Hepatitis E virus in pregnancy - vaccine and HEV reinforced with polymer

Abstract

The hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes self-limiting viral hepatitis. It is now global, both in developing and low-industrialized countries. With infection, the predominance of infections is asymptomatic but can cause death. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to severe complications. This article summarizes the current knowledge about HEV infection during pregnancy, focusing on immunology, transmission, complications in both pregnant and newborn women, and polymer-boosted vaccines. The development of a polymer-reinforced vaccine may in the future solve the problem of the HEV virus, which is particularly dangerous for pregnant women.

Keywords: HEV; chitosan chloride; pregnancy; biomaterials.