Hepatitis E: The underestimated risk in liver cirrhosis

Infections with the hepatitis E virus (HEV) are the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide.

In healthy people, they usually resolve without the person even noticing.

For people with preexisting liver damage, however, they can have serious consequences.

A study at the Hannover Medical School (MHH) has shown that, in half of all cases of liver cirrhosis, HEV infections lead to acute liver failure.

However, HEV infections are underdiagnosed.

To detect the infections in a timely manner and bring them under control with antiviral therapies, the researchers are calling for greater awareness of HEV infections among medical staff, as well as more routine testing. ...