Journal of Liver

Hepatitis E virus infection: An underestimated evolving problem

3^rd World Congress on Hepatitis and Liver Diseases

October 10-12, 2016 Dubai, UAE

Fatma Abdelaziz Amer

Zagazig University, Egypt

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Liver

Abstract:

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the human hepatitis viruses. It is a single, positive sense, RNA virus categorized under the family Hepeviridae. Merely one serotype of the virus exists and classification into subtypes relies upon the nucleotide sequences of the genome. It is estimated that 71% of the world population are infected with HEV and the infection results in approximately 3 million symptomatic acute cases and 70000 deaths annually. The disease predominantly affects young adults (15-40 years old) and for reasons that are poorly understood is predominantly severe and expected to progress to liver failure in pregnant women. Individuals could be infected with HEV genotypes 1 and 2 from drinking contaminated water. Specifically, HEV genotype 3 is zoonotic in developed countries. HEV genotype 4 infections could be detected in both human and swine in Eastern Asia and Europe. In developed countries, some cases of vertical transmissions of HEV have been reported as well as in homosexual men. Methods for laboratory diagnosis of HEV include serum biochemistry, in addition to virological and immunological studies. Besides improved personal hygiene, sanitation and health education, vaccination might play a crucial role in the future prevention and control of HEV infection. Chinese vaccine HEV 239 vaccine, which contains truncated HEV capsid protein, was approved in China by the State Food and Drug Administration in January 2012. More studies on HEV are urgently needed. Sound infection prevention measures are also required with emphasis to be placed on the suitable vaccine candidates.

Biography :

Fatma Abdelaziz Amer has worked as the Head of Medical Microbiology and Immunology and is currently a Supervisor of the Infection Control Program, Zagazig Faculty of Medicine, Egypt. She has obtained her MSc degree in Infection Control and is the President of the Arab Alliance for the prudent use of Antimicrobials and the Hepatitis Working Group, International Society for Chemotherapy. She has published more than 35 papers in national and international journals. She has developed two parts of infection control books. She has attended more than 50 conferences all over the world and has been aiding as a Reviewer, Editorial Board Member and Co-Editor in many national and international journals.

Email: egyamer@yahoo.com