Abstract
Hepatitis A and hepatitis E are common foodborne and waterborne viral infections worldwide, with a higher incidence where there is limited access to clean drinking water. Humans are the only host for hepatitis A but hepatitis E has distinct genotypes with human and zoonotic hosts.
Both hepatitis A and hepatitis E cause a self-resolving and often clinically silent hepatitis that can last 2–6 months. Clinically apparent cases can cause jaundice and elevated liver enzymes. In rare instances either virus can cause liver failure with higher risk in older individuals and in the case of hepatitis E during pregnancy.
Rare causes of chronic hepatitis E have been reported in immunosuppressed solid organ transplant recipients.
Therapy is supportive with self-resolution. In the rare cases of acute liver failure liver transplant can be an option. No specific antiviral therapy is needed except for Ribavirin in chronic cases of hepatitis E in transplant recipients.
In the USA hepatitis A incidence has declined with vaccination. Access to improved sanitation and clean drinking water reduces the incidence of both viruses.
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Said, A., DeVoss, A. (2017). Viral Hepatitis: Hepatitis A and E. In: Saeian, K., Shaker, R. (eds) Liver Disorders. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30103-7_9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30103-7_9
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