[Hepatitis E virus infection].

Hepatitis E virus infection. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is currently recognized as an endemic pathogen in developed countries, especially in Western Europe. In these regions, HEV is a zoonotic agent and is mainly transmitted by the consumption of under cooked pig or game meat. HEV infection is generally a self-limiting illness in immunocompetent subjects. Conversely, in immunocompromised patients, i.e., solid-organ-transplant recipients, human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with a low CD4 cell count, hematological patients receiving chemotherapy, and patients given immune suppressive therapy, HEV can lead to chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. In this case, if viral replication persists despite immunosuppressive regimen decrease, ribavirin therapy has to be initiated to allow viral clearance. Recently, some extra-hepatic manifestations associated with HEV infection have been observed, suggesting a broader tropism than initially considered.