Comparing the Clinical Features and Outcomes of Acute Hepatitis E Viral Infections with Those of Acute Hepatitis A, B, and C Infections in Korea

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigated the etiology of acute viral hepatitis and compared the clinical features of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections with those of other acute viral hepatitis infections in Korea. Methods: This study included 2,357 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with acute hepatitis, based on acute illness with jaundice or elevated alanine aminotransferase levels (> 100 IU/L), between January 2007 and January 2016. Acute viral infections were observed in 23 (19.8%) patients with HEV, 49 (42.2%) patients with hepatitis A virus, 28 (24.1%) patients with hepatitis B virus, and 16 (13.8%) patients with hepatitis C virus. Results: The incidence of acute HEV infection was higher among older patients (median age: 49 years) and male patients (69.6%), and was associated with the consumption of undercooked or uncooked meat (43.5%). Half of the acute HEV infections involved underlying liver disease, such as alcoholic liver disease, chronic hepatitis B, common bile duct stones, and autoimmune hepatitis. Two HEV-infected patients were diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, although no patients developed fulminant hepatitis. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that HEV infection in Korea is frequently transmitted through the consumption of raw meat and may cause acute or chronic liver disease. (C) 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel