Clinical Evaluation of a Multiplex Real-time PCR Assay for the Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis E Virus

摘要

Every year an estimated 20 million individuals are infected by the hepatitis E virus. Over 3.3 million symptomatic cases of hepatitis E and 56,600 hepatitis E related deaths occur as a result [1]. Hepatitis E is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis E virus: a non-enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus transmitted mainly through the faecal-oral route, via contaminated water and some foods such as pork. Following exposure to the hepatitis E virus the incubation period ranges from 3 to 8 weeks, and the virus can cause both acute sporadic and epidemic viral hepatitis. Symptomatic infection is most common in young adults aged 15-40 years, with typical signs and symptoms including jaundice, anorexia, enlarged liver, abdominal pain and tenderness, nausea, vomiting and fever.