Autochthonous and Travel Acquired Hepatitis E Virus in Australia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a common cause of acute viral hepatitis with significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in pregnant women. There are four major genotypes which can cause disease in humans. Genotypes 1 and 2 are usually associated with outbreaks and spread via facal/oral route or contaminated water. Genotypes 3 and 4 are zoonotic and usually associated with handling of pigs or consumption of contaminated pork. The strains circulating in Australia have never been characterized.

Rationale/aims

The aims for this project are to identify the HEV genotypes found in Australia and link them to possible sources of transmission by phylogenetic analysis.

Materials and methods

Between 2015 and 2020, 91 HEV isolates were sequenced and genotyped using an

SUBMITTER: O'Keefe J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7901960 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature