Sporadic acute hepatitis E in the united kingdom: an underdiagnosed phenomenon?

Abstract

Hepatitis E (HEV) is the primary cause of enterically transmitted non-A non-B hepatitis worldwide. Case reports of HEV in individuals in the United Kingdom relate to travel to endemic areas or contact with individuals who have visited these areas. Four individuals presented with acute hepatitis to a hepatology clinic in a teaching hospital. Serology confirmed acute hepatitis E in all four. Investigation by the Communicable Disease Control Department established no links between the cases, no travel to an endemic area, and no contacts. Contrary to current belief, community acquired hepatitis E virus infection occurs sporadically in the United Kingdom and should be considered as a cause of seronegative hepatitis.