Pathogenesis (disease development)
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) belongs to the group of RNA viruses. It used to be considered part of theFamily Caliciviridae, but it is now considered to belong to the monotypic family Hepeviridae. HEV genotypes 1-4 can be distinguished. HEV 1 and HEV 2 are mostly responsible for rice infection. HEV 3 and HEV 4 occur in humans and animals (especially pigs).
Hepatitis E occurs primarily as an acute illness.
Hepatitis E occurs worldwide. Major epidemics have occurred primarily in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Mexico. Recently, isolated cases of hepatitis E acquired in Germany have also been reported, primarily with a chronic course.
Transmission is oral (in which pathogens excreted in the feces (fecal) are absorbed orally) through contaminated drinking water with HEV genotypes 1 and 2. Transmission between humans has not yet been proven. Risk groups are mainly travelers to India, Central/South America, Africa or the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
Recent studies have shown that the hepatitis E pathogen with genotype 3 is also widespread in German wild boar and deer. The infestation rate is around 15 percent. The risk groups include primarily hunters, forest workers, pig breeders or slaughterhouse employees.
Etiology (causes)
Behavioral causes
- Drinking contaminated water
- Eating contaminated food – especially pork, game, shellfish.
- Dog and cats also come as a carrier in question
Disease-related causes
Medication
- Blood transfusions
Other causes
- Vertical infection – pathogen transmission from a host (here: the mother) to its offspring (here: the child).
- Transmission of infection during birth from mother to child.
- Transmission through organ transplantation