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Hepatitis E : source and route of infection, clinical manifestations and new developments
Author(s) -
Scobie L.,
Dalton H. R.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of viral hepatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1365-2893
pISSN - 1352-0504
DOI - 10.1111/jvh.12024
Subject(s) - medicine , hepatitis e , disease , hepatitis , immunology , hepatitis c , chronic infection , liver disease , hepatitis a , acute hepatitis , hepatitis b , chronic hepatitis , biology , immune system , virus , biochemistry , gene , genotype
Summary Hepatitis E was previously thought to be a disease of developing countries causing significant morbidity and mortality in young adults, particularly among pregnant women and patients with pre‐existing chronic liver disease. Recent studies have shown that hepatitis E is also an issue in developed countries. In this setting, hepatitis E is a zoonotic infection and causes acute infection mainly in middle‐aged and elderly men; and chronic infection in the immunosuppressed. The scope and burden of disease are still emerging. The diagnosis of hepatitis E should be considered in any patient with hepatitis, irrespective of their age or travel history.