie Chiabrando, Martine Dubois, Nassim Kamar, Florence Abravanel and Jacques Izopet
Viruses 2016, 8(8), 233; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/v8080233 - 19 Aug 2016
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 5984
Abstract
The sensitivity of real-time PCR for hepatitis E virus (HEV) RNA quantification differs greatly among techniques. Standardized tools that measure the real quantity of virus are needed. We assessed the performance of a reverse transcription droplet digital PCR (RT-ddPCR) assay that gives absolute [...] Read more.
The sensitivity of real-time PCR for hepatitis E virus (HEV) RNA quantification differs greatly among techniques. Standardized tools that measure the real quantity of virus are needed. We assessed the performance of a reverse transcription droplet digital PCR (RT-ddPCR) assay that gives absolute quantities of HEV RNA. Analytical and clinical validation was done on HEV genotypes 1, 3 and 4, and was based on open reading frame (ORF)3 amplification. The within-run and between-run reproducibilities were very good, the analytical sensitivity was 80 HEV RNA international units (IU)/mL and linearities of HEV genotype 1, 3 and 4 were very similar. Clinical validation based on 45 samples of genotype 1, 3 or 4 gave results that correlated well with a validated reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assay (Spearman rs = 0.89, p < 0.0001). The RT-ddPCR assay is a sensitive method and could be a promising tool for standardizing HEV RNA quantification in various sample types. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Hepatitis E Virus Research)
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1586 KiB  
Article
A Linear Surface Epitope in a Proline-Rich Region of ORF3 Product of Genotype 1 Hepatitis E Virus
by Yonglin Yang, Shaoli Lin, Yuchen Nan, Zexu Ma, Liping Yang and Yanjin Zhang
Viruses 2016, 8(8), 227; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/v8080227 - 18 Aug 2016
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4801
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the viral pathogens causing hepatitis in humans. HEV open reading frame 3 (ORF3) encodes a small multifunctional protein (VP13), which is essential for HEV infection. In this study, a linear epitope was identified in a polyproline [...] Read more.
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the viral pathogens causing hepatitis in humans. HEV open reading frame 3 (ORF3) encodes a small multifunctional protein (VP13), which is essential for HEV infection. In this study, a linear epitope was identified in a polyproline (PXXP) motif from VP13 of genotype 1 HEV by using a monoclonal antibody. The epitope was detected in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunoblotting and immunofluorescence assays. Epitope mapping showed that the epitope locates in a proline-rich region containing a PXXP motif in amino acid residues 66-75 of VP13. The epitope was also detected in HEV-infected liver cells and reacted with genotype 1-specific antibodies in an HEV-positive human serum sample. The results demonstrated that the epitope in the PXXP motif of the genotype 1 VP13 is linear and surface-oriented, which should facilitate in-depth studies on the viral protein and HEV biology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Hepatitis E Virus Research)
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Review

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886 KiB  
Review
Acute Hepatitis E: Two Sides of the Same Coin
by Johannes Hartl, Malte H. Wehmeyer and Sven Pischke
Viruses 2016, 8(11), 299; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/v8110299 - 03 Nov 2016
Cited by 47 | Viewed by 10738
Abstract
The relevance of acute hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections has been underestimated for a long time. In the past, HEV infection had been interpreted falsely as a disease limited to the tropics until the relevance of autochthonous HEV infections in the Western world [...] Read more.
The relevance of acute hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections has been underestimated for a long time. In the past, HEV infection had been interpreted falsely as a disease limited to the tropics until the relevance of autochthonous HEV infections in the Western world became overt. Due to increased awareness, the incidence of diagnosed autochthonous HEV infections (predominantly genotype 3) in industrialized countries has risen within the last decade. The main source of infections in industrialized countries seems to be infected swine meat, while infections with the tropical HEV genotypes 1 and 2 usually are mainly transmitted fecal-orally by contaminated drinking water. In the vast majority of healthy individuals, acute HEV infection is either clinically silent or takes a benign self-limited course. In patients who develop a symptomatic HEV infection, a short prodromal phase with unspecific symptoms is followed by liver specific symptoms like jaundice, itching, uncoloured stool and darkened urine. Importantly, tropical HEV infections may lead to acute liver failure, especially in pregnant women, while autochthonous HEV infections may lead to acute-on-chronic liver failure in patients with underlying liver diseases. Immunosuppressed individuals, such as transplant recipients or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, are at risk for developing chronic hepatitis E, which may lead to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in the long term. Importantly, specific treatment options for hepatitis E are not approved by the regulation authorities, but off-label ribavirin treatment seems to be effective in the treatment of chronic HEV-infection and may reduce the disease severity in patients suffering from acute liver failure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Hepatitis E Virus Research)
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844 KiB  
Review
Mutagenic Effects of Ribavirin on Hepatitis E Virus—Viral Extinction versus Selection of Fitness-Enhancing Mutations
by Daniel Todt, Stephanie Walter, Richard J. P. Brown and Eike Steinmann
Viruses 2016, 8(10), 283; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/v8100283 - 13 Oct 2016
Cited by 43 | Viewed by 7578
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV), an important agent of viral hepatitis worldwide, can cause severe courses of infection in pregnant women and immunosuppressed patients. To date, HEV infections can only be treated with ribavirin (RBV). Major drawbacks of this therapy are that RBV is [...] Read more.
Hepatitis E virus (HEV), an important agent of viral hepatitis worldwide, can cause severe courses of infection in pregnant women and immunosuppressed patients. To date, HEV infections can only be treated with ribavirin (RBV). Major drawbacks of this therapy are that RBV is not approved for administration to pregnant women and that the virus can acquire mutations, which render the intra-host population less sensitive or even resistant to RBV. One of the proposed modes of action of RBV is a direct mutagenic effect on viral genomes, inducing mismatches and subsequent nucleotide substitutions. These transition events can drive the already error-prone viral replication beyond an error threshold, causing viral population extinction. In contrast, the expanded heterogeneous viral population can facilitate selection of mutant viruses with enhanced replication fitness. Emergence of these mutant viruses can lead to therapeutic failure. Consequently, the onset of RBV treatment in chronically HEV-infected individuals can result in two divergent outcomes: viral extinction versus selection of fitness-enhanced viruses. Following an overview of RNA viruses treated with RBV in clinics and a summary of the different antiviral modes of action of this drug, we focus on the mutagenic effect of RBV on HEV intrahost populations, and how HEV is able to overcome lethal mutagenesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Hepatitis E Virus Research)
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2047 KiB  
Review
Zoonotic Hepatitis E Virus: Classification, Animal Reservoirs and Transmission Routes
by Virginie Doceul, Eugénie Bagdassarian, Antonin Demange and Nicole Pavio
Viruses 2016, 8(10), 270; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/v8100270 - 03 Oct 2016
Cited by 190 | Viewed by 12512
Abstract
During the past ten years, several new hepatitis E viruses (HEVs) have been identified in various animal species. In parallel, the number of reports of autochthonous hepatitis E in Western countries has increased as well, raising the question of what role these possible [...] Read more.
During the past ten years, several new hepatitis E viruses (HEVs) have been identified in various animal species. In parallel, the number of reports of autochthonous hepatitis E in Western countries has increased as well, raising the question of what role these possible animal reservoirs play in human infections. The aim of this review is to present the recent discoveries of animal HEVs and their classification within the Hepeviridae family, their zoonotic and species barrier crossing potential, and possible use as models to study hepatitis E pathogenesis. Lastly, this review describes the transmission pathways identified from animal sources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Hepatitis E Virus Research)
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3709 KiB  
Review
Transmission of Hepatitis E Virus in Developing Countries
by Mohammad S. Khuroo, Mehnaaz S. Khuroo and Naira S. Khuroo
Viruses 2016, 8(9), 253; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/v8090253 - 20 Sep 2016
Cited by 107 | Viewed by 23649
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV), an RNA virus of the Hepeviridae family, has marked heterogeneity. While all five HEV genotypes can cause human infections, genotypes HEV-1 and -2 infect humans alone, genotypes HEV-3 and -4 primarily infect pigs, boars and deer, and genotype HEV-7 [...] Read more.
Hepatitis E virus (HEV), an RNA virus of the Hepeviridae family, has marked heterogeneity. While all five HEV genotypes can cause human infections, genotypes HEV-1 and -2 infect humans alone, genotypes HEV-3 and -4 primarily infect pigs, boars and deer, and genotype HEV-7 primarily infects dromedaries. The global distribution of HEV has distinct epidemiological patterns based on ecology and socioeconomic factors. In resource-poor countries, disease presents as large-scale waterborne epidemics, and few epidemics have spread through person-to-person contact; however, endemic diseases within these countries can potentially spread through person-to-person contact or fecally contaminated water and foods. Vertical transmission of HEV from infected mother to fetus causes high fetal and perinatal mortality. Other means of transmission, such as zoonotic transmission, can fluctuate depending upon the region and strain of the virus. For instance, zoonotic transmission can sometimes play an insignificant role in human infections, such as in India, where human and pig HEV infections are unrelated. However, recently China and Southeast Asia have experienced a zoonotic spread of HEV-4 from pigs to humans and this has become the dominant mode of transmission of hepatitis E in eastern China. Zoonotic HEV infections in humans occur by eating undercooked pig flesh, raw liver, and sausages; through vocational contact; or via pig slurry, which leads to environmental contamination of agricultural products and seafood. Lastly, blood transfusion-associated HEV infections occur in many countries and screening of donors for HEV RNA is currently under serious consideration. To summarize, HEV genotypes 1 and 2 cause epidemic and endemic diseases in resource poor countries, primarily spreading through contaminated drinking water. HEV genotypes 3 and 4 on the other hand, cause autochthonous infections in developed, and many developing countries, by means of a unique zoonotic food-borne transmission. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Hepatitis E Virus Research)
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895 KiB  
Review
Role of Envelopment in the HEV Life Cycle
by Xin Yin, Xinlei Li and Zongdi Feng
Viruses 2016, 8(8), 229; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/v8080229 - 18 Aug 2016
Cited by 52 | Viewed by 7927
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV), an enterically transmitted hepatotropic virus, was thought to be non-enveloped for decades. However, recent studies have revealed that the virus circulating in the patient’s blood is completely cloaked in host membranes and resistant to neutralizing antibodies. The discovery of [...] Read more.
Hepatitis E virus (HEV), an enterically transmitted hepatotropic virus, was thought to be non-enveloped for decades. However, recent studies have revealed that the virus circulating in the patient’s blood is completely cloaked in host membranes and resistant to neutralizing antibodies. The discovery of this novel enveloped form of HEV has raised a series of questions about the fundamental biology of HEV and the way this virus, which has been understudied in the past, interacts with its host. Here, we review recent advances towards understanding this phenomenon and discuss its potential impact on various aspects of the HEV life cycle and immunity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Hepatitis E Virus Research)
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667 KiB  
Review
Treatment of HEV Infection in Patients with a Solid-Organ Transplant and Chronic Hepatitis
by Nassim Kamar, Sébastien Lhomme, Florence Abravanel, Olivier Marion, Jean-Marie Peron, Laurent Alric and Jacques Izopet
Viruses 2016, 8(8), 222; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/v8080222 - 15 Aug 2016
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 7017
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection can cause hepatic and extra-hepatic manifestations. Treatment of HEV infection has been thoroughly studied in solid-organ-transplant patients who have developed a chronic HEV infection. In this review, we report on our current knowledge regarding treatment of HEV infection. [...] Read more.
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection can cause hepatic and extra-hepatic manifestations. Treatment of HEV infection has been thoroughly studied in solid-organ-transplant patients who have developed a chronic HEV infection. In this review, we report on our current knowledge regarding treatment of HEV infection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Hepatitis E Virus Research)
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1552 KiB  
Review
Hepatitis E Seroprevalence in Europe: A Meta-Analysis
by Johannes Hartl, Benjamin Otto, Richie Guy Madden, Glynn Webb, Kathy Louise Woolson, Levente Kriston, Eik Vettorazzi, Ansgar W. Lohse, Harry Richard Dalton and Sven Pischke
Viruses 2016, 8(8), 211; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/v8080211 - 06 Aug 2016
Cited by 187 | Viewed by 8559
Abstract
There have been large numbers of studies on anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence in Europe, however, the results of these studies have produced high variability of seroprevalence rates, making interpretation increasingly problematic. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a clearer understanding of [...] Read more.
There have been large numbers of studies on anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence in Europe, however, the results of these studies have produced high variability of seroprevalence rates, making interpretation increasingly problematic. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a clearer understanding of anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence in Europe and identify risk groups for HEV exposure by a meta-analysis of published studies. Methods: All European HEV-seroprevalence studies from 2003 to 2015 were reviewed. Data were stratified by assay, geographical location, and patient cohort (general population, patients with HIV, solid-organ transplant recipients, chronic liver disease patients, and individuals in contact with swine/wild animals). Data were pooled using a mixed-effects model. Results: Four hundred thirty-two studies were initially identified, of which 73 studies were included in the analysis. Seroprevalence estimates ranged from 0.6% to 52.5%, increased with age, but were unrelated to gender. General population seroprevalence varied depending on assays: Wantai (WT): 17%, Mikrogen (MG): 10%, MP-diagnostics (MP): 7%, DiaPro: 4%, Abbott 2%. The WT assay reported significantly higher seroprevalence rates across all cohorts (p < 0.001). Individuals in contact with swine/wild animals had significantly higher seroprevalence rates than the general population, irrespective of assay (p < 0.0001). There was no difference between any other cohorts. The highest seroprevalence was observed in France (WT: 32%, MP: 16%) the lowest in Italy (WT: 7.5%, MP 0.9%). Seroprevalence varied between and within countries. The observed heterogeneity was attributed to geographical region (23%), assay employed (23%) and study cohort (7%). Conclusion: Seroprevalcence rates primarily depend on the seroassy that is used, followed by the geographical region and study cohort. Seroprevalence is higher in individuals exposed to swine and/or wild animals, and increases with age. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Hepatitis E Virus Research)
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3435 KiB  
Review
Hepatitis E Pathogenesis
by Sébastien Lhomme, Olivier Marion, Florence Abravanel, Sabine Chapuy-Regaud, Nassim Kamar and Jacques Izopet
Viruses 2016, 8(8), 212; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/v8080212 - 05 Aug 2016
Cited by 79 | Viewed by 9556
Abstract
Although most hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections are asymptomatic, some can be severe, causing fulminant hepatitis and extra-hepatic manifestations, including neurological and kidney injuries. Chronic HEV infections may also occur in immunocompromised patients. This review describes how our understanding of the pathogenesis of [...] Read more.
Although most hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections are asymptomatic, some can be severe, causing fulminant hepatitis and extra-hepatic manifestations, including neurological and kidney injuries. Chronic HEV infections may also occur in immunocompromised patients. This review describes how our understanding of the pathogenesis of HEV infection has progressed in recent years. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Hepatitis E Virus Research)
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