Antibody detection and sequence analysis of sporadic HEV in Xiamen region

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is transmitted through a fecal-oral route[1]. HEV induces acute hepatitis and is responsible for a significant portion of the fulminant hepatitis in epidemic and sporadic cases, especially in the mixed infection patients and women in their third trimester of pregnancy[1]. It has been reported that HEV infection is more prevalent in underdeveloped and develo ping countries in Asia, Africa, and Central America, but is rare in developed countries[1]. In China, a large outbreak occurred between 1986 and 1988 in Xinjiang, and sporadic spread was often found in other regions. HEV is a non-enveloped virus, approximately 27 nm-34 nm in diameter and has a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA genome of approximately 7.2 kb. The viral genome consists of three discontinuous open reading frames (ORFs). Since the molecular cloning and sequencing of HEV were described[2], several genomic analyses of HEV strains obtained from different geographic areas have been reported[3]. The existing variations on the gene structure of HEV strains from some regions of China was reported by us[4]. In this study, after the collection of the serum samples of patients with acute hepatitis in Xiamen, anti-HEV antibody and HEV RNA in serum were detected, further HEV RNA was cloned and sequenced. The results are described and discussed.