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. 2020 Nov 1;42(21):171-179.
doi: 10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2020.10.001. Epub 2020 Oct 22.

Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E: Clinical and Epidemiological Features, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Glynn W Webb  1   2   3 , Sophie Kelly  1   2 , Harry R Dalton  3   4
Affiliations

Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E: Clinical and Epidemiological Features, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Glynn W Webb et al. Clin Microbiol Newsl. .

Abstract

Hepatitis A and E are both ancient diseases but have only been properly recognized as being caused by distinct pathogens in modern times. Despite significantly different genomic structures, both viruses employ remarkably similar strategies to avoid host detection and increase environmental transmission. There are millions of cases of acute viral hepatitis due to hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) each year, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths. The presentations can be clinically indistinguishable, but each virus also has a range of less common but more specific phenotypes. The epidemiology of HAV is complex, and is shifting in countries that are making improvements to public health and sanitation. HEV presents a significant public health challenge in resource-limited settings but has historically been incorrectly regarded as having little clinical relevance in industrialized countries.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Virus detection and serological and biochemical response to acute HEV infection (a) and acute HAV infection (b).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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