hepatic and biliary disorders
Hepatitis E
Key Points
Transmission of hepatitis E is usually by the fecal-oral route. Most patients recover spontaneously, but pregnant women have an increased risk of fulminant hepatitis and death. Genotype 3 may cause chronic hepatitis in immunocompromised patients. Suspect hepatitis E in travelers to endemic regions; do IgM anti-HEV testing if available. Treat patients supportively; consider usingribavirinfor chronic hepatitis E. A vaccine is available in China. 