Hepatitis E: an expanding epidemic with a range of complications

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a common cause of viral hepatitis worldwide. Previously considered a disease of the developing world, it is increasingly recognized that locally acquired HEV infection is common in industrialized countries.

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to highlight the changing epidemiology of HEV infection, particularly in the developed world, and inform clinicians of the diverse clinical presentations and extra-hepatic complications associated with the virus.

SOURCES

References for this review were identified through searches of MEDLINE/PubMed, and Google Scholar, up to January 2020. Searches were restricted to articles published in English.

CONTENT

Hepatitis E virus is an under-recognized, emerging pathogen with important implications for public health in both the developing and developed world. The number of cases reported in resource-rich settings is increasing, in part due to improved case ascertainment but also as a result of increased incidence in some countries. The reasons behind these epidemiological shifts are not currently known. Chronic HEV infection has been reported in immunocompromised patients. A range of extra-hepatic manifestations have also been reported, most notably neurological and renal complications. There is evidence to suggest a causal link with Guillain-Barré syndrome, neuralgic amyotrophy and encephalitis/myelitis. Glomerular disease has been reported in the context of both acute and chronic infection.

IMPLICATIONS

HEV should be included in non-invasive liver screens and considered in the differentials for patients presenting with alanine aminotransferase elevation, suspected drug-induced liver injury or decompensated liver disease. Any patients with acute neurological injury and deranged liver function should be tested for hepatitis E, and all patients presenting with Guillain-Barré syndrome or neuralgic amyotrophy should be tested regardless of liver enzymes. Immunocompromised patients with persistently raised liver enzymes should be tested with molecular techniques and offered annual routine screening.