Hepatitis E in Germany--an under-reported infectious disease.
Autor(es): Pischke Sven; Behrendt Patrick; Bock Claus-Thomas; Jilg Wolfgang; Manns Michael P; Wedemeyer Heiner
Resumo: At least 17% of the population in Germany has been infected with the hepatitis E virus (HEV); thus, HEV infections are more frequent than was previously assumed. However, fewer than 500 HEV infections were reported to the Robert Koch Institute in 2013. Review of pertinent literature retrieved by a selective search in PubMed. Persons living in Germany generally acquire hepatitis E infection within the country by consuming infected and undercooked pork; in rare cases, hepatitis E infections are imported from the tropics. HEV can be transmitted via blood products, blood transfusions, and organ transplantation. More than 99% of HEV infections are asymptomatic and self-limiting, but there are also severe cases with acute liver failure. Immunosuppressed persons can develop chronic HEV infection, potentially leading, within a few years, to liver cirrhosis with life-threatening sequelae. Moreover, HEV infection may be associated with extrahepatic manifestations such as Guillain-Barré syndrome. In two retrospectively evaluated case series, ribavirin was found to be active against HEV and can be used to treat either acute or chronic HEV infection. Hepatitis E must be considered in the differential diagnosis of elevated hepatic enzyme levels and of systemic and neurological conditions of uncertain origin. The infection is usually self-limiting but can take a severe course in immunosuppressed persons. In such cases, ribavirin can be used as an antiviral treatment.
Imprenta: Deutsches A?rzteblatt International, v. 111, n. 35-36, p. 577-583, 2014
Identificador do objeto digital: 10.3238/arztebl.2014.0577
Descritores: Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Viral infections ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Virus ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Epidemiology ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Public health
Data de publicação: 2014
