[Hepatitis E--epidemiology and clinical aspects].

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a newly identified and molecularly characterized RNA virus. HEV has a worldwide distribution. Large epidemics were observed on the Indian subcontinent, in Central and in Southeast Asia. The enterically transmitted HEV infection also occurs in sporadic form. Only few cases of HEV infection with clinically apparent hepatitis were diagnosed in Western Europe and in the USA. HEV infection causes symptoms of a self-limiting, acute, icteric disease similar to those of hepatitis A. Severe and fulminant courses occur more often than with HAV infection. Chronic liver disease or persistent viremia have not been observed. Diagnosis of HEV infection is based on the detection of anti-HEV-antibodies.