Features of hepatitis E virus infection in humans and animals in Japan

摘要: In Japan, hepatitis E had long been considered to be a rare liver disease which can accidentally imported from endemic countries in Asia and Africa, where the sanitation conditions are suboptimal. However, since identification of first autochthonous case viremic domestic pigs Japan 2001, our understanding virus (HEV) infection this country has changing markedly. This largely due development serological gene-based diagnostic assays, accumulation molecular epidemiological findings on HEV humans animals (as potential reservoirs for humans) recognition importance zoonotic food-borne other routes transmission HEV, including blood-borne transmission. Although it is now evident that far more common than was previously thought, clinical subclinical infections indigenous remain underdiagnosed their prevalence still underestimated presence unknown low awareness status by many physicians Japan. review focuses features animals, as definitive or updates current knowledge transmission, routes, important maintenance spread