Molecular characterisation of human hepatitis E virus from Italy: comparative analysis of five reverse transcription-PCR assays.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hepatitis E (HEV) is an important public-health concern as a major cause of enterically transmitted hepatitis worldwide. In industrialised countries it is considered rare, and largely confined to travellers returning from endemic areas. However, autochthonous (locally acquired) HEV infection is also emerging in these regions. The infection is caused by different genotypes, depending on whether it is travel-related or autochthonous. Conventional RT-PCR followed by sequencing of PCR products can identify HEV genotype and, depending on the region, the subtype, thus helping in defining the origin of infection and tracing the source of contamination.

Methods

We re-analysed a collection of serum samples previously confirmed as hepatitis E positive by anti-HEV IgM and Ig

SUBMITTER: La Rosa G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4002560 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature