Li JR, Xiang Z, Li SH, Li CX, Yan H, Wu J. Realm of hepatitis E: Challenges and opportunities. World J Exp Med 2024; 14(2): 90481 [PMID: 38948414 DOI: 10.5493/wjem.v14.i2.90481]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Jian Wu, MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, No. 242 Guangji Road, Suzhou 215008, Jiangsu Province, China. wujianglinxing@163.com
Research Domain of This Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Article-Type of This Article
Editorial
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Exp Med. Jun 20, 2024; 14(2): 90481 Published online Jun 20, 2024. doi: 10.5493/wjem.v14.i2.90481
Realm of hepatitis E: Challenges and opportunities
Jia-Rui Li, Ze Xiang, Shu-Hui Li, Chen-Xi Li, Hong Yan, Jian Wu
Jia-Rui Li, Ze Xiang, Shu-Hui Li, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang Province, China
Chen-Xi Li, Hong Yan, Laboratory Medicine Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210011, Jiangsu Province, China
Jian Wu, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou 215008, Jiangsu Province, China
Co-first authors: Jia-Rui Li and Ze Xiang.
Co-corresponding authors: Jian Wu and Hong Yan.
Author contributions: Wu J designed study and revised the manuscript; Li JR, Xiang Z and Li SH wrote the paper; Li CX and Yan H searched the literature; All authors reviewed and approved the final version; Li JR and Xiang Z contributed equally to this work; Both Yan H conceptualized, designed, and supervised the whole process of the project. Wu J got acquisition of financial support for the project leading to this publication and coordinated the planning and execution of research activities. Wu J and Yan H contributed equally to this work in the manuscript preparation and submission as the co-corresponding authors.
Supported bythe National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 82272396; and the Youth Medical Talent of Jiangsu Province, No. QNRC2016475.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare that there are no competing interests associated with this manuscript.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Jian Wu, MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, No. 242 Guangji Road, Suzhou 215008, Jiangsu Province, China. wujianglinxing@163.com
Received: December 5, 2023 Revised: January 25, 2024 Accepted: March 12, 2024 Published online: June 20, 2024 Processing time: 196 Days and 22.4 Hours
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV), responsible for widespread viral hepatitis, infects approximately 2.3 billion individuals globally, with a significant mortality burden in Asia. The virus, primarily transmitted through contaminated water and undercooked meat, is often underdiagnosed, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Current HEV treatments, while effective, are limited by adverse effects, necessitating research into safer alternatives. Moreover, HEV’s extrahepatic manifestations, impacting the nervous and renal systems, remain poorly understood. This study underscores the imperative for enhanced HEV research, improved diagnostic methods, and more effective treatments, coupled with increased public health awareness and preventive strategies.
Core Tip: Diagnosing hepatitis E virus (HEV), especially in immunocompromised individuals, is challenging due to the limitations of standard serological markers, necessitating the use of more sensitive nucleic acid amplification techniques. Existing treatments, mainly ribavirin and interferon-α, play a certain role in controlling the progression of the disease but have notable side effects. There is a lack of safe treatment options for pregnant women and immunocompromised patients. Future research should continue to concentrate on understanding the global prevalence, enhancing surveillance and prevention measures, and exploring innovative treatment approaches for HEV. This focused effort is critical to address the World Health Organization’s urgent goal of eradicating viral hepatitis by 2030.
