Hepatitis A and E

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) are the most common causes of acute hepatitis in humans worldwide. The genomic structure of these viruses is shown in the poster. Both enterically transmitted hepatotropic viruses show a similar but not identical epidemiologic pattern, mode of transmission and clinical course. However, there are also some distinct genetic differences within the genome of the individual viruses with an impact on epidemiology and transmission.

Most HAV and HEV infections are acquired through contaminated water and food. HEV genotype (gt) 1 and 2 are restricted to humans and can cause large, primarily waterborne outbreaks in resource-limited settings while gt 3 and 4 are zoonotic infections in middle- and high-income areas. Zoonotic transmission of HAV is unknown.