ABSTRACT
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the major cause of sporadic and epidemic acute viral hepatitis in adults. Mainly transmitted via fecal-oral route, hepatitis E (HE) represents an important public health concern in developing countries. HEV is a nonenveloped, spherical virus with icosahedral symmetry. It has a diameter of 27-32 nm as revealed by immune-electron microscopy (IEM). The genome of HEV contains CREs that have a significant role in efficient replication of the HEV genome. The HEV life cycle remains largely understudied due to the lack of a robust cell-culture system and small animal model. However, it is mostly similar to other positive-sense RNA viruses. HEV primarily targets hepatocytes; however, extrahepatic cells and tissues also support HEV replication. HEV can be transmitted through human mother milk and camel milk. Chronic infections of HEV in organ transplant cases, high mortality during pregnancy, and severity in individuals having underlying chronic liver infections need immediate attention.
