Hepatitis E: A Scorned Virus

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the most common causes of acute viral hepatitis in developing countries with poor sanitation and hygiene. HEV is a non -enveloped RNA virus and its genome is formed by a non -segmented positive sense RNA chain. The virus is classified into four genotypes (1-4) with one serotype. Genotype I is the predominant strain in India. HEV infection is an underdiagnosed disease due to wide use of serological assay with low sensitivity. HEV infection outbreaks frequently occur due to fecal -oral transmission, usually through contamination of drinking water. Chronic infections are rare, except in organ transplant recipients, patients with hematological malignancy requiring chemotherapy, and individuals with HIV. Extrahepatic manifestations include a number of neurological syndromes and renal injury. Treatment is required in chronic infections by reducing immunosuppression in transplant patients and/or the use of antiviral therapy. A subunit vaccine has been shown to be effective in preventing the clinical disease, but it is not yet commercially available.