Discovery of Hepatitis E

Hepatitis E is an infectious disease with sporadic or epidemic distribution, caused by a hepatotropic RNA virus (Hepatitis E virus, HEV), discovered in the early 1980s. Two notable scientists have a significant contribution to the discovery and identification of Hepatitis E, Mohammad Sultan Khuroo and Mikhail S. Balayan. HEV is distinguished from other human hepatitis viruses by the presence of an animal reservoir. Genotypes 1 and 2 infect only humans, while genotypes 3 and 4 also circulate in animals (mainly domestic pigs and wild boars). To date, genotype 3 (HEV-3) is the most prevalent in Europe. Based on seroprevalence, it is estimated that one-third of the world’s population has been infected with this virus. Outbreaks of hepatitis E have been recorded in many countries around the world. HEV infection is associated with hepatic and extrahepatic manifestations. In most cases, HEV is responsible for an acute, self-limiting hepatitis with rapid viral clearance in immunocompetent individuals. HEV remains underdiagnosed. This review article comprehensively history of HEV infection, while stressing emphasizes the importance of disease in public health.