[Hepatitis E virus]

Abstract

HEV is a small non-enveloped RNA virus that is associated to lipids in the blood of infected individuals. The genera Orthohepevirus recently proposed includes the zoonotic mammals strains. The other strains of the family Hepeviridae are not transmissible to humans. The diagnosis of HEV infection should be considered in any patient with serum ALT elevation. The diagnosis of HEV infection in immunocompetent patients relies on detecting IgM antibodies in the blood. The diagnosis of HEV infection in immunosuppressed patients relies on detecting IgM antibodies and HEV RNA in the blood. Ribavirin inhibits HEV replication via a mechanism of action that is still unknown.