Hepatitis E is a viral infection caused by the Hepatitis E virus (HEV). It is transmitted through contaminated water or food supplies and causes acute viral hepatitis. The incubation period is 2-9 weeks. Infection results in self-limiting acute hepatitis lasting several weeks, followed by recovery with no chronic cases reported. Pregnant women can experience a fulminating form with potential complications. Diagnosis is made through anti-HEV antibody levels. Prevention involves food and water hygiene precautions. There is no vaccine or specific treatment.

1. HEPATITIS E
DR. MAHESWARI JAIKUMAR
maheswarijaikumar2103@gmail.com

2. VIRAL HEPATITIS

3. HEPATITIS E
• The infection caused by the
Hepatitis e virus (HEV) was
discovered in 1980
• It is a water borne disease

4. HEPATITIS E VIRUS

7. GENOME ORGANIZATION –
HEPATITIS E VIRUS

8. • HEV is a 29-nm to 32-nm RNA virus
• Water or food supplies
contaminated with faeces in which
the virus is excreted have been
implicated with a major outbreaks
of HEV infection all over the world

9. • The incubation period is 2-9
weeks
• Following the incubation
period a self limiting acute
viral hepatitis appears, lasting
for a period of several weeks

10. HEPATITIS E - TRANSMISSION

11. • The acute infection is followed
by recovery
• No case of chronic disease has
been reported
• HEV is reported mainly among
young adults (aged 14-45 yrs)

12. • HEV has a propensity to induce a
fulminating form of acute
disease particularly in pregnant
women ( causing fulminating
HEV infection)
• HEV infection during pregnancy
can cause intra uterine death,
abortions & a high perinatal
morbidity and mortality

13. DIAGNOSIS
• Diagnosis is made by the level of
anti-HEV antibodies in the serum
• No confirmatory assay is
available currently

14. • Anti HEV IgM antibodies have
been determined, however their
usefulness for the diagnosis of
acute hepatitis E infection
remains to be confirmed

15. HOST IMMUNE STATUS-RESPOSE
TO HEPATITIS E INFECTION

18. • Hepatitis E appears to be
widespread problem in
developing countries where
there are problems in providing
safe drinking water and
adequated sewage disposal

19. • General precautions against the
infection are similar to that of
hepatitis A
• For prevention, travellers to higly
endemic areas are
recommended to take the usual
elementary food hygeine
precautions

20. • There is no specific treatment for
hepatitis E
• Only supportive measures are
required. Recovery from
hepatitis E is always complete

21. • No vaccine or specific
immunoglobulin prophylaxis is
available

22. PREVENTION

24. THANK YOU