Protective immunity against HEV

• Published in: Current opinion in virology 2014-04, Vol.5, p.1-6
• Main Authors: Huang, Shou-Jie, Liu, Xiao-Hui, Zhang, Jun, Ng, Mun-Hon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Hepatitis E - immunology; Hepatitis E - prevention & control; Hepatitis E - virology; Hepatitis E virus; Hepatitis E virus - genetics; Hepatitis E virus - immunology; Hepatitis E virus - physiology; Humans; Immunity, Innate
• ISSN: 1879-6257; 1879-6265
• DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2013.10.003

•The zoonotic genotype 4 hepatitis E virus is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis in rural eastern China.•Infection is common, but virtually all are subclinical.•Naturally acquired immunity affords 75% protection against the infection.•However, protective immunity is extended to 38% of population.•Vaccination with the HEV239 vaccine extends similar level of protection to the entire population. Rural community of Dongtai City in eastern China is endemic for hepatitis E virus (HEV), with the zoonotic genotype 4 virus predominating. The virus appears to be widely distributed in environment at generally low levels, such that infection is common, but >97% of which are asymptomatic and provoke a modest antibody response. Naturally acquired immunity affords 75% protection against infection, prevents disease caused by primary infection and alleviates severity of the disease caused by the residual infection that had evaded host immune surveillance. The protection, however, is extended to a minority, while leaving the majority of population essentially without the benefits of immune protection. Vaccination affords similar level of protection as does natural immunity, but expands the protective coverage to the entire population.