Chandra Vivek, Taneja Shikha, Kalia Manjula, Jameel Shahid
Virology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi 110 067, India.
J Biosci. 2008 Nov;33(4):451-64. doi: 10.1007/s12038-008-0064-1.
The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a small RNA virus and the etiological agent for hepatitis E, a form of acute viral hepatitis. The virus has a feco-oral transmission cycle and is transmitted through environmental contamination, mainly through drinking water. Recent studies on the isolation of HEV-like viruses from animal species also suggest zoonotic transfer of the virus. The absence of small animal models of infection and efficient cell culture systems has precluded virological studies on the replication cycle and pathogenesis of HEV. A vaccine against HEV has undergone successful clinical testing and diagnostic tests are available. This review describes HEV epidemiology, clinical presentation, pathogenesis, molecular virology and the host response to HEV infection. The focus is on published literature in the past decade.
戊型肝炎病毒（HEV）是一种小RNA病毒，也是戊型肝炎（一种急性病毒性肝炎）的病原体。该病毒通过粪口传播循环，主要通过环境污染传播，尤其是通过饮用水传播。最近从动物物种中分离出戊型肝炎病毒样病毒的研究也表明该病毒存在人畜共患传播。由于缺乏感染的小动物模型和有效的细胞培养系统，阻碍了对戊型肝炎病毒复制周期和发病机制的病毒学研究。一种针对戊型肝炎病毒的疫苗已成功通过临床试验，并且已有诊断测试方法。本综述描述了戊型肝炎病毒的流行病学、临床表现、发病机制、分子病毒学以及宿主对戊型肝炎病毒感染的反应。重点是过去十年发表的文献。
