Sporadic cases of acute autochthonous hepatitis E in Spain

Abstract

Background/aims: In industrialized countries hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is rare and its diagnosis is difficult because the utility of available tests is not well established.

Methods: We studied the presence of acute HEV infection markers in a cluster of 11 cases of acute hepatitis with IgG anti-HEV antibodies.

Results: Three cases were confirmed as acute hepatitis E and 8 as presumptive hepatitis E, two as a past HEV infection and one could not be determined. Three different HEV strains were identified in serum from 3 patients. Two strains belonged to genotype 3, the predominant genotype found in local urban sewage and the other strain belonged to genotype 1 and was considered an imported strain.

Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate the presence of some autochthonous, sporadic acute hepatitis E cases as well as an imported case in our area and the transitory nature of virological and serological markers for HEV.