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Genetic Evolution of Hepatitis E Virus

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Hepatitis E Virus

Abstract

Comparative analysis of the genomic sequences of multiple hepatitis E virus (HEV) isolates has revealed extensive genomic diversity among them. Recently, a variety of genetically distinct HEV variants have also been isolated and identified from large numbers of animal species, including birds, rabbits, rats, ferrets, bats, cutthroat trout, and camels, among others. Furthermore, it has been reported that recombination in HEV genomes takes place in animals and in human patients. Also, chronic HEV infection in immunocompromised individuals has revealed the presence of viral strains carrying insertions from human genes. This paper reviews the current knowledge on the genomic variability and evolution of HEV.

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Abbreviations

HEV:

Hepatitis E Virus

Hel:

Helicase

MeT:

Methyltransferase

ORF:

Open reading frame

PCP:

Papain-like cysteine protease

RdRP:

RNA-dependent RNA polymerase

VLPs:

Viruslike particles

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Correspondence to Ling Wang Ph.D. .

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Zhang, Y., Gong, W., Zeng, H., Wang, L. (2016). Genetic Evolution of Hepatitis E Virus. In: Wang, Y. (eds) Hepatitis E Virus. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 948. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-0942-0_5

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